Last week finished on the plus side with a 6-4 mark. That makes three winning weeks in the first four of the 2019 season. The big misses last week were Georgia not dominating Notre Dame as all of the experts predicted and Pittsburgh surprising "national champion" Central Florida on a trick play.
The most excitement in Clemson last Saturday night was a seven-minute movie shoot. Meanwhile, South Carolina continues to self destruct.
As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Friday
Duke at Virginia Tech -2.5 -- Duke has been more solid than Virginia Tech. The Hokies have had trouble hanging on to the football. And Virginia Tech's defense still has issues. Pick -- Duke
Saturday
Clemson at North Carolina +27.0 -- This is just Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney's second trip to Chapel Hill as head coach. All four of North Carolina's games have followed the same script -- the Tar Heels fall behind and then rally in the fourth quarter. It sounds silly and stupid, but I still have concerns about the Clemson offense. The Tigers are swinging for the fences and not showing a lot of consistency. Yard production has been amazing but there seems to be something missing. After last week's backyard game against Charlotte where everyone played and everyone had a good time, I hope the Tigers show up and show some improvement. I have a sense this one will be tougher than expected. Pick -- Clemson
Kentucky at South Carolina -3.0 -- Kentucky has dominated this series, but the Wildcats have serious issues at quarterback. Pick -- South Carolina
Wake Forest at Boston College +6.5 -- The Deacons, the second-best team in the ACC, hit the road to Chestnut Hill. BC getting almost seven points at home is too good to pass up. Pick -- Boston College
Virginia at Notre Dame -12.5 -- I want to believe in Virginia, but I just can't. The Irish gave it their all in Athens last week but came up short. I think home field will be the difference. Pick -- Notre Dame
N.C. State at Florida State -6.5 -- Florida State seems to be getting its act together. N.C. State has played nobody. The road gets rough for the Wolfpack as the Seminoles spring an ambush. Pick -- Florida State
Coastal Carolina at Appalachian State +16.0 -- The Mountaineers return to The Rock after beating the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill last week. Coastal Carolina also has a Power Five victory -- Kansas. App State at home is just to be a hill to climb for the Chants. Pick -- Appalachian State
Southern Cal at Washington -10.0 -- The Trojans are pretty good at home, not so much on the road. Pick -- Washington
Mississippi State at Auburn -11.0 -- I still think Auburn is a fraud, but the sham will continue for one more week. Pick -- Auburn
Washington State at Utah -5.5 -- While Utah was losing yet another game to Southern Cal at the Coliseum last week, Washington State choked in the second half against a bad UCLA team to lose 67-63. Give me home field and the Ute defense. Pick -- Utah
Last Week -- 6-4
For The Season -- 24-16
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Winning Streak Ends At Two Weeks
Penn State failing to cover in its final scheduled meeting against Pitt and N.C. State and Boston College getting run over led to the first losing week of the season.
Boston College's loss to Kansas was really shocking. Prior to beating the Eagles, the Jayhawks had lost 48 straight non-conference road games.
After three weeks, we have learned the ACC has deteriorated beyond recognition and is worse than a five-alarm dumpster fire. Virginia and Wake Forest are now considered No. 2 and No. 3 in the league. Playing in a putrid league means Clemson better not lose a game if it hopes to return to the College Football Playoff.
As we head to the official start of fall on Saturday, we have some games of national significance this week. Notre Dame at Georgia, Michigan at Wisconsin, and Auburn at Texas A&M all will help to start shaping the CFP picture.
As always, picks are are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
South Carolina at Missouri -9.5 -- The Gamecocks moved the ball against Alabama but still got rolled by the Tide. Haven't they seen this Kelly Bryant guy before playing for a different set of Tigers? Bryant reintroduces himself to UofSC. Pick -- Missouri
Charlotte at Clemson -41.5 -- The Clemson spreads have been so massive that it makes it difficult not to take the points. There is great gnashing of teeth by Clemson fans because Trevor Lawrence has shown that he is not Superman. Relax. Take a deep breath. Remember the days when the Tigers were squeezing out one touchdown victories over The Citadel and Furman. It will be okay. Dabo says Charlotte could embarrass Clemson. What??? If you believe that, you also believe football parking at Clemson is cheap and readily available. Pick -- Clemson
Oklahoma State at Texas -5.5 -- The Pokes have won five straight against Texas in Austin, but Texas is the first real team they have played this season. This Saturday, reality wears horns. Real long horns. Pick -- Texas
Notre Dame at Georgia -14.0 -- I think this is this week's gift. The Irish have one of the worst rush defenses in the country. Georgia has a massive offensive line and a stable of running backs. Dawgs walk the Dawg on the Irish. Pick -- Georgia
Tennessee at Florida -14.0 -- Tennessee is bad. Florida has lost its hot dog starting quarterback for the season. I think the Florida defense and home field will be the difference. Pick -- Florida
Michigan at Wisconsin -3.5 -- Michigan gets exposed by the Wisconsin bulldozer and several clueless analysts around the country begin their annual exercise of wondering why they always think the always-disappointing Wolverines will be a factor outside of the Big 10. It happens every year. Until Michigan does something, they need to stop it. Pick -- Wisconsin
Louisville at Florida State -6.5 -- Florida State looks like hot garbage. Is this the week the Seminoles put together a complete game? Probably not. But Louisville is still to early in the rebuilding process to win this one. Even Willie Taggart can't screw this one up. Can he? Pick -- Florida State
Central Florida at Pittsburgh -12.0 -- Pittsburgh can't score. Central Florida can score. And score in bunches. Pick -- Central Florida
Auburn at Texas A&M -4.0 -- Auburn, another fraud, gets exposed by the 12th Man. A&M adds to Clemson's sinking strength of schedule number. Pick -- Texas A&M
Colorado at Arizona State -7.5 -- People laughed and laughed when Arizona State hired Herm Edwards. Edwards has the Sun Devils ranked 24th in the country. Some are still laughing, but they are laughing quietly. Here comes Colorado rumbling off the mountains into the the desert. I like the Devils in the desert heat. Pick -- Arizona State
Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 18-12
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Call Me Butter, I'm On A Roll
The second week of the season brought another 7-3 worksheet. I was robbed of an 8-2 record because Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher managed the last six minutes of his team's 24-10 loss to Clemson as if the national championship was on the line. The Aggies' touchdown with just seconds remaining created a cover for A&M. Hmmm. Add your own conspiracy theories here.
