UGA Football Travels to Tennessee | What Will Happen with Vols vs. Dawgs? Dawg Post Picks
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and No. 6 UGA football is on the road for the first time this season - at No. 15 Tennessee. Here is what will happen this weekend for the Dawgs and all over college football... according to the Dawg Post crew.
Wisconsin (+20.5) at No. 19 Alabama | ABC | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: I think I’m halfway buying back into Alabama. They looked flat and lazy to open the season, but part of me thinks that was a wake-up call. That was an angry team out there against UL-Monroe. I think they’re locked in and could have another big game at home. This isn’t a cupcake. This is a respected program coming to town that will not be overlooked. In the end, I’ll take Alabama to cover this big spread. It’s a lot of points, and it will take until the very end, but Alabama finds a way to get it done. Alabama (-20.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Alabama attempted to remedy a week one disaster by putting up 70 points last Saturday. This week is full of tough spreads to pick against.
I don’t get the same feel from the Crimson Tide as I used to in terms of reliability, but I like Bama to get this done. I think, while there are red flags, there is too much talent on this team. The Luke Fickell era has not gotten off to the start they hoped it would in Madison. I think Alabama (-20.5) covers at home.
Dean’s Pick: So I think Alabama recovers this weekend, and gets a solid win heading into the showdown with Georgia in Athens. This line, according to BetQL, is a lot higher than it should be, and that it should be Wisconsin +15. Public money is pushing this line up nearly five points. Smart Dean would take Wisconsin. I'm not very smart right now - give me Alabama (-20.5) to cover,
No. 12 Clemson (-3.5) at Georgia Tech | ESPN | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: I think this might be a “must win” for the Tigers. Maybe they take last weekend’s come-back win to heart. Maybe that was the turnoaround they needed. They need to step it up and play well on the road. I think week three is when they start putting it together. This is a game they can absolutely lose, but I think they’re the better team. Barely. Tigers by a touchdown. Clemson (-3.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Oooh baby. Like I said, another incredibly tough game to pick against the spread. It is TBD as to who is going to start for Georgia Tech between Haynes King and Aaron Philo. Either way, Georgia Tech wants to run the ball, and the one thing that Clemson has done really well in a shaky start to the season is stop the run, making this decision even more difficult.
Clemson is the more talented team for sure, particularly on defense. This is the game I am most torn on picking. What do I do in these situations? Take the home team with the points. Give me Georgia Tech (+3.5).
Dean’s Pick: This has gotten a little too close for comfort for the Tigers. The line was hammered to 2.5. 64% of tickets are on Clemson... I think the Tigers win this game because of their defense. I also think a team that doesn't score a touchdown against a non-power-four team in the first half of a game has serious questions on offense. Clemson has played four quarters of first-half football this season. They've managed one touchdown. That's bad. This is an opportunity for Tech - keep that in mind. Give me the Jackets (+3.5) at home and the free points.
No. 18 South Florida (+16.5) at No. 5 Miami | The CW | 4:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: If South Florida can beat Florida, I think they can hang with Miami. This is a team playing with cofidence. They play hard, they play together, and they’re going to make the Hurricanes earn this one. I think Miami wins, but I’m not sure this is a blowout. Too many points for me. Give me South Florida (+16.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Again, we have been tasked with a difficult choice. Week three is not for the weak. Can South Florida go on the road to another in-state powerhouse and keep it tight or win? The Bulls have started the season with two ranked wins. I’m predicting that Miami (-16.5) continues to build team chemistry with a three-touchdown win. South Florida’s magic runs out this week.
Dean’s Pick: I'm going to take South Florida (+16.5) here. The Bulls probably have the best "two" wins in college football. Most teams don't have wins over two ranked teams - albeit flawed and now currently unranked teams. So facing another ranked team - that's not going to be anything new for USF. Now, the Canes have a very good win over Notre Dame, and a swing through the Sunshine State that's going to pretty much be their season. South Florida, the Gators and then a trip to Florida State is on the docket for the Canes. My guess is Miami is peeking forward more than in the moment.
Texas A&M (+6.5) at Notre Dame | NBC | 7:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: Bounce back week for the Irish. Big home game at night. Crowd will be rocking. I think they get the job done with the Aggies coming to town. They’re not a bad team at all, but this is an important game for the Irish. Notre Dame (-6.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I keep saying it, but wow I am having a hard time with these games. Hats off to you Vegas, but this is why I do not gamble.
We don’t have as much to go off with Notre Dame. I think A&M is a sneaky SEC contender, but I like the Irish (-6.5) here in what should be a very fun football game. In the little I have watched of the Aggies so far, the offense is not quite as impressive as I thought it would be.
Dean’s Pick: Texas A&M hasn't played great this season. BetQL has Notre Dame as a 9.5-point favorite. The betting houses have the Irish as only a 6.5-point favorite. That's pretty solid value there. I'm going to take Notre Dame to grind out this game, and continue hope they have for rallying to the CFP again. This is a critical game for Notre Dame. The loss to Miami was a difficult one because there were moments where they looked like the better team. Now the A&M game sits as what looks like one of the few chances left for Notre Dame to make a case for the CFP. A home loss to A&M would mean the Irish would have to run the table the rest of the way. The schedule isn't unreal, but that's not a good thing when you are searching for wins... Notre Dame has to win this game. I think they will, and I think they cover. Notre Dame (-6.5).
