There is no sugar coating this mess. It has been a difficult season to forecast. My picker continues to sputter.
Last week's record was 4-6 to drop the overall record to 17 games under .500.
All picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only. At this point, I am sure some of you have been thoroughly entertained laughing at my futility.
Clemson at Florida State +16.5 -- This used to be the Game of the Year in the ACC. The Tigers better be careful. Just like N.C. State, Florida State has been talking a good game this week. The Seminoles have won three of their last four. Clemson has beaten its last two ACC opponents by a combined score of 104-10. This is a classic trap game for Clemson. Win this one and I believe just Boston College stands between the Tigers and an unbeaten regular season. When Florida State first joined the ACC, the Seminoles recorded several blowouts against the Tigers. Clemson has never been able to return the favor. I don't think this one will be as easy as the experts think, but I do believe the Tigers will survive. Pick -- Florida State
Florida vs. Georgia -6.5 at Jacksonville, Fla. -- This will always be the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The overwhelming smell in the stadium and in the stands is bourbon. Since losing to Kentucky on Sept. 8, the Gators have won six in a row. One of those victories was over LSU in The Swamp. In its last outing, Georgia got swamped by LSU in Baton Rouge, 36-16. Georgia snapped a three-game losing streak in the series last year. The winner has the inside track to the SEC East title. Pick -- Florida
Tennessee at South Carolina -7.5 -- The Vols will still be suffering from Bama After Shock when they arrive at Williams-Brice. Pick -- South Carolina
Texas at Oklahoma State +3.5 -- The Mullet and his Pokes have struggled this season, mostly because of offensive line issues. Texas has the look of a team that has turned the corner and is on the way up. Pick -- Texas
Texas Tech at Iowa State -3.5 -- The Cyclones had last week off after punching a hole in West Virginia's season. The Red Raiders ride into Ames with a 5-2 record. Can Iowa State run its winning streak to three? I think so. Pick -- Iowa State
North Carolina at Virginia -9.0 -- A scribe in the ACC wrote this week it might, just might, be time to talk to your children about Virginia winning the Coastal Division. The Tar Heels have lost three straight, the last two by three points. This is a matchup of two teams going in different directions. Take the Hoos. Pick -- Virginia
Iowa at Penn State -6.5 -- Penn State avoided its third straight loss by rallying to beat Indiana last Saturday. Happy Valley will make the difference in this one. Pick -- Penn State
Texas A&M at Mississippi State -2.5 -- The Aggies will find a way to get a "W" in Stark-Vegas. Pick -- Texas A&M
N.C. State at Syracuse +2.5 -- Will N.C. State let the Clemson loss linger and lead to a second loss? Yes. Pick -- Syracuse
Kentucky at Missouri -7.0 -- The Wildcats have been winning with defense. Missouri put 65 on the board in its last outing. Pick -- Missouri
Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 32-49-1
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Friday, October 19, 2018
Tigers Host Pack In Massive ACC Showdown
At this point, there is nothing else to say.
My ability to make selections is in the crapper. This college football season has dominated me to this point. Plain and simple, I stink.
There is an old saying about gambling and point spreads -- That's why they have all of those big hotels in the desert.
The overall record now stands at 15 games under .500. As we move into late October, getting back to even is going to be a difficult task. But I am going to try. Maybe the drop in temperatures will heat up my selections.
All selections are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Here is this week's slate of stabs in the dark.
