Entering Final Week Of The Regular Season, Overall Record Is All Even

    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

Time To Celebrate A 7-3 Week

     I broke out of the doldrums with a 7-3 week last week. The big hit was Auburn's romp over Georgia. I wish I had bet the ranch because I saw that one coming. The big miss was Miami's destruction of Notre Dame.
     This is a difficult week because many of the games will not be competitive. Many Power Five schools are participating in glorified scrimmages this Saturday before Rivalry Week.
     As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
     Let's get to this week's selections.

     The Citadel at Clemson +40 -- There is no line listed line for this game. The Bulldogs have had a disappointing season. They wrapped up Southern Conference play last Saturday by losing at Furman by 36 points. The Tigers will rest several starters in an attempt to heal some bumps and bruises for the final push. Clemson's MO lately has been to get a two-touchdown lead and then sit on it. I think Dabo will call the dogs off the Dogs before it gets out of control. Pick -- The Citadel
     Georgia Tech at Duke +6.5 -- As predicted, the Yellow Jackets had their backs against the wall last week and came out swinging against Virginia Tech. It is tradition for Duke to give Tech fits, but I think the Jackets will take care of business at Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium. Pick -- Georgia Tech
     Kentucky at Georgia +21.5 -- Georgia got exposed last week. We all knew once the Bulldogs faced a team that could stuff the run, the Bulldogs were in trouble. Kentucky has won seven games, but nobody in the Bluegrass State cares because basketball season has started. Kentucky is fourth in the SEC in rushing defense at 121.9 per game. The Cats are capable of putting up a fight. The Dawgs should win, but I believe the spread is too high. Pick -- Kentucky
     Kansas State at Oklahoma State -20.5 -- With some help, the Cowboys can still reach the Big 12 Championship game. But to keep that slim dream alive, OSU has to beat K-State. Spread is high, but I believe the Pokes can cover. Pick -- Oklahoma State
     Wofford at South Carolina +28 -- No line listed line for this game. The Gamecocks have a bigger challenge than Clemson this week. Wofford, the Southern Conference champion, is 9-1. The short-haired Dogs can be a handful with their baffling wingbone offense. South Carolina will be looking forward to Clemson. Wofford is looking forward to the FCS playoffs. Tough call, but I think the Terriers will stay inside the 28. Pick -- Wofford
     Michigan at Wisconsin -7.5 -- Wisconsin finally faces a team with a pulse. Home field is the difference. Pick -- Wisconsin
     Virginia at Miami -19.0 -- Looking for a Miami letdown here after last week's stunning victory over Notre Dame. Virginia is not good enough to beat Miami, but I believe the Cavaliers will stay inside the number. Pick -- Virginia
     Syracuse at Louisville -13.0 -- This should be an interesting shootout. Maybe one of those last-team-to-have-the-ball type games. I think Syracuse's offensive pace with give Louisville's mediocre defense a lot of problems. Pick -- Syracuse
     N.C. State at Wake Forest -1.5 -- The Wolfpack might have its paws full. Wake scored 40 points in the second half last week on its way to a 64-43 victory over Syracuse. Wake is averaging 47.6 points per game in its last three games. Last Saturday, N.C. State, licking its wounds from the loss to Clemson, had to battle to get out of Boston alive. Take the Deacons. Pick -- Wake Forest
     UCLA at Southern Cal -16.0 -- Southern Cal, with two losses, is still talking playoffs. To keep those slim hopes alive, the Trojans must get by an inconsistent UCLA team. Pick -- Southern Cal
   
