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.
Perhaps picking “Week Zero” games was a bad idea. Neither of us fared well, but I do want to emphasize that is NOT why we’re doing extra picks this week. After all, digging an even bigger hole at the outset will just make things worse. That being said, this is the first full weekend of college football, so why not celebrate?? Normally I would be torn between attending our local Italian Heritage Festival and staying home glued to the television, but this year I don’t have a choice, which is fine. There are games from Thursday all the way thru Monday night, and I’m here for all of it. In the midst of the long weekend, please take a moment to reflect on the holiday itself. Labor Day was created in 1882 to recognize the work & contributions of laborers in the United States, which is certainly worthy of celebration.
My Season: 1-4
Zach’s Season: 0-5
Fresno State at Southern Cal (-22.5)
The Trojans handled San Jose St. rather easily last week, with QB Jayden Maiava throwing for 286 yards & two TDs. Not bad, but he’ll need to kick it up a notch to impress Heisman voters. Fresno finished last season 9-4 with a bowl victory after getting stomped in their opening game. History may repeat itself. Zach doesn’t believe we learned anything important about USC last weekend, and believes Fresno is a slightly tougher foe…atleast good enough to cover the points.
My Pick: USC
Zach’s Pick: Fresno St.
Liberty at James Madison (-6.5)
It wasn’t that long ago that these teams were receiving alot of buzz. The Flames won thirteen games in 2023, going undefeated in the regular season before falling to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. Just two seasons later they finished 4-8. The Dukes were 12-2 a season ago, coincidentally losing to Oregon in a first round playoff game. However, head coach Bob Chesney has moved on to UCLA, with former Florida coach Billy Napier taking over the program. JMU brings back just 27% of its total production from last year’s CFP team, which is among the lowest in FBS. That’s why I feel an upset brewing. Zach feels comfortable with the home favorites.
My Pick: Liberty
Zach’s Pick: James Madison
Oregon State at Houston (-20.5)
It’s a new day for the Beavers, both in terms of the revived Pac 12 and the fact that they’ve hired their fifth head coach in a decade. A fresh start is certainly needed after two consecutive losing seasons. Conversely, the Cougars enter 2026 with high expectations following a ten win season and finishing third in the competitive Big 12. Zach predicts Oregon St. will improve, which isn’t hard to imagine given they were 2-10. He isn’t crazy enough to pick the outright upset, but does believe it’ll be closer than expected.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Oregon St.
North Texas at Indiana (-40.5)
There is no shortage of people who give the defending National Champions a legit chance to repeat. I am not one of them, although I do believe they’ll still be really good. The Mean Green are coming off a twelve win season, but that success led to Oklahoma St. poaching their head coach. In steps former WVU coach Neal Brown to lead the charge in Denton, TX, which is amusing to those of us in the Mountain State. No one with a functioning brain thinks we’ll see an upset here, but the points are a bit much for me. I foresee something like 42-13, which is still a dominant victory, but not anything wacky. Zach shares my concern that Indiana will take their foot off the gas in the second half and seize the opportunity to give their backups valuable game experience…but he’s feeling frisky and riding with the home favorites to cover that massive spread.
My Pick: North Texas
Zach’s Pick: Indiana
Boise State at Oregon (-24.5)
Boise St. finally made it to the Pac 12…after all the top teams went elsewhere. One of them was Oregon, who has been settling into the Big Ten these last couple of years. The Ducks have big dreams after falling short in the CFP semis last season, with the catalyst for that optimism being the unexpected return of junior QB Dante Moore, who would’ve been a first round pick in the NFL Draft this past spring. The Broncos will likely have another solid season and seem to be favorites to win a conference title, but they’re not winning the opener. Can they keep it close?? Also no…atleast in my opinion. Zach thinks Boise can hang and keep things respectably competitive.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Boise St.
Baylor at Auburn (-7.5)
It could be the sneaky best game of the weekend. The Bears were 5-7 a season ago, but did a total rebuild on offense thru the portal. The Tigers were also 5-7 and hired former South Florida coach Alex Golesh to replace Hugh Freeze, whose tenure was an unmitigated disaster. I think we have to dig deeper though, and understand that Baylor won twelve games as recently as 2021, while Auburn has intermittently had some good years as well, with their last double digit win coming less than a decade ago. These are not terrible programs, and they will figure things out. As far as this particular game goes, I think the underdogs might make things really interesting. Zach likes the changes Auburn made and foresees a solid victory.
My Pick: Baylor
Zach’s Pick: Auburn
Clemson at LSU (-10.5)
We’re going to learn alot from this game. After consistently having double digit wins and being in national championship contention for a decade & a half the Tigers were a very average 7-6 last season, even losing a bowl game. It’s too quick to push the panic button, but Dabo Swinney needs a good rebound season. On the other side of the field we’re all very aware of the drama. New head coach Lane Kiffin was not hired to win nine games & be invited to a meaningless bowl. If that was good enough they’d have kept Brian Kelly. There’s alot on the line and a ton to prove for two head coaches under a microscope. Night games in Baton Rouge are a BIG event. ESPN Gameday will be on the scene, so the hype will be full throttle. I don’t have a vibe…yet…on whether Clemson can right the ship, but I am certain that LSU will be hellbent on getting the Kiffin Era off to a memorable start. Zach concurs.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Washington State at Washington (-23.5)
The Apple Cup as a season opener is evidence of how much college football has changed in recent years. This is now an out of conference game for both teams. The Cougars will be breaking in a new head coach after their old one bolted for Iowa St. They haven’t had a double digit win season since 2018. The Huskies enter their third year with Jedd Fisch at the helm, and they improved dramatically from Season 1 to Season 2. They lost some significant talent to the NFL, so we’ll see if they can reload or must rebuild. I don’t believe the home field is that significant in this case, but I do think the home team is simply better. Three TDs better?? Okay, sure. Zach agrees. It’s a 4pm Sunday kickoff, so put a reminder in your phone.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
Louisville at Ole Miss (-7)
Pete Golding takes over in Oxford, although it isn’t actually his first game as head coach after he led them to a 2-1 mark in the CFP, ultimately losing in the semifinals. I don’t believe the coaching transition is as big of a deal as the loss of five players to the NFL. However, they did retain the services of QB Trinidad Chambliss after a litigious offseason, and he’ll be joined by junior RB Kewan Lacy. Both young men will be part of early Heisman discussions. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were 9-4 last season, but underwent a significant rebuild afterward. They’ve been consistent the past few years under head coach Jeff Brohm, usually coming out of the gate strong against lesser opponents. This is different, and I don’t think it’ll work out well for them. Zach doesn’t believe the Rebels will miss a beat post-Kiffin, and won’t be surprised if they are playoff contenders once again. It’s a Sunday evening game, which sounds like fun.