This week's interesting games included a non-conference ACC matchup of undefeated teams in Winston-Salem, Clemson's trip to the Loud House, and the Tide rolling into Columbia.
I like North Carolina and Wake scheduling a non-conference game. Fans would rather see a game against an old rival instead of a game against an unnamed community college.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Friday
North Carolina at Wake Forest -3.0 -- The Tar Heels won just two games last season. They are already 2-0 this season in the first season of the Mack Brown Reunion Tour. Most people turn up their noses when you say "Wake Forest Football," but the Deacons can play. And score. Mack gets his first loss. Pick -- Wake Forest
Kansas at Boston College -21.0 -- The turf is artificial in Chestnut Hill, so there is nothing for Les Miles to eat. AJ Dillon will have a coming out party. Pick -- Boston College
Saturday
Arkansas State at Georgia -33.5 -- The Dawgs roll one more tomato can around Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium before the Fighting Irish come to town. Pick -- Georgia
Alabama at South Carolina +26.5 -- Alabama head coach Nick Saban complained about early kickoff times this week. He says the games are too hot. Roll Tired. After the game, South Carolina will have a complaint -- Why was this game was ever played? Pick -- Alabama
Oklahoma State at Tulsa +14.5 -- No matter how many coaches or players he loses on an annual basis, Mike Gundy knows how to generate offense. The Pokes will bring plenty of weapons to Tulsa and blow away the Hurricanes. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Clemson at Syracuse +27.5 -- Syracuse cannot be that bad. It is just not possible. The Orange got beat from pillar to post in College Park. I don't think looking ahead was a problem for Cuse. But I do think there are issues with the Orange. The Tigers suffocated Texas A&M. The Clemson offense has yet to leave the launch pad. Will this be the game? It has a been a long time since Clemson has been somebody's homecoming opponent. But with the recent history of this game, 27.5 is just too many points. Pick -- Syracuse
Pittsburgh at Penn State -17.0 -- The 100th and final meeting between these two bitter Pennsylvania rivals for the foreseeable future will be a Nittany Lion rout. Pick -- Penn State
N.C. State at West Virginia +6.5 -- This is N.C. State's first real test and it will be no where near a mid-term exam. The Mountaineers currently are a mess. Pick -- N.C. State
Stanford at Central Florida -7.5 -- Stanford got stunned by Southern Cal last Saturday night. The Cardinal now travels East to face Central Florida. Before this game is finished, the Cardinal will be running for the plane. Pick -- Central Florida
Florida at Kentucky +8.0 -- Kentucky finally snapped its lengthy losing streak against Florida last season. I just don't believe in the Gators and eight points is a tricky spread. Pick -- Kentucky
Last Week -- 7-3
For The Season -- 14-6
This week's interesting games included a non-conference ACC matchup of undefeated teams in Winston-Salem, Clemson's trip to the Loud House, and the Tide rolling into Columbia.
