It's time to brag. After two mediocre weeks, the Picks Machine heated up last week to produce a sterling 6-2-1 record. Georgia Tech and Houston provided the only blemishes on last week's picks. And one game -- Marshall at South Carolina -- was lost to Hurricane Florence.
I am calling this Road Warrior Saturday. Clemson, Georgia, and South Carolina all have interesting/scary road contests with point spreads that force you to take a second look. And a third look.
Any time Clemson is favored by more than two touchdowns it is difficult to take the Tigers because they rarely pull away and have a bad habit of letting the opposition hang around. Georgia has looked impressive early and is a two-touchdown favorite at Missouri. Mizzou, whose offensive coordinator is Derek Dooley, son of Georgia's legendary Vince Dooley, has a high-scoring offense. Question is can Mizzou score on the Junkyard Dawgs? South Carolina has won nine straight against Vandy. The Commodores gave Notre Dame all it wanted last Saturday in South Bend. Be extremely careful Gamecocks.
All picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
Here are this week's selections.
Georgia at Missouri +14 -- This is an interesting trip for the Dawgs. Georgia has stomped the opposition so far this season. Missouri has scored 40 or more points in its three games. To date, the Dawgs have looked the part of a playoff team. I believe the Georgia defense will lock down the Missouri offense. Pick -- Georgia
Clemson at Georgia Tech +16.5 -- Clemson has yet to find its rhythm this season. Paul Johnson is crankier than usual because his football team is a three-alarm dumpster fire. Tech will be excited to be at home but that excitement will last for just a short period of time. Talent should take over. Strange things can happen at Grant Field. I think this spread is too high, but the Tigers will survive. Pick -- Georgia Tech.
South Carolina at Vanderbilt +2.0 -- South Carolina has owned Vandy. The Commodores can play defense. I expect a titanic struggle in Nashville. Pick -- Vanderbilt
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State +13.0 -- Buckle your seat belts for this one. Both of these teams can score. And score a lot. Texas Tech wiped out Houston last week. The Red Raiders have scored 140 points in the last two games. The Pokes have played well with senior quarterback Taylor "Corn Dog" Cornelius at the controls. Oklahoma State is 3-0 but has yet to play a Power Five team. With an over/under of 77.5, Vegas is expecting a shootout. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Notre Dame at Wake Forest +7.5 -- The Irish hit the road for the first time. The Domers have beaten three opponents by an average of 6.6 points per game. The Deacons dropped a narrow decision to Boston College last week. I expect an inspired effort from the Deacons. Pick -- Wake Forest
Boston College at Purdue +6.5 -- BC running back A.J. Dillon is the real deal. Purdue is 0-3 and has lost three games by an average of 2.6 points per game. Is this week the Boilermakers break through? Nope. Pick -- Boston College
Louisville at Virginia -5.0 -- Interesting matchup between two 2-1 teams. Louisville by beaten two cupcakes since getting blasted by Alabama in the opener. Virginia put in some extra effort -- at trip to Nashville -- to get last week's victory against Ohio. I think the point spread is for the home field. Pick -- Virginia
Texas A&M at Alabama -27.0 -- Alabama is showing no signs of letting up. It will take a perfect game by the opposition to have any chance against the Tide. The Aggies will get plowed. Pick -- Alabama
TCU at Texas +3.5 -- The No. 1 question surrounding this game -- After the physical battle with Ohio State, will the Frogs be able to pump up their emotional balloon for the Longhorns? I think the Frogs defense will be the difference. Pick -- TCU
Florida at Tennessee +4.5 -- The Rebuilding Bowl takes place this Saturday in Knoxville. A loss for the Gators would end any hope of the SEC East title before the end of September. That's tough to take. Tennessee has had a lot of bad luck against Florida. I think that changes Saturday. Pick -- Tennessee
Last Week -- 6-2-1
For The Season -- 15-13-1
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