My Pick: Ole Miss
Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss
Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (-20.5)
With the influx of powerhouse west coast teams into the Big Ten it seems like the Badgers have gotten lost in the shuffle. They’ve had two straight losing seasons, and the two seasons before that were just mediocre. Head coach Luke Fickell’s fourth year feels like a pivotal one, and it sure doesn’t look like an easy path. The Irish lost their first two games last season before winning all the rest, but that slow start cost them a playoff berth. The good news is they lead the nation in returning production, including junior quarterback CJ Carr. Replacing six players drafted into the NFL, including running backs Jeremiyah Love & Jadarian Price as well as receiver Malachi Fields, may prove challenging, but Notre Dame might have one of the best defenses in the country. This is a neutral site game at Lambeau Field, which obviously won’t be a frozen tundra in September. It’s also on Sunday evening, making it the most excitement I’ve anticipated for a Sunday night in several months. Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll be treated to a competitive contest, and neither does Zach.
I’m not going to waste time with a wordy preamble today. Conference races are heating up, division titles are up for grabs, and playoff berths hang in the balance. It is absolutely the best time of the year to vegg out all weekend long watching football and leaving the insanity of the world out in the cold.
Observations from Last Week:
Congratulations to the Oregon St. Beavers for winning the Pac 12.
I agree with Kirk Herbstreit…Oklahoma’s kicker (nor any other player) should NOT be allowed to wear literal shorts as part of the uniform.
Non-football thought: MLB badly needs a salary cap ⚾️.
Kudos to Jags kicker Cam Little, who now holds the NFL record with a 68 yard field goal, the longest in the history of football.
I was defeated in one of my leagues by an opponent who started two players on their bye and another player on IR, so that’s how my fantasy season is going 👀.
My Season: 31-25
Zach’s Season: 20-36
BYU at Texas Tech (-10.5)
Theoretically we could see a rematch in the Big 12 title game next month. I am a little surprised by the points, given the fact that the Cougars are undefeated while the Red Raiders suffered a close loss a few weeks ago. Sure, Tech has the home field, but should that translate into being a double digit favorite?? Perhaps I don’t have all the information, but I’ll be stunned if it isn’t a much closer contest, no matter who wins. Zach agrees. He views BYU as a well coached team and really likes freshman QB Bear Bachmeier.
My Pick: BYU
Zach’s Pick: BYU
Texas A&M (-7) at Missouri
Did you know the Aggies are unbeaten?? I didn’t. The 6-2 Tigers will likely provide stiff competition, despite having lost two of their last three. However, without starting QB Beau Pribula, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, I just don’t think an upset is in the cards. Zach likes Missouri’s defense, but agrees it’s probably not enough.
My Pick: Texas A&M
Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M
Florida State at Clemson (-2.5)
Sometimes the hype just doesn’t match the reality. While there are blueblood programs that simply reload year after year and string together seemingly endless successful seasons, the truth is that each team is made up of human beings. Things happen. Injuries occur. Athletes don’t always live up to expectations. After a decade & a half at or near the top of the mountain, the 3-5 Tigers are struggling to achieve bowl eligibility. The 4-4 Seminoles know all about that, and for awhile it seemed like they’d gotten over that hump after several years of mediocrity. That was before they lost 4 out of the last 5 games. I honestly have no idea what to expect. Will Clemson wake up and defend their home turf?? Or does Florida St. smell blood in the water?? I think it’ll be the latter, with a late field goal sealing the deal. Zach still has faith in Dabo Swinney and thinks the home team will win a close one.
My Pick: Florida St.
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
LSU at Alabama (-10.5)
I’m looking at this game much differently than I would have just a month ago. The wheels are falling off in Baton Rouge, with the Bayou Bengals losing three of their last four games. Conversely, after losing their season opener The Tide have rolled to seven consecutive victories. I think ‘Bama wins by atleast two TDs…maybe three. Conversely, Zach feels like, no matter what has transpired, this is a rivalry game and the underdogs will atleast make it interesting.
My Pick: Alabama
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Baltimore (-4) at Minnesota
Don’t look now, but the rumors of Baltimore’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. At 3-5 they still have work to do to get back into playoff contention, but when healthy & at full strength there might not be a more dangerous team in the NFL. Meanwhile, the 4-4 Vikes are struggling to put it all together. We all understand the potential, and with quarterback JJ McCarthy back in the saddle they’re a better team. However, I foresee more close losses while they continue to build toward a better future in a couple of seasons. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Baltimore
Zach’s Pick: Baltimore
New England at Tampa Bay (-2.5)
So I guess the folks in New England are getting cocky again, thinking that QB Drake Maye is the second coming of Tom Brady. I suppose they’ve earned that confidence after going 7-2 and piecing together a six game win streak. Unfortunately they’re going up against the 6-2 Bucs and their signal caller Baker Mayfield, who knows a thing or two about cockiness. I understand that Tampa has suffered some injuries, but I believe they’ll find a way to grind out a tough win at home. Zach thinks Maye will be good, but he likes Mayfield to prevail this time.
My Pick: Tampa Bay
Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay
Detroit (-8.5) at Washington
The Commanders came into the season with alot of hype & momentum, but at 3-6 after losing four straight it just feels like a lost season. As much as I like QB Jayden Daniels the fact is that he’s an injury waiting to happen. He cannot be counted on to be available much of the time, and that’s a problem. The 5-3 Lions have lost two of their last three games, but I am still all in on them being a legit Super Bowl contender. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Detroit
Zach’s Pick: Detroit
Philadelphia at Green Bay (-2.5)
It’s early November, so I am assuming the tundra at Lambeau Field isn’t frozen just yet. However, the Packers still get the requisite home field bump. They are 5-2-1 but should actually have a better record, with a rare tie against the Cowboys and an inexplicable loss to Carolina being real head scratchers. Meanwhile, there seems to be alot of locker room drama in Philly. They’re 6-2 and will easily win their division, almost by default…but can they make another deep playoff run and defend their Super Bowl title?? This is the Monday night game so the talking heads will be all over it. Either way the outcome will be interpreted as some sort of defining statement, but it also might be an NFC Championship preview. I think the Eagles will try to silence their doubters with a mild upset. Zach doesn’t believe Green Bay is the real deal, so he’s calling for the “upset”.
