I was rolling right along last week and then came the final three games.
Oklahoma won a ridiculous shootout at Texas Tech but failed to cover. Ohio State, a double-digit favorite, got whited out at Penn State. Ole Miss met LSU freight train Leonard Fournette and it wasn't pretty.
The result was a 4-5-1 week that still has me one game above .500 for the season entering Week Nine.
The big game of the week is Clemson at Florida State. The Tigers have lost their last four trips to Tallahassee. Clemson could afford a loss and still make the College Football Playoff, but the Tigers want to stay unbeaten and build some momentum entering November.
For some odd reason, the Tigers have been better on the road than they have at home. If you are a Clemson fan, you hope that trend continues Saturday night.
Most of the remaining unbeatens are on the road this week, so this could be Shake-Up Saturday.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Duke at Georgia Tech -5.5 -- Duke has always been a pain for Georgia Tech. The wolves are howling on The Flats for Paul Johnson's job. The Jackets are running out of chances to make a stand this season. I'm just not feeling it for the Jackets. Pick -- Duke
West Virginia at Oklahoma State +3.5 -- The unbeaten Mountaineers return to West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen's old stomping grounds in Stillwater. He was Oklahoma State's offensive coordinator before taking the job at West Virginia. This looks to be a typical Big 12 shootout. Take the Pokes and the points. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Georgia vs. Florida -7.5 -- SEC and school officials can try and change the name all they want, but this game will always be known as The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The smell of bourbon will be heavy in the air as the Dawgs and Gators tangle in Jacksonville. There is grumbling in Athens already. This is a game Florida needs to win the East. Pick -- Florida
Tennessee at South Carolina +13.5 -- After surviving UMass last week, the Gamecocks return to the SEC. The only thing more painful than losing to Tennessee is having to listen to Rocky Top all night long. Pick -- Tennessee
Clemson at Florida State +4.5 -- Before the season started, I marked this game as a loss for Clemson. This isn't a vintage Florida State team, but this game is Florida State's chance to make a major statement that it still exists. I think the Seminoles will play like their hair is on fire. Pick -- Florida State
Michigan at Michigan State +24.5 -- Michigan State got lucky last year when the Michigan punter made one of the biggest boneheaded plays of the season. The struggling Spartans won't be so lucky this year. Pick -- Michigan
Louisville at Virginia +33 -- Cardinal quarterback Lamar Jackson will add to his Heisman Trophy resume. I know the Cardinals are capable of covering the spread, but I have a feeling the Cavaliers will stay inside the 33. Pick -- Virginia
Miami at Notre Dame +2 -- Reality has settled in at Coral Gables. The Hurricanes have gone from unbeaten to out of the ACC Coastal race in one month. Notre Dame is a mess. I am going to take the points. Pick -- Notre Dame
Washington at Utah +10 -- The class of the Pac 12 travels to Salt Lake City to face its biggest challenge to date. I like the Utes. Pick -- Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -7.5 -- I am sorry. I just don't believe in Nebraska. Maybe they will make a believer out of me this week. But I don't think so. Pick -- Wisconsin
Last Week -- 4-5-1
For The Season -- 39-38-3
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