Utah Utes

2025 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 14

It seems that we have arrived at Rivalry Week in college football, atleast the ones left standing after realignment. Most of these games, both college & pro, are happening on Thanksgiving Day & Black Friday, with a couple of huge battles taking center stage on Saturday. I am old enough to remember when only two NFL games…one featuring the Dallas Cowboys and the other with the Detroit Lions…took place on the holiday, but now we’re getting three Thanksgiving pro games and a game on Black Friday, in addition to a half dozen rather entertaining college games. No complaints here. Turkey & stuffing, football, Christmas movies, pie, and a whole lot of football sounds like a great time to me.

Observations from Last Week:

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct on the college level & roughing the passer in the NFL are two of the most ridiculously applied penalties, and that needs to be addressed in the offseason.
  • Why is it a Two Minute Warning in the NFL, but the Two Minute Timeout in college?? Is it a proprietary thing, or are college kids deemed too delicate for an ominous warning?? 
  • When I was a kid and announcers would mention “field goal range”, I thought that meant that the offense was required to make it to a certain area of the field before they were allowed to attempt a FG. I didn’t realize that…theoretically…a field goal can be tried from anywhere, though obviously it is unwise to do so.
  • So…JJ McCarthy is a bust. Alrighty then 🤦🏻‍♂️.
  • I can’t help but wonder what the Steelers offense might’ve looked like with Jameis Winston playing quarterback.

My Season: 42-35

Zach’s Season: 34-43

Ole Miss (-8.5) at Mississippi State 

The conversation surrounding the 122nd Egg Bowl has been dominated by the future of Lane Kiffin, who might be headed for allegedly greener pastures following his sixth season in Oxford. The 10-1 Rebels need help to reach the SEC title game even if they win, but a loss obviously knocks them out. The 5-6 Bulldogs must win to become bowl eligible. Ole Miss leads the series 66-46-6 and have won 4 of the past 5 meetings. I don’t see that changing this year, and though the points do give me pause, I think the favorites win by ten. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Ole Miss 

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss 

Iowa (-4.5) at Nebraska

This is a relatively new and decidedly intermittent “rivalry”. The teams have done battle on the gridiron 55 times since 1891, but after Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011 it has become an annual Black Friday tradition. Both teams are 7-4, and though they’re not in the conference championship conversation, they’d love to finish strong and travel to a great bowl location. It feels like a tossup to me, so I’m riding with the Huskers at home to score a mild upset. Conversely, Zach foresees Iowa slowing the tempo & dominating time of possession en route to a victory.

My Pick: Nebraska 

Zach’s Pick: Iowa

Utah (-13.5) at Kansas

The 9-2 Utes need ALOT of help to back into the Big 12 title game, which seems unlikely. However, the first order of business is to win. That won’t be easy against the 5-6 Jayhawks, who have shown flashes of potential this season but find themselves in a must win scenario to achieve bowl eligibility. I’m not bold enough to pick an upset outright, but I do believe it’ll be closer than two touchdowns. Zach just thinks Utah is the better team. He predicts Kansas will remain competitive thru the first half before the visitors take over and win comfortably.

My Pick: Kansas

Zach’s Pick: Utah

Georgia (-12.5) vs. Georgia Tech

This is theoretically a neutral site game in Atlanta, although Tech’s campus is literally two miles down the road, whereas Athen, GA (home of the Bulldogs) is about 70 miles away. After getting to 8-0 and looking like a sure thing to play for the ACC title, the Yellow Jackets have lost two of their last three games and find themselves on the outside looking in unless a whole bunch of dominoes fall the right way. Conversely, the 10-1 Bulldogs only need Alabama OR Texas A&M to lose to secure a spot in the SEC Championship, which seems plausible. They call this game “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate”, which might be the dumbest freakin’ rivalry name I’ve ever heard. Anyway, Georgia leads the series 72-41-5 and has won seven consecutive matchups. I don’t think that’ll change this year, and I believe it’ll be a rather decisive victory. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Georgia

Texas A&M (-2.5) at Texas

Forgive me if I’ve mentioned it in previous years, but I always associate this game with the 1982 Burt Reynolds/Dolly Parton classic The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, in which the winning team is rewarded with a visit to The Chicken Ranch. In case you’re unfamiliar with the movie, though there are plenty of legs, thighs, and breasts, there are absolutely no chickens in sight. At any rate, the Aggies are undefeated and have probably locked up a spot in the CFP, but they need to win to guarantee an SEC Championship appearance, otherwise there’s a chance they could miss out. The 8-3 Longhorns haven’t been as successful as they’d hoped entering the season, but are still clinging to slim hopes of a CFP bid. The game being played in Austin concerns me just a bit, but I’m pulling for A&M to come out on top in an all time classic. Zach views the Aggies as well coached and likes QB Marcel Reed. He thinks Texas has shown improvement, but it won’t matter this week.

My Pick: Texas A&M

Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M

Arizona (-1.5) at Arizona State

The 8-3 Sun Devils still have an opportunity to play for the Big 12 title, but they need a couple other teams to lose. The Wildcats are also 8-3 but aren’t in championship contention. They should receive a fun bowl bid though. It is alternatively called the Duel in the Desert (👍🏻) or the Territorial Cup (👀), and there have been 98 previous meetings dating back to 1899. Arizona leads the series 51-45-1, although State has won six of the last eight games. These two teams feel even enough that the home field plays a role, so I am picking the mild upset. Zach thinks Arizona is the hotter team right now so he’s riding that hot hand.

My Pick: Arizona State

Zach’s Pick: Arizona 

Alabama (-6.5) at Auburn 

To be honest, I didn’t originally plan for us to pick this many games, and considered skipping the 90th Iron Bowl. However, despite the fact that ‘Bama has won the past five meetings and Auburn isn’t very good, I just couldn’t do it. The 5-6 Tigers have to win to achieve bowl eligibility, while the 9-2 Tide haven’t locked in a playoff berth just yet. The Tide has rolled to an all time series lead of 51-37-1 dating back to 1893. I would LOVE to see an upset, although I’m not dumb enough to put money on it. However, I think it is very possible that we see a close contest decided by a field goal in the final minute. Zach has faith in the visiting favorites to dominate in the 4th quarter when it matters most.