Arkansas (+8.5) at No. 17 Ole Miss | ESPN | 7:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: I don’t trust Lane Kiffin and I don’t trust this Ole Miss offense just yet. Still. It’s a night game at home. Ole Miss is the better team. This is going to be close at the half, but the Rebels roll. This is a game where they come out hot and look good just to crumble later in November. I’ll take Ole Miss (-8.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Ole Miss’ passing attack with Austin Simmons has not gotten off to as hot of a start that many thought it would- and were adamant about. He threw two picks with no scores in the road win last week in Lexington. Arkansas has handled business against weaker competition.
My gut is telling me Ole Miss (-8.5) is going to cover this line late. Night home games in the conference are majorly difficult, and I don’t think the Razorbacks have the juice.
Dean’s Pick: I'll take Ole Miss (-8.5) only because I think they are the better team, and I don't think covering under double digits is asking too much. Now, Arkansas is staring to really score, and this could be one of those games where Lane Kiffin's teams just turd themselves. That hedge being said out loud, Ole Miss should get the job done.
Vandy (+5.5) at South Carolina | SECN | 7:45 PM
Matt’s Pick: This is another tight line. This could be the game Carolina loses. Or the one they have to save themselves. If this game is in Nashville, or even at noon, I’m probably picking the ‘Dores. But I’m rocking with the Gamecocks at home. That crowd will be electric. The Gamecocks can’t fall to Vandy. It won’t be pretty, but a late touchdown gets the job done. Cocks keep rolling and get a big home win. South Carolina (-5.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Vanderbilt has straight up looked better than South Carolina has through the first two weeks. I mean, we couldn’t make this week’s picks any more difficult. So, are the first two weeks really who the Gamecocks are? A team that has been completely underwhelming on offense with the most exciting player at its disposal?
This really could turn out to be the game of the week. The vibes are telling me to pick Vanderbilt, but I won’t today. Williams-Brice isn’t a joke- especially at night. South Carolina (-5.5) rights the ship this week with a better performance.
Dean’s Pick: South Carolina didn't score an offensive touchdown against South Carolina State until the 3rd quarter. They struggled offensively more than you might think against Virginia Tech... a Virginia Tech team that Vanderbilt exploded on Saturday in Blacksburg. This line continues to be pushed down, which I think is understandable. We got it at 5.5, but it has already moved down to four. I wouldn't be surprised if Vanderbilt won straight up Saturday night. South Carolina is not trustworthy; frankly, Vanderbilt is. Give me Vandy (+5.5) getting nearly a touchdown.
Florida (+8.5) at LSU | ABC | 7:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: This one seems a little too easy. The Gators are coming off a catastrophic loss to South Florida and now they’ve got LSU on the road. LSU’s defense has really improved and the offense could be locked and loaded for their first big SEC opponent. It’s still a rivalry, so anything can happen, but I think LSU rolls in the fourth quarter. Tigers (+8.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I am taking LSU (-8.5) and I am not going to overthink it at all. The Tigers might be overrated, but I like them more than the Gators, especially in Death Valley.
Dean’s Pick: So I think LSU wins, but I think Florida is going to put up enough of a fight to make LSU nervous. Again, as good as LSU's offense should be - it has sputtered so far this season. The Tigers have played twice, and have not yet scored over 23 points this season. Shouldn't LSU be a little better on offense? I think so. And, too, the Gators have been fine so far on defense - fine... not unreal. I think it is enough. LSU wins, but give me the Gators (+8.5).
No. 6 Georgia (-3.5) at No. 15 Tennessee | ABC | 3:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: This one’s close. I think Georgia wins a tight game. I’ll get that out of the way. I think the defense steps up in a big way. But do they win by three or four? Maybe more? I think we see a different Georgia team this weekend. They should be locked in. The Vols are banged up on defense and it wouldn’t surprise me if Georgia ran the ball effectively. If Stockton can connect with some of the receivers against these fresh faces in the Tennessee secondary the Dawgs should be able to put points on the board. The defense should be ready to go. Give me Georgia (-3.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Game of the week. Tennessee wants to end Georgia’s streak, and looks like it has a solid chance of doing that. The Dawgs have to figure out who they are and we are going to see a big glimpse of that in Knoxville.
I don’t think we have seen what Georgia can really do on offense yet. The defense looks very stout, and has been extremely successful against Josh Heupel’s schemes the last few seasons. I am going with Georgia (-3.5) by a touchdown.
Dean’s Pick: Lots of group think this week - including on this game. We got this game at UGA -3.5, but it has since moved up to 4.5. It started the week at 6, which might have been too much. Sharp betters are going 60-40 for the Dawgs in this one. I think this is one of the few times in betting where you can get actual value for the Georgia Bulldogs under Kirby Smart. There was so much of these last two games where it was obvious to me that Georgia was working on things. I think the addition of Earnest Greene, and the "possible" return of Juan Gaston is a big deal. One of the two would make a difference. Tennessee is missing players that matter on defense. Georgia's defense sure looks legit, but we will see this week. I'm taking Georgia (-3.5) to win and cover, but a Tennessee win would hardly be shocking.
Season ATS
Matt 7-12
Ryan 12-7
Dean 8-11
