So far, November has not been kind to me.
Last week's record was 4-5-1. The push was Clemson's 22-point victory against Wake Forest.
The season record now stands at two games under .500. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, there is a need for a serious rally.
This is rivalry week, so I have added two extra games to the picks sheet.
We are guaranteed a shake up in the CFP rankings this week. Michigan at Ohio State will eliminate at least one of those schools from consideration for the playoffs.
I continue to believe this will be the first time we will see a two-loss team in the playoff field. The next two weeks are going to be really interesting.
I am looking for the ACC to totally dominate the ACC in inter-conference matchups this weekend. The SEC's best chance for a victory will be Georgia against Georgia Tech in Athens.
I hope everybody has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Friday's Games
-- N.C. State at North Carolina -11.5. North Carolina needs this game to keep pressure on Virginia Tech in the race for the Coastal Division title. N.C. State needs this game to become bowl eligible. I think the Heels have too much offense for the Pack. Pick -- North Carolina
-- TCU at Texas -3.0. Is this it for Charlie Strong at Texas? Can a Texas head coach survive any season that includes a loss to Kansas? Strong's players love him but will they go out and win for him and make the Horns bowl eligible? Plenty of questions for the Horns. I think Texas is going to show some pride and rise up. Pick -- Texas
-- Washington at Washington State +6.0. Washington State got tripped up at Colorado last week. Washington still has dreams of making the CFP. Washington's playoff dream will die in Pullman. Pick -- Washington State
Saturday's Games
-- Georgia Tech at Georgia -4.5. Paul Johnson's two victories against Georgia have come in Athens. Tech's offense has been playing better. The Yellow Jackets have scored 61 points in their last two games. Georgia's offense continues to struggle. Take the the Jackets and the points. Pick -- Georgia Tech
-- South Carolina at Clemson -24.0. The Tigers have fooled me most of the season. I think they will cover and they don't. I don't think they will cover and they do. Last week, they pushed against a 22-point spread at Wake. I believe the Tigers will win their third in a row against the Gamecocks, but I think the 24 points is too much. Pick -- South Carolina
-- Kentucky at Louisville -26.0. Louisville takes out some frustration on Kentucky. Lamar Jackson gets back on track. Don't worry Wildcats. Basketball season us underway. Pick -- Louisville
-- Michigan at Ohio State -6.5. I think this is the layup of the week. The lock of the season. The Buckeyes will deflate the overrated Wolverines and knock them out of the CFP. Pick -- Ohio State
-- Virginia at Virginia Tech -18.5. Is this a rivalry? Virginia Tech has won 12 in a row against Virginia. The spread is a little high but give me the Hokies. Pick -- Virginia Tech
-- Auburn at Alabama -17.0. Seventeen points isn't enough for slumping Auburn. Roll Tide roll. Pick -- Alabama
-- Mississippi State at Ole Miss -8.0. Ole Miss needs this game to become bowl eligible. The State defense has allowed 109 points in its last two games. Give the Golden Egg to the Rebels. Hoddy Toddy. Pick -- Ole Miss
-- Florida at Florida State -7.0. Florida won an emotional game at LSU last week. Florida State has won three straight. I think the Seminoles will roll the Gators. Pick -- Florida State
-- Notre Dame at Southern Cal -17.5. This might be a bigger lock than the Michigan-Ohio State game. Two teams going in different directions. The Irish end a pathetic season with another pathetic performance. Fight on. Pick -- Southern Cal
Last Week -- 4-5-1
For The Season -- 57-59-4
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Like Dabo Said, Flush It
After the craziest Saturday of the season, I can take comfort in the wise words of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.
Flush it.
3-7. Yeah, that's correct. 3-7. By far my worst week of the season. Clemson continues to baffle me. I just can't figure out the Tigers. One of my wins was Georgia, which beat Auburn outright.
The stinker drops me to 53-54-3, the first time this season the overall record has been below .500.
Let's see if we can pick ourselves and move forward. It is time to rise up.