Oddly enough, I’ve been watching the MLB Playoffs for the past couple of days. Citizens of The Manoverse already know that I am a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, so for many years I have essentially lost interest in baseball’s regular season after the initial hype of the first month. The Pirates have a collective record of 669-847 in the past decade, and I’m not wasting my time paying much attention to a team that wins only 44% of their games. At any rate, unlike the marathon 162 game regular season, baseball’s postseason is divided into much more digestible sprints, and there are usually a handful of teams that I have some reason to loathe, which is enough to keep my attention for a month, or until only teams I hate remain standing. At any rate, my point is that switching from football mode to baseball mode then back to football to make these picks isn’t easy. The things I go thru for you people. You’re welcome.
Observations from Last Week:
It’s hard being a college football fan in the Mountain State 😱. My Thundering Herd grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory in a double OT loss to Louisiana, while earlier that day I didn’t make it past the first half of WVU’s shellacking at the hands of Utah.
The NY Giants upset of the Chargers is the very definition of a Pyrrhic victory, given the season ending knee injury to star receiver Malik Nabers.
Not a football thought, but what the hell was up with the United States Ryder Cup team?!?!?!?? That effort was EMBARRASSING!!!! ⛳️🇺🇸😬
Tyreek Hill is definitely “out, bruh” 🚑.
The Philadelphia Eagles special teams coach is Michael Clay, and he deserves a raise 🦅.
My Season: 18-13
Zach’s Season: 9-22
Clemson (-13.5) at North Carolina
I noted in the preseason that I was anticipating this matchup simply because of the contrasting personalities of head coaches Dabo Swinney & Bill Belichick. At 1-3 the Tigers have been an epic disappointment thus far, with virtually zero chance of reaching the CFP. Meanwhile, Belichick seems more interested in indulging his adolescent girlfriend than leading the 2-2 Tar Heels to a conference championship. The home field intrigues me just a bit and makes me wonder if UNC can really make a go of it. However, I believe in the old adage “it isn’t the X’s & O’s, it’s the Jimmys & Joes”. At the end of the day, despite an atrocious first month of the season, Clemson has superior athletes. Zach has no doubt that Swinney will get things sorted out fairly quickly, while he thinks it might take Belichick a few seasons to build Carolina into a great program.
My Pick: Clemson
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Kansas State at Baylor (-6.5)
It looks like both teams will be middle-of-the-pack in the Big 12, but the winner might have an opportunity to improve their lot. The 2-3 Wildcats have a really tough schedule ahead of them so this feels like a must win situation. The 3-2 Bears probably have a better shot at atleast securing a bowl invitation down the line, especially with a home victory in a winnable game. I don’t know who’ll come out on top, but I believe the margin of victory will be less than 5 points. Zach thinks the home field is enough for Baylor to win by a touchdown.
My Pick: Kansas St.
Zach’s Pick: Baylor
Miami (FL) (-5.5) at Florida State
For the first time in a very long time this Battle of Florida has meaningful implications. The Hurricanes are unbeaten and ranked 3rd in the nation. The 3-1 Seminoles suffered a brutal double OT loss to Virginia last week. Miami wants to stay in the conversation with other top national title contenders, while Florida St. needs a rebound if they don’t want everyone to assume their early season success was a fluke. I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but I think a field goal one way or another will decide the outcome. Zach sees Miami as a legit Top 5 team. He foresees FSU putting up a hell of a fight, but likes the ‘Canes to get a solid win.
My Pick: Florida St.
Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)
Minnesota (-3.5) vs. Cleveland
I am intrigued by this game simply because Minnesota just played our Steelers in Ireland last weekend, and now they’ll play their second consecutive game overseas. I assume the whole group stayed in Britain and will make the trek to London at some point this week. That already gives them a slight advantage. Of course they also have an advantage because…well, they’re playing the Browns 🤷🏻. Cleveland is starting rookie Dillon Gabriel at QB, and there is a not-so-small part of me that would be happy to see him ball out, sending a clear message that he is the team’s future at quarterback, not that narcissistic Sanders clown. However, I do not believe that’ll happen just yet. There’s a chance the Vikes could have JJ McCarthy available, but even if they roll with Carson Wentz under center I think they’ll win a low scoring snoozefest…something like 13-6. Zach isn’t very impressed with Minnesota, but thinks receiver Justin Jefferson is a difference maker.
My Pick: Minnesota
Zach’s Pick: Minnesota
Washington at LA Chargers (-2.5)
Speaking of quarterback returns, it seems as though Jayden Daniels could be back in Washington’s starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained knee. I don’t think the Commanders will overtake Philadelphia in their division, but it’s never too early to lay the foundation for a wildcard berth. Meanwhile, the Chargers sit atop their division thanks in part to the KC Chiefs’ slow start, but they can’t count on that lasting much longer. I’m getting playoff caliber vibes from this one, which I know sounds crazy at the beginning of October. It would certainly add to Daniels’ growing legacy to return from injury, lead his team into hostile territory, and escape with a victory. However, the reality is it’ll probably take a game or two for the young QB to be back in top form, and the Chargers seem like a team out to silence any doubters. Zach concurs.
With the dawn of a new era in college football we’ve decided to forego our traditional Bowl-a-Palooza and incorporate the playoff games into our normal routine. Let’s face it…most of the bowl games have been superfluous for awhile now, and with interim coaches & transfer portal madness it has become nearly impossible to predict them with any degree of legit knowledge. By all means, if ESPN is airing the Cereal Bowl featuring East State vs. Big City Tech at 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon please enjoy it. Sometimes those random matchups are rather delightful. For our purposes here though, we’ll stick with games that have some degree of importance. I must reluctantly admit that last week (1-4) was abysmal for me, which means that I have finally fallen below .500 for the season, while Zach (3-2) has closed the gap to within three games. Buckle up…it’s going to be a wild stretch run.
My Season: 48-51
Zach’s Season: 45-54
Indiana at Notre Dame (-7.5)
Somehow the rankings happened to fall into place just right, making this intra-state battle possible. Funny how that worked out. At any rate, opinions vary on the 11-1 Hoosiers, especially after they were beaten by three TDs in Columbus a few weeks ago. Should they be here instead of Alabama?? I believe that results matter, and teams can only play the opponents on their schedule. The Hoosiers did that and only lost once, so I think they earned their spot. Meanwhile, the 11-1 Fighting Irish probably have a nearly guaranteed playoff berth anytime they win 9+ games, despite not being a member of any conference. Look…any football fan with actual insight into the game will admit that if these teams met a hundred times Notre Dame would win 80% of the time. Having said that, my Marshall Thundering Herd traveled to South Bend and upset Notre Dame a couple of years ago, so anything is possible. This is a Friday night kickoff, and I know the nephews & I will be hurrying home after our family Christmas dinner to watch. I’d be pleasantly surprised by an upset, but wouldn’t bet money on that happening. However, I feel like Indiana is being overlooked & disrespected just a bit. They’ll keep it close. Zach, however, points out that Notre Dame just signed head coach Marcus Freeman to a contract extension, and on the field they’ve crushed every opponent since an inexplicable early season loss to Northern Illinois. He sees Indiana as talented & well coached, but doesn’t feel like they have what it takes to keep pace in this game.
