UGA Football is Back | Picks for the Dawgs; SEC Play Begins; Oklahoma-Michigan

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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and No. 4 UGA football are headed back to Atlanta to take Austin Peay. SEC play begins this week in Lexington; Oklahoma hosts Michigan in the top game of the week. Here is what will happen this weekend for the Dawgs and all over college football... according to the Dawg Post crew.

No. 11 Illinois (-2.5) at Duke | ESPN | 12:00 PM

Matt’s Pick: I really like this Duke team, but Illinois feels like a team built to win on the road. They have strong quarterback play and an excellent runing game. They have good players and are sound defensively. I’m a big fan of Darian Mensah, and Duke can absolutely win this game, but I’ll take Illinois with a late touchdown to get the win and the cover. Illinois (-2.5).

Ryan’s Pick: In these types of matchups I am going to err on the side of caution and take the better team. I’ll go with Illinois (-2.5). I think this will be a fun quarterback matchup between Luke Altmyer and Darian Mensah. I am leaning with Altmyer and the Illini.

Dean’s Pick: I agree with what Ryan said about taking the better team - even if this game is on the road. Illinois has better players, and should be more physcal. Coving a field goal doesn’t seem like asking much of one of the best teams in the Big Ten. Give me Illinois (-2.5).

Kennesaw State (+35.5) at No. 20 Indiana | FS1 | 12:00 PM

Matt’s Pick: Homer pick. All day long. To be honest, the Owls might shock the world and win this one. They played Wake Forrest really tough but just didn’t have enough offense to pull the upset. This group won’t be intimidated going up to Bloomington, Indiana. Give me a break. I think the Hoosiers are a decent team. They’re fine. But they’re on upset alert this weekend. Well, probably not. But maybe. Go Owls. Kennesaw State (+35.5). 

Ryan’s Pick: Kennesaw State hung with Wake Forest. Indiana struggled with Toledo. Give me all those touchdowns. As Matt would say, Hootie Hoo? Kennessaw State (+35.5).

Dean’s Pick: One of the main reasons Kennesaw State stuck around with Wake last week was an injury to the WFU QB. So that had a lot to do with it. Jerry Mack took over at KSU after Brian Bohannon was let go after 72–38 in ten seasons - a strange move even if KSU went 1-8 with him leading the way in 2024. I don’t know. Still, getting more than five touchowns is a lot - particularly against an Indiana team that only managed to score 27 a week ago against Old Dominion. I will take Kennesaw State (+35.5).

Iowa (+2.5) at No. 16 Iowa State | FOX | 12:00 PM

Matt’s Pick: I’m taking the Cyclones here. Massive rivalry game. At home. They’re playing good football right now and should take care of business on their own turf. This is a well-coached team with strong quarterback play. I think they’re the better team and will come out victorius. Cyclones (-2.5).

Ryan’s Pick:  Iowa State is a real threat to win the Big 12 and be a College Football Playoff team. Those are the teams to watch. I know a lot about this rivalry from playing probably too many hours of the college football video game. Iowa State is the better team here. Let’s not overthink it. Cyclones (-2.5).

Dean’s Pick: Iowa State’s win over Kansas State is a few weeks ago now, but that game shed light on what we should expect from the Cyclones this season. Iowa State is a tough bunch with a very good coach. I’m sure Iowa is tough, but they are playing on the road in Ames. This could be a tough week for the mighty Big Ten if things don’t work out quite right. Give me Iowa State (-2.5).

No. 20 Ole Miss (-9.5) at Kentucky | ABC | 3:30 PM

Matt’s Pick: As we know, things are never easy in Lexington, but I think the Rebels get it done on the road. This is a late cover, but Ole Miss is looking to get some revenge on last year and there are just some bad vibes about the Kentucky program right now. Ole Miss is clearly better and they’ll prove it. Ole Miss (-9.5).

Ryan’s Pick: I don’t know what Kentucky is doing or what direction this program is moving in. I am almost at a loss for words. It did not seem that long ago that Georgia needed to beat the Wildcats late in the season to clinch the SEC east. How times have changed. I was not overly impressed with Ole Miss last week, but I think revenge from last season’s loss for the Rebels (-9.5) will come in the form of a double-digit win in Lexington.

Dean’s Pick: Kentucky fans have all but lost all hope. They gave up on Mark Stoops before he nearly got the Texas A&M job. Now they are saddled with him for yet another season. Kentucky usually plays pretty well twice a season when they are not good... and they are not good. Ole Miss should be able to get the job done, and this is just under our magic number to cover for road SEC games. I will take Ole Miss (-9.5). 