As always, all picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
-- Louisville at Houston +14. This game was going to be Louisville's late-season statement until Houston, which opened the season with an upset of Oklahoma, lost two games. The Cardinals' only hope for an open path to the CFP is a Clemson loss to Wake Forest and statement win at Houston. I expect the Cards to roll the Cougars. Pick -- Louisville
-- Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia -23. I believe the Dawgs will win, but I think the spread is too high for Georgia's anemic offense. Pick -- Louisiana-Lafayette
-- Oklahoma State at TCU -4.5. The Pokes travel to Fort Worth with Big 12 title hopes on the line. Give me the points. Pick -- Oklahoma State
-- Virginia at Georgia Tech -11. Can Paul Johnson save his job with a late-season run? Can the Yellow Jackets sweep the state of Virginia? Pick -- Georgia Tech
-- Clemson at Wake Forest - 22. The Tigers self-destructed last week against Pitt. Turnovers and discipline on defense continue to be big problems. The Tigers dropped to No. 4 in the CFP poll, which means three victories and the Tigers are in. There is no margin of error. I believe Clemson will beat Wake but will not cover. Pick -- Wake Forest
-- Florida at LSU -14. League rules forced Florida to play this game. You have to play eight to win the SEC title. But instead of playing in The Swamp where the game was originally scheduled, the Gators have to travel to the Bayou. The Tigers will skin the Gators in the Great Hurricane Makeup and create more turmoil in the SEC Least. Pick -- LSU
-- Washington State at Colorado -4.5. Mike Leach's high-flying Cougars knock a hole in Colorado's Pac 12 title hopes. Pick -- Washington State
-- Virginia Tech at Notre Dame. The Irish will take down the skiddish Hokies. Pick -- Notre Dame
-- Oklahoma at West Virginia +2.5. Loser is out of the Big 12 title race. Morgantown can be an intimidating place. But I think Oklahoma wins this one, which means all of the couches in Morgantown will stay on the front porch instead of being burned in the front yard. Pick -- Oklahoma
-- Southern Cal at UCLA +10.5. The red-hot Trojans will bash the Bruins. Fight on! Pick -- Southern Cal
Last Week -- 3-7
For The Season -- 53-54-3
Friday, November 11, 2016
Clemson, South Carolina Will Both Cover
Some days you're the windshield. Some days, you're the bug.
Last week was a bug week.
The record went below the .500 mark with some close misses and two big misses -- Clemson covered the 26 points, while Nebraska got beat by 59 by Ohio State.
Ten weeks in, the overall record is three games above the magical .500 mark.
This week features surging South Carolina at injury-riddled Florida and the renewal of the oldest rivalry in the Deep South -- Auburn at Georgia.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
-- South Carolina at Florida -11.0. Will Muschamp returns to the Swamp to face a Florida team that may not have enough bodies. Can quarterback Jake Bentley lead the Gamecocks to victory in his first start on the road in the SEC? Call me crazy (You're crazy!), but I think so. Pick -- South Carolina
-- Pittsburgh at Clemson -20.5. I didn't think the Tigers would cover last week. They covered the 26-point spread in the first half. Pitt can score, but Pitt's defense is the pits. The Tigers will cover this week. Pick -- Clemson
-- Auburn at Georgia +10. Georgia survived at Kentucky, while Auburn struggled with woeful Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs discovered their running game against the Wildcats. Home field makes the difference. Pick -- Georgia
-- Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech -14.0. The sun continues to set on Paul Johnson's tenure at Georgia Tech. Pick -- Virginia Tech
-- Texas Tech at Oklahoma State -12.5. The Pokes have enough offense to keep up with the Red Raiders. Pokes in a shootout. Pick -- Oklahoma State
-- Kentucky at Tennessee -14.0. The Vols continue their late-season run to a mediocre bowl game. Pick -- Tennessee
-- Miami (Fla.) at Virginia +10.0. Which Miami shows up? The one that covers the spread. Pick -- Miami
-- LSU at Arkansas +7.0. After a brutal battle with Alabama last week, seven points on the road is too much for LSU to overcome. Pick -- Arkansas
-- Southern Cal at Washington -9.0. Washington's speed is too much for the Trojans. Pick -- Washington
-- California at Washington State -14.5. Washington State gets another step closer to a massive Apple Cup game. Pick -- Washington State
Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 50-47-3
Last week was a bug week.