My Pick: Auburn

Zach’s Pick: Alabama 

Ohio State (-12.5) at Michigan

In my humble opinion, this is THE greatest rivalry…certainly in college football, and perhaps in the entirety of sports. Simply known as The Game, it has been played 120 times since 1897, with Michigan leading the series 62-51-6. Michigan has been victorious the past four years after Ohio St. had won eight consecutive meetings from 2012-19. Unless you’ve been off the grid for awhile you’re aware that the unbeaten Buckeyes have been the #1 team in the country all season. The Wolverines are a rather low key 9-2, with unfortunate losses on the road at Oklahoma & USC eradicating their conference title aspirations. I’d be quite surprised by an Ohio St. loss, but the points scare me, and the status of injured receivers Jeremiah Smith & Carnell Tate remains up in the air. If those dudes play the favorites win comfortably, but if they don’t then the outcome becomes questionable. I will roll the dice on both players being available. Unsurprisingly, Zach is all Blue all the time and has no respect for Ohio St.’s weak schedule.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Michigan 

Green Bay at Detroit (-2.5)

Though it might be an NFC title preview, right now it is a battle for the division crown. The Packers sit a half game behind Chicago, while the Lions are a half game behind Green Bay. The Bears are receiving alot of love at the moment, but I still believe these two teams will surpass them. Green Bay won the season opener at Lambeau, but I think we’ll see a different result this time, with the RB tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery helping Detroit grind their way to an important win. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

Kansas City (-3.5) at Dallas

The 6-5 Chiefs saved their season…for the moment…with an overtime win over Indianapolis, but the path doesn’t become easier. The 5-5-1 Cowboys also kept their head above water with a surprising victory over Philadelphia. So, once more unto the breach go two teams that had higher expectations yet find themselves scratching & clawing to avoid irrelevance. I wouldn’t be shocked if both eventually make it to the postseason, but neither will I be surprised if both are sitting at home during the playoffs. This game might be better than sweet potatoes & cranberry sauce, and I believe in KC to continue their climb out of the abyss. Zach, on the other hand, feels like Dallas has the momentum and will continue to improve.

My Pick: Kansas City

Zach’s Pick: Dallas

Cincinnati at Baltimore (-7)

Anyone with a brain knew that the Ravens weren’t done, despite beginning the season 1-5. Now, after five straight victories (and because the Steelers are mid at best), Baltimore sits atop the AFC North. Meanwhile, the 3-8 Bengals will have QB Joe Burrow back in the saddle for the first time since he injured his toe way back in September. There’s no way Cincy climbs back into playoff contention, but they will undoubtedly be better with their starting quarterback. This is the nightcap on Thanksgiving, and I’ll probably be watching Christmas movies. I would love to see an upset, but unfortunately that seems unlikely. Zach is a bit more hopeful, as he thinks the Bengals can come out on top in a shootout.

My Pick: Baltimore

Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati 

Chicago at Philadelphia (-7)

I have absolutely zero interest in Black Friday shopping, but even if I did I believe the way that whole thing works is the stores open obscenely early, and all the wackos who actually enjoy the insanity are finished and home by noon. So if you are participating you should still be able to catch the 3pm kickoff…if you have Prime Video. Anyway, it’s a great matchup featuring the 8-3 Bears, winners of four in a row, including a gritty skirmish with my offensively challenged Steelers, against the 8-3 Eagles, who still hold an overwhelming division lead despite forgetting to show up during the second half in their recent loss to the Cowboys. I may be proven wrong, but I’m still not sold on the Bears & QB Caleb Williams. Conversely, Philly’s track record speaks for itself, and it’s way too early to disregard their chance to be repeat champions. Zach believes the Bears just might be for real, and he predicts they’ll find a way to win a close one.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Chicago

2025 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 8

Do you smell that?!?!?? The air has become noticeably chilly. Baseball is in the home stretch. Hockey season has started. The NBA’s preseason has begun, even if no one cares. Christmas decorations are already trying to muscle Halloween decor off store shelves. October has its own vibe, and as I’ve matured I have finally begun to understand the charm of it all. Of course, especially for our purposes here, football is still the best thing going right now, which is fine by me.

Observations from Last Week:

  • It was always Tom Brady…and cheating, never Bill Belichick. He’s been exposed as a fraud.
  • God help me, but my initial reaction to Penn St. QB Drew Allar suffering a season ending leg injury was “Great…now his draft stock will fall and the Steelers will pat themselves on the back, expecting fans to be in awe of their genius for picking him in the 3rd or 4th round 🤦🏻‍♂️.” Anyway, the James Franklin Era in Happy Valley is over, which is a bit shocking since the Nittany Lions were a Top 5 team not long ago.
  • I guess the Indiana Hoosiers might actually be legit. Too bad their head coach will probably bolt for “greener pastures” by the end of the year.
  • Are my Steelers peeps still upset they let Justin Fields walk??
  • Biggest NFL surprises thus far: Colts 👍🏻, Ravens 😂, and Patriots 🤔.

My Season: 23-18

Zach’s Season: 13-28

Texas A&M (-7.5) at Arkansas

The undefeated Aggies have really snuck up on everyone. After six good but certainly not transcendent seasons with Jimbo Fisher at the helm, the Aggies made a change last year and brought in Mike Elko from Duke. He went 8-5 a season ago, and his team was ranked in the Top 20 in most preseason polls, but I don’t believe anybody expected A&M to be in the mix with Alabama, Georgia, and LSU for the SEC crown. Conversely, the Razorbacks are 2-4 and already fired their head coach. Bobby Petrino has been handed the interim gig, which is kind of like casting Charlie Sheen as the lead in a community theater project. You know he brings a certain level of talent & experience, but are understandably nervous about possible collateral damage. I don’t expect an upset, but I feel like Petrino might know enough Jedi mind tricks to make sure his team doesn’t get embarrassed. I still think that means a 10-15 point loss though. Zach likes A&M’s defense to hold the line.

My Pick: Texas A&M 

Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M

Texas Tech (-11.5) at Arizona State

I ranked the unbeaten Red Raiders 14th in the preseason and made note of three important games. In the first of those Tech beat the snot out of Utah by more than three touchdowns. This is the second big one, and the 4-2 Sun Devils have to be asking themselves alot of questions after a beatdown by…Utah. I believe the home field helps State a little bit, but I remain high on Tech and foresee a two TD victory. Zach doesn’t think it’ll be much of a contest and likes the visiting favorites to win big.

My Pick: Texas Tech

Zach’s Pick: Texas Tech

Southern California at Notre Dame (-7.5)

Wow, this old rivalry has really lost its mojo, huh?? Notre Dame leads the all time series 50-37-5 and has won six of the past seven meetings. Citizens of The Manoverse are aware by now that The Irish were my preseason #1, but once they lost their first two games that blew up in my face. They’ve since won four in a row though, so good for them. The Trojans are 5-1, with only a last second field goal by Illinois blemishing their record, which makes the odds for this game feel disrespectful. I sense a hard fought battle on the horizon. Low scoring. Lots of defense. Field position. Time of possession. Perhaps a turnover or two or three. A score of 20-ish to 16-ish. I don’t know who wins, but it’ll be by less than a touchdown. Zach believes Notre Dame was always overrated, while USC is playing at a higher level than they have in several years.

My Pick: USC

Zach’s Pick: USC

Utah (-3.5) at BYU

When we think of football hotbeds places like Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania spring to mind. Most folks probably don’t think of The Beehive State, home of the Sundance Film Festival, The Osmond Family, the Great Salt Lake, and Wilford Brimley, as a place to find great football. However, right now, it is where you’ll see two Top 25 teams with a combined record of 11-1, and the Utes shouldn’t feel bad about losing to Texas Tech. BYU’s double OT triumph over Arizona might’ve been the best game of them all last weekend, but it makes me wonder if they can rise to that level again so soon, especially freshman QB Bear Bachmeier. Don’t miss this game on Saturday night if you can possibly set other things aside for a few hours. Zach thinks the Cougars are better defensively and that’ll be the difference.

