Coaching Carousel 2018: Who Should Replace Coaches on the Hot Seat?

Jeff Brohm, Purdue to Louisville(?)

The college football season is already drawing close to a conclusion in 2018, and there's sure to be plenty of interesting things set to develop. The coaching carousel began its inevitable spinning these past weekends, namely with the firing of David Beaty at Kansas. The Jayhawks will now embark on their fourth head coach since 2009, but they are far from the only program looking for a fresh start. A few other coaching hires could greatly shift the landscape and have major implications down the line.

Louisville Cardinals: Bobby Petrino (fired)
Bobby Petrino was somewhat of a controversial hire for a second stint at Louisville, but he was able to overcome some of the issues with wins. However, Petrino underachieved with Lamar Jackson, with his best season with the Heisman Trophy winner was a 9-4 mark that fell off down the stretch,. Defense has been the biggest issue on Petrino's recent 2-8 team, and it eventually led the Cardinals to move on. This is an interesting job because it certainly is a place you can win, but overcoming Clemson in the ACC Atlantic will be an awfully large test for whoever comes in.
Projected Replacement: Jeff Brohm, Purdue
Brohm already replaced Petrino once when he took over Western Kentucky after Petrino took the Louisville job in 2014. He is a no-brainer to take over once again, considering he played QB for Louisville in his playing days and was later an assistant. Brohm did just take over Purdue, but he has already proven he can quickly engineer a turnaround. With the talent the Cardinals can recruit, he could win big there.
Other Possibility: Ryan Day, Ohio State OC
Day has already made a name for himself as a superb offensive mind, and he showed just how good he could be leading the Buckeyes when Urban Meyer was suspended. Ohio State seemed to play better and more aggressively under Day, who has done a great job getting this passing attack churning again. He could be an ideal hire from the area for the Cards.
Other Possibility: Neal Brown, Troy HC
Would Louisville go the Sun Belt to land a rising name in Neal Brown? It isn't unreasonable to rule out, considering what Brown has done with the Trojans. His upset win over LSU on their Homecoming last year was just a preview. He also has strong Southeast ties, which could expand Louisville's recruiting base.

Kansas Jayhawks: David Beaty (fired)
Nobody was going to win at Kansas considering what Beaty inherited following the Charlie Weis era. David Beaty had some moments, beating Texas two seasons ago and the team seemed to be making somewhat of an ascent, although 3-6 was still underwhelming. Kansas made the move, and new athletic director Jeff Long (formerly at Arkansas) will not get his own guy at the position.
Projected Replacement: Les Miles, former LSU HC
This seems almost crazy imagining Les Miles stalking the sideline in Lawrence, but it just might work. Miles is a big enough name that he would immediately jolt the program, and his energy is something this program might desperately need. He might be slightly out of place away from the confines of the SEC, but he won at Oklahoma State prior to LSU. He is going to be able to recruit from Texas and the South, and get some athletes Jayhawk football has lacked for some time.
Other Possibility: Seth Littrell, North Texas HC
If I'm long, my first call is actually to Littrell, a superb offensive mind that has done a great job with the Mean Green. Littrell went 5-8 his first year in Denton before a 9-win 2017 and his current edition is once more in the Conference USA Title hunt. Littrell is of the Larry Fedora coaching tree and well his former predecessor might be getting canned himself at North Carolina, Littrell is thriving. His offense seems to be the optimum in today's college football, and he is still a young guy.

North Carolina: Larry Fedora
My first prediction on who would get fired in the Power Five was actually Larry Fedora, and while he nearly won an ACC Title in 2016, it seems time for new blood in Chapel Hill. UNC cratered at 3-9 last season before a 1-8 start to 2018 that has been about as depressing and deflating as you can get. Fedora has done a decent job with his offense, but he has missed the touch of former defensive coordinator Gene Chizik who retired following '16. I think Seth Littrell may be a possibility here, although the Tar Heels could be hesitant to go with a guy so similar to Fedora. For that reason, I think they go elsewhere with this new hire.
Projected Replacement: Willie Fritz, Tulane HC
The American Athletic Conference has become a gold mine for rising head coaches, and the next one up seems to be Fritz, who is at Tulane currently. Fritz runs a triple-option attack with the Green Wave, which he also ran previously at Georgia Southern. Its different, but we see it in the ACC Coastal right now (Georgia Tech) and with better athletes, Fritz may adjust accordingly. Either way, its a complete culture change with Fritz, who could be the new blood necessary to make this team stand out in college basketball country.
Other Possibility: Brent Venables, Clemson DC
He doesn't get the attention of Dabo Swinney, but I think defensive coordinator Brent Venables has been just as crucial in Clemson's rise to power program. He has consistently had to replace NFL departures and the Tigers don't miss a beat, which hasn't changed in 2018. While the game may be moving more up-tempo and even more fast-paced Venables has adjusted, and he could be a much different look than a Fedora guy. Moving inside the conference could be interesting for Venables, but this job has significant upside.

Rutgers: Chris Ash
Winning in the Big Ten East is going to be difficult no matter who the head coach is at Rutgers, but Chris Ash just simply hasn't gotten the job done. After a dismal debut season there seemed to be some progress in 2017, as the Scarlet Knights went 4-8 and actually won a few conference games. That hasn't materialized into anything this season, as Rutgers sits at 1-9 and 0-7 in the Big Ten. To make matters worse, the Scarlet Knights were blown out by Kansas in the non-conference, a team that has been the laughing stock of Power Five football for nearly a decade. Ash is a fine defensive coordinator, but he just hasn't shown the progress necessary to ensure a fourth year in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Projected Replacement: Lance Leipold, Buffalo HC
I imagine Rutgers staying in the Northeast with this hire, and there isn't a whole lot of names in the region bigger than Lance Leipold. Leipold has won everywhere he has gone, including his recent turnaround at Buffalo, who is currently 9-1 and ready to win a MAC Title. Prior to that, Leipold led one of the top programs in Division III football at Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he managed more National Titles than losses in eight years. This seems like a very logical step up for the rising head coach.
Other Possibility: Jeff Monken, Army HC
In my opinion, Jeff Monken may be the one of the most underrated head coaches in FBS football. He does run a triple-option offense, but there is no denying how well it has worked in previous stops at Georgia Southern and now at Army. Georgia Southern went to three straight FCS Playoff semifinals under his guidance, and after some turbulent early times, Army is going to have their third straight season of eight or more victories. Much like Willie Fritz, it'll be interesting to see whether Monken adjusts his offense if he were to get a promotion, but the triple-option in the Big Ten East? Its so crazy it may just work out.

Colorado: Mike MacIntyre
Since moving to the Pac-12, Colorado has struggled to return to the heights they once were at in the old Big 12. With the exception of a magical 2016 year where they won the Pac-12 South and were in the Playoff hunt for much of the season, the Buffaloes have consistently finished near the bottom of the standings. That has been the case once again in 2018, as a 5-0 start has given way to five consecutive losses that have CU sitting at sixth in the division. If that holds, it'll ensure Colorado has finished last in the division five out of MacIntyre's six seasons in Boulder. MacIntyre inherited a tough rebuild, but that just isn't going to cut it.
Projected Replacement: Rocky Long, San Diego State HC
Rocky Long has built one of the Group of Five's most consistent programs in San Diego State, who is set to make their eighth straight bowl appearance. Long has also won three Mountain West Titles with the Aztecs and produced a solid crop of NFL talent, showing an amazing ability to recruit a competitive region and develop the young talent there. He has been at SDSU for some time so a jump to the Pac-12 might not even be on his radar, but he'd be a superb hire for Colorado. It might not be the flashy hire some Buffs' fans would yearn for, but I think Long would win big in Boulder.
Other Possibility: Alex Grinch, Ohio State co-DC
Grinch just got a promotion this past off-season, jumping from Washington State defensive coordinator to the same spot at Ohio State, and I think a head coaching gig may soon be in the cards. Grinch did a superb job with Washington State, and his innovative defensive schemes have earned them the utmost respect in the sport. He doesn't have Pac-12 roots beyond the WSU years, but he has proven he can defend the league, and I think he'll be able to recruit. This could be an out-of-the-box, successful hire Colorado desperately needs.


Other Names to Watch on the Hot Seat
Lovie Smith, Illinois
Clay Helton, USC
Randy Edsall, UConn
Derek Mason, Vanderbilt
Bob Davie, New Mexico
Kalani Sitake, BYU
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech

Other Coaches set for promotions
Dave Aranda, LSU DC
Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin DC
Clark Lea, Notre Dame DC
Bill Clark, UAB HC
Scott Satterfield, Appalachian State HC
Matt Wells, Utah State HC
Luke Fickell, Cincinnati HC
Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan HC

College Football Picks 2018: Week Eleven

Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

(#2) Clemson Tigers @ (#17) Boston College Eagles
With a few weeks still remaining in the regular season, Clemson appears to be a near lock to make the Playoff, but they must avoid a possible trap game on the road against Boston College. The Eagles are a worthy opponent, and it isn't unreasonable to think they can play off an upset. In order to do that, they'll have to find a way to contain Clemson's explosive offense, which can create big plays almost at will. True freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been superb since taking over the full-time starting gig, and he has a plethora of weapons to work with. Tee Higgins and Amari Rodgers are elite receivers that will be a huge problem to a group of BC defensive backs that are still pretty inexperienced and have been inconsistent much of the season. The Eagles will also have to find a way to contain running back Travis Etienne, who has become a serious Heisman threat. Despite being Clemson's feature back, Etienne is averaging an eye-popping 8.6 yards per carry, and he can score every time he touches the ball. If Boston College doesn't do a good job of tackling in space, Etienne and company are going to absolutely kill them. Offensively, Boston College should also rely on their own ground game, which is spearheaded by powerful sophomore A.J. Dillon. Dillon hasn't been completely healthy most of the year, but he still has managed 897 yards and eight scores on the season. Yet, he has yet to face a Clemson defensive front quite like the Tigers; which includes four future NFL linemen along with some tantalizing young guys, such as freshman Xavier Thomas. Boston College is really going to need QB Anthony Brown to step up and make some big throws to open up this offense. Brown has talent, but this a very talented defense and he'll need to have the game of his life to overcome them. On the outside, wide out Kobay White and tight end Tommy Sweeney will help out, but they must face a physical Clemson secondary that knows how to force turnovers. Conference games late in the year on the road are always precarious, and I wouldn't rule out the upset here. Yet, I'm sticking with Clemson, whose offense will probably just be too overwhelming for the Eagles to contain.
The Pick: Clemson, 38 Boston College, 24