Last Week -- 7-3
For The Season -- 55-53-2

The CFP Poll Should Get Some Shake Up This Week

     Through two weeks of the College Football Playoff poll, the top four remain the same -- Georgia, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson.
     I expect some shake up this week.
     The four top teams in the poll all have challenges this week. Georgia travels to The Plains to renew the Deep South's oldest rivalry against Auburn. Auburn's defense is good enough to force Georgia to throw, something the Dawgs haven't had to do all season. Alabama, suffering from a rash of injuries at linebacker, travels to Stark-Vegas to tangle with Mississippi State. Do the Bulldogs have enough firepower to take advantage of the Tide's problems? Notre Dame travels to undefeated Miami to renew one of college football's nastiest rivalries. This is the Saturday we find out if the Hurricanes are for real. Clemson plays host to wounded Florida State. The Tigers have been a poor cover team all season. Is this finally the year the Tigers finally blow out the Seminoles?
     My picks continue to be worse than pedestrian. With Clemson's push at N.C. State, last week was yet another losing week at 4-5-1. The season record is now two games below .500 -- 48-50-1.
     As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
     Let's get to this week's selections.
     Washington at Stanford +6.0 -- I look at this spread and I just don't believe it. I don't believe in Washington. The Pac 12 is officially eliminated from the CFP. Pick -- Stanford
     Florida at South Carolina -7.0 -- Florida sucks. Enough said. Pick -- South Carolina
     Oklahoma State at Iowa State +6.5 -- Both of these teams suffered deflating losses last week. The Pokes got beat again by Oklahoma, while Iowa State got knocked off by West Virginia. The Pokes are depressed. Iowa State is really good at home. Pick -- Iowa State
     Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech -3.0 -- Georgia Tech is sliding. The Jackets are at .500. That means it is time for Paul Johnson's troops to rise up. Pick -- Georgia Tech
     Georgia at Auburn +2.5 -- This is Georgia's first serious test of the season. I don't believe they will survive it. Pick -- Auburn
     Florida State at Clemson -16.0 -- Clemson survived a fist fight in Raleigh last week. The local experts say Florida State has no/zero/nada chance to win this game. I say it is Florida State. I remember the severe beatings the Seminoles have put on the Tigers in the past -- 57-0, 48-0, 54-7, 51-14. It is still Florida State. The Seminoles still have good players. I think this will be closer than the experts think. Pick -- Florida State
     Michigan State at Ohio State -15.5 -- The Luckeyes laid a big egg at Iowa last week. Time to rebound. Pick -- Ohio State
     Alabama at Mississippi State +14.0 -- National chatter is Alabama has a lot of injuries. Nobody feels sorry for the Crimson Tide. Every injury just means they plug in another four- or five-star player. I believe the Bulldogs will give the Tide all they want, but Bama will escape. Pick -- Mississippi State
     Notre Dame at Miami +3.0 -- The end of Miami's undefeated run. The Irish are just too powerful. Pick -- Notre Dame
     TCU at Oklahoma -6.5 -- Oklahoma plays indoor football. The Sooners score at will and give up points like crazy. This is a play-in game for the CFP. I believe home field will be the difference. Pick -- Oklahoma

Last Week -- 4-5-1
For The Season -- 48-50-1

Left October With A Real Stink Bomb

     Apparently, my computer wasn't the only thing that blew up last week. I suffered a total picks meltdown by posting the worst week of the season at 3-7. The overall record now stands at 44-45-1.

     I was slightly surprised by one selection in the top four of the first CFP poll released Tuesday night. I thought the committee would put Ohio State at No. 4. Georgia and Alabama were definites. No. 3 through No. 7 were a real argument in the committee room.

     The committee obviously thinks a lot of Notre Dame. The Irish have lost just once -- by one point to Georgia. The Irish have steamrolled everybody else they have played.

      November is going to be interesting. There are playoff games every Saturday beginning this week.

      Who you got? Who do you think is going to make it? Who is the sleeper outside the top four who might make a run? My sleeper, of course, is Oklahoma State. But the odds are long against the Pokes. They have to beat Oklahoma this Saturday then probably beat Oklahoma again in the Big 12 Championship game on Dec. 2.

     The Alabama-Georgia thing will sort itself out. Georgia still has Auburn and Georgia Tech on the road before meeting Alabama in the Georgia Dome. Alabama still has a trip to Auburn. Auburn may end up being the only team with a pulse Alabama faces the entire regular season.

     The mission is simple for Notre Dame and Clemson. Win and you are in in the CFP. Lose and you are out. A Clemson loss in Raleigh would leave just the Palmetto State championship on the Tigers' goal sheet.

     Let's get to this week's selections. As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.

