RECORD
Week 1
|
8-2
| |
Week 2
|
4-1
| |
Week 3
| ||
Week 4
| ||
Week 5
| ||
Total
|
12-3
|
.800
|
Correctly predicting eight out of ten games should make a guy feel good. But read on…
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers make what is likely to be their only appearance in the predictions this season, but coming off a win over Kentucky, that feels alright. Georgia lost a close shoot-out with Clemson. I’m not really bothered that Georgia lost. I’m bothered because it gives ESPN yet another chance to run down Georgia and Atlanta. I’m not sure if Atlanta beat up ESPN when it was a kid, or if UGA stole ESPN’s lunch money in elementary school, but that network sure seems to delight in running down this state.
Let’s go with Week 2 of the action. We’ve got an SEC conference match-up, a Big XII conference game, possibly the last Gators-Hurricanes game for a long time, plus some team that can’t spell “FIGHTING” goes to Ann Arbor. For good measure, we also send Bobby Petrino to Knoxville.
12 Florida at Miami.....INCORRECT
This may be the last time ( barring bowl match-ups) that the Gators and Hurricanes face off for the foreseeable future. There is something about Florida matching up with the MAC that seems to limit the Gators. But this is a rivalry-type game and a statement game for both teams. Miami came out of the gate strong. Look for a relatively low-scoring affair with likely some defensive points. Florida wins, but close.
Final Score: Florida 21, Miami 17
West Virginia at 16 Oklahoma.....CORRECT
West Virginia and Oklahoma kick off conference play in the Big XII (or the Texas Ten). Oklahoma is trying to make statements about how much they belong in the national conversation. West Virginia is just looking to rebound from an ugly week one victory over lowly William & Mary. A buddy of mine was over for the Georgia game Saturday night. When the West Virginia score rolled around, he remarked, “Wow, Western Michigan gave West Virginia a close game, eh?” Once informed that it was William & Mary, he was kind of shocked. Sooners win this one, and I think they win going away in the second half. (NOTE: When I first wrote out my pick for this game I had OU winning 31-24. After some thought, I changed it to 35-20. After another day of thinking, it became the score you see below. That near-debacle against William & Mary really soured me on WVU.)
Final Score: Oklahoma 42, West Virginia 17
6 South Carolina at 11 Georgia.....CORRECT
College Gameday could’ve featured Georgia in back to back weeks and no one would’ve cared, because the games are that big. The Dawgs suffered a three-point loss in Death Valley. I take nothing away from Georgia. That’s a tough place to play and the Dawgs very nearly won. Now they come home to the friendly confines between the hedges. South Carolina managed to get by UNC, but UNC gave everyone game tape on how to wear down the Gamecock defense. Georgia can play up-tempo, fast-paced offense, which will eventually wear out the SC defenders. Plus, I’m not sure Dawgnation could handle four straight losses to South Carolina. Closer than the experts think, but Dawgs win.
Final Score: Georgia 24, South Carolina 21
Western Kentucky at Tennessee.....CORRECT
The Bobby Petrino Era at Western Kentucky began with a win against the University of Kentucky Wildcats in a game played in Nashville. Petrino is a proven winner, and this journey with the Hilltoppers is a kind of path to personal redemption. If this game were at a neutral site or on WKU’s field, I would call for a different outcome. Tennessee is better than Kentucky, and I look for the Vols to win a close, hard-fought game. Western Kentucky, under Bobby Petrino, will find ways to win games.
Final Score: Tennessee 26, Western Kentucky 24
14 Notre Dame at 17 Michigan.....CORRECT
Michigan laid a 59-9 beating on Central Michigan while Notre Dame outscored Temple 28-6. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing. Notre Dame is still in a bit of image-rebuilding mode after the debacle that counted as a National Championship game last season. I’m frankly surprised that more people aren’t being honest and admitting that Alabama-Georgia in the SEC Championship Game was the de facto National Championship last year. Notre Dame would love to notch a win against the Wolverines, but this game is in the Big House, which means they won’t.
Final Score: Michigan 27, Notre Dame 23
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