Author: sammano

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 12

I am not a fan of the newly announced 24 team college playoff, which will begin next season. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, yet somehow I am indeed taken aback by how quickly it happened. That is a discussion for another time. Right now we move forward with me in a slightly better frame of mind than a week ago, determined to overcome The Darkness and not let the world steal my joy. In John 16:33 Jesus tells His disciples that “you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer (because) I have overcome the world”.  

My Season: 27-46

Zach’s Season: 31-42

Illinois at UCLA (-10)

The Bruins are one of only two undefeated teams remaining, although the CFP committee seems to be unimpressed, ranking them 4th, behind two loss Alabama. SEC bias is alive & well. The 6-3 Illini have shown flashes of being on the rise, but have also suffered a couple of inexplicable losses. UCLA has to be unhappy with the disrespect, and they have the perfect opportunity to prove themselves. This is a 9pm kickoff on Friday night, meaning it will have the full attention of the powers-that-be. Zach has been hesitant to believe in UCLA, but he is now on board. The points scare him just a little, but he’s going with the home favorites.

My Pick: UCLA

Zach’s Pick: UCLA

Southern California at Indiana (-7.5)

I don’t think many would disagree that the 8-1 Hoosiers aren’t the same team that went unbeaten and captured the National Championship a season ago. Their record is somewhat deceiving, with the last two victories coming in overtime. To be fair, they also came very close to defeating Ohio St. It simply hasn’t been a smooth road for the defending champs, and the playoff committee seemingly agrees, ranking them 9th, behind three teams with two losses. Meanwhile, the 7-2 Trojans appear to be on the verge of relevance again after a few lean years. QB Jayden Maiava won’t receive an invitation to the Heisman ceremony, but he might be a legit NFL prospect. The Big Ten title is still up for grabs, with the loser of this game most likely being eliminated. I’m not brave enough to predict a winner, but I believe it’ll be closer than a touchdown. Zach outright calls Indiana a fraud, but continues to be complimentary of their coaching staff. He thinks good coaching will keep the home favorites in the game, but likes the visiting underdogs to score an upset.

My Pick: USC

Zach’s Pick: USC

Oregon State at Boise State (-13.5)

The Pac 12 is no longer considered a “power” conference, which is understandable. That being said, kudos to them for rebuilding into a viable, competitive, vaguely intriguing entity. The 8-1 Broncos look to be a lock for the conference title game, and have their eyes on the token berth the playoff extends to “lesser” programs. The 5-4 Beavers could play themselves into a rematch against Boise for that conference championship, though they’ll need to snap a two game skid to keep pace. I don’t think that’s going to happen on the infamous blue turf, but the points do give me pause. The last time these teams met in 2024 Boise defended their home field and won by 16 points. I think Oregon St. is atleast a field goal better than that now. Conversely, Zach believes Boise St. is the real deal and will handle their business.

My Pick: Oregon St.

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

Washington at NY Giants (-1.5)

We’re actually launching our weekend with Thursday night’s game on Prime. Before the season I said “keep an eye on the Giants”. I didn’t see Philly’s collapse in the tea leaves, but did feel like the G-Men could contend, and now they’re 5-2-1 & in firm control of the division. Meanwhile, the Redsk…oops…Commanders are 2-5-1 and not fulfilling the potential I know they possess. A month ago these teams played to an overtime tie, and it might be that close again. However, I think I like New York’s Top 5 defense a lil bit more. Zach is a John Harbaugh fan and thinks his team will emerge victorious in a low scoring slugfest.

My Pick: NY Giants

Zach’s Pick: NY Giants

Carolina at New Orleans (-2.5)

I have expressed faith in the upside of Saints’ QB Tyler Shough while not hiding my apathy toward Panthers’ signal caller Bryce Young. The NFC South has been abysmal thus far, leaving the real possibility that a team could win the division and make the postseason with a sub-.500 record. That’s down the road for now, but it also means every game counts. Who’d have thought a mid November matchup between two 3-5 teams could have such heavy playoff implications?? I like the home field for N’Awleans. They haven’t put all the pieces together yet, but have the vibes of an ascending club. Zach concurs.

My Pick: New Orleans

Zach’s Pick: New Orleans

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 11

Full disclosure…for various reasons I’ve pondered ending these picks permanently, effective immediately. However, I was always taught to finish what I start, so we press on…for now. We’ve got some REALLY good games happening this week. Early November…the lull between Halloween and the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s corridor…is a fantastic time to be a football fan. Baseball is over, basketball is still a month or two away from being worthy of attention, and there aren’t many other distractions. The weather has cooled down but isn’t aggravating yet. Conference races are heating up, and the NFL’s contenders & pretenders are coming into focus. The world has become a vile hellscape, but atleast we can sit back, relax, enjoy a warm beverage, and cast as many cares aside as possible for a couple of days while sinking our teeth into some exhilarating gridiron action. I don’t know if I’ll be doing this again, so for anyone who has followed along and enjoyed this little project thru the years…thank you. Also…FUCK Michigan…the school, the football team, and the ENTIRE shitty state. Burn in Hell you stupid motherfuckers.

My Season: 22-42

Zackistan’s Season: 27-37

Oregon at Ohio State (-7)

I wonder if Oregon QB Dante Moore regrets his decision to remain in college rather than enter the NFL Draft?? Not only did his season end four games in due to a concussion from a vicious hit, but the Ducks probably aren’t playoff bound. Hell, what will Moore do next year…return to Oregon, go to the NFL (after his draft stock has plummeted), or transfer elsewhere for his senior season?? Those are questions for another time. As far as this game goes, the Buckeyes aren’t losing, despite also playing with a backup quarterback. They overcame Indiana last weekend, so I don’t believe Oregon will do any better. The only question is will the home favorites  cover?? I think they will…barely. Zachistan is picking Oregon because of course he is.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zachistan’s Pick: Oregon

Kentucky at Tennessee (-6.5)

First of all, kudos to these two programs for keeping their rivalry where it belongs…on campus. No neutral field locations. Secondly, it must be noted that this battle feels…different. Tennessee has DOMINATED the series 85-26-9. The Vols have won 12 out of the past 14 meetings, including the last five games. However, the 7-1 Wildcats seem to be legit, with victories over LSU & Oklahoma on their resume. The 6-2 Vols suffered two three point losses but could very easily be undefeated. Both teams are coming off a bye, so there aren’t any excuses. As much fun as it’d be for the underdogs to throw a big ol’ monkey wrench into preconceived notions about who should be in the SEC title hunt, I understand how difficult it is to win in Rocky Top, so I’d be surprised by an upset. However, I won’t be shocked at all when the home favorites win by only 3-5 points. Zachistan thinks Kentucky can score anywhere anytime, and he’s a bit surprised by the odds.

