Allow me to give y’all some inside scoop, and forgive me if I’ve covered this territory previously. Here is a basic outline of how the process works. I look at the college & NFL schedules and choose a minimum of five games to pick. This time of year I lean more heavily on college games simply because when their season ends we still have a month of pro games, so I exercise restraint with those right now. It is undeniable that some teams (at both levels) are more interesting than others. You’ll rarely see us opine about a Syracuse/Boston College matchup, or a riveting Sunday afternoon battle between the Jets & Cardinals. That being said, I don’t enjoy being redundant, so we try not to pick games involving the same teams we just debated last week. There’s also the matter of my mood. Seriously. Clearly this is fun or we wouldn’t do it. That being said, sometimes I get busy or distracted with other matters, and occasionally I simply misplace my motivation. Thankfully those aren’t significant issues. I usually have next week’s games chosen by Sunday, find the point spreads on Tuesday, and message Zach with the pertinent information. I then put my thoughts on the page and finish up with Zach’s picks once I receive them. I put everything together on the site with the goal of publishing a final draft by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. This week I looked at the schedule and became intrigued by way too many games, but I’m feeling frisky so we’re loaded. I’ll try to minimize the verbosity.
My Season: 11-26
Zach’s Season: 17-20
Iowa at Washington (-2.5)
The Hawkeyes were undefeated until a beatdown by Ohio St. on their own field. The Huskies have lost two straight and clearly aren’t living up to my lofty expectations. This is a Friday night game on Fox, and I’ll flip over to it when wrasslin’ is over. I haven’t lost faith in Washington completely, and see them snapping their losing skid while defending their turf. Conversely, Zach is all in on Iowa. He appreciates how well they’re coached and their attention to fundamentals.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Iowa
Texas (-9.5) vs. Oklahoma
Typically it is one of the most anticipated rivalry games on the schedule, but it’s hard to get amped up about the 2-2 Sooners taking on the #1 team in the country. It’s a neutral site game in Dallas, which is about the same distance from both campuses. I’d love to see an upset because that’s just how I am when I don’t have any strong feelings about either team, but I just don’t see it happening. Zach believes Longhorns QB Arch Manning is overrated, but fortunately for him Oklahoma isn’t very good.
My Pick: Texas
Zach’s Pick: Texas
UCLA at Oregon (-11.5)
Has anyone noticed that the Bruins are undefeated?? Not only that, but they’re outscoring opponents 45-19. The 3-1 Ducks are a different level though, despite an inexplicable loss at Oklahoma St. If this game was in Pasadena I might give the underdogs a puncher’s chance, but in the cozy confines of Autzen Stadium in Eugene I’d be surprised if the favorites didn’t handle their business no matter who starts at quarterback. Zach thinks the underdogs could make things interesting for awhile, but at the end of the day Oregon simply has too much of everything.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
LSU (-10) at Kentucky
The 4-1 Wildcats have been making some noise, and they have the home field. The Bayou Bengals still have conference title dreams and playoff aspirations despite a heartbreaking loss at Mississippi a few weeks ago. Unfortunately for Kentucky fans, y’all are still a basketball school, and Lane Kiffin is about to make that abundantly clear. Zach sees LSU as a serious championship contender and doesn’t believe Kentucky poses much of a threat, despite their prolific offense.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Boise State (-7.5) at Fresno State
The Bulldogs are a solid program that has had intermittent great seasons. They just haven’t been able to hold onto a coach for awhile. Matt Entz is Fresno’s seventh head coach since 2011. Meanwhile, Boise might be one of the steadiest, most consistent programs in college football, and they’re aiming for their first Pac 12 title. It’s a 10:30pm Saturday night kickoff, and I sincerely hope I can stay awake to enjoy what might be a really good game. Zach is impressed by Fresno, but feels like Boise is a more complete team.
My Pick: Boise St.
Zach’s Pick: Boise St.
USC (-1.5) at Penn State
The Nittany Lions have dropped two consecutive games, so their playoff dreams are on life support. Conversely, the 5-1 Trojans only loss was to Oregon, and there’s no shame in that. I have seen a couple of mock drafts that had USC’s 6ft.4, 225lb. QB Jayden Maiava land with our Pittsburgh Steelers, so I am intrigued. Having said that, I still like my boy Rocco Becht, and he’ll have over 100k fans in Happy Valley rooting for an upset. Zach doesn’t think Penn St. is good at all, while he believes USC might be on the cusp of returning to elite status.
My Pick: Penn St.
Zach’s Pick: USC
Georgia (-1.5) at Alabama
The Bulldogs haven’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2007. Wrap your brain around that. Both are unbeaten Top 5-ish teams. The loser probably won’t fall out of the Top Ten, but the winner will be in firm control of an SEC title game appearance. I think it’ll be a tight contest, and obviously the oddsmakers see it that way as well. My vibe is that Georgia is marginally more talented and better equipped to handle big moments. Zach believes the game will be decided in the final minute, and gives ‘Bama a slight edge.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
Chicago (-2.5) at Green Bay
The 2-2 Packers have been underwhelming, to say the least. The 3-1 Bears are likely to start Tyson Bagent under center while Caleb Williams recovers from a hamstring injury. That, in addition to the home field, would normally make Green Bay clear favorites, but injuries & other issues have caused them to be ineffective. I think it’ll be a low scoring snoozefest, with turnovers and the leg of rookie kicker Trey Smack making the difference. Zach thinks Chicago is a better overall team and foresees them finding a way to pull off a close win.
My Pick: Green Bay
Zach’s Pick: Chicago
San Francisco at Seattle (-2.5)
The NFC West is up for grabs, but Frisco is undefeated and leads the way at the moment. The defending Super Bowl champs are only a game back though, and they enjoy one of the most significant home field advantages in the NFL. I still believe the Rams will ultimately win the division, but these teams would have to be considered serious wildcard contenders. I like QB Sam Darnold to have a huge game and lead his team to an important victory. Zach likes Niners QB Brock Purdy just a little bit more.
My Pick: Seattle
Zach’s Pick: San Francisco
NY Giants at Washington (-3)
I’m not surprised the Giants are leading the division. I am also not surprised that Washington QB Jayden Daniels has missed the last two games with yet another injury. It looks like Daniels is being forced into a return after backup Marcus Mariota also got hurt last weekend. A win by the visitors shouldn’t be considered an upset. Actually, unless Daniels pulls off a Michael Jordan-esque comeback performance, I don’t see how anyone could pick the home team. Zach believes new head coach John Harbaugh has made a huge difference for the G-Men.
My Pick: NY Giants
Zach’s Pick: NY Giants
Baltimore (-2.5) at Atlanta
Don’t overthink it. The Ravens won’t have QB Lamar Jackson, who is dealing with a sprained ankle. The Falcons seem to be on the verge of a breakthrough, and they have the home field on Sunday night after destroying New Orleans on the previous Monday. I believe the home team wins, and it won’t be particularly close. Conversely, Zach likes Baltimore to win a high scoring affair.
My Pick: Atlanta
Zach’s Pick: Baltimore
Buffalo at LA Rams (-2.5)
The 2-2 Rams haven’t been nearly as dominant as expected, and the return of defensive lineman Aaron Donald has fallen flat thus far. Conversely, the 3-1 Bills seemed to be firing on all cylinders until losing to the Patriots in the final two minutes last weekend. This is quite possibly a Super Bowl preview, but both teams still need to work out the kinks. It’s the Monday night game, and should be a dandy. It’s a coin flip for me, and I’ll take the home team to win by a field goal. Zach is choosing the other side of the coin and counting on the visitors to score a mild upset.
I got to enjoy last weekend’s slate of games uninterrupted by any trips to the emergency room, so it was certainly an improvement. I only wish that our Steelers would’ve allowed that bliss to be complete. Sadly, they are the mess that so many thought they’d be. I still don’t feel like Mike Tomlin’s departure was a bad thing, but hiring Mike McCarthy and bringing back a clearly washed Aaron Rodgers were shortsighted decisions. I am trying to brace myself for a terrible season (maybe two) that’ll ultimately lead to a big turnaround, but it’s difficult to remain confident in any kind of long term strategy. It doesn’t help that our picks so far have been abysmal. I’ve always joked that we’re not very good at this and been up front about the fact that I don’t do a ton of research or deep dive into the minutia of these matchups, but I’ve always considered myself a fairly knowledgable football fan with common sense & solid instincts. That hasn’t been the case this year.
