For real this time
Week 13 had a 5 way tie at the top with 7 correct picks each. donkeygoatrunner, John Heisman, BearJacket, jimmymc, and pain did a great job picking in a week full of upsets. Speaking of upsets, mrbuzz1885 has finally fallen off his golden pedestal and is now in second place with 81 correct picks. wsecor and BearJacket are now tied for the overall lead with 82 correct picks. EducationalEngineer is following closely behind with 80 correct picks. This is rivalry week so we have a ton of picks to make, I expect some big changes in the standings after next weekend.
We have multiple Friday games this week so be ready to make early picks next week as the polls will close Friday before kickoff of those games (Noon est).
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
I swear, one day I’m going to have a heart attack watching these GT games. My parents, who are Alabama fans (tough weekend for them), described the game as “thrilling”. While I agree, that’s not how I would describe it. Nauseating, pulse raising, upsetting, are all possible descriptions of that game. It was a win in the end, but it was a heck of a journey to get there.
Defense looked good, if you ignore all the QB scrambles, and Philo made big plays when needed to keep us in the game. I wouldn’t say Philo was excellent, but he did what he needed to win us the game. I’m still hoping King is back next week with an ability to throw. Philo seemed pretty good, but Athens is a scary place to be for any opposing freshman QB.
The guys had a opportunity to quit or step up in the 4th quarter, and they came through. That has been a theme under Brent Key, even when things get ugly our guys believe they can win. Despite injuries, despite getting our run game shut down, despite giving up explosive runs, the players still knew they could win and found a way to do so.
This team may be the death of me, but they definitely keep things interesting. I suppose there are worse things to be than “Thrilling”
BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Else where, the SEC seems to be imploding. Big losses by Alabama, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss have hit the playoff landscape like a like a 10 magnitude earthquake. The Big 12 also ate itself, leaving only Arizona State in a ranked position to potentially make the playoff. Indiana lost, but assuming they win this week the Hoosiers should be able to work their way into a top 12 spot. Going into rivalry week there is a potential that Clemson and a few other teams could still sneak their way into the playoff if they play well. This would be a huge boon for the ACC if they can pull it off.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Just like any good GT fan I hate uga, and I hate their stupid dog too. This rivalry hasn’t been much of a rivalry as of late. uga has won 6 straight. It makes sense, GT had to suffer through the Coach 404 era while uga was out competing for championships. It’ a tough pill to swallow. Honestly, I haven’t had huge expectations for us to beat the dwags since Paul Johnson retired.
Currently GT is sitting on their most successful season since 2018, I think most fans have some worries but are generally happy with how things have gone. It would be easy for GT fans to just write off Clean Old-Fashioned Hate and call it a good season… but as I touched on last week, that is a terrible concept to have.
uga hasn’t looked terrible this year, but they have looked beatable. It’s time for us to take advantage of that and give uga some of its own medicine. uga has had it too good for too long. I want us to run for 200+ yards on them (like UMass just did), and make sure they have that 3rd loss. I want the playoff committee to have to think hard about letting uga with 3 losses into the playoff, heck I want uga to be kept out of the playoff with a loss to an ACC team.
It’s not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but the Key era has thus far been defined by hope. I’m going to be watching this game with the expectation that we are going to come in and punch uga in the mouth and make them remember why this is a rivalry. Let’s bring the hate back into Clean Old Fashioned Hate. THWg!
picks:
Clean Old Fashioned Hate:
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ #6 uga (-20.0)
Logan: Prime time black Friday game. This will be a fun one, and for the first time in a while I genuinely believe that. I still have plenty of questions about our offense and what exactly we are going to do at QB, but I think I can trust our coaching staff to have something up their sleeve. UMass lost to uga, but they ran the ball for some big yards in that game. GT didn’t have the best rushing game against NC State, I choose to believe that was because Faulkner was keeping the playbook simple to hide things for CoFH. Our defense has been getting better week to week. Despite my complaints about last week the Jacket defense should be ready for this one. The spread is 20 and I don’t just think we cover, I think we can win this sucker.