My Pick: Kentucky

Zachistan’s Pick: Kentucky

Georgia (-3.5) at Ole Miss

After being upset by Auburn at home a couple of weeks ago the Bulldogs still have an opportunity to prove they’re the best team in the nation. They face three ranked opponents this month, beginning with the 6-2 Rebels, who most certainly wouldn’t have been a Top Ten team a decade ago, when losses actually meant something. Anyway, if there is ANY shred of decency & fairness remaining in the world Georgia will win by three or four TDs. Zachistan concurs.

My Pick: Georgia

Zachistan’s Pick: Georgia

Alabama at LSU (-4.5)

Do you remember when the entire college football universe stopped to pay attention to this game?? Pepperidge Farm remembers. Now, it’s being played at 3:30pm and no one gives a rat’s ass because both teams have already lost a couple of games and neither are even sniffing a championship trophy. LSU is so irrelevant they can’t even host a night game at a venue that has made Saturday nights legendary, while ‘Bama post-Saban has been like watching The Office after Steve Carell’s departure. You want to talk yourself into the notion that it’s still great, but it just isn’t. Anyway, I still like the home field advantage for the Bayou Bengals, even if Disney is too stupid to understand the opportunity. Zachistan continues to view LSU as a legit national title contender 😂, and he likes them to win by a touchdown at home.

My Pick: LSU

Zachistan’s Pick: LSU

BYU at Utah (-5)

They call it The Holy War, because…well, Mormons. If any well dressed yet slightly creepy youths ironically knock on your door during this game, just ignore them. Focus, because it should be a dandy. The Utes lead the all time series 62–37–4, although the Cougars have won the last three meetings (after Utah had previously won nine in a row). Home field advantage isn’t a huge factor since the two campuses are separated by less than fifty miles. I love Cougars QB Bear Bachmeier, and I won’t count his team out of the Big 12 title race or a playoff berth. That being said, I think Utah is better & deeper, and they’ll win by a touchdown. Conversely, Zachistan thinks the visiting underdogs will keep things close and find a way to win in the end.

My Pick: Utah

Zachistan’s Pick: BYU

Penn State at Washington (-1.5)

In case you need a refresher, these two teams were both in the Top 5 of my preseason poll, because apparently I was high. The Nittany Lions are 4-4, while the Huskies are only slightly better at 5-3. To be honest, this game isn’t the least bit compelling, and the only reason it’s in our lineup is because I am a self deprecating masochist. However, because I still have love for my boy Rocco Becht, I am pulling for the mild upset. Zachistan agrees.

My Pick: Penn St.

Zachistan’s Pick: Penn St.

Miami (FL) at Notre Dame (-5.5)

I am not nearly energetic enough to confirm, but I suspect this may be the deepest into a college football season that my preseason #1 is actually the top team in the land. That almost wasn’t the case, with the Hurricanes going down to the wire before upending the UNC Tar Heels last weekend. Florida St. took Miami to two overtimes a few weeks ago as well, so their grip on the top spot has been tenuous. Meanwhile, despite stumbling against BYU a couple of weeks ago, the Irish are a Top 5 team whose playoff berth is probably safe unless things go terribly awry, despite what the CFP standings may indicate. This isn’t on the same level as the old Catholics vs. Convicts skirmishes of almost four decades ago, but it is two of the best five teams in a matchup in which the alleged top team in the country find themselves underdogs. I don’t know who wins, but I believe it’ll be decided by a field goal. Zachistan has consistently called Notre Dame overrated all season, and he doesn’t believe the final score will be particularly close.

My Pick: Miami (FL)

Zachistan’s Pick: Miami (FL)

Dallas (-5.5) at Indianapolis

Is there anyone left in the Colts organization?!?!?? How long before the head coach is gone?? The new owner might look like an idiot walking around on the sidelines with a headset & a clipboard, but the fact is she controls the money, and perhaps a total house cleaning isn’t the worst idea. That being said, the Cowboys are equally ridiculous, and it’s fun when they lose, so that’s what I’m hoping for even if it isn’t a smart pick. Have you seen my record?? What do I have to lose?? Hell, we’re all going to be ruled by Zachistan’s beloved Muslim invaders soon enough anyway, so who cares?? He is making the safe pick, which is probably the right call. 

My Pick: Indianapolis

Zachistan’s Pick: Dallas

Green Bay at New England (-2.5)

The Packers are a hard team to figure out. Are they the team that whooped Chicago’s ass a few weeks ago, or are they the team that was dominated by Atlanta back in September?? Injuries have cost them, but injuries heal. Are they putting it all together for a playoff run, or will they miss the postseason altogether?? The same questions could be asked of the Patriots, who will need to secure a wild card because they aren’t overcoming Buffalo to win the division. I like Green Bay’s chances just a skosh more, this week and beyond. Zachistan believes the visiting underdogs will win decisively.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zachistan’s Pick: Green Bay

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 10

We went down in FLAMES last week!! 0-5…both of us. And that’s all I have to say about that. Anyway, Happy Halloween Manoverse!! I know there are a variety of opinions about the occasion, which is fine. Personally, I am not offended by young skulls full of mush dressing up like a firefighter, princess, or their favorite superhero and strolling the neighborhood in search of candy. I understand the origins of Halloween, and won’t disparage those who choose not to celebrate, but I believe in nuance, which means that modern festivities are mostly harmless fun. It’s a bit tricky this year (pun unavoidable) because the holiday occurs on a Saturday. I want to fit in my normal rotation of spooky entertainment like It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!, Hocus Pocus, Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, and of course the 1978 classic Halloween…but I also want to watch ball games. We’ll see how it all shakes out. In the meantime, y’all be careful out there. Enjoy yourselves, but never forget that Jesus is the light of the world, and whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness and will have the light of life.