South Florida (+18.5) at Florida | SECN | 4:15 PM

Matt’s Pick: This one’s close. The Gators looked solid against their cupcake in week one, and they’ll win this game at home, fairly comfortably, but I’ll take South Florida and the points. There’s just too many. The Bulls looked great against Boise State and they’ll have two weeks to rest up and prepare for the Gators. They’ll lose, but they’ll make Florida earn it. Gators win, Bulls cover. South Florida (+18.5).

Ryan’s Pick: They did a good job with the line if I have trouble deciding because of the number. I am going to go with Florida (-18.5). I think this program takes a real step forward this season. I know that South Florida looked strong in the week 0 win over Boise State, but I think going on the road in the SEC will look a lot different.

Dean’s Pick: It “feels” like the Gators are getting it together. I know. I know. We’ve seen this before, and Billy Napier hasn’t done a ton to earn our trust (and this schedule... yikes). Florida outgunned Long Island a week ago. Now here comes South Florida... a team that knocked out Boise at home nine days before this one. I’ll take the Gators (-18.5), but I am not overwhelmingly confident. 

No. 12 Arizona State (-6.5) at Mississippi State | ESPN2 | 7:30 PM

Matt’s Pick: I think this is a very tricky game for Arizona State. Lots of travel. Lot of cowbell. Those Sun Devils are going to hate every second of Starkville and those State fans. This one will be tight, and State could come away with the upset, but Arizona State’s better. I could see a shootout, but the Devils have a quarterback good enough to get the job done. Close game, but the Sun Devils pull away in the end. Arizona State (-6.5).

Ryan’s Pick: No hate, but I did not think that Davis-Wade Stadium boasted a very intimidating environment the time that I went. I will reevaluate that in a few weeks. There are a few different reasons why a team is good. Arizona State’s reason for being good and a team to watch is the quarterback tandem of Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson. I’ll take the Sun Devils (-6.5) to air it out of Mississippi State.

Dean’s Pick: State went on the road and took out Southern Miss - a good start to a season for a program that needs to grab as many wins as it can considering they will play Tennessee, A&M, the Gators, Texas, Georgia and the Rebels the rest of the way. 

The Sun Devils were adequate last week. I'm not sure if that will travel to Starkville at night. It isn't hard to play at State necessarily. But anywhere is tough on the road at night. I think Arizona State is going to win, but I doubt they cover. Give me State (+6.5).

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Red Zone Exclusive

No. 15 Michigan (+2.5) at No. 18 Oklahoma | ABC | 7:30 PM

Matt’s Pick: All week I’ve been leaning Oklahoma’s way. But I think I’m rolling with Michigan. A night game in Norman should help, but I just don’t see the Sooners running the ball agianst Michigan’s defense. Bryce Underwood is good enough to handle the moment. If he can take care of the ball, the Wolverines should be able to rely on the running game and their stout defense. I can see Oklahoma winning, but a tough, gritty Michigan win wouldn’t be surprising. Sooners hang tight but Michigan covers. Michigan (+2.5).

Ryan’s Pick: It is difficult for me to get a pulse on these two teams. Both scored under 40 points against far inferior opponents. 

Michigan struggled to blow out New Mexico- something it should do if it is a national title contender. Isn’t that what we are measuring these top programs against? 

Oklahoma had John Mateer throw the ball 37 times and the Sooners did not run the ball very effectively. 

I am going with Oklahoma (-2.5).

Dean’s Pick: I'll take Oklahoma at home. Neither of these teams have much of a track record of dependability over the last 14 games. Both beat Alabama in that time, which is becoming less and less impressive. But OU really needs this win, and I think they will get it. It is past go time for Brent Venables. Sherrone Moore, who is suspended for his actions during UM's cheating scandal, won't miss this game. I'm not sure how that works. You get to choose when you face consequences? Great lesson for young people. Whatever. I'm eager for the Big Ten to continue lecturing all of us about their moral superiority. Give me Oklahoma (-2.5) to cover.

Austin Peay (+45.5) at No. 4 Georgia | SECN+ | 3:30 PM

Matt’s Pick: Lots of points. The Governors  are coming to Athens with confidence. They might be able to hang for half a quarter. A late touchdown or wild play could result not getting the line covered. big Georgia win burt I’ll take Austin Peay (+45.5).

Ryan’s Pick: We made up this line because it won’t be released until Friday. Austin Peay (+45.5). No more taking Georgia to cover these lines (watch them do it).

Dean’s Pick: What Ryan said - Austin Peay (+45.5).

Season ATS

Ryan: 8-3-0

Matt: 3-8-0

Dean: 3-8-0