READY TO SHINE IN WEEK NINE

We're not ones to shy away from tough picks but we have dropped the Alabama-Tennessee game from our Week Nine picks. Although the line is 17.5 points, we're hearing that the Orange will not have Worley at QB and the drop off to the number two guy is just too great to ignore; not to mention the offensive line is a joke with linemen playing out of position with one (Gilliam) playing with a torn ACL. Tennessee's defense is much improved and Alabama has struggled with scoring on the road. We would pick Alabama, but that's a no brainer, and our mission is to serve up more intriguing match ups. This will be an ugly blowout and Kiffin thumbs his nose one more time to the Vol faithful (note: love him or hate him, he's a very good coach and might still be at Tennessee if his 'dream job' at USC had not presented itself. I'd hire him back in a heart beat).

YOUR GREAT EIGHT™ WINNING PICKS...

Michigan @ #8 Michigan State...the table has turned in Michigan and now Sparty is the Big Brother and he's ready to chomp down on some Wolverine filet. More than likely this will be Brady Hoke's last visit to East Lansing as the exit ramp for this under performing coach is in its final stages of construction. Look for Spartans' Connor Cook and Tony Lippett to provide the fireworks. Big Brother Sparty rules again and keep the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

#3 Ole Miss @ #24 LSU...if this game were being played in Oxford or even in the daylight, we'd feel pretty confident with the Rebels. But this game is in the Red Stick and it's a night time kickoff in Death Valley. Sounds intimidating. But Tiger QB Ant Jennings has struggled this season and it doesn't get any easier with the Ole Miss defense that brings the lumber. By shutting down the pass game, the Rebs make Cam Cameron's game plan one dimensional, and that's ain't good...if you're a Bengal Tiger fan. Take Mister Freeze and his Black Rebel Bears.

#1 Mississippi State @ Kentucky....the Wildcats are showing signs of life in Lexington with new head coach Mark Stoops, but the Bulldogs are flying way too high for the Blue to trip up. The Cats give up tonnage in rushing yards and the Cowbells bring in the SEC's top offense (#2 rushing at 264 yards per game). The only way the Cats have a chance is to contain Dak Prescott. Ain't gonna happen. Take Mullen's Mutts over the kitty kats.

#20 Southern Cal @ #19 Utah...the Trojans sit atop the Pac 12 South so they are looking to survive and move on. But here's some key facts to ponder. The Utes have the second best rush defense in teh conference at 114 yards per game and have surrendered only three rushing TDs all season and limit teams to only 2.8 yards per carry (6th nationally). On defense, Utah's 33 sacks lead the nation and has picked off seven passes in the last four games. Impressive. Although USC has beaten Utah since it joined the conference, we're feeling the Utes in this win. In an UPSET SPECIAL, Utes pop the Trojans.

South Carolina @ #5 Auburn...South Carolina has NEVER beaten Auburn since they first played in 1933 (they did not play each other again until 1996; Auburn is 7-0 since then). The Tigers are heavy favorites but this game could be a close game especially if Auburn gets off to another slow start. And Spurrier is brilliant at cooking up surprises. But the Tiggers are playing well and they're hungry to move up in the polls. Tigers cook the Cocks.

Georgia Tech @ Pittsburgh...the Jackets have dropped two conference games they should have won...costing us some serious green. Which makes us mad and we hope they are too. Last week, the Bees were drilled for 390 passing yards by UNC but this week Pitt will pound the ball. The Jackets are 95th in run defense. We've said this before and we'll say it again: if Tech executes the option and protects the ball, the Jackets win. Sorry Tech. Take Pitt as the Panthers bite the Engineers.

#13 Ohio State @ Penn State...new coach James Franklin has a whole lotta work to do in Happy Valley to get the Nittany Lions back to the upper tier of college football. Since losing to Va Tech, the Buckeyes have steamrolled thru four games averaging over 50 points in each win. They now average over 46 points per game (4th in the nation). Darn good job since losing starting quarterback Braxton Miller. Take Urban's Buckeyes in a blowout.

West Virginia @ Oklahoma State...this is one of the more compelling matchups as the Mountaineers head to flat country to take on the Cowpokes in Stillwater. West Virginia plays a very physical defense which complements the firepower of Clint Trickett and his band of playmakers. Look for more fire alarms in Morganton. In another UPSET SPECIAL, take the 'Neers over the Cowpokes.

Let's check in later to count our winnings.  See you then.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™