My Season: 9-18
Zach’s Season: 11-16
Oklahoma at Georgia (-14)
As a child of the 70s/80s it is wild to see the Sooners be double digit underdogs to anyone, especially when one considers a) they were a ten win team a season ago, and b) they’re 2-1 right now, and in that one loss the score was tied late into the 4th quarter. However, maybe it’s more about the unbeaten Bulldogs, who come into this weekend ranked #2 in the country after obliterating their first three opponents. Oklahoma QB John Mateer began the year as a fringe Heisman candidate & potential first round NFL draft pick. This is an opportunity to validate those expectations. I don’t expect an upset, but I do believe it’ll be a close contest. Conversely, Zach doesn’t believe Mateer or the offense he leads is very good at all.
My Pick: Oklahoma
Zach’s Pick: Georgia
Oregon (-3) at Southern California
I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but it’ll always be weird that these teams are in the Big Ten. Anyway, the Ducks were so frustrated about being upset by Oklahoma St. a couple weeks ago that they hung 84 freakin’ points on an FBS opponent last weekend. Meanwhile, the Trojans are 4-0 and averaging 43 points/game. I’d love to go with the visiting favorites because they’re a fun team to watch and I’d feel bad for QB Dante Moore if Oregon lost two games this early and found themselves on the edge of playoff elimination already. Moore could’ve been a Top 5 pick in the NFL Draft and been making bank on Sundays, but he delayed that dream to chase a national championship. That being said, The Vibes are SCREAMING that this has upset written all over it. Zach sees USC’s potential, but feels like they are a year away from being top tier. He’s picking Oregon in a tight contest.
My Pick: USC
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Minnesota (-2.5) vs. Tampa Bay
I really had these teams pegged wrong. I thought the Vikings would be cellar dwellers and the Bucs division winners. Things could still shake out that way, but right now Minnesota is undefeated while Tampa is 0-2. It’s worth mentioning that both of TB’s losses could’ve easily been wins, but close only counts in horseshoes & hand grenades. Call me stubborn, but I’m not buying what we’ve seen out of either team. Tampa is better, and they have the home field. Zach sees things differently. He has faith in the Vikes defense and thinks Tampa has looked terrible thus far.
My Pick: Tampa Bay
Zach’s Pick: Minnesota
LA Rams (-2.5) at Denver
Could it be a Super Bowl preview?? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps my praise is too effusive for a couple of 1-1 teams, or it’s possible that they’ve worked out the kinks and will be dominant as expected going forward. This is the Sunday night game on NBC, and I think it’ll come down to defense. There will be a goal line stand or Pick Six late in the 4th quarter that’ll decide the outcome. It’s a coin toss for me, and in those scenarios I lean toward the home team. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Denver
Zach’s Pick: Denver
Philadelphia (-4.5) at Chicago
When Bears QB Caleb Williams got hurt last weekend viewers might’ve mistaken him for one of Chicago’s dozens of daily victims of violent crime. As it turns out, he’s just a melodramatic cuck with a pulled hamstring who may or may not play in this game. The 2-0 Eagles haven’t been cruising to victory, but somehow they’ve found ways to win. If Williams plays he won’t be 100%, and if he doesn’t play Philly’s defense will eat the backup quarterback alive. Zach believes the Eagles have been underutilizing RB Saquon Barkley. He has less than a hundred yards rushing cumulative thus far, and that has to change. Whether it does or doesn’t won’t matter right now, as we both think the visiting favorites will win decisively on Monday night.
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.
Do y’all remember an episode of Seinfeld when George gets fired from the Yankees?? Since there is a severance package involved he enthusiastically looks at it as an opportunity for a three month vacation, but after a tumble down some stairs leaves him incapacitated the neurotic Costanza laments “This was supposed to be the Summer of George!”. I’ve been feeling that way after encountering some health issues and having two medical procedures in the past few months, which is why I’ve been looking forward to football season. Sitting in front of my 55 inch smart TV and watching wall to wall college football on Saturday & seven hours of NFL Redzone on Sunday is my happy place. I’m not very exciting and don’t lead an…impactful…life, but when one spends enough time dealing with certain circumstances simplicity & small comforts become significant. I have friends & family who, in recent months, have gone to the beach, jetted off to Europe, and taken road trips to some cool places. Conversely, I’ll be happy to spend weekends this fall comfortably ensconced in my humble abode watching countless hours of gridiron action.
25 Tennessee
Last Season: 8-5 (lost Music City Bowl)
Key Games: 9/26 vs. Texas, 10/17 vs. Alabama, 11/21 vs. LSU
The Volunteers QB situation concerns me just a bit, with two freshmen vying to replace former signal caller Joey Aguilar, who is trying to secure a spot on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster. Tennessee also has a new defensive coordinator who has an entirely rebuilt defense via the portal. Perhaps my expectations are too high for a team in the (alleged) toughest conference in the country, but Josh Heupel is a former SEC Coach of the Year, and with all three key games noted above happening in Knoxville I believe atleast one upset and a nine win season are reasonable expectations.
I am much higher on the Sun Devils than most. The Big 12 is looking like a dog fight, so one upset could make a huge difference. State will need to make their case on the road, and they’ll probably be another team using multiple quarterbacks after Sam Leavitt bolted for LSU. The offense has undergone a significant rebuild, so State will be leaning on its defense to win games.
It seems like we’ve been waiting a very long time for the Cornhuskers to reclaim the glory they had back in the day when I was a boy. Unfortunately former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is a combined 19-19 in his three years at the helm in Lincoln, and this feels like a make or break year for his tenure. Nebraska brings back 69% of their production on both sides of the ball. The question becomes is that a good thing from a team that was 7-6?? How much does stability matter in college football nowadays, and is the number deceiving anyway since Dylan Raiola bolted to be the backup quarterback at Oregon?? I suppose we’ll find out the answers, and I think it is possible that Rhule, with his back against the wall, can pull a couple rabbits out of the hat.
22 Texas A&M
Last Season: 11-2 (lost in first round of playoffs)
A year ago, in his second season in College Station, head coach Mike Elko led the Aggies to double digit wins for the first time since 2012. They return 65% of their production from last season, including QB Marcel Reed. Of course, they also had a program record ten players drafted into the NFL. I think we’ll see a slight regression, and securing a playoff berth will be challenging, but don’t be surprised if A&M sneaks into the tail end of the final rankings.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer enters his third year in Tuscaloosa, and if he can replicate last season’s success it would calm the waters, although we all know the ‘Bama faithful are getting restless since they’ve been without a national title since 2020. I have a feeling they’ll yo-yo between junior QB Austin Mack & freshman Keelon Russell until one of them seizes control of the job. The Tide returns less than 50% of their production from a season ago and lost ten players in the NFL Draft. Having said that, ‘Bama is the horror movie psycho of college football…just when we think they’re dead in the water they rise up. They host Georgia in October, which is huge. Trips to Rocky Top & Death Valley hold the keys for the entire season.
20 Navy
Last Season: 11-2 (won Liberty Bowl)
Key Games: 10/24 vs. North Texas, 10/31 vs. Notre Dame, 12/12 vs. Army
I always have a soft spot for our service academies, not only for what their players become off the field, but also because their games are unique and fun to watch. The Midshipmen have had two consecutive double digit victory seasons under 4th year head coach Brian Newberry, and I’m predicting another one. I don’t think they’ll upset Notre Dame, but keep your eye on the October visit from North Texas that could be significant in determining an AAC champion.
Former head coach Lane Kiffin famously ditched the Rebels before the playoff began a season ago, so this will be Pete Golding’s first full year in charge. I’m sure he is happy to have QB Trinidad Chambliss back under center after a tumultuous offseason of legal battles to secure another year of eligibility for the young man. Junior RB Kewan Lacy also returns, so the offense should be solid. I believe it will be an uphill climb to equal last season, but don’t be surprised if Ole Miss upsets an opponent or two and Chambliss is a serious Heisman contender.