My Pick: Utah

Zach’s Pick: BYU

Houston at Seattle (-3.5)

The Texans are the AFC’s forgotten team. At 2-3 they sit below the Jags and the surprising Colts, who’ve been the talk of the NFL, but are better than the Titans, who just fired their head coach. It’s going to be tough for Houston to position themselves as a playoff contender, but there is still plenty of time. Conversely, the Seahawks are in a much better position in their division but can’t afford to take their foot off the gas. There’s just too much competition. The home field is big in this one, and I think the fans will show up & show out for the MNF audience. Zach predicts a Seattle victory on the strength of their special teams.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: Seattle 

2025 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 4

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.
  • Allow me to reiterate…Notre Dame was my pre-season #1 🤨.
  • 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.

My Pick: LA Chargers

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers

2024 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 11

Better late than never, right?? The deadline for these posts is always before kickoff of the first game, so I suppose technically we’re not late. However, I usually strive to get things done by Wednesday or Thursday, especially if we’re picking a Thursday night game, which is why we don’t pick Thursday games often. At any rate, it’s very rare to not have everything up for public consumption Saturday morning, but occasionally your humble webmaster does have some semblance of a life, hence the delay. At any rate, there hasn’t been much of a shift in our records, so we’ll just move on to this weekend’s games. 

My Season: 33-29

Zach’s Season: 28-34

Clemson (-6.5) at Virginia Tech

Once upon a time it was a marquee matchup with, at the very least, conference title implications. Unfortunately both teams are on the outside looking in right now. The outlook could improve for the 6-2 Tigers with a victory, while the 5-4 Hokies are simply defending their home turf and playing for bowl eligibility. I expect a spirited battle, but in the end it’s hard to ignore the fact that Clemson is clearly a better team. Zach believes the visiting favorites will win big.

My Pick: Clemson

Zach’s Pick: Clemson

Alabama (-3) at LSU

Has a bit of the shine worn off this rivalry?? Perhaps, but not that much. At 6-2 both teams still have conference championship & playoff aspirations, but those dreams will likely end for the loser. Death Valley on a Saturday night is daunting for any visitor, even The Tide. I believe we’re looking at a last second field goal or overtime situation, and I feel an upset brewing. Zach, on the other hand, likes LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, but thinks ‘Bama is the better team. He wouldn’t be surprised to see overtime, but thinks the visiting favorites will snag a close victory.

My Pick: LSU

Zach’s Pick: Alabama 

BYU (-4.5) at Utah

Who would have predicted a few months ago that the Battle of the Beehive State would have conference title implications…for BYU?? Not only do the Cougars lead the Big 12, but they are an unbeaten Top Ten team. Conversely, the 4-4 Utes have had their season go completely off the rails in the past month. They have the home field, but since the two schools are less than an hour apart it probably doesn’t matter. It’s one of those late night kickoffs that I used to look forward to when I was younger, but now I don’t know if I’ll even be awake for the second half and don’t anticipate missing much. Zach predicts a high scoring shootout, with the visiting favorites ultimately prevailing.

My Pick: BYU

Zach’s Pick: BYU

Philadelphia (-6.5) at Dallas 

Both teams are looking up at the division leading Washington Commanders, which is kind of funny. To be fair, Philly is only a half game out of first place and seems to have fixed most of the issues that plagued them late last season. The addition of RB Saquon Barkley has been a huge boost, with him resembling the freak of nature he was back at Penn St. in 2017. Meanwhile, the 3-5 Cowboys are fulfilling my prophecy for them from a year ago. I should have stuck with those vibes this offseason. Even with the home field there is no reason to believe Dallas has a chance to come out on top. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Philadelphia 

Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia 

Miami at LA Rams (-2.5)

It’s the Monday night game, which means football fans will be watching. The question though is whether or not we should be excited to tune in. At 2-6 the Dolphins are, thus far, falling way short of expectations. Can they turn things around in the second half of the season?? The outcome of this game could go a long way toward answering that question. The Rams are 4-4 and in a dog fight with the other three teams in the NFC West, so a victory would be quite important to them as well. I view the Rams as solid yet unspectacular in all three phases of the game. Their record could easily be a couple of wins better, but sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce the right way. I foresee the home favorites having an edge in turnovers & time of possession, which should help them come out on top. Zach believes it could be a nail biter, but thinks a healthy Rams team is peaking at the right time.

My Pick: LA Rams

Zach’s Pick: LA Rams

2024 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 4

Neither one of us had a good week, thanks in part to underwhelming performances by the Wisconsin Badgers & Houston Texans. We’ll try to do better, starting on Friday night. Kudos to Fox, which, for the moment anyway, has replaced the departed WWE Smackdown (now airing on USA Network, which is fine with this wrasslin’ fan), with a Friday night football game. That means that we are able to enjoy football five out of seven nights. I rarely leave The Bachelor Palace these days as it is, but now I can feel good about it for awhile. 

My Season: 11-12

Zach’s Season: 12-11

Illinois at Nebraska (-8.5)

The college football world has been awaiting Nebraska’s return to relevance for a very long time. They haven’t had a winning season since 2016 and haven’t won ten games since 2012. The Cornhuskers have cycled thru six head coaches since the legendary Tom Osborne retired in 1997. Currently they sit at 3-0, but now the real work begins. The Illini are also 3-0, including an impactful victory over Kansas. This will be the first road game for Illinois, and there will be 90k fans ready to rumble in Lincoln on Friday. I like the home team, but I think the points are a little much. Nebraska probably wins by a 5-8 point margin. Conversely, Zach doesn’t see anything to dislike about Nebraska and believes they’ll get a big victory.

My Pick: Illinois

Zach’s Pick: Nebraska 

Tennessee (-7.5) at Oklahoma 

I don’t like Oklahoma in the SEC, but will reluctantly agree that it creates some intriguing matchups. The Vols are 3-0, having outscored their opponents 191-13. The 3-0 Sooners have the home field, but even the oddsmakers don’t see that as much of an advantage. I believe they are about to receive a very harsh welcome to their new conference, with the suits having to remind themselves that, financially atleast, it wasn’t a terrible decision, even it is a stupid move in every other way. Zach, on the other hand, predicts a high scoring shootout with very little defense. 

My Pick: Tennessee 

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma 

Utah (-1.5) at Oklahoma State

The Utes were my preseason #1, and thru three games have not given me a reason to regret it. I ranked the Cowboys in my Top Ten and warned the masses not to sleep on this game. ESPN’s College Gameday will be less than a hundred miles away in Norman because…well of course they will be, but I think this will be the better game in that state. I’ll be thrilled if it’s as close as the odds indicate, but at the end of the day I have the visiting favorites pulling out a thriller, and these teams possibly meeting for a rematch in the Big 12 title game in a few months. Zach makes a valid point that Utah QB Cam Rising, who injured his hand a couple weeks ago and didn’t play at Utah St., is so important to his team that his absence would completely change the equation. That possibility is enough to swing the pendulum in the home team’s direction for him.

