For the second week in a row, I got off to a great start and then lost it at the end. I was 6-1 with three games remaining but Florida and TCU failed to cover and Arizona got steamrolled by UCLA.
As we enter October, the games are becoming more interesting. The largest spread on this week's sheet is Oklahoma State -8.5 at home against Kansas State.
Here we go. We'll give it our best shot. And as always, the selections are against the spread.
-- Miami (Fla.) -6.0 at Cincinnati. Miami takes its undefeated record to the Queen City to face at 2-2 Bearcat team that is coming off a shootout loss to Memphis. Cincinnati backup quarterback Hayden Moore entered the Memphis game and threw for a school record 557 yards and four touchdowns. Miami had last Saturday off after withstanding a furious rally by Nebraska in the fourth quarter. Will the Canes be looking ahead to their ACC opener against Florida State? Maybe, but I'm going to take Miami.
-- South Carolina at Missouri -4. How can Missouri be a favorite over anybody? Has to be the home field. It has been an ugly start for Mizzou. South Carolina may have found a little spark last week in quarterback Lorenzo Nunez. Both teams have lost to Kentucky. I think Nunez is going to be the difference. Take the Gamecocks.
-- Alabama at Georgia -2.5. Georgia's first real test as the Crimson Tide comes rolling into Athens. The Tide already has a conference loss so it is do-or-die for Bama as far as the national picture is concerned. Georgia has been rolling behind running back Nick Chubb and quarterback Greyson Lambert. I think Georgia is the real deal. Pick the Dawgs.
-- North Carolina at Georgia Tech -7. This spread makes no sense. North Carolina can score and seems to have found something since the season-opening disaster against South Carolina. Georgia Tech is just a disaster. Paul Johnson says his system has worked for a long time and will continue to work. It doesn't work well when there's no experience in the backfield. Take North Carolina.
-- Kansas State at Oklahoma State -8.5. The Cowboys got their fourth straight win in Austin last Saturday. They return home to face a Kansas State team that is undefeated after battling past Louisiana Tech in three overtimes. Oklahoma State needs more consistency on defense and better play out of quarterback Mason Rudolph. Take the Cowboys.
-- Notre Dame -1 at Clemson. Is this the biggest game in Clemson history? Every week is a big week for Notre Dame. Can Clemson handle the moment? Can Deshaun Watson have a breakout game on a big stage to kick start a Heisman campaign? Can Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer hold up against Clemson's pressure with 80,000 plus screaming at him? The winner places their name squarely in the conversation for the playoffs. Notre Dame spent the early part of the week using Twitter to fire some trash talk at the Tigers. That's why Clemson players are not allowed to use social media during the season. It cuts down on the noise. The chatter only lasts until you get hit the mouth the first time. Clemson.
-- Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech -4.5. Bud Foster's defense gave up 35 points last week at East Carolina. The Hokies will have to play better to beat Pitt. Take the Hokies.
-- West Virginia at Oklahoma -6.0. I want to get all giddy about undefeated West Virginia after the Mountaineers smashed Maryland. But I am going to take a chill pill because I believe the Sooner Scooner is ready to roll in Norman. Pick the Sooners.
-- Louisville at N.C. State -4.5. N.C. State is unbeated and untested. Louisville finally won a game last week. Can the Cards win two in a row? Nope. N.C. State.
-- Ole Miss -7.0 at Florida. Florida continues to walk a tight rope. The Gators rallied late to beat choking Tennessee. The Rebels won a snoozer against Vanderbilt, but they will have to get it cranked back up before entering The Swamp. Can Chad Kelly deliver another big road victory? Yes. Hoddy Toddy. Pick Ole Miss.
-- Mississippi State at Texas A&M -7.0. The Aggies continue to build momentum as they enter the teeth of their schedule. Take A&M at home.
Against The Spread
Last Week -- 6-4
For The Season -- 22-19
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