I find ACC football rather prosaic. I don’t know why. However, with Clemson’s era of dominance seemingly over, the conference is atleast more competitive. The Wolfpack have been average at best for quite awhile, with head coach Dave Doeren in that position since 2013 and winning 8 or 9 games eight times. Can they win just one more game?? Can they go on the road and defeat two or three teams that they should theoretically handle easily?? We’ll see.
17 BYU
Last Season: 12-2 (won Pop Tarts Bowl)
Key Games: 10/17 vs. Notre Dame, 10/31 vs. Arizona St., 11/7 @ Utah
QB Bear Bachmeier, in addition to having a cool name, is only a sophomore. The Cougars also added tight end Walker Lyons from USC and 6ft.6 receiver Kyle Kasper from Oregon. An October upset of Notre Dame in Provo would certainly improve their playoff resume, but even without that, being in the thick of the Big 12 title chase and double digit victories seem like attainable goals.
16 Texas Tech
Last Season: 12-2 (lost playoff quarterfinal)
Key Games: 9/18 vs. Houston, 10/17 vs. Arizona St., 11/26 vs. TCU
Contrary to the legal victories that secured the services of Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss for another season, the Red Raiders found themselves on the short end of the stick when it came to the brouhaha surrounding QB Brendan Sorsby, who was supposed to transfer from Cincinnati to Lubbock, but apparently enjoyed gambling on football even more than playing football. At any rate, in addition to the quarterback situation, Tech has to replace almost half their defense that was drafted in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. I don’t believe they’ll win as many games or be in the Big 12 title hunt, but neither do I think Tech will fall off the map.
After securing a playoff berth in 2024 the Mustangs fell off just a bit last season, but still had a nice year that could’ve been even better. They lost two overtime games, including one to eventual playoff runner-up Miami. I don’t think they’ll go into South Bend and take down the Fighting Irish in November, but an early season battle in Tallahassee against the Seminoles feels like a winnable contest that could set a positive tone for the year.
14 Georgia
Last Season: 12-2 (lost playoff quarterfinal)
Key Games: 9/26 vs. Oklahoma, 10/10 @ Alabama, 11/7 @ Ole Miss
A year ago, while ranking the Bulldogs 11th, I said that I had a vibe that they wouldn’t be in the SEC title race. To their credit they proved me wrong, winning the conference championship before losing to Ole Miss in the playoff quarterfinals. However, I’m stubborn, so I’m ranking them even lower this preseason. They return a plethora of starters, including QB Gunner Stockton, center Drew Bobo, and defensive backs KJ Bolden & Ellis Robinson IV, but a closer examination of last season reveals that they won a couple of games that could’ve easily been losses. The ball could bounce the other way in 2026, but even if it does, a ten win season is nothing to be ashamed about.
13 Southern California
Last Season: 9-4 (lost Alamo Bowl)
Key Games: 9/26 vs. Oregon, 10/3 vs. Washington, 10/10 @ Penn St.
The Trojans return 15 starters, including senior QB & possible Heisman candidate Jayden Maiava, who has drawn comparisons to Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger. Head coach Lincoln Riley enters his fifth year at the helm, with the past three seasons being solid yet unremarkable. They’ll need to approach double digit wins and upset a contender or two if Riley doesn’t want his seat to start getting a bit warm.
12 Indiana
Last Season: 16-0 (won CFP Championship)
Key Games: 10/17 vs. Ohio St., 11/14 vs. USC, 11/21 @ Washington
I understand that the Hoosiers are ranked in the Top 5 of most other polls. I know they are the defending National Champions. To be honest, I’m not even that sold on quarterback Fernando Mendoza as an NFL level talent, and believe it’s not a stretch to think incoming transfer Josh Hoover, a former starter at TCU, could replicate Mendoza’s success in Bloomington. The Hoosiers added additional talent thru the portal and of course retained head coach Curt Cignetti. Having said all of that, when one looks back and realizes that Indiana defeated Oregon (twice), Ohio St., Alabama, and Miami (FL) en route to perfection, it is simply difficult to fathom duplication of that achievement.
11 Boise State
Last Season: 9-5 (lost L.A. Bowl)
Key Games: 9/5 @ Oregon, 10/10 @ Fresno St., 11/14 vs. Oregon St.
The Broncos headline the revived & revamped Pac 12, which lacks the prestige of its former incarnation. However, if Boise wins the conference and gets to ten wins they will be a serious playoff contender, especially if they put up a fight in Eugene against the Ducks to open the season. I don’t expect Boise to win that game, but if they can keep the score within 15-20 points the powers-that-be will take notice.
10 Oregon
Last Season: 13-2 (lost playoff semifinal)
Key Games: 9/26 @ USC, 11/7 @ Ohio St., 11/28 vs. Washington
I’ll never get use to Oregon in the Big Ten. College football is stupid off the field. Anyway, QB Dante Moore decided to return to the Ducks rather than enter the NFL Draft, where he certainly would have been a first round pick. I suppose being throttled by Indiana in the playoff semis left a bad taste in his mouth. But can they even get that far again?? I think Oregon will need to score atleast one big upset on the road to be in the conversation. If they lose all three key games Moore may regret delaying his professional dreams.
The Big 12 is wide open, and I have no idea who may emerge on top. The Cougars return 65% of their production from a squad that won ten games. A key piece of the puzzle is senior QB Conner Weigman, who threw for over 2700 yards with an impressive 147.74 passer rating, added 700 yards on the ground, and had 36 total touchdowns. Houston also added a Top Ten transfer class from the portal. A year ago they were in the thick of the conference title scrum, but a couple of losses doomed their chances. They’ll need to be road warriors this season to flip the script.
This will be QB Arch Manning’s final season in Austin, and it seems like the shine has worn off just a bit. Once upon a time Manning was a presumptive Heisman winner who most assumed would be the #1 overall draft pick, but now some are questioning if the hype was just that. The Longhorns weren’t terrible last year, but a season opening loss at Ohio St. set the wrong tone, and losing at Georgia in November doomed their playoff hopes. They have the Buckeyes at home this time, but will still need to win on the road for things to be better than a season ago.
7 Notre Dame
Last Season: 10-2 (declined bowl invitation)
Key Games: 9/6 vs. Wisconsin, 10/17 @ BYU, 11/7 vs. Miami (FL)
Fool me once, shame on you…fool me twice, shame on me. After ranking The Irish #1 a year ago, they thanked me with back-to-back season opening losses to Miami and Texas A&M. The schedule looks a little different this year because realignment has destroyed traditional rivalries, so I would be shocked if Notre Dame doesn’t sail thru the first half of the schedule, and anything less than ten wins and a playoff berth would be a huge disappointment. Sophomore quarterback CJ Carr is back, while running backs Jeremiyah Love & Jadarian Price are now plying their trade in the NFL. That being said, Notre Dame leads the nation in total returning production at 72%, bringing back 14 starters.
6 LSU
Last Season: 7-6 (lost Texas Bowl)
Key Games: 9/19 @ Ole Miss, 11/7 vs. Alabama, 11/14 vs. Texas
There’s a new sheriff in the bayou, and his name is Lane Kiffin. Former head coach Brian Kelly was 34-14 in just less than four seasons, so Kiffin wasn’t hired to win 9 or 10 games and lead his team to the Citrus Bowl…they are expecting SEC titles & deep playoff runs in Baton Rouge. Kiffin brought in junior QB Sam Leavitt from Arizona St., while LSU is projected to have a Top 5 defense. A mid-September clash at Ole Miss will be hyped by the talking heads for obvious reasons (I’ll be stunned if ESPN’s Gameday isn’t on the scene), but November home games against ‘Bama & Texas will probably decide the conference championship.
The Buckeyes are at the top of most other polls, but I can’t go there after back-to-back losses (in the Big Ten title game & playoff quarterfinals) to end last season. Talent is never a problem in Columbus. Sophomore QB Julian Sayin returns after passing for 3600 yards & 33 touchdowns with a completion rate of 77% (which led the nation). He finished 4th in Heisman Trophy voting. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith fell off a bit last year after a phenomenal freshman season, but that was due to a quad injury that negatively impacted two games in November. There were some huge departures from the defense. Four of the first eleven picks in the NFL Draft were from Ohio St., with three of those being defensive players. Rebuilding that unit is the biggest key to the team’s success.
