Football Pick’ems: Red October

It was a tough week for our gaggle of guessers. Seven of the 10 prognosticators had eight or more games incorrect. One of those under .500 was J.T.., which sent him tumbling out of first place.

Here’s the current standings, before we get into the picks: 

Thomas Stokes, 16-4 last week, 71-30 overall
El General Naranja, 13-7, 68-33
Jacob Townsend, 12-8, 68-33
J.T. Chadwell, 9-11, 68-33
John Moorehouse, 15-5, 67-34
Scott Felts, 11-9, 66-35
Mike Cox, 10-10, 66-35
Steve Wilmoth, 10-10, 65-36
Mark Vicars, 11-9, 64-37
Mike Roberts, 9-11, 59-42

MARK VICARS (Owner, I-81 Sports)

• Alabama at Georgia: I think Georgia wins. Alabama throws a great deep ball, but I don’t trust them against Georgia. 
• Tennessee at Arkansas: Gmac is starting his first game, Tennessee native living the hometown dream. I hope it works out for him. Tennessee wins.
• ETSU at The Citadel: The Citadel does one thing really well and they will try to take advantage of ETSU defense. I don’t think they have enough firepower to win. 
• Virginia Tech at Cal: I love Virginia Tech in this game. Flying cross country for a game is hard.
• Arizona at West Virginia
• Texas A&M at Missouri: Missouri is a hornet’s nest. Mizzou wins.
• Wake Forest at NC State: Is Wake the second best team in the ACC? I think so. 
• Houston at Kansas State
• Texas at Oklahoma: My soul wants Oklahoma to win, but Texas has more offense. 
• UCLA at Oregon
• Louisiana at Louisiana Tech
• USC at Penn State: USC, Penn State has ruined themselves.
• Western Carolina at Mercer
• Furman at Tennessee Tech
• Harvard at Cornell
• Texans at Titans: Texans, I don’t trust the Titans 
• Bears at Packers
• Eagles at Jaguars
• 49ers at Seahawks
• Bills at Rams

J.T. CHADWELL (Sports Betting Writer, I-81 Sports)

• Georgia @ Alabama – Cheat Sheet Feature,  Hammer the Tide.
• Tennessee @ Arkansas – Arkansas is really bad this year.  Line seems about right so let’s say Vols win this one by 14.
• ETSU @ Citadel – I will be in Charleston for this one.  GO BUCS
• Virginia Tech @ Cal – Man, James Franklin needs this one after the tough loss last week.  Can’t afford a road loss to Cal in year 1.
• Arizona @ West Virginia – First time on the east coast all year for Arizona.  Jet lag costs them this one in Morgantown.
• Texas A&M @ Missouri – Missouri is too strong at home, Austin Simmons is humming right now.
• Wake Forest @ NC State – A little surprised we get NC State as a home underdog again, which makes me think Wake wins this one, but it’s close.  Take NC State with the points.
• Houston @ Kansas State – Really fancy the over more than anything in this game.  I don’t see much that separates these two, but Houston has the better running game.
• Texas @ Oklahoma – Everyone has discounted the Sooners moving forward after the loss to Michigan and the beatdown by Georgia.  Don’t count this Sooners team out here, they could upset the Horns. Oklahoma with the points, but Texas wins a close one.
• UCLA @ Oregon – In this format, picking an 11 point underdog to win just doesn’t make sense.  But I think Oregon could find themselves in big trouble this week.  Bob Chesney is the real deal and UCLA is relevant again.  They could pound the Ducks into the ground this week if Oregon plays the way it has been.
• Louisiana @ Louisiana Tech – Most probably wonder what this game is doing on our pick ’em this week.  I look at a LA Tech team that just beat a decent Army team and wonder why they’re only 3 point favorites against a worse team the following week.  It’s because Louisiana is 8-8 since 2020 straight up as a road underdog.  Rajun Cajuns get it done.
• USC @ Penn State – Losing fan base message boards will be way more entertaining than the game will actually be.  But it’s a white out night in State College and USC typically doesn’t travel well.
• Western Carolina @ Mercer – Mercer adopted the Bear as it’s mascot in the early 1900s because it represented 3 qualities needed to attend the university.  Strength, Courage, and Determination.  Those 3 things push them over the top this week
• Furman @ Tennessee Tech – No better way to get over a loss in Cookeville than visiting Bowling World afterward.  Cookeville’s finest bowling alley has 32 lanes for them to use
• Harvard @ Cornell – Yeah I’m having no part of the bad vibes around Cornell right now
• Texans @ Titans – Only the Titans could lose to a team in week 5 that also hasn’t won a game
• Bears @ Packers – No Caleb Williams, no win for the Bears.
• Eagles @ Jaguars – The season is quickly tail spinning for the Eagles and it’s only going to get worse next weekend.  This team is in danger of missing the playoffs this season.
• 49ers @ Seahawks – Niners keep the hot season rolling.  The Purdy/Shanahan combo is underrated.
• Bills @ Rams – Rams seemingly play a Super Bowl contender every single week.  Puka Nucua being back puts them over the top in this matchup.  Bills always seem to have something missing regardless of how good they are.