(#10) Ohio State Buckeyes @ (#18) Michigan State Spartans
While Michigan now appears to be the favorite in the Big Ten, Ohio State is not dead just yet, and they could begin a Playoff run with a quality road win against Michigan State here. The Buckeyes still have a proven quarterback in Dwayne Haskins, who has slowed down slightly down the stretch but still has the arm and mobility to do real damage. There are other real playmakers on this offense, but they've also been struggling as of late. The run game, in particular, has slowed to a screeching halt despite the immense talent Ohio State possesses. J.K. Dobbins still has the talent to do some serious damage, and Mike Weber is a short-yardage monster. However, it remains to be seen if they can figure things out against a Spartans defense that is among the best in the entire Big Ten. Sure-handed K.J. Hill and do-it-all Parris Campbell are other options to work with, but Michigan State has proven over the years they can contain them. The biggest issue for Ohio State over the last couple weeks has been their defense, which has really struggled against Purdue and Nebraska. The good news is that MSU's offense isn't exactly top-notch, and they've had issues moving the ball for most of 2018. The Buckeyes have sorely missed defensive end Nick Bosa, their most dominant pass rusher. Without his assistance, OSU has really struggled to get pressure on opponents, which has in-turn exposed some of their issues in the secondary. They've had some real issues tackling in space and forcing turnovers, which could be a huge problem here. Its still unclear who will start at quarterback for Michigan State, but whether its Brian Lewerke or Rocky Lombardi the gameplan will likely be the same. They'll run the ball early and often, and then hit Ohio State with their play-action passing game. Connor Heyward and La'Darius Jefferson will be a load to handle on the ground, while Felton Davis III and Cody White can open things up on the perimeter. This is going to be an interesting duel between two teams with opposing strengths. Talent-wise the Buckeyes probably have the upper-hand, but their recent struggles have me going with the Spartans at home here. They'll slow down Ohio State's offense enough to secure a close victory.
The Pick: Michigan State, 28 Ohio State, 27

(#16) Mississippi State Bulldogs @ (#1) Alabama Crimson Tide
After absolutely dismantling LSU 29-0 last weekend, Alabama is undeniably the favorite to win it all this season. However, they'll have to avoid a hangover game in Bryant-Denny against a sneaky Mississippi State squad. The Bulldogs' defense will be in store for quite a difficult game, having to face the Heisman frontrunner, Tua Tagovailoa, along with a bunch of other stars. Tagovailoa showed that elite defenses still struggle to stop him with his superb showing against LSU, and this Mississippi State team doesn't quite have the playmakers on the back-end the Tigers have. The good news is that the Bulldogs' defensive front is very stingy, and they'll put up a fighting chance against running back Damien Harris and this terrific 'Bama O-Line. Jeffery Simmons causes absolute chaos in the middle of the defensive line, while outside 'backer Montez Sweat will have to get in Tua's face and force him into mistakes, which is easier said than done. On the other side of the ball, Alabama's defense is possibly even better, stocked to the brim with future NFL talent. On the defensive line, Quinnen Williams and Raekwon Davis are a pair of All-American talents and the defensive backfield seems to only be getting better, despite some notable inexperience. Former LSU transfer Saivion Smith had a great game last Saturday, and true freshman Patrick Surtain Jr. seems like he has been playing SEC football for years. New Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead is known for his offensive expertise, but this Bulldogs offense has been incredibly streaky all year long. QB Nick Fitzgerald is a veteran leader who knows how to win in this league, but he still leaves plenty to be desired through the air. Others are going to have to step up on this offense, most notably running back Kylin Hill or receivers Osirus Mitchell and Stephen Guidry. The Bulldogs offensive line is also going to need to get some push, something nearly all of Alabama's opponents have struggled to do this season. If Miss. State can't get some type of rushing attack going, any chance of an upset go out the window. The Bulldogs played the Tide incredibly tough a season ago, and they have the talent to at least make this one competitive. Yet, I would have to be absolutely insane to pick against this Alabama team with the way they're playing, especially at home. I like 'Bama to win pretty comfortably in front of the home folk here.
The Pick: Alabama, 42 Mississippi State, 23

Other Picks
Florida State @ (#3) Notre Dame: Notre Dame, 34 Florida State, 20
(#24) Auburn @ (#5) Georgia: Georgia, 30 Auburn, 27
(#7) LSU @ Arkansas: LSU, 27 Arkansas, 16
Oklahoma State @ (#6) Oklahoma: Oklahoma, 51 Oklahoma State, 38
TCU @ (#9) West Virginia: West Virginia, 35 TCU, 21

Current Picks Record: 61-19

Post-Week Ten College Football Power Rankings

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

1. Alabama Crimson Tide -- A 29-0 dismantling of third-ranked LSU on the road erased any doubt that they are the best team in the country. The offense continues to play well but the defense is playing even better with defensive end Quinnen Williams leading the charge.
2. Clemson Tigers -- Much like Alabama, Clemson impressed this past Saturday, pounding Louisville 77-16. Youngsters Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne have the offense rolling, but they'll need even more players to step up if they want a legitimate shot at overthrowing the Crimson Tide.
3. Michigan Wolverines -- Its time to give Michigan the credit they deserve; the Wolverines have dominated three straight ranked opponents, including a 42-7 victory over Penn State this weekend. The defense is at an elite-level, but Shea Patterson's growth at quarterback has been the major reason for their recent tear.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- Its never easy going on the road to face a sneaky Northwestern team, but ND did just that and came away with an important win. The only significant challenge awaiting them is a matchup with Syracuse, which will pit an explosive offense against Notre Dame's physical defensive front.
5. Georgia Bulldogs -- Georgia avoided an upset against Kentucky on Saturday to clinch the SEC East for the second consecutive year. This team hasn't been very consistent, but they seem to be trending up at the right time, particularly if Jake Fromm can establish some more consistency week to week.
6. Oklahoma Sooners -- Road games in the Big 12 can sometimes get really weird, but the Sooners avoided losing in Lubbock this Saturday, keeping them as the favorite in the conference. They'll have two winnable games before they go on the road against West Virginia, which very well could be a Big 12 Championship Game preview.
7. Washington State Cougars -- Mike Leach has worked some magic with this Washington State team. Despite entering the year having an unproven transfer at quarterback, significant losses at receiver and very little experience defensively, WSU is 8-1 with their lone loss coming by three to USC. They still lack a signature win, but the Cougars are playing undeniably superb football right now.
8. West Virginia Mountaineers -- Will Grier may have forced himself back into the Heisman conversation with a beautiful throw to eventually beat Texas (after the two-point conversion). He also pushed West Virginia back into the Big 12 Title and Playoff hunt, although the defense continues to struggle.
9. LSU Tigers -- This looked like the year LSU was finally going to push Alabama, but instead they walked away on Saturday with their second loss of the year. There is no denying LSU's resume, and the defense is still stocked with talent, but a New Year's Six Bowl is almost certainly the ceiling for this team now.
10. UCF Knights -- The Knights got quite a challenge from Temple in an interesting weekday duel, but they managed to stay flawless. However, they have been hurt by recent losses by Cincinnati and South Florida; if both had managed to stay undefeated longer it would've greatly helped any UCF Playoff hopes.
11. Ohio State Buckeyes -- I'm not ready to rule out Ohio State just yet, considering their astounding talent on both sides of the ball, but there is no denying the team is struggling. The defense in particular has been problematic, and will need reinforcements if the Buckeyes have any hopes of repeating as Big Ten Champ.
12. Kentucky Wildcats -- Kentucky knows they won't be playing for an SEC Title this season, but the schedule is still very favorable down the stretch. If the Wildcats can win out, they have a chance to play in their most important bowl game in some time.
13. Syracuse Orange -- I am tentatively buying into this Syracuse team. They have an explosive offense with veteran leadership everywhere, and their two losses were both close on the road. They still have an outside chance to compete for a New Year's Six Bowl.
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs -- Mississippi State is entering their meeting with Alabama playing great football, coming off a 45-3 dismantling of Louisiana Tech. Their defense continues to play well, but they need Nick Fitzgerald to make some plays if they stand any chance at toppling Alabama.
15. Boston College Eagles -- The Eagles could really throw a wrench into the Playoff situation if they can come up with a home upset of Clemson this Saturday. It obviously won't be easy, but a healthy A.J. Dillon and a stingy defense certainly give them a fighting chance.
16. Florida Gators -- Despite losing by three touchdowns to an okay Missouri team, I still like this Gators team. They still hold an ultra-important win over LSU, and the defense is unquestionably terrific. Now, can they figure out the QB situation? Its looking like Kyle Trask is set to take over, but I bet we continue seeing more of true freshman Emory Jones.
17. Texas Longhorns -- The Longhorns aren't at the level we thought they might be after beating Oklahoma, but their last two losses easily could've gone the other way. They need D-coordinator Todd Orlando to start living up to his luxurious salary and lead a defense that is giving up way too many big plays.
18. Utah State Aggies -- Fresno State may be the lone Mountain West team ranked in the Playoff rankings, but I think Utah State is the real favorite in the conference. They've won eight straight (their only loss on the year is to Michigan State) and the offense has been nearly unstoppable, eclipsing 40 points in seven of their nine games.
19. Michigan State Spartans -- The Spartans certainly won't be playing for a Big Ten Title, but they have recovered nicely from a deflating loss to rival Michigan, by beating Purdue and Maryland in consecutive weeks. The defense has been elite, but MSU has to figure out how to move the ball if they want to take down Ohio State at home this weekend.
20. Penn State Nittany Lions -- They're coming off a 35-point loss, but I still think PSU is a Top 20 team. Trace McSorley has been beat up for a big chunk of the season, and he hasn't had a ton of help on the offensive end. It'll be interesting to see whether the coaching staff turns to longtime backup Tommy Stevens this weekend to give McSorley a much needed break.
21. Fresno State Bulldogs -- If not for a close loss to Minnesota on the road, Fresno State would be undefeated and likely challenging UCF for Group of Five supremacy. Head coach Jeff Tedford has an absolute stud on his hands in QB Marcus McMaryion, who will have to play well this week against a strong Boise State defense.
22. NC State Wolfpack -- Personally, I don't understand NC State being ranked at 14 in the latest Playoff ranking. Granted, they are 6-2, but their best win is probably over Virginia and they were absolutely no competition to the best team in the conference, losing by 34 against Clemson. The good news is that their schedule is a breeze down the stretch, meaning that ten games is a distinct possibility.
23. Iowa State Cyclones -- Oklahoma-West Virginia looks like a near lock as the Big 12 Championship Game, but don't count out Iowa State just yet. The Cyclones are playing terrific at the moment, as Hakeem Butler may one of the most dominant receivers in the entire country and is making NFL scouts flock to Ames.
24. Washington Huskies -- After a depressing 12-10 loss on the road to California, Washington recovered by running past Stanford to improve to 7-3. They aren't going to overtake their in-state rivals in the division, but spoiling any Playoff hopes for Washington State would be just as sweet.
25. Buffalo Bulls -- UCF, Fresno and Utah State may be getting more love from the polls, but Buffalo is quietly 9-1 and could challenge for a NY6 Bowl as well. Senior wide out Anthony Johnson is almost sure to be a pretty high NFL Draft selection this spring, and head coach Lance Leipold will almost certainly be on the radar for a number of Power Five teams looking for replacements.