The Huskies have flown under the radar the last couple of seasons since former head coach Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama after leading Washington to the CFP championship game in 2024. However, coming off a 9-4 finish there is a ton of optimism in Seattle. Washington is another west coast team inexplicably competing in the Big Ten, but I’ll refrain from beating that dead horse. Skill positions took a hit after RB Jonah Coleman & receiver Denzel Boston were drafted into the NFL, but returning QB Demond Williams Jr., who threw for over 3000 yards and scored 31 touchdowns last season, has been compared to Kyler Murray with flashes of Russell Wilson. Defense will be the difference maker, and I think we’ll see the Huskies pull off a couple of big upsets.
3 Utah
Last Season: 11-2 (won Las Vegas Bowl)
Key Games: 10/24 vs. Houston, 11/7 vs. BYU, 11/21 @ TCU
A year ago I overlooked the Utes in the Big 12, but they were in the hunt right to the very end of the season. I expect the conference to be just as competitive this season, if not more so. Head coach Morgan Scalley takes over for Kyle Whittingham, who left for Michigan. However, since Scalley had been the defensive coordinator in Salt Lake City for a decade, I don’t think continuity will be an issue. Senior QB Devon Dampier threw for almost 2500 yards last season, rushed for over 800 yards, and scored 34 touchdowns. Their defense will have to kick it up a notch or two, and Utah needs to defend their home field against some formidable opponents.
2 Penn State
Last Season: 7-6 (won Pinstripe Bowl)
Key Games: 10/10 vs. USC, 10/17 @ Michigan, 11/7 @ Washington
I’m a big fan of my boy Rocco Becht, who will become the Nittany Lions new quarterback after following head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa St. to Happy Valley. There’s no way around it…last season was a disaster for Penn St., so they needed a total reset. Winning the Big Ten is a tall mountain to climb, but I think it’s doable. There are advantages to being disregarded & undervalued, and this is a team that may just take a few opponents by surprise.
We’d been waiting for the once dominant ‘Canes to be a force once again, and last season they made it all the way to the CFP championship game. The ACC might be the most winnable conference in the country, and it’s odd to recall that Miami didn’t even play in the title game last year thanks to close losses to Louisville & SMU. They snuck into the playoff and went on an incredible run, defeating three Top Ten teams before falling to Indiana. Can they do it again?? Miami lost nine players in the NFL Draft, including three first round choices. QB Darian Mensah has transferred to Coral Gables from Duke, and he might be even better than former signal caller Carson Beck. However, the bigger issue is defense, which was Top 5 in the country a season ago. Can they reload?? Will a new look defense be as good as they were last year?? Winning the conference is a priority, in part because it would make the playoff path somewhat less difficult.
Happy New Year Manoverse!! I hate to end our year like this, but I’ve been ill all week and don’t feel particularly verbose. Unfortunately, no matter what happens this week, both of us will finish under .500, but kudos to Zach, who will win the season title. As recently as Thanksgiving I held a commanding eight game lead, but the final month of the season was a completely different story. Zach also won the dynasty league we are in, so he’s pretty good at this stuff.
Observations from Last Week:
Drew Brees in the booth > Tom Brady in the booth.
Kyle Whittingham is a solid hire for Michigan. Sexy?? No, but who cares?? I’m told that he was “pushed out” at Utah 🤔. We’ll see who benefits more from these changes.
The Idiot Rooney in charge needs to initiate a thorough Steelers housecleaning. Fire the entire coaching staff. Fire the entire front office. Fire the whole scouting department. Hell, fire all the ushers & food vendors. Wipe the stank of mediocrity completely out. If they go 0-17 for a few years I don’t freakin’ care. Just DO something!!!!!
Absolutely moronic to go for a two point conversion when an extra point will tie the game and send it to OT. I’ll never understand or agree with that logic.
I dozed off and missed the Falcons upset of the Rams on Monday night. Just one thing of many that sucks about being sick 🤒.
My Season: 51-65
Zach’s Season: 54-62
Ohio State (-9.5) vs. Miami (FL)
The Buckeyes have been the best team in college football all season. I truly believe they’d be unbeaten if their top two receivers hadn’t missed the Big Ten title game. Conversely, the ‘Canes participation in the CFP has been controversial, although credit must be given for upsetting Texas A&M in Round 1. I’d be stunned if Ohio St. loses, but will be honest in admitting that the points give me pause. But what the hell…I’m probably going to lose this thing anyway, so go big or go home, right?? Surprisingly, Zach concurs.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Ohio St.
Texas Tech vs. Oregon (-2.5)
One of the battles I constantly fight in doing these picks is my head vs. my heart. What I WANT to happen is occasionally in opposition to what I think will actually happen. The only blemish on Oregon’s record is Indiana, and there’s no shame in that. The Ducks hold victories over Iowa, USC, and Penn St. before their season imploded. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders won the Big 12, which is kind of viewed as the adopted child that its siblings don’t like all that much. However, anyone who actually pays attention understands that the conference plays some damn good football. This game comes down to one thing: can Tech’s stout defense slow Oregon down and give their team a chance in a low scoring slugfest?? I think it is possible. Conversely, Zach believes it’ll be a high scoring affair, with the Ducks getting a close victory.
My Pick: Texas Tech
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Indiana (-7) vs. Alabama
The Hoosiers still have their doubters, and now is their chance to change minds. Is it fair that people question their legitimacy after going undefeated and beating Ohio St. to win the Big Ten Championship?? Probably not, but college football is all about pedigree, legacy, and brand names, and in that regard Indiana has always been perceived as a basketball school. Conversely, there is no one with a more vaunted legacy than The Tide, so much so that they were gifted a berth in the CFP with three losses on their resume. Essentially, it comes down to what one believes in more. Are you beguiled by history and what programs have done in the past, or do you only see what a team has accomplished on the field during the current season?? I think the folks at Indiana understand that this is an opportunity to validate all of their success, regardless of what happens moving forward. Zach respects ‘Bama, but doesn’t think they’ll pull off the upset.
My Pick: Indiana
Zach’s Pick: Indiana
Georgia (-6.5) vs. Ole Miss
It’d be hilarious to see the Rebels win it all just to stick it to former coach Lane Kiffin. Sadly, I don’t believe that’ll happen. It’s one thing to beat up on Tulane in the first round, but the Bulldogs are an entirely different story. When these teams met back in October it was Georgia outscoring their opponent 17-0 in the 4th quarter for the win, but I don’t think they’ll need to do that this time. It might be an entertaining first half, but at the end of the day I foresee a double digit victory for the favorites. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Georgia
LA Chargers at Denver (-12.5)
There isn’t a whole lot left to decide about the NFL postseason, including the AFC West title. The Broncos have already won the division, but need a victory to secure the AFC’s first round bye. The Chargers are in the playoffs, but there is still some seeding left to clarify, so a win could be important. Having said that, it feels like the underdogs have already waved a white flag by sitting QB Justin Herbert. So, if we assume Denver will get a fairly easy win, the question is what does that look like?? When these two teams met way back in September it was the Chargers who won with a last second field goal, but this will be a totally different game. Will Denver grab a big lead then call off the dogs?? Might they sit their starting quarterback in the second half?? Could the underdogs score late in garbage time and cover the points?? Sure, let’s go with that. Zach concurs.
My Pick: LA Chargers
Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers
Seattle (-1.5) at San Francisco
The NFC West has NOT been decided yet, and surprisingly the Los Angeles Rams will not factor in the outcome (though they will make the playoffs). When these teams met in Seattle WAY back in the first game of the season it was Frisco who scored a touchdown with a minute & a half remaining to squeeze out a victory, but that was a lifetime ago. Both teams come into the week with a six game win streak. The winner will secure the NFC’s top seed & a first round bye, which obviously makes it a huge game. It’s a prime time Saturday night kickoff, so don’t make any other plans. I am usually rather jaded and don’t expect many “big” games to live up to the hype, but this one has a chance. Pay attention to the oddsmakers…they know it’ll come down to a field goal either way. In that scenario I’m riding with the visiting favorites. Zach, on the other hand, has faith in RB Christian McCaffrey to lead the Niners to victory.
