Last week was proven to be an anomaly as I’m back to my 5/7 ways. So, do me a favor; print this article out, pop it like your dad holding the newspaper at the breakfast table, obnoxiously sip your coffee and read my uninformed article as if you’re catching up on current events.
Last week’s results:
• 5/7 correct
• 32/49 for the year
• Surprise: Rather than bash Notre Dame for being pushed around like a pinata at a birthday party, I want to focus on Louisville bringing the wood for 4 quarters against a team that “out talented” them on paper. Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard – Louisville out rushed Notre Dame 185 to 44, they won the turnover margin 5 to 1, and they held Notre Dame to an abysmal 1.6 yards per rush. Hats off to the Cardinals.
• Best game: The Red River Shootout was exactly that. This game had goal line stands, special teams touch downs, big plays, and last-minute heroics. One day I’ll have to experience what looks like one of the greatest football environments in CFB, but until then, I will have this game on my TV every year.
• Disappointment: Miami’s end game management isn’t the only disappointing thing about this game – the turnovers are what really calmed the Hurricanes, losing the turnover margin 5-2. Miami dominated this game in every which way but the score column. Miami has a chance to bounce back and have an exciting season, but this one must hurt for the Hurricane faithful.
Now to this week’s slate.
(8) Oregon at (7) Washington
This game is by far my favorite coming into the weekend. Washington boasts the number 1 total offense in the nation; however, Oregon comes in with the number 2 total offense and number 6 defense in the nation. These Ducks are probably the best Oregon team in recent memory, but they face their first big test of the season up in Seattle. I think this game turns into a shootout with Penix out dueling Nix in a classic.
Washington 42 Oregon 40
Texas A&M at (19) Tennessee
Max Johnson and company couldn’t get over the hump against the Crimson Tide at home, and now they travel to Knoxville to face one of the most inconsistent teams in College Football – the Tennessee Volunteers. Jimbo’s seat is scorching right now, and if he loses this game, I believe it’s all over but the crying for his tenure at A&M. Take heart Jimbo, I think your boys pull one out the hat this weekend.
Texas A&M 31 Tennessee 24
Florida at South Carolina
Bowl season comes early as the disappointment bowl takes place in Columbia, SC this weekend. Florida had high hopes of competing in the SEC East behind the likes of transfer Graham Mertz and their stable of running backs – only to get pummeled by Utah and Kentucky. Yikes. South Carolina has more talent at their skill positions than most teams in the country, but their hogmollies couldn’t stop molasses from pouring out of a jar with a closed lid. This game will be very interesting to see as both teams will be fighting to go bowling this year. I think Florida and their running game take advantage of Carolina’s weak defensive front and Spencer Rattler has another career day going for 300 yards passing and being sacked 5+ times. In the end Florida steals one in Columbia, and Rattler tells his teammates “We didn’t lose, y’all lost.”
Florida 27 South Carolina 23
Missouri at (24) Kentucky
Missouri fell just short of upsetting LSU last week while Kentucky got taken to the woodshed by Georgia. Both teams will be looking to bounce back to what’s been an amazing start to their seasons and I think we’ll learn a lot about what they’re made of after this week. This game is being played in Kentucky, but if the stadium isn’t Rupp Arena, there should be no fear, and there won’t be. Missouri takes this one.
Missouri 27 Kentucky 21
(10) USC at (12) Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Notre Dame…I had high hopes for you. Louisville was declared your daddy by Maury and the college football world last week and you’ve got to be looking to bounce back. The good news for the Irish? USC plays less defense than 1-ply toilet paper. The bad news? The Trojans have more fire power than a hillbilly Fourth of July party. I think USC loses at least (2) games and I want to pick Notre Dame so badly here…screw it, I’m gonna let the Irish let me down again – chalk this one up as one of my two guaranteed misses this week.
Notre Dame 31 USC 30
(25) Miami at (12) North Carolina
Do you think everyone takes a knee around coach Cristobal at the end of practice or do they try to run for an extra yard or two to end things? All jokes aside, Miami has out played everyone on their schedule thus far so don’t let last week’s debacle sway you on how good this team truly is. However, Drake Maye and TEZ WALKER (HE’S BACK BABY) are a better team…at least their offense is that much better than everyone else. UNC wins in a thrilling back and forth game.
UNC 45 Miami 40
NC State at (17) Duke
MJ Morris has taken the reigns from Brennan Armstrong and I’m here to tell you that Morris is a durn good quarterback. Yes, they had to fight tooth and nail to beat Marshall, but don’t get it twisted, Marshall is no joke. The Wolfpack have struggled this year, but I think they start to turn things around this week, especially with Riley Leonard being out for the foreseeable future. The Wolfpack will triumph in an ugly game – maybe don’t let your kids or new football fans watch this one.
NC State 13 Duke 9