     Oklahoma at Oklahoma State -2.5 -- They call it Bedlam but it really isn't a rivalry. Oklahoma leads the series, 86-18-7. That's right. 86-18-7. Oklahoma's longest winning streak in the series is 19 games. So, when the Pokes beat the Sooners, it's a big deal. I write this just about every week about Oklahoma State, but I am anticipating a shootout. Oklahoma State's defense has been playing better. Loser is out of the CFP picture. I think the Pokes rise up and get it done. Pick -- Oklahoma State

     Georgia Tech at Virginia +10 -- Georgia Tech got shut down in Clemson last week. Virginia got off to a great start but has hit a wall. I think 10 points is too much for the Jackets. Pick -- Virginia

     South Carolina at Georgia -24.0 -- There are some South Carolina fans who think they are going to Athens and win. Don't make me laugh. Dawgs in a laugher. Pick -- Georgia

     Clemson at N.C. State +7.0 -- This is it for the Tigers. Win and all you have to do is beat wounded Florida State next week to get to the ACC Championship game. A win keeps you in the playoff picture. Lose and it's back to a regular old bowl. A Wolfpack win will most likely send State to Charlotte for the title tilt. State knows it should have won at Clemson last year. Outside of Alabama, the Pack was the most physical team Clemson played in 2016. The Tigers have not been a good cover team and they have developed a bad habit of getting a two-touchdown lead early and then sitting on it. Clemson must be aggressive from the start Saturday and pour it on or the season is done. Pick -- Clemson 

     Penn State at Michigan State +8.5 -- Penn State choked last week in Columbus, surrendering a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. The Nittany Lions better be ready this week or their playoff run is finished. Give me the points. Pick -- Michigan State

     Iowa State at West Virginia -2.5 -- The Cyclones have victories over Oklahoma and TCU. They are one of the biggest stories in college football this season. West Virginia is a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. This is feeling like a couch burning Saturday. Pick -- West Virginia

     Virginia Tech at Miami FL +2.5 -- The Hokies have been on a roll since losing to Clemson. Miami has been a last-minute drama every Saturday. The Hurricanes are still undefeated, but even Miami head coach Mark Richt doesn't know how his team has done it. This one is for the Coastal Division. I like the Hokies. Pick -- Virginia Tech

     LSU at Alabama -21.0 -- Step right up LSU and take your beating. Tide keeps rolling to Atlanta. Pick -- Alabama

     Arizona at Southern Cal -7.5 -- During its current four-game winning streak, Arizona has scored 45 or more points in all four games. Rich Rodriguez has gone from hot seat to Pac 12 Coach of the Year candidate. Quarterback Khalil Tate has been running RichRod's high-powered offense to near perfection -- 48.8 points and 567 total yards per game in October. Arizona is 3-0 on the road. Southern Cal has been inconsistent. Pick -- Arizona 

     Syracuse at Florida State -5.0 -- Before the season started, no one would have given the Orange a chance to win in Tallahassee. No one. Even though the Orange isn't favored, I believe Syracuse is the better team. Pick -- Syracuse

Last Week -- 3-7

For The Season -- 44-45-1

Maybe A New Computer Will Change My Luck

     Because of computer issues, my first post of this week's blog was directly to Facebook. After getting word Friday afternoon that my computer was on life support, I made a quick trip to Office Depot. Hopefully, the new computer will bring me luck.

     Unfortunately, my picks also are on life support. It has been said consistency is the mark of greatness. I don’t think that is true in my case as I suffered through my third consecutive 5-5 week. The overall record remains at three games above .500.

     Let’s see if I can break the mediocre streak this week. As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.

     Here are this week’s selections.

     Oklahoma State at West Virginia +7.0 – The Pokes struggled against an improving Texas team last week but managed to pull out a victory in a strange way – with their defense. This week is going to be different because West Virginia throws it all over the lot. My gut tells me couches are in danger in Morgantown this weekend. Pick – West Virginia

     Georgia vs. Florida -13.5 – I don’t care what the administrations at both schools say this will always be known as The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Bourbon is the most popular liquid of the weekend. Georgia is undefeated and talking College Football Playoff. Florida is just talking. The Gators say it’s Georgia and Florida beats Georgia. There is some recent truth to that statement. Georgia’s offense lives by the run, while Florida is just trying to find a way to score. I think the Dawgs will pull it out, but the spread is too high. Pick – Florida

     Vanderbilt at South Carolina -7.0 – Vanderbilt’s shipwreck limps into Williams-Brice and will take several more broadsides. Pick – South Carolina

     Georgia Tech at Clemson -14.0 – Weather could be a major factor in Death Valley. Rain and the coolest temperatures of the season are predicted for Saturday night. The last two seasons Brent Venables’ defense has totally shut down the Yellow Jackets’ triple option. Most observers believe rain favors the team that runs the ball, but I believe the weather will effect Tech’s ball handling. Pick – Clemson