N.C. State at Clemson -17.5 -- Two undefeated teams meet in Death Valley. The first thing you notice about this game is the spread. It actually has gone up a point from the opening line. N.C. State's Ryan Finley is the best quarterback in the ACC, a future NFL player. Clemson's pass defense is questionable. N.C. State has been talking trash for almost two weeks. The Wolfpack knows it could have and should have beaten Clemson the last two years. But the Tigers made plays in the late stages of both games to save themselves. Clemson has covered just two times in its first six games. Both covers were against ACC opponents. I think the spread is too high, but I do believe Clemson will win the game. Pick -- N.C. State
Michigan at Michigan State +7.0 -- Since dropping the opener to Notre Dame, the Wolverines have built some momentum. Michigan dismantled Wisconsin last week. Michigan State knocked off the "great" Penn State to set the stage for the showdown with the Wolverines. The difference in this one will be Michigan's offense. Pick -- Michigan
Auburn at Ole Miss -3.5 -- The Gus Bus may be about to go over the cliff. There are reports a group is going to raise the $40 million to get Malzahn out of town. Ole Miss can score. Auburn can't score. Pick -- Ole Miss
North Carolina at Syracuse -10.0 -- After losing a close one at Clemson, the Orange gagged one away in Pittsburgh. A dose of woeful Tar Heels is exactly what the doctor ordered. Pick -- Syracuse
Virginia at Duke -7.0 -- Duke continues to be the surprise team of the ACC. The Devils have some defense. And they will use that defense to smother Virginia at Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium. Pick -- Duke
Mississippi State at LSU -6.5 -- This is somewhat of a trap game for LSU. The Bayou Bengals are coming off an impressive victory against previously unbeaten Georgia. On Nov. 3, Alabama will roll into Tiger Stadium. Can LSU muster enough emotion to repel the hounds from Starkville? Pick -- LSU
Vanderbilt at Kentucky -11.5 -- If the Wildcats are going to move from consistent pretender to somewhat contender, this is the type of game they need to win. Pick -- Kentucky
Oregon at Washington State -3.0 -- Oregon, the Pac 12's last hope to make the College Football Playoff, makes a dangerous trip to Pullman. State head coach Mike Leach will pull out all the stops to shoot down the Ducks. Pick -- Oregon
Southern Cal at Utah -7.0 -- The Trojans have won three in a row since losing to Texas. After losing its first two Pac 12 games, Utah has posted two straight blowouts. The Trojans are a different team away from the Coliseum. Pick -- Utah
Wake Forest at Florida State -10.5 -- I don't know why, but I think Florida State will cover because Wake Forest's defense has been hit by a rash of injuries. Pick -- Florida State
Last Week -- 3-7
For The Season -- 28-43-1
My ability to make selections is in the crapper. This college football season has dominated me to this point. Plain and simple, I stink.
There is an old saying about gambling and point spreads -- That's why they have all of those big hotels in the desert.
The overall record now stands at 15 games under .500. As we move into late October, getting back to even is going to be a difficult task. But I am going to try. Maybe the drop in temperatures will heat up my selections.
All selections are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Here is this week's slate of stabs in the dark.
N.C. State at Clemson -17.5 -- Two undefeated teams meet in Death Valley. The first thing you notice about this game is the spread. It actually has gone up a point from the opening line. N.C. State's Ryan Finley is the best quarterback in the ACC, a future NFL player. Clemson's pass defense is questionable. N.C. State has been talking trash for almost two weeks. The Wolfpack knows it could have and should have beaten Clemson the last two years. But the Tigers made plays in the late stages of both games to save themselves. Clemson has covered just two times in its first six games. Both covers were against ACC opponents. I think the spread is too high, but I do believe Clemson will win the game. Pick -- N.C. State
Michigan at Michigan State +7.0 -- Since dropping the opener to Notre Dame, the Wolverines have built some momentum. Michigan dismantled Wisconsin last week. Michigan State knocked off the "great" Penn State to set the stage for the showdown with the Wolverines. The difference in this one will be Michigan's offense. Pick -- Michigan
Auburn at Ole Miss -3.5 -- The Gus Bus may be about to go over the cliff. There are reports a group is going to raise the $40 million to get Malzahn out of town. Ole Miss can score. Auburn can't score. Pick -- Ole Miss
North Carolina at Syracuse -10.0 -- After losing a close one at Clemson, the Orange gagged one away in Pittsburgh. A dose of woeful Tar Heels is exactly what the doctor ordered. Pick -- Syracuse