Others to Consider
Auburn Tigers
Army Black Knights
Iowa Hawkeyes
Utah Utes
UAB Blazers
Wisconsin Badgers

College Football Picks 2018: Week Ten

Nick Brossette, LSU

(#1) Alabama Crimson Tide @ (#3) LSU Tigers
Despite the fact Alabama has dominated the rivalry as of late, the Alabama-LSU battle is always important, and consistently pits top-tier talent against each other in typical brutish SEC fashion. Alabama has looked unstoppable over the first nine weeks of the season, but they have not faced a challenge quite like the Tigers, whose defense is top-notch and has a much improved offense. The unquestioned face of Alabama football right now is QB Tua Tagovailoa, who looks ready to coast to a Heisman unless somebody stops him. Tua's stats are downright mind-boggling: 2,066 yards, 27 total touchdowns, 70% completion percentage and zero interceptions. His huge arm has added a different element to this Tide offense and the results speak for themselves, as 'Bama has the best offense in school history, notching 54.1 PPG. Tua will be tossing the ball around to a dynamic receivers corps spearheaded by Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle, but its important to note what defense he is facing. LSU is stocked on the back-end, with stud defenders Greedy Williams and Grant Delpit guarding their territory. You can bet the Tigers are tired of hearing about Tagovailoa, and are going to be aggressive in stopping him. They'll have to do so without star linebacker Devin White, as a target penalty from last week ensures he'll miss the first half of this one. That could be crucial, as the Tigers lean heavily on White's services in stopping the run, something they'll also have to do here. The key for LSU won't be the defense, however. It will be finding a way to keep pace on their own offensive end. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been a huge addition to this offense, playing smart and under control all year long. Burrow also adds an interesting element as a runner, which he used to overcome a superb Georgia defense a couple weeks ago. Can he do that against an Alabama defensive front stocked with future NFL Draft selections? He'll be aided by running backs Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, as well as a solid crop of receivers. Burrow is going to need to do something LSU quarterbacks just haven't done in this matchup the last few seasons: make the big throw. I think he can do it, but this is Alabama, and nothing will come easy. I don't expect this game to be as low-scoring as years past (ahem, the 9-6 2011 regular season game), with both offenses entering this game with significant momentum. It should be pretty entertaining, and I think LSU has all the tools to give 'Bama a really tough game. Yet, I still am picking Alabama here, simply because nobody has proven they can consistently stop them at this juncture. LSU might just be able to, but my money remains on Tua and Saban.
The Pick: Alabama, 34 LSU, 26

(#6) Georgia Bulldogs @ (#9) Kentucky Wildcats
Alabama-LSU is going to be the most-watched SEC game of the weekend, but Georgia-Kentucky may have just as much importance. Both teams still remain in the Playoff hunt, and this game will effectively decide the representative from the East Division in the Championship Game. Kentucky has been one of the biggest stories of the season, jumping to a 7-1 record behind a stingy defense and Heisman candidate Benny Snell Jr. at running back. Snell (935 yards on the year) and quarterback Terry Wilson form a dangerous 1-2 punch running the ball. Wilson still hasn't proven he is an elite passer, but his speed really opens up this offense. A lot of credit should also be reserved for an offensive line that has played well much of the year and opened up some huge lanes for Wilson & Snell. They'll need to do that early and often against Georgia, who has their own stifling front seven. The most important thing for this Wildcats offense is not turning the ball over. UGA has a hungry defense that is great at forcing turnovers, and they capitalize on them as well as anybody in the country. The defense will be up to the task as well, with safety Darius West and linebackers Kash Daniel and Josh Allen making key plays. Those linebackers are going to have to be up to the challenge, because the Bulldogs are going to run the ball. The last few weeks, Kirby Smart has leaned on the run game early on nearly exclusively, and I imagine he'll start this game much the same. For Georgia, it would be great if Jake Fromm could figure out how to perform consistently. He played pretty well against Florida, but some fans still feel true freshman Justin Fields could make the offens run better. Fromm has loads of weapons, including Mecole Hardman, Jeremiah Holloman and tight end Isaac Nauta. If he can regain his late 2017 form, when he played absolutely terrific football, this Bulldogs team is so difficult to overcome. Going into Lexington is certainly not easy, but Smart and UGA have ample experience in big games and they won't be intimidated. I like Kentucky to keep things close, but I think the offense might be too one-dimensional to really bury UGA. I like the 'Dawgs in another close one.
The Pick: Georgia, 28 Kentucky, 24

(#14) Penn State Nittany Lions @ (#5) Michigan Wolverines
With Ohio State's recent upset loss, the Big Ten East is now Michigan's to win, as they've won seven straight since their season-opening loss to Notre Dame. The big reason for the Wolverines' recent success has been an offense playing with a lot more confidence and one of the most aggressive and sound defenses in the entire land. Quarterback Shea Patterson has played terrific, making plays with his arms and legs and not turning the ball over. He has been helped by a strong stable of running backs, led by Karan Higdon and Tru Wilson, along with a number of explosive options on the perimeter, namely Donovan Peoples-Jones. Peoples-Jones is one of the best deep threats in the nation, and is just as potent on special teams. Penn State will counter with a defense that loves to blitz, but the Nittany Lions have still struggled to defend the long pass. They'll still try and attack the UM offensive line, but Patterson has looked comfortable getting out of the pocket and making plays. On the other side of the ball, PSU really needs someone to step up beyond veteran signal-caller Trace McSorley. Running back Miles Sanders has done an admirable job replacing Saquon Barkley, but he will go up against a superb Michigan rush defense, which is led by linebacker Devin Bush. McSorley does have a huge arm, and the Nittany Lions are going to want to attack over the top. Can K.J. Hamler and Juwan Johnson make the plays necessary for this offense to put up enough points? PSU's offensive front is also going to be up for a challenge, dealing with a Wolverines pass rush that includes Chase Winovich and possibly Rashan Gary, who has been out for a number of weeks (listed as questionable for this game). McSorley has gone into tough environments before, but going into the Big House is certainly a different story. I like the Nittany Lions to make this a game, but I'll stick with the Wolverines at home. The way they're playing, they look ready to roll to a Big Ten East Title.
The Pick: Michigan, 33 Penn State, 27

Other Picks
(#13) West Virginia @ (#17) Texas: Texas, 30 West Virginia, 24
Missouri @ (#11) Florida: Florida, 35 Missouri, 23
(#4) Notre Dame @ Northwestern: Notre Dame, 26 Northwestern, 17
Louisville @ (#2) Clemson: Clemson, 48 Louisville, 20
(#19) Syracuse @ Wake Forest: Wake Forest, 27 Syracuse, 22

