Jake Russell
@oreojakesters
Here’s to another week of knowing nothing about the games we know and love every Saturday and trying to predict the unpredictable!
Last week was what was considered to be one of the least-compelling slates of the year with only one ranked vs. ranked matchup, and we got all of the reality show drama. Let’s do it again with the six pack of picks.
USF (+17.5) at Miami
The vibes have never been higher for the Hurricanes ever since the U documentary! They’re ranked in the top 5! Carson Beck was outcasted by Georgia and the internet and went out and beat Notre Dame and claims to love football again! Rueben Bain looked like a grizzly crossed with Ed Reed! Meanwhile, South Florida has two ranked wins and can just theoretically win out and cruise to a G5 autobid? Everything is looking up Canes!
You neglect that Mario Cristobal is a notorious “I’m going to do everything I can to blow this or make this a close game!” coach that has garnered no trust. A 17.5 line for a team of angry 3-star Floridians denied the chance to go to the bigger football school that have controlled pace against Boise and Florida is far too rich no matter how high the vibes are.
Georgia (-3.5) at Tennessee
Tennessee has already passed the eye test thus far in their two wins after Nico up and left the program, and they’ll be home for a Georgia team that everyone is down on because of the underwhelming Mike Bobo offense that’s gotten off to a slow start. You know who loves to make statement wins? Kirby Smart banging on whiteboards ahead of big SEC matchups yelling “AGGRESSION!” Tennessee is going to be down Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson on defense, and Georgia even on the road as seen last year against Texas game plans for matchups like this as good as anyone. This could be a Zachariah Branch coming out party if Tennessee’s two wins aren’t as good on paper as we thought with how poor Syracuse was against UConn. The adults in shoulderpads may be barking at children at Neyland.
Texas A&M (+6.5) at Notre Dame
Notre Dame will be playing with some desperation after losing their first big game of the year to Miami and needing a resume win, and they’ll be coming off a bye. Freshman CJ Carr DID look very promising despite the loss, and who knows if they’ll actually give the ball to Jerimiyah Love. However, Mike Elko is a defense-first guy that is a game-planner to take away someone’s fastball. If it’s a low scoring game where Notre Dame plays disciplined trench ball at home, Texas A&M can keep it tight, and 6.5 will be too high.
Clemson (-3) at Georgia Tech
No one has ever been more low on Clemson now just as no one is more in love with the idea of Haynes “I will die on the field” King and Georgia Tech making noise in the ACC. This is a situation where Dabo is going to look at the notorious rat poison in the air and use it to make little ol’ Clemson that has bona fide NFL talent on both sides and frame it to where no one believes in them. Georgia Tech is in a tough spot with King already struggling with health concerns from sitting out last week. Take Dabo, notorious underdog, Swinney and the Tigers even if it’s on the road.
LOCK: Texas Tech (-23.5) vs Oregon State
23.5 is a pretty large number for a once Power 5 program to get, but Oregon State is already 0-2 and is a decimated roster travelling from Beaverton to the death chamber of Lubbock, Texas, where tortillas and dreams go to die. Joey Maguire, Texas Tech, and his $25 million roster don’t let up off the gas in order to try and get the respect that they deserve, even if it’s hanging 60 on Pine Bluff and Kent State. They didn’t hesitate to run up the score last season either. Take Maguire to run up the score and Texas Tech to cover against the Beavs who are waiting to join the new look Pac-
12 again.