My Pick: Utah

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma St.

Baltimore (-1) at Dallas

It warms my cockles to see these alleged Super Bowl contenders sitting at 0-2 & 1-1 respectively, with neither atop their division. Okay, okay…to be fair the Cowboys are in a three way tie, with the 0-2 Giants a game behind. Also, I realize both teams are likely to fix their issues and jump back into the playoff conversation. However, only one can emerge victorious on Sunday afternoon. It’s very interesting that the Cowboys are home underdogs, which probably means the “experts” believe they have bigger problems than their opponents. That being said, I am a bit of a contrarian who likes to go against conventional wisdom. While it pains me to have to cheer for either team, in this case I think Dallas defends their home turf with a single digit win. Zach opines that a Cowboys loss would put head coach Mike McCarthy on the hot seat, which would be fascinating given my prediction concerning him a year ago and my feeble decision to back off on the idea this season. 

My Pick: Dallas

Zach’s Pick: Dallas

Washington at Cincinnati (-8)

Monday Night Football is on an early season roll, and I’m here for it. The Commanders are 1-1, but I think rookie QB Jayden Daniels has an opportunity to be special, especially if the team acquires another weapon or two so WR Terry McClaurin doesn’t have secondaries focusing on him. Meanwhile, the 0-2 Bengals have been disappointing thus far, but it’s way too soon to push the panic button. There is no shame in losing to the defending Super Bowl champions on their home field, especially when the zebras put their stamp on the game. I foresee Daniels putting on a show and almost singlehandedly keeping his team in the game, with Cincy ultimately getting the win but not covering the points. Zach opines that the Bengals have been playing down to the level of their opponents, but believes they’ll rise up and blow out Washington. 

My Pick: Washington 

Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati 

2024 College Football Preseason Top 25

Folks, I don’t even know where to begin. I seriously contemplated not even doing a pre-season poll this year because, quite frankly, I’m not that excited about college football anymore. Money & politics have stained the sport, and I am simply too old to retain my usual level of plucky enthusiasm. A year ago I stated that “I will not let university suits or TV execs steal my joy”, but now I cannot deny that my fervor for the game has indeed significantly diminished. I can’t keep straight what conference half of these teams are members of anymore, and don’t have much interest in learning. I know that the Power 5 is now the Power 4 because the Pac 12 imploded. Perhaps in the long run that will be helpful in sorting out the playoff, but at the moment I perceive it as more dunking on tradition, whatever scraps of that may remain. Surely not a whole hell of alot. I am not even going to try to explain the new playoff format beyond its expansion from four to twelve teams, which neuters the impact of the regular season beyond its function as a time waster for couch potatoes with empty lives (like me) and a great excuse to get drunk for college students & rednecks in a state of arrested development. At any rate, let’s dive in!!

25 Southern Cal

Last Season: 8-5 (Won the Holiday Bowl)

Key Games: 9/1 vs. LSU, 9/21 @ Michigan, 11/30 vs. Notre Dame

Head coach Lincoln Riley came to USC with much fanfare, but in two seasons with future NFL bust Caleb Williams at QB he has achieved an unimpressive 19-8 record. Moving to the Big Ten won’t make things any easier, but sports media will prop up the Trojans if they can pull off an upset or two. 

24 Iowa State 

Last Season: 7-6 (Defeated in the Liberty Bowl)

Key Games: 10/5 vs. Baylor, 11/30 vs. Kansas St.

I went to high school with the mother & aunt of Cyclones’ QB Rocco Becht, and his father was a talented tight end for my WV Mountaineers in the late 90’s who had a solid career in the NFL. So are my expectations filtered thru rose colored glasses?? Perhaps, but I think the new Big 12 is intriguing and could provide a few surprises. 

23 Tennessee

Last Season: 9-4 (Beat Iowa in the Citrus Bowl)

Key Games: 9/21 @ Oklahoma, 11/16 @ Georgia 

If you listen to the talking heads they’ll have half of the SEC ranked in the Top Ten, but the truth is that someone will lose a game or two. Word on the street is that sophomore QB Nico Iamaleava is an upgrade over Joe Milton, who is now plying his trade with the New England Patriots. We’ll see.

22 Miami (FL)

Last Season: 7-6 (Lost to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl)

Key Games: 10/14 @ North Carolina, 11/11 @ Florida St., 11/18 vs. Louisville

I don’t believe the ‘Canes will ever again be the dominant force that sat atop the college football world for much of the 1980s & ‘90s, but improving by a couple of games in a mediocre ACC is doable. They’ll need to beat atleast one favored opponent on the road.

21 Arizona 

Last Season: 10-3 (Beat Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl)

Key Games: 9/13 @ Kansas St., 9/28 @ Utah

The Wildcats land in the…*checks notes*…Big 12, and they could have some early success. If you forced me at gunpoint to say something positive about realignment I might point to fresh matchups in which no one really knows what to expect. Arizona vs. BYU. Arizona vs. West Virginia. Arizona vs. UCF. I don’t think they’ll compete for a conference title or playoff berth, but matching last season’s success seems like a reasonable expectation.

20 Virginia Tech 

Last Season: 7-6 (Beat Tulane in the Military Bowl)

Key Games: 9/27 @ Miami (FL), 11/9 vs. Clemson

The Hokies haven’t won 9+ games since 2017, and have had three head coaches since Frank Beamer retired in 2015. They improved tremendously in Year 2 under Brent Pry, and it doesn’t feel outlandish to expect further development, especially in a pedestrian ACC. Keep an eye on Clemson’s November visit to Blacksburg. The winner of that game could emerge as a conference title contender.

19 Texas

Last Season: 12-2 (Defeated in the CFP Semis by Washington)

Key Games: 9/7 @ Michigan, 10/2 vs. Oklahoma, 10/19 vs. Georgia

Well ‘Horns fans, you got what you wished for. Now it’s time to back up all the bragging & trash talk on the field against SEC opponents. Not only that, but the non-conference schedule features a visit to Ann Arbor to battle the defending national champions. The talent is unquestionable, but the path is treacherous. A playoff berth seems unlikely, but 9 or 10 wins doesn’t feel out of reach.

18 North Carolina State

Last Season: 9-4 (Lost the Pop Tarts Bowl)

Key Games: 9/21 @ Clemson, 11/30 @ North Carolina

I can’t decide if the ACC is a model of parity or simply tedious. I am feeling generous so let’s call it more of the former than the latter. If the Wolfpack wants to equal the success of last season they’ll need to have some great games on the road.

17 Penn State

Last Season: 10-3 (Lost to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl)

Key Games: 10/12 @ USC, 11/2 @ Ohio St.

The Nittany Lions are amongst a plethora of teams that perpetually reside on the second level of college football. They’ll win alot more games than they lose and always field a talented team theoretically capable of beating just about anyone, but never quite reach elite status which would allow them to be perceived as a legit playoff contender. Ten wins and a solid bowl berth seems to be their ceiling.