     Louisville at Wake Forest +3.0 – Wake has played tough but has received nothing but losses for its efforts. Lamar Jackson continues to be the only thing Louisville has on the roster. If Jackson can’t run, the Cardinals are in trouble. Don’t take these Deacons lightly in Winston-Salem. Pick – Wake Forest

     Penn State at Ohio State -6.5 – I just look at this spread and shake my head. I simply don’t believe in the Buckeyes. If quarterback J.T. Barrett is forced to throw, the Buckeyes are helpless. Penn State is spewing confidence and still remembers Ohio State was picked for the College Football Playoff last season even though the Nittany Lions won the Big 10 title. Give me those points. Pick – Penn State

     N.C. State at Notre Dame -7.0 – Raise your hand if you thought in August this game would have major implications for the College Football Playoff? I thought so. The Wolfpack had last week off, while the Irish were smashing Southern Cal. The winner is still alive for the CFP. Even with a loss, the Wolfpack is still in control of the Atlantic Division. I think the moment will be too big for the Wolfpack. Pick – Notre Dame

     Mississippi State at Texas A&M +1.5 – An interesting game between two teams doing a nice job of holding their seasons together despite taking some hits. I think the 12th Man will be the difference. Pick – Texas A&M

     Houston at South Florida -11.0 – I like the way Charlie Strong has quickly resurrected his career in Tampa after the disaster in Austin. The Bulls have scored 30 or more points in 24 consecutive games, a record for the AP poll era. The Bulls are averaging 41.6 points per game. Houston allowed Memphis 42 points in one half. I am going to run with the Bulls. Pick – South Florida

     Miami at North Carolina +20.0 – The Step Right Up And Beat The Hell Out Of North Carolina tour continues. Larry Fedora, it may be time to call a real estate agent. Pick – Miami

Last Week – 5-5
For The Season – 41-38-1

Mediocre Again, Time To Break Out

     Another ho-hum 5-5 week kept the overall season record on hold at three games above .500.
     My warning to Clemson came true as the Tigers were more worried about facing Off Week than Syracuse. The 22-point dog Orange beat the Tigers straight up and put Clemson's playoff hopes on a week-by-week watch. The most shocking part of the game was the way Syracuse pushed Clemson around and the lack of response from the Tigers. One more lack of effort similar to that one and the Tigers will not make the playoff field.
     Georgia won big but did not cover and South Carolina managed to put several more For Sale signs in Tennessee head coach Butch Jones' front yard.
     As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
     Let's get to this week's selections.
     Oklahoma State at Texas +7 -- Since a shocking opening day loss to Maryland, Texas has shown a pulse. The Longhorns have suffered close losses to Southern Cal and Oklahoma. This will be an offensive shootout. I think the Pokes will survive because they have more weapons. Pick -- Oklahoma State
     Wake Forest at Georgia Tech -6.5 -- The Jackets got beat at the buzzer in Miami last week. Wake got off to a great start but has hit a rough patch. Wake's defense recorded 17 tackles for loss against Florida State. I think the Deacons' quick defensive front will be able to disrupt the Jackets. Pick -- Wake Forest
     Louisville at Florida State -6.5 -- Last season, Louisville ran up the score against FSU, setting a record for points against the Seminoles. The Seminoles certainly have long memories. This is Lamar Jackson vs. FSU's solid defense and FSU's mediocre offense against Louisville's mediocre defense. The Cardinals are a dumpster fire after losing at home to Boston College. I think the Seminoles will set the dumpster on fire. Pick -- Florida State
     Boston College at Virginia -7.0 -- Boston College pulled off an upset in Louisville. But there will be no upset in Charlottesville. Virginia's surprising season continues. Pick -- Virginia
     Tennessee at Alabama -34.5 -- I remember the days when Tennessee could actually compete with Alabama. Almost everyone looked forward to the third Saturday in October, the traditional date for the game. Man, that's a lot of points. But Tennessee's offense is putrid and its defense isn't much better. It is always difficult to take that many points, but I think the Tide will roll. Pick -- Alabama
     LSU at Ole Miss +6.5 -- LSU head coach Ed Orgeron (aka The Cookie Monster -- just listen to the man talk) returns to The Grove where he once was the head coach. Asked if he still had any connections at Ole Miss, he said he hoped the Exxon station was still cooking chicken on a stick. LSU has recovered nicely since losing to Troy. I think the Bayou Bengals get it done. Pick -- LSU
     North Carolina at Virginia Tech -21.0 -- The Larry Fedora Farewell tour continues. Pick -- Virginia Tech
     Central Florida at Navy +7.5 -- The Midshipmen will try and sink the Knights. Anchors aweigh. Pick -- Navy
     Michigan at Penn State -9.5 -- This will not be a game. Michigan is a mess on offense. Khaki pants takes a beating in Happy Valley. Pick -- Penn State
     Southern Cal at Notre Dame -3.5 -- I really don't want to believe in Notre Dame, but with every week that passes by, the Irish look better and better. Wake up the echoes. Pick -- Notre Dame