My Pick: Seattle
Zach’s Pick: San Francisco
Carolina at Tampa Bay (-2.5)
Win & you’re in, lose and the season is over. Maybe. There is a scenario where the Panthers could lose and still win the division. That is predicated on Atlanta defeating New Orleans, which is more than plausible. However, I’m sure the folks in Carolina would prefer to take care of business on Saturday afternoon. I am a bit surprised by the mediocrity of the Bucs, especially since they were a solid playoff team the last couple of years, but losing seven out of the last eight games has torpedoed their season. If they’d won just a couple of those games we wouldn’t be having this conversation. It is possible that whoever wins the division will enter the playoffs with a losing record, which will become fodder for debate on all the sports talk shows. Anyway, these teams just played each other a couple of weeks ago, with the Panthers scoring a late field goal for the win. I think the outcome will be different this time. Zach concurs.
Bowl season has already began. Did you know that?? Did anyone even notice?? One of the concerns some had a long time ago about a college football playoff was that it would negatively impact bowl games, and that has proven to be the case. Teams like Notre Dame, Iowa St., Kansas St., and a bunch of 5-7 teams that never would’ve been invited in the past anyway, all turned down bowl bids, because really, if it isn’t the CFP it doesn’t matter. Why bother?? The transfer portal has essentially created a second recruiting period, and when you add the coaching carousel into the mix, coaches who are basically rebuilding a team from scratch on an annual basis, especially if they are in a new place, simply don’t have time to bother with the Kellogg’s Cereal Bowl against a mediocre directional school on a random weekday afternoon the week before Christmas. There is no honor or prestige anymore. A bowl game isn’t a reward, it is a burden. The benefits of extra practice time have evaporated because the team is going to be completely overhauled by spring anyway. NFL prospects aren’t risking their lucrative future with nothing significant on the line, like a national championship. The only entity that benefits from the bowl system these days is ESPN, because football fans will watch those odd matchups at 4pm on a Wednesday, or atleast their televisions will be providing background noise while they’re doing something more important. At any rate, all of this is just another reason why the entire collegiate athletics business model needs totally renovated, with legitimate leadership. I won’t hold my breath though.
Observations from Last Week:
Army-Navy rarely disappoints 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
What’s the deal with Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia?? In the wake of finishing second in the Heisman voting to Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, Pavia apparently threw more than one temper tantrum, both in real life & on social media. At 5ft.10 (if that) Pavia is unlikely to make an impact in the NFL, but why torpedo the slim chance that might exist by acting like a petulant brat?? Sit down & shut your pie hole young man 🤐 . Peyton Manning & Marshall Faulk both placed second too, and they did okay in the aftermath.
Perhaps there is still hope for Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy 🤔.
I laugh at the people who say the Colts should’ve signed Cam Newton or Colin Kaepernick to solve their quarterback problem. Neither one of those guys would have been a better option than Philip Rivers. Sadly, there are no great options, but instead of recognizing that reality some have chosen to interject identity politics into the discussion, because that’s an easy cop out nowadays.
Tough season for the KC Chiefs, who were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in a decade. Then, to make matters worse, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL late in the 4th quarter, which could impact NEXT season 👀. The dynasty may really be over.
My Season: 48-55
Zach’s Season: 49-54
Philadelphia (-6.5) at Washington
The 9-5 Eagles got back on the winning track last week and hold an insurmountable lead in their division. The 4-10 Commanders have seen their season torpedoed by injuries. As a matter of fact, with nothing to play for they’ve already decided to shut down QB Jayden Daniels for the remainder of the season. I am beginning to wonder if Washington may use their Top Ten first round pick on another quarterback. Crazy?? Perhaps. Shocking?? Possibly. But Daniels, as talented as he may be, is injury prone, and potential can never be realized on the bench. Anyway, Philly should win this Saturday evening matchup rather easily. Zach views the Eagles as inconsistent, but also understands they tend to get their stuff together late in the season. Given the circumstances he is rolling the dice on the visitors.
My Pick: Philadelphia
Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia
Green Bay (-1.5) at Chicago
Bold prediction…sort of – don’t be surprised if the 10-4 Bears lose their remaining three games, finish 10-7, and miss the playoffs. Am I putting money on that scenario?? Of course not…but it is more than plausible. One of the teams that would benefit is the 9-4-1 Packers, who are clinging tightly to a wildcard berth, but will be without the services of pass rusher Micah Parsons after he tore his ACL last week. This is a Saturday night game, and it is h-u-g-e. Green Bay won the previous matchup earlier this month by a touchdown, and I think they can do it again despite Parsons’ absence. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Green Bay
Zach’s Pick: Green Bay
Las Vegas at Houston (-14.5)
I honestly thought the coaching comeback of Pete Carroll and trading for QB Geno Smith were positive steps for the Raiders, but sitting in the AFC West basement at 2-12 indicates otherwise. Conversely, the 9-5 Texans have been victorious in six consecutive games, which is certainly a switch after they began the season 0-3. They are in a hell of a battle in their division, and haven’t yet clinched a playoff spot. No one expects Vegas to win, but can Houston cover?? Although I am somewhat trepidatious, I will ride with the home favorites. Zach feels like the Texans are peaking at the right time.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Houston
Tampa Bay (-3) at Carolina
The NFC South has traditionally come down to the wire, but the Bucs have been crowned division champs four seasons in a row. At 7-7 these teams are in a tie for first place, and it looks like a wildcard berth isn’t going to materialize for whoever finishes second. They play each other twice in the last three weeks of the season, and despite losing five of the past six games I still feel like Tampa is the better team. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Tampa Bay
Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay
Tulane at Ole Miss (-17.5)
I have made my feelings clear on the playoff. I don’t believe these participation trophy invitations to Group of Five conference champions is the right way to go. This is actually a rematch, with the two teams having ironically met up way back in September. Mississippi won that game by 35 points. Despite the departure of Lane Kiffin, I’d be surprised if the Rebels encounter any problems administering another beatdown to the Green Wave. Zach has a bit more faith in Tulane to be competitive, but still sees Ole Miss pulling away in the fourth quarter.
My Pick: Ole Miss
Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss
James Madison at Oregon (-21.5)
Ditto, only worse. The Ducks haven’t lost their coach and they’re a better team than Ole Miss. This could get ugly. Conversely, Zach has even more confidence in JMU than Tulane. He doesn’t think they have enough depth or speed to actually upset Oregon, but he doesn’t believe they’ll lose by three touchdowns.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: James Madison
Alabama (-1.5) at Oklahoma
We can debate whether or not ‘Bama deserved a playoff berth, but atleast this is a compelling matchup. Actually, it is another rematch because, as I constantly have to remind myself, Oklahoma is in the SEC now 🤦🏻♂️. When these teams met in Tuscaloosa a month ago the Sooners defense caused three turnovers that led to 17 points en route to victory that wasn’t secure until the final minute. There has been alot of noise lately about Tide coach Kalen DeBoer bolting after just two seasons to take the Michigan job, which would be insane. At any rate, given that distraction and the home field, I believe Oklahoma will win again with a late field goal. Zach, on the other hand, doesn’t believe The Tide will be rolled by the same opponent twice.
My Pick: Oklahoma
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
Miami (FL) at Texas A&M (-3.5)
The CFP committee received some heat for giving the playoff nod to the Hurricanes over Notre Dame, but head to head results matter, and Miami beat the Irish in the season opener. Coincidentally, A&M defeated Notre Dame the following week. The Aggies were unbeaten until they ran into in state rival Texas on Black Friday. College Station provides a huge home field advantage, so, though I don’t think it’ll be a blowout, I believe the home favorites will win comfortably. Zach sees the game as a tossup, but feels like Miami, and especially QB Carson Beck, can be a bit erratic at times. He leans toward it being a much closer game than I do, but with the same result.