I like North Carolina and Wake scheduling a non-conference game. Fans would rather see a game against an old rival instead of a game against an unnamed community college.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Friday
North Carolina at Wake Forest -3.0 -- The Tar Heels won just two games last season. They are already 2-0 this season in the first season of the Mack Brown Reunion Tour. Most people turn up their noses when you say "Wake Forest Football," but the Deacons can play. And score. Mack gets his first loss. Pick -- Wake Forest
Kansas at Boston College -21.0 -- The turf is artificial in Chestnut Hill, so there is nothing for Les Miles to eat. AJ Dillon will have a coming out party. Pick -- Boston College
Saturday
Arkansas State at Georgia -33.5 -- The Dawgs roll one more tomato can around Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium before the Fighting Irish come to town. Pick -- Georgia
Alabama at South Carolina +26.5 -- Alabama head coach Nick Saban complained about early kickoff times this week. He says the games are too hot. Roll Tired. After the game, South Carolina will have a complaint -- Why was this game was ever played? Pick -- Alabama
Oklahoma State at Tulsa +14.5 -- No matter how many coaches or players he loses on an annual basis, Mike Gundy knows how to generate offense. The Pokes will bring plenty of weapons to Tulsa and blow away the Hurricanes. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Clemson at Syracuse +27.5 -- Syracuse cannot be that bad. It is just not possible. The Orange got beat from pillar to post in College Park. I don't think looking ahead was a problem for Cuse. But I do think there are issues with the Orange. The Tigers suffocated Texas A&M. The Clemson offense has yet to leave the launch pad. Will this be the game? It has a been a long time since Clemson has been somebody's homecoming opponent. But with the recent history of this game, 27.5 is just too many points. Pick -- Syracuse
Pittsburgh at Penn State -17.0 -- The 100th and final meeting between these two bitter Pennsylvania rivals for the foreseeable future will be a Nittany Lion rout. Pick -- Penn State
N.C. State at West Virginia +6.5 -- This is N.C. State's first real test and it will be no where near a mid-term exam. The Mountaineers currently are a mess. Pick -- N.C. State
Stanford at Central Florida -7.5 -- Stanford got stunned by Southern Cal last Saturday night. The Cardinal now travels East to face Central Florida. Before this game is finished, the Cardinal will be running for the plane. Pick -- Central Florida
Florida at Kentucky +8.0 -- Kentucky finally snapped its lengthy losing streak against Florida last season. I just don't believe in the Gators and eight points is a tricky spread. Pick -- Kentucky
Last Week -- 7-3
For The Season -- 14-6
Thursday, September 5, 2019
7-3 Is A Good Start
The first week brought a 7-3 worksheet. I'll take 70 percent the rest of the season.
The biggest miss came in the Carolina-Carolina match up. I had a feeling the Heels would play better with Mack Brown at the helm, but I still thought South Carolina would survive. Now, the Gamecocks are 0-1 and missing their No. 1 quarterback with Alabama coming to Columbia a week from Saturday. Good luck with that.
Clemson was sloppy but effective against a Georgia Tech team that is going to be lost for a while because the triple option is gone. I expect Clemson to get past Page 5 of the playbook this week against mouthy Texas A&M.
Next to Oklahoma, I thought Georgia had the best opening week. The Dawgs have an extremely powerful running game and a defense that looks real. Maybe this is the year Georgia finally gets past Alabama.
As always, the weekly selections are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Friday
Wake Forest at Rice +18.0 -- Wake Forest can score. With a just a pinch of defense, they will cover the spread against the mighty Owls. Pick -- Wake Forest
Saturday
Texas A&M at Clemson -18.5 -- The spread is massive. The talking heads have talked about how Clemson survived A&M at College Station last season. What they haven't talked about is the lack of holding calls against Clemson's defensive front and A&M's abundance of dumb luck. The Tigers were flying blind against the Aggies last season. Don't give Brent Venables a full season of tape to watch. Add to defensive preparation the fact A&M has not seen Trevor Lawrence and his tidal wave of wide receivers for an entire game. One Aggie has predicted an upset, which tells me the Aggies don't have a clue what they are about to face in Death Valley. Dabo opens up a can on Jimbo. Pick -- Clemson
South Florida at Georgia Tech -6.0 -- Two teams that got the hell beat out of them in their openers meet in Atlanta. This is the home opener for Georgia Tech head coach Jeff Collins. South Florida is on real slide. I think Tech's enthusiasm will make a difference. Pick -- Georgia Tech
West Virginia at Missouri -14.0 -- Transfer quarterback Kelly Bryant passed for 424 yards and two touchdowns in an opening loss at Wyoming. The Tigers open at home against a rebuilding West Virginia squad. Pick -- Missouri
Syracuse at Maryland -2.0 -- With Clemson on the horizon, this is a serious trap game for Syracuse. This spread has moved during the week. Apparently, Maryland's domination of Howard impressed the bettors. Pick -- Maryland
Nebraska at Colorado +4.5 -- A renewal of one of the great rivalries of the old Big 8. I think home field is the difference for the Buffs. Pick -- Colorado
BYU at Tennessee -3.5 -- All you need to know about last week in Knoxville is a boat on the Tennessee River outside the stadium caught fire and sank. The Vols are in serious trouble. BYU is a mess too. Pick -- BYU
Arkansas at Ole Miss -7.0 -- Two downtrodden members of the SEC meet in Oxford. Arkansas barely survived something called Portland State last week, while Ole Miss stumbled at Memphis. The Rebels/Black Bears/Sharks get it done. Pick -- Ole Miss
LSU at Texas +4.5 -- I said last week's line for the Virginia Tech at Boston College was a gift. I think this line is gift No. 2. Pick -- Texas
Miami (Fla.) at North Carolina +6.0 -- No program spews "We're Back!" more than Miami. My question is when are the Hurricanes coming back? We always hear about the talent, but the results are lacking. The Heels pulled off a surprise in Charlotte with a rebuilt defense and a freshman quarterback. It pains me, but I'm picking the Heels. Pick -- North Carolina
Last Week -- 7-3
Overall -- 7-3
The biggest miss came in the Carolina-Carolina match up. I had a feeling the Heels would play better with Mack Brown at the helm, but I still thought South Carolina would survive. Now, the Gamecocks are 0-1 and missing their No. 1 quarterback with Alabama coming to Columbia a week from Saturday. Good luck with that.
Clemson was sloppy but effective against a Georgia Tech team that is going to be lost for a while because the triple option is gone. I expect Clemson to get past Page 5 of the playbook this week against mouthy Texas A&M.
Next to Oklahoma, I thought Georgia had the best opening week. The Dawgs have an extremely powerful running game and a defense that looks real. Maybe this is the year Georgia finally gets past Alabama.
As always, the weekly selections are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Friday
Wake Forest at Rice +18.0 -- Wake Forest can score. With a just a pinch of defense, they will cover the spread against the mighty Owls. Pick -- Wake Forest
Saturday
Texas A&M at Clemson -18.5 -- The spread is massive. The talking heads have talked about how Clemson survived A&M at College Station last season. What they haven't talked about is the lack of holding calls against Clemson's defensive front and A&M's abundance of dumb luck. The Tigers were flying blind against the Aggies last season. Don't give Brent Venables a full season of tape to watch. Add to defensive preparation the fact A&M has not seen Trevor Lawrence and his tidal wave of wide receivers for an entire game. One Aggie has predicted an upset, which tells me the Aggies don't have a clue what they are about to face in Death Valley. Dabo opens up a can on Jimbo. Pick -- Clemson
South Florida at Georgia Tech -6.0 -- Two teams that got the hell beat out of them in their openers meet in Atlanta. This is the home opener for Georgia Tech head coach Jeff Collins. South Florida is on real slide. I think Tech's enthusiasm will make a difference. Pick -- Georgia Tech
West Virginia at Missouri -14.0 -- Transfer quarterback Kelly Bryant passed for 424 yards and two touchdowns in an opening loss at Wyoming. The Tigers open at home against a rebuilding West Virginia squad. Pick -- Missouri
Syracuse at Maryland -2.0 -- With Clemson on the horizon, this is a serious trap game for Syracuse. This spread has moved during the week. Apparently, Maryland's domination of Howard impressed the bettors. Pick -- Maryland
Nebraska at Colorado +4.5 -- A renewal of one of the great rivalries of the old Big 8. I think home field is the difference for the Buffs. Pick -- Colorado
BYU at Tennessee -3.5 -- All you need to know about last week in Knoxville is a boat on the Tennessee River outside the stadium caught fire and sank. The Vols are in serious trouble. BYU is a mess too. Pick -- BYU
Arkansas at Ole Miss -7.0 -- Two downtrodden members of the SEC meet in Oxford. Arkansas barely survived something called Portland State last week, while Ole Miss stumbled at Memphis. The Rebels/Black Bears/Sharks get it done. Pick -- Ole Miss
LSU at Texas +4.5 -- I said last week's line for the Virginia Tech at Boston College was a gift. I think this line is gift No. 2. Pick -- Texas
Miami (Fla.) at North Carolina +6.0 -- No program spews "We're Back!" more than Miami. My question is when are the Hurricanes coming back? We always hear about the talent, but the results are lacking. The Heels pulled off a surprise in Charlotte with a rebuilt defense and a freshman quarterback. It pains me, but I'm picking the Heels. Pick -- North Carolina
Last Week -- 7-3
Overall -- 7-3
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Let's Get It On! Week One Is Finally Here
Okay, the talking is finished.
Thank goodness.
The whining from Tuscaloosa and national media's attempts to disrupt Clemson got tiresome. The "Kelly Bryant not getting a ring story" was just stupid. Then there was the annual complaint from sports business reporter Darren Rovell about Clemson players taking themselves off of social media during the season. Stupid story No. 2. Let's move on.
Even though it feels as if the off-season took forever, here is an interesting note -- This was Clemson shortest off-season ever. Won the national championship on Jan. 7. Open the 2019 season on Aug. 29.
Let's get it on.
I am not going to waste a lot of time getting to the picks because it's Wednesday morning and Clemson opens Thursday night.
Here are this week's selections.
All picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes
Thursday
Georgia Tech at Clemson -37 -- Forget finding tickets. Clemson fans have been losing their minds trying to figure out how to get the new ACC Network. This is the first live game on ACCN, which went on the air last week. The Tigers will celebrate a historic 2018 and then kickoff 2019. This should be the most dynamic offense in Clemson history. Questions remain about the defense, but defensive coordinator Brent Venables has been relatively calm in the preseason. He has proven before he can build a defense with whatever parts are provided. Georgia Tech has ditched the triple option. New Tech head coach Jeff Collins does not have a depth chart. He just lists the players who might play. Tech calls it ATL -- Above The Line. The Tigers will have to adjust to the new-look Jackets on the fly. I think the Tigers will roll, but 37 points is too much for an opener. Pick -- Georgia Tech
Utah at Brigham Young +5.5 -- This is a huge rivalry for an opener. ESPN's Lee Corso has picked Utah as a playoff team. That's enough for me to pick the Cougars. Pick -- Brigham Young
Friday
Oklahoma State at Oregon State +14.5 -- The Pokes travel West to take on one of the worst teams in the Pac 12. Pistols firing. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Utah State at Wake Forest -3.5 -- Utah State is touting quarterback Jordan Love as a Heisman Trophy candidate. One of their promo items is a package of candy hearts. Get it? Wake has two quarterbacks who can play -- Sam Hartman and Jamie Newman. The Deacons go fast. Real fast. This game could provide a lot of fireworks. Pick -- Wake Forest
Colorado State at Colorado -13.5 -- Colorado owns this rivalry. Pick -- Colorado
Saturday
South Carolina vs. North Carolina +10.0 -- On paper, this looks like Will Muschamp's best team in Columbia. But the Gamecock schedule is brutal. Mack Brown surprised most of the free world by coming out of the ESPN broadcast booth to dive on a massive hand grenade in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels blew several games in the fourth quarter last season. Brown will make them better, but the Heels just don't have enough talent to hang with the Gamecocks. Pick -- South Carolina
Georgia at Vanderbilt -21.5 -- The Dawgs are a playoff caliber team and a national championship contender. Their quest to get another shot at SEC kingpin Alabama begins in Music City. Openers are tricky and Vandy has a history of giving Georgia problems in Nashville. But I believe the Dawgs will roll. Pick -- Georgia
Virginia Tech at Boston College +2 -- I double checked and triple checked this spread. I think this is a gift. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster is starting his final season. The Hokies were not good on defense in 2018. The Eagles have one of the best running backs in the country in AJ Dillon. BC head coach Steve Addazio also likes his passing game. Dare I say stone cold lock? Pick -- Boston College
Northwestern at Stanford -6.5 -- Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson joins Kelly Bryant (Missouri) as former Clemson quarterbacks who are now starting somewhere else. The Wildcats won the Big 10 West last season. You can count on Stanford being big and physical. Home field is the difference. Pick -- Stanford
Virginia at Pittsburgh +2.5 -- This is a massive game in the ACC Coastal Division. Pitt is the defending Coastal champ. The Cavaliers, led by dual threat quarterback Bryce Perkins, is on the rise. Pitt rallied in the second half to Virginia in Charlottesville last season. The winner of this game takes the inside track to the Coastal Division title. Pick -- Virginia
Thank goodness.
The whining from Tuscaloosa and national media's attempts to disrupt Clemson got tiresome. The "Kelly Bryant not getting a ring story" was just stupid. Then there was the annual complaint from sports business reporter Darren Rovell about Clemson players taking themselves off of social media during the season. Stupid story No. 2. Let's move on.
Even though it feels as if the off-season took forever, here is an interesting note -- This was Clemson shortest off-season ever. Won the national championship on Jan. 7. Open the 2019 season on Aug. 29.
Let's get it on.
I am not going to waste a lot of time getting to the picks because it's Wednesday morning and Clemson opens Thursday night.
Here are this week's selections.
All picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes
Thursday
Georgia Tech at Clemson -37 -- Forget finding tickets. Clemson fans have been losing their minds trying to figure out how to get the new ACC Network. This is the first live game on ACCN, which went on the air last week. The Tigers will celebrate a historic 2018 and then kickoff 2019. This should be the most dynamic offense in Clemson history. Questions remain about the defense, but defensive coordinator Brent Venables has been relatively calm in the preseason. He has proven before he can build a defense with whatever parts are provided. Georgia Tech has ditched the triple option. New Tech head coach Jeff Collins does not have a depth chart. He just lists the players who might play. Tech calls it ATL -- Above The Line. The Tigers will have to adjust to the new-look Jackets on the fly. I think the Tigers will roll, but 37 points is too much for an opener. Pick -- Georgia Tech
Utah at Brigham Young +5.5 -- This is a huge rivalry for an opener. ESPN's Lee Corso has picked Utah as a playoff team. That's enough for me to pick the Cougars. Pick -- Brigham Young
Friday
Oklahoma State at Oregon State +14.5 -- The Pokes travel West to take on one of the worst teams in the Pac 12. Pistols firing. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Utah State at Wake Forest -3.5 -- Utah State is touting quarterback Jordan Love as a Heisman Trophy candidate. One of their promo items is a package of candy hearts. Get it? Wake has two quarterbacks who can play -- Sam Hartman and Jamie Newman. The Deacons go fast. Real fast. This game could provide a lot of fireworks. Pick -- Wake Forest
Colorado State at Colorado -13.5 -- Colorado owns this rivalry. Pick -- Colorado
Saturday
South Carolina vs. North Carolina +10.0 -- On paper, this looks like Will Muschamp's best team in Columbia. But the Gamecock schedule is brutal. Mack Brown surprised most of the free world by coming out of the ESPN broadcast booth to dive on a massive hand grenade in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels blew several games in the fourth quarter last season. Brown will make them better, but the Heels just don't have enough talent to hang with the Gamecocks. Pick -- South Carolina
Georgia at Vanderbilt -21.5 -- The Dawgs are a playoff caliber team and a national championship contender. Their quest to get another shot at SEC kingpin Alabama begins in Music City. Openers are tricky and Vandy has a history of giving Georgia problems in Nashville. But I believe the Dawgs will roll. Pick -- Georgia
Virginia Tech at Boston College +2 -- I double checked and triple checked this spread. I think this is a gift. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster is starting his final season. The Hokies were not good on defense in 2018. The Eagles have one of the best running backs in the country in AJ Dillon. BC head coach Steve Addazio also likes his passing game. Dare I say stone cold lock? Pick -- Boston College
Northwestern at Stanford -6.5 -- Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson joins Kelly Bryant (Missouri) as former Clemson quarterbacks who are now starting somewhere else. The Wildcats won the Big 10 West last season. You can count on Stanford being big and physical. Home field is the difference. Pick -- Stanford
Virginia at Pittsburgh +2.5 -- This is a massive game in the ACC Coastal Division. Pitt is the defending Coastal champ. The Cavaliers, led by dual threat quarterback Bryce Perkins, is on the rise. Pitt rallied in the second half to Virginia in Charlottesville last season. The winner of this game takes the inside track to the Coastal Division title. Pick -- Virginia
Friday, November 30, 2018
And Now The End Is Near...Championship Edition
And now the end is near...