SCOTT FELTS, I-81 Sports Contributor

• Alabama 30, Georgia 27: No. 2 Georgia (5-0) visits No. 6 Alabama (5-0) in Tuscaloosa for a classic SEC rock fight. Both offenses are averaging nearly 50 points a game, but Alabama’s home edge and Keelon Russell’s recent hot streak tip a one-score thriller. Expect more “Roll Tide” chants than actual rolling. Georgia’s defense might hold, but the Tide’s red-zone perfection is like a dad joke: painfully effective and impossible to escape. 
• Tennessee 31, Arkansas 17: No. 15 Tennessee (4-1) rolls into Fayetteville against a 2-3 Arkansas squad that’s been getting treated like a practice squad by better SEC foes. The Vols’ offensive rushing should wear down the Hogs faster than a frying pan. Arkansas’s recent losses look like they forgot the “Razor” part of Razorbacks.
• ETSU 24, The Citadel 21: FCS Southern Conference scrap. East Tennessee State edges a tight one; The Citadel’s military discipline meets ETSU’s “we just want to score points and go home” vibe. Expect more marching than actual marching down the field.  
• Virginia Tech 28, Cal 24: Hokies sneak one on the road. Virginia Tech’s physicality should grind out a win over a Cal team still figuring out if they’re playing football or just enjoying the West Coast weather. Cal’s offense might be “golden,” but Tech’s defense will make them feel more like fool’s gold.
• Arizona 27, West Virginia 23: Wildcats survive a close one in Morgantown. Arizona’s speed edges a Mountaineers squad that plays hard but often looks like they’re climbing the wrong mountain. Expect turnovers and “high altitude” excuses.
• Missouri 27, Texas A&M 24: No. 14/16 Missouri (4-1) holds serve at home against the Aggies. Mizzou’s recent rise meets A&M’s inconsistency. Tigers win a field-position battle. Enjoy it while you can Tigers, backend of the schedule has Ole Miss, Texas, Georgia and an improving Kentucky. 
• NC State 31, Wake 20: Wolfpack handle business at home. NC State’s physical style should overwhelm a Wake team that often plays like it’s still stuck in the ACC’s mid-tier traffic jam. Expect more “State” pride than actual state of urgency from the Deacs.
• Kansas State 27, Houston 24: No. 19/22 Houston (4-1) falls just short on the road to a solid K-State group. Bill Snyder Family Stadium magic plus Wildcats grit edges the Cougars. Houston’s offense can score, but K-State will make them feel like they’re running in quicksand.
• Texas 27, Oklahoma 13: No. 1 Texas (4-0) handles the Red River Rivalry in Dallas against a struggling 2-2 Oklahoma. Longhorns’ defense stifles a Sooner offense that’s been more “soon to score” than actually scoring. Arch Manning comically gets the job done again without needing a magic act; Oklahoma’s recent form is the punchline. 
• Oregon 35, UCLA 23: No. 13 Oregon (3-1) welcomes No. 21/22 UCLA (4-0) to Autzen and spoils the undefeated party. Ducks’ home edge and offensive firepower prove too much. UCLA’s high-scoring attack hits a wall and the team from L.A. is cruisin’ for a “Bruin” more than a breakthrough. 
• Louisiana 28, Louisiana Tech 21: Ragin’ Cajuns take the in-state battle for braggin’ rights. Louisiana’s experience edges a Tech team that often plays like it’s still searching for the “Tech” advantage. Expect spicy offense and arguments about “who’s the real Louisiana, not named LSU?”
• USC 27, Penn State 24: No. 19 USC (5-1) edges a 3-2 Penn State squad in a Big Ten road test. Trojans’ explosive offense (nearly 40 ppg) outguns the Lions in a shootout. Penn State’s recent defensive lapses show they miss Knowles and the player/coach package deal, USC capitalizes. 
• Mercer 24, Western Carolina 21: Mercer sneaks a home win in this FCS matchup. Catamounts fight hard, but Mercer holds serve. Expect more drama in a Western than actual drama in this game. Solid, but low-stakes Southern Conference football.
• Tennessee Tech 28, Furman 18: Tech is coming off an upset loss at Western. Furman is 2-4 overall. The Golden Eagles are trying to get on the nest overlooking the Southern Conference, a position ETSU currently holds. That matchup is coming on Halloween. 
• Harvard 24, Cornell 17: Harvard takes the Ivy League affair. Crimson’s balance edges Cornell in a game that prioritizes brains over brawn. There may be more SAT scores than sack scores, but classic Ivy League football.
• Texans 24, Titans 17: Both 0-4 AFC South basement dwellers collide. Houston finally gets a win on the road; Titans’ season continues its free-fall. Two teams searching for answers. Expect more interceptions than inspiration and plenty of “at least we tried” energy. 
• Bears 27, Packers 30: Chicago (3-1) spoils the Lambeau party against Green Bay (2-2). Bears’ recent form and point differential edge a Packers team still finding consistency. Cheeseheads get toasted; Bears keep rolling north. 
• Jags 24, Eagles 17: Jaguars (3-1) handle the London game against a sputtering Eagles (2-2) offense. Jacksonville’s defense and home-away-from-home edge make Philly’s struggles look even more continental. Eagles’ offense currently has more questions than a British quiz show. 
• 49ers 24, Seahawks 20: Unbeaten San Francisco (4-0) survives a tough NFC West road test against Seattle (3-1). 49ers’ balance and health edge a competitive Seahawks side. Expect a physical battle. Seattle makes it close, but the Niners stay perfect. 
• Bills 27, Rams 23: Buffalo (3-1) edges Los Angeles (2-2) in a Monday-nighter. Bills’ talent and Josh Allen’s arm prove just enough against a Rams team that can hang but not quite finish. Bills keep the AFC East rolling.

