Football Pick’Ems: Rise and Fall

It’s been a wild couple of weeks for our not-so-esteemed collection of prognosticators. As a result, there’s been some big changes in the standings. Thomas Stokes and El General Naranja now share the lead.

People ask me every day about the General. Who is he? Where does he come from? They protect identities very carefully in lucha libre, where El General wreaks havoc as the Tennessee-clad rudo.

Can he take full control of the lead? We’ll find out.

Here are the current standings before we move on to the picks:

Thomas Stokes, 12-8 last week, 83-38 overall
El General Naranja, 13-7, 81-40
J.T. Chadwell, 12-8, 80-41
Mark Vicars, 15-5, 79-42
Scott Felts, 12-8, 78-43
Mike Cox, 12-8, 78-43
John Moorehouse, 11-9, 78-43
Jacob Townsend, 10-10, 78-43
Steve Wilmoth, 10-10, 75-46
Mike Roberts, 9-11, 68-53

MARK VICARS (Owner, I-81 Sports)

• Ole Miss at Texas
• Tennessee at South Carolina: Tennessee with the upset.. Tennessee wins as 3 point underdogs… 
• ETSU at VMI
• Virginia Tech at Clemson
• Duke at Virginia 
• Indiana at Michigan
• LSU at Auburn
• Texas A&M at Alabama
• USC at Wisconsin
• Houston at Utah
• Samford at Furman
• Chattanooga at Western Carolina
• Princeton at Harvard
• North Dakota at South Dakota
• Browns at Titans
• Colts at Vikings
• Bengals at Ravens
• Packers at Lions
• Chiefs at Seahawks
• Cowboys at Eagles

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

• Ole Miss @ Texas – This is going to be a close one, Texas knows no other way.  I get the option between the Sark/Arch combo or Chambliss/Lacy to make the necessary plays to win late.  I’m going Chambliss/Lacy every time.
• Tennessee @ South Carolina – Just another coin flip weekend in the SEC.  I don’t really have a feel either way in this one, so no bets from me.  I feel like most in this pool will side with the Vols, so South Carolina it is for me.  Line has already moved 3 points in favor of the Gamecocks as of Tuesday morning.
• ETSU @ VMI – Bucs keep rolling after a shaky start to the season.
• Virginia Tech @ Clemson – Another one that will probably come down to the waning moments of the 4th quarter.  Like Texas, James Franklin knows no other way.  And just like the Ole Miss game, I am going to take the playmaking quarterback to get the job done.  
• Duke @ Virginia – Virginia historically is much better at home than on the road (25-17 against the spread over the last 6 years) while Duke is historically way worse on the road (14-22 against the spread over the last 6 years.  I like those trends.  Give me the Wahoos at home.
• Indiana @ Michigan – I like the under more than anything in this game. I’m not sure Michigan can even score 10 points, so if all Indiana has to do is get to 13, they will do that.
• LSU @ Auburn – Cheat Sheet Feature here.  Don’t be fooled by Auburn’s win last weekend.  LSU rolls.
• Texas A&M @ Alabama – It’s one of the worst road teams in all of FBS against one of the best home teams in FBS.  Season keeps getting longer for the Aggies.
• USC @ Wisconsin – The value part of my brain won’t let me pick otherwise.  Wisconsin is only 3 point underdogs, so I think that’s good value for USC.  USC has the better roster, even though they typically don’t play well on the road.  The win at Penn State earlier this year gives them the confidence to get it done again.
• Houston @ Utah – Another cheat sheet feature.  I like both defenses to show up in a close game.  I am going with Utah to hold serve, they are 31-4 as a home favorite straight up since 2020, but Houston could steal this one.  
• Samford @ Furman – I’ve made a lot of bets since either of these teams won a game, so something has to give here.  Samford gets it done on the road.
• UTC @ Western Carolina – Catamounts are 3-0 at home.  UTC might get car sick driving to this game.
• Princeton @ Harvard – So many prominent business people will talk trash to their business associates this week without knowing a single thing about either team.  I don’t know a single thing about either of these either, but Harvard seems to be more battle tested so far.
• North Dakota @ South Dakota – If history has taught us anything, when there is a battle of north and south, always take the north.
• Browns @ Titans – I really have no idea how the Titans won last week.  They aren’t going to win 2 in a row regardless of who they play.
• Colts @ Vikings – Colts lost to the Titans last week, which means we pick against them every game the rest of the season.
• Bengals @ Ravens – This will be a 3 point game either way, won by a field goal or lost by a turnover at the end.  Ravens have kicker issues, Bengals have turnover issues. Give me Burrow over Huntley if Lamar doesn’t play.
• Packers @ Lions – Are the Packers fixing the offensive line issues that plagued them early in the season?  Detroit can’t stop anyone, so the Packers win this one late.
• Chiefs @ Seahawks – Revenge game for the Seahawks defense as Kenny Walker comes to town. 
• Cowboys @ Eagles – Should honestly pick a 3-3 tie here instead.