16 Michigan

Last Season: 15-0 (CFP National Champions)

Key Games: 9/7 vs. Texas, 9/21 vs. USC, 11/2 vs. Oregon, 11/30 @ Ohio St.

I don’t believe that the loss of head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL means that the defending national champions will crumble & slink away into obscurity, but they are unlikely to be serious title contenders. I suppose they could sneak into the playoff, but even that feels like a bit much to ask. They’ll lose atleast one huge game in The Big House.

15 LSU

Last Season: 10-3 (Beat Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl)

Key Games: 9/1 vs. USC, 11/9 vs. Alabama

I’ll be honest…this one makes me nervous. I never know what to expect from the Bayou Bengals. That being said, head coach Brian Kelly has had two consecutive ten win seasons since arriving in Baton Rouge. Opening against USC in Death Valley might be the most intriguing matchup of the first full weekend of action, and they also host ‘Bama in November. Can they match last season’s success?? We’ll see.

14 Boise State

Last Season: 8-6 (Lost the LA Bowl)

Key Games: 10/25 @ UNLV, 11/29 vs. Oregon St. 

The Broncos are back!! After a couple of underwhelming seasons and a coaching change Boise has rebounded the past two years and won the Mountain West title a season ago, their first championship since 2019. I don’t expect them to upset Oregon in Eugene, but that’s a Week 2 non-conference battle. Their focus should be on winning ten games & another conference championship.

13 Appalachian State 

Last Season:  9-5 (Won the New Mexico Bowl)

Key Games: 9/28 vs. Liberty, 11/23 vs. James Madison 

The overhyped teams in the power conferences will beat each other up. Only one or two might emerge unscathed. That leaves room for a Group of 5 team (or two) to rise thru the rankings a bit. I believe the highest ranked conference champion of those “lesser” conferences is guaranteed a playoff berth. A year ago that would’ve been the C-USA champion Liberty Flames, but I’m predicting a horse race between Boise St. & the Sun Belt’s Appalachian St. The Mountaineers’ two key games are both in the cozy confines of Boone, NC.

12 Alabama

Last Season: 12-2 (Defeated in the CFP Semis by Michigan)

Key Games: 9/28 vs. Georgia, 10/19 @ Tennessee, 11/9 @ LSU

In case you hadn’t heard, Nick Saban is no longer the head coach at Alabama. He simply had nothing left to prove. New coach Kalen DeBoer is no slouch, having won 25 games the past two years with the Washington Huskies, including an appearance in last season’s CFP Title game. I don’t believe we’ll see that much of a decline for The Tide. Saban surely didn’t leave the cupboard bare. However, I think it is too much to expect an undefeated championship caliber effort out of the gate. Fans in Tuscaloosa will need to settle for a solid record & a playoff appearance.

11 Oregon 

Last Season: 12-2 (Won the Fiesta Bowl)

Key Games: 10/12 vs. Ohio St., 11/2 @ Michigan

Expectations are thru the roof for the Ducks heading into their inaugural season in the…*checks notes*…Big Ten, but I’m not buying it. I don’t believe this is the team that walks into a new, STACKED conference and wins a title. They will not beat Ohio St., and upsetting Michigan in The Big House is a tall order. Ten wins & a playoff berth is the ceiling for Oregon right now. 

10 Clemson

Last Season: 9-4 (Beat Kentucky in the Gator Bowl)

Key Games: 10/5 @ Florida St., 11/9 @ Virginia Tech

The Tigers have not lived up to their lofty standards the past few years, last making a playoff appearance in 2020. That is likely to change with the new format, but I’m still not convinced they are serious title contenders. Of course the first task is to win the ACC, which means the game in Tallahassee on my birthday is a must win. 

9 Missouri 

Last Season: 11-2 (Beat Ohio St. in the Cotton Bowl)

Key Games: 10/5 @ Texas A&M, 10/26 @ Alabama

It is easy for the Tigers to get lost in the SEC shuffle, but a season ago they announced their presence with authority, with wins over Tennessee & Florida. I’m not sure how much credence to give their defeat of Ohio St. in the Cotton Bowl considering alot of the Buckeyes’ firepower was MIA, but it looks good on paper. Can Missouri mirror that success this year?? Don’t overlook their late season visit to Tuscaloosa. If there was ever a time to make a powerful statement that’d be it.

8 Mississippi

Last Season: 11-2 (Beat Penn St. in the Peach Bowl)

Key Games: 9/23 @ Alabama, 9/30 vs. LSU, 11/11 @ Georgia

I will freely admit to caving into peer pressure on this one. The Rebels are getting a ton of preseason love from almost every outlet, so I assume where there’s smoke there has to be some fire. Still, visits to Tuscaloosa in September and Athens in October seem daunting. Winning both games, though a gargantuan task, would certainly secure a Top Ten ranking. Heck, pulling off just one upset would grab some attention. The linchpin to the entire season might just be hosting LSU only one week after visiting ‘Bama. The loser of that game probably tanks their playoff aspirations.

7 Oklahoma State

Last Season: 10-4 (Won the Texas Bowl)

Key Games: 9/21 vs. Utah, 9/28 @ Kansas St.

Okay, okay…I actually did some research so I’d get this right. The Big 12 lost Texas & Oklahoma while gaining Arizona, Arizona St., Utah, and Colorado, and you’ll recall that Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, and Central Florida joined a year ago. What all of that boils down to is an opportunity to seize the top spot & become the new standard bearer for the conference. The Cowboys were in the mix last season, but they’re probably going to face a tough battle with newcomer Utah for conference supremacy. The Utes visit Stillwater in September. Don’t sleep on that game.

6 Florida State

Last Season: 13-1 (Obliterated by Georgia in the Orange Bowl)

Key Games: 10/5 vs. Clemson, 10/26 @ Miami (FL), 11/9 @ Notre Dame

After several years of mediocrity the Seminoles have rebounded the last couple of seasons, coming within a whisper of the playoff last year. It is likely that they would’ve received the nod if not for a serious injury to QB Jordan Travis, although the beatdown they received in the Orange Bowl caused people to wonder if it was all a mirage anyway. Travis has moved on to the NFL now, and Florida St. has the opportunity to answer any lingering doubts. They’re still in the ACC (for now), which is a double-edged sword. On one hand Clemson is probably the only obstacle to winning a conference title. Conversely, that title doesn’t earn much respect these days. A November trek to South Bend looks like the pivotal moment of their championship dreams.

5 Notre Dame 

Last Season: 10-3 (Won the Sun Bowl)

Key Games: 8/31 @ Texas A&M, 11/9 vs. Florida St., 11/30 @ USC

The Fighting Irish will always be in the playoff conversation given their much ballyhooed history & independent status. An at-large bid is likely reserved in their name as long as they hover near the top half of the rankings. Perhaps I am being naive, but trips to College Station, TX & The Coliseum in L.A. don’t feel that intimidating. I believe Notre Dame wins both games. Hosting Florida St. to end the season is helpful, but it is also a classic trap game.

4 Kansas State

Last Season: 9-4 (Beat NC St. in the Pop Tarts Bowl)

Key Games: 9/28 vs. Oklahoma St., 11/30 @ Iowa St.

