TIME TO SHINE IN WEEK NINE

You're probably smack dab in the middle of your Halloween office party so we'll jump right into what you need to know to Make Mo' Money this weekend. And hey, save me the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, please. Cold weather is headed our way and I need the extra calories. Plus chocolate goes well with Merlot.

Weekend Rewind

We went 5-3 last Saturday BUT hit on two big UPSET SPECIALS: Duke over Virginia Tech and Tennessee covering the points in their classic hook up with Alabama, coming darn close to knocking off the #8 Tide 19-14. And it took a miracle at Techwood for the Rambling Wreck to upset Florida State.

Golden Gator with this pal, Spurrier

Before we get into our picks, the Golden Gator has stopped by to share his thoughts on the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party that's taking place tomorrow in Jacksonville, one of the best all time classic college football games in America. 

Florida has jumped out to an unexpected great start (6-1) under first year head coach, Jim McElwain. It's a young team that's appears to be getting better and could be the team to beat in the SEC East for the next couple of seasons. Meanwhile, Georgia has taken some serious hits and is scrambling to find answers and touchdowns. The mutts will be going with their third different QB this season, Faton Bauta, as Mark Richt hopes to jump start his offense. Bauta lacks a big time arm but is fairly quick on his feet. Let's hope so for his sake.

I first met Golden Gator 25+ years ago when the Florida alum decided to return to the Southeast after a long and distinguished marketing and advertising career in Los Angeles. When he wasn't launching innovative service concepts with Atlantic Richfield, he was helping guide the creative efforts for a little computer company in Cupertino, Apple. He also convinced Delta to add extra olives to all martinis served in first class...the only way to fly. 

Golden Gator is semi-retired now, actively playing the market as well as sports gaming in Vegas. He's passionate about his Gators, SEC football, and, of course, Making Mo' Money.

 Please Welcome Golden Gator...in his words...

 

"It's that time again! A pre-season top five pick goes up against a team not expected to win but a couple. The pre-season top team is rumored to have talent worthy of Sunday football while the other guys were said to lack such basics as an offensive line, a quarterback and a running back.

It's Florida versus Georgia!  

Georgia, the pre-season top five club, is whining its way to Jacksonville while the Gators are proudly prancing into town. As the ole ball coach once said, where do all those All-Americans at Georgia disappear at this time of year?

Both teams have seen adversity: Georgia's without Chubb, a potential Heisman candidate, and Florida is without several key players including Will Grier and all the place kickers.

But Georgia is taking steps to improve their odds. They are putting a lid on the St. Simons fraternity bash! Is it in hopes of sobriety for their team come Saturday? To make sure, they are also going to Jax a day early. Is it true the players will be locked in their rooms?

OK. What about the game??

It will be close. Florida will be in 4 down territory much of the game with no confidence in their kicking game. Georgia will try to win with the run, knowing they have no passing game. A risky tactic given the Florida defense.

The Gators cover the spread and win 28-10!!! You heard it here first, folks."

PS.. Jeremy Foley will present the game ball to Steve Spurrier, the man who created the Gator Nation!  Oh... And Richt will start a riot to incite his team!

Here's Your Weekend Winners for Week #9...The Great Eight™...

Dartmouth @ Harvard...we're breaking format here as we include a Friday night game in Cambridge, MA, the 119th meeting of Dartmouth and Harvard. Both teams are 6-0, the first time in 19 years for the Big Green of Dartmouth. Leaving the Bay State with a "W" aint gonna happen for the Hanover boys as the Crimson is putting up 43+ points a game while the defense is yielding only 7.8 points a game, #1 in the FCS. Harvard continues their march to the Ivy League crown with a win over Dartmouth.

# 9 Notre Dame @ #21 Temple...the Temple Owls are having one of its best seasons ever and is ranked nationally for the first time since 1979. Knocking off the Irish would be huge; maybe bigger than Bill Cosby's legal problems. Notre Dame is plenty rested after an off week following their win over Southern Cal so the Golden Domers should be in good shape. Irish QB DeShone Kizer has had a hot hand, leading the offense to 41 points in each of the last two games. We see no let up in Philly. Fighting Irish pluck the Owls.

Georgia Tech @ Virginia...the Bees are still buzzing after their miracle comeback on the Flats last Saturday night but now it's time to focus on the Wahoos. A win keeps the Jackets alive for its 19th consecutive bowl game so this is a must win. Key fact to ponder: GT is ranked 2nd in the nation in converting red-zone possessions into touchdowns (79%). And with most of their secondary returning from injuries, Tech should win its 4th straight over the Cavaliers. Take Johnson's Jackets in Charlottesville.

# 8 Stanford @ Washington State...this game features the top two offenses in the Pac-12 and Stanford has shown a lot of defensive muscle, allowing fewer than 30 points in 40 of their last 43 games. Meanwhile, the Cougars are seeking its first win over a top ten team since beating #5 Texas in the 2003 Holiday Bowl. That's a long time! This should be one of the best games on Halloween night. Cardinal over the Cougars in this one.

# 15 Michigan @ #Minnesota...the Wolverines have lost 6 of their last 9 Big Ten road games dating back to 2013 but they should be able to handle the Golden Gophers and bring the Little Brown Jug back to Ann Arbor. Minnesota is preparing for this game without their head coach, Jerry Kill, who stepped down two days ago due to serious health issues. This could be an incentive for the Gophers to go out and win one for Kill but Michigan has too many weapons on their side. Besides, Minnesota is averaging a league-worst 20 points per game. Michigan wins over Minnesota.

# 19 Ole Miss @ Auburn...the Rebs are still in the hunt for the SEC West and are looking to build on last week's big win over Texas A&M, 23-3. Measnwhile Auburn is hoping to rebound from their 4 Overtimes loss at Arkansas which put them squarely in the SEC West basement. It's going to be a challenge for Malzahn's mob to become bowl eligible given their remaining schedule. While Auburn has taken the last 5 of 6 games over Ole Miss, look for Chad Kelly to have a big day hooking up with Laquon Treadwell who has gone over 100 yards in each of the last three games. Plus Robert Nkimdiche has been cleared for the game. Looming in the distance is their showdown with division-leading LSU. Take the Rebels as Ole Miss tears up Toomer's Corner.

Tennessee @ Kentucky...the Vols had a great showing last week in Tuska-Loser but close is not good enough and moral victories count for nothing. Nevertheless, Tennessee could and should be 7-0 but for poor coaching decisions made in their losses to Oklahoma, Florida, and Arkansas. That's on BuTch Jones. If Tennessee brings their game to Lexington, the Vols will notch another victory in the Old Beer Barrel. Furthermore, the Vols should win out the balance of their schedule as they enter the easier phase of their schedule. In a solid win, Big Orange over the Big Blue.

# 11 Florida vs @ Georgia...the Gators are a 2 point favorite in this classic match up with Georgia. Both teams have flipped from the preseason predictions with Florida putting together a solid resume while UGA is struggling to find consistency in their offense. No Dawg fan in Atlanta is expecting a win. They've sort of resigned themselves to the usual mid-October fade and the threats of firing Richt are picking up steam. We've seen this before. And it will not get any better Saturday. Gators chomp the bullpups.

Good luck this Weekend.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™