It is the most asked question in upstate South Carolina this week: What is wrong with Clemson?
The Tigers are 2-0 but have been less than impressive in both of their victories. Basically, they have stumbled their way to 2-0. Quarterback DeShaun Watson has not been sharp and his receivers need the "electric football rule" to be added to the book. (Electric football rule -- Any pass hitting a receiver in the air is considered complete. Receiver can pick up the ball and run with it.) Ray Ray McCloud forgot to take something with him over the goal line in one of the biggest bonehead plays in Clemson history. Fans felt pretty good about the development of the defensive unit until it fell apart in the final five minutes against Troy. The Tigers have this week against South Carolina State to get things straightened out. Clemson is not one of this week's 10 picks because there is not a line. But if I were you, I would take the South Carolina State Marching 101 and the give the points.
TCU lost in overtime to Arkansas to make the Big 12 the early favorite to be left out of the College Football playoff. Coupled with Oklahoma State's shocking and illegal loss to Central Michigan at home, the Big 12 already has two wheels over the cliff. Oklahoma must beat Ohio State to stay alive in the CFP conversation.
Last week was another .500 week. Kentucky, a 16-point underdog, was the biggest disappointment of the week. The Wildcats didn't come close to covering as they lost their 30th consecutive game to Florida.
Here are this week's selections. All picks are against the spread.
-- Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech -6.5. This is a tough spot for Tech. SEC opponent then Clemson on a short week. Can the Jackets focus on the Dores first? Pick -- Georgia Tech
-- Pittsburgh at Oklahoma State -6.0. Don't let a loss beat you twice. Thanks to a major officiating error, the Cowboys' playoff hopes to a major hit last Saturday. Pitt, led by bruising running back James Connor, knocked off Penn State and come to Stillwater full of confidence. This is a clash of offensive styles -- the wide-open Cowboys versus the plodding Panthers. Home field makes the difference. Pick -- Oklahoma State
-- East Carolina at South Carolina -3.5. The Gamecocks play their first home game of the season. South Carolina's offense is a major work in progress. East Carolina has momentum after beating N.C. State last Saturday, its sixth straight victory over an ACC team. Pick -- East Carolina
-- Georgia at Missouri +6.5. Georgia also has offensive issues. Kirby Smart can't decided on a quarterback. I think 6.5 is just too many points. Pick -- Missouri
-- Florida State at Louisville +2.5. This is the marquee game of the day. On paper, it looks like a real shootout. Too bad the kickoff is at noon. This is Louisville's first real test. Lamar Jackson has been superb in the first two games -- 13 touchdowns in 57 minutes. Can he do anything against a real defense? Pick -- Louisville
-- Colorado at Michigan -20.5. Where are you Cordell Stewart? The Wolverines will rough up the Buffs in the Big House. Pick -- Michigan
-- Boston College at Virginia Tech -6.0. Both of these teams have offensive issues. Please God, don't let Virginia Tech wear those rock uniforms ever again. Thank you. Amen. Take the Hokies at home. Pick -- Virginia Tech
-- Alabama at Ole Miss -10. Nick Saban screaming at Lane Kiffin late in last week's game set the stage for this week. Saban is dialed in. The Rebels have won two straight against the Tide. That streak ends Saturday. Pick -- Alabama
-- Michigan State at Notre Dame -7.5. The Spartans do not have enough offense to keep up with the Domers. Pick -- Notre Dame
-- Ohio State at Oklahoma +1.5. It's mid-September but it's do-or-die for the Sooners. A second loss would almost certainly eliminate Oklahoma from playoff consideration. The Buckeyes rarely leave Columbus in September. They prefer a steady diet of home cupcakes before Big 10 play begins. I may be a sucker, but I can't pass up the Sooners getting points at home. Pick -- Oklahoma
Last Week -- 5-5
For The Season -- 10-10-1
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