Virginia at Duke -7.0 -- Duke continues to be the surprise team of the ACC. The Devils have some defense. And they will use that defense to smother Virginia at Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium. Pick -- Duke
Mississippi State at LSU -6.5 -- This is somewhat of a trap game for LSU. The Bayou Bengals are coming off an impressive victory against previously unbeaten Georgia. On Nov. 3, Alabama will roll into Tiger Stadium. Can LSU muster enough emotion to repel the hounds from Starkville? Pick -- LSU
Vanderbilt at Kentucky -11.5 -- If the Wildcats are going to move from consistent pretender to somewhat contender, this is the type of game they need to win. Pick -- Kentucky
Oregon at Washington State -3.0 -- Oregon, the Pac 12's last hope to make the College Football Playoff, makes a dangerous trip to Pullman. State head coach Mike Leach will pull out all the stops to shoot down the Ducks. Pick -- Oregon
Southern Cal at Utah -7.0 -- The Trojans have won three in a row since losing to Texas. After losing its first two Pac 12 games, Utah has posted two straight blowouts. The Trojans are a different team away from the Coliseum. Pick -- Utah
Wake Forest at Florida State -10.5 -- I don't know why, but I think Florida State will cover because Wake Forest's defense has been hit by a rash of injuries. Pick -- Florida State
Last Week -- 3-7
For The Season -- 28-43-1
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Winning Week But Just Barely
The losing streak is over.
After two ugly weeks, we came in last week at 6-5 to move the season record to nine games under .500. You have to crawl before you walk.
Clemson is off this week after two emotional weeks. The Tigers managed to maintain their focus and remain unbeaten to set up the biggest game in the ACC to date against N.C. State at Death Valley on Oct. 20. To prepare for that game, I am hearing the Tigers are stocking up on laptops and towels.
South Carolina, with backup Michael Scarnecchia at the controls, pulled out a monsoon-soaked victory over Missouri last Saturday. Word is Jake Bentley returns to starting quarterback this week against Texas A&M. It will be interesting to see if a quarterback controversy develops in Columbia.
This week presents Georgia its biggest challenge to date -- a trip to the Bayou to face LSU. The Dawgs got a break when CBS decided to make the game a 3:30 kickoff instead of a night game.
Let's get to this week's selections. All picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Oklahoma State at Kansas State +6.5 -- This is tougher than it looks. Oklahoma State has hit a wall. The offensive line is struggling, which has put a damper on the Pokes' high-powered offense. Kansas State is 0-3 in the Big 12. The Little Apple can be a tough place. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Duke at Georgia Tech -2.0 -- Paul Johnson has got the triple option cranked up. I see the Jackets staying on their current roll. Pick -- Georgia Tech
Texas A&M at South Carolina +2.0 -- If Bentley, who missed last week with a knee injury, struggles in his return to quarterback, will there be a quick hook? The Aggies knocked off previously-unbeaten Kentucky in overtime last Saturday. Jimbo is building some momentum. Pick -- Texas A&M
Georgia at LSU +7 -- This was going to be a marquee game before the Tigers got knocked out of the ranks of the unbeatens by Florida. It is still a big game. It is still Georgia's biggest test to date. I think it is going to be close. Pick -- LSU
Tennessee at Auburn -16.5 -- Phew. Don't look Ethel. I am going to take Auburn because I have to pick one or the other. Pick -- Auburn
Baylor at Texas -14.5 -- Can Texas handle success? Baylor has shown a pulse, but I don't believe the Bears have enough to beat the Horns. Pick -- Texas
Washington at Oregon +3.5 -- Danger game for the Huskies. Give me those points. Pick -- Oregon
Virginia Tech at North Carolina +5.5 -- The Hokies folded like a cheap suit in the second half against Notre Dame. The Heels had last Saturday off after absorbing a Thursday night beating in Miami. It's mid-October so no one in Chapel Hill is thinking football. Pick -- Virginia Tech
Miami at Virginia +5.5 -- I will ask the same question about Miami I asked about Texas. Can the Hurricanes handle success? Virginia has been up and down, but the Cavaliers also have been more competitive. Based on talent alone, the pick has to be the Canes. Pick -- Miami
West Virginia at Iowa State +6.5 -- West Virginia slopped through a victory over Kansas last Saturday. Mountaineer quarterback Will Grier tossed three interceptions against the Jayhawks. The Mountaineers will have to be sharper in Ames. Pick -- West Virginia
For The Week -- 6-5
For The Season -- 25-36-1
After two ugly weeks, we came in last week at 6-5 to move the season record to nine games under .500. You have to crawl before you walk.
