Two months down in college football, one month to go. And a lot to be decided.
There are not many big games this week. The first Saturday in November is a deep breath before we head to the finish line.
The biggest news last week was Oklahoma being knocked from the ranks of the unbeatens when its defense refused to show up against Kansas State.
The first real poll -- the College Football Playoff Poll -- comes out Tuesday night. My prediction for the first poll -- 1. LSU, 2. Ohio State, 3. Alabama, 4. Clemson. LSU's victory over Texas is starting to fade because the Longhorns are fading. Ohio State is the media darling, but the Luckeyes have some serious tests remaining. Alabama is missing Tua, which means the Tide is in trouble if Tua can't play. Clemson has better numbers than the media wants to admit. Clemson is as good or better than anybody in the country. Anybody. Clemson's problem is the national perception of the ACC. But as long as the Tigers continue to win, they will be fine.
With Oklahoma's loss, the SEC has cranked up the PR machine and started lobbying heavily for two spots in the CFP. This is the way I can see the SEC just getting one team. Florida beats Georgia. LSU beats Alabama. Auburn beats Alabama. LSU beats Florida in the SEC Championship Game.
The Big 10 still has three unbeatens -- Ohio State, Penn State, and Minnesota. I give Ohio State the best chance to finish the season undefeated. Minnesota is a fraud. Penn State will vomit in its shoes when the time comes.
If Clemson is 13-0, the Tigers will be in the playoff. There is one month to play, but I do believe this is the year Clemson cannot afford to lose a game. A loss to South Carolina or a loss to North Carolina (if the Heels get there) in the ACC Championship Game, I believe would keep the Tigers out of the playoff.
I am not going to waste time picking the Clemson-Wofford game. The best thing about Saturday at Clemson is Military Appreciation Day. Nobody does Military Appreciation Day like Clemson.
Last week's record was a winning 6-4 to move the season record to 10 games over .500.
Here are this week's selections. All picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Georgia vs. Florida +6.5 -- This game is and always will be the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Florida head coach Dan Mullen has stoked the rivalry with shots at the Dawgs. The loser is out of the CFP. On paper, this game boils down to the defenses. Both offenses have been ordinary. The Dawgs will go as far as Jake Fromm takes them. Pick -- Florida
TCU at Oklahoma State -3.0 -- The Pokes got a big victory at Iowa State last Saturday. I think they will lasso the Frogs. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech +8.0 -- Yet another match up in the zany ACC Coastal. Just when you think the Panthers are going to take control of the division, they mess it up. The eight points is tempting, but I just don't trust Tech's weak offense. Pick -- Pittsburgh
Vanderbilt at South Carolina -15.0 -- Vanderbilt is bad. South Carolina is starting to lose interest. Pick -- South Carolina
Boston College at Syracuse -3.0 -- These two teams are the two biggest disappointments in the ACC. Neither team is getting anything from its quarterback. But the Eagles have two sledge hammers are running back. I expect AJ Dillon to have a big game. Pick -- Boston College
N.C. State at Wake Forest -7.5 -- This spread is not high enough. Pick -- Wake Forest
Virginia Tech at Notre Dame -17.5 -- Notre Dame got destroyed at the Big House last week. Will the Irish get off the mat for the Hokies? I like the Irish at home. Pick -- Notre Dame
Miami (Fla.) at Florida State -3.5 -- Impossible game to predict. Both of these teams have plenty of talent. Both of these teams are wildly inconsistent. I am taking the Seminoles at home. Pick -- Florida State
Kansas State at Kansas +6.0 -- Kansas State must come back to Earth after upsetting Oklahoma last Saturday. Kansas head coach Les Miles has given the Jayhawks a pulse. Upset special. Pick -- Kansas
Virginia at North Carolina -2.5 -- Before the Virginia Tech game, I made North Carolina my pick to win the Coastal. Then the Tar Heels lost in six overtimes. But the Tar Heels are still alive in the hunt for the division title. I think the Heels take control of the Coastal Saturday night. Pick -- North Carolina
Last Week -- 6-4
For The Season -- 50-40
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