Current Picks Record: 56-16

College Football Picks 2018: Week Nine

Feleipe Franks, Florida

(#9) Florida Gators vs. (#7) Georgia Bulldogs (neutral site)
Its been awhile since the Florida-Georgia annual rivalry had serious national implications, but here we are, with both teams entering the game with serious Playoff aspirations. The Bulldogs have played superb football outside of a weak showing against LSU on the road, putting some pressure to prove they still have what it takes to hold onto the improved SEC East. The offense still remains under the guidance of sophomore Jake Fromm, but for how much longer? True freshman Justin Fields has impressed in short spurts, and adds a dynamic element as a dual threat. Might Kirby Smart turn to him to switch up this physical Florida defense? Either way, UGA is still going to lean on their ground game, led by Elijah Holyfield and D'Andre Swift. The 1-2 punch have had their moments, but will need to perform over all sixty minutes if the Bulldogs are to come out on top. Georgia would also love wide receiver Mecole Hardman to regain his early-season form. After a dominant first couple of weeks, he has slowed down significantly. When Hardman is making big-time plays on the outside, this offense really opens up. Florida features a defense that is aggressive and deep, although the secondary has been hit by some injuries. The pass rush has been ferocious all season long, and will give UGA's O-Line plenty of problems, as Jachai Polite (seven sacks on the year) and Jabari Zuniga (4.5) know how to create chaos in opposing backfields. The main reason for the Gators' improvement from 2017 has been the offense, as new had man Dan Mullen has made it much more explosive and consistent. Quarterback Feleipe Franks has taken big leaps forward, but he does face a Georgia defense led by corner Deandre Baker and a number of superb linebackers. Franks wasn't able to make the big throws UF needed last season, but has that changed? He has a plethora of running backs that can take pressure off his shoulders and an improved receivers corps, with the most dangerous being Ole Miss transfer Van Jefferson. Mullen will be creative in attacking this Georgia defense, but he also needs his skill position players to prove themselves. Another interesting factor to watch will be the special teams duel. Georgia tends to struggle when their special teams is off (just watch the LSU game) but Rodrigo Blankenship's big leg could give them an advantage over the Gators here. This rivalry is going to the most exciting and hard-fought it has been in some time, and neutral sites always add more intrigue. Despite the fact their loss to LSU exposed some of the big issues with this team, I like Georgia to hold on here. The offense is a little bit more proven, and I'm just not sure Franks is ready to go out and win this one for the Gators in a tough environment.
The Pick: Georgia, 30 Florida, 24

(#18) Iowa Hawkeyes @ (#17) Penn State Nittany Lions
Two classic Big Ten squads clash on Saturday at Happy Valley, both with different things on the line. Iowa is looking to take control of the Big Ten West with Wisconsin's recent struggles, while Penn State is just trying to keep pace out East with Ohio State and Michigan. Iowa has been using a familiar formula to jump to a 6-1 start, running the ball behind a physical offensive front and making smart, short throws. Quarterback Nate Stanley has had a very fine 2018, and he has two of the best tight ends in the entire country in Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson. Both are nightmare matchups for defenders because of their mix of speed and size, and it will be interesting to watch how Penn State chooses to defend the pairing. On the ground, running back Toren Young isn't super explosive, but he has great vision and finds ways to move the chains. The Nittany Lions have had some issues defensively this season, which was to be expected. Their numbers aren't terrible, but their inexperience in the secondary has left them prone to the big play, which could haunt them in this game. PSU can counter with their own offense, which is also led by a veteran quarterback in Trace McSorley. McSorley has had a strong senior season, but he has to be more efficient, particularly later in games. He will be aided by plenty of other offensive playmakers, namely running back Miles Sanders and wide out K.J. Hamler. Sanders has done a fine job replacing the departed Saquon Barkley, but he does face an Iowa defense that has a stingy rush defense. Containing Hamler and Juwan Johnson should be the ultimate goal for this Hawkeyes defense. If they are able to limit PSU's big plays and possibly create some turnovers, they should be able to keep pace. The most important part of this game for the Nittany Lions will be maintaining throughout the entire game. Against both Ohio State and Michigan State, their two losses, they started off hot only to take their foot off the gas pedal, resulting in losses. They need to get out fast and continue to attack for all four quarters if they are to fend off Iowa. The Hawkeyes are playing great football, and they have an extremely balanced lineup on both sides of the ball. With that being said, going into Happy Valley and coming out victorious is an awfully tough task, and PSU should be motivated. I like the Nittany Lions to come out on top in a good one.
The Pick: Penn State, 35 Iowa, 28

(#14) Washington State Cougars @ (#24) Stanford Cardinal
Following their dismantling of Oregon last Saturday, Washington State now appears to be not only the favorite in the North Division, but likely the conference as a whole. Their 6-1 start has been surprising considering their losses suffered this off-season, but the formula has been the same: passing the ball early and often. East Carolina transfer Gardner Minshew has been a revelation at quarterback; he has showcased a massive arm that can make all the throws, but he has limited turnovers. On the outside, a trio of receivers, Davontavean Martin, Dezmon Patmon and Easop Winston have given defenses absolute fits. This high-octane offense will face an intriguing test in Stanford's defense. The Cardinal aren't the shutdown defense they once were, but they have a good amount of experience on the back-end, and David Shaw has seen this offense enough times to know how to stop it. The Cardinal will need their offense to keep pace, even if they're able to slow down Minshew and company. In order to do that, they'll need their rushing attack to finally get things going, namely last year's Heisman runner-up Bryce Love. Love hasn't had 100 yards since the second week of the season against USC (he had over 100 yards twelve times in 2017). The Cougars defense has played well so far this season, but Stanford has the capability to have success on the ground. They'll also need quarterback K.J. Costello to make some big throws in order to stretch the defense. Costello has made serious strides in his development so far in 2018, but he still struggles with turnovers, which is worrying against this aggressive WSU secondary. On the outside, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has proven himself as a dangerous deep threat, already managing nine touchdowns on the season. He'll have to produce here, as do other Stanford receivers, namely ultra-reliable Trent Irwin and speedy freshman Osiris St. Brown. I'm still not completely sure how I feel about either one of these teams; the Cougars might need another big victory or two to really lock down this division, while the Cardinal have the talent to be much better than 24th in the country. I think there is a strong chance this is a hangover game for Washington State following their big win over Oregon while hosting College GameDay. If Love can regain some of his 2017 form, I like the Cardinal to squeeze out a win here.
The Pick: Stanford, 31 Washington State, 28

Other Picks
(#6) Texas @ Oklahoma State: Texas, 42 Oklahoma State, 30
Kansas State @ (#8) Oklahoma: Oklahoma, 49 Kansas State, 27
(#2) Clemson @ Florida State: Clemson, 34 Florida State, 17
(#3) Notre Dame vs. Navy (neutral site): Notre Dame, 24 Navy, 20
(#16) Texas A&M @ Mississippi State: Mississippi State, 27 Texas A&M, 21

Current Picks Record: 50-14

College Football Picks 2018: Week Eight

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan

(#6) Michigan Wolverines @ (#24) Michigan State Spartans
After slow starts to the 2018 season, both Michigan schools are playing great football, and collide with plenty on the line. The Wolverines are still undefeated in conference play, thanks in large part to a much improved offense and a typically stingy defense. Quarterback Shea Patterson has been key in the offense's growth; after struggling against Notre Dame, he has played with confidence and poise, while completing 69% of his throws and managing 11 touchdowns. Just as important has been the play of the offensive line, which has thrown around by ND, but has seemingly figured things out. They'll need to play well here, in order to open things up for Karan Higdon and the ground game. That is easier said than done against a Michigan State defensive front that is always tough and gritty, but the Wolverines should find a way. On the outside, the Spartans need to find a way to shut down Donovan Peoples-Jones, who can break open a game every time he comes in contact with the ball. He is a dangerous receiver, but may be even more lethal on special teams. This isn't Mark Dantonio's best MSU defense, but there is plenty of experience and depth. If they can get Patterson uncomfortable, which he hasn't really been since that season opener, they are going to find success. The key for the Spartans will be putting up points of their own, which has been surprisingly difficult this season, despite the experience they possess. Quarterback Brian Lewerke has been okay, and does offer playmaking potential with his feet, but this Michigan defense is probably the toughest he has seen yet this year. On the D-Line, end Chase Winovich is one of the most disruptive players in the land, and the Wolverines are hopeful his fellow linemen Rashan Gary, is 100 percent in this one. Beyond them lies All-American linebacker Devin Bush and a secondary that is suffocating. Michigan State has a number of solid receivers, namely Cody White and Felton Davis, but they lack the speed and explosiveness necessary to really break things open. With that in mind, I expect the Spartans to run a grinding, run-based offense here. Can Conner Heyward or one of these other backs make some plays against this UM defense? If not, its hard to imagine the Spartans keeping up with Patterson and the Wolverines offense. On paper, I think Michigan is the much better team but of course, football games are not played on paper. Going into East Lansing and coming out with a victory is incredibly difficult, as Jim Harbaugh very well knows. Has this Wolverines team turned the corner and is ready to win games like this? I think so, but only time will tell.
The Pick: Michigan, 31 Michigan State, 20

(#16) NC State Wolfpack @ (#3) Clemson Tigers
The lone remaining undefeated teams in the ACC clash this Saturday, as NC State must go on the road and find a way to overcome the three-time reigning conference champs. The Wolfpack might not have the insane amount of talent Clemson has, but there is a reason this time is 5-0. They have a strong, veteran quarterback in Ryan Finley, plenty of playmakers around him offensively, and an aggressive defense. Finley has never been one to put up eye-popping stats, but he has proven himself as an intelligent QB that can make some really impressive throws. Receivers Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers have had huge seasons already, and are big, physical targets to work with. The Tigers do feature some really solid defensive backs, but this NC State offense is going to be a challenge, and Clemson has to be on their A game. The good news for Clemson is that they still feature the most imposing defensive front in the sport at the moment, and the Wolfpack's O-Line is not exactly elite. Finley doesn't often get rattled, but it is a whole different ball game when you have four future NFL Draft selections racing at you, all with unbelievably high motors and a nose for the football. On the other side of the ball, NC State has been a surprise, ranking 16th in the nation in points allowed, despite missing Bradley Chubb and a whole host of contributors from 2017's defense. The most important duty for them in this game is to tackle in space. Clemson back Travis Etienne is averaging an astonishing 9.2 yards per carry despite getting a ton of usage in this offense. If he is able to get a lane, he'll burst through with some tantalizing speed, which NC State can't afford to let happen. They should stack the box and make true freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence beat them, but it is a risky strategy. Despite his youth, Lawrence has looked wonderful this season and he has a lot of weapons on the perimeter, most notably Tee Higgins and the ultra-reliable Hunter Renfrow. Going into Death Valley will be awfully precarious for Finley and this Wolfpack team, but I think they will really compete in this game. They've given Clemson fits the last few seasons and they have a lot of veteran leadership on this roster that has played in these big games. I still lean Clemson here just because its so hard to beat them at home and Dabo Swinney will have them pumped up, but gear up for a close one.
The Pick: Clemson, 28 NC State, 26