I cannot imagine the complexity of putting together the NFL schedule. There are so many moving parts. A multitude of factors affect what we’re seeing on the field, very few of which can be anticipated months earlier by those constructing the lineup. Things are much more complicated than when I was a kid. Back then you had a set of 1pm games on Sunday, followed by the 4pm games, and then a game on Monday night (which began in 1970). The NFL had 28 teams who each played 16 games. Bye weeks weren’t a thing as long as the league had an even number of teams, but became standard in 1990. These days there are 32 teams, not to mention an 18 week schedule during which each team plays 17 games. Thursday games, which had previously been a once a year event on Thanksgiving, became a regular part of the schedule in 2006. Sunday night games began in 1987. International games on Sunday morning have been a growing trend in recent years. Instead of dealing with three broadcast partners…NBC, CBS, & ABC…the NFL now has relationships with CBS, ABC/ESPN, Fox, NBC, Amazon, and its own NFL Network & RedZone, which sometimes gets shafted with eight games in the early window and only three in the late window. I pontificate on all of this as I sit here watching the nondescript 8-2 Patriots take on the hapless 2-7 Jets, knowing full well that if I had anything else intriguing going on in my life I wouldn’t be wasting my time.
Observations from Last Week:
I was right when I said I might not have all the information about BYU/Texas Tech. The oddsmakers clearly knew something most of us didn’t, and we should’ve paid attention.
Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiah Smith, Diego Pavia, and Jeremiyah Love…those should be the Heisman favorites.
Sadly, it feels like we are THIS close to QB sacks being legislated out of the game, with all quarterbacks eventually wearing flags that defenders will have to pull off of them.
The dismissal of Brian Daboll as NY Giants head coach is hardly surprising, yet I can’t help but feel the decision is shortsighted. It’ll be interesting to track Daboll’s career as well as the Giants’ success (or lack thereof) in the next few years.
Aaron Rodgers looked old, slow, and totally befuddled in the Steelers loss on Sunday night.
My Season: 36-28
Zach’s Season: 25-39
Minnesota at Oregon (-23.5)
Okay, so the Ducks are an 8-1 Top Ten team whose only loss came against Indiana, and there’s no shame in that. Conversely, the Gophers are 6-3 but just had to go into overtime to dispatch 3-6 Michigan St. The home team WILL win this game. That being said, the points are a bit much for me. I believe Oregon wins by only three TDs. Zach is a bit hesitant considering the points, but he has decided to roll the dice on the home favorites. This is a rare Friday night treat on Fox, although I will be out on the town and probably won’t get to see the first half.
My Pick: Minnesota
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Wisconsin at Indiana (-30.5)
Holy schneikes, what a freakin’ victory for the Hoosiers last weekend over Penn St.!! However, as much fun as it was, and as much as we get caught up in the excitement, I can’t overlook the fact that it shouldn’t have been that close. Indiana is undoubtedly the real deal, but forgive me if I can’t jump onboard with a 30+ point spread in favor of a team that just got pushed to the absolute limit by an opponent with a backup QB & an interim head coach. The 3-6 Badgers are a total dumpster fire, and Ohio St. did beat them 34-0 a few weeks ago, but The Vibes are telling me that the home favorites will have just a little bit of a letdown this week. Obviously they’ll still win, but look for something along the lines of 27-7. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Wisconsin
Zach’s Pick: Wisconsin
Iowa at Southern California (-6.5)
I still can’t wrap my head around this being a Big Ten conference game 😂. Realignment is so damn stupid. At any rate, the 7-2 Trojans have looked much better thus far after a couple of mediocre seasons. QB Jayden Maiava has an opportunity to be special. Meanwhile, the 6-3 Hawkeyes aren’t bad, but they’ve struggled against elite talent. I hope it’s an entertaining game. I think Iowa will be competitive. However, at the end of the day I think the favorites will defend their home turf in an ultimately anticlimactic game. Zach disagrees. He thinks Iowa can maintain some control with special teams, defense, and field position, predicting that whoever wins will do so by less than six points.
My Pick: USC
Zach’s Pick: Iowa
Texas at Georgia (-6)
I’m sure the TV folks over at ABC were salivating when they first saw this matchup on their schedule, and to be fair it is still a battle of two Top Ten programs in the hunt for an SEC title. Having said that, it is undeniable that other teams have stolen the proverbial thunder to some degree. Even at 7-2 and coming off an unsurprising yet impressive victory over Vanderbilt, this is a must win for the Longhorns. The 8-1 Bulldogs are in a marginally better position, but that September loss to Alabama leaves them no margin for error. This is essentially an elimination game, with the winner still chasing the conference title, while the loser will likely be on the outside looking in when the playoff rolls around. If you’re a conspiracy theorist you could opine that this was the plan all along – Texas has a good but not great season, everyone stops yapping about Arch Manning, the kid returns to school next year instead of going to the NFL, and The Prodigal Nephew fulfills his destiny in 2026. I don’t know if any of that is true, but it’s a cool story, right?? Anyway, I think Georgia is a slightly better team with the home field advantage. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Georgia
Carolina at Atlanta (-3.5)
Allow me to reiterate…Bryce Young ain’t it. Occasionally the 5-5 Panthers show signs of being a legit NFL team, but then they prove that any momentary faith their fanbase may have had is misguided. Meanwhile, the 3-6 Falcons are truly perplexing, because Michael Penix Jr. does have all the tools to become a good pro quarterback. Atlanta could just as easily be 6-3, but the ball hasn’t bounced their way despite Penix having receiver Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson, and tight end Kyle Pitts at his disposal. I hope head coach Raheem Morris is renting his house in Atlanta. As far as this game goes, I expect that the home favorites will have just enough to snag a close victory marred by turnovers, penalties, and general embarrassment. Zach thinks the Falcons defense is a difference maker.
My Pick: Atlanta
Zach’s Pick: Atlanta
Houston (-7.5) at Tennessee
No one is catching the Colts in the AFC South, but the winner of this game would certainly remain in the wildcard conversation. The 4-5 Texans just can’t catch a break. If they could ever field a healthy squad of their best players I feel like they might be a legit contender. The Titans have potential, but are probably a few years & atleast one (perhaps two) more coaching changes away from fulfilling it. Can interim head coach Mike McCoy make a case for being hired permanently?? We’ll see. These teams met at the end of September, with Houston winning 26-0. It’ll probably be slightly closer this time, with the same outcome. Zach is going with a surprising upset, but also offers a hot take, that perhaps Cam Ward is neither Tennessee’s quarterback of the future or even destined to be a star QB in the NFL.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Tennessee
Seattle at LA Rams (-3)
Are we overlooking the Rams?? I think perhaps we’ve been guilty of exactly that. The only two blemishes on their record are at Philadelphia and a home loss to San Francisco in overtime. 37 year old QB Matthew Stafford is getting League MVP buzz, which is obviously premature but shouldn’t be totally disregarded. Not to be outdone, the Seahawks are also 7-2, which is remarkable considering the makeover they went thru in the offseason. They lost to ‘Frisco & Tampa Bay by a total of six points. It might be the best game of the weekend, and I simply can’t go against the home favorites. The margin of victory might be less than a touchdown, but a win is a win. Zach believes Seattle is hitting their stride and thinks they’ll have an advantage in a low scoring defensive struggle.
My Pick: LA Rams
Zach’s Pick: Seattle
Dallas (-3.5) at Las Vegas
I really thought QB Geno Smith would be a great fit for the Raiders, but at 2-7 it looks like not only will Vegas be ready for a new signal caller, but they’ll be nicely positioned in the draft to get one. At 35 years of age I don’t know if Smith will have any suitors after this season, unless a team is looking for a veteran backup. Things aren’t any better for the 3-5-1 Cowboys, whose lackluster defense could singlehandedly revive Geno Smith’s season. We all know the biggest problem in Dallas is the old dude sitting up in the luxury box, and that isn’t changing anytime soon. The crowd in Sin City will be ready to rock, and the Monday Night Football crew will present it as a much bigger game than it is. Maybe I’m being guided by my feelings instead of my brain, but I’m hoping for the visitors to suffer a humiliating upset. Zach is making the smart choice, picking Dallas to win a blowout.
Update: I’ve already lost interest in the MLB Playoffs. Perhaps a Tigers or Mariners World Series appearance could pull me back in. In other news, hockey has started, which is even less appealing to me than another Dodgers championship. On the bright side, my six fantasy football teams are a collective 22-7, which is probably as good as things have gone for me in 25 years of playing fantasy sports. I can’t help but brace myself for the moment everything falls apart, which, sadly, is kind of how my life goes. At any rate, let’s make some picks.