While Oklahoma St. will be in the Big 12 mix I foresee the Wildcats being the old school Big 12 team that’ll fend off (almost) all the newcomers. Winning on the road in Ames, IA to close the season is a tough mountain to climb, but I think it’ll clinch a conference title game appearance for K St. Undefeated?? It’s possible…until the playoff. They are not a legit national championship contender.

3 Ohio State

Last Season: 11-2 (Beaten by Missouri in the Cotton Bowl)

Key Games: 10/12 @ Oregon, 11/2 @ Penn St., 11/30 vs. Michigan

The Buckeyes lost some talented players to the NFL & in the transfer portal, but they also added a ton of five star recruits & well-regarded transfers. Not only do most expect them to not miss a beat, but it seems probable that they’ve actually gotten better. The Big Ten situation is a catch-22. On one hand changes at Michigan mean that they are unlikely to be as dominant and Ohio St. will probably be favored in that matchup. On the other hand, the conference has added Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington, so the path to a title is even tougher. I don’t know if undefeated is a realistic goal, but I am not sure it matters that much. Survive & advance to the Big Ten title game. Win the conference championship and receive a first round playoff bye. That’s the blueprint.

2 Georgia 

Last Season: 13-1 (Destroyed Florida St. in the Orange Bowl

Key Games: 8/31 vs. Clemson, 9/28 @ Alabama, 10/19 @ Texas

“To be The Man you’ve got to beat The Man”, and the only teams that have defeated the Bulldogs in the past three years are Alabama in the 2021 SEC Championship (Georgia then beat The Tide to win the National Championship) and Michigan in last season’s title game. Georgia has become THE team. They are on another level, and will need every ounce of that superiority to repel their challengers. Sadly I still think “style points” are a thing, so even if the ‘Dawgs grind out an unbeaten regular season they might not hold the top spot if a couple of those victories are unimpressive. Visits to Tuscaloosa & Austin, TX are mountains Georgia must climb, and those trips feel rather perilous.

1 Utah

Last Season: 8-5 (Lost the Las Vegas Bowl)

Key Games: 9/21 @ Oklahoma St., 11/23 vs. Iowa St.

Okay…stay with me. Imagine this scenario. Two loss SEC & Big Ten Champions emerge from the rubble. Notre Dame & the ACC Champ (either Florida St. or Clemson) both have one loss and a couple of tight wins. Meanwhile, the Utes, with 25 year old seventh year senior QB Cam Rising, who’s as old or older than half the starters in the NFL, returns after missing the whole season a year ago with a serious knee injury. Utah also returns 16 starters & 73% of their production from a year ago. In their inaugural Big 12 season Utah starts 4-0 before heading into Stillwater and getting a huge road win over Oklahoma St. They blow thru the remaining schedule like one of those tornadoes in Twister before winning the Big 12 title game over Kansas St. Can they stand tall against Big Ten & SEC opponents in the playoff?? Year in & year out…probably not. This season?? It seems plausible.

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 12

Both of us were 3-2 last week, so nothing really changes there. The schedule is pretty stacked this weekend so we’re doing a double dose of picks. We are halfway thru the NFL season and in the home stretch with college football, which keeps things interesting as far as trying not to be repetitive. However, good teams & great matchups are what they are, so if we tend to focus on certain teams while ignoring others it is unintentional yet oftentimes unavoidable.

My Season: 38-25

Zach’s Season: 31-32

Michigan (-5.5) at Penn State

The undefeated Wolverines are battling for a playoff berth, while the 8-1 Nittany Lions still have an outside shot at playing for the Big Ten title. This is a Noon kickoff on Fox, which is a little odd, but it also means we get the broadcast team of Gus Johnson & Joel Klatt, who have become my favorite duo. The home field makes me skittish, but Michigan has dominated the rivalry in recent years, having beaten the home underdogs in six of their last nine battles. It’ll be fun for awhile, but I think the favorites grind it out for three & a half quarters before pulling away with a comfortable victory. Zach believes the time has come for his Wolverines, that this is the season they’ve been waiting for the past couple of decades. He has thought Penn St. overrated the entire season and forsees a huge win for his guys on the road.

My Pick: Michigan

Zach’s Pick: Michigan

Auburn at Arkansas (-3)

The 5-4 Tigers & the 3-6 Razorbacks have become afterthoughts in the SEC. Auburn needs a win to become bowl eligible, while Arkansas needs a win for a bit of self-respect. I’m a little surprised that Arkansas is favored, and I think the oddsmakers may have gotten it wrong. Zach agrees, predicting that the visitors will score a late touchdown for the win.

My Pick: Auburn

Zach’s Pick: Auburn

Miami (FL) at Florida State (-14.5)

This was one of the fiercest rivalries in the country a few decades ago, but it’s been a rough road for both programs in recent years. Both have shown signs of life here & there, though usually not at the same time. The ‘Canes are 6-3 but really have nothing to play for except pride and a more lucrative bowl invitation. Conversely, the unbeaten Seminoles can secure a playoff berth if they just keep winning. I’d be shocked if they lose, but can they cover on their turf?? Ultimately I foresee the favorites winning by 10-13 points, which they’ll be happy with but certain parties won’t like. Zach thinks State’s offensive firepower is just too much.

My Pick: Miami (FL)

Zach’s Pick: Florida St.

Mississippi at Georgia (-11.5)

The Bulldogs are still winning every game, but it doesn’t seem like they’re as dominant as we’ve all come to expect. Perhaps they are bored. If that’s the case they’ll need to kick it up a notch because the 8-1 Rebels have big plans that begin with pulling off an upset. Do I think that will happen?? No, not in the cozy confines of Athens, GA. That being said, I don’t believe the home team wins by more than ten points. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Ole Miss

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss

Utah at Washington (-9.5)

Coulda, woulda, shoulda. It could have been a great matchup if the 7-2 Utes had their starting QB and hadn’t gotten smoked by both Oregon teams. They can still end up with a nice season and play in the Sun Bowl or Alamo Bowl, but a third consecutive PAC 12 title isn’t going to happen. Conversely, the 9-0 Huskies have a playoff berth on the horizon if they win out. I think it’ll be a decent game, but Washington is just too good and they’re not going to let their foot off the gas now. Zach isn’t totally sold on Washington as a playoff contender, but he thinks they’ll win this game.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

Southern California at Oregon (-14.5)

While QB Caleb Williams snuggles his Mommy and plans a future as an NFL owner his Trojans have lost three of their last four games. Meanwhile, the 8-1 Ducks still have conference title and playoff aspirations. Oregon QB Bo Nix is my Heisman favorite and this is a fantastic opportunity to grab the attention of voters. It’s a 10:30pm kickoff on Fox, which I freakin’ love. Man those points scare me though!! When was the last time USC was a two TD underdog?? The folks in Eugene better show up & show out because their team needs them on Saturday night. The points are just too much for Zach. He likes Oregon to win, but believes it’ll be closer than two TDs.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: USC

