What a week in college football! With only five weeks to go, we have 10 teams that are still unbeaten and plenty of one-loss teams sitting in the wings waiting to take over. (No, Tennessee, not you) Two of the no-loss teams are playing each other in the SEC Game of the Week.
Many schools are off this week, licking their wounds, re-grouping, re-thinking (now it is you, Tennessee) and making the big run for the right bowl games for their teams,
Most are trying to upset the other teams to get the outstanding bowl bid or, in most cases, any bowl bid.
Now on to the picks.
- Miami Hurricanes vs. Virginia Tech Hokies; (game played Oct. 20): It’s time for Miami to live up to their name, “The Hurricanes,” in Blacksburg Va., but Virginia Tech said Miami is just full of hot air. Hokies by 7.
- Syracuse Orangeman vs. Boston College Eagles: This could go either way; with last week’s surprise win, the Orangeman can see another win by 13.
- North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Louisville Cardinals (ACC game of the week): The Cardinals are still flying high in North Carolina — Louisville by 10.
- North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Virginia Cavaliers: No need to get out swords here; it’s an easy walk for the Tar Heels by 23.
- Texas A&M Aggies vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC Game of the Week): The battle of the unbeaten, A&M cannot stop the Tide Train — all aboard! Alabama by 21-plus.
- Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Auburn War Eagle: This game is called “Save the Coaches’ Job,” and it will be a good game to watch and down to the wire. War Eagles by 6, but will it save the coaches’ job? Probably not.
- Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats: The big dog and cat present the fight of the year at the Commonwealth Stadium. I am sure there are plenty of horse doctors (veterinarians) to go around in the Blue Grass State. Bulldogs by 13
- Ole Mississippi Rebels vs. LSU Tigers: It’s upset time in Baton Rouge, La. By all rights, LSU should win this game, but not so fast. The Rebels tame the Tigers by 12.
- Tennessee State Tigers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores: Vandy has found another team they can beat. Boy, were the Dawgs surprised last week. Commodores by 21.
- Massachusetts Minutemen vs. South Carolina Gamecocks: This must be the Homecoming Game for the Gamecocks. This game and the one with West Carolina are the only ones the South Carolina will win for the rest of the year. Gamecocks by 14, and you thought last year was your worst year. (Steve Spurrier, please come back; we will name the stadium after you.)
Tie breaker: You pick points and the winner: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions.
Bill Everett is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and lives in the Baker area.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: College football picks, week 8