Last Week -- 5-5
For The Season -- 36-33-1

Blip On The Screen

    The three-week winning streak got interrupted last week with a mediocre 5-5 record.

     Alabama and Clemson both failed to cover and Louisville got upset in Raleigh under a full moon. The moon will be full again on Nov. 4 when Clemson travels to N.C. State. Just saying.

     As predicted, Michigan failed to cover and Michigan State won outright in a driving rain storm in the Big House.

     This week, Clemson plays at Syracuse on Friday night. I am not a fan of Friday night college football and will never will be a fan. If the colleges want to play on Thursday night, that's ok -- as long as both teams get the previous Saturday off. Friday nights are for high school football. Period. I think the National Felons League should return to Sunday and Monday and leave Thursdays to the colleges. And the colleges should leave Fridays to the preps.

     As always, selections are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.

     Here are this week's selections:

     Clemson at Syracuse +22.5 -- One last outing for the Tigers before a much-needed off-week. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says quarterback Kelly Bryant, who tweeked an ankle in the victory over Wake Forest, will play. Two years ago at the Carrier Dome, the Orange surprised the Tigers with some triple option and the Tigers had to fight to survive. The Orange likes to play fast, really fast, and has two of the best wide receivers in the country in Steve Ismael (No. 1 in the country in receiving yards) and Ervin Phillips (No. 31 in the country in receiving yards). Be careful Tigers. Be very careful. I am going to take the points. Pick -- Syracuse

     South Carolina at Tennessee -2.5 -- After a big victory over Arkansas, the Gamecocks take some new-found confidence up the mountain to Ob-knoxville. Struggling Tennessee will start redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano at quarterback. The Vols needed to do something to try and jump start their putrid offense. Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has one foot out the door. Tennessee looks disinterested and lost. I think the Gamecocks will get a road win. Pick -- South Carolina

     Georgia Tech at Miami -6.5 -- When he was at Georgia, Mark Richt owned Georgia Tech. His ownership continues when the Yellow Jackets visit South Beach. Pick -- Miami

     Baylor at Oklahoma State -25.5 -- Pokes celebrate homecoming with a serious Bear hunt. Bear rugs for everybody. Pick -- Oklahoma State

     Missouri at Georgia -30.5 -- Not only is Missouri a 10-alarm dumpster fire, the Tigers don't even have a dumpster anymore. Not enough points. Not even close. Dawgs roll on to the Cocktail Party. Pick -- Georgia 

     Auburn at LSU +6.5 -- Auburn has gained momentum every week since leaving Clemson with an eight-point loss. A victory will label the Tigers the No. 1 challenger to Alabama in the SEC West. Pick -- Auburn

     Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas +7.5 -- Oklahoma crapped in its own nest last week with a home loss to 30-point underdog Iowa State. Much like Ohio State, who the Sooners beat in Columbus earlier this season, Oklahoma talks a good game but can't produce results. Texas has pulled some surprises in the Red River Rivalry in the past. I think the Longhorns have got the Sooners right where they want them. Pick -- Texas

     Navy at Memphis -4.0 -- This might be the best game this weekend. Navy's high-powered option against Memphis' high-flying passing attack. Home field will be the difference. Pick -- Memphis

     Texas A&M at Florida -3.0 -- Florida is wearing the ugliest uniform in the history of college football for this game. If you have not seen it, Google it. But don't eat before you look at the picture. A&M can score. Florida can't. Swamp gets drained. Uniforms get burned. Pick -- Texas A&M

     Boise State at San Diego State -7.0 -- The Aztecs are one of the big stories in college football this season. Since this one isn't on the blue turf, I'm taking SD. Pick -- San Diego State

     Last Week -- 5-5

     For The Season -- 31-28-1