Logan’s pick: Georgia Tech
State-Carolina Game:
NC State Wolfpack @ UNC Tarheels (-3.5)
Logan: NC State needs to win this game to make a bowl game, and that’s a big motivator against a rival. I’m not sure if the Wolfpack defense was that good, or if our playbook was limited, but NC State shutdown the run. What is the one thing UNC does really well? They run the ball. If NC State’s offense can move the ball against Coach 404’s defense then they should win. Wolfpack gets that bowl game.
Logan’s pick: NC State
The Commonwealth Cup:
Virginia Cavaliers @ Virginia Tech Hokies (-7.5)
Logan: This game is traditionally a steam roll for VT. Last year VT beat UVA 55-17, so that’s not great. Both teams need this game to make a bowl following what turned out to be mediocre performances by both programs. This game will really come down to which QB you trust more. Both teams are struggling at the position as both QBs have had pretty disappointing seasons. I guess I’ll take UVA to cover just because they will be out for blood after the embarrassing loss last week, but I could see this game going either way.
Logan’s pick: UVA
Duel In The Desert
#14 Arizona State Sun Devils (-7.5) @ Arizona Wildcats
Logan: Arizona State has been on fire as the season has been wrapping up. Tack on to that the fact that Arizona State is 9-2 against the spread, and I’m comfortable not putting much thought into this one.
Logan’s pick: Arizona State
Deeper Than Hate:
Appalachian State Mountaineers @ Georgia Southern Eagles (-3.0)
Logan: I don’t like the name of this rivalry, feels like some shade is being thrown… Anyway, Georgia Southern is also having a real good end of the season. App State could make a bowl by winning this, but Georgia Southern has this one at home and I don’t think the Eagles are going to let that happen in front of their fans. Go Georgia Southern.
Logan’s pick: Georgia Southern
Eastern Michigan Eagles @ Western Michigan Broncos (-5.5)
Logan: This feels very similar to UVA v VT. Both teams on a losing streak, both teams needing to win for a bowl game, both teams with struggling QBs. From what I can tell Eastern Michigan has at least been scoring in their losses to keep things close. Western Michigan has been struggling to get points. I’ll take Eastern Michigan to cover.
Logan’s pick: Eastern Michigan
Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket
Purdue Boilermakers @ #10 Indiana Hoosiers (-27.5)
Logan: I mean… does it feel like the spread is too low to anyone else? Indiana lost last week to the 2nd best team in the country but the Hoosiers are still miles beyond Purdue. Poor Purdue, hopefully next year is better for y’all.
Logan’s pick: Indiana
Florida Gators (-13.5) @ Florida State Seminoles
Logan: Do I dare take FSU to cover after this terrible season they’ve had. They don’t even have to win, the Seminoles just have to keep it within 2 touchdowns. Florida has been all over the place this season. I’m not convinced that the Gators will be at their best on the road in this one… Against my better judgement I will take FSU to cover, but don’t let my stupidity impact your decision making.
Logan’s pick: FSU
The Game:
Michigan Wolverines @ #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (-20.5)
Logan: I think Michigan spent most of their focus last week on making a bowl game. After getting the win against NorthWestern I don’t know that the Wolverines will be able to muster that same energy against Ohio State in the horseshoe. I know this is a big rivalry and anything can happen, but Ohio State has been waiting for a chance to dominate Michigan after the past few years. Ohio State wins big.
Logan’s pick: Ohio State
Land of Lincoln Trophy:
#22 Illinois Fighting Illini (-8.5) @ NorthWestern Wildcats
Logan: NorthWestern has been walloped in all their losses aside from Duke. I don’t think NorthWestern is going to win this game based on how Illinois is playing. By that logic my guess is NorthWestern is going to be walloped again.
Logan’s pick: Illinois
The Battle Line Rivalry:
Arkansas Razorbacks @ #24 Mizzou Tigers (-3.0)
Logan: Both teams are in a bowl game, so this one is all about pride. Arkansas has been looking better against tough teams as the season has gone on; but close losses are still losses. I have to go with Mizzou in this one assuming they can limit the turnovers.
Logan’s pick: Mizzou
Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe:
Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Wisconsin Badgers (-2.0)
Logan: Wisconsin has to win to be in a bowl and they have this one at home. That said, the reason the Badgers need to win a game to make a bowl is because they went on a 4 game losing streak and didn’t look good in any of those games (well maybe against Oregon). I think Minnesota will dash the hopes of the Badgers.