My Pick: Indiana
Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame
SMU at Penn State (-8.5)
Much of what I said about the previous matchup applies to this game as well. The 11-2 Mustangs aren’t receiving much love. A year ago they were playing in the AAC, and now they play in the ACC, which is probably the weakest of the Power 4. If they’d been blown out in the conference title game by Clemson it is likely that Alabama would’ve been handed this spot, but SMU played a hell of a 4th quarter and nearly pulled off a big comeback. Conversely, Penn St.’s playoff berth was never in question, despite losing the Big Ten Championship to Oregon. The 11-2 Nittany Lions are probably a little overrated, but they’ve mowed thru most of their schedule with tremendous success, which cannot be denied. Not to be repetitive, but once again…if these teams played one another a hundred times the home favorites would almost certainly win 80% of those games, but anything can happen in this one instance. I think SMU will be more than competitive for three quarters, but end up losing…by a touchdown. Conversely, Zach isn’t sure SMU belongs here and foresees a comfortable win by the home favorites.
My Pick: SMU
Zach’s Pick: Penn St.
Clemson at Texas (-11.5)
I am somewhat surprised by the points. Sure, the 11-2 Longhorns quickly acclimated to the SEC and were only defeated by Georgia (twice). It is also true that the 10-3 Tigers aren’t as elite as they were while appearing in six consecutive (four team) CFPs and winning national championships in two of those years. However, a double digit spread feels disrespectful. Texas will probably win, but it won’t be by more than ten points. Zach is a big Dabo Swinney fan and agrees that Clemson will be more competitive than the “experts” believe.
My Pick: Clemson
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Tennessee at Ohio State (-7.5)
Are people overlooking this game?? It’s an 8/9 matchup, so by definition it is expected to be the most competitive in the first round. The 10-2 Buckeyes were considered to be amongst the top teams in the country until being upset by Michigan a few weeks ago, and it seems like that forced everyone to view Ohio St. thru a whole new prism. Meanwhile, the 10-2 Volunteers can look back at a mid-October upset of Alabama as a huge reason why they’re here now. However, that’s all they really have to hang their hat on. Otherwise the schedule was rather prosaic. Georgia beat Tennessee by two touchdowns, and I think that’s the level Ohio St. is on. I’d love to be wrong. Rockytop brings alot of energy to the table. At the end of the day though, I believe the home team gets it done by ten points. To my utter shock & amazement Zach agrees that the Buckeyes are likely unhappy about how they’ve been talked about recently and will use that as motivation to win easily.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Ohio St.
Philadelphia (-3) at Washington
Our only NFL game this week is an NFC East battle, although the division title has been pretty much decided. The 12-2 Eagles have won ten straight and will win the division, but they have their eyes on the NFC’s top seed & first round bye. The 9-5 Commanders are in the driver’s seat for a wildcard berth, but are far from a lock. I really like rookie QB Jayden Daniels and can see big things for him in the future if the front office continues to build a great team. However, sometimes one just has to be patient and wait for your turn, and it’s not Washington’s time right now. Philly is playing on a different level, and anything short of the Super Bowl will be a disappointment. RB Saquon Barkley may be the best free agent acquisition of the past decade, recapturing the magic that made him a 2017 Heisman finalist at Penn St. and reinvigorating a career that stalled over six seasons with the NY Giants. When these teams met in Philadelphia last month the Eagles won by 12, and I expect something similar now. Zach concurs.
We’ve reached Conference Championship Week. Typically that would conclude the college portion of our season except for bowl picks, which have traditionally been a separate deal. However, we’re doing things a little differently this year, so stay tuned. We are taking a break from the NFL this week though, but look forward to getting back to it next week with division races and playoff berths up for grabs down the stretch. These conference title games will determine automatic bids for the expanded CFP, as well as seeding & at large bids. I was a bit hesitant to embrace the new format, believing that expansion from four to six teams was the proper course of action. Occasionally I am wrong and willingly admit it, and the level of interest & intrigued the revamped system has introduced is alot of fun. To be honest, many of the bowl games have been irrelevant fluff for years, and the CFP Playoff really does nothing to diminish that any further.
My Season: 44-41
Zach’s Season: 37-48
C-USA Championship
Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State (-4)
I haven’t paid much attention to C-USA since my alma mater bolted a few years ago, but I know the 8-4 Hilltoppers are always competitive, although they haven’t played for the title in a few years. I didn’t realize the Gamecocks had a football team or that the school even existed until former WVU coach Rich Rodriguez was hired in 2022. Fun fact: the school is in Alabama, not Florida. Anyway, in only their second season in the conference Jax St. matched their previous 8-4 record but now find themselves in the championship game. It’s a Friday evening kick on the CBS Sports Network, and I won’t be home to watch. I suppose it could be a good game, but I think the visiting underdogs handle business with a solid win. Zach points out that the two teams met just last weekend, with the Hilltoppers coming out on top in a close game. And while it is difficult to beat a team twice in a season, let alone in back-to-back weeks, he feels like WKU can pull it off or atleast cover the points.
My Pick: Western Kentucky
Zach’s Pick: Western Kentucky
AAC Championship
Tulane (-5.5) at Army
It’s about respect for these two teams. The 9-3 Green Wave are seeking their third consecutive 10+ win season, while 10-1 Army would love to remain ranked in the Top 25 to cap off their most successful season since 2018. Will the Black Knights have momentum going into their traditional battle with Navy next week, or will they get caught looking ahead against a worthy opponent?? I don’t like that it’s even a factor, but that’s the way the schedule worked out, and I think the visiting favorites will score a fairly comfortable victory. Zach is looking forward to the contrast in styles…Army’s ball control triple option ground attack vs. Tulane’s up tempo offense that averages 37+ points & over 400 yards per game. He opines that Army might stand a chance if they control the tempo & dominate time of possession, but at the end of the day Tulane probably has too much firepower.