Clemson is off this week after two emotional weeks. The Tigers managed to maintain their focus and remain unbeaten to set up the biggest game in the ACC to date against N.C. State at Death Valley on Oct. 20. To prepare for that game, I am hearing the Tigers are stocking up on laptops and towels.
South Carolina, with backup Michael Scarnecchia at the controls, pulled out a monsoon-soaked victory over Missouri last Saturday. Word is Jake Bentley returns to starting quarterback this week against Texas A&M. It will be interesting to see if a quarterback controversy develops in Columbia.
This week presents Georgia its biggest challenge to date -- a trip to the Bayou to face LSU. The Dawgs got a break when CBS decided to make the game a 3:30 kickoff instead of a night game.
Let's get to this week's selections. All picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Oklahoma State at Kansas State +6.5 -- This is tougher than it looks. Oklahoma State has hit a wall. The offensive line is struggling, which has put a damper on the Pokes' high-powered offense. Kansas State is 0-3 in the Big 12. The Little Apple can be a tough place. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Duke at Georgia Tech -2.0 -- Paul Johnson has got the triple option cranked up. I see the Jackets staying on their current roll. Pick -- Georgia Tech
Texas A&M at South Carolina +2.0 -- If Bentley, who missed last week with a knee injury, struggles in his return to quarterback, will there be a quick hook? The Aggies knocked off previously-unbeaten Kentucky in overtime last Saturday. Jimbo is building some momentum. Pick -- Texas A&M
Georgia at LSU +7 -- This was going to be a marquee game before the Tigers got knocked out of the ranks of the unbeatens by Florida. It is still a big game. It is still Georgia's biggest test to date. I think it is going to be close. Pick -- LSU
Tennessee at Auburn -16.5 -- Phew. Don't look Ethel. I am going to take Auburn because I have to pick one or the other. Pick -- Auburn
Baylor at Texas -14.5 -- Can Texas handle success? Baylor has shown a pulse, but I don't believe the Bears have enough to beat the Horns. Pick -- Texas
Washington at Oregon +3.5 -- Danger game for the Huskies. Give me those points. Pick -- Oregon
Virginia Tech at North Carolina +5.5 -- The Hokies folded like a cheap suit in the second half against Notre Dame. The Heels had last Saturday off after absorbing a Thursday night beating in Miami. It's mid-October so no one in Chapel Hill is thinking football. Pick -- Virginia Tech
Miami at Virginia +5.5 -- I will ask the same question about Miami I asked about Texas. Can the Hurricanes handle success? Virginia has been up and down, but the Cavaliers also have been more competitive. Based on talent alone, the pick has to be the Canes. Pick -- Miami
West Virginia at Iowa State +6.5 -- West Virginia slopped through a victory over Kansas last Saturday. Mountaineer quarterback Will Grier tossed three interceptions against the Jayhawks. The Mountaineers will have to be sharper in Ames. Pick -- West Virginia
For The Week -- 6-5
For The Season -- 25-36-1
Thursday, October 4, 2018
The Ugly Slide Continues
I'm going to go old school on you.
