UGA Football Watches, Waits for Alabama, but the Picks are in | Gators or Canes?
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and No. 1 UGA football are off this week, but it is another busy week of college football. Here is what will happen this weekend for the Dawgs and all over college football... according to the Dawg Post crew.
Oregon State (+34.5) at No. 6 Oregon | BTN | 3:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: Oregon State is 0-3 and has given up at least 34 points in every game. Dante Moore has the Oregon offense rolling. The Ducks didn’t look super impressive against Northwestern last week but they’re going to bounce back with a giant home win over little brother. Even with Penn State next week, look for Oregon to care care of business this weekend against the Beavers. Blowout win for the Ducks. Oregon (-34.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I used to really look forward to watching this game on Thanksgiving/rivalry weekend. If you’ve kept up with me here, you know I still mourn the death of the PAC-12. I’m happy this game is still happening.
That said, Oregon State is not good, and Oregon is, once again, one of the best teams in the country. I’ll take the Ducks (-34.5) with a big win heading into a clash with Penn State.
Dean’s Pick: It is sad that this game has become trash. This was a wonderful rivalry. I am concerned that Tech-Georgia could go the way of this game one day. We aren't there yet, but it could happen. That said - Oregon State ain't Tech, but still. I don't think covering this line is asking too much. Oregon State is bad. I don't love that this one comes. The week before the Ducks' showdown with Penn State, but it is what it is. Give me Oregon (-34.5).
No. 17 Texas Tech (+3.5) at No. 16 Utah | FOX | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: I’m having a little trouble with this one. I do think Texas Tech is a good team, but they have crushed three bad teams at home. Nothing impressive. However, the Utes crushed Wyoming and UCLA on the road. This is their first big home game of the season. They’re a doind team defensively who could give the Raiders some trouble. That half a point has killed me all year, and I’m sure it will again, but I think Utah’s defense, home advantage, and early start will give them the advantage. I’ll take that extra point and a Utah cover. Utah (-3.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I am here to tell you that Utah is winning the Big 12. This team is well coached, seems to have a tough defense and a dual-threat quarterback in Devon Dampier, who is very fun to watch. I wrote about Dampier last season when he was channeling his inner Kyler Murray for New Mexico. Now, he is doing it for the Utes, and I’m rocking with them. Utes (-3.5).
Dean’s Pick: I bet Utah wishes the Pac 12 still existed. National game, and you are kicking off at 10 AM local. If you are in the Big Ten this would be something you could tolerate. Maybe Ohio State was coming to down - or even some trash like Indiana. But no. We have to play Texas Tech. Look, this "is" a big game. But it doesn't look like it on paper. One of these two teams will probably be in the playoff. Then again, the ACC had a right to one spot in the playoff, too. We've seen how that's gone lately. I'm going to take the Red Raiders (+3.5) because I'm not a giant fan of the home team in early big-game kicks.
Syracuse (+17.5) at Clemson | ESPN | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: I think the Tigers bounce back with a win but that’s just too many points for me. Syracuse is a bad team, and they’ll lose by double digits, but that extra point has me leaning Syracuse’s way. A late Orange score could be the difference here. Clemson’s season is on the line and they’re facing a lot of negativity right now. They’ll get the job done at home, but it won’t be easy. Orange get a late cover. Syracuse (+17.5).
Ryan’s Pick: It stinks over there in Clemson. I said it last week, and Georgia Tech helped prove it to be true. I just have a feeling they will cover this big line. You have to take risks to win these picks, and I’ve said over and over that I will have the best record this season. Clemson (-17.5).
Dean’s Pick: Lord. Please someone stop Dabo. Bro you have been outstanding. You are probably the sixth-best coach in college football this century (Saban, Kirby, Urbs, Pete Carroll and Spurrier). It has been amazing.
It has not been amazing lately. Clemson is 5-5 in its last ten games. I went to South Carolina-Clemson in 1998... I watched the final game of a season between those two teams that ended with a combined 3-19 record. Clemson has been really great, but they've been really down as well. What Dabo did at Clemson was not the norm.
But he shouldn't act like what he's been producing lately is the same as what he did produce. When I was in college I could dunk. I could hit a serve about 125 miles an hour. I can't do those things any more. But I don't act like I am still doing those things, either.
My wife is sacrificing this weekend to watch Clemson play Syracuse. Each weekend of college football is awesome. But Dabo's act is running thin because Clemson isn't winning. It is that simple.
And in terms of him going elsewhere - OK, try being the head coach at Florida on for size. Alabama may be open soon (we will see). You didn't get a call last time. Would you this time? If you think it's bad right now try playing South Carolina's schedule on for size.
Chill bro. Chill.
Give me Syracuse (+17.5) because Clemson can’t score.
South Carolina (+12.5) at No. 23 Missouri | ESPN | 7:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: Very similar to Clemson. The Gamecocks got humbled in the biggest way possible. They’re down bad. They might be without Sellers again, but Sellers hasn’t been all that great this year. Still, he’s a hundred times better than Luke Doty. There’s a very real chance they get blown out by the Tigers. I can see that happening. But I think they’ll bow up and play hard. They’ll lose, but I think they’ll play with more fight than people realize. Season is on the line. Give me South Carolina (+12.5).
