It's Championship Weekend

    We have reached championship weekend.
     As we approach the biggest games of the season, the College Football Playoff top four are Clemson, Auburn, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. If all four win Saturday, the CFP committee can kick back and drink lots of coffee Sunday morning.
     I personally believe Alabama is out and should be out. Even Alabama head coach Nick Saban has said a team that does not win its conference should not play for the national championship. The Tide didn't even win the Western Division. But Saturday chaos could open the door for the Tide, which would be a shame in my opinion. Bama's resume is weak, really weak. The Tide simply isn't deserving this year.
     The ACC and SEC championship games are essentially quarterfinal playoff games. If TCU beats Oklahoma and Ohio State manages to beat Wisconsin, the situation will get dicey late Saturday night.
     Last week was another 5-5 week to push the season record to 64-64-2.
     As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
     Here are this week's selections.

     Friday
     Stanford vs. Southern Cal -4.0 at Santa Clara, Calif. -- Most of the national talk has the Pacific 12 already out of the College Football Playoff picture. Southern Cal has two losses, Stanford has three. But a victory by the Trojans and some Saturday chaos could put Southern Cal in the Sunday morning discussion. Stanford is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Bryce Love, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in nine games this season. After 12 straight weeks, Southern Cal had last week off. While the Trojans were resting, Stanford was running over Notre Dame. Southern Cal beat Stanford, 42-24 on Sept. 9. Stanford is traditionally strong late in the season. I am going to take the Cardinal in the rematch. Pick -- Stanford

     Saturday
     Georgia vs. Auburn -2.5 at Atlanta -- Auburn has done something no other team has ever done -- beaten two No. 1 teams in a three-week period. This is not the same Auburn team that lost at Clemson. The key to this game is Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson, who was banged up in the Iron Bowl victory over Alabama. Johnson is a key part of Auburn's offense, which has really started to hum. Most reports say Johnson will be a game-time decision. Georgia's running game got stuffed in the first meeting. The Bulldogs will have to get more on the ground if they want to get revenge. I am expecting a pro-Georgia crowd for the first SEC title game in the Mercedes-Benz Dome. I thing the Dawgs will pull it off. Pick -- Georgia
     Miami vs. Clemson -9.5 at Charlotte, N.C. -- One more step and the Tigers will make it a remarkable three College Football Playoffs in a row. Mark Richt, the ACC Coach of the Year, has done a terrific job in Miami. The dumpster fire at South Beach has been extinguished. The Hurricanes have lived off their defense and take a lot of pride in the Turnover Chain. Ball security will be job No. 1 for Clemson. Miami is down a couple of play makers on offense because of injuries, so I expect the Hurricanes to fight an uphill battle most of the night against Clemson's defense. Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant will be tested, but I believe he will pass the test. Pick -- Clemson
     North Texas at Florida Atlantic -11.5 -- FAU head coach Lane Kiffin has spent more time tweeting and trolling Tennessee than worrying about his team this week. Kiffin has directed a quick turnaround for the Owls. The Owls will take down the Mean Green for the Conference USA title. Pick -- Florida Atlantic
     Memphis at Central Florida -7.0 -- This will be a wide-open, which-team-has-the-ball-last affair. Rumors are swirling that Central Florida head coach Scott Frost is headed back to Nebraska soon. Will the constant rumors regarding Frost's departure affect the Knights? Pick -- Central Florida
     TCU vs. Oklahoma -7.0 at Arlington, Tx. -- Oklahoma won the first meeting 38-20 on Nov. 11. If package-grabbing Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield wins this game, he will have more Big 12 titles (3) than conference losses (2) in his career. For TCU to have a chance, the Frog defense will have to play better and quarterback Kenny Hill will have to play much bigger than he did in the first game. I just don't think TCU has enough firepower to stay with Oklahoma. Pick -- Oklahoma
     Ohio State vs. Wisconsin +6.5 at Indianapolis -- This one will not be 59-0. That game is most certainly burned into Wisconsin's memory. The underdog Badgers are undefeated. Wisconsin is still searching for respect. I think the Badgers will finally find that respect Saturday. Pick -- Wisconsin
     Akron vs. Toledo -21.5 at Detroit -- Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside tossed five touchdown passes in the Rockets' 48-21 victory over Akron on Oct. 21. I am expecting much the same result the second time around. Rockets take the MAC. Pick -- Toledo
     Fresno State at Boise State -8.5 -- The Mountain West Conference championship game features one of the most weird situations of the weekend. Fresno beat Boise at home 28-17 last Saturday. A week later, the two teams will meet in Boise for the title. There is a reason Boise is favored by more than a touchdown. Take the Broncos on the smurf turf. Pick -- Boise State
     Furman at Wofford -- This is a second-round game in the FCS playoffs. In the first meeting, Wofford won by one point when Furman missed a two-point conversion late in the game. Both teams stay on the ground, so this will be a quick game. I think the second meeting will go to the Paladins. Pick -- Furman

     Last Week -- 5-5
     For The Season -- 64-64-2

Entering Final Week Of The Regular Season, Overall Record Is All Even

    First things first. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I hope however you have your bird cooked that it is tasty. I am amazed this blog has received more than 100 hits per week. Thanks for reading. As an ex-sportswriter, this is my one outlet, my one weekly deadline to meet. I am sure most of the clickers are just in search of comic relief.
    After a dull and lackluster week last week where I had to make up a couple of point spreads, this week is much different. This week is the opposite end of the spectrum.
     The is rivalry week. The Egg Bowl. The Commonwealth Clash. Clean Old Fashioned Hate. The Palmetto Bowl. The Iron Bowl. Most are recognized by college football fans. Some of the games will make or break seasons for the teams involved. Most are play-in games to the College Football Playoff. Some teams will drop by the wayside.
     This stands to be the most difficult week of picks this season because of the emotions and what is on the line. Even though it has a great resume, the national media just can't stay off of Clemson's back. With South Carolina in Columbia and Miami in Charlotte left on the schedule, the Tigers are either going to earn their way into the CFP or crap out.
     Alabama travels to Auburn for its stiffest test of the season. Surrounding the Iron Bowl is the drama of Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn's possible return to the state of Arkansas. Rumors are swirling that the University of Arkansas is interested in Malzahn, who coached high school football in Arkansas for several years. The winner of the Iron Bowl will go to Atlanta, rip Georgia, and then advance to the CFP. If Auburn beats Alabama and then beats Georgia for a second time in less than a month, the Tigers will have an extremely strong case to be the first two-loss team in the history of the CFP.
     Miami better not sleep on Pittsburgh Friday. Weather could be a factor. With the exception of the Notre Dame game, every week has been a high-wire act for the Hurricanes.
     Last week was a stinker for me at 4-6. The overall record for the season is now square at 59-59-2.
     All selections are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
     Here are this week's selections.
     Ole Miss at Mississippi State -16.0 -- The Egg Bowl also has some backstage drama. Dan Mullen, who has done a more than respectable job at Mississippi State, is a possible candidate at Tennessee. Mississippi State simply has a more solid team than Ole Miss. I believe the Bulldogs will cover. Pick -- Mississippi State
     Miami at Pittsburgh +14.0 -- My gut has been telling me for a couple of weeks that this is a possible upset. It could be a hunch. It could be something I ate. Pressure is mounting week after week on Miami, which moved to No. 2 in this week's CFP poll. Pittsburgh has had a bad season, but the Panthers are capable of causing problems. Most of Miami's games have been close. I expect this one to be the same. Don't be surprised if Pitt wins outright. Pick -- Pittsburgh
     Virginia Tech at Virginia +7.0 -- For the first time in years, this game might be competitive. Virginia, which gave Miami all it wanted last week, has the due factor. Wahoo Wa. Pick -- Virginia
     Texas Tech at Texas -10.0 -- When hot seats are talked about on national shows, Kliff Kingsbury needs to be mentioned. Not only is Texas Tech losing, the Red Raiders have stopped scoring. I would much prefer this Thanksgiving night game be Texas-Texas A&M, but I will take what I can get so I don't have to watch the National Felons League. Hook 'em. Pick -- Texas
     Georgia at Georgia Tech +11.0 -- Georgia Tech flat out sucked in Durham last week. It was an embarrassing effort, the type of game that gets coaches fired. Even though the game is in Atlanta, it will be a pro-Georgia crowd at Grant Field. There are just way more rednecks than there are nerds. As much as I would like to see Tech rise up and ruin Georgia's season, I just don't think the Yellow Jackets are capable of bouncing back from last week's meltdown. I think Tech is done. Pick -- Georgia
     Clemson at South Carolina +14.0 -- We now know Chickens have lips because South Carolina has been flapping their gums all week leading up to the game. Never again. Clemson is not that better than us. Clemson's linebackers aren't as good as last year. We are going to get even for them calling that late time out last season and disrespecting us. I'm sick of Clemson. Clemson has said all the right things. There is a quiet determination in Tigertown. If Clemson has all hands on deck on defense, expect the Tigers to wreck South Carolina's Jake Bentley like they did last year. South Carolina will play with emotion early, but then talent will take over. Clemson is a terrible cover team, but I think the Tigers will find a way Saturday night. Pick -- Clemson
     Louisville at Kentucky +10.0 -- Kentucky destroyed Lamar Jackson last season. Can the Wildcats do it two years in a row? I think 10 points at home is too much to turn down. Pick -- Kentucky
     Ohio State at Michigan +11.5 -- My hope is Michigan will rise up, whip Ohio State, and end any thoughts the national media has about the Buckeyes making the college football playoff. I have said all year Ohio State is a fraud. Interesting note -- Entering Saturday's game, both Ohio State and Michigan have 402 all-time victories in the Big Ten. Jim Harbaugh is way over due to win a big game. But I don't think it is going to happen. Pick -- Ohio State
     Florida State at Florida +5.0 -- Can we just flip a coin? Do we really have to watch this mess. Florida is finished, done, kaput. Florida State scored a bunch of points last week to build some confidence going to Gainesville. Of the two, I think Florida State still has a pulse. Pick -- Florida State
     Alabama at Auburn +4.5 -- The game of the weekend. Maybe the game of the year. Interesting note -- Nick Saban has never beaten Auburn when it has recorded at least nine victories (0-3 at LSU, 0-3 at Alabama). The Tigers are 9-2 entering Saturday's game. Auburn has the defense to hang with Bama, and I think Bama's injury issues at linebacker will get exposed. Winner goes to Atlanta to face Georgia for the SEC Championship. I think there is going to be an upset. Pick -- Auburn