The record went below the .500 mark with some close misses and two big misses -- Clemson covered the 26 points, while Nebraska got beat by 59 by Ohio State.
Ten weeks in, the overall record is three games above the magical .500 mark.
This week features surging South Carolina at injury-riddled Florida and the renewal of the oldest rivalry in the Deep South -- Auburn at Georgia.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
-- South Carolina at Florida -11.0. Will Muschamp returns to the Swamp to face a Florida team that may not have enough bodies. Can quarterback Jake Bentley lead the Gamecocks to victory in his first start on the road in the SEC? Call me crazy (You're crazy!), but I think so. Pick -- South Carolina
-- Pittsburgh at Clemson -20.5. I didn't think the Tigers would cover last week. They covered the 26-point spread in the first half. Pitt can score, but Pitt's defense is the pits. The Tigers will cover this week. Pick -- Clemson
-- Auburn at Georgia +10. Georgia survived at Kentucky, while Auburn struggled with woeful Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs discovered their running game against the Wildcats. Home field makes the difference. Pick -- Georgia
-- Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech -14.0. The sun continues to set on Paul Johnson's tenure at Georgia Tech. Pick -- Virginia Tech
-- Texas Tech at Oklahoma State -12.5. The Pokes have enough offense to keep up with the Red Raiders. Pokes in a shootout. Pick -- Oklahoma State
-- Kentucky at Tennessee -14.0. The Vols continue their late-season run to a mediocre bowl game. Pick -- Tennessee
-- Miami (Fla.) at Virginia +10.0. Which Miami shows up? The one that covers the spread. Pick -- Miami
-- LSU at Arkansas +7.0. After a brutal battle with Alabama last week, seven points on the road is too much for LSU to overcome. Pick -- Arkansas
-- Southern Cal at Washington -9.0. Washington's speed is too much for the Trojans. Pick -- Washington
-- California at Washington State -14.5. Washington State gets another step closer to a massive Apple Cup game. Pick -- Washington State
Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 50-47-3
Clemson, South Carolina Will Both Cover
Some days you're the windshield. Some days, you're the bug.
Last week was a bug week.
The record went below the .500 mark with some close misses and two big misses -- Clemson covered the 26 points, while Nebraska got beat by 59 by Ohio State.
Ten weeks in, the overall record is three games above the magical .500 mark.
This week features surging South Carolina at injury-riddled Florida and the renewal of the oldest rivalry in the Deep South -- Auburn at Georgia.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
-- South Carolina at Florida -11.0. Will Muschamp returns to the Swamp to face a Florida team that may not have enough bodies. Can quarterback Jake Bentley lead the Gamecocks to victory in his first start on the road in the SEC? Call me crazy (You're crazy!), but I think so. Pick -- South Carolina
-- Pittsburgh at Clemson -20.5. I didn't think the Tigers would cover last week. They covered the 26-point spread in the first half. Pitt can score, but Pitt's defense is the pits. The Tigers will cover this week. Pick -- Clemson
-- Auburn at Georgia +10. Georgia survived at Kentucky, while Auburn struggled with woeful Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs discovered their running game against the Wildcats. Home field makes the difference. Pick -- Georgia
-- Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech -14.0. The sun continues to set on Paul Johnson's tenure at Georgia Tech. Pick -- Virginia Tech
-- Texas Tech at Oklahoma State -12.5. The Pokes have enough offense to keep up with the Red Raiders. Pokes in a shootout. Pick -- Oklahoma State
-- Kentucky at Tennessee -14.0. The Vols continue their late-season run to a mediocre bowl game. Pick -- Tennessee
-- Miami (Fla.) at Virginia +10.0. Which Miami shows up? The one that covers the spread. Pick -- Miami
-- LSU at Arkansas +7.0. After a brutal battle with Alabama last week, seven points on the road is too much for LSU to overcome. Pick -- Arkansas
-- Southern Cal at Washington -9.0. Washington's speed is too much for the Trojans. Pick -- Washington
-- California at Washington State -14.5. Washington State gets another step closer to a massive Apple Cup game. Pick -- Washington State
Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 50-47-3
Last week was a bug week.