(#12) Oregon Ducks @ (#25) Washington State Cougars
With their victory over Washington last week and a favorable schedule ahead of them, Oregon now appears to be the Pac-12's best hope at returning to the College Football Playoff. But first, they'll have to get through Washington State, who has been a great story en route to a 5-1 first half. The Cougars have not missed record-setting QB Luke Falk, as Mike Leach's system continues to produce big-time results. Former East Carolina transfer Gardner Minshew is on track for nearly 5,000 passing yards and despite the fact he throws so much he is pretty efficient, completing 69% of his passes and notching a 19-4 TD-INT ratio. The Cougars feature a ton of receivers that can do serious damage on the outside and stretch the field to help bring out an underrated rushing attack. Oregon's defense continues to improve under the guidance of coordinator Jim Leavitt, but they have not faced an offense quite like this in 2018. How will the secondary, which is still pretty young, react? Either way, the Ducks should be able to counter with plenty of offensive fireworks. They also feature a superb weapon under center in junior Justin Herbert, who is widely viewed by NFL scouts as the most likely first QB off the board next spring. He has a great arm that can make all the throws, and has established a potent connection with wide out Dillon Mitchell. Mitchell has nearly 1/3 of the Ducks' receptions on the season and he can really take the top off any defense. For all the progress Leach has made at Washington State, the Cougars still have some issues on defense, and none more apparent than the secondary. WSU is very prone to the big play, and Mitchell should certainly be able to take advantage of that. Oregon also has plenty of options at running back, with the top playmaker being C.J. Verdell, who has 561 yards on the season. Travis Dye and Tony Brooks-James can also be utilized as change-of-pace options as can lumbering Cyrus Habibi-Likio, who has six touchdowns on just 13 carries. If you like offense, there is no better spot to watch it than this game, which is sure to keep the scoreboard operators busy. The key will be who can make some defensive stops or force some turnovers. Right now, I have more confidence in the Ducks' defense to do that, which is why I'm picking them, even going on the road to Pullman.
The Pick: Oregon, 49 Washington State, 44

Other Picks
Colorado @ (#15) Washington: Washington, 30 Colorado, 28
(#9) Oklahoma @ TCU: Oklahoma, 52 TCU, 37
(#1) Alabama @ Tennessee: Alabama, 49 Tennessee, 13
(#22) Mississippi State @ (#5) LSU: LSU, 34 Mississippi State, 21
(#18) Penn State @ Indiana: Indiana, 28 Penn State, 27

Current Picks Record: 44-12

Post-Week Seven College Football Power Rankings

Ian Book & Jafar Armstrong, Notre Dame

1. Alabama Crimson Tide -- Just a reminder of how dominant Alabama has been: they were without Tua Tagovailoa for much of the second quarter and were beat up pretty bad overall and still managed to pound a decent Missouri team 39-10. Until they lose, they are the overwhelming favorite to win it all.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes -- Ohio State's resume has been hurt by recent losses by TCU and Penn State, but they still look like the class of the Big Ten. Dwayne Haskins and these receivers give OSU the best downfield passing game they've had in some time, and the defense should be stout, even without Nick Bosa.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- Although they played pretty sloppy, Notre Dame kept their undefeated record intact by beating Pitt this past Saturday 19-14. The defense continues to be one of the best in the nation, while Ian Book's arrival as starting QB has certainly waked a slumbering offense.
4. Clemson Tigers -- The ACC is the weakest it has been in some time, boding well for a Clemson team with undeniable talent, but still working out some things out. A battle with NC State, a game that will decide the Atlantic Division, looms.
5. LSU Tigers -- The Tigers absolutely dismantled SEC East favorite Georgia this past weekend, only adding to an extremely impressive resume. QB Joe Burrow continues to be the X-factor; despite not having huge stats he has been the guiding force behind a resurgent season.
6. Michigan Wolverines -- UM has looked completely different from the team that was dominated by Notre Dame to begin the season, playing with a ton of confidence and winning the battle in the trenches. They are very much a factor in the brutal Big Ten East and can seriously compete with OSU to win it.
7. Georgia Bulldogs -- Georgia had a rough Saturday against LSU, but their Playoff hopes are not dead. This team still has astounding talent, but they need better quarterback play. Is it now time to switch to highly touted true frosh Justin Fields?
8. UCF Knights -- The reigning "National Champions" look like they could once again run the table, led by one of the country's most explosive offenses. Yet, the remaining schedule lacks any heavyweights, likely ensuring no Playoff berth for the Knights.
9. Texas Longhorns -- I'm still hesitant to say Texas is "back" but they recently beat Oklahoma and have gone on the road and beat a number of strong opponents. Sam Ehlinger has played more under control at quarterback, and there is no denying the defense's abilities.
10. Oklahoma Sooners -- OU's Playoff hopes are not dead yet, as West Virginia's loss to Iowa State keeps them neck and neck with UT for the Big 12 crown. Lincoln Riley is hopeful the defense can take a step forward after firing coordinator Mike Stoops.
11. Oregon Ducks -- The team in the Pac-12 with the best chance of making the Playoff now appears to be Oregon, as they stifled Washington at home last Saturday. Justin Herbert and the offense are rolling on all cylinders, and there isn't much in the conference ready to challenge them.
12. Florida Gators -- Dan Mullen has done a superb job with Florida in his debut season; the Gators are as strong as ever on the defensive side of the ball, but the growth of the offense has been the most important factor in their 6-1 start.
13. NC State Wolfpack -- Sure, NC State has yet to beat anybody very significant, but the Wolfpack look like a bonafide contender in the weak ACC. With veteran QB Ryan Finley at the helm and the defense playing better than most expected, don't rule out an upset victory over Clemson.
14. Kentucky Wildcats -- Fueled by superstar running back Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky has been a great story, rolling to a 5-1 first half. The schedule does pick up over the next month, with two difficult road trips, but the Wildcats are still locked in as SEC East contenders.
15. West Virginia Mountaineers -- Much like many highly-ranked Big 12 opponents, West Virginia was shocked in a night game at Ames, showing some of their deficiencies. It may have killed their Playoff chances, but the Big 12 remains wide open.
16. Penn State Nittany Lions -- A shocking loss to Michigan State at home was a real downer for Penn State, to say the least, but this team should still not be overlooked. Trace McSorley and this offense are going to be playing with real edge down the stretch.
17. Iowa Hawkeyes -- With Wisconsin underperforming, Iowa now looks like they could win the Big Ten West, even though they lost to the Badgers a few weeks ago. Outside of a road trip to Penn State, Iowa should be favored in every single game the rest of the way.
18. Washington Huskies -- UW has been a slight disappointment this year, losing in the non-conference to an Auburn team that isn't very good and losing to Oregon on Saturday. Though, the defense is still playing at an elite level and if the offense can create some big plays, the Huskies can still find a way to win the Pac-12 North.
19. Michigan State Spartans -- The Spartans have been confusing this season. They underperformed in losses to Arizona State and Northwestern, but then went on the road and beat PSU. They have the experience and depth to still be dangerous, and Mark Dantonio's teams always play tough.
20. Texas A&M Aggies -- A&M went on the road and took down South Carolina this weekend, but I'm still not completely sold on this team. The defense has been wonderful under new DC Mike Elko, but the offense is still working on finding consistency.
21. Cincinnati Bearcats -- Quietly, Cincinnati is off to their best start since 2013, jumping to a 6-0 start behind a great ground attack. However, they face a brutal second half schedule that includes UCF, Navy and South Florida. That will decide just what level the program is truly at in Luke Fickell's second season at the helm.
22. Mississippi State Bulldogs -- The Bulldogs are another team struggling to be consistent, but Joe Moorhead still has quite a threatening team in Starkville. Nick Fitzgerald will have to have a big day if they are able to go on the road and stun LSU this upcoming Saturday.
23. Wisconsin Badgers -- Wisconsin looked overwhelmed in their beatdown loss at the hands of Michigan this past Saturday, but they aren't dead yet. Jonathan Taylor still gives them a fighting chance, and coordinator Jim Leonhard should be able to solve some of the defensive woes.
24. Stanford Cardinal -- Stanford is coming off two straight losses, but I still think they are a factor out West. Bryce Love may finally be 100 percent after a bye week and quarterback K.J. Costello should be able to bounce back from a couple weak showings.
25. South Florida Bulls -- Much like Cincinnati, South Florida has beaten up on some weak AAC foes to begin the year 6-0. Former Alabama QB Blake Barnett has been a great story, and he'll need to continue to play well if the Bulls want to lock up the conference.