Indianapolis (-1.5) at New England

In the preseason I opined that I was hesitant to stick a fork in the Patriots, but at 2-7 they’re even worse than I anticipated, which brings me no small amount of joy. At 4-5 the Colts aren’t that much better, but losing a starting QB does tend to affect a team negatively. We’re really setting new precedents this week, as I have to think that the Pats being underdogs in Foxboro has been rare the past couple of decades. It’ll probably be an ugly game, but somebody has to win, and I think that’ll be the visiting favorites in a low scoring slugfest that everyone will want to forget as quickly as possible. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Indianapolis

Zach’s Pick: Indianapolis

Houston at Cincinnati (-7.5)

The 5-3 Bengals have won three in a row after a rough start and seem to be hitting their stride in a wide open AFC North. The 4-4 Texans have shown flashes of potential just as I predicted. I’ll be much more interested in this matchup in a couple of years, but right now Cincy is clearly the better team. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Cincinnati

Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati

San Francisco (-2.5) at Jacksonville

Lather, rinse, repeat. Much like Houston, the 6-2 Jags look to be a team with a bright future, but they’re not quite there just yet. They’ll likely win a weak division then get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Conversely, the 5-3 Niners had been, until recently, one of the more complete teams in the league, and anything short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy will be a disappointment. Having said that, we cannot overlook the fact that they’ve lost three straight games. Why?? It’d be easy to blame QB Brock Purdy, and it’s a valid point. Don’t ever forget that he was Mr. Irrelevant and had eight signal callers chosen ahead of him, including Chris Oladokun & Skylar Thompson. Perhaps Purdy has been exposed. However, I actually think defense is a bigger issue and one that can be fixed rapidly, especially when you add a piece like recently acquired defensive end Chase Young. Call me delusional, but I still believe ‘Frisco is the better team and will dig deep to score a vital road victory. Zach forsees San Francisco relying heavily on their rushing attack to get an important win.

My Pick: San Francisco

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

Washington at Seattle (-6)

If the 49ers continue to fold like a cheap suit the 5-3 Seahawks will be more than happy to take the division. I told y’all a few months ago that the NFC West would be hotly contested, and that might prove to be accurate if things continue down the current path. However, let’s not shortchange the 4-5 Commanders, who could easily be a couple of games better had the ball bounced just a bit differently. They will likely end up being as mediocre as I thought they’d be, but they’re a gritty team that doesn’t go down easily. I think the home field is too much to overcome, and Seattle will cover…but it won’t be a blowout. Zach doesn’t think it’ll be particularly competitive and agrees that Seattle is the better team.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: Seattle

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 10

First of all, I am making an unprecedented executive decision. Zach & I both chose Penn St. to atleast cover the 7 & a half point spread against Ohio St. The Nittany Lions scored a touchdown with 29 seconds left to draw within eight points. At that point they decided to go for a two point conversion that failed. They were going to need to recover an onside kick to have a chance, which didn’t work out. Had that been successful they would have needed a touchdown & extra point to win. However, if they would’ve simply kicked the extra point with 29 seconds remaining they would’ve needed that same thing, only for a tie & to force overtime. Essentially going for two only served to screw anyone for whom that one point (really a half point) might’ve been important. Since we do not promote gambling here 😉, have no money on the line, and both of us had the same pick, I am rewarding us with a win. At the end of the day that means I was 4-1, while Zach was 2-3. Let’s see what we can do this week.

My Season: 31-22

Zach’s Season: 25-28

Oregon (-7) at Utah

The 6-1 Utes got a rather significant victory over USC last weekend, while the 6-1 Ducks rebounded nicely from their only loss of the season. Both teams are still in the thick of the PAC 12 title hunt, with Utah getting an opportunity in a few weeks to do what Oregon couldn’t do – defeat Washington. As for this game, ESPN’s Gameday will be on site, adding a layer of excitement & relevance, as if a Top 15 matchup needed extra juice. Before the season I had Oregon ranked 20th & Utah 11th, but that was contingent upon the leadership of QB Cameron Rising. Unfortunately the young man’s recovery from a knee injury has been slower than expected and he’s going to be redshirted. Obviously the home underdogs in this matchup have fared just fine without him, but in a game of this caliber I simply have more confidence in the visiting team’s signal caller, Bo Nix. Zach forsees a shootout, but also has more confidence in Oregon’s offense.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

Georgia (-14.5) vs. Florida

It’s a “neutral site” game in Jacksonville, which is about 275 miles closer to Gainesville, FL than Athens, GA. The Bulldogs have been in a couple of competitive games but remain unbeaten, while the Gators are 5-2 and still riding the roller coaster. Is it a trap game for the defending National Champions?? Is the Florida-Georgia line a bit too much?? I say no to both questions. Zach doesn’t believe Georgia is as good as they were the past couple of years, and points out that the absence of tight end Brock Bowers is significant. At the end of the day he thinks they’ll snag another win, but believes Florida will keep it close.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Florida

NY Jets (-3) vs. NY Giants

It’s the Battle of New York…or New Jersey. Either way, there is no home field advantage. Credit to the Jets for not folding like a cheap suit after Aaron Rodgers went down with an injury less than a minute into the season. At 3-3 they are atleast remaining respectable, although I don’t believe they’ll be a playoff team. Conversely, even though they’ve only won one less game, it already feels like a lost season for the 2-5 Giants. I don’t believe it’ll be a particularly compelling matchup, with the Jets winning by a touchdown. Zach concurs, opining that the game will likely be a snoozefest.

My Pick: NY Jets

Zach’s Pick: NY Jets

Baltimore (-8.5) at Arizona

The 5-2 Ravens lead their division, but have a very small margin of error. The 1-6 Cards may be getting QB Kyler Murray back soon, but not quite yet. Even when that happens I’m not sure it’ll make much of a difference. I thought a few months ago that they’d improve upon last season’s abysmal 4-13 record, but now I’m not confident they’ll reach that goal. As much as I’d love to see Baltimore lose I don’t think that’s what’ll happen. Zach predicts an epic five TD beat down.

My Pick: Baltimore

Zach’s Pick: Baltimore

Las Vegas at Detroit (-8.5)

It seems like some folks might be ready to jump off the Detroit bandwagon after they had their ass handed to them last week, but not me. They still hold a comfortable lead in their division, and we can’t forget the season opening upset of KC. Conversely, the 3-4 Raiders are going nowhere fast. This is Josh McDaniels’ second head coaching gig, and it’s clear that he’s a much better offensive coordinator. In my mind the only question about Monday night is whether or not the Lions will go full throttle enough to cover the points, and ultimately I believe they will. Zach has no hesitation in predicting the home team will win easily.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 5

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.

My Pick: Cincinnati

Zach’s Pick: LA Rams

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 2

I’m already off to a better start than a year ago, having gone 4-1 last week. Zach was 2-3 but I’m sure he’ll rebound quickly. These games are much more intriguing, with the action beginning on Thursday night and stretching thru the long weekend. Allow me to seize an opportunity to remind you that this will be the final year for the four team playoff, which means a few teams might be eliminated from contention early. I haven’t taken time to ponder the full impact of an expanded 12 team playoff as well as all of the wacky conference shuffling, but one doesn’t have to be a mathematician to understand that 12 is three times as many as four, meaning the impact of early season losses will be less in the future, whereas right now one loss can derail an entire season.