JOHN MOOREHOUSE (Editor in Chief, I-81 Sports)

• Georgia at Alabama: No change in venue or time, yet, for the biggest game in the country. I think the weather plays into the Bulldogs’ favor. Alabama looks like its old self but Georgia has been the class of the SEC.
• Tennessee at Arkansas: MacIntyre gets the start. Will we see Brandon, who’s questionable on the injury report?
• ETSU at The Citadel: No team in the SoCon throws it less than The Citadel and the Bucs defense has been solid against the run.
• Virginia Tech at Cal: The Hokies get back on track,
• Arizona at West Virginia: Country Roads and such.
• Texas A&M at Missouri: I was tempted to take the Aggies given how topsy-turvy the SEC has been.
• Wake Forest at NC State: The Wolfpack get the win at home.
• Houston at Kansas State 
• Texas over Oklahoma
• UCLA at Oregon
• Louisiana at Louisiana Tech: Picking this one for my buddy Bruce Cook.
• Southern Cal at Penn State
• Western Carolina at Mercer: A key game in the SoCon race.
• Furman at Tennessee Tech: Not buying on Furman at all.
• Harvard at Cornell
• Texans at Titans: When oh when will the Titans win a game? 
• Bears at Packers
• Eagles at Jaguars (in London): Liking the Jags’ chances this year.
• 49ers at Seahawks: Going for the home team.
• Bills at Rams

