As we say in the South, Clemson "showed out" last Saturday by humiliating Louisville and Lamar Jackson. After that performance, the question has to be asked -- Are the Tigers better than they were last year?
Last week's record was 5-4-1. The big misses were Tennessee, which violated a sacred football fundamental by allowing a Florida wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland behind the secondary on the final play, and South Carolina, which found a way to lose to Kentucky for the fourth year in a row.
The push was Duke's 14-point impressive victory over Baylor.
Clemson provided one of the biggest surprises of the week by dominating Louisville. The previous three games between the Tigers and Cards had gone down to the bitter end. The fourth meeting wasn't even close. The stars seem to be aligning for the Tigers, but there is a lot of ball left to be played.
As always, the selections on the Cobb Blog are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Here are this week's selections:
Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech -7.5 -- Pitt allowed Oklahoma State to score on its first seven possessions and its head coach -- Pat Narduzzi -- is a defensive guy. Paul Johnson has the triple option up and running on The Flats. The Jackets roll. Pick -- Georgia Tech
TCU at Oklahoma State -11.0 -- Interesting early showdown in the Big 12. Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, a native of Rock Hill, S.C., has to be considered one of the early leaders for the Heisman Trophy. TCU is beginning to look like a vintage Gary Patterson team. The spread is a little high, but I like the Pokes on their own ranch. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Louisiana Tech at South Carolina -8.5 -- The Yardbirds did their annual early face plant last Saturday against Kentucky. Now South Carolina is faced with the return of Skip Holtz, the former coach-in-waiting, to Williams-Brice. Without Deebo Samuel and the lack of a running game, I expect the Cocks to struggle. Take the points. Pick -- Louisiana Tech
Boston College at Clemson -34.5 -- This would be a trap game if Boston College was bringing anything to Death Valley. The Eagles got mauled at home last week by a Notre Dame team that will be lucky to finish with a winning season. The Tigers were running on all cylinders last Saturday night in Louisville. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up. Pick -- Clemson
Mississippi State at Georgia -5.0 -- An early-season showdown in the It-Just-Means-More SEC. Mississippi State pulled off a stunner last Saturday night by pounding LSU in Stark-Vegas. The Dawgs continue to live off of their defense and their running game. I think playing between the Hedges will be the difference. Pick -- Georgia
N.C. State at Florida State -13.0 -- Who the hell knows about this game? What is N.C. State? Enough talent to beat just about anybody but doesn't have the ability to hold it together for any length of time. Florida State, which has played just one game this season, will trot out freshman quarterback James Blackman against the Wolfpack. FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher is confident Blackman can handle it. The Wolfpack has been tough on the Seminoles in the past. FSU has a defense but can it generate any points? Who knows? Anybody got a clue? Give me the points. Pick -- N.C. State
Duke at North Carolina +2.5 -- Duke is better coached. North Carolina has better talent. Duke is giving points on the road. When was the last time you saw that? I have seen enough of Duke to believe in the Blue Devils in this one. Duke head coach David Cutcliffe is known as a great developer of quarterbacks, but Duke's defense is pretty good. Pick -- Duke
Alabama at Vanderbilt +18.5 -- Common sense tells you Vanderbilt's party is over. The Commodores are 3-0 after outlasting Kansas State last week. But here comes big bad Bama to Music City to slap Vandy back into reality. Most of America would love to see Vandy pull off the upset. But I don't think it is going to happen. Pick -- Alabama
Michigan at Purdue +10 -- The Michigan defense is for real. The Michigan offense is not. Purdue is vastly improved. I think the Boilermakers have something cooked up for the Wolverines. Pick -- Purdue
Florida at Kentucky +2.5 -- Kentucky is off to its first 3-0 start since 2010. But the Wildcats have lost 30 in a row, yes 30 in a row, to Florida. The Gators' offense is truly offensive. Kentucky's defensive unit is salty. I think the goal posts come down in Lexington Saturday. Pick -- Kentucky
Last Week -- 5-4-1
For The Season -- 12-17-1
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