MAKE IT GREAT IN WEEK EIGHT

Okay, we got our butts paddled again last Saturday, going 2-6 for the first time in Woolard's Weekend Winners history. We guess there's a first for everything. Hopefully there won't be repeat of this "first."

There were several surprises last week.

Tennessee finally performed as a team and beat ranked Auburn in Auburn. The Vol qb played with a lot of confidence and could very well be the leader that everyone hoped for.

Johnson's Jackets laid an egg against Duke and has sparked conversation that PJ may be inching closer to the exit door.

The Bruins shocked everyone including themselves as they spanked Cal 35-7.

And the Georgia pups were neutered by the LSU Tigers 36-16, knocking them from the #2 ranking. One more slip up and the Dawgs will be outside looking in on CFP discussions, something the Tigers may very well be a part of in December.

So, hopefully we can right the ship and get back on track with our winning ways. We have plenty of great games lined up and each offer the opportunity to Make Mo' Money.

THE 101ST MEETING OF TENNESSEE-ALABAMA

This is one of the oldest rivalries in the South and one that defines what SEC football is all about, regardless of the records. Obviously, Alabama has had the upper hand the last several years but nevertheless this is a classic that often brings out the best in both teams. It's passionate, hard-nosed, hard fought football. And it happens every Third Saturday in October. As usual, we have asked Kenny Clyde to provide his thoughts on tomorrow's game at Neyland Stadium in Rocky Top.

Please Welcome Dave Poe's BBQ, our newest sponsor. If you ever find yourself in Marietta, stop by Dave Poe's for the best in bbq and college football chatter. One guess who his favorite team might be.

A LOOK AT THE THIRD SATURDAY IN OCTOBER with KENNY CLYDE

Kenny Clyde, the man from Alabama Land

After knocking off the Barners last Saturday, those Volunteers are riding high. Talk radio is alive with "what ifs", the Vol Navy is gassing up and icing down the Cheerwine, and Phillip Fullmer is back in the locker room firing up the troops that never knew what a Bama Weekend felt like.

Bama is nursing some wounded warriors, and I'm guessing Mr. Saban had a look at the run/pass numbers and offered some meaningful suggestions to his OC.

Meanwhile, the Graduate Assistant in Charge of Passing Out Victory Cigars is going to have a big weekend in K'ville.

I'm glad to see Coach Pruitt right the ship, and I want this rivalry to mean something again--and it will.

But not this weekend.

The only questions are....will Jalen catch more passes than he throws, and is this the weekend we see Tua play four quarters?

Sorry Gen. Neyland....it's Bama 55, Vols 18.

 THE GREAT EIGHT™ for WEEK EIGHT

#1 ALABAMA @ TENNESSEE…this is the 101^st meeting between these two legendary programs. All of the stats point to a big Bama win. But Tennessee showed up something in last week’s win over Auburn that gives us hope that the Vols might keep this game a bit closer. There’s no doubt that Alabama has the edge at almost every position…often two deep at every position. The key to this game just might come down to how loud and raucous Neyland Stadium can get. And that might be enough to give UT qb Jarrett Guarantano the confidence he needs to make this a competitive game. The 28.5 spread is way too tempting. So in an UPSET SPECIAL take the Vols and the points. Bama will not cover.

#9 OKLAHOMA @ TCU…after continuous break downs on defense, Sooner HC Lincoln Riley pulled the trigger on Mike Stoops the defensive coordinator. Too many missed tackles and sloppy play that Stoops seemed unable to correct.  The key to this game is the Sooner’s offense that can put up points fast and can out pace the Horned Frogs offense.  Put your bucks on the Sooners. Oklahoma gigs the Frogs.

#12 OREGON @ #25 WASHINGTON STATE…the Ducks have had a lot of good things fall into place for them. But that could change tomorrow. The Cougars qb Gardner Minshew seems to be just warming up and that’s bad news for the Oregon secondary. Minshew has passed for over 400 yards in four of the last five games, hitting 69% while putting up 19 TDs. We think he’ll be the difference. Wazzu plucks the Ducks.

COLORADO @ #15 WASHINGTON…both teams are still on top of their respective PAC-12 divisions but both already have a loss. So there’s little margin of error for either team. The Buffs are off to their best start in 20 years and tomorrow’s game will say a lot about how far they might go in the PAC-12. The key to this game will be the Huskies’ qb Jake Browning. He has a big time arm and is quite capable of making big plays against a Colorado secondary that is susceptible to giving up explosive pass plays. Huskies chew on the Buffs. Washington wins.

#22 MISSISSIPPI STATE @ #5 LSU…each week we learn more about the LSU Tigers as they claw their way toward a potential CFP berth. No question that we were surprised in how the Tigers dominated Georgia 36-16, limiting the pups to just 322 yards of offense and knocking the doggies from their #2 AP perch. The key to this game is the run game. LSU is averaging over 200 yards per game while the Cowbells gave up 229 yards to Kentucky. Keep your eye on MSU’s qb Nick Fitzgerald. He has a knack of moving the chains, either with his arm or his feet. We’re going with Coach O’s Tigers. LSU over Missy State.

#6 MICHIGAN vs #24 MICHIGAN STATE...these bitter foes are vying for the Paul Bunyan Trophy and a whole lot more…like the Big Ten East Division. The Wolverines are 6-1 since losing its opener to Notre Dame. They are playing well. Meanwhile the Spartan’s offense has sputtered its way to a 6-2 record but are still in the hunt. The key: Michigan’s run defense versus MSU’s run game. The Spartans are averaging only 3.4 ypc and have allowed a ton of sacks (15 to be exact). The Wolverines have too many weapons including an improving qb, Shea Patterson. Take Michigan over Sparty. Wolverines win.

PRINCETON @ HARVARD…okay Ivy League fans, here’s your game, and it should be a good one. The Tigers are 5-0 and have scored 52 points per game this season, including a season high of 66 points versus Lehigh. But Harvard can move the ball, too, as demonstrated by their 540 yards of offense last week against Holy Cross. The key to this game is Princeton’s rushing offense that averages 303 yards per game. Coupled with their rushing defense that allows only 85 yards per game, and you have a Tiger win. Princeton defeats Harvard.

#16 NC STATE @ #3 CLEMSON…the Tigers are undefeated at 6-0 and seem to be getting stronger each week, especially qb Trevor Lawrence who’s completing 69% of passes and has sparked the Clemson offense. Meanwhile the 5-0 Wolfpack will be ready to roll. QB Finley leads the ACC with 324 yards per game and has plenty of targets to throw to. This could be one of the better games tomorrow, so get comfy and take the Tigers over the Wolfpack. Clemson wins.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™