My Season: 4-1

Zach’s Season: 2-3

Florida at Utah (-6.5)

I had the Utes knocking on the door of the Top 10 in my preseason poll, while the Gators didn’t make the cut. I do believe Florida will improve upon last season’s losing record as head coach Billy Napier enters into his second year in Gainesville. They actually won this matchup last year, but were inconsistent the rest of the way. Utah has the home field and probably thinks they have an outside shot at a playoff berth, but QB Cam Rising suffered an ACL tear in The Rose Bowl and might not be 100% just yet. His status makes me a bit skittish, but I’m sticking with the home favorites. Zach believes it’ll be tight until the end, but feels like the favorites will win by a touchdown. This is a Thursday night game on ESPN, which is perfect since I’ve got a busy weekend but Thursdays are usually quite mundane.

My Pick: Utah

Zach’s Pick: Utah

Nebraska (-7) at Minnesota

There seems to be some level of excitement about the Cornhuskers, which is surprising since they haven’t had a winning season since 2016. The Scott Frost Era was a total bust and Matt Rhule is the man in charge now. You may recall that Rhule was quite successful at Temple, had one great year at Baylor after a rough start, then moved on to the Carolina Panthers for a few forgettable years before deciding he’s better off as a college coach. The Golden Gophers have had back-to-back nine win seasons, which is probably their ceiling in the rigorous Big Ten. This is a tough call because normally I’m a huge home field guy, but the visitors are solid favorites. What do the oddsmakers know?? These teams have met 63 times since 1900, with Minnesota leading the all-time series 36-25-2. They’ve won the last four contests. I believe Rhule will fix the issues that have been plaguing Nebraska and might even win this game, but I foresee it being closer than a touchdown. Zach predicts Rhule will eventually lead his team to success, but Minnesota has the edge in the trenches where games are truly won.

My Pick: Minnesota

Zach’s Pick: Minnesota

Miami (OH) at Miami (FL) (-17)

It’s the Battle of Miami!! I’m a little tired of waiting for the Hurricanes to return to their 90s glory, and I don’t believe they’ll ever be a dominant force in the current football landscape. However, I do think that much traveled head coach Mario Cristobal can do better in his second year and achieve a winning record. The RedHawks haven’t had a ten win season since 2010, and have barely had two winning seasons in that timeframe. Those points are pretty big, but I don’t think the home team will have any issues covering. Zach concurs, opining that the ‘Canes will win easily.

My Pick: Miami (FL)

Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)

Colorado at Texas Christian (-21.5)

A lot of questions will be answered in this game. Let’s be honest, Deion Sanders wasn’t hired to be the Buffaloes head coach because of his 27-6 record in three years at Jackson St. He got the job because Colorado has only had two winning seasons since 2005 and has been lost in the PAC 12 shuffle since foolishly joining in 2010. With Coach Prime at the helm people are talking about the Buffs for the first time since the early 1990s. Conversely, the Horned Frogs shocked the world by earning a spot in the playoff last season and actually beating Michigan before getting shellacked in the title game by Georgia. Can they sustain that success after eight players moved on to the NFL?? Let’s not overlook the fact that they didn’t even win the Big 12 title game, so I assume that’ll provide motivation. The bottom line is this – Colorado has been rebuilt to an unprecedented degree thru the transfer portal and should have low expectations, while TCU may no longer be a playoff contender but should still be a solid team. The points concern me a bit, but ultimately I think the favorites cover with ease. Zach is hoping for a big upset, although he doesn’t think it’ll actually happen. However, he does believe the underdogs will hang tough and keep it close.

My Pick: TCU

Zach’s Pick: Colorado

Boise State at Washington (-14)

I’m a little disappointed that it’s a 3:30pm kickoff. It seems like a matchup tailor made for one of those 10pm EST games I love so much. At any rate, the Broncos don’t seem to be getting as much love from the talking heads as they did when they were winning New Year’s bowl games & upsetting Power 5 opponents, but they won 10 games a year ago. Perhaps part of their perceived decline is the fact that they haven’t won a conference title in a few years. Whether that changes or not this season really has no connection to this game, in which the Huskies come in with high expectations of their own. QB Michael Penix could be a Heisman contender if he stays healthy, and a showdown in the PAC 12 title against USC, Utah, or Oregon is a possibility if all the dominoes fall correctly. I believe this will be an entertaining & competitive game for awhile, but the home team will pull away late and cover comfortably. Zach thinks Washington has a chance to get into the playoff and doesn’t believe they’ll have any problems winning this game.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

Texas-San Antonio (-1.5) at Houston

I am quite surprised that the Roadrunners are favored. Houston has the home field and is entering their inaugural season in the Big 12, whereas UTSA, as successful as they’ve been the past two years, still represents the AAC. The Cougars haven’t been a bad team and have been in the AAC title conversation the past few years before jumping conferences. Whether or not they’ll be competitive in the Big 12 remains to be seen, but they’d certainly make a statement by upending a UTSA team that’s won 11+ games each of the past two seasons. This could be the hidden gem of the entire holiday weekend slate, and I might have to click on over to FS1 Saturday evening to check it out. I think the oddsmakers are onto something and the visitors will squeak by with a winning field goal. Zach points out that both squads averaged more than 35 points/game a year ago and likes the home team to prevail in a shootout.

My Pick: UTSA

Zach’s Pick: Houston

North Carolina (-2.5) at South Carolina

It looks like the ‘Cocks will have some stiff competition on their home field Saturday afternoon, and the oddsmakers are giving them the shaft. Can Tar Heels QB Drake Maye thrust himself into Heisman contention, or will the defense make it hard for him to score?? Will the offensive line provide adequate protection, making sure to pull out on blocks just in time?? If Maye’s drives down the field climax with more touchdowns than field goals it could result in a huge victory, but if he is unable to penetrate deep into the red zone UNC fans could be left unsatisfied. Zach likes the Heels to win a high scoring affair.

My Pick: North Carolina

Zach’s Pick: North Carolina

LSU (-2.5) vs. Florida State

It’s been awhile since anyone had high expectations for the Seminoles, but head coach Mike Norvell enters his fourth season on the heels of winning 10 games and defeating Oklahoma in a bowl game. Having said that, the folks in Baton Rouge have legit hopes for success as well. This is a “neutral” site game in Orlando, which is about three times closer to Tallahassee than The Bayou, so the powers-that-be aren’t fooling anybody. It’s also being played on Sunday evening, which is fine by me. These are both preseason Top 10 teams in most polls, although I have LSU ranked a bit higher & Florida St. rated a little lower. Nothing would surprise me, but I think the Tigers will earn a hard fought victory. Zach’s brother is a big LSU fan and believes they’ll be in the playoff, but Zach isn’t so sure given the tough road in the SEC. However, he does think they’ll get off to a good start with a win in this game.

My Pick: LSU

Zach’s Pick: LSU