Cupcake Saturday Is Upon Us

    It is called Cupcake Saturday in the Southeastern Conference, where it just means more.
    Several SEC teams schedule punching bags on the Saturday before Thanksgiving so they can get loosened up for the showdown rivalries on the final Saturday of the regular season. On paper, it looks as if drama will be severely lacking this Saturday.
    Last week was the second winning week in a row at 6-4. Hey, you have to celebrate the little successes.
    As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
    Let's get to it.
    Virginia at Georgia Tech -6 -- The Yellow Jackets are surging at the right time. Tech started 1-3 but has battled back to become bowl eligible. Virginia is still in the conversation for the Coastal Division title. But the Jackets will end the Cavalier title dreams on The Flats. Pick -- Georgia Tech
    West Virginia at Oklahoma State +4.5 -- Dangerous game for the Mountaineers. Expect a shootout in Stillwater. I will take the Pokes and the points. Pick -- Oklahoma State
     Massachusetts at Georgia -41.0 -- Seriously? That's a massive spread. Too big not to take. Pick -- Massachusetts
     Duke at Clemson -28.5 -- Duke quarterback Daniel Jones had almost 600 yards of total offense in last week's victory over North Carolina, Duke's third straight against the Tar Heels. I think he will give the Tigers some problems because he is an accurate thrower and a good runner. But I have confidence the Tigers will figure it out. Clemson has been covering huge spreads for the past month. Let's see if they can do it again. Pick -- Clemson
     Pittsburgh at Wake Forest +6.5 -- If Pitt wins, it clinches the Coastal Division title to earn a date against Clemson in Charlotte for the ACC title on Dec. 1. Wake pulled off a major surprise in its last outing by rallying late to beat N.C. State in Raleigh. This is a battle of contrasting styles -- Wake prefers to go fast, while Pitt will grind and grind. Nothing seems to come easy for Pitt. Pick -- Wake Forest.
     Northwestern at Minnesota -1 -- This is definitely a funny-looking spread. Northwestern is the champion of the Big 10 West. The Gophers need one victory to become bowl eligible. I am going to ride the Wildcats. Pick -- Northwestern
     N.C. State at Louisville +16.5 -- Reports are the firing of Bobby Petrino has lightened the mood in Louisville. The micro-managing is gone. The Cardinals still have players but can one week and an interim coach make a difference? I don't think so. Pick -- N.C. State
     Syracuse vs. Notre Dame -10.5 at Yankee Stadium -- This is the game the nation will be watching this Saturday. If the Irish go 12-0, they will go to the College Football Playoff. Fast-paced Syracuse is good enough to give the Irish a fight. And try not to laugh when you look at the Yankee-inspired uniforms the Irish will be wearing in this game. Pick -- Syracuse
     Stanford at California +2.0 -- The Game goes to The Cardinal. Pick -- Stanford
     USC at UCLA +3.5 -- Southern Cal preps for its annual showdown against Notre Dame by beating the arch-rival Bruins. Pick -- Southern Cal

Last Week -- 6-4
For The Season -- 47-64-1

Winning Week For A Change

     Last week's 6-4 record included taking Clemson and giving almost 40 points. I guess I am finally becoming a believer in the rampaging Tigers.
     This week's selection are being published early because of a road trip to Boston. Good food, some cannolis from Mike's Pastries, and hopefully a Tiger win Saturday night will make the trip special.
     Let's get to this week's selections. As always, the picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
     South Carolina at Florida -7.0 -- South Carolina surprised me by winning a shootout at Ole Miss. I think Florida is in the tank. One Florida columnist wrote the Gators are now as bad as Florida State. That's bad. Really bad. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Pick -- South Carolina
     Oklahoma State at Oklahoma -17.5 -- The Pokes gave away the Baylor game. Penalties and discipline continue to be issues for OSU. The Sooners have dominated this series. I don't see anything changing this Saturday. Pick -- Oklahoma
     Auburn at Georgia -14.5 -- With the SEC East locked up, the Dawgs will deliver a serious beating to Auburn between the hedges. Pick -- Georgia
     Miami at Georgia Tech -4.5 -- Paul Johnson is pulling off his usual late-season run. The Yellow Jackets will add to Miami's misery. Pick -- Georgia Tech
     Clemson at Boston College +17.0 -- The Tigers are on an amazing run. They continue to cover these massive weekly point spreads. This game is a little bit dicey. Night game in Boston. Chilly conditions. The Tigers better be careful. Pick -- Clemson
     North Carolina at Duke -10.5 -- Duke quarterback Daniel Jones will be the difference. The Blue Devils will claim the Victory Bell. Pick -- Duke
     Mississippi State at Alabama -26.0 -- Bring your cowbells to Tusculoosa and come get your beating Bulldogs. Pick -- Alabama
     Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh -3.0 -- The Panthers can get one step closer to the ACC Coastal Division title with a victory over the struggling Hokies. Pick -- Pittsburgh
     Texas at Texas Tech +1 -- After dropping two games by a total of four points, the Longhorns travel to the plains of west Texas. Expect a shootout in Lubbock. Pick -- Texas Tech
     Florida State at Notre Dame -18.0 -- This my friends is known as a freaking layup. I had to give myself one easy one. Pick -- Notre Dame