My Season: 17-42

Zach’s Season: 24-35

Clemson (-1.5) at Florida State

They might be two of the most confusing teams in college football. We all remember when both programs were GREAT, but in the case of Florida St. that hasn’t been the case for awhile. Clemson’s decline is more recent and less pronounced, but it’s still a thing. Having said that, both teams have shown flashes of their former glory. The 3-4 Seminoles beat the snot out of Virginia, and they were competitive in losses to SMU & Alabama. The 4-3 Tigers have victories over North Carolina & Cal. I’m a bit surprised this is a prime time game, although it is on the ACC Network. At any rate, while I expect it to be a bit closer than Clemson’s two TD win a season ago, I think the same team comes out on top. Zach doesn’t think it’s a matter of talent in Tallahassee, but rather a coaching issue. He sees Florida St. as a team on the rise, and Clemson as a program on the decline.

My Pick: Clemson

Zach’s Pick: Florida St.

Wisconsin at Iowa (-3.5)

The Badgers are 5-2, snuck into the Top 25, and just defeated Southern Cal. The Hawkeyes are also 5-2 but lost last weekend to the underrated Minnesota Golden Gophers. I don’t think either team are legit contenders for the Big Ten title, but finishing in the top quarter of the conference might lead to a playoff berth. They call this the Battle for the Heartland, and it’s the 100th meeting. Wisconsin leads the series 49–48–2, which is pretty damn tight. Iowa has won the last four though, and I believe they’ll make it five. Zach would advise anyone who participates in certain activities to take the under (which is 36.5), and he likes Wisconsin just a tad bit better in a game that’ll be decided by defense & special teams.

My Pick: Iowa

Zach’s Pick: Wisconsin

Florida at Georgia (-11.5)

I still call it the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, even if the more woke among us refuses to do so these days. Florida is 5-2, which is certainly an improvement over last year’s 4-8 campaign, but losses to Missouri & South Carolina indicate there are still kinks to be worked out. Upsetting Texas a week ago was impressive, but it also raises questions about how “up” the Gators can get for the next game. Meanwhile, the 6-1 ‘Dawgs stumbled against Auburn last week, losing on a last second field goal. That probably says more about Auburn than it does Georgia, and I don’t think the favorites will lose a second consecutive game. The only question is the points. If this game were being played in The Swamp and Georgia HADN’T lost last week, I might foresee a real battle, but that’s not the case. I’ll be stunned if the home team doesn’t play pissed off with a point to prove. Zach hasn’t moved off his stance that Georgia is the best team in the country.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Georgia

Baltimore at Buffalo (-3.5)

Word on the street is that QB Lamar Jackson will return after missing the last three games with a high ankle sprain. The Ravens lost two of those three and sit at the bottom of the AFC North, although they’re only one game back. Conversely, the 5-1 Bills have only a late 4th quarter collapse against New England besmirching their record. I didn’t think Buffalo would be as dominant under new leadership, but I believe I had Baltimore pegged rather accurately. They’ll make some noise and might even be in the playoff picture down the stretch, but they aren’t as good as they’ve been in the past. This will be a fun game, but the home favorites won’t suffer the same outcome as that one unfortunate loss. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Buffalo

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

Kansas City (-1.5) at Denver

The freakin’ Chiefs KILLED my fantasy teams last weekend. Mahomes. K9III. Butker. Did they all need to have a terrible game at the same damn time?!?!?? Of course, the Broncos group of Bo Nix, Sutton, Waddle, and a RB committee have been inconsistent all season. Still, one of these teams will win the division because the Raiders & Chargers sure as hell aren’t. This is a rematch from the season opener, which KC won by three TDs. I’m going out on a limb to predict a much different result this time. It’s not time for Kansas City to push any panic buttons, but don’t be shocked when they lose two in a row. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Denver

Zach’s Pick: Denver

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 9

A couple of weeks ago, while pulling the curtain back on how this project comes together, I alluded to the fact that sometimes I misplace my motivation. Now is one of those times. It is late on Wednesday night and I am powering thru, because we are picking a Thursday night game, and I will be busy all day tomorrow. Perhaps you’ll enjoy my lack of verbosity…but don’t get used to it.

My Season: 17-37

Zach’s Season: 24-30

James Madison (-10.5) at Appalachian State

Once upon a time these teams seemed to be ascending in a parallel manner. However, at the moment, the undefeated Dukes are chasing their third 11+ win season in the past four years and just announced an impending move from the Sun Belt to the American Conference, while the 4-2 Mountaineers are hoping to avoid a third consecutive losing season. This is the Thursday night contest on ESPN, and though I’d love to see a fun, exciting battle, that seems unlikely. Zach concurs.

My Pick: James Madison

Zach’s Pick: James Madison

Houston at Utah (-6.5)

They were my preseason favorites in the Big 12, and neither team has disappointed. The Utes are an unbeaten Top Ten program, while the 6-1 Cougars are lurking closely behind. The kickoff isn’t until after 10pm Saturday night for me, so I might end up missing the second half. At any rate, I won’t predict an outright upset, but I believe it’ll be a bit closer than the oddsmakers think. Zach foresees a high scoring shootout, and likes the visiting underdogs by a field goal.

My Pick: Houston

Zach’s Pick: Houston

Ole Miss at Texas (-3)

The coronation of Arch Manning is officially on hold, as most of the talking heads have turned on him. The Longhorns have lost their last two games, and face the possibility of missing the playoff altogether. Conversely, the 5-1 Rebels are still trying to figure out what the hell happened in The Swamp a few weeks ago, but otherwise they’re in good shape. This would be an emphatic statement win for Ole Miss, and I think they pull it off on the road. Zach has no confidence in Texas, and believes another visiting underdog can overcome the odds.

My Pick: Ole Miss

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss

San Francisco (-3.5) at Atlanta

Much to my surprise, the unbeaten Niners are running away with their division. Meanwhile, the 2-4 Falcons have looked good at times, but they just can’t get over the hump. Atlanta will probably show flashes and be competitive, but ‘Frisco is likely to win by a comfortable margin. Zach thinks the 49ers might be the best team in the NFL.