The picker says thank goodness.
This is the final week of what has been a lousy season of picks. There have been one-half point misses and massive whiffs. The result is the same -- a lot of losses.
The overall record is 20 games under .500. Which means if you went the opposite way of my picks you did pretty well. No applause please. And a little juice would be appreciated.
Championship weekend has some interesting matchups and some matchups that feature massive point spreads. Maybe the chaos we have been looking for will happen this weekend.
Notre Dame is in the house undefeated and has a spot locked up in the College Football Playoff. Clemson is a heavy favorite to finish off an undefeated season and clinch a spot. Alabama has its biggest test to date against Georgia in a rematch of last season's national championship game. Many talking heads believe if Georgia wins both Alabama and Georgia will get into the playoff. If that happens, maybe the push for an eight-team playoff will pick up some momentum.
If Alabama wins, the fourth spot will be decided between Oklahoma and Ohio State. Both have high-powered offenses and inconsistent, if not non-existent, defenses.
If Oklahoma beats Texas for a second time this season, most talking heads believe the fourth spot will go to the Sooners. How many times can the committee leave the Big 10 out of the playoff field?
I have always believed in an eight-team playoff. Get rid of this weekend and figure out how to get the Power Five conferences a check to replace their championship games. Four Power Five conference champions and three at-larges make the playoffs. Then there would be two fist fights in the committee room -- picking the three at-large teams and then seeding the field.
Play the first round games at home sites. That set up would guarantee sellouts. Throw in TV money and there will be nice checks for everybody.
Money talks. College football is leaving a lot of money on the table. There will be empty seats at championship games this weekend. Fans are saving their money for the playoffs.
Let's get to the final set of picks. As always picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Friday
Pac 12
Utah vs. Washington -5.0 at Santa Clara, Calif. -- Winner goes to the Rose Bowl. The Huskies dominated Washington State last week to get to the championship game. Washington won the first meeting. I'm going to take the Huskies in the second meeting. Pick -- Washington
Saturday
Southeastern Conference
Georgia vs. Alabama -13.5 at Atlanta, Ga. -- At first glance, this spread looks big. Really big. Do the boys in the desert know something that we don't know. This is biggest test for both teams this season. To make the playoff, Georgia has to win. This is a tough one. I really wish both could lose, but a pick must be made. Pick -- Alabama
Atlantic Coast Conference
Pittsburgh vs. Clemson -27.5 at Charlotte, N.C. -- Clemson's defense has a major meltdown in its three-touchdown victory over South Carolina. But the Clemson offense was firing on all cylinders. After reviewing the film from the Duke and South Carolina games, I expect Pitt to try a similar plan -- move the ball from side to side, mix in some run, and then hit the Tigers over the middle. Pitt si run heavy and no one has run the ball on Clemson this season. Clemson better be prepared for the Utah pass. Rain is predicted which could turn this one into a phone booth brawl. After messing up big time last week, I expect the Clemson defense to have a laser-like focus in this one. Pick -- Clemson
Big 12
Texas vs. Oklahoma -8.0 at Arlington, Texas -- Texas won the first one in a shootout. I will take Oklahoma in the second one. Pick -- Oklahoma
Mountain West
Fresno State at Boise State -2.5 -- Never pick against the Broncos on the blue turf. Pick -- Boise State
Big Ten
Northwestern vs. Ohio State at Indianapolis, Ind. -14.0 -- Ohio State played one of its best games of the season against Michigan last week. The Wolverines rallied from an early deficit to get within two points then the Buckeyes blew their doors off. Ohio State makes a statement. Pick -- Ohio State
American Athletic Conference
Memphis at Central Florida -3.0 -- The awful injury suffered by Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton changed this game. I believe Central Florida's offensive talent, speed, and home field will be enough to keep the Knights undefeated. Pick -- Central Florida
Sun Belt
Louisiana-Lafayette at Applachian State -16.5 -- The trip up the mountain will be too much for the Ragin' Cajuns. Pick -- Applachian State
Last Week -- 3-7
For The Season -- 55-75-1
The picker says thank goodness.
This is the final week of what has been a lousy season of picks. There have been one-half point misses and massive whiffs. The result is the same -- a lot of losses.
The overall record is 20 games under .500. Which means if you went the opposite way of my picks you did pretty well. No applause please. And a little juice would be appreciated.
Championship weekend has some interesting matchups and some matchups that feature massive point spreads. Maybe the chaos we have been looking for will happen this weekend.
Notre Dame is in the house undefeated and has a spot locked up in the College Football Playoff. Clemson is a heavy favorite to finish off an undefeated season and clinch a spot. Alabama has its biggest test to date against Georgia in a rematch of last season's national championship game. Many talking heads believe if Georgia wins both Alabama and Georgia will get into the playoff. If that happens, maybe the push for an eight-team playoff will pick up some momentum.