Many years ago in a galaxy far far away, there was a radio show on fall Saturday mornings called Leonard's Losers. Leonard was a Georgia guy and his method of operation was to use colorful language to pick losers, not winners. Clemson was the Pickens County Felines. Georgia was the Red Clay Hounds. South Carolina was the Columbia Poultry House. Georgia Tech was the 10th Avenue Bees. And Leonard was pretty good at picking losers.
My point is this. I am following in Leonard's foot steps by successfully picking losers. I have picked just four winners in the past two weeks. The season record now stands at 10 games under .500. There is serious work to do.
As always, the picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only. Because the Clemson line was late being posted, there are 11 games on the slate this week.
And away we go.
Friday
Georgia Tech at Louisville +4.5 -- Two teams whose seasons are on the brink hook up on a Friday night in the former Pizza Stadium. (I think Friday night should be for preps, but ESPN thinks differently). Louisville flat blew a game against Florida State by throwing a late interception. Georgia Tech hasn't won a road game since its trip to Georgia in 2016. Something has to give. I like Tech's rushing attack against Louisville's questionable defense. Pick -- Georgia Tech
Saturday
Missouri at South Carolina -1.0 -- South Carolina has issues at quarterback. Heck, after last week's fifth straight loss to Kentucky, the Gamecocks just have issues. Missouri quarterback Drew Lock is being touted as a future NFL quarterback. I know Missouri can score. Can South Carolina score? Pick -- Missouri
Vanderbilt at Georgia -26.5 -- Georgia has been in cruise control the last two weeks, but there is some pressure on the Bulldogs. The media and the fans want more. Much more. They want to see the Dawgs step up and play like a playoff team. Vandy will serve as a good warm up for what lies ahead -- a trip to the Bayou next week. Pick -- Georgia
Clemson at Wake Forest -19.0 -- Last Saturday at Death Valley will live in Clemson lore forever. The Tigers stared a massive amount of adversity in the face and survived against a solid Syracuse team. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence returns after getting knocked out of last week's game with what turned out to be a strained neck. Wake's extremely fast offense will give Clemson trouble for a quarter or two, but I think the Tigers will get a handle on it. I am picking the Tigers to cover, but I am not real confident. Pick -- Clemson
Texas vs. Oklahoma -8.0 at Dallas -- A college football classic. The Red River Showdown. The Texas State Fair, where they fry everything. The Cotton Bowl. Texas fell flat in week one against Maryland, but the Longhorns have been making steady improvement. To this point, I don't think we know a whole lot about Oklahoma. Pick -- Texas
Boston College at N.C. State -4.5 -- N.C. State quarterback Ryan Finley is the best quarterback in the ACC. Boston College running back AJ Dillon, who is No. 3 in FBS in rushing, is struggling with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. I think home field will be the difference in this one. Pick -- N.C. State
Florida State at Miami -13.0 -- The Seminoles got extremely lucky last week at Louisville. They won't be so lucky this week. Pick -- Miami
LSU at Florida +2.5 -- Florida can't score. LSU has an excellent defense. Take the Bayou Bengals. Pick -- LSU
Kentucky at Texas A&M -5.5 -- Kentucky's feel-good story will hit a big pot hole in College Station. Pick -- Texas A&M
Notre Dame at Virginia Tech +6.0 -- The Irish are starting to talk about the College Football Playoffs, which means it is about time for them to lay an egg. Say hello to Blacksburg, Va., on a Saturday night. Enter Sandman. Pick -- Virginia Tech
Syracuse at Pittsburgh +3.5 -- The main question here is will Syracuse have any hang over from last week's tough loss at Clemson. It may take the Orange a quarter or two, but I think they can handle the woeful Panthers. Pick -- Syracuse
Last Week -- 3-7
For The Season -- 19-29-1
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