Observations from Last Week:
Kudos to the 49ers, who won on Thursday night despite a rash of injuries. Don’t be surprised if Mac Jones gets another opportunity to be a starting QB in the NFL.
Are we still handing QB Arch Manning the Heisman?? Drafting him #1 overall?? How bout Drew Allar?? 😂
Kind of a weird weekend for me. WV played on Friday night (my power went out & I missed most of the 2nd half). Both Marshall & the Steelers had a bye.
“I thought, after scoring, a lot of times it takes a lot of energy. So I always thought I had done enough just by getting to the end zone. There was nothing left to do but to hand the ball to the ref and put six points on the board.” – Barry Sanders
Both of my Super Bowl picks…Buffalo & Philadelphia…lost for the first time, but I remain undeterred. They’ll figure things out by January.
My Season: 21-15
Zach’s Season: 12-24
Ohio State (-13.5) at Illinois
The undefeated Buckeyes remain the #1 team in the land, with no one really posing much of a challenge since Texas on opening weekend. The 5-1 Illini have only a 53 point beatdown at the hands of Iowa St. blemishing their record. It’s a home game for the underdogs, which may give them a puncher’s chance. However, as much as I’d love to see a thrilling nailbiter decided in the waning seconds of the 4th quarter, I don’t believe that’ll happen. Zach’s disdain for Ohio St. is well documented, so his choice isn’t surprising.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Illinois
Alabama (-6.5) at Missouri
The 4-1 Tide seem to have steadied the ship after a season opening loss at Florida St. The undefeated Tigers are flying way under the radar. Some might point to their relatively weak schedule thus far, but wins over Kansas & South Carolina shouldn’t be overlooked. That being said, Missouri has an opportunity to make a statement and secure a signature victory that could define their season. Meanwhile, ‘Bama can’t make us completely forget that some were questioning the future of head coach Kalen DeBoer not that long ago. Alabama has won six consecutive games in this rivalry, dating back to 1978, including a 34-0 shutout last season when Missouri was also a ranked team. I’d love to be wrong, but there’s really no reason to believe in a legit chance for an upset. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Alabama
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
Indiana at Oregon (-14)
Credit where it is due…the unbeaten Hoosiers have been impressive, especially the last few weeks in victories over Illinois & Iowa. They are also coming off of a bye, which feels important. However, the 5-0 Ducks have been a buzzsaw. Not only did they go into Happy Valley and take down Penn St. in double OT, but they just had their bye week as well. These should be two healthy, well rested teams at full throttle. I’d be pleasantly surprised by an upset, but don’t think that’ll happen. Can Indiana keep it close though?? If they were at home I might lean in that direction, but in the unfriendly environment of Eugene, OR it feels like a high mountain to climb. Conversely, Zach really likes Indiana and feels like they are atleast talented & well coached enough to remain competitive.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Indiana
Oklahoma vs. Texas (-10.5)
It’s the 121st edition of the Red River Shootout, a rivalry that dates back to 1900. Texas leads the series 64–51–5, with each team trading wins back & forth the last several years. The shine seems to be wearing off Longhorns’ QB Arch Manning, who certainly hasn’t resembled his Uncle Peyton or even Uncle Eli while leading his team to a pedestrian 3-2 record. However, the unbeaten Sooners have quarterback issues of their own, with starter John Mateer having recently had surgery on his throwing hand. The injury came at a good time, as Oklahoma had a bye week then played with their backup QB against an overmatched MAC opponent, but this is different. They’re not defeating Texas without Mateer, and even if he returns there’s no way he’ll be 100%. It’s unfortunate, but sometimes that’s just life. Zach predicts a low scoring, run heavy game, with the underdogs figuring out a way to get it done.
My Pick: Texas
Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma
Detroit at Kansas City (-3)
Some folks were starting to lose faith in the Lions after a season opening loss at Green Bay, but now they are 4-1 and once again perceived as one of the best teams in the NFC. Conversely, the once mighty Chiefs are 2-3 after a Monday night loss at Jacksonville, and everyone is wondering what in the world is going on. No one is going to convince me that the absence of WR Rashee Rice has been THAT impactful, and I won’t even lay too much of the blame at the feet of Taylor Swift, whose new album apparently contains a song about Travis Kelce’s junk. Anyway, this game feels like an important moment. Will Detroit continue their winning ways and put another nail in KC’s coffin, or will Andy Reid remind his team just who in the hell they are?? Has Swift really Yoko Ono-ed her fiancé’s career?? Should Detroit be the prohibitive Super Bowl favorite?? We’ll know more on Sunday night, when I think we’ll see a mild “upset”. But is it really an upset?!?!?? Zach foresees a tight battle, perhaps even overtime. Ultimately he thinks the Lions will find a way to prevail.
I am skipping a verbose preamble today. We’re doing a healthy amount of bonus picks, so I’d rather focus on that. It’s finally autumn if you’re into that sorta thing, so throw on some flannel, grab a pumpkin flavored beverage, and enjoy two guys who’d be destitute if we did this for money act like we know stuff about football.
My Season: 13-9
Zach’s Season: 6-16
Auburn at Texas A&M (-6.5)
The Tigers are 3-1, hoping to bounce back from a tough loss to Oklahoma, and possibly looking ahead to a winnable game against Georgia next week. The 3-0 Aggies are a Top Ten team coming out of a bye week. The points bother me a little, but I think College Station provides a formidable home field advantage. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Texas A&M
Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M
Appalachian State at Boise State (-17.5)
Thru the years they’ve both been elite 1-AA/FCS programs, and now they’re both well respected “Group of Five” teams. The 2-1 Broncos will step into a revamped Pac 12 next year, but for now remain focused on winning their seventh Mountain West crown in 15 years, which would be a three-peat. The 2-1 Mountaineers would like to position themselves as contenders in the Sun Belt, a conference they haven’t won since 2019 after capturing four consecutive titles. These teams only met on the gridiron once, and that was more than three decades ago, which is a shame because I feel like it could’ve been a fun rivalry. I’d love to see App. St. be competitive, but on the infamous blue turf against a team with legit NFL talent that seems like a tall order. Conversely, Zach feels like the underdogs have what it takes to hang in there and keep it respectable.
My Pick: Boise St.
Zach’s Pick: Appalachian St.
Alabama at Georgia (-3.5)
It is absolutely hysterical that ESPN passed up an opportunity to bring Gameday to this matchup for the 12th time in 23 years. I guess the 2-1 Tide and the 3-0 Bulldogs just aren’t as elite as they used to be. Georgia had to go to overtime to beat Tennessee last week, while ‘Bama is still trying to figure out how in the hell they lost to Florida St. in the season opener. Alabama leads the all time series 44-26-4 and have won 9 out of the last 10 meetings, but I have to lean toward the home team defending their turf and winning by a touchdown. Zach doesn’t foresee it being that competitive, predicting the Dawgs to win a blowout.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Georgia
Oregon at Penn State (-3.5)
Okay, so…the winner might end up sharing the Big Ten lead with Southern Cal 👀. Conference realignment is bizarre. The unbeaten Ducks have looked virtually unstoppable, but they are definitely stepping up to better competition than they’ve faced thus far. To be honest I haven’t paid much attention to the undefeated Nittany Lions, but my sources indicate that they’ve steamrolled lesser opponents as well. “Experts” say Penn St. QB Drew Allar will be a first round NFL Draft pick, but then again so were Sam Bradford & Trey Lance. I believe Oregon is simply faster & more athletic overall, and they should win by double digits…something like 28-17. Zach sees Oregon as perhaps the best team in the country and doesn’t have any faith in Nittany Lions’ head coach James Franklin to win a big game.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Philadelphia (-3) at Tampa Bay
The defending Super Bowl Champions are 3-0 and haven’t shown any signs of a letdown. Jalen Hurts might be the most versatile QB in the league, but the defense probably needs to kick things up a notch or two. Meanwhile, the 3-0 Bucs could just as easily be 0-3, but they’re a gritty bunch. It’ll be a fun game, yet, at the end of the day, I’d be surprised if Philly doesn’t score a comfortable victory. Zach is all in on Tampa QB Baker Mayfield and thinks he’ll lead his squad to a dramatic triumph.
