Still struggling to build some momentum, last week was our first sub-.500 week of the season.
Taking Clemson and the points at home was almost a gift, but the Tigers made our collective hearts skip several million beats before rallying to beat upstart Louisville.
Texas A&M could not shake South Carolina, so the Gamecocks managed to put a strike against our record by covering the 17 1/2 points.
We picked Washington, but we didn't expect the Huskies to destroy Stanford. The Pac 12 looks as if it belongs to the Huskies.
Tennessee's final-play Hail Mary in Athens accounted for the second push of the season and smashed Dawg hearts everywhere. I shed tears for the Dawgs. Just kidding.
After Friday night's trip to Chestnut Hill, Clemson's schedule will calm down. After a visit from N.C. State, Clemson will get a week off before finishing the regular season with five straight Saturday games. The Tigers have had two short weeks and have played on a Thursday and a Friday. The ACC didn't do the Tigers any favors by making them travel to Boston and play on Friday after last Saturday night's emotional victory over then-No. 3 Louisville. I still believe Friday night football should be reserved for high schools. TV powers are making the ACC schedule Friday games, but I still think it sucks.
As always, all picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
Friday's Game
Clemson at Boston College +16.5. Chestnut Hill has always been a tough place for the Tigers to play. Boston College wants to play in a phone booth, so this will be a physical game that the Eagles will try and shorten with their running game. The Eagles lead the nation in total defense, so another turnover-filled game could mean trouble for the Tigers. The Eagles will be pumped for the annual Red Bandana Game, a game when they honor former Boston College lacrosse player Welles Crowther, who gave his life to save others during the 9/11 attack at the World Trade Center. Will the Tigers fall into the trap? Nope. Pick -- Clemson
Saturday's Games
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh -6.5. Pittsburgh at home will be too much for struggling Georgia Tech. The triple option is getting old in Atlanta. Paul Johnson's seat gets warmer. Pick -- Pittsburgh
Georgia at South Carolina +7. This game is in doubt because of the hurricane. The Gamecocks have been hanging with everybody they have played. But moral victories don't count in the W column. Georgia suffered a killer loss at home last week to Tennessee. Pick -- South Carolina
LSU at Florida +3. Ed Orgeron, who has made a career of being an interim head coach, got off to a good start last week by blasting Mississippi State. Florida is tough to figure out. But take the Gators at home. Pick -- Florida
Notre Dame at N.C. State -2. The Wolfpack ended Wake Forest's undefeated season last Saturday. Notre Dame got back on the positive side by routing Syracuse. Are the Irish healed? I don't think so. Pick -- N.C. State
Oklahoma at Texas +10. According to reports, the Red River Rivalry at the Texas State Fair is the beginning of the Charlie Strong Farewell Tour. Texas upset Oklahoma last season. It won't happen this year because a speed bump in a Wal-Mart parking lot puts up more resistance than the Texas defense. Pick -- Oklahoma
Virginia Tech at North Carolina -2.5. A big ACC Coastal showdown in Chapel Hill. Virginia Tech, coming off a bye week, has scored 103 points in its last two games. The Tar Heels pulled off a miracle in Tallahassee last Saturday. I am going to take the Hokies and the points. Pick -- Virginia Tech
Tennessee at Texas A&M -7.0. Tennessee's prayer was answered in Athens, but those same prayers will fall on deaf ears this Saturday. Aggies will hand the Vols their first loss. Pick -- Texas A&M
Florida State at Miami -3.0. Another game that might have real hurricane issues. I wonder if they are missing Mark Richt in Athens? Richt has the Hurricanes undefeated after two scoop-and-scores led to a two-touchdown victory at Georgia Tech. Florida State is leaking oil and has several loose lug nuts. The Seminoles will hit the wall at Hard Rock Stadium. Pick -- Miami
Washington at Oregon +8.5. The Huskies have lost 12 straight in the series and have not won in Eugene since 2002. The Cascade Clash is one of the nation's most underrated rivalries. Oregon has lost three straight for the first time in recent memory. The Ducks take another hit. Pick -- Washington
Last Week -- 4-5-1
For The Season -- 25-24-2
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