Finally, we have something to talk about and two games of national interest.
The first CFP poll came out last Tuesday -- 1. Ohio State, 2. LSU, 3. Alabama, 4. Penn State -- with Clemson and Georgia coming in at No. 5 and No. 6.
Clemson fans have been howling all week, but they all just need to take a chill pill. This poll is just a starting point. As I have said for several weeks, undefeated Clemson will not be left out of the playoffs, but one loss will probably send the Tigers to a regular bowl game. The Tigers must keep their paws on the gas.
This week has the latest Game of the Century -- LSU at Alabama. The SEC is hoping for a close game to keep alive hopes of two teams in the playoff. I believe a blowout either way will serious damage to the playoff hopes of the loser.
The Big 10 also has a big game this week -- Penn State at unbeaten Minnesota. Most observers believe the Nittany Lions will survive, but the Golden Gophers will be juiced and ready to go.
Clemson begins its march to the CFP Top Four in Raleigh against an N.C. State team that has been defenseless. The Wolfpack has lost more than a dozen starters to injury and have yet to settle on a quarterback. But State will give Clemson its best shot. If the Tigers don't take the Pack seriously, there could be trouble.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Georgia Tech at Virginia -16.0 -- The visiting Yellow Jackets don't have enough offense to keep up with Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins, who put on a real show in last week's key victory at North Carolina. The Cavaliers get one step closer to the Coastal title. Pick -- Virginia
Missouri at Georgia -17.0 -- Most amazing stat to date -- Georgia has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season. That is unheard of in today's college football. Pick -- Georgia
Appalachian State at South Carolina -6.5 -- The trendy pick is to take App State, but I am going to go against the trend. Pick -- South Carolina
Clemson at N.C. State +32 -- I am guessing Clemson leads the country in point spreads of +25 or more this season. It's homecoming and a Red Out in Raleigh. Clemson has struggled at Carter-Finley in the past. All of the talk this week has been about an angry Clemson blowing the doors off State. Once again, I think Clemson will win, but the spread is just too high. Pick -- N.C. State
Florida State at Boston College -2.5 -- Lock of the Week. BC has run all over everybody but Clemson. The Seminoles minus fired head coach Willie Taggart will get boat raced out of Chestnut Hill. Pick -- Boston College
Penn State at Minnesota +7.0 -- Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck has called this the biggest game in the 10-year history of Minnesota's on-campus TCF Bank Stadium. Can Penn State handle the pressure? Can Penn State deal with the massive Gophers' offensive line? Pick -- Minnesota
Louisville at Miami (Fla.) -6.5 -- Louisville is the ACC's best feel good story this season. The Cardinals were pure garbage last season. But Scott Satterfield has made Louisville respectable in a short amount of time. Miami has been all over the board this season, but I like the Hurricanes at home. Pick -- Miami
Wake Forest at Virginia Tech +2.5 -- This will be a tough test for the fast-paced Demon Deacons, but I believe Wake has too much offense for Virginia Tech. Pick -- Wake Forest
LSU at Alabama -6.5 -- Finally, Alabama plays somebody. LSU has victories over Texas, Florida, and Auburn. The major question before this game surrounds Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He injured an ankle in the Tennessee game and had surgery to stabilize the ankle. Alabama head coach Nick Saban says his star quarterback will play. Roll Tide Roll. Pick -- Alabama
Notre Dame at Duke -7.5 -- Duke is another tough team to figure out. One week, the Blue Devils are way up. The next week, they are MIA. This one boils down to talent. The Fighting Irish have simply more players. Pick -- Notre Dame
Last Week -- 5-5
For The Season -- 55-45
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