After swinging and missing for several weeks, I finally connected last week.
The slate was 8-2 overall, by far the best of the season. The eight correct picks also moved back over the .500 mark for the season.
The misses were A&M failing to cover against pesky South Carolina and Notre Dame missing the spread in a narrow victory over Temple.
But now is not the time to get cocky. Fans always remember November. The first Saturday of November has some dynamite games.
As always, the picks are against the spread. Here are this week's selections:
-- Florida State at Clemson -12: This will be the first game Clemson has ever played as the No. 1 team in the country. The overriding question about this game -- Can the Tigers handle the intense focus of being No. 1? They get a severe test as ACC bully Florida State comes to the Valley. FSU has won three straight against the Tigers and drilled the Tigers the last time they came to Clemson. Florida State's Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the country. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has been on a roll. A simple analysis of this game -- Which ever No. 4 plays the best will lead his team to victory. But I think the Tigers have more balance on both sides of the ball. And I am beginning to believe they have destiny on their side. Pick Clemson.
-- TCU -5.5 at Oklahoma State: Yet another Big 12 shootout. A battle of unbeatens. Can the Cowboys hang? I think they can. Pick the Pokes.
-- South Carolina at Tennessee -16.5: South Carolina put forth a great effort but came up short at College Station. The spread is a little high, but I see a Gamecock letdown in Knoxville. Pick Tennessee.
-- Duke at North Carolina -8. The winner of this one will take control of the Coastal Division. Duke did get screwed last week, but that game should have never come down to Miami's miracle play. The Blue Devils only have themselves to blame. The Heels have not lost since they gagged against South Carolina the opening week of the season. It pains me to pick either one of these teams, but I going with the Heels. Pick North Carolina.
-- Arkansas at Ole Miss -10.5: Most of the SEC is secretly hoping Ole Miss can lose another conference game. If Ole Miss wins out, the Rebels will win the West and put the SEC's playoff chances in jeopardy. I like the Rebels at home. Take Ole Miss.
-- Kentucky at Georgia -14.0. Georgia hasn't scored a touchdown in two weeks and it is a 14-point favorite? Somebody must know something. All of the talk coming out of Athens has been about internal problems in the program. There has been no talk about Kentucky. I believe the end is near for Mark Richt. I think the Wildcats will cover the spread. Pick Kentucky.
-- Notre Dame -8 at Pittsburgh: The Panthers, coming off a loss to North Carolina, will drop their second straight game. Pick Notre Dame.
-- Army at Air Force -17.0. Air Force will have too much firepower for the Black Knights of the Hudson. Pick Air Force.
-- LSU at Alabama -6.5: After the release of the first playoff poll, Alabama has received most of the criticism from the pundits. The Tide has one loss, a home loss to two-loss Ole Miss. This is put up or shut up time for the Tide. LSU is unbeaten and can knock Alabama out of the conversation with a victory. This one will be for men only, and I think it will be close. So, I'm taking the points. Pick LSU.
-- Texas Tech at West Virginia -8. The Mountaineers will win a track meet. Bonus Pick -- Over/Under is 80. Take the Over. Take West Virginia.
Last Week -- 8-2
For The Season -- 48-46
No comments:
Post a Comment