Others to Consider
USC Trojans
Colorado Buffaloes
Washington State Cougars
Ole Miss Rebels
Appalachian State Mountaineers
Duke Blue Devils

College Football Picks 2018: Week Seven

Mecole Hardman, Georgia

(#2) Georgia Bulldogs @ (#13) LSU Tigers
Following two consecutive blowout victories over weak SEC East foes, Georgia gets their toughest test of the season to this point as they go on the road to square off against LSU. The Bulldogs have looked nearly unstoppable in the season's first half, playing terrific football on both sides of the ball. The offense has taken a major step forward this season, although this LSU defense will be quite a challenge. QB Jake Fromm continues to play smart and methodical, with true freshman Justin Fields adding an interesting element as a dual threat weapon off the bench. Though, the real strength of the offense is everybody around the quarterback, including a dangerous ground game, potent receiver threats and a superb O-Line. Elijah Holyfield and D'Andre Swift lead that ground attack, but they will face off against a physical LSU defensive front that could swallow them whole. That will put more pressure on UGA's receivers, but that shouldn't be too much of an issue. Mecole Hardman has emerged as one of the best playmakers in the entire nation, and there is no shortage of options beyond him. The key for facing this Tigers' defense will be not turning the ball over against a secondary that is full of ball-hawking playmakers, namely corner Greedy Williams and solid safety Grant Delpit. That should bode well for Georgia, as Fromm is well-known for being able to keep the ball under wraps and play intelligent football. On the other side of the ball, LSU has their own consistent signal-caller in Joe Burrow, who hadn't had an interception on the season before throwing one late in the loss last week to Florida. Burrow also has plenty of weapons to work with on this improved LSU offense, namely steady tailback Nick Brossette. However, it will be interesting to see how he handles this Georgia defense, which brings the pressure on every down. Burrow didn't play bad against Florida (who has a very similar defensive look as UGA) but he looked uncomfortable and uneasy for really the first time this year. If Georgia can bring the heat early and often and force Burrow into mistakes, they're going to be in prime position. It would really help LSU if somebody else was able to step up on the outside to stretch the field and open things up, perhaps Texas Tech transfer Jonathan Giles, who has been quiet for much of the season. Another thing to consider about the Tigers is their upcoming schedule which includes Mississippi State and Alabama over the next few weeks. Will that motivate this team or will they be caught looking ahead? I think LSU is going to be able to compete and it should be a hard-fought battle, but Georgia just looks so strong on both sides of the ball. Its never easy to win in the SEC on the road, but I think UGA can avoid the upset here.
The Pick: Georgia, 28 LSU, 20

(#15) Wisconsin Badgers @ (#12) Michigan Wolverines
After both these teams suffered rough non-conference losses, there is little margin for error to make a Playoff run, particularly for Wisconsin. Michigan has been playing great football since their season-opening loss to Notre Dame, as the offense has looked much more explosive than the unexciting group in 2017. Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson still has struggles with consistency, but he is looking more and more comfortable in this offense, and he is aided by a great rushing attack that can take the pressure off of him, led by Karan Higdon. The real X-factor is the offensive line, which was absolutely pummeled by ND but has looked much more respectable in the last few weeks. With that being said, this Wisconsin pass rush is nasty, and they have guys that can get in the backfield up and down this two-deep. Patterson is great at improvising, but even he will struggle if the Badgers are able to get enough pressure on him, so the O-Line play will be absolutely critical. For the Badgers, the offense looks nearly identical to 2017's group, although it has been slightly less explosive. Jonathan Taylor continues to be one of college football's elite rushers, and is running behind perhaps the nation's premier offensive lines. Taiwan Deal and Garrett Groshek also provide a nice change of pace, which Wisconsin will likely need against this strong and deep Michigan defense. The Wolverines are especially strong up front, where they have an absolutely potent pass rushing combo in ends Chase Winovich and Rashan Gary. Behind them, they have All-American linebacker Devin Bush, who catches everything that escapes the D-Line and is the main force behind the country's 17th best rush defense. Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown loves to bring the blitz and he is going to be extra aggressive in forcing QB Alex Hornibrook to throw the ball. Hornibrook has been incredibly efficient, but has still yet to prove he can make the throws to win games for this Badgers team. Maybe this could be the week, but I just don't see having much success against this stingy of a defense on the road. Much like how Georgia-LSU should resemble an SEC battle, this game should definitely fit the stereotype of a Big Ten brawl. There should be a lot of hard-hitting and important plays in the trenches and I think it should be close. On a neutral site, I might lean Wisconsin because I'm so confident in their defense and in Taylor, but on the road, I swing Michigan in Ann Arbor.
The Pick: Michigan, 31 Wisconsin, 21

(#7) Washington Huskies @ (#17) Oregon Ducks
With Stanford's recent struggles, the Pac-12 North race may now come down to this duel between seventh-ranked Washington and Oregon. Washington, much like Michigan, has done a fine job recovering from a season-opening loss to Auburn, thanks in large part to the play of their versatile defense. The offense hasn't been quite as strong, but there is no denying they can still light up the scoreboard from time-to-time, with veterans QB Jake Browning and back Myles Gaskin guiding the way. The offensive line has also improved following a shaky start to 2018, and is fully healthy, which should obviously be important in holding back an underrated Oregon pass rush. The Ducks' defense is solid, but I still think Browning and company are going to find a way to give us a good amount of points. That shouldn't be an issue for Oregon, who is averaging nearly 46 points per game on the year (11th in the nation). That offense is led by their own veteran QB in Justin Herbert, who hasn't been incredibly efficient but his arm talent has NFL scouts drooling. Then, there is the running back situation, which has been reminiscent of past Oregon teams with a bunch of speedsters always ready to open things up. C.J. Verdell has been their most effective rusher, and is their most dangerous in the open field, although Travis Dye and Tony Brooks-James offer plenty of playmaking potential. On the outside, Dillon Mitchell has been one of the most consistent wide outs in the conference. However, can he keep that up (and can Herbert?) against a Washington secondary that is one of the best in the land? Will the Ducks be able to keep that ground game rolling against a very physical UW front, that has an absolute stud in the middle in Greg Gaines. Again, I foresee a competitive afternoon game between these two. I think Washington is the slightly better team, but going to Eugene and coming out with a victory is easier said than done, and I think the Ducks might actually be a little bit underrated at this point.
The Pick: Oregon, 37 Washington, 35

Other Picks
Michigan State @ (#8) Penn State: Penn State, 34 Michigan State, 28
(#22) Texas A&M @ South Carolina: Texas A&M, 27 South Carolina, 17
Missouri @ (#1) Alabama: Alabama, 52 Missouri, 28
(#19) Colorado @ USC: Colorado, 26 USC, 23
(#6) West Virginia @ Iowa State: Iowa State, 34 West Virginia, 31

Current Picks Record: 38-10

NBA Watchability Rankings 2018-2019

LeBron James, Lakers

The NBA season is long and sometimes overwhelming, as it seems like there are hundreds of players and storylines you have to follow at one time to really get a good feel for the league. With that in mind, we came up with the definitive list of which of the 30 teams you should actually pay attention to, and which ones aren't even worth your time. Without further ado, here are our "watchability" rankings for this 2018-2019 NBA campaign, going from worst to first.

30. Orlando Magic
Orlando has struggled to regain a footing in the weak Eastern Conference since Dwight Howard left town, and this season does not looking very promising either. The Magic did add a tantalizing young prospect in lengthy big man Mo Bamba, whose gigantic wingspan and feel for the game will lead to a lot of blocks, but likely not much wins. Orlando also did lock up forward Aaron Gordon, who had his best season in the Association a year ago, and could be one of the more underrated playmakers in the league. However, despite that there really isn't a lot to get excited about on this roster, which lacks much proven ball-handlers or shooters. It looks like it is going to be a long season once more, but perhaps watching Bamba and another young piece, Jonathan Isaac, grow will be worth some viewing.

29. Charlotte Hornets
Outside of drafting talented swingman Miles Bridges and adding longtime Spur Tony Parker, Charlotte had an incredibly quiet off-season. This roster does have some interesting weapons, but it is filled with a bunch of guys who never lived up to their high NBA Draft selections (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller, Jeremy Lamb). A possible Kemba Walker trade could add some much needed intrigue to this organization, but their ceiling looks like mid-tier Eastern Conference squad, which isn't exactly worth much viewing in the current landscape of the league.

28. Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn GM Sean Marks was tasked with a near impossible rebuild when he took over the reigns of the franchise in 2016, but he has done a good job getting the Nets back to respectability. Examining the growth of young pieces such as D'Angelo Russell and Jarrett Allen are worth a tune-in every one in awhile, but this team still has a long way to go to evolve into a true Eastern Conference contender. That could certainly change if the Nets are somehow able to land Jimmy Butler, who has interest in going to a big market like Brooklyn.

27. Memphis Grizzlies
Once a consistent contender out West, Memphis had a dismal '17-'18, leading to the drafting of Jaren Jackson, who a lot of people are really high on. Though, the route to a successful season for the Grizzlies lies in the health of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. When healthy, they can still be cornerstones of a Playoff team, but both have had long-term health problems, and Gasol has openly expressed his discontent with the current predicament. With that being said, the Grizz could still be a factor in the Western Conference, but there isn't really anything too special to make them a must-watch this year.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers
Life after LeBron 2.0 begins in earnest this season for Cleveland, with Kevin Love as the tentative cornerstone. Cleveland is hopeful Love can regain his Minnesota form, and their massive, four-year commitment to him speaks volumes. The addition of explosive point guard Collin Sexton and how he is integrated into this offense should also be interesting, but beyond that Cleveland's roster is full of mismatched toys. The Cavs could still end up being a factor with how weak the East is, but their days of being must-watch NBA TV are long gone.

25. Los Angeles Clippers
The "Lob City" era is officially over in Los Angeles, as the Clippers opted not to bring back aging center DeAndre Jordan this off-season. That will certainly lead to less highlights, but the Clippers are hopeful it will finally give some of their youth opportunities to shine. Guards Jerome Robinson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were both picked up in the lottery and should be able to make some interesting plays, but LA really lacks much exciting options beyond that. It appears the Clippers are back to being an afterthought once more out West, at least for the time being.

