You can’t mess with perfection.
And that’s exactly what I did last week. I went 6-0 straight up, even nailing the Auburn upset over Ole Miss.
Against the line, though…I was meh. My record was only 3-3.
That’s not a losing record, though!
It brings my total to 26-10 straight up, and 13-23 against the Vegas spreads.
Here goes an attempt to improve those numbers.
1) #25 Missouri @ #7 Georgia (UGA -9): Have the boys in Vegas actually seen the Bulldogs’ defense play this year? It’s for that reason (and the lack of a running game if Toddy Gurley can’t play) that I’m not buying this spread. Don’t get me wrong, the offense will still move as long as Aaron Murray’s under center, but this is a Missouri team that feels like it can win. Tennessee felt the same way last week, and came within one of Murray’s eye lashes of an upset. I think the Dawgs are ripe for an upset here, and (unfortunately for me) I think it’s going to happen. UPSET ALERT: Missouri 45, Georgia 35
2) #17 Florida @ #10 LSU (LSU -7): This game looks extremely interesting to me. The Tigers sport one of the best offenses in the SEC. Their defense? Not so much. On the flipside, the Gators sport one of the best defenses in the nation. Their offense? Not so much. (Although it does seem to be clicking slightly with Tyler Murphy under center.) It’s also worth noting that of LSU’s losses over the last eight years, roughly 80% have come on CBS (18 out of 22). That’s where they’re playing this week. Still, give me the home crowd and Zach Mettenberger’s arm. LSU 24, Florida 14
3) #12 Oklahoma vs. Texas (OU -14): It’s interesting to note that this game is going to feature two quarterbacks who opened the year as backups in Blake Bell and Case McCoy. The Sooners look much improved on defense—something we haven’t seen from them in quite some time. The Longhorns don’t even look like they have a defense sometimes. I’m taking Bob Stoops and Oklahoma to cover, and I think this is the last chance Mack Brown may have to save his job, which I think he’ll fail. Oklahoma 38, Texas 17
4) #2 Oregon @ #16 Washington (Ore. -14): The Huskies absolutely played their hearts out last week against Stanford. I imagine they’re hungry for a win, but playing the Cardinal and the Ducks in back-to-back weeks is enough to break even the best of teams. Oregon’s defense has proven to be extremely underrated this year, and it’s always overshadowed by the offense. Sure, they usually give up points because they stay on the field forever, but they only have to be a C+ when paired with that A+ offense. Once again, lay the points. Oregon 55, Washington 31
5) #14 South Carolina @ Arkansas (USC -6): The Gamecocks could well be without Jadeveon Clowney, who many speculate has already checked out in Columbia, setting his sights on the pros. The Razorbacks are reeling after last week’s loss to Florida, but I think they’ll give Carolina fits, especially the way the Gamecocks have failed so far this year at closing out games. South Carolina’s going to win, but I think it’ll be close. South Carolina 28, Arkansas 24
6) #19 Northwestern @ Wisconsin (Wisc -10.5): The Wildcats are coming off a heart-wrenching loss to Ohio State. Wisconsin, incidentally, is coming off a loss to the Buckeyes as well. They just had an off week in between. So SOMEONE has to break their losing streak. In this case, I think it’s Wisconsin. They’ve had two weeks to prepare, and they aren’t coming off a slugfest-type game. Give me the Badgers and lay ’em! Wisconsin 38, Northwestern 21
I have to say that I hope I don’t have a perfect week, but Missouri has those of us over here in Athens more than just worried.
James Franklin and that Tiger offense are hitting on all cylinders, and Georgia’s is still recovering at the hospital.
But 5-1 wouldn’t be bad at all.