My Pick: Philadelphia
Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay
Jacksonville at San Francisco (-3.5)
I underestimated the 49ers, who have gotten off to a 3-0 start despite being riddled with injuries. It hasn’t been easy, and things could certainly change, but so far so good. The Jags feel like one of those teams that’ll always battle and rarely get embarrassed, but fall just short more often than they find a path to victory. The final score will probably make it look closer than it was in reality, with the home favorites winning by 5-10 points. Zach opines “the Jags are the Jags”. That says it all, doesn’t it??
My Pick: San Francisco
Zach’s Pick: San Francisco
Indianapolis at LA Rams (-3.5)
While I underestimated the Jags, I flat out disrespected the Colts. Who knew that Daniel Jones would look like a legit first round caliber quarterback simply by changing his address?? That being said, the Rams might be the best team Indy has faced, and they’re probably not too happy about the way they lost to Philly, a game they had a real opportunity to win. Los Angeles has a Top 5 rated defense, which I think will rise to the occasion in the 4th quarter. Zach predicts that Daniel Jones will suddenly look like…well, Daniel Jones, and that’s not good news for the visitors.
My Pick: LA Rams
Zach’s Pick: LA Rams
Baltimore (-2.5) at Kansas City
Many “experts” thought this might be an AFC title game preview. It still could be, but right now it’s a battle between two teams in last place in their division. The 1-2 Chiefs look like a subpar cover band version of the team that has played in three consecutive Super Bowls, winning two of them. The 1-2 Ravens could be sitting at 3-0, but the ball just hasn’t bounced their way. I suspect we’ll see both teams rebound and go on a tear later on in the season, but right now they are just trying to survive. I like the home field for KC, and believe we’ll see them begin to figure things out against a tough opponent. Zach urges Chiefs fans not to give up on their team and believes they’ll be in contention when it really matters. He’s a big Andy Reid fan and foresees Travis Kelce finally having a big game.
My Pick: Kansas City
Zach’s Pick: Kansas City
Green Bay (-6.5) at Dallas
I suppose this is the Micah Parsons Bowl. Jerry Jones is one of the worst owners in professional sports, because how many other team owners are also the general manager?? Trading Parsons was idiotic, but if it had to be done Jones could’ve atleast sent the disgruntled pass rusher to the AFC. At any rate, the 2-1 Packers should be PISSED about last week’s fourth quarter implosion that led to ten unanswered points & a walkoff field goal victory for the Cleveland Browns. The 1-2 Cowboys simply haven’t looked right in any way, and now they’ll be without receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is sidelined with a high ankle sprain. This is the Sunday night game on NBC, but I’m sure league & network suits are regretting that right now. Green Bay will win, and it probably won’t be that close. Zach thinks QB Jordan Love will have a big game and lead his team to a huge win.
When I was a kid my father was a much more invested football fan than he has become in his later years. I vaguely recall him actually going to WVU games at old Mountaineer Field before the current stadium opened in 1980. Back then the ‘Eers weren’t on television much. ESPN didn’t yet exist and the networks only aired the biggest games featuring elite programs. As time passed and sports evolved West Virginia was on TV more often. Dad isn’t superstitious, but he is a little stitious, so when things weren’t going well he’d get frustrated, mute the television, and turn on the radio broadcast featuring legendary play-by-play announcer Jack Fleming & color commentator Woody O’Hara. Technology is a bit more advanced now, and I’ve had to laugh in recent weeks as I found myself muting my television during WVU & Marshall football games and finding more familiar audio on my phone. A lifetime ago, not long after I’d graduated from college, my sister happened to be riding shotgun in my car when I popped in a Dean Martin CD. She gave me a puzzled look and simply said “Oh my God…you’re turning into Dad”. If only she could see me now 😂.
Observations from Last Week:
Perhaps the biggest surprise is Georgia Tech upsetting Clemson. I ranked Clemson 10th in my preseason poll and felt like they were a level below legit national championship contenders but would remain competitive in a weak conference. Now they’ll have to win every remaining game & claim the ACC title to even get into the playoff.
Less than a month ago, while discussing the Virginia Tech Hokies, I said “head coach Brent Pry is entering his 4th season in Blacksburg, and I’m not confident there’ll be a fifth”. Pry was recently fired after starting 0-3 and losing to Old Dominion by almost three TDs. Sometimes I know what I’m talking about.
Where was THAT Russell Wilson a season ago when he was in Pittsburgh?!?!?!?? Or…or…perhaps, once again, it’s time to ask questions about the Steelers’ coaching staff 🤔.
Joe Burrow is out for three months. JJ McCarthy will miss 2-4 weeks. Austin Ekeler is gone for the rest of the season. George Kittle is injured, as are Jayden Daniels, Aaron Jones, and Justin Fields. Pay attention fantasy owners, and adjust your lineups accordingly.
My Season: 9-8
Zach’s Season: 5-12
Texas Tech at Utah (-3)
The Red Raiders are 3-0 and average 58 points/game while only giving up less than a dozen points/game. The Utes are also 3-0, and they’re putting up nearly 46 points/game with their defense yielding only eight points/game. Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff show will be in the house, and the winner of the game will sit in the Big 12 driver’s seat. I ranked Tech 14th in the pre-season, and they haven’t given me any reason to move off that yet. Conversely, Zach can’t overlook the home field, so he believes Utah will win a high scoring shootout.
My Pick: Texas Tech
Zach’s Pick: Utah
Oregon State at Oregon (-35)
Rivalry games used to occur much later in the season, but conference realignment has obliterated so many of those old traditions. They call this one The Civil War, although officially that name was discontinued in 2020 because of…*checks notes*…George Floyd, which is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard. Good God…why has our society given so much credibility to a fentanyl addicted domestic abuser?!?!?? At any rate, f*#k those pansies, I’ll call the game whatever I want. It hasn’t been that competitive in recent years, with the Ducks winning six of the past eight meetings. Obviously the oddsmakers don’t see that trend changing, but wow…those points!! I don’t know if we’ve ever considered a game with that kind of spread. I tend to be somewhat conservative, so I’m looking at a 42-14 kind of score, with the home team winning comfortably but not covering. Zach thinks Oregon might be the best team in the country right now. He predicts they’ll be able to rest their starters in the second half and still cover.
My Pick: Oregon St.
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Washington (-20.5) at Washington State
It’s really a shame what has happened to the once mighty Pac 12. Why the hell are UCLA & USC in the Big Ten?!?!?? What in the world are the Cal Bears doing in the freakin’ ACC?!?!?!?? The Pac 12 will be rebuilt next season with the addition of Boise St., Fresno St., and others, but it’ll never quite be the same. Anyway, the 117th Apple Cup isn’t shaping up to be all that compelling, with the 2-0 Huskies heavily favored over the 2-1 Cougars, who were beaten by nearly 50 points by North Texas last weekend. With all due respect to the Mean Green, that result would’ve been unimaginable just a few years ago. It might be a relative nail biter, but I foresee the visitors winning by 21-24 points. Zach points out how the Huskies fell off under a new coaching regime last year, a season after falling short in the CFP Championship. He believes State will rebound from last week’s ass kicking and atleast make things interesting.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington St.
Illinois at Indiana (-4.5)
It could be the best game of the weekend. Both teams are 3-0, and every victory is huge in the ultra competitive Big Ten. I like the Hoosiers to win at home, but this feels like one of those situations that’ll be decided by a field goal in the final minute, or possibly overtime. Zach thinks the Illini has a slight edge with a better QB, which will be the difference.
My Pick: Illinois
Zach’s Pick: Illinois
Denver at LA Chargers (-2.5)
All the sudden the AFC West is in play for the first time in a decade, with Kansas City sitting at 0-2 and looking like they’ve lost their championship edge. I’m not ready to give Last Rites to the Chiefs just yet, but the other teams in the division are looking more impressive than they have in quite a long time. The Broncos lost a heartbreaker in Indianapolis last week, with there being a variety of opinions about how that played out. Meanwhile, the 2-0 Chargers have jumped out of the starting gate with consecutive divisional wins that could become huge later in the season. It’ll be a tight battle, but I like the home team to win by atleast a field goal, perhaps a touchdown. Zach is a huge Jim Harbaugh fan and believes the Chargers should be considered a serious Super Bowl contender.