24. New Orleans Pelicans
The short-lived Demarcus Cousins-Anthony Davis experiment came to an end quicker than most expected in New Orleans, but the hope is that less distraction will be lead to more success. Davis is still worth watching, as the dynamic big man seems to only be getting better. However, trade rumors continue to swirl surrounding the MVP candidate, and New Orleans' championship window seems to be closing fast. That could lead to some desperate measures from the Pelicans, which is always worth watching, but this roster just doesn't have enough pieces to get much interest in the loaded Western Conference.

23. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento still lacks any player ready to take a jump to true stardom, but their young core is actually one of the better built groups in the league. De'Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, Buddy Hield and possibly Harry Giles (if he can stay healthy) all have serious potential, and the future looks bright with them locked down. With that being said, that roster isn't yet ready to win much games, and another season without Playoff basketball appears likely in Sacramento.Yet, tuning in for some exciting young talent growing up can certainly be worth it.

22. Chicago Bulls
The rebuild in the Windy City is still underway, but the signing of forward Jabari Parker this off-season adds some significant intrigue to this team. Can Parker finally stay healthy and fulfill his vast potential, or will his defensive woes continue to haunt him? The same can be asked about Zach LaVine, who signed a hefty extension this summer and has clearcut talent, but has been a complete liability defensively his entire career. Those are some huge question marks to keep an eye on, as is the continued growth of Lauri Markkanen, who was one of the biggest rookie surprises of the '18 campaign.

21. New York Knicks
There is no timetable for Kristaps Porzingis' return from a torn ACL, and there is a strong chance the entertaining big could be out for the entire season. If that is the case, the only real reason to tune into Knicks basketball will be some of their young pieces, namely last year's first-rounder Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox. That may be worth it for some major NBA nerds, but for the casual fan, this is likely to be a quiet season from Madison Square Garden.

20. Indiana Pacers
Indiana was one of the nicest stories of last year, managing to land the fifth seed out East in the first season post-Paul George. Victor Oladipo's emergence from secondary option to All-Star was just as fun to watch, and examining what he will do for an encore could be awfully interesting. The continued growth of youthful bigs Domantis Sabonis and Myles Turner should also be worth a tune-in, but Indiana still lacks the lineup needed to truly contend with the Eastern Conference powers.

19. Miami Heat
Miami was unable to land Jimmy Butler in recent trade negotiations, but that doesn't mean this team isn't worth watching. First things first, the Butler deal is not completely dead; if Minnesota struggles or Butler becomes a larger distraction things could get even more interesting. Secondly, the Heat have a good crop of underrated talent, which still includes veterans Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside. And lastly, Erik Spolestra remains one of the sharpest basketball minds in the game, and he should be able to keep this Miami team in playoff contention out East.

18. Detroit Pistons
Detroit has struggled to contend for some time now, and they decided it was time to move on from Stan Van Gundy this off-season as head coach and President of Basketball Operations. With that being said, there is no denying that there is a lot of serious talent still on the roster, including Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. Watching how those two operate in the same frontcourt for an entire season is certainly worth tuning-in, and trade rumors around Reggie Jackson should add even more intrigue in the Motor City.

17. Washington Wizards
This is a make-or-break season in the nation's capital, with franchise centerpieces John Wall and Bradley Beal at odds for some time now, and head coach Scott Brooks setting firmly on the hot seat. Wall and Beal are very fun to watch when both are playing well, but Wall is still not 100 percent, and the team's play without him has some questioning if it may be time to move on. Add in the ultimate wild card, Dwight Howard, and things are either going to go well or completely blow up. Either way, it should give us plenty of interesting basketball out in D.C. this winter.

16. Denver Nuggets
With their high-flying brand of basketball, Denver is always a fun team to watch, and they have plenty of intriguing pieces to keep an eye on this season. Center Nikola Jokic is already one of the best big men the Association has to offer, and he could be playing even harder with a freshly signed extension in his back-pocket. First-round NBA Draft selection Michael Porter Jr. is also going to be interesting. There is no denying Porter's upside and he could quickly make plenty of plays, but his health concerns are well-noted. Either way, Porter and Jokic offer plenty of redeeming storylines, and the Nuggets look ready to still contend, even in the unforgiving Western Conference.

15. Phoenix Suns
Checking in consistently to No. 1 selection Deandre Ayton should be well worth it, as the former Arizona big man has all the tools to be dominant from the get-go. His play in the preseason and Summer League only has Phoenix more excited for what he can be. The Suns also offer plenty of other interesting pieces, namely swingman Josh Jackson and rookie Mikal Bridges, who will have some growing pains but should take a major step forward this year. If that doesn't do that for you, seeing one of the best pure scorers in the sport, Devin Booker, should.

14. San Antonio Spurs
Its a weird day for San Antonio, who has just one notable piece remaining from their last Finals team: head coach Gregg Poppovich. It should be fascinating to see how Poppovich is able to blend all the new faces on this roster, the most notable being DeMar DeRozan. Even so, this San Antonio roster doesn't have the usual names they once had, and while they should still play a pleasing brand of basketball, they aren't the threat they once were. Yet, Pop has proven time and time again he will find ways to win, and it wouldn't pay to overlook this Spurs squad.

13. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta made quite a risky move this NBA Draft, deciding to trade the rights of European sensation Luka Doncic for Trae Young. Young has undeniable scoring abilities and a great feel for the game, but questions about his shot selection and size in the league have already been raised. Those are valid concerns, but Young is going to be the No. 1 option on this Atlanta, and will get the greenlight to shoot as much, which should be awfully entertaining. Add in steady veteran Vince Carter, who can still provide a highlight at 41 years old, and this Hawks team should provide plenty of fireworks, even if it doesn't come with a lot of victories.

12. Utah Jazz
They may not play the most exciting or unique brand of basketball, but there is no denying how strong of a team the Jazz are. They offer everything a basketball fan should want: a dominant rim protector (Rudy Gobert), an elite-level passer (Ricky Rubio) and a young star just scratching the surface of what he can (Donovan Mitchell). Watching Mitchell's encore, after he came agonizingly close to a Rookie of the Year award, should only make things better. There is going to a lot of attention given to the big market teams out West, but don't forget about this Jazz team this season.

11. Philadelphia Sixers
"The Process" finally came into fruition last season, as Philadelphia won 52 games and finished third in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers were unable to add a big name superstar (ahem, LeBron and Kawhi) to further cement themselves as a NBA Finals threat, but the core of Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Joel Embiid is still plenty exciting, and sure to continue doing damage out East. Perhaps the more interesting storyline, however, will be whether new GM Elton Brand can bring this team from one with significant potential to one ready to win rings.

10. Portland Trail Blazers
With one of the highest-scoring backcourts in the NBA, Portland is always going to be worth a watch, and this particular team has some interesting questions. Their lack of recent playoff success has elevated the pressure level, and it isn't unreasonable to think C.J. McCollum or Damian Lilliard's future in Portland could be in question if it continues. More paramount is the continued lack of a quality big man, as the Blazers continue to search for somebody that make an impact in the frontcourt consistently. They could become very active on the trade market early on if they really believe a Lilliard-McCollum team can win a title.

9. Dallas Mavericks
After a dismal season, Dallas made a number of big moves to upgrade their roster, namely selecting accomplished European Luka Doncic, and adding veteran center DeAndre Jordan. That might not mean they make the jump from being in the cellar to a Playoff berth, but it should make them very fun to watch. The backcourt pairing of Doncic and second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. will suffer plenty of growing pains, but it is going to bless us with some awesome highlights. There is also the continued appeal of the ageless Dirk Nowitzki, who continues to play at a high level at the tender age of 40.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves
The drama surrounding the Jimmy Butler situation is going to be extremely fun to watch. As of right now, he will begin the season on the Timberwolves roster, but trade rumors and the chaos around them should be must-watch television. Outside of that, the Wolves still offer plenty of redeemable qualities, namely Karl Anthony Towns. Despite a poor postseason showing, KAT remains one of the premier young talents in the league and if he can refine his shot selection there is still hope Andrew Wiggins can fulfill his limitless potential.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is hopeful that the second rendition of Paul George and Russell Westbrook ends up doing better than the first, which bowed out in just five games to Utah Jazz in the first round. The pairing should have better chemistry and the absence of Carmelo Anthony could actually be a good thing in opening up the offense. Just as interesting to watch will be this team without Andre Roberson, who is out for an extended period of time after suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee injury. The Thunder struggled mightily without the assistance of their top defensive stopper. Will that be the case once again in '18-'19?

6. Milwaukee Bucks
Since hitting .500 in 2014-2015, the Bucks have yet to make any significant progress on it, with their 44 victories this past season being their highest total in nearly a decade. That has left the franchise with significant pressure as Giannis Antetokounmpo starts to really get going. Antentokoumpo is always worth plenty of watching; his freakish physique and other-worldly athleticism create highlight after highlight. He could even more lethal in the new offense fresh head coach Mike Budenholzer is set to create. The more interesting thing to watch will be whether his supporting cast can take a step forward. Can Khris Middleton play up his All-Star level and stay healthy? Can Eric Bledsoe regain his form after a terrible postseason showing? Much like New Orleans, the pressure is on for this team to start winning with their superstar centerpiece. If they don't, things could get very intriguing and some real chaos could occur.

5. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have had the league's most explosive and fun-to-watch offense the past two seasons, and there are plenty of reasons to tune into the Western Conference runner-up again in 2018. For one, Chris Paul and James Harden are both returning, and should put up plenty of points and big-time plays, particularly Harden, eager to defend his first MVP award. Then, there is the addition of Carmelo Anthony, which was highly scrutinized over the summer. 'Melo seems to be trending towards the end of his career, but there is still some hope he can be the extra scoring punch Houston needs to overcome the Warriors. Watching how Anthony and former head coach Mike D'Antoni work together after their brief and drama-filled stint in New York should be must-watch television.