Last Week -- 6-4
For The Season -- 41-60-1

Always Remember November

     At this point, it is time to use the immortal words of a South Carolina fan -- Wait 'Til Next Year!
    The season-long ugliness continues for this blog. A record of 3-7 last week dropped the overall record to 21 games under .500.
     Clemson has moved past sitting on two touchdown leads and suddenly has become the ACC version of Alabama. The Tigers have totally abused three straight conference opponents. Louisville is next on the chopping block. At 2-6, the Cardinals look like good cannon fodder.
     Georgia, fresh off its victory over Florida in their annual blood letting in Jacksonville, heads north to Bluegrass Country to face a surprising Kentucky team for the SEC East title. The media is trying to build drama for the game, but I don't think the Dawgs will have a problem with the upstart Cats.
     All eyes will be on the Bayou Saturday night as LSU tries to throw a serious monkey wrench in the national picture by upsetting No. 1 Alabama. How will the Tide react if the game is still on the line in the fourth quarter?
     As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only. At this point, I hope you have laughed hard enough to be thoroughly entertained. My role has been reduced to stimulating conversation on a weekly basis.
    I don't know who "They" is, but they say they always remember November. Let's see if we can get the final month off to a good start.
     Louisville at Clemson -38.5 -- The Tigers have hit another gear. The performance against Florida State was stunning. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks comfortable, but we still have to remember he is a true freshman. In the last month, Clemson has started covering massive spreads. But this spread is huge. Here is something to think about. The last time Louisville came to Clemson the Cardinals were a two-point favorite. Talk about a wild swing. I have missed on Clemson all year. So, I am going to join the party and pick the Tigers to roll. Pick -- Clemson
     Oklahoma State at Baylor +7.5 -- The Cowboys rose up and knocked off Texas at home last week. Will that victory over the Longhorns salvage the Pokes' season? Pick -- Oklahoma State
     South Carolina at Ole Miss Pick -- Most experts expect a shootout. I don't think the Gamecocks can win a shootout against the Rebels. Pick -- Ole Miss
     Georgia Tech at North Carolina +6.0 -- In their last outing, the Jackets ran all over Virginia Tech to keep their bowl hopes alive. North Carolina continues to find interesting ways to lose close games. The clock is ticking on Larry Fedora. This is the type of game the Jackets usually mess up. But I don't think Tech will trip up against the Heels. Pick -- Georgia Tech
     Georgia at Kentucky +9.0 -- The media is trying to sell us on a showdown in Lexington. I don't see it. I think the Dawgs roll. Pick -- Georgia
     West Virginia at Texas -2.0 -- Texas is coming off an emotional loss to Okie State. West Virginia is getting two points. Give me the Mountaineers. Pick -- West Virginia
     Florida State at N.C. State -9.0 -- Florida State is a massive train wreck and a 10-car pileup. Pick -- N.C. State
     Penn State at Michigan -10.5 -- The Nittany Lions journey to the Big House and I don't think they will survive. Pick -- Michigan
     Boston College at Virginia Tech +2.0 -- This is a big game for the Eagles to stay alive in the Atlantic Division race. Clemson comes to BC next week, and for that game to mean something, the Eagles need a win in Blacksburg. This has been one of Bud Foster's worst seasons as defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech. The Hokie defensive unit has been an empty shell most of the season. Boston College running back AJ Dillon is a 250-pound truck. All signs point to the Eagles, but I'm going to take the Hokies. Pick -- Virginia Tech
     Alabama at LSU -14.5 -- Wow. An Alabama point spread under 30. LSU is capable, but until somebody makes the Tide sweat in the second half, you have to keep picking Bama. Pick -- Alabama

     Last Week -- 3-7
     For The Season -- 35-56-1

Two Big Games In The State Of Florida This Week

     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

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

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

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