My Pick: San Francisco

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

NY Giants at Houston (-9.5)

JJ McCarthy will be the Giants starting QB, which doesn’t feel like the right decision, but at 3-2-1 I guess head coach John Harbaugh figures “Why not?”. The 2-4 Texans might’ve figured some things out winning their last two games after an 0-4 start. If this game was being played in New Jersey I might give the underdogs a chance, but I feel like the folks in Vegas probably got it right. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Houston

Zach’s Pick: Houston

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 8

A year ago I wrote “my initial reaction to Penn St. QB Drew Allar suffering a season ending leg injury was ‘Great…now his draft stock will fall and the Steelers will pat themselves on the back, expecting fans to be in awe of their genius for picking him in the 3rd or 4th round’”. The Steelers did indeed choose Allar in the third round, and right now he sits on the bench, allegedly learning at the feet of Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to retire following the season. So I’m not always wrong, although you’d wouldn’t know that judging by the atrocious picks I’ve made thus far. Last weekend was a bloodbath. At this point a year ago I was five games above .500 and had a ten game lead, while I now find myself 21 games below mediocrity. Zach was fifteen games below .500, but emerged from that October deficit to capture the championship, so I suppose there’s still hope for me.

My Season: 14-35

Zach’s Season: 22-27

Indiana at Ohio State (-3.5)

We’re comin’ in hot with one of the most anticipated rematches of the year. A season ago the Hoosiers defeated Ohio St. in the Big Ten title game en route to winning the national championship. Fair or not, I still feel like people have questions about Indiana. They’re undefeated, but have only been challenged a couple of times thus far. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes have already tasted defeat once, yet still find themselves ranked in the Top 5. It is undeniable that their roster is loaded with NFL talent. While Indiana’s starting eleven on both sides of the ball might match up with Ohio St.’s top guys, it’s the home team that has a deeper pool of talent. That being said, I think Curt Cignetti is a better coach than Ryan Day, and that can’t be overlooked. In my preseason rankings I had Indiana 12th and felt like it’d be difficult for them to repeat, while Ohio St. was 5th and I opined that rebuilding a defense that lost so much production to the NFL was the key to success. The Buckeyes have the 19th best defense in the country, while the Hoosiers are fifth. I am hopeful this will be a tremendous game that lives up to expectations. My vibe is that the favorites defend the home field, but will lose one…possibly two…of their remaining games, not appear in the conference title game, yet earn a playoff bid. Zach’s disdain for Ohio St. is well documented, but he’s also practical. He thinks Indiana is well coached, while the team itself is overrated and not that great. As painful as it is, he is picking the Buckeyes and doesn’t believe it’ll be all that close.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Ohio St.

Virginia at SMU (-9.5)

The Cavs find themselves 4-2 but still in the ACC title conversation. The 4-1 Mustangs are in the mix as well. The winner stays in the hunt, while the loser will be on the outside looking in. I’ll agree with the oddsmakers that SMU should be favored, but the points seem a bit much. Whoever comes out on top won’t win by more than a touchdown. Conversely, while Zach thought Virginia would be a very good team, he thinks we were all duped. He foresees SMU winning big.

My Pick: Virginia

Zach’s Pick: SMU

Missouri at Ole Miss (-6)

The 5-1 Tigers seemed to have scored a huge upset over Florida a couple weeks ago, until the Gators lost again the following weekend, effectively making Missouri’s win look less impressive. The 4-1 Rebels got hammered by those same Gators, which is even more confusing. Could Ole Miss be looking ahead to games against Texas and #1 Georgia (one of whom I think they’ll upset)?? Might they be on the losing end of a stunner at home?? I believe it’s possible. Zach has questions about Ole Miss’ defense and is also predicting an upset.

My Pick: Missouri

Zach’s Pick: Missouri

Notre Dame (-10) at BYU 

I need to apologize to Zach. When I sent him info on this week’s slate I inadvertently had BYU as ten point favorites, which, upon further review, made absolutely no sense. I usually catch errors like that. Anyway, credit where it is due…the Cougars are unbeaten and QB Bear Bachmeier should be a legit Heisman candidate. However, the Irish are also unbeaten and ranked #2 in the nation. I think The Bear can make things really interesting and further solidify his Heisman profile, but at the end of the night the visitors just have too many athletes. Having said that, I think Notre Dame only wins by 7-9 points. Zach thinks Notre Dame is on a revenge tour of sorts, after being iced out of the playoff last season. He points out that they’ve spanked every opponent thus far, and doesn’t expect anything different now.

My Pick: BYU

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame 

Seattle (-3) at Denver

Neither team has looked as impressive as expected. Both are 3-2 and trail by a couple of games in their divisions. I have Denver QB Bo Nix on some of my fantasy rosters, and he definitely needs to kick it up a notch. This is the Thursday night contest on Prime Video, and unlike many old school curmudgeons, I rather enjoy those games. At some point these two teams have to wake up and remember who the hell they are. If both do it this week it could be a fantastic game, but what are the odds of that occurring?? If only one team figures things out, which will it be?? Y’all should know by now, in toss up situations I tend to lean toward the home team, even when they’re underdogs. Zach hasn’t lost faith in the Broncos and thinks they’ll be fine. However, he doesn’t believe Seattle will lose two in a row, and predicts their top rated defense will make the difference.

My Pick: Denver

Zach’s Pick: Seattle

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 7

Allow me to give y’all some inside scoop, and forgive me if I’ve covered this territory previously. Here is a basic outline of how the process works. I look at the college & NFL schedules and choose a minimum of five games to pick. This time of year I lean more heavily on college games simply because when their season ends we still have a month of pro games, so I exercise restraint with those right now. It is undeniable that some teams (at both levels) are more interesting than others. You’ll rarely see us opine about a Syracuse/Boston College matchup, or a riveting Sunday afternoon battle between the Jets & Cardinals. That being said, I don’t enjoy being redundant, so we try not to pick games involving the same teams we just debated last week. There’s also the matter of my mood. Seriously. Clearly this is fun or we wouldn’t do it. That being said, sometimes I get busy or distracted with other matters, and occasionally I simply misplace my motivation. Thankfully those aren’t significant issues. I usually have next week’s games chosen by Sunday, find the point spreads on Tuesday, and message Zach with the pertinent information. I then put my thoughts on the page and finish up with Zach’s picks once I receive them. I put everything together on the site with the goal of publishing a final draft by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. This week I looked at the schedule and became intrigued by way too many games, but I’m feeling frisky so we’re loaded. I’ll try to minimize the verbosity.

My Season: 11-26

Zach’s Season: 17-20

Iowa at Washington (-2.5)

The Hawkeyes were undefeated until a beatdown by Ohio St. on their own field. The Huskies have lost two straight and clearly aren’t living up to my lofty expectations. This is a Friday night game on Fox, and I’ll flip over to it when wrasslin’ is over. I haven’t lost faith in Washington completely, and see them snapping their losing skid while defending their turf. Conversely, Zach is all in on Iowa. He appreciates how well they’re coached and their attention to fundamentals. 

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Iowa

Texas (-9.5) vs. Oklahoma

Typically it is one of the most anticipated rivalry games on the schedule, but it’s hard to get amped up about the 2-2 Sooners taking on the #1 team in the country. It’s a neutral site game in Dallas, which is about the same distance from both campuses. I’d love to see an upset because that’s just how I am when I don’t have any strong feelings about either team, but I just don’t see it happening. Zach believes Longhorns QB Arch Manning is overrated, but fortunately for him Oklahoma isn’t very good.

My Pick: Texas

Zach’s Pick: Texas

UCLA at Oregon (-11.5)

Has anyone noticed that the Bruins are undefeated?? Not only that, but they’re outscoring opponents 45-19. The 3-1 Ducks are a different level though, despite an inexplicable loss at Oklahoma St. If this game was in Pasadena I might give the underdogs a puncher’s chance, but in the cozy confines of Autzen Stadium in Eugene I’d be surprised if the favorites didn’t handle their business no matter who starts at quarterback. Zach thinks the underdogs could make things interesting for awhile, but at the end of the day Oregon simply has too much of everything.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

LSU (-10) at Kentucky

The 4-1 Wildcats have been making some noise, and they have the home field. The Bayou Bengals still have conference title dreams and playoff aspirations despite a heartbreaking loss at Mississippi a few weeks ago. Unfortunately for Kentucky fans, y’all are still a basketball school, and Lane Kiffin is about to make that abundantly clear. Zach sees LSU as a serious championship contender and doesn’t believe Kentucky poses much of a threat, despite their prolific offense.

My Pick: LSU

Zach’s Pick: LSU

Boise State (-7.5) at Fresno State

The Bulldogs are a solid program that has had intermittent great seasons. They just haven’t been able to hold onto a coach for awhile. Matt Entz is Fresno’s seventh head coach since 2011. Meanwhile, Boise might be one of the steadiest, most consistent programs in college football, and they’re aiming for their first Pac 12 title. It’s a 10:30pm Saturday night kickoff, and I sincerely hope I can stay awake to enjoy what might be a really good game. Zach is impressed by Fresno, but feels like Boise is a more complete team.

My Pick: Boise St.

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

USC (-1.5) at Penn State

The Nittany Lions have dropped two consecutive games, so their playoff dreams are on life support. Conversely, the 5-1 Trojans only loss was to Oregon, and there’s no shame in that. I have seen a couple of mock drafts that had USC’s 6ft.4, 225lb. QB Jayden Maiava land with our Pittsburgh Steelers, so I am intrigued. Having said that, I still like my boy Rocco Becht, and he’ll have over 100k fans in Happy Valley rooting for an upset. Zach doesn’t think Penn St. is good at all, while he believes USC might be on the cusp of returning to elite status.

My Pick: Penn St.

Zach’s Pick: USC

Georgia (-1.5) at Alabama

The Bulldogs haven’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2007. Wrap your brain around that. Both are unbeaten Top 5-ish teams. The loser probably won’t fall out of the Top Ten, but the winner will be in firm control of an SEC title game appearance. I think it’ll be a tight contest, and obviously the oddsmakers see it that way as well. My vibe is that Georgia is marginally more talented and better equipped to handle big moments. Zach believes the game will be decided in the final minute, and gives ‘Bama a slight edge.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Alabama

Chicago (-2.5) at Green Bay

The 2-2 Packers have been underwhelming, to say the least. The 3-1 Bears are likely to start Tyson Bagent under center while Caleb Williams recovers from a hamstring injury. That, in addition to the home field, would normally make Green Bay clear favorites, but injuries & other issues have caused them to be ineffective. I think it’ll be a low scoring snoozefest, with turnovers and the leg of rookie kicker Trey Smack making the difference. Zach thinks Chicago is a better overall team and foresees them finding a way to pull off a close win.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zach’s Pick: Chicago

San Francisco at Seattle (-2.5)

The NFC West is up for grabs, but Frisco is undefeated and leads the way at the moment. The defending Super Bowl champs are only a game back though, and they enjoy one of the most significant home field advantages in the NFL. I still believe the Rams will ultimately win the division, but these teams would have to be considered serious wildcard contenders. I like QB Sam Darnold to have a huge game and lead his team to an important victory. Zach likes Niners QB Brock Purdy just a little bit more.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

NY Giants at Washington (-3)

I’m not surprised the Giants are leading the division. I am also not surprised that Washington QB Jayden Daniels has missed the last two games with yet another injury. It looks like Daniels is being forced into a return after backup Marcus Mariota also got hurt last weekend. A win by the visitors shouldn’t be considered an upset. Actually, unless Daniels pulls off a Michael Jordan-esque comeback performance, I don’t see how anyone could pick the home team. Zach believes new head coach John Harbaugh has made a huge difference for the G-Men.

My Pick: NY Giants

Zach’s Pick: NY Giants

Baltimore (-2.5) at Atlanta

Don’t overthink it. The Ravens won’t have QB Lamar Jackson, who is dealing with a sprained ankle. The Falcons seem to be on the verge of a breakthrough, and they have the home field on Sunday night after destroying New Orleans on the previous Monday. I believe the home team wins, and it won’t be particularly close. Conversely, Zach likes Baltimore to win a high scoring affair.

My Pick: Atlanta

Zach’s Pick: Baltimore

Buffalo at LA Rams (-2.5)

The 2-2 Rams haven’t been nearly as dominant as expected, and the return of defensive lineman Aaron Donald has fallen flat thus far. Conversely, the 3-1 Bills seemed to be firing on all cylinders until losing to the Patriots in the final two minutes last weekend. This is quite possibly a Super Bowl preview, but both teams still need to work out the kinks. It’s the Monday night game, and should be a dandy. It’s a coin flip for me, and I’ll take the home team to win by a field goal. Zach is choosing the other side of the coin and counting on the visitors to score a mild upset.

My Pick: LA Rams

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 6

The NHL season & MLB Playoffs are both underway. I wish I could feign interest in either one, but unless the Pittsburgh Penguins make the Stanley Cup playoffs in nine months or we’re treated to a Red Sox/Guardians vs. Cubs World Series it seems unlikely that I’ll be an engaged viewer. Conversely, football has my full attention every weekend. Sadly, fandom hasn’t translated into knowledgable forecasting of these games. Almost everything I’ve said from the preseason ‘til now has been completely wrong. My picks have become a microcosm of my life, which has been calamitous for most of the year. That is my cross to bear, but in the meantime we’ll forge ahead and see if we can atleast right the ship in this space.

My Season: 10-22

Zach’s Season: 15-17

Florida (-5) at Missouri

The unbeaten Gators pulled off a huge upset of Ole Miss last weekend, but it doesn’t get any easier from there. The Tigers gave up two 4th quarter touchdowns at Mississippi St. for their first loss of the year. The home team might have a puncher’s chance, but Florida just feels different under first year coach Jon Sumrall. I don’t expect them to run the table, but they’ll be a surprising ingredient in the SEC title mix. Zach thinks Missouri has been overrated and sees Florida as a legit playoff contender.

My Pick: Florida

Zach’s Pick: Florida

BYU (-6.5) at TCU

It isn’t shocking that the Cougars are undefeated, or that QB Bear Brachmeier leads the Big 12 in passer rating. However, let’s be honest…BYU hasn’t been tested yet. The Horned Frogs sit at .500 and appear to be a sloppy, undisciplined team. I don’t believe the game will be particularly competitive, but as we’ve established, I don’t really know what the hell I’m talking about, so who knows?? Zach believes TCU is still figuring out their identity, while BYU is sneaky good. He agrees that the favorites should win easily.

My Pick: BYU

Zach’s Pick: BYU

Notre Dame (-21) at North Carolina

I know it’s not possible for both teams to lose, but as a lifelong Notre Dame hater and someone who views Belichick as a stain on the sport, a double loss would be football nirvana. Realistically though, the undefeated Irish have gotten off to a much better start than last season and look like a playoff certainty unless they stumble down the stretch against a significant underdog. The 2-1 Tar Heels led Clemson with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but gave up two touchdowns in the final five minutes. Carolina has the home field, and they might give their fans false hope for awhile, but the visiting favorites just have too much skill & athleticism. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Notre Dame

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame

Miami (FL) (-16.5) at Clemson

The ‘Canes were my preseason #1, and thus far they’ve done nothing to dissuade that prediction. The Tigers have been on the downswing after being one of the country’s most dominant programs for a decade. While 3-1 is impressive enough, the truth is they’ve looked beatable in a couple of those victories. Clemson has the home field on Saturday night, but I’d be stunned if they actually won. However, if the underdogs are on the verge of getting back their mojo I suppose it’s not out of the question that they’ll stay within two TDs. Zach doesn’t think Clemson is very good, despite their winning record. He believes they’ll be competitive into the second half, but the visiting favorites will pull away late.

My Pick: Clemson

Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)

New England at Buffalo (-6.5)

Bills QB Josh Allen is a newlywed who welcomed a baby in the offseason. Buffalo also hired a new head coach. My thought process led to the conclusion that the team would “regress a bit”. I couldn’t have been more wrong. They enter the weekend 3-0 and have looked better than ever. Meanwhile, the Patriots, who I believed would win another division title with relative ease, are 1-2 and in total disarray. Can they reverse course and get back into the playoff mix?? Of course…it’s way too soon to count anyone out. However, I don’t think they’ll win this game. As a matter of fact, don’t be surprised if the home team seizes an opportunity to make a decisive statement. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Buffalo

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 5

I got to enjoy last weekend’s slate of games uninterrupted by any trips to the emergency room, so it was certainly an improvement. I only wish that our Steelers would’ve allowed that bliss to be complete. Sadly, they are the mess that so many thought they’d be. I still don’t feel like Mike Tomlin’s departure was a bad thing, but hiring Mike McCarthy and bringing back a clearly washed Aaron Rodgers were shortsighted decisions. I am trying to brace myself for a terrible season (maybe two) that’ll ultimately lead to a big turnaround, but it’s difficult to remain confident in any kind of long term strategy. It doesn’t help that our picks so far have been abysmal. I’ve always joked that we’re not very good at this and been up front about the fact that I don’t do a ton of research or deep dive into the minutia of these matchups, but I’ve always considered myself a fairly knowledgable football fan with common sense & solid instincts. That hasn’t been the case this year.

My Season: 9-18

Zach’s Season: 11-16

Oklahoma at Georgia (-14)

As a child of the 70s/80s it is wild to see the Sooners be double digit underdogs to anyone, especially when one considers a) they were a ten win team a season ago, and b) they’re 2-1 right now, and in that one loss the score was tied late into the 4th quarter. However, maybe it’s more about the unbeaten Bulldogs, who come into this weekend ranked #2 in the country after obliterating their first three opponents. Oklahoma QB John Mateer began the year as a fringe Heisman candidate & potential first round NFL draft pick. This is an opportunity to validate those expectations. I don’t expect an upset, but I do believe it’ll be a close contest. Conversely, Zach doesn’t believe Mateer or the offense he leads is very good at all.

My Pick: Oklahoma

Zach’s Pick: Georgia

Oregon (-3) at Southern California

I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but it’ll always be weird that these teams are in the Big Ten. Anyway, the Ducks were so frustrated about being upset by Oklahoma St. a couple weeks ago that they hung 84 freakin’ points on an FBS opponent last weekend. Meanwhile, the Trojans are 4-0 and averaging 43 points/game. I’d love to go with the visiting favorites because they’re a fun team to watch and I’d feel bad for QB Dante Moore if Oregon lost two games this early and found themselves on the edge of playoff elimination already. Moore could’ve been a Top 5 pick in the NFL Draft and been making bank on Sundays, but he delayed that dream to chase a national championship. That being said, The Vibes are SCREAMING that this has upset written all over it. Zach sees USC’s potential, but feels like they are a year away from being top tier. He’s picking Oregon in a tight contest.

My Pick: USC

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

Minnesota (-2.5) vs. Tampa Bay

I really had these teams pegged wrong. I thought the Vikings would be cellar dwellers and the Bucs division winners. Things could still shake out that way, but right now Minnesota is undefeated while Tampa is 0-2. It’s worth mentioning that both of TB’s losses could’ve easily been wins, but close only counts in horseshoes & hand grenades. Call me stubborn, but I’m not buying what we’ve seen out of either team. Tampa is better, and they have the home field. Zach sees things differently. He has faith in the Vikes defense and thinks Tampa has looked terrible thus far.

My Pick: Tampa Bay

Zach’s Pick: Minnesota

LA Rams (-2.5) at Denver

Could it be a Super Bowl preview?? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps my praise is too effusive for a couple of 1-1 teams, or it’s possible that they’ve worked out the kinks and will be dominant as expected going forward. This is the Sunday night game on NBC, and I think it’ll come down to defense. There will be a goal line stand or Pick Six late in the 4th quarter that’ll decide the outcome. It’s a coin toss for me, and in those scenarios I lean toward the home team. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Denver

Zach’s Pick: Denver

Philadelphia (-4.5) at Chicago

When Bears QB Caleb Williams got hurt last weekend viewers might’ve mistaken him for one of Chicago’s dozens of daily victims of violent crime. As it turns out, he’s just a melodramatic cuck with a pulled hamstring who may or may not play in this game. The 2-0 Eagles haven’t been cruising to victory, but somehow they’ve found ways to win. If Williams plays he won’t be 100%, and if he doesn’t play Philly’s defense will eat the backup quarterback alive. Zach believes the Eagles have been underutilizing RB Saquon Barkley. He has less than a hundred yards rushing cumulative thus far, and that has to change. Whether it does or doesn’t won’t matter right now, as we both think the visiting favorites will win decisively on Monday night.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 4

Everything I thought I knew about football is apparently wrong, indicated by my 1-6 mark last weekend. And in the interest of total honesty, the one positive result came on a technicality. My thoughts on the game were completely off base. I’d like to blame my ineptitude on the fact that I spent Saturday night in the ER at a local medical facility, but that only affected my viewing pleasure. Our picks were made a few days before that. Anyway, Zach has seized the season lead after a solid 5-2 outing. 

My Season: 7-15

Zach’s Season: 10-12

Houston at Texas Tech (-7.5)

The 2-0 Cougars were a preseason Top Ten team in my eyes, and thus far they’ve not disappointed. The Red Raiders were #16 in that poll, and have also gotten out of the gate 2-0. It’s a matter of standing behind my convictions for me, so I’m pulling for the upset. Conversely, Zach likes the Red Raiders defense to get the job done late, following three quarters of a high scoring shootout.

My Pick: Houston

Zach’s Pick: Texas Tech

SMU at Louisville (-1.5)

The 1-1 Cardinals could’ve been 2-0 were it not for a walk-off field goal by Ole Miss in the season opener. The unbeaten Mustangs are right where I expected them to be. I understand the home field bump for the favorites, but I’m not buying it. SMU is clearly the better team, and I think they’ll prove it in convincing fashion. Zach believes it’ll be a bit tighter, but he also sees SMU as a legit playoff sleeper.

My Pick: SMU

Zach’s Pick: SMU

LSU (-2.5) at Ole Miss

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Gameday will be on the scene in Oxford to hype The Kiffin Bowl, featuring head coach Lane Kiffin’s current team vs. his old team in a battle of two undefeated Top Ten programs. Unfortunately, LSU starting QB Sam Leavitt is most likely not going to play due to a vague “upper body injury”. That, combined with the home field and the revenge factor, are enough to tip the scales in favor of the underdogs. Zach sees the Bayou Bengals as a more complete team and foresees a dominant victory.

My Pick: Ole Miss

Zach’s Pick: LSU

Las Vegas at LA Chargers (-7)

The Raiders beat Miami last weekend, which proves absolutely nothing. I do like the fact that they went against the prevailing “wisdom” of the day by NOT throwing rookie QB Fernando Mendoza to the wolves, instead choosing to start veteran Kirk Cousins under center. That’s how it used to be done, and it’s a wise decision in the long run. The Chargers lost to Arizona in the season opener, and now there are lots of questions. They’ll need to take care of business in convincing fashion to quell the noise, and I believe they’ll do that. Zach concurs.

My Pick: LA Chargers

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers

Washington at Dallas (-3.5)

Once upon a time it was a fun rivalry replete with Cowboys vs. Indians imagery & references, but we can’t have nice things in America anymore, so we have to force ourselves to get pumped up based on the fact that they’re division foes and (allegedly) two good teams. Dallas fell to the Giants last weekend, and the old familiar questions about their defense (ranked 26th in the NFL last season) are being asked, despite significant offseason changes. The Commanders offseason was dominated by QB Jayden Daniels being a whiny little bitch, more concerned about his old college jersey # than being a leader for his current team. They also lost a divisional game last week, which means the loser of this one will begin the season 0-2. Since 1970, only 10% of teams that were 0-2 have made the playoffs. Conversely, the odds for 1-1 teams increase to 42%. Calling this a pivotal game isn’t an understatement. My respect for Daniels has plummeted, but my disdain for the Cowboys is much deeper & more established. I think Washington wins by double digits. Zach believes in Washington’s long term potential, but he’s riding with Dak Prescott to ball out and lead his Cowboys to an important win.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Dallas

