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
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