We won’t rehash last week except to say that I edged Zach by one game. Overall we both sank deeper into the abyss. It might seem like we’re chasing wins with bonus picks now, but that isn’t the case. It just so happens that the schedule is provocative, beginning on Thursday night when our Steelers visit Cleveland and I will regret not having adult beverages on hand. Of course we aren’t dealing with that contest, but I sure do hope it gets the weekend off to a good start. 

My Season: 37-35

Zach’s Season: 32-40

Ole Miss (-10) at Florida 

The 8-2 Rebels find themselves amidst a gaggle of atleast a half dozen teams vying for two spots in the SEC title game, and would like to remain in the very realistic scenario that could see four teams from that conference receive playoff berths. Conversely, the 5-5 Gators would be happy with a bowl bid & a non-losing season. I have to assume that Florida being double digit underdogs in The Swamp is rare, although they’ve lost at home four times this year…all by 13+ points. As much as I hate to point it out, I feel like we’ve landed right back in the era of “style points” being way too important, so for that reason I believe the visitors will deliver the beatdown expected from them. Zach has observed improvement from Florida, but doesn’t believe it’s enough to go against the grain this week.

My Pick: Ole Miss

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss

Army vs. Notre Dame (-15.5)

In case you haven’t been paying attention, the Black Knights are unbeaten and ranked in the Top 20. Sadly, their program is treated like the precocious child that adults indulge for awhile at family gatherings before banishing them to the kiddie table. Meanwhile, the Irish still have to be kicking themselves for an inexcusable loss in early September to Northern Illinois (a team that currently finds themselves 6-5). They are virtually a lock for the playoff though, unless some really bizarre things occur. I’d love to pick an upset, but I don’t see any way Army loses the game by less than three TDs. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Notre Dame 

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame 

Wisconsin at Nebraska (-2.5)

Neither team receives much attention in the stacked Big Ten, and considering their matching 5-5 records I suppose that indifference is well deserved. The Cornhuskers have lost four in a row, while the Badgers have dropped their last three games, including a spirited battle against #1 Oregon, which Wisconsin could’ve & should’ve won. I don’t think it’s easy to recover from heartbreak like that, so I’m riding with the home favorites. Zach foresees typical Big Ten, low scoring, smashmouth football. He believes Nebraska is finally headed in the right direction, but predicts a late 4th quarter game winning drive for the underdogs. 

My Pick: Nebraska

Zach’s Pick: Wisconsin 

Colorado (-2.5) at Kansas

I’ll admit that I haven’t shown Coach Prime much respect. He’s an attention whore who led the Buffaloes to an atrocious 4-8 record a season ago. Having said that, credit must be given for a turnaround that finds Colorado 8-2 and ranked in the Top 20. The 4-6 Jayhawks are a huge disappointment after finishing 9-4 last year. However, they have won two consecutive games against ranked opponents and have the home field. Can they do it again?? It’s probably not a very smart pick, but that’s the way The Voices are pulling me. Zach thinks Colorado has a legit shot at earning a playoff spot and sees them winning big this week.

My Pick: Kansas

Zach’s Pick: Colorado 

Indiana at Ohio State (-12.5)

It would be beneficial for college football if this ends up being a more competitive game than the “experts” believe it’ll be. Nearly everyone outside Columbus, OH is cheering on the undefeated Hoosiers. Every March we see a couple of basketball teams bask in the glory of upsetting a blue blood program. They rarely get close to winning the championship, but they earn “one shining moment” in the sun that’ll be cherished for a lifetime. That doesn’t happen as often on the football field, but this could potentially be that kind of occasion. Unfortunately, I think the Buckeyes are just too athletic at every position and the home field is formidable. Being wrong would make me happy in this case, but I don’t think I am. Zach recognizes that Ohio St. has plenty of experience in big games, but his issues with the entire state of Ohio that probably need to be explored by an experienced therapist preclude him from picking them.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Indiana 

Dallas at Washington (-10.5)

It looks like I was a year ahead of the Cowboys implosion. I don’t know if that makes me vaguely psychic or just one of those hard luck bums who’ll be shown in The Great Beyond just how many times I screwed up, coming oh so close to happiness & success only to miss it by a whisper. At any rate, when I was a kid this was a cool rivalry chock full of Cowboys vs. Indians imagery & analogies, but leftists robbed us of that fun like they do in virtually all areas of society, and this year I don’t even expect it to be very interesting on the field. I just hope Jayden Daniels lights up the scoreboard since he’s my starting quarterback in a few fantasy leagues. Zach opines that Dallas probably needs to just scrap everything from the top down and start from scratch.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington 

Tampa Bay (-5.5) at NY Giants 

The Bucs are 4-6 but could just as easily be 7-3.  It seems that Baker Mayfield is a rather decent quarterback outside the Vortex of Apathy that sucks the joy out of Cleveland, but he has landed with another hard luck franchise. Meanwhile, it looks like the 2-8 Giants will be drafting another QB next spring, as they have finally admitted that Daniel Jones is indeed the epic failure the rest of us knew he was destined to become five years ago. New York could’ve waited until much later in that draft and snagged Gardner Minshew with better results. Anyway, this is exactly the kind of game RedZone was created for, because I’d rather dangle my junk in the kitchen sink at Diddy’s house than watch the entire sixty minutes. Tampa will win, but no one will notice or give a damn. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Tampa Bay

Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay

Baltimore (-3) at LA Chargers 

Our Steelers beat the Ravens last week and every Baltimore apologist is still crying about it. Don’t misunderstand…I fully realize that it’s way too soon to get cocky, and the AFC North is still a street fight that’s far from over. However, I told y’all in the preseason that I wasn’t all in on the Baltimore hype, and I was right. Conversely, Jim Harbaugh has transformed the 7-3 Chargers into a playoff contender just like I told you he would. It’s a Monday night showdown that probably isn’t receiving enough attention. It won’t be easy, and I think RB Derrick Henry will rebound nicely from the abysmal game he had in Pittsburgh, but I am boldly calling for an upset. Zach enjoys the Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh of it all, and at the end of the day he also likes the former Michigan coach to prevail.

My Pick: LA Chargers 

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers