Where I will show love for the Steelers, Pirates, Thundering Herd, & Mountaineers and utter contempt for the Cowboys, Yankees, Jeff Gordon, & Notre Dame.
Better late than never, right?? The deadline for these posts is always before kickoff of the first game, so I suppose technically we’re not late. However, I usually strive to get things done by Wednesday or Thursday, especially if we’re picking a Thursday night game, which is why we don’t pick Thursday games often. At any rate, it’s very rare to not have everything up for public consumption Saturday morning, but occasionally your humble webmaster does have some semblance of a life, hence the delay. At any rate, there hasn’t been much of a shift in our records, so we’ll just move on to this weekend’s games.
My Season: 33-29
Zach’s Season: 28-34
Clemson (-6.5) at Virginia Tech
Once upon a time it was a marquee matchup with, at the very least, conference title implications. Unfortunately both teams are on the outside looking in right now. The outlook could improve for the 6-2 Tigers with a victory, while the 5-4 Hokies are simply defending their home turf and playing for bowl eligibility. I expect a spirited battle, but in the end it’s hard to ignore the fact that Clemson is clearly a better team. Zach believes the visiting favorites will win big.
My Pick: Clemson
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Alabama (-3) at LSU
Has a bit of the shine worn off this rivalry?? Perhaps, but not that much. At 6-2 both teams still have conference championship & playoff aspirations, but those dreams will likely end for the loser. Death Valley on a Saturday night is daunting for any visitor, even The Tide. I believe we’re looking at a last second field goal or overtime situation, and I feel an upset brewing. Zach, on the other hand, likes LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, but thinks ‘Bama is the better team. He wouldn’t be surprised to see overtime, but thinks the visiting favorites will snag a close victory.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
BYU (-4.5) at Utah
Who would have predicted a few months ago that the Battle of the Beehive State would have conference title implications…for BYU?? Not only do the Cougars lead the Big 12, but they are an unbeaten Top Ten team. Conversely, the 4-4 Utes have had their season go completely off the rails in the past month. They have the home field, but since the two schools are less than an hour apart it probably doesn’t matter. It’s one of those late night kickoffs that I used to look forward to when I was younger, but now I don’t know if I’ll even be awake for the second half and don’t anticipate missing much. Zach predicts a high scoring shootout, with the visiting favorites ultimately prevailing.
My Pick: BYU
Zach’s Pick: BYU
Philadelphia (-6.5) at Dallas
Both teams are looking up at the division leading Washington Commanders, which is kind of funny. To be fair, Philly is only a half game out of first place and seems to have fixed most of the issues that plagued them late last season. The addition of RB Saquon Barkley has been a huge boost, with him resembling the freak of nature he was back at Penn St. in 2017. Meanwhile, the 3-5 Cowboys are fulfilling my prophecy for them from a year ago. I should have stuck with those vibes this offseason. Even with the home field there is no reason to believe Dallas has a chance to come out on top. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Philadelphia
Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia
Miami at LA Rams (-2.5)
It’s the Monday night game, which means football fans will be watching. The question though is whether or not we should be excited to tune in. At 2-6 the Dolphins are, thus far, falling way short of expectations. Can they turn things around in the second half of the season?? The outcome of this game could go a long way toward answering that question. The Rams are 4-4 and in a dog fight with the other three teams in the NFC West, so a victory would be quite important to them as well. I view the Rams as solid yet unspectacular in all three phases of the game. Their record could easily be a couple of wins better, but sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce the right way. I foresee the home favorites having an edge in turnovers & time of possession, which should help them come out on top. Zach believes it could be a nail biter, but thinks a healthy Rams team is peaking at the right time.
Happy Halloween Manoverse!! My trick or treating days ended during the Carter Administration, and my faith precludes me from celebrating darkness, death, & evil, but at the same time I don’t view an occasion when small children dress up in costumes to beg for candy as all that sinister. Your mileage may vary and that’s okay. What could’ve been much more ominous were last week’s results, but kudos to rookie sensation Jayden Daniels for saving the weekend with his heroics. Enjoy whatever tomfoolery awaits on All Hallow’s Eve, whether it be popcorn & Charlie Brown, cheap beer & bobbing for apples, or fun size candy & slasher flicks. Just remember the words of Jesus in the 8th chapter of John: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
My Season: 31-26
Zach’s Season: 26-31
Ohio State (-4) at Penn State
The 6-1 Buckeyes are ranked 4th in the nation with only a one point loss to #1 Oregon staining their record. The unbeaten Nittany Lions are 3rd in the polls and have the home field. I think Penn St.’s schedule has been a bit more challenging, so they have earned respect from everyone except, it seems, the oddsmakers. Will they use that as fuel?? Perhaps. However, at the end of the day I believe the visiting favorites are probably just a little faster & more athletic. It’ll be tight, but I give a touchdown edge to Ohio St. Zach is expecting a low scoring defensive struggle and is…surprisingly…picking Ohio St.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Ohio St.
Georgia (-16.5) vs. Florida
The NCAA schedule is rather prosaic this week, and we try to avoid games involving teams we just dealt with last week, so this mid-season “rivalry” game makes the cut. I put it like that because it hasn’t been much of a rivalry in recent years, with the 6-1 Bulldogs winning six of the last seven meetings. Meanwhile, the 4-3 Gators seem to be spinning their wheels until the powers-that-be pull the trigger on firing head coach Billy Napier. It’s a neutral site contest in Jacksonville, and I have no doubt Georgia will win, but can they cover?? Well, in those six games they won in the past seven years, their average margin of victory is 22 points…so I’m riding with the ‘Dawgs. Zach has observed improvement from Florida, but also feels as if Georgia is really hitting their stride.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Georgia
Denver at Baltimore (-9.5)
I freakin’ hate the Ravens, but I’ll give them credit for building a good team. They aren’t hesitant to pull the trigger on a trade or sign an impact free agent. As a die hard Steelers fan I can admit that my team is leading the division thru smoke & mirrors, which probably isn’t sustainable thru an entire season. The task at hand for Baltimore is taking care of business at home against the 5-3 Broncos, who have already been way more successful than I thought they’d be. I’d be pleasantly surprised if Denver pulled off a huge upset, but will settle for moderately satisfied if they keep it close. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Denver
Zach’s Pick: Denver
Miami at Buffalo (-5.5)
The 6-2 Bills have a stranglehold on the AFC East, while the 2-5 Dolphins are struggling to equal last season’s playoff qualifying success. I don’t know that Buffalo is a Super Bowl caliber team, but they are certainly capable of easily handling business at home. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Buffalo
Zach’s Pick: Buffalo
Detroit at Green Bay (-1)
Holy cow, the 6-1 Lions opened up a can o’ whoopass on the Titans last week. Meanwhile, the 6-2 Packers are on a four game win streak and sit only a half game behind Detroit in the division. We’ve been doing this long enough to know that the de facto home field bump in the NFL is three points, so the fact that Green Bay is only favored by one is a nod to Detroit’s success…but it still feels disrespectful to the visitors. I believe they’ll see it that way and respond accordingly. Zach is looking forward to the game and believes in Lions coach Dan Campbell.
We kept our head above water doing bonus picks a week ago, with point spreads playing a key role in flipping several outcomes one way or the other. I’m glad not to be a gambler because I can imagine having a half point ruin your day could be rather frustrating. At any rate, I extended my season lead by one game, while Zach is one game closer to getting back to the .500 mark. We are each in the same general ballpark as this identical point a year ago.
My Season: 28-24
Zach’s Season: 24-28
Notre Dame (-12.5) vs. Navy
Don’t look now, but two of the service academy football teams are undefeated (sorry about your damn luck Air Force). Party like it’s 1946!! In the grand scheme of things that probably doesn’t mean much since it is doubtful they’d be considered playoff worthy, but it could make the Army-Navy game more consequential than it’s been in quite some time. We’re several weeks away from that though. Meanwhile, the 6-1 Irish are praying that an inexplicable September loss to Northern Illinois doesn’t torpedo their playoff aspirations. This rivalry dates back to 1927, with Notre Dame winning 80 of the 96 meetings. The Midshipmen last won in 2016. For some strange reason the game is being played at the NFL home of the Jets & Giants in New Jersey, meaning it’ll be the most entertaining contest those fans have seen all year. As much as I’d love to predict an upset I cannot imagine Navy overcoming what I assume is a notable disadvantage in size, speed, and athleticism. I’d love to be wrong. Zach believes Notre Dame being overrated is business as usual, and he thinks Navy can hang with them by running the ball and controlling the clock.
My Pick: Notre Dame
Zach’s Pick: Navy
Kansas at Kansas State (-9.5)
They call it the Sunflower Showdown, with the victor taking possession of the Governor’s Cup. It is actually the 4th longest active rivalry in college football (thanks realignment 🙄), with the Jayhawks leading the overall series despite the fact that the Wildcats have won the last 15 meetings dating back to 2009. State is 6-1 and has the home field, while 2-5 KU has to be disappointed with how things have gone thus far after winning nine games a season ago. I predicted K-St. would compete for the conference title, and they’re on pace to be in that mix. Zach doesn’t feel like it’ll be particularly close.
My Pick: Kansas St.
Zach’s Pick: Kansas St.
Illinois at Oregon (-21.5)
The 6-1 Illini announced their presence with authority last weekend, beating Michigan by two touchdowns. Not to be outdone, the undefeated Ducks sit atop the rankings with victories over Ohio St. and…well, okay, they beat Ohio St. and share the Big Ten lead with Indiana. I’d be surprised if Oregon lost at home, but the points concern me. Is Illinois for real?? They don’t have to win the game to gain that legitimacy, but they do need to be competitive. I don’t feel strongly either way, but I’ll roll the dice on the visitors keeping things respectable. Zach has been impressed by Illinois and agrees it won’t be as easy for Oregon as some might assume.
My Pick: Illinois
Zach’s Pick: Illinois
Chicago (-2.5) at Washington
It’s supposed to be a marquee matchup pitting #1 overall pick Caleb Williams against #2 overall pick Jayden Daniels, but the Commanders’ rookie QB suffered a rib injury last weekend so his status for this game remains a bit murky. Daniels, to the surprise of no one who pays attention, has been the more exciting & impactful signal caller thus far, leading his team to a 5-2 record and the NFC East lead. Williams has the Bears looking much improved at 4-2, though they have the misfortune of playing in the NFL’s most competitive division. I’m not a Vegas insider, but it isn’t difficult to figure out that the points are all about Daniels’ questionable status. If he plays and is unencumbered by the injury Washington is a clear favorite at home, but if backup QB Marcus Mariota is under center then things obviously tilt toward Chicago. Can Jayden Daniels channel 1997 NBA Finals Michael Jordan?? Holy schneikes that’d be freakin’ cool. Zach has always been more complimentary to Williams than I’ve been, but he likes the Commanders to score the slight upset.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
Dallas at San Francisco (-4.5)
The cool thing about this rivalry is that it isn’t completely about nostalgia. Oh sure, those of us old enough to remember legendary names like Jerry Rice, Michael Irvin, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Jimmy Johnson, Emmitt Smith, Brent Jones, and Deion Sanders in their heyday become a bit sentimental about the classic skirmishes of the past, but the matchup always feels just as relevant as it did decades ago. The 3-4, injury plagued Niners have struggled more than anyone could’ve ever anticipated a few months ago but sit just one game out of the division lead. It’s a similar story for the 3-3 Cowboys, who are currently in third place in the NFC East. They are coming out of their bye week though, which probably offsets Frisco’s home field. It’s the Sunday night game on NBC and will likely get good ratings. I am somewhat surprised that Dallas isn’t favored even though they’re on the road, but watching Jerry Jones get ridiculed by the sports media is delightfully hilarious. Zach doesn’t have a positive impression of either team, but he thinks San Francisco sucks less than the Cowboys right now.
It must be noted that the plan to do bonus picks was determined by the impressive schedule (both college & pro), and isn’t a case of chasing wins after a disastrous week. Zach was 3-2 but still finds himself under .500 for the year, while I am barely staying above that mark after abysmal 1-4 results last weekend. College football in particular has been wild thus far, and the expanded playoff field might not be as predictable as I assumed it’d be.
My Season: 22-21
Zach’s Season: 19-24
Oklahoma State at BYU (-8.5)
The 3-3 Cowboys are winless in Big 12 action, and my lofty preseason opinion of them has been proven faulty. Conversely, the unbeaten Cougars have acclimated to the conference just fine and sit in the driver’s seat for an opportunity to play for the Big 12 title and receive a playoff berth. Lots of things can change in the second half of the season though. Does that shift begin now?? I don’t think so. It’s a Friday night game in Provo and the home favorites will be eager to show out on the national stage. Zach concurs.
My Pick: BYU
Zach’s Pick: BYU
Nebraska at Indiana (-6)
My younger nephew Noah has been singing the praises of Indiana all season, with good reason. The Hoosiers have always been known for basketball, while their football program has been a Big Ten doormat. They come into this game undefeated with an opportunity to announce their arrival with authority against an old school traditional powerhouse. The 5-1 Cornhuskers will put up a damn good fight, but in the end I believe the favorites will defend their home turf. Zach still needs to see more from Indiana and believes they haven’t really been tested yet. He sees Nebraska as inconsistent though and likes the Hoosier defense to lead their team to victory.
My Pick: Indiana
Zach’s Pick: Indiana
LSU (-3) at Arkansas
It could be the sleeper game of the entire weekend. The Bayou Bengals have rattled off five straight victories after a season opening loss to USC that seems worse now than it did a month & a half ago. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks are 4-2 but could easily be undefeated. Can they muster consecutive wins over Top 10 opponents?? I give them a chance with the home field, but ultimately I believe LSU finds a way to continue their momentum. Zach thinks Arkansas will fight until the end, but likes LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to give his team a slight edge.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Georgia at Texas (-3.5)
Hey look…it’s this week’s edition of The Biggest Greatest Most Important Game EVER. The problem with that narrative is the Bulldogs have already lost to Alabama, who then lost to Vanderbilt. Conversely, while Georgia is fighting to hold onto their SEC title & playoff hopes, the undefeated Longhorns sit atop the college football world and likely view this as their last remaining obstacle to a conference championship & first round playoff bye. I’d be stunned if they screwed that up at home. Zach views Texas as the most complete team in the country. He won’t be surprised if we see the battle spill into overtime, but likes Texas to eventually outlast their opponents.
My Pick: Texas
Zach’s Pick: Texas
New England vs. Jacksonville (-6)
Apparently the NFL plays in Europe every week now. Kickoff from Wembley Stadium in London is at 9:30am Sunday morning for us, and since both teams are 1-5 it’s hardly worth skipping church or getting out of bed to watch. Not only was I way wrong about the Jags, but QB Trevor Lawrence has turned into Just Another Quarterback instead of the perennial Pro Bowl, multiple Lombardi winning, future Hall of Famer many projected he’d become when he entered the league four years ago. He’s still only 25 years old, so he can turn things around, although it feels like he’ll need to go elsewhere for that to happen. As for the Patriots, we already know that their glory days left town with Brady & Belichick, and I have zero sympathy for the organization. I foresee a forgettable game that no one will really pay much attention to, with Jacksonville figuring out a way to get it done. Zach is impressed with rookie QB Drake Maye so he’s riding with New England in OG England.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Zach’s Pick: New England
Cincinnati (-4.5) at Cleveland
The Battle of Ohio is always mildly amusing. I told y’all that the preseason hype for the Browns was BS, and they’ve proven me right. At 1-5 they’re closer to the top pick in the next draft than a playoff berth. The 2-4 Bengals aren’t much better, which kind of surprises me. It’ll probably be closer than it should be, but I believe, despite their rough start, Cincy is clearly a better team. Zach thinks the Bengals are figuring things out and the turnaround has begun.
My Pick: Cincinnati
Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati
Houston at Green Bay (-2.5)
I’m low key excited about the matchup. Injuries have played havoc with both the 4-2 Packers and the 5-1 Texans, but Houston currently leads their division while Green Bay is battling in perhaps the most competitive division in the NFL. If this game was being played a month from now I’d lean toward a huge home field advantage for The Pack, but I don’t think the tundra is frozen quite yet at Lambeau, which means we could see a mild upset. Zach thinks Green Bay’s defense might be a weak link.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Houston
Detroit at Minnesota (-1.5)
How will the loss of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a season ending broken leg affect the 4-1 Lions?? While I don’t think it completely torpedoes their season, it undoubtedly impacts their status as a Super Bowl contender. Conversely, the unbeaten Vikings have taken everybody by surprise. The resurgence of QB Sam Darnold has been remarkable. It might be the game of the day on Sunday, and despite the fact that Hutchinson’s loss is huge, my vibe is that Detroit finds a way to overcome. Sorry Minnesota…no one goes undefeated in the NFL. Zach thinks coaching makes the difference and he gives that advantage to Detroit.
My Pick: Detroit
Zach’s Pick: Detroit
LA Chargers at Arizona (-1)
The NFC West is up for grabs thanks to Frisco’s shocking mediocrity, and the 2-4 Cards are in the conversation after upsets of the 49ers & Rams. Meanwhile, the Chargers are 3-2 and hoping to remain in wildcard contention since chasing down the KC Chiefs seems unlikely. This is the Monday night game, but I’m not as pumped about that as I should be. Arizona hasn’t convinced me yet and I don’t think they’ll start now. I told you that Jim Harbaugh would transform the Chargers into a playoff contender, and I believe we’ll see evidence of that this week. Zach agrees.
While I appreciate Thursday night games (more than players do for sure) I must admit that picking them is somewhat burdensome, forcing me to get this ditty published before kickoff. I know…First World problems, right?? Anyway, neither of us did well last week, so we’ll just move on. I am keeping one eye on the baseball playoffs, but the nagging feeling that we’re headed for a Dodgers-Yankees World Series won’t go away, so I am thankful for football.
My Season: 21-17
Zach’s Season: 16-22
Texas (-14.5) vs. Oklahoma
The Red River Shootout moves to the SEC, with the unbeaten Longhorns entering the fray as the new #1 team in the country. This is a neutral site game in Dallas, with the 4-1 Sooners as significant underdogs despite the fact that the rivalry has tilted slightly in their direction in the past 15 years. As a fan I’d love to see an exciting, intense, competitive battle, but I just don’t believe it will live up to the usual hype. Texas is a legit championship contender, while Oklahoma probably won’t finish the season in the Top 25. Zach sees Texas as the most complete team in college football and doesn’t think Oklahoma’s defense has what it takes to stop them.
My Pick: Texas
Zach’s Pick: Texas
Florida at Tennessee (-15)
The best part of college football might be the longstanding rivalries, but sometimes it just so happens that one team is ascending while their opponent is in a decline. Sure, the 4-1 Vols were upset by Arkansas last week, but unlike previous years their season isn’t torpedoed by one loss. They remain strong playoff contenders. Conversely, the 3-2 Gators just want to keep their head above water. Head coach Billy Napier is still gainfully employed at the moment, but his seat is still pretty hot. Rockytop will be en fuego, as their team has lost 17 out of the last 20 meetings but now they smell blood. I foresee an epic beatdown. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Tennessee
Zach’s Pick: Tennessee
Ohio State (-4) at Oregon
So this is now a…*checks notes*…Big Ten battle. Realignment is wild. At any rate, both teams are undefeated and ranked in the Top 5, so there are huge implications at stake. I don’t doubt that it’ll be the best game of the day, and the fact that it’s happening in the cozy confines of Eugene adds an element of intrigue. There is part of me that would love to call for the upset because that’s just how I roll. However, at the end of the day I think the Buckeyes are a bit deeper and probably better in the trenches, which means they’ll take control of the game in the 4th quarter. Zach begrudgingly admits that Ohio St. is a good team because they have enough money to buy all of that talent, but he just cannot bring himself to pick them.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
San Francisco (-3) at Seattle
This is the Thursday game on Amazon, and I am anticipating an epic slobberknocker. Without RB Christian McCaffrey the 2-3 Niners have struggled. I thought they’d dominate the division and be a strong Super Bowl contender. Instead, they find themselves a game behind Seattle in the NFC West. The Seahawks are 3-2, but those two losses have come in their last two outings. We probably shouldn’t assign too much importance to a mid-October game, but my vibe is that it could be a tremendous catalyst for the victor, while the loser may need to reevaluate everything to find a path forward. The home field seems like it’s being undervalued by the oddsmakers, which I believe to be a mistake. Zach thinks ‘Frisco is simply a better team, even without McCaffrey.
My Pick: Seattle
Zach’s Pick: San Francisco
Washington at Baltimore (-6.5)
Do they call this the Battle of the Beltway?? Have I heard that reference somewhere or am I imagining it?? Whatever the case, these teams are separated by less than an hour’s drive, meaning that the home field probably isn’t that significant. The 3-2 Ravens had a rough start to their season but have won three consecutive games. The Commanders are 4-1 and lead the NFC East. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick in last spring’s draft, has been a revelation, and it will be exciting to watch them build a good team around him in the next couple of years. As far as this game goes, I think the key is whether or not Washington’s defense can stop Baltimore RB Derrick Henry, especially in the latter stages of a close game. It’s probably not a smart choice, but I will put my faith in Daniels to make enough plays to pull off an upset on the road. Zach isn’t necessarily sure who will come out on top, but he thinks it’ll be closer than a touchdown.
Baseball playoffs have arrived & the hockey season is starting, but we’re all about football here. However, since the subject came up, I will opine that a Yankees World Series against the Dodgers or Phillies holds absolutely zero interest for me. It’s probably too much to ask, but a Royals/Tigers vs. Padres Series would be palatable. We’ll see. In the meantime I’ll continue to happily spend most of my weekends…vicariously…on the gridiron.
My Season: 19-14
Zach’s Season: 15-18
Michigan State at Oregon (-24)
This is the Friday night game on Fox, which I have quickly grown to love. That is probably a sad commentary on my life, but that’s okay. The 3-2 Spartans are unlikely to pose a serious threat to the unbeaten Ducks, but can they keep it respectable?? Oregon has only beaten one opponent by more than three touchdowns, while only Ohio St. has beaten Michigan St. by that much. It’s risky, but I’ll lean toward the home team winning by 15-20 points. Zach is a bit concerned by the points, but not concerned enough to agree with my assessment.
My Pick: Michigan St.
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
UCLA at Penn State (-27.5)
I am intrigued by these games with such a large point spread. How is that number arrived at?? What kind of analytics are used?? I know it’s not done haphazardly. At any rate, the Nittany Lions are undefeated and haven’t been challenged too much thus far. Conversely, the 1-3 Bruins have lost three consecutive games and need to rebound quickly before the season is a total debacle. If the game were being played in Pasadena I might consider that the underdogs could remain competitive, but in Happy Valley I think we will see complete domination. Zach doesn’t believe that Penn St.’s offense is built to be that dominant, so he thinks it’ll be slightly closer than four TDs.
My Pick: Penn St.
Zach’s Pick: UCLA
Michigan at Washington (-3)
It’s a National Championship rematch, and when these teams met in January the Wolverines won in dominating fashion. Of course, as this is college football, these are both far different teams than they were last season. They even have new head coaches. Michigan is off to a 4-1 start, with only a loss to Texas as a blemish. Meanwhile, the erratic Huskies are 3-2 and Michael Penix Jr. ain’t walking thru their door. Washington gets the home field bump, but I’m not buying it. The talking heads at NBC would love for this to be a Michigan-Washington 2023 redux and will probably try to hype it as such, but I think the visitors will achieve a fairly mundane “upset”. Zach is concerned about his Wolverines offensive ineptitude, opining that even I might be a better QB for them, which is hilarious for reasons very few will understand. Anyway, since Michigan defeated USC last month he believes they stand a chance to win out west.
My Pick: Michigan
Zach’s Pick: Michigan
Buffalo at Houston (-1)
Despite getting trucked by the Baltimore Ravens last weekend the 3-1 Bills have been more impressive than I anticipated. Conversely, the 3-1 seem underwhelming regardless of their record. Both teams are dealing with alot of injuries, with the status of several key players up in the air at the moment, which makes accurate prognostication nearly impossible. It’s a leap of faith either way, but I’m riding with the home team. Zach is expecting a close contest that comes down to the wire, and he has confidence in QB Josh Allen to lead Buffalo to a huge win on the road.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Buffalo
Las Vegas at Denver (-2.5)
Will receiver Davante Adams be traded before Sunday?? Probably not. Will he be traded at all?? We’ll see. Will he suit up for this game?? I don’t know. The 2-2 Raiders probably aren’t going to be too successful with Gardner Minshew at QB with or without Adams. The Broncos are also 2-2, with rookie QB Bo Nix taking his lumps. I’m not expecting an instant classic or even an entertaining game, but it should atleast be competitive. Denver’s home field is always promoted as daunting with the higher elevation and all that jazz, but that hasn’t seemed to translate into consistent success. I foresee a forgettable upset. Zach is a little more upbeat about the fun factor but agrees on the outcome.
Last weekend I was 4-1, while Zach went 1-4. That means the overall season lead has shifted. We’ll see how long that lasts.
Other random thoughts…
Thus far my NFL predictions haven’t panned out. I am particularly perplexed by the ineptitude of the Cincinnati Bengals & Jacksonville Jaguars, while being surprised at the success of the Minnesota Vikings. I am not at all shocked that league zebras are catching heat for their noticeable generosity toward the Kansas City Chiefs. The criticism is well deserved, and that, combined with what feels like a purposeful effort by the league to indulge Swifties, has quickly cast the defending Super Bowl Champions as villains. In the college ranks, Alabama & Texas have played better than I anticipated, while Florida St. has been a train wreck & Notre Dame has underwhelmed. And finally, as much as I hate to say it, anyone writing about Heisman odds who doesn’t have Travis Hunter at the top doesn’t know their ass from a hole in the ground. Heisman voters need to decide if the award exclusively goes to a quarterback on one of the top teams and be honest about that, or reward a player who performs at a high level on both sides of the ball and look past the fact that his team is average and his coach is a self-important blowhard.
My Season: 15-13
Zach’s Season: 13-15
Virginia Tech at Miami (FL) (-19)
When these two programs moved to the ACC a couple decades ago it was the beginning of the end for The Big East, and I’ll never forgive them for that. At any rate, the 2-2 Hokies are unlikely to defeat the unbeaten Hurricanes, but can they cover the points?? I think perhaps they might. Zach has been impressed with the ‘Canes, but cautions this has all the earmarks of a classic trap game. However, while he believes it might’ve been a different story in Blacksburg, VA, he has confidence in the home team to win big in their house.
My Pick: Virginia Tech
Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)
South Alabama at LSU (-22)
The 2-2 Jaguars out of the Sun Belt have grabbed some attention by outscoring their last two opponents 135-24. Meanwhile, the Bayou Bengals are riding at three game win streak after a season opening hiccup against USC. Death Valley on a Saturday night is no picnic, but I think South Alabama might keep things interesting for awhile before ultimately losing by four TDs. Zach isn’t a big fan of LSU coach Brian Kelly, but he’s willing to roll the dice on a dominant Tigers victory.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Georgia (-2) at Alabama
We’ll have alot of clarity after this game is over. The Bulldogs are 3-0 but barely escaped Kentucky with a win a couple weeks ago. Their legitimacy as the top team in the land has been questioned by some, with no shortage of those folks promoting Texas as the new #1 team. The Tide has rolled to three big wins thus far, making their coaching transition look seamless. ‘Bama has the home field, but I think Georgia gets their first regular season victory in this rivalry since 2007. Zach foresees a low scoring tug-of-war, with Georgia ultimately winning by 3-7 points.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Georgia
Minnesota at Green Bay (-2.5)
Did you know that Vikings QB Sam Darnold is only 27 years old?? It feels like he should be older, probably because this is his fourth NFL team in seven seasons in the league. He is taking advantage of the opportunity that opened up when first round pick JJ McCarthy suffered a preseason knee injury. Minnesota is 3-0 & Darnold has the fifth best QBR in the NFL. The Packers are also playing with a backup QB after starter Jordan Love injured his knee a few weeks ago. Former Titans first round pick Malik Willis has led Green Bay to a 2-1 record, and he has the comfort of the home field. The question essentially becomes are the Vikings…and Darnold…for real?? Or has it all been smoke & mirrors?? The equation changes if Love is cleared to play, but that is up in the air right now. Armed with the information we have at this moment I have to believe the Vikes will ride the wave of momentum. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Minnesota
Zach’s Pick: Minnesota
Seattle at Detroit (-4.5)
The 2-1 Lions have not been as impressive as many (including yours truly) thought they’d be. Conversely, the 3-0 Seahawks have been sneaky good. RB Kenneth Walker has missed the past two games with an oblique injury. That’s an abdominal muscle in case you are curious. However, he is on pace to return for this game, and even if he doesn’t Zach Charbonnet has been solid in relief. Everyone will be focused on the chess match between Seattle’s offense & Detroit’s defense, but perhaps we need to pay attention to the opposite. If QB Jared Goff can get the ball to his receivers for a few big plays and RB Jahmyr Gibbs can help control the clock, it’d go a long way toward a victory for the home favorites. Zach believes things will be decided by a field goal or less.
Neither one of us had a good week, thanks in part to underwhelming performances by the Wisconsin Badgers & Houston Texans. We’ll try to do better, starting on Friday night. Kudos to Fox, which, for the moment anyway, has replaced the departed WWE Smackdown (now airing on USA Network, which is fine with this wrasslin’ fan), with a Friday night football game. That means that we are able to enjoy football five out of seven nights. I rarely leave The Bachelor Palace these days as it is, but now I can feel good about it for awhile.
My Season: 11-12
Zach’s Season: 12-11
Illinois at Nebraska (-8.5)
The college football world has been awaiting Nebraska’s return to relevance for a very long time. They haven’t had a winning season since 2016 and haven’t won ten games since 2012. The Cornhuskers have cycled thru six head coaches since the legendary Tom Osborne retired in 1997. Currently they sit at 3-0, but now the real work begins. The Illini are also 3-0, including an impactful victory over Kansas. This will be the first road game for Illinois, and there will be 90k fans ready to rumble in Lincoln on Friday. I like the home team, but I think the points are a little much. Nebraska probably wins by a 5-8 point margin. Conversely, Zach doesn’t see anything to dislike about Nebraska and believes they’ll get a big victory.
My Pick: Illinois
Zach’s Pick: Nebraska
Tennessee (-7.5) at Oklahoma
I don’t like Oklahoma in the SEC, but will reluctantly agree that it creates some intriguing matchups. The Vols are 3-0, having outscored their opponents 191-13. The 3-0 Sooners have the home field, but even the oddsmakers don’t see that as much of an advantage. I believe they are about to receive a very harsh welcome to their new conference, with the suits having to remind themselves that, financially atleast, it wasn’t a terrible decision, even it is a stupid move in every other way. Zach, on the other hand, predicts a high scoring shootout with very little defense.
My Pick: Tennessee
Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma
Utah (-1.5) at Oklahoma State
The Utes were my preseason #1, and thru three games have not given me a reason to regret it. I ranked the Cowboys in my Top Ten and warned the masses not to sleep on this game. ESPN’s College Gameday will be less than a hundred miles away in Norman because…well of course they will be, but I think this will be the better game in that state. I’ll be thrilled if it’s as close as the odds indicate, but at the end of the day I have the visiting favorites pulling out a thriller, and these teams possibly meeting for a rematch in the Big 12 title game in a few months. Zach makes a valid point that Utah QB Cam Rising, who injured his hand a couple weeks ago and didn’t play at Utah St., is so important to his team that his absence would completely change the equation. That possibility is enough to swing the pendulum in the home team’s direction for him.
My Pick: Utah
Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma St.
Baltimore (-1) at Dallas
It warms my cockles to see these alleged Super Bowl contenders sitting at 0-2 & 1-1 respectively, with neither atop their division. Okay, okay…to be fair the Cowboys are in a three way tie, with the 0-2 Giants a game behind. Also, I realize both teams are likely to fix their issues and jump back into the playoff conversation. However, only one can emerge victorious on Sunday afternoon. It’s very interesting that the Cowboys are home underdogs, which probably means the “experts” believe they have bigger problems than their opponents. That being said, I am a bit of a contrarian who likes to go against conventional wisdom. While it pains me to have to cheer for either team, in this case I think Dallas defends their home turf with a single digit win. Zach opines that a Cowboys loss would put head coach Mike McCarthy on the hot seat, which would be fascinating given my prediction concerning him a year ago and my feeble decision to back off on the idea this season.
My Pick: Dallas
Zach’s Pick: Dallas
Washington at Cincinnati (-8)
Monday Night Football is on an early season roll, and I’m here for it. The Commanders are 1-1, but I think rookie QB Jayden Daniels has an opportunity to be special, especially if the team acquires another weapon or two so WR Terry McClaurin doesn’t have secondaries focusing on him. Meanwhile, the 0-2 Bengals have been disappointing thus far, but it’s way too soon to push the panic button. There is no shame in losing to the defending Super Bowl champions on their home field, especially when the zebras put their stamp on the game. I foresee Daniels putting on a show and almost singlehandedly keeping his team in the game, with Cincy ultimately getting the win but not covering the points. Zach opines that the Bengals have been playing down to the level of their opponents, but believes they’ll rise up and blow out Washington.
Zach & I were both 6-5 in last weekend’s supersized round of action, but now we settle into our normal routine. I feel like it’s a bit too early in both the college & NFL seasons to draw any concrete conclusions, but I’ve seen enough to know it’ll be a be a fun ride with a few surprises, with an emphasis on the few. Hell, we didn’t even get thru September before more conference realignment news, which is exactly the kind of predictable surprise we should expect at this point. At any rate, Zach retains the season lead, but I’m a patient man and won’t chase wins.
My Season: 9-9
Zach’s Season: 11-7
Alabama (-15.5) at Wisconsin
I still don’t view ‘Bama as a serious title contender, but the talking heads are thus far treating them as if nothing has changed and the greatest college football coach of all time didn’t walk into the sunset. They’re 2-0, having outscored their opponents 105-16, so the results have been impressive. The Badgers are also 2-0, although their output has been more prosaic. It’s a Noon kickoff from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, and the home crowd will be fired up. I do not believe Wisky will win the game outright, but I think it’ll be slightly more competitive than the folks in Vegas are anticipating. Zach concurs, pointing out Alabama’s tendency to start slow & finish strong, and Wisconsin’s tradition of controlling the line of scrimmage with their big uglies.
My Pick: Wisconsin
Zach’s Pick: Wisconsin
Washington State at Washington (-4.5)
It’s a little early in the season for a rivalry game, but conference realignment simply bends tradition over a chair and violates it. Anyway, The Apple Cup has been contested since 1900, and I suppose we should appreciate its continuation no matter where it falls on the calendar. The Huskies have won 9 of the last 10 meetings. Both teams have dispatched their first two opponents with ease, but someone has to lose now, and I think it’ll be the Cougars by a touchdown. Conversely, Zach opines that the Huskies lost alot of talent from last season’s championship runner-up squad. He foresees a shootout and thinks the underdogs can score the upset.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington St.
Arizona at Kansas State (-7)
2-0 K-St. had all they could handle against Tulane last weekend, while 2-0 Arizona will now get their first taste of Big 12 action. This is a Friday night game on Fox, and one thing is certain…the Wildcats will win. I expect these teams to be in the hunt for the conference title until the end, so a victory this week could be huge. It should be a tough battle, but I believe the home favorites get the job done. Zach really likes Arizona sophomore QB Noah Fifita, who was the Pac 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year a season ago. He likes the visitors in a close game.
My Pick: Kansas St.
Zach’s Pick: Arizona
Chicago at Houston (-6.5)
The Hype Machine is all in on QB Caleb Williams, and the Bears did win their season opener over Tennessee. Meanwhile, the Texans also won their first game, but it was a nail biter. This is the Sunday night game on NBC, and I think Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, who received so much love from the talking heads last year during his rookie season, needs to remind everyone what he’s capable of doing. That being said, Houston needs to utilize ball control and keep Chicago’s defense on the field with sustained drives that eat the clock. Zach likes Williams’ future, but right now the favorites are just a better team.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Houston
Atlanta at Philadelphia (-6)
How will traveling to & from Brazil last weekend affect the Eagles?? I don’t get out much, so perhaps it’s nothing to be concerned about…but I can’t shake the idea that maybe it is. Unlike Philly, the Falcons lost their season opener. Their defense didn’t give up a touchdown to our Steelers, yet were still defeated by six field goals & their own inability to score in the second half. Atlanta paid QB Kirk Cousins $180 million (over the course of four years) this offseason, but the rumblings for rookie signal caller & first round pick Michael Penix have already begun. That chatter will only become louder if the offense sputters again Monday night. Cousins can throw water on the fire by leading his team to victory, which would shock nearly everyone. Don’t be surprised if this is a real dandy…a low scoring defensive tug-o’-war decided deep into the 4th quarter. I don’t know who comes out on top, but I predict it’ll be won by a field goal. Conversely, Zach doesn’t foresee any issues with the home team winning easily.
With the NFL commencing this weekend we’ll do one more round of bonus picks (for now) then settle into our normal routine. Zach got the jump on me last weekend, so I’ve got some catching up to do. Now you know why we don’t typically pick West Virginia games, and as far as USC goes, maybe Caleb Williams was actually holding them back. At any rate, we move forward with gleeful anticipation for the Sunday return of RedZone, and once again have five straight days of gridiron action beginning on Thursday night.
Sam’s Season: 3-4
Zach’s Season: 5-2
Iowa State at Iowa (-3)
With all of the inane conference realignment it’s crazy that these two schools still play in different ones. Anyway, the Cyclones opened with a solid win over North Dakota, while the Hawkeyes obliterated Illinois St. The visitors will need to open up the playbook a little more because they won’t win a slugfest in the trenches, and I think they’ll do just that. Zach thinks special teams & field position will be the difference, with the favorites winning at home.
My Pick: Iowa St.
Zach’s Pick: Iowa
Baylor at Utah (-15.5)
The Utes were my pre-season #1, not because I believe they are the best team in the country right now, but because I think they have a chance to survive the carnage of a long season. A season opening victory over Southern Utah doesn’t prove much, but doesn’t dissuade me from my assessment either. Meanwhile, the Bears also beat up some random team no one has heard of last weekend, but have certainly been…uneven…in recent years. Will this be their third straight losing season, or can they win 10+ games as they’ve done five times since 2013?? I don’t know the answer, but I think they’ll go down in flames this weekend. Zach doesn’t doubt that Utah will emerge victorious, but believes they won’t win by more than two touchdowns.
My Pick: Utah
Zach’s Pick: Baylor
Tennessee (-7.5) vs. NC State
The Vols came out strong, beating the snot out of Chattanooga. The Wolfpack didn’t get it going against Western Carolina until the 4th quarter before emerging with a solid win. This is a neutral site game in Charlotte, and I expect a fun contest. However, at the end of the day Tennessee probably scores a double digit victory. Zach thinks it’ll be alot closer and believes NC St. has the offense to maybe…possibly…perhaps…win the game.
My Pick: Tennessee
Zach’s Pick: NC State
Colorado at Nebraska (-7.5)
Wow…let’s hop in the ol’ DeLorean time machine and enjoy a classic Big 8 battle circa the mid-1980s. We all know that the Buffs receive alot of love from the talking heads, but we also understand why. Credit where it is due, they scratched & clawed out a win against very talented 1-AA/FCS competition last weekend, but now the real fun begins. Meanwhile, after years of wandering in the Desert of Mediocrity some folks think the Cornhuskers are ready to reclaim their spot at the big table alongside other historic football programs. I don’t think we can glean much from a season opening beatdown of UTEP, but it’s a good start. It seems like Colorado has a target on their back for various reasons, and the Big 12 will probably eat them alive. Can they remain unscathed out of conference though?? I don’t believe so. Zach has more faith in Coach Prime than I do and foresees QB Shedeur Sanders balling out on his way to leading the team to a big win.
My Pick: Nebraska
Zach’s Pick: Colorado
Boise State at Oregon (-18.5)
Boise won a high scoring affair over Georgia Southern last weekend, but the step up in competition is exponential now. Some people have very high hopes for the Ducks, who got things started right with a fairly pedestrian victory over Idaho. The points concern me, given the favorites’ unimpressive output in their first game, but I think they’ll kick it up a notch and win by three TDs. Zach has high hopes for Oregon and thinks they’ll take care of business at home.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Texas (-6.5) at Michigan
Can the defending national champions duplicate their success from a season ago?? Can the Longhorns maintain the upward trajectory they’ve been on the last couple of years?? The oddsmakers seem to have strong opinions since they’ve made Michigan underdogs in The Big House. On paper the favorites are deeper, more talented, and have the stability of a coaching staff that’s been at the helm for a few years, but perhaps we are underestimating the testicular fortitude of the Maize & Blue. I don’t know who’ll win the game, but I think it will be decided by a field goal. Zach has serious concerns about Michigan’s offense but is hopeful their defense can be dominant. However, he regretfully foresees the favorites easily winning this contest.
My Pick: Michigan
Zach’s Pick: Texas
Baltimore at Kansas City (-3)
It’s an AFC Title rematch, and could be an AFC Title preview. The NFL kicks off Thursday night on NBC, and we will very quickly gather a vibe about expectations. Defense is the deciding factor. We obviously anticipate a high level of playmaking from two elite quarterbacks, so the defense that can negatively impact that will win the game. I will go against the grain and predict a low scoring battle of field position & special teams. Justin Tucker vs. Harrison Butker. Something like 16-9, with the home team scratching out a hard fought victory. Zach opines that KC is known to start a season sluggishly before heating things up in the playoffs. He likes Baltimore to ride their new horse Derrick Henry to victory.
My Pick: Kansas City
Zach’s Pick: Baltimore
Green Bay vs. Philadelphia (-2.5)
We’re getting a Friday night game too, from Brazil. It’s on Peacock, which is only about $5/month, so I highly recommend investing in it, especially if you are a fan of WWE and/or The Office. Anyway, at the end of last season these were two teams headed in opposite directions. The Packers won four straight games before being defeated in the second round of the playoffs, while Philly lost five out of their final six in the regular season, barely sneaking into the playoffs before being immediately put out of their misery by Tampa Bay. I don’t believe the Eagles are actually that bad and probably fixed most of their issues in the offseason, but Green Bay also improved and signed QB Jordan Love to a hefty contract extension. I foresee some big plays, but ultimately believe the game will be won on the ground & in the trenches, with the underdogs scoring a slight upset. Zach thinks the Eagles are a more proven contender and needs to see more before he can believe in the Packers.
My Pick: Green Bay
Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia
Jacksonville at Miami (-3)
I feel like the NFL oddsmakers are still in offseason mode, with most of the point spreads being rather predictable. I predicted big things for the Jags coming into this year. QB Trevor Lawrence enters his fourth season at only 24 years old, and the defense is stout. The Dolphins have the home field after a season that saw them lose a wildcard game for the second consecutive year. I believe we’ll see Miami decline ever so slightly this season, while Jacksonville has the ability to surprise alot of people. That starts now. Conversely, Zach thinks the home team is well coached and will win a close battle.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Zach’s Pick: Miami
LA Rams at Detroit (-3.5)
The Lions were up 17 points at halftime of the NFC Title game before blowing it and watching the Super Bowl on television. The Rams fell to these Lions by just one point on Wildcard Weekend. This is the Sunday night game on NBC so the nation will be watching. I think Detroit’s defense is just a little better, and they’ll force a turnover or two to come out on top. Zach thinks the Lions are once again legit Super Bowl contenders.
My Pick: Detroit
Zach’s Pick: Detroit
NY Jets at San Francisco (-3.5)
It’s the first Monday night game of the season, so of course the folks at ESPN want Aaron Rodgers involved. After the shortest season of his two decade career Rodgers seems to have recovered from tearing his Achilles on the fourth play of the opening game a year ago. The question becomes what else can the Jets offer?? Conversely, the Niners lost the Super Bowl in overtime and have a plethora of talent surrounding a second year QB who was the NFL Draft’s Mr. Irrelevant. I believe the Jets will make some noise this year, provided their quarterback’s health holds up, but once again I think they’ll get off on the wrong foot (pun very much intended). Zach concurs.
The Manofesto 