If Alabama wins, the fourth spot will be decided between Oklahoma and Ohio State. Both have high-powered offenses and inconsistent, if not non-existent, defenses.
If Oklahoma beats Texas for a second time this season, most talking heads believe the fourth spot will go to the Sooners. How many times can the committee leave the Big 10 out of the playoff field?
I have always believed in an eight-team playoff. Get rid of this weekend and figure out how to get the Power Five conferences a check to replace their championship games. Four Power Five conference champions and three at-larges make the playoffs. Then there would be two fist fights in the committee room -- picking the three at-large teams and then seeding the field.
Play the first round games at home sites. That set up would guarantee sellouts. Throw in TV money and there will be nice checks for everybody.
Money talks. College football is leaving a lot of money on the table. There will be empty seats at championship games this weekend. Fans are saving their money for the playoffs.
Let's get to the final set of picks. As always picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Friday
Pac 12
Utah vs. Washington -5.0 at Santa Clara, Calif. -- Winner goes to the Rose Bowl. The Huskies dominated Washington State last week to get to the championship game. Washington won the first meeting. I'm going to take the Huskies in the second meeting. Pick -- Washington
Saturday
Southeastern Conference
Georgia vs. Alabama -13.5 at Atlanta, Ga. -- At first glance, this spread looks big. Really big. Do the boys in the desert know something that we don't know. This is biggest test for both teams this season. To make the playoff, Georgia has to win. This is a tough one. I really wish both could lose, but a pick must be made. Pick -- Alabama
Atlantic Coast Conference
Pittsburgh vs. Clemson -27.5 at Charlotte, N.C. -- Clemson's defense has a major meltdown in its three-touchdown victory over South Carolina. But the Clemson offense was firing on all cylinders. After reviewing the film from the Duke and South Carolina games, I expect Pitt to try a similar plan -- move the ball from side to side, mix in some run, and then hit the Tigers over the middle. Pitt si run heavy and no one has run the ball on Clemson this season. Clemson better be prepared for the Utah pass. Rain is predicted which could turn this one into a phone booth brawl. After messing up big time last week, I expect the Clemson defense to have a laser-like focus in this one. Pick -- Clemson
Big 12
Texas vs. Oklahoma -8.0 at Arlington, Texas -- Texas won the first one in a shootout. I will take Oklahoma in the second one. Pick -- Oklahoma
Mountain West
Fresno State at Boise State -2.5 -- Never pick against the Broncos on the blue turf. Pick -- Boise State
Big Ten
Northwestern vs. Ohio State at Indianapolis, Ind. -14.0 -- Ohio State played one of its best games of the season against Michigan last week. The Wolverines rallied from an early deficit to get within two points then the Buckeyes blew their doors off. Ohio State makes a statement. Pick -- Ohio State
American Athletic Conference
Memphis at Central Florida -3.0 -- The awful injury suffered by Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton changed this game. I believe Central Florida's offensive talent, speed, and home field will be enough to keep the Knights undefeated. Pick -- Central Florida
Sun Belt
Louisiana-Lafayette at Applachian State -16.5 -- The trip up the mountain will be too much for the Ragin' Cajuns. Pick -- Applachian State
Last Week -- 3-7
For The Season -- 55-75-1
Thursday, November 22, 2018
It's Rivalry Saturday. Tigers Go For Five In A Row
Traditional rivalries dominate the schedule on the final Saturday of the regular season.
One of the biggest games is in Morgantown, West Virginia on Friday night when West Virginia plays host high-flying Oklahoma to determine a berth in the Big 12 Championship game.
Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame all are heavy favorites to finish perfect 12-0 seasons.
Last week's record was 5-4. The Stanford-Cal game was postponed because of the terrible wild fires in northern California.
As always, the picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Now that the turkey and dressing has settled, let's get to it.