My Pick: Tulane
Zach’s Pick: Tulane
Mountain West Championship
UNLV at Boise State (-4)
The Mountain West gets a prime time Friday night opportunity to show off and they deserve it. UNLV head coach Barry Odom has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the open position at West Virginia, so I’ve been catching up on the 10-2 Runnin’ Rebels. Meanwhile, 11-1 Boise has been part of the college football zeitgeist for a couple of decades now and has the longest current streak of winning seasons dating back to 1997. The winner of this game has a very good chance of getting into the playoff as the highest ranked Group of Five conference champion. When these teams met in Vegas the week before Halloween the Broncos scored a TD in the 4th quarter to get the win, but I expect a different outcome this time, with an upset that’ll shake up the playoff bracket. Zach respects Boise’s big game experience and doesn’t foresee them fumbling such a huge opportunity. He believes RB Ashton Jeanty, a top Heisman candidate, will make a huge difference.
My Pick: UNLV
Zach’s Pick: Boise St.
Sun Belt Championship
Marshall at Louisiana (-5.5)
Speaking of my alma mater…
The Herd snuck into this game with a double OT victory over James Madison. At 9-3 they’ve already had their best season since 2015 and would love to win their first Sun Belt title since joining the conference a couple years ago. There has been some chatter about the future of head coach Charles Huff, but I don’t believe that will have any effect on this game. Meanwhile, the 10-2 Ragin’ Cajuns have dramatically improved after a couple of tough years. They have the home field and are likely the smart pick, but I’m staying home to watch instead of venturing out for some delightful holiday fun, so Marshall better not disappoint me. Zach views it as Marshall’s ground game vs. Louisiana’s passing attack, and is hopping on the upset train.
My Pick: Marshall
Zach’s Pick: Marshall
MAC Championship (Detroit, MI)
Ohio vs. Miami (OH) (-2.5)
I don’t pay much attention to the MAC anymore. My fascination with mid week “MACtion” was a passing phase. However, this one might be fun. They call it the Battle of the Bricks, a rivalry that dates back to 1908 between the two oldest universities in the state of Ohio. When the 9-3 Bobcats visited the 8-4 RedHawks in mid October the home team got the ten point victory, and I expect more of the same this time. Zach likes Miami because former Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger is an alum, which is as valid of a reason as any.
My Pick: Miami (OH)
Zach’s Pick: Miami (OH)
ACC Championship (Charlotte, NC)
Clemson vs. Southern Methodist (-2.5)
When I think of SMU I immediately recall the celebrated Pony Express backfield featuring future NFL Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson in the early 1980s, and of course the program receiving the “death penalty” in 1987 after repeatedly violating NCAA rules. This has been the team’s most successful season since being revived in 2008, and playing for the ACC title in their very first year in the conference is impressive. Conversely, competing for a conference championship is the norm for Clemson. I suppose SMU could still get an at large playoff spot if they lose, but that seems risky, even after winning 11 games. The situation is more clear for the Tigers…they have to secure the automatic bid. It feels strange that SMU is even in this position, and even weirder that they’re the favorites, but I’m fine with that and enjoy seeing things shaken up a bit. Zach understands that the shine has worn off for many when it comes to Dabo Swinney, but he still believes in the coach with two national championships on his resume and thinks Clemson could make some playoff noise.
My Pick: SMU
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Big Ten Championship (Indianapolis, IN)
Penn State vs. Oregon (-3.5)
If you’d have told me a few months ago that neither Ohio St. nor defending national champs Michigan would be in the conference title game I wouldn’t have believed it. Kudos to undefeated Oregon, the #1 team in the country, who sits atop the Big Ten in their inaugural season as a member. The 11-1 Nittany Lions aren’t too shabby either, although I feel like they’re somewhat overrated. Penn St.’s defense will really need to step up for them to have a chance, and I think they’ll keep it close for awhile before the favorites pull away late for a fairly comfortable victory. Zach has no faith in Penn St. in big games and predicts a dominant win for the Ducks.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
SEC Championship (Atlanta, GA)
Georgia vs. Texas (-2.5)
Most of us probably expected this matchup even before the season began. Perhaps some thought Alabama could be in the mix, but there were bound to be bumps in the road there with a new coach. At any rate, even at 10-2 the Bulldogs have been somewhat underwhelming, while the 11-1 Longhorns have been exactly as advertised. Their only loss was to Georgia at home in Austin. This is allegedly a neutral site game, but obviously it’s damn close to home for the underdogs. I expect a thrilling, extremely tight battle. Maybe we’ll even get an overtime or two. Both teams are probably heading to the playoff regardless of the outcome, but the winner will get a first round bye, and I think that’ll be Georgia. Conversely, Zach thinks the Bulldogs will come up short in a high scoring shootout.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Texas
Big 12 Championship (Dallas, TX)
Iowa State vs. Arizona State (-2.5)
The 10-2 Cyclones are having their best season since 2020 when they lost the conference title game to Oklahoma. The 10-2 Sun Devils weren’t even in the Big 12 a year ago, but they’ve found a soft landing after the implosion of the Pac 12, and accomplished a dramatic turnaround after going 3-9 each of the past two seasons. It’s a Noon kick on Fox, and I hope it isn’t overlooked by the masses because it could end up being the best game of the weekend. The winner gets an automatic playoff bid, while the loser will probably be left on the outside looking in, which is unfortunate. I believe the outcome will be decided by turnovers & special teams, with the underdogs ultimately prevailing. Zach, on the other hand, not only predicts a dramatic, last minute victory for the Sun Devils, but believes they can mow thru the playoff and win the National Championship. A hot take indeed.
Annnnnnddd…we’re back. For the sake of readability I thought it best to break things down into two parts. If you haven’t done so already please peruse Part 1. We’ll leave a light on for you, and upon your return take a peak at a few of the more compelling games on the bowl schedule, including the College Football Playoff.
Gator Bowl (Jacksonville)
Friday 12/29
Noon/ESPN
Clemson vs. Kentucky
At first glance it doesn’t seem like an appealing matchup. However, one must consider that, after being a perennial playoff contender for a long time, the 8-4 Tigers are in a down cycle and not quite elite at the moment. Conversely, the 7-5 Wildcats have spent the past few seasons showing the world they aren’t just a basketball school. So, it actually might be a fun game between two solid yet unspectacular teams. Zach trusts Coach Swinney to lead Clemson to a convincing win.
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Sun Bowl (El Paso)
Friday 12/29
2pm/CBS
Notre Dame vs. Oregon State
I like the Sun Bowl. While almost all of the other post-season games have been sucked into the Disney vortex the Sun Bowl has remained on CBS since 1968, and true to its name is played in the afternoon sunshine of El Paso, TX. I still vividly recall Oklahoma St. narrowly defeating my West Virginia Mountaineers in 1987 on the strength of 150+ rushing yards from Thurman Thomas, who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Buffalo Bills. A backup RB named Barry Sanders contributed 19 yards. The 8-4 Beavers were another team I expected great things from, but the Pac 12 was just so damn good this season. The 9-3 Fighting Irish are exactly who I thought they’d be…solid but not elite. I am picking Oregon St. for various reasons, though I’m perfectly aware that starting QB DJ Uiagalele has entered the portal & the head coach bolted for Michigan St.