The record went below the .500 mark with some close misses and two big misses -- Clemson covered the 26 points, while Nebraska got beat by 59 by Ohio State.
Ten weeks in, the overall record is three games above the magical .500 mark.
This week features surging South Carolina at injury-riddled Florida and the renewal of the oldest rivalry in the Deep South -- Auburn at Georgia.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
-- South Carolina at Florida -11.0. Will Muschamp returns to the Swamp to face a Florida team that may not have enough bodies. Can quarterback Jake Bentley lead the Gamecocks to victory in his first start on the road in the SEC? Call me crazy (You're crazy!), but I think so. Pick -- South Carolina
-- Pittsburgh at Clemson -20.5. I didn't think the Tigers would cover last week. They covered the 26-point spread in the first half. Pitt can score, but Pitt's defense is the pits. The Tigers will cover this week. Pick -- Clemson
-- Auburn at Georgia +10. Georgia survived at Kentucky, while Auburn struggled with woeful Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs discovered their running game against the Wildcats. Home field makes the difference. Pick -- Georgia
-- Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech -14.0. The sun continues to set on Paul Johnson's tenure at Georgia Tech. Pick -- Virginia Tech
-- Texas Tech at Oklahoma State -12.5. The Pokes have enough offense to keep up with the Red Raiders. Pokes in a shootout. Pick -- Oklahoma State
-- Kentucky at Tennessee -14.0. The Vols continue their late-season run to a mediocre bowl game. Pick -- Tennessee
-- Miami (Fla.) at Virginia +10.0. Which Miami shows up? The one that covers the spread. Pick -- Miami
-- LSU at Arkansas +7.0. After a brutal battle with Alabama last week, seven points on the road is too much for LSU to overcome. Pick -- Arkansas
-- Southern Cal at Washington -9.0. Washington's speed is too much for the Trojans. Pick -- Washington
-- California at Washington State -14.5. Washington State gets another step closer to a massive Apple Cup game. Pick -- Washington State
Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 50-47-3
Friday, November 4, 2016
Tide Trip To Baton Rouge Is The Game Of The Week
Last week provided the best week of the season.
A 7-3 record against the spread improved my overall record to 46-41-3.
Among the picks to celebrate last week were Virginia +33 and Utah +10. Both covered and both had a shot to win outright.
This week's selections are led by Alabama's trip to the Bayou. It could be a dicey night for the Crimson Tide.
As always, all picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
-- Alabama at LSU +7.5. LSU is a sexy pick for the experts this week. Many are picking the Tigers upset the unbeaten Tide. I have watched Alabama several times this season. The Tide is a different animal. I think Alabama is by far the best team in the country. The Bayou Bengals will find that out Saturday night. Pick -- Alabama
-- Georgia Tech at North Carolina -10.5. The Tar Heels have to have this game to stay in the Coastal Division race. Tech's defensive is questionable at best. Even though the spread is a little high, I am going to grit my teeth, hold my nose, and take the Heels. Pick -- North Carolina
-- Syracuse at Clemson -26.0. The Tigers continue to play their best when they are under the most pressure. The Tigers have taken everybody's best shot and are still standing. Clemson has not been a good home team this season. Syracuse's offense is one of the fastest in college football. The play clock is no factor when the Orange have the ball. I think the Tigers will win, but I think 26 points is too much. Pick -- Syracuse
-- Oklahoma State at Kansas State -3.0. The Pokes journey to the Little Apple to face the always pesky Wildcats. It will be a tough afternoon, but OSU will survive and take another step toward the Big 12 title. Pick -- Oklahoma State
-- Missouri at South Carolina -7.0. The resurgent Gamecocks behind freshman quarterback Jake Bentley face five-alarm dumpster fire Missouri. Win this one and the Gamecocks are a victory over Western Carolina away from a bowl bid. Who would have thunk it? I don't think seven points is enough. The Gamecocks roll. Pick -- South Carolina
-- Georgia at Kentucky +2.5. Good even great Georgia teams have gone to Lexington and struggled. This is not a good Georgia team. Pick -- Kentucky
-- Virginia Tech at Duke +11. Surprising Virginia Tech is closing in on a trip to the ACC Championship game. Pick -- Virginia Tech
-- Florida State at N.C. State +5.5. Two depressed teams meet at Carter-Finley. Neither team has anything to play for but pride and a second- or third-rate bowl game. I believe Florida State's talent will make the difference. Pick -- Florida State
-- Nebraska at Ohio State -17.0. Last week, Ohio State slid past Northwestern, while Nebraska's undefeated season came to an end at Wisconsin. I think the spread is too high. Pick -- Nebraska
-- Washington at California +16.5. Unbeaten Washington received some motivation from the College Football Playoff committee by being ranked fifth in the first poll. The Huskies' non-conference schedule was pathetic, so from this point on, they will have to win and win big. If they finish unbeaten and win the Pac 12, there is no question the Huskies will be one of the four playoff teams. That being said, the spread for this one is too high. Pick -- California
Last Week -- 7-3
For The Season -- 46-41-3
A 7-3 record against the spread improved my overall record to 46-41-3.