     Last Week -- 4-6
     For The Season -- 59-59-2

Time To Celebrate A 7-3 Week

     I broke out of the doldrums with a 7-3 week last week. The big hit was Auburn's romp over Georgia. I wish I had bet the ranch because I saw that one coming. The big miss was Miami's destruction of Notre Dame.
     This is a difficult week because many of the games will not be competitive. Many Power Five schools are participating in glorified scrimmages this Saturday before Rivalry Week.
     As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
     Let's get to this week's selections.

     The Citadel at Clemson +40 -- There is no line listed line for this game. The Bulldogs have had a disappointing season. They wrapped up Southern Conference play last Saturday by losing at Furman by 36 points. The Tigers will rest several starters in an attempt to heal some bumps and bruises for the final push. Clemson's MO lately has been to get a two-touchdown lead and then sit on it. I think Dabo will call the dogs off the Dogs before it gets out of control. Pick -- The Citadel
     Georgia Tech at Duke +6.5 -- As predicted, the Yellow Jackets had their backs against the wall last week and came out swinging against Virginia Tech. It is tradition for Duke to give Tech fits, but I think the Jackets will take care of business at Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium. Pick -- Georgia Tech
     Kentucky at Georgia +21.5 -- Georgia got exposed last week. We all knew once the Bulldogs faced a team that could stuff the run, the Bulldogs were in trouble. Kentucky has won seven games, but nobody in the Bluegrass State cares because basketball season has started. Kentucky is fourth in the SEC in rushing defense at 121.9 per game. The Cats are capable of putting up a fight. The Dawgs should win, but I believe the spread is too high. Pick -- Kentucky
     Kansas State at Oklahoma State -20.5 -- With some help, the Cowboys can still reach the Big 12 Championship game. But to keep that slim dream alive, OSU has to beat K-State. Spread is high, but I believe the Pokes can cover. Pick -- Oklahoma State
     Wofford at South Carolina +28 -- No line listed line for this game. The Gamecocks have a bigger challenge than Clemson this week. Wofford, the Southern Conference champion, is 9-1. The short-haired Dogs can be a handful with their baffling wingbone offense. South Carolina will be looking forward to Clemson. Wofford is looking forward to the FCS playoffs. Tough call, but I think the Terriers will stay inside the 28. Pick -- Wofford
     Michigan at Wisconsin -7.5 -- Wisconsin finally faces a team with a pulse. Home field is the difference. Pick -- Wisconsin
     Virginia at Miami -19.0 -- Looking for a Miami letdown here after last week's stunning victory over Notre Dame. Virginia is not good enough to beat Miami, but I believe the Cavaliers will stay inside the number. Pick -- Virginia
     Syracuse at Louisville -13.0 -- This should be an interesting shootout. Maybe one of those last-team-to-have-the-ball type games. I think Syracuse's offensive pace with give Louisville's mediocre defense a lot of problems. Pick -- Syracuse
     N.C. State at Wake Forest -1.5 -- The Wolfpack might have its paws full. Wake scored 40 points in the second half last week on its way to a 64-43 victory over Syracuse. Wake is averaging 47.6 points per game in its last three games. Last Saturday, N.C. State, licking its wounds from the loss to Clemson, had to battle to get out of Boston alive. Take the Deacons. Pick -- Wake Forest
     UCLA at Southern Cal -16.0 -- Southern Cal, with two losses, is still talking playoffs. To keep those slim hopes alive, the Trojans must get by an inconsistent UCLA team. Pick -- Southern Cal
   
