Tricks or Treats: Halloween Hangover Hits the Gridiron

We had a slight up tick in our winning picks last Saturday, going 4-4 after experiencing a dismal 2-6 in "Sideways Saturday" in which everyone in America took one in the rumpus with so many top teams tanking.

Solid performance. Yes sir.

Our rebound effort last Saturday might have fallen a little short of expectations but was long on excitement. To wit, Visor Boy escapes with a late night win after the Mizzou kicker clunks one off the uprights. Texas Tech gift wraps three early turnovers to set up the Sooners for the W. And Georgia Tech finally found a way to win in Charlottesville.

But with a new Saturday in front of us, life is good again and we're ready for another great day of college football. So ice down that case of chilly pops, fire up the grill, and let's get ready to Make Mo Money with Mark.

Here's Your Weekend Winners......

Georgia vs Florida...the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is this season's World's Largest Yawner. Other than the Bulldogs still having an outside chance to win the SEC East, this game lacks the sizzle and excitement long associated with past get togethers in Jacksonville; it's the first time since 1991 that neither team has been ranked and both teams are 4-3. Georgia looks to have a couple of key performers back including all world Todd Gurley and solid receiver Michael Bennett who was one of the two dozen mutts that got mashed at Rocky Top three weeks ago. Florida is still trying to find a consistent offense but does have one of the best defenses in America. Key stat: 44.6% of Florida's defensive plays result in either zero or minus yardage. That's pretty stout. But not stout enough as the Dawgs dig deep for the win in Jacksonville.

Spell check aint gonna help her

#7 Miami @ #2 Florida State....this game is somewhat of a throwback to the 80's and '90s when both teams were perennial top ten regulars. Now both teams are getting their swagger back and will showcase their talents on the big stage Saturday night. But when was the last time a #7 ranked team was a three touchdown dog to another team?  Hint: never. While Jimbo Fisher is 3-0 against the Hurricanes, this season he has the phenomenal quarterback Jameis Winston (6'4, 228 lbs) who is sporting some unbelievable stats like a 70% completion rate and 23 TDs with only 4 INTs. It should be an entertaining game but no so much for Al Golden's Canes. Take the Seminoles in this one.

Tennessee @ #9 Missouri...consider this little nugget: teams that lose to Alabama also lose 86% of the time when playing an SEC opponent the following week. That doesn't bode well for Tennessee as they struggle to recover from a 45-10 Bama beat down in which they lost the game plus their quarterback. So, bUTch Jones will serve up true freshman QB Josh Dobbs to face the #3 ranked team wth INTs (15). Hopefully the kid won't quit the team as the Vols will lose its 19th straight road game against Top 25 teams. Put your money on Mizzou.

#21 Michigan @ #22 Michigan State...saying that these two teams hate each other is an understatement, especially when you consider this game having a major impact on Big Ten rankings as well as in-state recruiting and bragging rights. The Wolverines are looking for redemption in Lansing but they'll face a Spartan defense that's giving up just 12.3 point per game. We like Sparty in this one and so will you.

Pittsburgh @ Georgia Tech...how do the Panthers feel about being Tech's homecoming biatch? We'll find out Saturday night as the 5-3 Jackets can grab bowl-eligibility with a win at the Flats. With a strong road win against UVA, Tech got back to basics in running their option offense along with the defense stepping up for some key stops. So, if you're a Bee lover, you'll love the outcome Saturday night. Jackets sting the Panthers.

#11 Auburn @ Arkansas...how bad is the Razorback defense? Pretty bad as evidenced by their last two losses of 52-7 (South Carolina) and 52-0 (Alabama). So here comes Auburn averaging 511 yards per game and 37 points per contest. With Malzahn having the Tigers humming, Bret Bielema is struggling to get his Razorbacks on the same page. It's gonna take awhile. So take Auburn in this one.

#18 Oklahoma State @ #15 Texas Tech.....the Red Raiders have had a bad case of the oopsies with 19 turnovers including 12 from their freshman quarterbacks. It hurt them big time last week in their loss to the Sooners. Meanwhile, the cowpokes have only turned the ball over 10 times while being tied 8th with 13 INTs. These teams appear to be pretty evenly matched in points generated and points allowed, so turnovers could very well be the difference. UPSET ALERT:  Cowboys over the Red Raiders.

Mississippi State @ #14 South Carolina....Connor Shaw showed why he's a pretty good quarterback as he entered the game late last week and rallied his Gamecocks to a come from behind win at then #5 Missouri. He's 22-5 as the Carolina starter. Key fact to consider: Gamecocks have not lost at home since September 1, 2011. A win on Saturday ties a school record of 15 straight home victories. Go ahead and give them the W. Carolina spurs the Bulldogs.

Let's check back Sunday to see how we did. In the meantime.......

MAKE MO MONEY WITH MARK®