Among the picks to celebrate last week were Virginia +33 and Utah +10. Both covered and both had a shot to win outright.
This week's selections are led by Alabama's trip to the Bayou. It could be a dicey night for the Crimson Tide.
As always, all picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
-- Alabama at LSU +7.5. LSU is a sexy pick for the experts this week. Many are picking the Tigers upset the unbeaten Tide. I have watched Alabama several times this season. The Tide is a different animal. I think Alabama is by far the best team in the country. The Bayou Bengals will find that out Saturday night. Pick -- Alabama
-- Georgia Tech at North Carolina -10.5. The Tar Heels have to have this game to stay in the Coastal Division race. Tech's defensive is questionable at best. Even though the spread is a little high, I am going to grit my teeth, hold my nose, and take the Heels. Pick -- North Carolina
-- Syracuse at Clemson -26.0. The Tigers continue to play their best when they are under the most pressure. The Tigers have taken everybody's best shot and are still standing. Clemson has not been a good home team this season. Syracuse's offense is one of the fastest in college football. The play clock is no factor when the Orange have the ball. I think the Tigers will win, but I think 26 points is too much. Pick -- Syracuse
-- Oklahoma State at Kansas State -3.0. The Pokes journey to the Little Apple to face the always pesky Wildcats. It will be a tough afternoon, but OSU will survive and take another step toward the Big 12 title. Pick -- Oklahoma State
-- Missouri at South Carolina -7.0. The resurgent Gamecocks behind freshman quarterback Jake Bentley face five-alarm dumpster fire Missouri. Win this one and the Gamecocks are a victory over Western Carolina away from a bowl bid. Who would have thunk it? I don't think seven points is enough. The Gamecocks roll. Pick -- South Carolina
-- Georgia at Kentucky +2.5. Good even great Georgia teams have gone to Lexington and struggled. This is not a good Georgia team. Pick -- Kentucky
-- Virginia Tech at Duke +11. Surprising Virginia Tech is closing in on a trip to the ACC Championship game. Pick -- Virginia Tech
-- Florida State at N.C. State +5.5. Two depressed teams meet at Carter-Finley. Neither team has anything to play for but pride and a second- or third-rate bowl game. I believe Florida State's talent will make the difference. Pick -- Florida State
-- Nebraska at Ohio State -17.0. Last week, Ohio State slid past Northwestern, while Nebraska's undefeated season came to an end at Wisconsin. I think the spread is too high. Pick -- Nebraska
-- Washington at California +16.5. Unbeaten Washington received some motivation from the College Football Playoff committee by being ranked fifth in the first poll. The Huskies' non-conference schedule was pathetic, so from this point on, they will have to win and win big. If they finish unbeaten and win the Pac 12, there is no question the Huskies will be one of the four playoff teams. That being said, the spread for this one is too high. Pick -- California
Last Week -- 7-3
For The Season -- 46-41-3
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