Ryan’s Pick: South Carolina fans are probably freaking out right now. They were so confident in the Gamecocks heading into the season. Being ranked 11 was too high for me, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. Missouri has a solid squad. I have Mizzou (-12.5).
Dean’s Pick: We've not heard any whining for Shane lately (or I have not paid attention), but getting your facemask smashed by a Vandy team that wasn't only more skilled, but tougher than you has to make you wonder what's been going on in Cootlumbia lately.
South Carolina needs this one bad. They won't get it. MIZ (-12.5) ZOU.
No. 9 Illinois (+4.5) at No. 19 Indiana | NBC | 7:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: This has to be the first time we’ve picked an Illinois-Indiana game. Has to be. The Hoosiers blew up two cupcakes and took care of business against a respectable Old Dominion squad. Illinois is also 3-0 and crushed Duke on the road. Duke isn’t great, but that was an impressive win. Both teams have quarterback who can play. Both play hard defensively. Coin flip game in the end, but I’ll take Illinois with the points. They’ll play this one tight and might even win it. Illinois (+4.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I’ll take the better team with the points all day long. It’s simple. Illinois (+4.5).
Dean’s Pick: I'm actually pretty excited for the stupidity of this one. I couldn’t say is better than Ryan. Illinois (+4.5).
No. 21 Michigan (-1.5) at Nebraska | CBS | 3:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: I’m still not sold on Nebraska. Thwy’ve blown out two cupcakes recently but they’ve got a big test this weekend against Michigan. The Wolverines took that loss to Oklahoma hard. I think they’re a team with the potential to play better and better as the season moves along. I think they’re the more talented team and experience already playing in Norman will help them on the road here. I think this will be a tough, defensive battle that Michigan wins in the end. Wolverines (1.5).
Ryan’s Pick: In the YouTube version of this, I picked Nebraska, but I’ve thought about it. I’ll take Michigan (-1.5). It’s just the team I have more faith in that has already been tested on the road.
Dean’s Pick: Have you ever been to Nebraska? I have. Don't bother.
This is one of the games I am most interested in this weekend. The ROI Bowl is a hand. Someone's young QB needs to make it happen. If you are Nebraska you need a win, but you need to play better, too. Michigan has been tested on the road. I don't think they are great (either team), but I prefer UM here. Give me Michigan (-1.5).
No. 22 Auburn (+6.5) at No. 11 Oklahoma | ABC | 3:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: Oh boy. Revenge game for Jackson Arnold. There’s a chance I was slighty wrong about Auburn. They may not be complete trash overall. They’re not as good as Oklahoma, but they’re not totally awful. I think this should be a fun game. I think the Tigers will hang in there, but I think the Sooners win by a touchdown. Big home win for Oklahoma. They keep rolling with a big game from John Mateer. Sooners (-6.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I am very excited to see how things unfold in the SEC over the coming weeks. At this point, Oklahoma looks like it has a shot to get to the conference title game. I think the Sooners get a comfortable win at home here. No revenge game for Jackson Arnold. I think Oklahoma upgraded at quarterback with John Mateer. Oklahoma (-6.5).
Dean’s Pick: Someone is heading into October with some steam. I've got Oklahoma (-6.5) in this one pretty much because they are at home, and I've seen Auburn play, and it is adequate. The Tigers have two challenging road games (OU, AM) before hosting Georgia. This is a swing game for the Tigers - even if they are already 3-0. A&M, UGA and then Missouri before Arkansas, Vandy and Alabama.
That's a lot. Either way, I wouldn't read a ton into the result of this game.
Florida (+7.5) at No. 4 Miami | ABC | 7:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: Miami’s rolling. Carson Beck is dealing. That defense is the real deal. Again, I hate that half a point. That’s going to hurt me, but the risk is worth it. The Gators and it feels like Napier is certainly on his way out. This Miami defense might be licking their chops after that the LSU defense did last week. If the ‘Canes have a chance to add on late and embarrass the Gators they’ll do it. Big home win for Miami. Canes (-7.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Miami looks like it will be one of the 12 at the end of the year. We just watched both of these teams take on South Florida, and those outcomes were on completely different ends of the spectrum. Miami (-7.5) is going to take care of the Gators.
Dean’s Pick: I've got the Gators here for a couple of reasons. I am not sure this game is the one where it all falls apart. I would not be stunned if Florida held Carson Beck and the Canes to under 28 points. I think Florida's defense is ready to fight at all times. The offense... its bad right now. But I will take the Gators and the points because of the half-point hook, and because they have already played two pretty big games so far - one being at Death Valley - so Hard Rock isn't going to matter to them. Particularly because it will have probably 40% Gators anyway.
I will take the Gators (+7.5) and that hook. I think this will be closer than people are willing to admit.
Season ATS
Matt 9-18
Ryan 16-11
Dean 11-16
Week 4 Picks