Last Week -- 7-3
For The Season -- 55-53-2

The CFP Poll Should Get Some Shake Up This Week

     Through two weeks of the College Football Playoff poll, the top four remain the same -- Georgia, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson.
     I expect some shake up this week.
     The four top teams in the poll all have challenges this week. Georgia travels to The Plains to renew the Deep South's oldest rivalry against Auburn. Auburn's defense is good enough to force Georgia to throw, something the Dawgs haven't had to do all season. Alabama, suffering from a rash of injuries at linebacker, travels to Stark-Vegas to tangle with Mississippi State. Do the Bulldogs have enough firepower to take advantage of the Tide's problems? Notre Dame travels to undefeated Miami to renew one of college football's nastiest rivalries. This is the Saturday we find out if the Hurricanes are for real. Clemson plays host to wounded Florida State. The Tigers have been a poor cover team all season. Is this finally the year the Tigers finally blow out the Seminoles?
     My picks continue to be worse than pedestrian. With Clemson's push at N.C. State, last week was yet another losing week at 4-5-1. The season record is now two games below .500 -- 48-50-1.
     As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
     Let's get to this week's selections.
     Washington at Stanford +6.0 -- I look at this spread and I just don't believe it. I don't believe in Washington. The Pac 12 is officially eliminated from the CFP. Pick -- Stanford
     Florida at South Carolina -7.0 -- Florida sucks. Enough said. Pick -- South Carolina
     Oklahoma State at Iowa State +6.5 -- Both of these teams suffered deflating losses last week. The Pokes got beat again by Oklahoma, while Iowa State got knocked off by West Virginia. The Pokes are depressed. Iowa State is really good at home. Pick -- Iowa State
     Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech -3.0 -- Georgia Tech is sliding. The Jackets are at .500. That means it is time for Paul Johnson's troops to rise up. Pick -- Georgia Tech
     Georgia at Auburn +2.5 -- This is Georgia's first serious test of the season. I don't believe they will survive it. Pick -- Auburn
     Florida State at Clemson -16.0 -- Clemson survived a fist fight in Raleigh last week. The local experts say Florida State has no/zero/nada chance to win this game. I say it is Florida State. I remember the severe beatings the Seminoles have put on the Tigers in the past -- 57-0, 48-0, 54-7, 51-14. It is still Florida State. The Seminoles still have good players. I think this will be closer than the experts think. Pick -- Florida State
     Michigan State at Ohio State -15.5 -- The Luckeyes laid a big egg at Iowa last week. Time to rebound. Pick -- Ohio State
     Alabama at Mississippi State +14.0 -- National chatter is Alabama has a lot of injuries. Nobody feels sorry for the Crimson Tide. Every injury just means they plug in another four- or five-star player. I believe the Bulldogs will give the Tide all they want, but Bama will escape. Pick -- Mississippi State
     Notre Dame at Miami +3.0 -- The end of Miami's undefeated run. The Irish are just too powerful. Pick -- Notre Dame
     TCU at Oklahoma -6.5 -- Oklahoma plays indoor football. The Sooners score at will and give up points like crazy. This is a play-in game for the CFP. I believe home field will be the difference. Pick -- Oklahoma

Last Week -- 4-5-1
For The Season -- 48-50-1

Left October With A Real Stink Bomb

     Apparently, my computer wasn't the only thing that blew up last week. I suffered a total picks meltdown by posting the worst week of the season at 3-7. The overall record now stands at 44-45-1.