4. Toronto Raptors
Toronto made the most surprising and most impactful trade of the off-season when they shipped off long-time star DeMar DeRozan in exchange for Kawhi Leonard, who was clearly unhappy in San Antonio but expressed no interest in playing for the Raptors. Leonard hasn't played significant minutes in quite a long time, but when 100 percent, he may very well be the best two-way player in this league. Watching him finally return to the court will be a special treat, but perhaps even more fun to watch will be the drama surrounding his future. He has just one year left on his deal, and has made it clear he wants to play in Los Angeles. Can Toronto manage to sway him to stay north of the border for the long term? Only time will tell us.

3. Golden State Warriors
With three NBA Titles over the last four seasons, it goes without saying the Warriors are the team to watch if you want to see the absolute best the NBA has to offer. Their main core is all back for '18-'19, but with a new addition, after Demarcus Cousins opted to sign a one-year contract this off-season. Cousins is coming off an Achilles tear and will likely miss most of the season, but it will still be interesting to see how he fits into this team. It is well documented Cousins has had character issues throughout his career, and there remains a reasonable chance he could be more of a distraction than a plus for this team. Even so, Golden State is going to be well worth-watching as they should still score a ton, win a lot and show us some of the purest brand of basketball you will ever get.

2. Boston Celtics
After coming agonizingly close to their first NBA Finals appearance since the "Big Three" era, Boston looks like the clear-cut favorite out East. The interesting thing to watch will be which players end up actually leading this team. Youngsters Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown showed out in last year's postseason and look ready to lead the team. Yet, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are finally healthy after both missed most of last season, and both will expect to be top options. Will Tatum and Brown accept bench roles? Can Brad Stevens allocate minutes to all the pieces Boston has to feed? More intriguing, does Danny Ainge go all in on this team and try to swing a trade for Anthony Davis or a disgruntled Kawhi? Either way, it looks like it is going to be an eventful and fun season for the Celtics.

1. Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James finally made the jump many around the league assumed he would, committing to the Lakers for what will likely be the twilight of his legendary career. The thing is, LeBron might actually take somewhat of a backseat to all the other interesting characters Los Angeles assembled around him. The roster now includes guys like Rajon Rondo, Javale McGee, Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley, all interesting guys not known for being great locker room guys. Will some drama arrive between LeBron and a few of them (ahem, Lance Stephenson)? And then there is the Lakers' young core, which shouldn't be forgotten. Brandon Ingram has impressed coaches and fans all summer and looks ready to make the jump. Can Kyle Kuzma have a strong encore and play the five in a small-ball lineup? Will Lonzo Ball recover from knee issues and improve on a rookie season where he made plenty of plays, but shot terribly? There are so many storylines and players to pay attention to on this LA team, and it is going to be absolutely fascinating to watch. I'm not sure whether the Lakers are going to be Finals contenders right away, but I'm positive they are going to absolutely thrilling to watch every time they step on the court.

College Football Picks 2018: Week Six

(#19) Texas Longhorns vs. (#7) Oklahoma Sooners (neutral site)

Marquise Brown, Oklahoma

For so long, the Red River showdown between Texas and Oklahoma has decided the Big 12 conference, and it appears that could once again be the case in 2018. The Sooners are the three-time defending conference champions, but the Longhorns have recovered nicely from a season-opening loss to Maryland and look like a sincere threat in the conference. Offensively, Oklahoma has picked up right where they left off in 2017 under the leadership of Baker Mayfield, this time with speedster Kyler Murray leading the way. Murray already has 1,460 yards and 21 total touchdowns on the season, and his huge arm is a perfect fit in an OU offense that includes two of the fastest wide receivers in the country in Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb. Oklahoma has absolutely annihilated teams with that vertical passing game all season long, but Texas should offer plenty of resistance. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando is well-known for his exotic blitzes and interesting packages, which should put pressure on Murray, who hasn't really faced much of a pass rush all year long. The Sooners are without star running back Rodney Anderson for the entirety of the season, but Trey Sermon has been a worthy backup. With that being said, UT has the second best rush defense in the Big 12, as linebackers Gary Johnson and Breckyn Hager are two of the most consistent tacklers in the conference. Can they contain not only Sermon, but Murray's game-changing mobility? Their ability to contain Murray will determine if the Longhorns come out on top or not. On the other side of the ball, the Sooners' defense has been okay, but still has issues with tackling and letting up big plays. This Longhorns offense doesn't have the big-time playmakers OU possesses, but they find ways to move the ball methodically. QB Sam Ehlinger still has had some growing pains in his second year as starter, but he has underrated mobility and can get the ball down the field. He will rely heavily on the 1-2 punch of Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson on the outside, but Texas desperately needs a rushing attack to emerge to keep this group more balanced. Outside of California transfer Tre Watson, the 'Horns lack a running back that can really keep the defense's attention. This is a barometer test for Texas and head coach Tom Herman against the best team in the conference, but don't rule out them going into the Cotton Bowl and coming away with a victory. The Longhorns' defense is good enough to contain even the most explosive offense, and the Sooners' defense still leaves a little to be desired. Even so, I like Oklahoma to keep their Playoff hopes alive, as they just have too many weapons to completely stop.
The Pick: Oklahoma, 35 Texas, 23

(#5) LSU Tigers @ (#22) Florida Gators
LSU's resurgence in the second season of Ed Orgeron has been one of the coolest stories of the 2018 season so far, as the Tigers are still the only team in the nation with two wins over Top 10 opponents. However, Orgeron and LSU must now go into Gainesville and square off against a Florida team that is never easy to beat, and looks much improved as well. Perhaps the most important contributor to LSU's improvement this year has been the play of Ohio State grad transfer Joe Burrow at quarterback. Burrow doesn't put up gaudy stats, but he has yet to throw an interception on the season, despite facing some impressive defenses. Receivers Justin Jefferson and Stephen Sullivan offer plenty of playmaking potential on the perimeter, but the Tigers should still stick to their roots and run with Nick Brossette early and often. Florida's defense has been rock-solid for much of the season, but this a good LSU offensive line and they should be able to find yardage. The bigger key for the UF defense is going to be the secondary, which is always turnover-hungry and will look to end Burrow's perfect zero in the INT column. The Gators offense, once among the worst in the SEC and entire country, has made huge strides under Dan Mullen. They already have managed more 40 points in half a season of Mullen than they had in three years of former coach Jim McElwain. Quarterback Feliepe Franks has taken major leaps forward after a rocky 2017, but the real scary thing about this Florida offense is the ground game, which features three different backs that can carry this team at any point in time. Of course, the LSU defense is no slouch, allowing just 15 points per game and trotting out a defensive front that can be incredibly stingy. While that Florida offense will still run the ball, they'll find nothing easy against linebacker Devin White, or a secondary that has stars at nearly every spot. Mullen is going to have to be creative with how he gets Franks into the flow of the game and prevents UF from turning the ball over against this hungry defensive backfield. Even though both teams have much improved offenses from the units they've had in the recent past, I still expect a pretty low-scoring brawl, just because of how strong these defenses are. Going on the road in the SEC is as difficult and treacherous as you can get, but I believe in this LSU team. Maybe they've been a fluke to this point, but they've played with a confidence and energy they haven't had the past few seasons. I think things will be competitive, but I like the Tigers to stay undefeated and add another impressive win to their resume.
The Pick: LSU, 24 Florida, 20

(#6) Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ (#24) Virginia Tech Hokies
Sitting at 5-0 and with impressive victories over Stanford and Michigan, Notre Dame has their eyes on the Playoff. Yet, they can't avoid a trap game against a solid Virginia Tech team in Blacksburg, which is never an easy place to come in and win at. Notre Dame is a defensive-minded team, but that has taken a little twist under new signal-caller Ian Book, who wowed audiences with a masterful showing against a pretty strong Stanford defense. He had 278 yards and four touchdowns, and looked to be in complete control from the first snap. He will once again face a very quality defense in the Hokies' defense, which has a lot of experience and is under the tutelage of long-time coordinator Bud Foster. Book will be aided by a strong supporting cast, namely shifty tailback Tony Jones Jr. and top wide out Miles Boykin, who Book has great chemistry with. Virginia Tech's secondary is still reloading from a rash of injuries and NFL defections over the off-season, so they could be prone to an off game here. On the other side of the ball, the Hokies are also in an interesting spot, as they are without starting quarterback Josh Jackson for the rest of the season after he suffered a broken fibula in their stunning upset loss to Old Dominion. Kansas transfer Ryan Willis has been named the starter in his absence, and looked superb in his first start, shredding Duke's defense for 332 yards and three touchdowns. However, the ND defense is significantly better than Duke's, and he will get nothing easy against this physical Irish defense. Up front, Jerry Tillery has seven sacks on the season and causes consistent chaos, Te'Von Coney keeps things going at linebacker, and the secondary has a lot of experience and depth. Willis will need assistance from his solid ground game, spearheaded by Steven Peoples, as well as help from receiver Damon Hazelton and tight end Dalton Keene. Hazelton and some of the other wide outs have proven they can open up this offense, but this Irish defense is quick and doesn't offer up any free space. The good news is that the young QB will have the home crowd behind him, and they'll be awfully rowdy in such a critical game. Virginia Tech would like nothing more than to finish Notre Dame's perfect season, and I think Willis should be able to be pretty productive. Yet, the Irish are just playing too well right now for me to pick against them at this point, as I see them winning pretty comfortably.
The Pick: Notre Dame, 31 Virginia Tech, 18

Other Picks
(#1) Alabama @ Arkansas: Alabama, 56 Arkansas, 14
(#8) Auburn @ Mississippi State: Auburn, 34 Mississippi State, 27
Nebraska @ (#16) Wisconsin: Wisconsin, 38 Nebraska, 20
Florida State @ (#17) Miami: Miami, 31 Florida State, 17
(#13) Kentucky @ Texas A&M: Texas A&M, 28 Kentucky, 24

Current Picks Record: 32-8