Logan’s pick: Minnesota
Egg Bowl:
Mississippi State Bulldogs @ #15 Ole Miss Rebels (-26.5)
Logan: It just feels like Ole Miss is one of those teams that is always destined to choke. They are up against a 2-9 Mississippi State team, can the Bulldogs at least cover in the only remaining game with meaning for them? It is an interesting thought. The Rebels may not be in the right headspace and the spread is huge… You know what, I’ll take Mississippi State to cover.
Logan’s pick: Mississippi State
Farmageddon:
Kansas State Wildcats @ #17 Iowa State Cyclones (-2.5)
Logan: Iowa State needs to win this one to make the Big 12 championship. Kansas State is looking to ruin the weekend for some fans. I’ll take Kansas State, just because it feels like chaos is living in the BIG 12 right now.
Logan’s pick: Kansas State
Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh:
#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-6.5) @ USC Trojans
Logan: Notre Dame is only getting 6.5 in this game? I’ll take those points, USC does not look good enough to keep things that close.
Logan’s pick: Notre Dame
Iron Bowl:
Auburn Tigers @ #13 Alabama Crimson Tide (-12.5)
Logan: Honestly, I would be terrified to play Auburn right now. Alabama is lucky they get this game at home because Jordan-Hare is cursed for them. My policy of always picking Bama has not worked this year and I think Auburn will at least cover in their fight to make a bowl game and ruin Bama’s season.
Logan’s pick: Auburn
The Smokey Mountain Bowl:
#7 Tennessee Volunteers (-12.0) @ Vanderbilt Commodores
Logan: I don’t know if they’ll win, but Vandy has done a great job of covering this year, especially at home. People better keep an eye on this game because Vandy might cause an aftershock to all those SEC losses last weekend.
Logan’s pick: Vandy
“Heroes Game”:
Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Iowa Hawkeyes (-5.0)
Logan: I dunno what happened last week, but Nebraska broke a losing streak finally found a way to a bowl game after 8 years. Now they go on the road to Iowa Friday night. Iowa is still a team highlighted by their defense, but they have figured out some things that work on offense. I think Iowa will be to much to overcome and should win by 6 points or so.
Logan’s pick: Iowa
The Cascade Clash:
Washington Huskies @ #1 Oregon Ducks (-18.5)
Logan: Oregon has actually been really bad against the spread as a home favorite. They are currently 1-4 on the year as a home favorite. I’ll take Washington to find a way to cover.
Logan’s pick: Washington
Tobacco Road Rivalry:
Duke Blue Devils (-4.5) @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Logan: Duke looks really good. They’re definitely better than Wake Forest, but I would buy Duke stock if that was a thing. Duke could be an ACC contender next year, and I’m pretty sure they’ll end this year with 9 wins.
Logan’s pick: Duke
Governor’s Cup:
Louisville Cardinals (-3.0) @ Kentucky Wildcats
Logan: I usually get this pick wrong. It should be obvious by the record that Louisville will win, but the favorite in this game has a bad tendency to choke. I’ll take Kentucky… I’m not sure why, but this seems like one of those scenarios where Louisville will choke.
Logan’s pick: Kentucky
The Palmetto Bowl:
#16 South Carolina Gamecocks @ #12 Clemson Tigers (-3.0)
Logan: Both these teams have the potential to make the playoff if they win this game. Honestly both are fantastic teams with stellar defenses. I do think Clemson has a better offense, and it definitely helps that the tigers get this one at home. I will take Clemson to win this and sneak into the playoff.
Logan’s pick: Clemson
The Lone Star Showdown:
#3 Texas Longhorns (-7.5) @ #20 Texas A&M Aggies
Logan: That Auburn loss really hurt Texas A&M’s season. No SEC Championship and no playoff in all likelihood. All the Aggies have left to play for is ruining the season of their most hated rival. Texas has not looked great, even though they haven’t really played anyone other that the dwags who had similar talent levels. On the road in the loudest stadium in the country, man I love me some SEC chaos. Texas A&M is going to make things fun for the playoff committee.
Logan’s pick: Texas A&M