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 3

So, we both broke even last week, and to be honest the slate of games turned out to be underwhelming at best, soul crushingly fraudulent at worst. As a lifelong sports fan I have to wonder if anything we’ve EVER seen is real. Perhaps the 1919 Black Sox scandal has always been the norm and all of Belichick’s cheating with the Patriots was business as usual. As a longtime pro wrestling enthusiast I’ve received plenty of grief from people who view it as “not a real sport” because it is scripted and the outcomes are predetermined, but maybe the wrestling industry deserves credit for admitting that fact, while other sports are laughing at all the morons who’ve been convinced the games we watch are legitimate competition. Anyway, the entertainment value of college football will improve once all of these cupcake matchups, in which a clearly inferior opponent gladly accepts millions of dollars in exchange for getting their ass whipped, are done and conference play begins. This week though, we have different fish to fry. The NFL enters the chat on Wednesday night (an odd choice 🤔), and of course every team in the league begins with cockeyed optimism. Isn’t it interesting to consider that there are teams that see themselves as legit Super Bowl contenders in the latter days of summer who will end up with Top 5 picks in the NFL Draft in eight months?? All the while, perhaps there are people at the top of the food chain who already know how the season will end.

My Season: 6-9

Zach’s Season: 5-10

Arizona State at Texas A&M (-14)

I ventured out on a limb, ranking the Sun Devils in the preseason despite a bunch of changes, most notably at quarterback. I don’t know how much we can glean from their nine TD destruction of FBS opponent Morgan St. in the season opener. Ditto for the Aggies fifty point victory over an FBS foe. The “12th Man” home field in College Station is legendary, and obviously the oddsmakers are feeling a certain way. However, I don’t shy away from debatable decisions. I don’t know if ASU has the juice for an outright upset, but I believe they’ll make things interesting. Conversely, Zach foresees A&M pulling away in the fourth quarter to secure a comfortable two TD victory.

My Pick: Arizona St.

Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M

Ohio State at Texas (-1.5)

A year ago Texas was the predominant preseason #1, but the Buckeyes defended their home field in a hard fought battle. Now the roles have reversed, with Ohio St. being the top ranked team and the Longhorns enjoying home field advantage. Three players…OSU quarterback Julian Sayin & WR Jeremiah Smith and Texas QB Arch Manning…are serious Heisman contenders who could all end up being first round draft picks next spring. They’ll get their stats, which means the defense that kicks it up a notch and makes a big play or two in the 4th quarter will make the difference. Notorious Buckeye hater Zach obviously disagrees.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Texas

New England at Seattle (-3.5)

It’s a Super Bowl rematch. You’ll recall that the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, led by one of the best defenses in the NFL. However, in the offseason Seattle lost a few starters from that defense, as well as Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Patriots have had some roster turnover as well, but their offseason was dominated by head coach Mike Vrabel’s…personal drama. I will forever be a Pats hater for a variety of reasons, but just don’t believe Seattle can sustain last year’s success. Very few Super Bowl champions do. Conversely, no matter how one may feel about Vrabel, none of that mishigas will matter on the field. Zach has much more faith in Seattle’s ability to repeat, and believes they’ll win the opener by ten points. It’s an 8pm Wednesday kickoff on NBC, which is cool because Wednesday nights are usually so damn tedious.

My Pick: New England

Zach’s Pick: Seattle

San Francisco at LA Rams (-2.5)

The Rams enter the season as heavy Super Bowl favorites, but they’ll need to prove it on the field. Last season they had a Top Ten defense, then traded for Myles Garrett and convinced Aaron Donald to unretire. Can 38 year old QB Matthew Stafford approach last year’s 46 TDs & 4700 passing yards?? Expectations are high indeed. Meanwhile, the Niners are coming off a 12-5 season and a second round playoff loss to the eventual champion Seahawks. They added veterans Mike Evans & Christian Kirk to the receiving corps, and procured young depth pieces in the draft. ‘Frisco’s issue seems to be remaining healthy, and they’ve already lost receiver Ricky Pearsall to a knee injury. It’s a Thursday night kickoff from Melbourne, Australia, airing on Netflix. I don’t believe the game will be particularly close, and though Zach thinks it’ll be more competitive than I do, he agrees on the outcome.

My Pick: LA Rams

Zach’s Pick: LA Rams 

Baltimore (-3.5) at Indianapolis

There’s been a coaching change in Baltimore, with former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter taking the reins. Let’s not forget that Minter previously served as the Ravens DB coach a few years ago. The roster retained key pieces like QB Lamar Jackson, RB Derrick Henry, and a veteran secondary while adding defensive tackle Trey Hendrickson and tweaking the offensive line a bit. The Colts got off to a hot start a season ago before falling apart down the stretch. Can QB Daniel Jones rebound from an Achilles injury and return to the form he showed in the first half of last season?? Will a defense in transition rise from the bottom third of the league?? I believe both teams will struggle this year, but Indy will prevail this week. Conversely, Zach thinks Jackson will have a huge day against that mediocre Colts defense.

My Pick: Indianapolis

Zach’s Pick: Baltimore

Buffalo (-1.5) at Houston

The Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after a string of playoff disappointments, despite winning 66% of his games in nine seasons. Time will tell if that was a wise decision. They made some sneaky good roster moves, and as long as their Top Ten defense holds up and QB Josh Allen is behind center there is reason for optimism. Meanwhile, the Texans had the best defense in the league last year but struggled in the first half of the season, ultimately losing in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Quarterback CJ Stroud seemed to regress a bit and needs a great rebound season. I believe Buffalo will take a step back this year, while Houston shows incremental improvement. I like the underdogs to defend their home turf. Zach doesn’t see Buffalo’s coaching change as negative and has faith in Allen to keep the train rolling.

My Pick: Houston

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

Denver at Kansas City (-2.5)

Monday Night Football begins their season with a banger. The Broncos won the AFC West last year and might have played in the Super Bowl if QB Bo Nix hadn’t suffered a broken ankle at the end of a playoff victory. Conversely, the once mighty Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time in a decade, and QB Patrick Mahomes went down with a torn ACL. However, let’s not lose sight of the fact that KC was 6-7 before Mahomes’ injury. I’m no doctor, but have doubts about the prudence of returning from knee surgery in less than nine months. It’s not that I think the home favorites will be a bad team, but I believe the visiting underdogs are clearly better right now. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Denver

Zach’s Pick: Denver