My Pick: Oregon St.
Cotton Bowl (Dallas)
Friday 12/29
8pm/ESPN
Missouri vs. Ohio State
I’m picking this game because Zach’s hilariously irrational dislike of Ohio St. clouds his judgement. I’m not one of those people who think the Buckeyes should’ve received a playoff spot, but they are 11-1, with a six point loss to their archrivals in The Big House nothing to feel too bad about. The surprising departure of QB Kyle McCord into the portal is odd though. The 10-2 Tigers are one of the most pleasant surprises of the season, with a Veteran’s Day beatdown of Tennessee being a highlight. I think Missouri will prove alot of doubters wrong and it’ll be a fantastic game, but in the end a big night from receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will seal the deal.
My Pick: Ohio St.
ReliaQuest Bowl (Tampa)
New Year’s Day
Noon/ESPN2
Wisconsin vs. LSU
Originating as the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1986, it was known as the Outback Bowl for almost 25 years. In case you’re wondering ReliaQuest is a cybersecurity company in Tampa, FL. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels just won the Heisman Trophy, although his Tigers are a pedestrian 9-3. It feels odd to say that a team with nine victories underachieved, so perhaps it’d be more fair to say that head coach Brian Kelly is building something in Baton Rouge that needs a little more incubation. Meanwhile, the 7-5 Badgers have become a middle-of-pack team in a conference that is top heavy, with only a few teams receiving much love. Assuming Daniels plays, Zach doesn’t foresee the Bayou Bengals having a problem winning easily.
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Citrus Bowl (Orlando)
New Year’s Day
1pm/ABC
Iowa vs. Tennessee
There used to be a joke that you couldn’t spell citrus without UT, so it is amusing to see the 8-4 Vols land once again in a game they’ve played in a half dozen times, although to be fair several other teams (including Georgia & Michigan) have made just as many appearances. The 10-3 Hawkeyes fly under the radar, probably because their games tend to be low scoring defensive struggles. Zach thinks that kind of smashmouth style might help Iowa grind out a victory.
Zach’s Pick: Iowa
Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
College Football Playoff Semifinal
New Year’s Day
5pm/ESPN
Michigan vs. Alabama
I thought I’d do Zach a favor and not make him choose between his favorite team & one of his coaching heroes. Do I think ‘Bama deserved a playoff berth ahead of undefeated Florida St.?? Not really, but I understand it. The world robbed me of most of my idealism many years ago. Having said that, I believe the unbeaten Wolverines are a slightly superior team. I’d be shocked if we see a repeat of last year’s semifinal that saw TCU jump all over Michigan early then hold on for dear life for a close upset. Coach Harbaugh will have his guys better prepared this time. I’m not sure if defense truly does win championships nowadays, but I think that & special teams make the difference on this night.
My Pick: Michigan
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
College Football Playoff Semifinal
New Year’s Day
8:45pm/ESPN
Washington vs. Texas
There is a legit case to be made that Florida St. got screwed out of a playoff berth, but the question becomes who should’ve been left out?? Certainly neither of these teams. The undefeated Huskies vanquished every foe, including Oregon twice. The 12-1 Longhorns did taste defeat in the Red River Shootout, but a season opening victory over Alabama carries alot of weight. Zach foresees a shootout, with the Huskies escaping with a dramatic win.
Zach’s Pick: Washington
National Championship (Houston)
Monday 1/8/24
7:30pm/ESPN
Michigan/Alabama vs. Washington/Texas
Okay, so…I picked Michigan in their semifinal, while Zach chose Washington to win their game. I think Zach is right, and in that scenario it’d be Michigan against Washington for the title, which could be a classic. I just don’t think Jim Harbaugh is going to lose at this point. I believe he helps his alma mater win their first National Championship since 1997, and then, happy knowing that he left the program in better shape than he found it in nine years ago, heads back to the NFL. Conversely, Zach’s admiration for Nick Saban is unlimited, so he thinks the title game will pit Washington against Alabama, with an unintimidated Huskies squad pulling off a slightly surprising win to claim their first National Championship since 1991 when they shared the title with the Miami Hurricanes.
According to the CFP Committee Ohio St. is now #1, which probably doesn’t sit well with the folks down in Georgia. I’ve always believed in the philosophy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair: to be The Man you’ve got to beat The Man. I didn’t see the show, but I assume the powers-that-be may have watched the Bulldogs let Auburn hang around awhile several weeks ago and also got all tingly watching the Buckeyes beat Penn St. Whatever the details, I’m sure they somehow justified their decision to the talking heads. None of it really matters at this point, although the playoff picture is slowly coming into focus. At any rate, I was 4-1 last week, while Zach was 3-2. There are some potentially important matchups this week, atleast on paper. Hopefully they’ll live up to expectations. We’ll see.
My Season: 35-23
Zach’s Season: 28-30
Notre Dame (-3) at Clemson
What in the hell has happened to the Tigers?? I didn’t expect that they’d compete for a playoff spot this season, but neither did I forsee them entering November at 4-4 with back-to-back losses, including one to NC St. Meanwhile, the 7-2 Irish might still be thinking months from now how an inexplicable loss to Louisville cost them a playoff opportunity. Neither team is elite, but both are still good enough to draw interest. Can the negative energy be galvanized by Dabo Swinney into enough motivation to pull off an upset?? How crazy is it that Clemson winning a game at home would be an upset?? Zach thinks that Coach Swinney has perhaps lost a bit of his team, but doesn’t believe it’s a long term problem. He agrees that we’ll see just enough of that old magic emerge for an upset to occur.
My Pick: Clemson
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Oklahoma (-6) at Oklahoma State
Is this the last hurrah for Bedlam?? The 7-1 Sooners will be moving to the SEC next year because the NCAA clearly doesn’t give a damn about tradition & common sense anymore. Will the 6-2 Cowboys view it as a final opportunity for bragging rights?? The visiting favorites got outyanked at Kansas last week, while the home underdogs are riding a four game winning streak. This will be an emotional back & forth battle, and I think we’ll see a surprising result. Conversely, Zach thinks the Sooners will be ticked off after getting beat a week ago and will take out their frustration on their in-state rival.
My Pick: Oklahoma St.
Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma
Washington (-3.5) at Southern California
Let’s be honest…other than beating Oregon at home the undefeated Huskies haven’t really been challenged. As a matter of fact, it has occasionally felt like they’ve played down to the level of their competition in games that were closer than expected. Conversely, the 7-2 Trojans have come up short in two huge games that they probably should’ve won. It just seems like certain parties at USC aren’t “all in” and might be focused on other things. I think the underdogs will give it all they’ve got, but the visitors are so close to securing a playoff berth I don’t believe they’ll get caught by surprise…atleast not this week. Zach thinks we’re in for a shootout…first team to 60 wins!!
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
LSU at Alabama (-3)
Does this battle have as much cachet as it used to?? Maybe not. However, the 6-2 Bayou Bengals have won three in a row, while the 7-1 Tide is just sitting there in the Top 10 waiting for a couple of dominoes to fall so they can claim the playoff berth they believe is owed them. Both teams are coming out of a bye week, so they should be well-rested & healthy. ‘Bama gets the requisite home field bump, but I smell an upset and a changing of the guard at the top of the SEC West. Zach forsees another low scoring defensive battle, which is kind of the norm in this rivalry. He’s a Coach Saban fanboy almost as much as he loves Michigan.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
Miami vs. Kansas City (-2.5)
For the first time ever the NFL is playing a game in Germany. It’s a 9:30am kickoff on NFL Network here in The States, with a matchup worthy of getting out of bed to watch. Some folks are seeing chinks in the armor of the 6-2 Chiefs, which is understandable given a surprising loss at Denver last week. Meanwhile, the prolific Miami offense has scored less than 31 points in only one game thus far. At 6-2 the Dolphins lead their division but can’t afford to ease up now. Most fans are likely expecting or atleast hoping for a shootout that’ll pad the fantasy numbers of countless couch GMs across the country. That would indeed be fun to watch, but every time that kind of game looks to be on the horizon it rarely seems to actually happen. We’ll probably see a 28-24 type of game, with penalties & turnovers playing a factor. Reports of KC’s demise are far too premature, but right now I think Miami is the hotter team. Zach concurs.
As a Steelers fan I’m still trying to wrap my head around what the hell I watched Monday night. Never has a win felt more like a loss. As a fantasy owner I am juggling a half dozen teams with various injuries & underperforming players who I can’t give away in trades. All of this while I just kicked Covid’s ass for the third time. It’s no fun, but even my healthcare provider said “it’s really not a big deal anymore”, so I thank God every day I didn’t bow to the pressure to receive a useless “vaccine” that is more dangerous than the disease it is supposed to treat. Anyway, Zach has drawn a little closer overall, and we’re both still above water. Hopefully doing a few bonus picks won’t turn out to be a bad idea.
My Season: 15-8
Zach’s Season: 13-10
Florida State (-2) at Clemson
My my how the turn tables. The Seminoles haven’t won this matchup since 2014, but now they visit Death Valley as slight road favorites. The Tigers are 2-1, though no one is putting much stock in two easy victories, instead choosing to dwell on the season opening loss at Duke. Florida St. is 3-0 and getting a lot of love for their season opening destruction of LSU. I’ve always liked Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, who seems like a genuinely decent man. Now we’re going to find out just how good of a coach he is, regardless of the final score. This is a Noon kickoff instead of prime time, which speaks volumes. After six straight playoff appearances Clemson has been in a downward cycle for the past couple of years, and that’s okay. It happens. Conversely, after being one of the dominant forces in college football throughout the 90s Florida St. had some lean years and now appears to be highly competitive once more. It’s the circle of life. The wheel of fortune. Zach is taking a leap of faith on Coach Swinney, believing he’ll have his team ready to find their place on the path unwinding.
My Pick: Florida St.
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Colorado at Oregon (-21)
Play time is over. Upsetting TCU was cool, even if it was more perception based on last season. Throttling Nebraska was nostalgic. Defeating Colorado St. in two OTs was thrilling and everything a rivalry game should be…hell, everything college football once was until greed chipped away at it like a woodpecker on a maple tree. Now though…now we find out if the Buffs are the real deal. The Ducks are 3-0 and have made it look relatively easy. We cannot overlook the fact that it is a conference battle, and the two top teams will ultimately meet for the PAC 12 title, making this a pretty important game. Coach Prime has won me over with his cool demeanor, hype skills, & genuine belief in his team. However, I think they will struggle to be .500 the rest of the way. Oregon might not be a playoff team, but they are a legit Top 10 threat. Zach concurs. He foresees the favorites winning quite emphatically.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
UCLA at Utah (-4.5)
The 3-0 Utes have become the forgotten team in the PAC 12, which is probably fine with them at the moment. The season opening victory over Florida looks better every day, and QB Cameron Rising could finally be ready to play after missing the first few games while still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the Rose Bowl. Meanwhile, the Bruins are also 3-0, although their schedule has hardly been…noteworthy. This could be one of the best games of the day on Saturday, and I believe it’ll be super close. Decided by a field goal close. Zach also thinks it’ll be close, but ultimately sees Utah being good enough.
My Pick: UCLA
Zach’s Pick: Utah
Ohio St. (-3.5) at Notre Dame
The Buckeyes are cruising along without a care in the world. Starting the season with three cupcakes will do that for you, but now they’ll need to snap on those chinstraps tight and be prepared to play football. Not only are the Fighting Irish also undefeated, but they have the home field. A win for either team legitimizes their success thus far & puts them squarely in the playoff debate. A loss doesn’t mean the season is over, but it likely ends any national title dreams. I think it’ll be a hard fought battle. Notre Dame will scratch & claw and look pretty good keeping up with their favored opponents. They’ll have opportunities to tie or even take a small lead…but it won’t happen. Ohio St. is just a little faster, a little deeper, and a little more athletic. Conversely, Zach thinks Ohio St.’s QB situation is a mess and predicts Notre Dame will defend their turf.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame
LA Chargers at Minnesota (-1.5)
The Vikings just traded for (former) Rams’ running back Cam Akers because their rushing attack has been pathetic. I don’t know if Akers will be in the lineup Sunday, but after starting 0-2 there is some urgency there. The Chargers are also 0-2, but could just as easily be 2-0. It would certainly help to get RB Austin Ekeler back on the field, but he may miss another game. Neither of these teams has been getting blown out, they’ve just been missing…something…that causes them to fall just a bit short. Akers could be the missing piece for Minnesota, but I’d be surprised if we know that answer this week. The question for me is which defense does one trust more, and I think I have to lean toward the Chargers. Zach foresees a low scoring affair and agrees the underdogs will snag a mild upset.
