After taking last week off due in part to the lackluster lineup of games, I’m back to make some more picks. With Clemson off this weekend, we have to find ways to keep ourselves entertained and making uneducated guesses on how football games play out is as good a way as any.
In the first week I was 2-2 picking against the spread. Clemson not covering against Wake Forest really bit me in the rear. Let’s see if we can do a little better this week, and remember, don’t hurt yourself calling that bookie, because you can never trust a junkie.
#24 Louisville at #21 Pitt (-3.5)
That Louisville defense didn’t look like it has improved very much in last weeks loss to Miami. However, they aren’t facing off with one of the more explosive offenses in the ACC this week. That Cardinal offense though, it does have the potential to be explosive and they will get their biggest test yet against this Panthers defense that is allowing just 5.0 points per game. Make no mistake, that Panthers defensive front is legit. Pitt is 2-0 against the spread this season, and after this weekend will be 3-0 after they knock off the Cardinals at home. Pitt -3.5
Tennessee (-3.5) at South Carolina
SEC Football… It just means more. Especially in Columbia where they spend $1M on a statue of a Gamecock that now sits outside of the stadium. There is just one problem with it. After closer inspection, the Gamecock has no spurs, so in actuality, it’s really just a big old hen. For a program that uses #SpursUp as its calling card, that is just flat out hilarious. As for the game though, there is some good news for the folks in garnet and black. Tennessee had all kind of issues getting through fall camp. They even had to cancel one of their biggest scrimmages due to a lack of available players. Teams that have seen their fall camps substantially interrupted like the Vols have not looked extremely sharp in their openers. Yes, the quarterback with four career wins in his four year career will lead his team to an ugly win at home in Billy B. UofSC +3.5
Florida St at #12 Miami (-11)
Remember when this game was one of the biggest on the slate each season? Yeah, probably not seeing as how long it’s been. Regardless, the Canes and the Noles will meet up on Saturday down in South Beach. The Seminoles will be looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to Georgia Tech in their season opener and Miami is still looking to prove that The U is back. Make no mistake, D’Eriq King is a good quarterback and Rhett Lashlee’s system is the perfect fit for him. Manny Diaz has some talent on that team and Mike Norvell is just beginning what is going to be a long process down in Tallahassee. Miami -11
#5 Florida (-14) at Ole Miss
There are some that are really high on this Gators team. Some even think they may be playoff caliber. Before the B1G got back on board with a fall season, even I thought they were playoff caliber. Whether they are that good remains to be seen, however, I still really like this Florida team, and I think Kyle Trask is on the verge of a big season. First up is Lane Kiffin though and like him or not, Kiffin can coach. I don’t think the Rebels have any shot of pulling the upset but do expect them to be competitive. For a little while anyways. Florida -14