     I was slightly surprised by one selection in the top four of the first CFP poll released Tuesday night. I thought the committee would put Ohio State at No. 4. Georgia and Alabama were definites. No. 3 through No. 7 were a real argument in the committee room.

     The committee obviously thinks a lot of Notre Dame. The Irish have lost just once -- by one point to Georgia. The Irish have steamrolled everybody else they have played.

      November is going to be interesting. There are playoff games every Saturday beginning this week.

      Who you got? Who do you think is going to make it? Who is the sleeper outside the top four who might make a run? My sleeper, of course, is Oklahoma State. But the odds are long against the Pokes. They have to beat Oklahoma this Saturday then probably beat Oklahoma again in the Big 12 Championship game on Dec. 2.

     The Alabama-Georgia thing will sort itself out. Georgia still has Auburn and Georgia Tech on the road before meeting Alabama in the Georgia Dome. Alabama still has a trip to Auburn. Auburn may end up being the only team with a pulse Alabama faces the entire regular season.

     The mission is simple for Notre Dame and Clemson. Win and you are in in the CFP. Lose and you are out. A Clemson loss in Raleigh would leave just the Palmetto State championship on the Tigers' goal sheet.

     Let's get to this week's selections. As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.

     Oklahoma at Oklahoma State -2.5 -- They call it Bedlam but it really isn't a rivalry. Oklahoma leads the series, 86-18-7. That's right. 86-18-7. Oklahoma's longest winning streak in the series is 19 games. So, when the Pokes beat the Sooners, it's a big deal. I write this just about every week about Oklahoma State, but I am anticipating a shootout. Oklahoma State's defense has been playing better. Loser is out of the CFP picture. I think the Pokes rise up and get it done. Pick -- Oklahoma State

     Georgia Tech at Virginia +10 -- Georgia Tech got shut down in Clemson last week. Virginia got off to a great start but has hit a wall. I think 10 points is too much for the Jackets. Pick -- Virginia

     South Carolina at Georgia -24.0 -- There are some South Carolina fans who think they are going to Athens and win. Don't make me laugh. Dawgs in a laugher. Pick -- Georgia

     Clemson at N.C. State +7.0 -- This is it for the Tigers. Win and all you have to do is beat wounded Florida State next week to get to the ACC Championship game. A win keeps you in the playoff picture. Lose and it's back to a regular old bowl. A Wolfpack win will most likely send State to Charlotte for the title tilt. State knows it should have won at Clemson last year. Outside of Alabama, the Pack was the most physical team Clemson played in 2016. The Tigers have not been a good cover team and they have developed a bad habit of getting a two-touchdown lead early and then sitting on it. Clemson must be aggressive from the start Saturday and pour it on or the season is done. Pick -- Clemson 

     Penn State at Michigan State +8.5 -- Penn State choked last week in Columbus, surrendering a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. The Nittany Lions better be ready this week or their playoff run is finished. Give me the points. Pick -- Michigan State

     Iowa State at West Virginia -2.5 -- The Cyclones have victories over Oklahoma and TCU. They are one of the biggest stories in college football this season. West Virginia is a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. This is feeling like a couch burning Saturday. Pick -- West Virginia

     Virginia Tech at Miami FL +2.5 -- The Hokies have been on a roll since losing to Clemson. Miami has been a last-minute drama every Saturday. The Hurricanes are still undefeated, but even Miami head coach Mark Richt doesn't know how his team has done it. This one is for the Coastal Division. I like the Hokies. Pick -- Virginia Tech

     LSU at Alabama -21.0 -- Step right up LSU and take your beating. Tide keeps rolling to Atlanta. Pick -- Alabama

     Arizona at Southern Cal -7.5 -- During its current four-game winning streak, Arizona has scored 45 or more points in all four games. Rich Rodriguez has gone from hot seat to Pac 12 Coach of the Year candidate. Quarterback Khalil Tate has been running RichRod's high-powered offense to near perfection -- 48.8 points and 567 total yards per game in October. Arizona is 3-0 on the road. Southern Cal has been inconsistent. Pick -- Arizona 

     Syracuse at Florida State -5.0 -- Before the season started, no one would have given the Orange a chance to win in Tallahassee. No one. Even though the Orange isn't favored, I believe Syracuse is the better team. Pick -- Syracuse

Last Week -- 3-7

For The Season -- 44-45-1