My Pick: LA Chargers
Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers
Chicago at Kansas City (-13.5)
I listened with bemusement to talking heads hyping the Bears & QB Justin Fields in the preseason because I have the direct opposite opinions. Two games in & who looks good on the Bears/Fields front?? That’s right…me. Conversely, I am somewhat concerned about the Chiefs, although, to be fair, losing by one point to Detroit and being challenged mightily by the Jags aren’t reasons to hang heads in shame. For now I am blaming that overhyped harlot Taylor Swift for anything that goes wrong in KC. Will that include a loss to the Bears?? No…not even that twit has that much power. Will the home team cover?? That’s a whole different mediocre country pop song. I think it’ll be close. Gamblers nationwide will sweat as the outcome hangs in the balance heading into the 4th quarter. But then guys like Patrick Mahomes & Chris Jones will remember who the hell they are and lead their team to a two+ touchdown win. Zach has yet to be impressed by KC, but agrees that Chicago is terrible.
My Pick: Kansas City
Zach’s Pick: Kansas City
LA Rams at Cincinnati (-2.5)
The reason the Rams were able to trade Cam Akers is that 2022 5th round pick Kyren Williams out of Notre Dame has emerged as a legit NFL running back. If they can stay above water until receiver Cooper Kupp’s return in a few weeks the Rams might eventually prove that last year’s abysmal 5-12 finish was indeed an anomaly just one season after winning the Super Bowl. The team they beat in that Super Bowl was the Bengals, who did not fall flat on their face a season ago…they just lost the AFC title game. That being said, there does seem to be some concern about Cincy’s 0-2 start. They need a victory not only to quiet the whispers, but to keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens. I believe the Rams have potential to put it altogether, figure things out, and emerge with a better record than last year, but I think that’ll take some time and folks shouldn’t get too excited just yet. The home team has their back against the wall, which makes them dangerous. Zach thinks the fall of Joe Burrow will continue, with the Rams scoring an upset in overtime.
First, a shoutout to former Washington St. Cougars football coach Nick Rolovich, who was fired after refusing to get the COVID-19 “vaccine”. While it is true that Rolovich (who I assume was making pretty decent money), comedian Jim Breuer, NBA star Kyrie Irving, & country music legend Travis Tritt all have the kind of financial wherewithal to make the stands that they have against the fascist vax mob while working stiffs like you & me might not be in a position to do so, their decisions bring needed attention to the issue. I am sure that Rolovich, who was 5-6 in two partial seasons with the Cougars after going 28-27 in four years at Hawaii, will land a gig somewhere. Closer to home, my fantasy teams are letting me down but I had a decent week (3-2) here, while Zach (2-3) was on the wrong end of a couple heartbreakers. The journey to .500 looks to be an uphill climb, but we’re not chasing wins just yet.
My Season: 20-26
Zach’s Season:19-27
Coastal Carolina (-3.5) at Appalachian State
Way back when I did my preseason poll I stated about this game that “I have a feeling my eyes will be glued to the TV on October 20”. The undefeated & 14th ranked Chanticleers have upheld their end of the hype. The 4-2 Mountaineers?? Not so much. Getting pummeled by four TDs at Louisiana last week kind of took the shine off of this game. The fact that it’s on Wednesday night doesn’t help. At any rate, I still believe it’ll be a fun contest, and I’ll be watching…but I have little doubt that Coastal will win easily. Zach is impressed by Coastal’s team speed and predicts a double digit victory.
My Pick: Coastal Carolina
Z’s Pick: Coastal Carolina
Oregon at UCLA (-2.5)
I really wish this was a late night game because it should be a dandy, but unfortunately it’s a mid-afternoon kickoff (for us East Coast viewers). The 5-1 Ducks aren’t currently in the playoff discussion like I thought they’d be, but there is a lot of football left to be played and they look like strong contenders for the PAC 12 title. Meanwhile, the 5-2 Bruins have been pretty good but regrettably stumbled a couple of times along the way. I still think Oregon can get into playoff contention if they win out, so I’m pulling for the upset. Zach isn’t as high on Oregon as I am, calling them inconsistent. That being said, he’s predicting a high scoring, close game with the visitors getting the win.
My Pick: Oregon
Z’s Pick: Oregon
Oklahoma State at Iowa State (-7)
The Big 12 is pretty fun this season!! It’s just a shame that my WV Mountaineers haven’t “climbed” into contention. Anyway, the 4-2 Cyclones have been a mild disappointment, although, to be fair, there’s no shame in losing to Baylor & Iowa. Conversely, the undefeated Cowboys look like legit contenders for the conference title, which I did not see coming. I have a feeling this one is going down to the wire and could be decided by a late field goal or in overtime, so the points are just too much for me. Zach predicts a boring game and doesn’t think OK St. will get thru the schedule without a couple of losses. However, he does believe they’ll get a big road win this week.
My Pick: Oklahoma State
Z’s Pick: Oklahoma State
Clemson at Pitt (-3.5)
Folks, if you would’ve told me a couple of months ago that the freakin’ Pitt Panthers would be favored over Clemson in mid-October I’d have sworn you were doing drugs. Yes, the game is at Heinz Field. Sure, I predicted that the Tigers wouldn’t be playoff worthy, but I still thought they’d be a Top 10 team. No one ever gives the Panthers a second thought before, during, or after the college football season, yet here we are, with the 5-1 home team getting love from the oddsmakers while the 4-2 perennial title contenders are barely beating teams like Boston College & Syracuse. I kinda sorta get it, but then again I don’t. All the sudden Pitt’s senior QB Kenny Pickett is being touted as a legit NFL first round prospect, while Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei is being cast as a disappointment not on the level of predecessors like Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, & Tajh Boyd. I don’t know…I’m just not buying any of it. I think Clemson is going to march into The ‘Burgh and smoke the Panthers. Zach believes Pitt might actually be for real, but Clemson will do enough to win this game.
My Pick: Clemson
Z’s Pick: Clemson
Kansas City (-4.5) at Tennessee
Tennessee scored a huge victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night and at 4-2 are running away with the AFC South. The Chiefs, as I predicted, are in a heck of a battle with three other teams in their division and need to stack wins for a possible wild card berth. If you’ll recall I said of the Chiefs that “most talking heads will consider them legit Super Bowl contenders, but I think they’ll lose a dogfight for the division, sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard, and be watching the Super Bowl at home like the rest of us.” My prognostication skills haven’t been too sharp in 2021, but even a broken clock is right twice a day. It is shockingly disrespectful for the Titans to be underdogs in their own stadium. At the very least this game should be a pick ‘em. Unlike the oddsmakers I have been paying attention, and I think KC has plateaued while their opponents are ascending. Could my Super Bowl prediction actually come to fruition?? Wouldn’t that be wild?!?!?? Zach loves Titans’ RB Derrick Henry and has zero confidence in the Chiefs’ defense.
