REDEMPTION STARTS HERE.

After a historic beat down last Saturday, we've spent most of the week licking our wounds and looking for sympathy. But as JK, my father-in-law once told me, you'll find sympathy only in the dictionary, "between shit and syphilis." So, here we are on the eve of another great October football Saturday, pondering tomorrow's winning picks. Admittedly, we're a little gun shy with so many top teams playing each other. But, as another wise man once told me, "no hill for a climber."

Let's get to it and Make Mo' Money !!

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Nothing better than talking football over Friday coffee

As part of our ongoing commitment to stay informed on specific teams and conferences, we held one of our periodic input breakfast sessions this morning with two hardcore Nebraska Cornhusker fans, Harry Husker (Freemont, NE) and Jeff Husker (North Platte, NE). After general chit chat about Nebraska farm life and where to get the best runzas (google it), and who mows Warren Buffet's yard, we finally got down to the serious issues of Cornhusker football such as Bo Pelini's infatuation with cats, and the strong feeling that the Big Ten will be represented in the College Football Playoff by the Lincoln Bug Eaters. And by virtue of wearing my Nebraska cap, I was made an honorary Husker Fan with all the many privileges that go with that. I feel honored, and greatly appreciative listening to the football tales of two great Husker fans.

HERE'S YOUR GREAT EIGHT™ WINNING PICKS...

Yo. Wanna buy my autograph?

#13 Georgia @ #23 Missouri...a funny thing happened on the way to Columbia, Missouri. Well, not funny if you're a Georgia fan, or offensive coordinator Mike Bobo who built UGA's game plan around Todd Gurley and Georgia's running game which ranks 10th in the nation. With less than 36 hours to a big SEC East showdown with Mizzou, the Georgia brain trust is scrambling to come up with a winning scheme that doesn't stress out their passing game which is ranked 108th, and will be facing a tough pass rush from Tiger's Markus Golden and Shane Ray. The Dawgs will now turn to Nick Chubb. He's no gurley-boy but is quite capable at toting the rock. If the Dawgs are to win, Hutson Mason has to step up and make plays. He should have two top weapons returning, Mitchell and Scott-Wesley, but we're not convinced that's enough to make up for an absent Gurley which is explains why the line has shifted six points since yesterday's news. It's too bad that an off-the-field situation has impacted this game and denied everyone the chance to see a gifted athlete like Gurley perform. Take Mizzou over the Dawgs.

Duke @ #22 Georgia Tech...it's the 2014 Nerd Bowl and it's been a long time since Johnson's undefeated Jackets have been ranked, but we think it's well deserved given their big road win at Virginia Tech along with last week's win over Miami. There's a reason that Tech's QB Justin Thomas is known as "Smooth." Paul Johnson is big on limiting mistakes so he's got to be tickled gold over Smooth's ability to take care of the football as the Bees have only five turnovers after five games, compared with their 24 lost fumbles last season. That's especially impressive given GT's clock-draining triple option offense. Looking for Tech's "B-Back" Zach Laskey to have another impressive day as Cutcliffe's Dookies will have a long day on the Flats, where they have not won since 1994. Jackets down the Devils at Historic Bobby Dodd Stadium.

For whom the bell tolls

#2 Auburn @ #3 Mississippi State...in a gesture of good sportsmanship, the MSU athletic director has politely asked the Bulldog fans to be courteous and responsible with their cowbells, whatever the hell that means. In any case, this game is another tough one to pick. Both teams possess great offenses and are very stingy in giving up points (Auburn has allowed14.4, MSU 19.4). Both teams feature dual threat quarterbacks, Prescott and Marshall. And both teams are well coached. We think this contest will come down to how well Mississippi State (Prescott) can handle Auburn's defense and if MSU can continue playing well under the spotlight that will be on this game (e.g. ESPN's College Game Day rolls into Starkville for the first time, ever). It will be a close one. In an UPSET SPECIAL, take Mullen's Mutts over the War Eagles.

#12 Oregon @ #18 UCLA...the Ducks, plucked last Thursday, setting in motion the wildest 48 hours in college football history, will be looking for redemption against the Bruins, who also lost last week to Utah. Oregon has not lost back-to-back games in seven years and we don't see that happening on Saturday. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena is fairly laid back so the Ducks will not be intimidated being on the road. The key to this game is protection of the quarterback. Hundley and Mariota are two of the three most frequently sacked quarterbacks in the Power Five schools (Tennessee's Worley has that honor). But Mariota should have an easier time as the Bruins are dead last in the Pac-12 in sacks. Ducks fly back to Oregon with a win.

#3 Mississippi @ #14 Texas A&M...in a perfect night cap game, the #3 Rebels are actually 2 point dogs, which says that Ole Miss has yet to convince the betting world that they are a legit contender. Winning in a tough atmosphere like College Station will be no easy task and Bo Wallace will face one of the fiercest pass rushes in the country as the Aggies are tops in the SEC in sacks. Wallace showed a lot of confidence in last week's epic win over Alabama. Can he duplicate that effort this week? And can the Ole Miss defense be as smothering again and contain Kenny Hill?  Buckle up your seat belts, this could get wild. Rebs take down the Aggies.

#9 TCU @ #5 Baylor...admittedly we're not experts on the Southwest Conference. Oh, wait, I meant the Big Dozen. But this game, which features the only remaining undefeated teams in the Big 12, is overshadowing the Red River rivalry as two programs that used to be conference pushovers are vying for the top chair. The Horned Frogs knocked off the Sooners last week and moved up 16 spots in the polls, while Baylor beat Texas 28-7. Bryce Petty had a poor day in Austin but did enough to win, and the Bear's defense was exceptional. Both Petty and Trevone Boykin will put up a ton of points and this will be more of a shootout. Take the Bears over the Frogs.

#11 Oklahoma @ Texas...this year's Red River Shootout is not what it typically is but it's still a big deal between these schools despite both coaches playing down the rivalry aspect. The Sooners fell last week to TCU and the Longhorns continue to struggle. But an Oklahoma win can put the Sooners back on track toward their goal of getting an invite to the playoff. For that to happen, the Sooners need to get back to playing strong defense since they have given up 33 points in each of their last two games. Quite a difference from earlier in the season. They should have no problem with Texas and will cover the points. Sooners rope in the 'Horns.

Southern Cal @ #10 Arizona...after knocking off #3 Oregon last week the question is can the Wildcats continue their winning ways. They appear to be the team to beat in the Pac-12 but yet are underdogs to the unranked visiting Trojans. Probably because for the past 12 seasons, USC has owned the Wildcats. But Rich Rodriguez is making things happen in Tucson. Take Rich Rod's Wildcats over the Trojans.

Let's check back next week to see how well did at redemption.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™