WINNING PICKS FOR WEEK SIX

We took a couple of hits last week but won enough to go 4-4 overall. And for the season to date, we’re still well on the plus side and making Mo’ Money. Not exactly where we wish to be, but it's a long season with a whole lotta cash to be made.

It’s a busy day, so let’s get right to it.

EXTRA POINTS

• strong correlation between losing and tackles for loss allowed. The most TFLs allowed by Power 5 teams include Oregon State (44), Florida State (43), Kansas State (40), Tennessee (38), Louisville (37). And all teams are struggling.

• most rushing TDs in SEC history before senior season: Herschel Walker (49), Tim Tebow (43), Derrick Henry (42), Mark Ingram (42), Benny Snell (40). Snell’s 40 in 31 games is 2^nd fastest in conference history behind you know who.

• if teams don’t like noon kickoffs then start playing better football. It’s as simple as that. The 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm time slots are reserved for exciting, winning teams. Can’t blame the networks for wanting the stronger games.

Which one is Big Al?

• will we ever get away from Power 5 teams playing cupcake teams that are not the least competitive? Should season ticket holders have to pay for this kind of football? 

SPOTTED IN TUSCALOOSA

We hadn't heard from Kenny Clyde's cousin for quite a spell until this pic arrived in our daily dispatch.

FROM THE MAILROOM

Our pick of Duke over Virginia Tech rattled a few Hokie cages last week.  Here’s a quick sampling of comments:

MackDaddys: “you guys are wrong on the Hokie’s game. The Hokies redeem themselves this week over Duke.” (WWW: yep, we missed this one. Duke’s offense failed to show)

Highlands Harold: “never go against a Bud Ford defense. When will you get that?” (WWW: mmmm….probably never?)

Virginia Colonel: “Coach Fuente has us moving in the right direction. Give us some credit.” (WWW: this Saturday vs Notre Dame is a big chance for the Hokies to earn some respect)

Harvard Yard: “where’s my Ivy League game?”  (WWW: patience, grasshopper)

YOUR GREAT EIGHT™ for WEEK SIX

GEORGIA TECH @ LOUISVILLE…this is a rare Friday night game (which we do not endorse btw) so make sure your sporting room contact is on speed dial. And this if the first ever meeting of these two teams. The Jackets put together a fairly complete beat down of Bowling Green last Saturday. But the GT natives are finally getting restless and want more from their team. They may get it tonight. Both teams are 0-2 in the ACC and desperate for their first conference win. The key: the Tech run game which is ranked #2 in the country averaging 339 yards per game. Lousiville’s rush defense is ranked #83 in the country. So…could be a long night for a Louisville defense that’s had issues stopping the run.  Go with the Bees in this one.

Why drive when you can Uber?

#19 TEXAS vs #7 OKLAHOMA…this is one of the craziest scenes in college football and ESPN GameDay will be coming live from the Texas State Fairgrounds for the annual Red River Showdown. After losing its season opener to Maryland, the Longhorns seem to be on the road to recovery. Both teams have big receivers but the key will be quarterback play, which has been less than stellar for both. This will be a tight one but the undefeated Sooners will prevail. Sooners over the ‘Horns.

#5 LSU @ #22 FLORIDA…the undefeated Tigers continue their march forward after knocking off Ole Miss while racking up 573 yards of offense. But they’ll be facing a much tougher defense with the Gators who are ranked 9^th in scoring defense and 14^th in total defense. So the sledding will be tough in the Swamp. The key is, once again, qb play. We like LSU’s Joe Barrow. He won’t be intimidated in the Swamp after showing us his coolness in Auburn as he led the Tigers on a game winning drive. Put your pesos on the Baton Rouge gang. LSU wins.

Some of the best 'que in Starkville

#8 AUBURN @ MISSISSIPPI STATE…the Tigers head out for their first real road game and they’ll be encountering a loud Starkville crowd complete with a million annoying cowbells. The key for Auburn is to get their run game up and going against a stingy Bulldog defense. Look for Tiger rbs Kam Martin and JaTarvious Whitlow to make things happen. On the defensive side Auburn has been tough, #3 in scoring defense and 7^th in forced turnovers. Tigers bite the Dogs.

FLORIDA STATE @ #17 MIAMI…you don’t find many rivalry games bigger than this one. In years past, this game had national championship implications. But not this season. Nevertheless, this should be a good one. Mark Richt’s Hurricanes are averaging 44 points per game while allowing only 17. That’s pretty stout. Meanwhile new Seminole head coach Willie Taggart is hoping his team can sustain some momentum with his qb Deondre Francois who has passed for over 640 yards in the previous two games. Fly those Hurricane warning flags because this storm is happening. Hurricanes blow past the Noles.

#6 NOTRE DAME @ #24 VIRGINIA TECH…okay Hokie fans. Here’s your team’s opportunity to make a real statement when they host the Fighting Irish in Blacksburg.  The last time these two met Va Tech took a dramatic 34-31 win in South Bend and the Hokies would love to knock off a top ten team in front of their home crowd. But the Gobblers will have their hands full with a pretty balanced Irish team that’s coming off of an impressive win over Stanford. Notre Dame’s offense seems to be clicking since they changed to qb Ian Book while their defense is allowing only 18 points per game. This will be entertaining. The luck of the Irish will prevail in Blacksburg. Notre Dame over Va Tech.

MARYLAND @ #15 MICHIGAN…since losing its season opener to Notre Dame, the Wolverines have taken care of business, rattling off 5 straight wins, albeit not world beaters. They need to be careful tomorrow because the Terps are finally putting the pieces together (3-1) with a pretty strong run game which averages 259 yards per game. After beating Texas in its season opener, Maryland is on the hunt for a huge signature win. Michigan is coming off of a big scare, rallying back from a 17 point deficit to beat Northwestern 20-17. So lots of intrigue with this game. The spread is 17…and we’re biting. In an UPSET SPECIAL take the Terps and the points.

UTAH @ #14 STANFORD…the Cardinal limp back home after getting zipped by Notre Dame last week, 38-17. Hopefully star rb Bryce Love will be at full go after leaving last week’s game with an ankle injury. He’s the engine to the Stanford offense. And that’s important because the Cardinal defense gives up tonnage, allowing 395 yards per game. Meanwhile the Utes defense is ranked 3^rd in rushing defense, allowing just 83 yards per game. So Love will have his work cut out for him. This will be a close one. Take Stanford over Utah.

MAKE MO’ MONEY with MARK™