Friday
Oklahoma at West Virginia +2.5 -- Oklahoma can score on anybody, but the Sooners can't tackle anybody. West Virginia's College Football Playoff hopes got shot down in Stillwater last week, but the Mountaineers can still make the Big 12 championship game. This will be a real shootout. I mean a real shootout. I predict several couch burnings Friday night in Morgantown. Pick -- West Virginia
Washington at Washington State -2.5 -- How can you not pull for Mike Leach? He has opinions on everything. And he has done an incredible job with the Washington State program. The Cougars put up 55 points in the first half last week against Arizona. I think the Cougars will be clutching the Apple Cup late Friday night. Pick -- Washington State
Saturday
Georgia Tech at Georgia -17.0 -- Clean Old-Fashioned Hate. Bottom line is Georgia has better athletes and has dominated the series the last 30 years. Tech, which has won four in a row, will hang for a while. Keep in mind, Paul Johnson has beaten Georgia twice between the Hedges. Will be the Dawgs be looking ahead to the SEC Championship game against Alabama? Maybe, but Georgia will stay interested long enough to take care of the Yellow Jackets. Pick -- Georgia
South Carolina at Clemson -26.5 -- Never Again? Hold my beer. Tigers go for the one for the thumb. With the back end of South Carolina's defense turned into a M.A.S.H. unit, the situation doesn't look good for the Gamecocks. Maybe some of their bottle throwers will make the trip to Death Valley. The spread is large, but the Tigers have been up the the task for the last month. Pick -- Clemson
Florida at Florida State +6.5 -- Florida State proved it does have a pulse last week by beating Boston College. Florida has been playing better on offense, but I still don't trust the Gators. The Seminoles need a victory to keep their bowl streak alive. FSU has not missed going to a bowl in 36 years. I am going to roll the dice and spin the wheel on this one. Pick -- Florida State
Michigan at Ohio State +4.5 -- The outcome of this game will be determined by the defensive units. Ohio State's woeful defense has given up big plays in bunches. Michigan has been riding its defense most of the season. The Wolverines believe it is their time, but I am going to take the points. Pick -- Ohio State
N.C. State at North Carolina +7.0 -- N.C. State recovered from a choke job against Wake Forest by pounding ACC punching back Louisville. North Carolina is awful, but the Tar Heels can score. And North Carolina handed Coastal Division champion Pittsburgh its only conference loss. The victory over the Panthers is the Tar Heels' lone conference win. I'm picking the Pack. Pick -- N.C. State
Auburn at Alabama -24.0 -- Auburn just doesn't have enough offense. Alabama will be focused and in seek-and-destroy mode. Pick -- Alabama
LSU at Texas A&M -3.0 -- I have gut feeling the Aggies are going to give the Bayou Bengals a serious case of post-Thanksgiving heartburn. Pick -- Texas A&M
Notre Dame at Southern Cal +11.0 -- Notre Dame finishes an unbeaten regular season and raps up a spot in the College Football Playoff by sticking a final sword in Southern Cal's dreadful season. Pick -- Notre Dame
For The Week -- 5-4
For The Season -- 52-68-1
One of the biggest games is in Morgantown, West Virginia on Friday night when West Virginia plays host high-flying Oklahoma to determine a berth in the Big 12 Championship game.
Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame all are heavy favorites to finish perfect 12-0 seasons.
Last week's record was 5-4. The Stanford-Cal game was postponed because of the terrible wild fires in northern California.
As always, the picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Now that the turkey and dressing has settled, let's get to it.
Friday
Oklahoma at West Virginia +2.5 -- Oklahoma can score on anybody, but the Sooners can't tackle anybody. West Virginia's College Football Playoff hopes got shot down in Stillwater last week, but the Mountaineers can still make the Big 12 championship game. This will be a real shootout. I mean a real shootout. I predict several couch burnings Friday night in Morgantown. Pick -- West Virginia
Washington at Washington State -2.5 -- How can you not pull for Mike Leach? He has opinions on everything. And he has done an incredible job with the Washington State program. The Cougars put up 55 points in the first half last week against Arizona. I think the Cougars will be clutching the Apple Cup late Friday night. Pick -- Washington State
Saturday
Georgia Tech at Georgia -17.0 -- Clean Old-Fashioned Hate. Bottom line is Georgia has better athletes and has dominated the series the last 30 years. Tech, which has won four in a row, will hang for a while. Keep in mind, Paul Johnson has beaten Georgia twice between the Hedges. Will be the Dawgs be looking ahead to the SEC Championship game against Alabama? Maybe, but Georgia will stay interested long enough to take care of the Yellow Jackets. Pick -- Georgia
South Carolina at Clemson -26.5 -- Never Again? Hold my beer. Tigers go for the one for the thumb. With the back end of South Carolina's defense turned into a M.A.S.H. unit, the situation doesn't look good for the Gamecocks. Maybe some of their bottle throwers will make the trip to Death Valley. The spread is large, but the Tigers have been up the the task for the last month. Pick -- Clemson
Florida at Florida State +6.5 -- Florida State proved it does have a pulse last week by beating Boston College. Florida has been playing better on offense, but I still don't trust the Gators. The Seminoles need a victory to keep their bowl streak alive. FSU has not missed going to a bowl in 36 years. I am going to roll the dice and spin the wheel on this one. Pick -- Florida State
Michigan at Ohio State +4.5 -- The outcome of this game will be determined by the defensive units. Ohio State's woeful defense has given up big plays in bunches. Michigan has been riding its defense most of the season. The Wolverines believe it is their time, but I am going to take the points. Pick -- Ohio State
N.C. State at North Carolina +7.0 -- N.C. State recovered from a choke job against Wake Forest by pounding ACC punching back Louisville. North Carolina is awful, but the Tar Heels can score. And North Carolina handed Coastal Division champion Pittsburgh its only conference loss. The victory over the Panthers is the Tar Heels' lone conference win. I'm picking the Pack. Pick -- N.C. State
Auburn at Alabama -24.0 -- Auburn just doesn't have enough offense. Alabama will be focused and in seek-and-destroy mode. Pick -- Alabama
LSU at Texas A&M -3.0 -- I have gut feeling the Aggies are going to give the Bayou Bengals a serious case of post-Thanksgiving heartburn. Pick -- Texas A&M
Notre Dame at Southern Cal +11.0 -- Notre Dame finishes an unbeaten regular season and raps up a spot in the College Football Playoff by sticking a final sword in Southern Cal's dreadful season. Pick -- Notre Dame
For The Week -- 5-4
For The Season -- 52-68-1
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