MIKE COX, Voice of the Patriots on 93.7 The Fan

All right…let’s see if I can get back up the table this week…

• Georgia over Alabama- It will be highly interesting if they actually play that game in Tuscaloosa with an incoming tropical system brewing by Saturday. Either way, I think this round of Bulldogs will be too much for the Tide to tame this time around.
• Tennessee over Arkansas- Vols win this by three touchdowns at home, but it should be closer in Fayetteville.
• ETSU over The Citadel- It’s hard to play down there in South Carolina, but the Bucs should be just fine this time.
• Virginia Tech over Cal- Hokies will struggle at times, but they should get the win anyway. Just don’t kick the ball too high this week.
• West Virginia over Arizona
• Missouri over Texas A&M
• Wake Forest over NC State
• Houston over Kansas State
• Texas beats Oklahoma- but barely
• Oregon beats UCLA, maybe rather easily at home.
• Louisiana Tech over Louisiana
• Penn State over USC- maybe a controversial choice here, but I’m taking the home team.
• Mercer beats Western Carolina- never picking any purple SoCon team…ever.
• Tennessee Tech over Furman- second verse, same as the first.
• Harvard beats Cornell because it’s Frasier Crane’s alma mater and is featured heavily in the reboot. Which I think is good and needs more seasons.
• Texans over Titans- I want the Titans to win, and would be happy to be wrong. But this seems like a bad year in whatever versions of two tone blue they wear out there.
• Bears over Packers- I will also never pick the Packers to beat the Bears. Some years I’ll just have to take the L. This year shouldn’t be an issue, even at Lambeau.
• Jacksonville over Philly, but I don’t want to.
• Seattle over the 49ers
• LA Rams over Buffalo- if I miss this one, I wouldn’t be shocked.

MIKE ROBERTS (Contributor, I-81 Sports)

• Alabama over Georgia
• Tennessee over Arkansas
• ETSU over The Citadel
• Virginia Tech over Cal
• West Virginia or Arizona
• Texas A&M over Missouri
• Wake Forest over NC State
• Kansas State over Houston
• Texas over Oklahoma
• Oregon over UCLA
• Louisiana Tech over Louisiana
• Penn State over USC
• Western Carolina over Mercer
• Furman over Tennessee Tech
• Harvard over Cornell
• Texans over Titans
• Packers over Bears
• Jaguars over Eagles
• 49ers over Seahawks
• Rams over Bills

THOMAS STOKES (FCS Writer, I-81 Sports)

• Georgia over Alabama
• Tennessee over Arkansas
• ETSU over The Citadel
• Virginia Tech over Cal
• West Virginia over Arizona
• Missouri over Texas AM
• Wake Forest over NC State
• Houston over Kansas State
• Texas over Oklahoma
• Oregon over UCLA
• Louisiana Tech over Louisiana
• Penn State over USC
• Western Carolina over Mercer
• Tennessee Tech over Furman
• Harvard over Cornell
• Texans over Titans
• Packers over Bears
• Eagles over Jags
• Seahawks over 49ers
• Bills over Rams

JACOB TOWNSEND (Host of the Morning Monster, WXSM)

• Georgia
• Tennessee
• ETSU
• California
• West Virginia
• Missouri
• NC State
• Kansas State
• Texas
• Oregon
• Louisiana Tech
• Penn State
• Mercer
• Tennessee Tech
• Cornell
• Texans
• Bears
• Jaguars
• Seahawks
• Rams

STEVE WILMOTH (TriCitiesSports.com Vice President Publishing & Technology)

Alabama
Tennessee
ETSU
Virginia Tech
West Virginia
Missouri
North Carolina State
Kansas State
Texas
Oregon
Louisiana Tech
USC
Mercer
Tennessee Tech
Cornell
Texans
Packers
Jags
Seahawks
Rams

El General Naranja, Man of Mystery

Editor’s Note: El General Naranja is our Mystery Predictor, a man weathered and hardened from battles from the gridiron and the squared circle. 

Ga is the pick over Bama

Tn is the pick over the Hogs

ETSU is the pick over The Citadel

VT is the pick over Cal

WVA is the pick over Arizona – hard place to play

Missouri is the pick over A&M

NCST is the pick over Wake – they have a Sensabaugh playing 

Hou is the pick over K State

Texas is the pick over Oklahoma for the Von Erichs

Ore is the pick over UCLA and Nico

Lou Tech is the pick over Louisiana

USC is the pick over Penn State

WC is the pick over Mercer

Tenn Tech is the pick over Furman

Harvard is the pick over Cornell

Texans is the pick over Titans

Packers is the pick over Bears

Jaguars is the pick over Eagles

49ers is the pick over Seattle

Bills is the pick over the Rams