SCOTT FELTS, I-81 Sports Contributor

• Texas 31, Ole Miss 28: Texas is 4-2 after dropping consecutive heartbreakers to Oklahoma and Florida. Ole Miss is 5-1. The Rebels held Missouri to three points last week, which is the kind of defensive performance that makes you forget they got torched for fifty-two at Florida. Texas’s last two losses were both decided by field goals, which means their defense is like a screen door on a submarine; technically there, but not doing much.
• Tennessee 31, South Carolina 27: The Vols are 6-1, ranked 11th, coming off that Alabama demolition where they held the Tide to 10 points, their lowest output since 2005. South Carolina is 3-3 but just snapped an eight-game SEC losing streak by beating Florida 38-19 in Gainesville. Williams-Brice in October is a nightmare, but Tennessee’s defense is ranked 9th in points allowed at 14.7 per game, and their red zone offense is converting at 95%. This is the trap game of the week for a Vols team that just proved it belongs. It’s popular to pick against them, I just can’t pull the trigger. 
• ETSU 38, VMI 7: ETSU is 5-2, 3-0 in the SoCon, and just beat The Citadel 34-16. VMI is 0-7, ranked 128th in FCS, and lost to Wofford 41-14 last week. They also got beat 73-3 by Virginia Tech in the opener. ETSU’s defense held Chattanooga to three points earlier this month. This is less a football game and more a public service announcement. VMI’s season has been so rough, even their band is asking for a transfer.
• Clemson 27, Virginia Tech 24: Virginia Tech is 5-2 under first-year coach James Franklin, coming off a 34-24 win over Georgia Tech Clemson is 4-2 but just shut out Charleston Southern 37-0, which in college football terms is like beating up your little brother and calling it a workout. The Hokies haven’t won in Clemson since 2007 and are 0-7 in the series since. Clemson’s offense ranks 110th in total yards, which is impressive in the worst way. But Death Valley at night with Homecoming crowds is a different animal. 
• Virginia 26, Duke 23: Friday night at Scott Stadium, Virginia favored by a point and a half. Duke is 4-2 but has lost two straight, including a 24-20 heartbreaker to North Carolina where the Blue Devils blew a 17-point lead. Virginia is 4-3, coming off a 23-13 loss at SMU. Duke’s defense is ranked 18th allowing 16 points a game, but the offense has gone quiet in the losses. This is the classic “both teams are bad but one’s less bad” ACC game. 
• Indiana 31, Michigan 17: Indiana is 6-1, ranked sixth, coming off a 19-15 loss to Ohio State. Michigan is 4-2 under Kyle Whittingham. The Wolverines have gone under in five of six games and are 1-4 against the spread in conference play. This is about as close to a layup as college football gets in October. 
• LSU 34, Auburn 20: LSU is 5-2 under Lane Kiffin, coming off a 31-0 whitewashing of Mississippi State. The Tigers average 40.4 points a game, seventh in the country, and have outscored opponents 225-34 at home. But they’re 0-2 on the road. Auburn is 4-2 and just walked into Athens and beat number one Georgia 27-24. The Tigers’ road woes plus Auburn’s Georgia hangover make this the most interesting game on the board.
• Alabama 35, Texas A&M 17: Alabama is 5-2 but has lost two straight to Georgia and Tennessee, and the offense has been a dumpster fire. Texas A&M is 4-3, 1-3 in the SEC, coming off a 41-0 win over The Citadel that felt like a participation trophy. But Alabama at home after two losses is when programs either find themselves or find the exit. 
• USC 27, Wisconsin 24: USC is 6-1, ranked 16th, but the Trojan defense has allowed 20+ points in six of seven games. Wisconsin is 4-2, coming off a 17-7 loss at UCLA. The Badgers’ home crowd at Camp Randall is still one of the best in the country, and they’ve beaten Penn State at home this year. This could go either way, which is exactly what Vegas is pricing.
• Utah 31, Houston 24: Utah is 6-0, ranked 10th, averaging 40.2 points and allowing just 14.8. Houston is 6-1, ranked 14th, coming off four straight wins and averaging 39 points a game. The Utes’ defense is 12th in points allowed while Houston’s is 45th. Utah’s defense is so good, even their own fans forget to cheer on offense.
• Furman 17, Samford 14: Samford is 1-6, Furman is 2-5, and this is a SoCon game in Greenville with about as much national attention as a Tuesday morning staff meeting. Their last meeting was a 31-13 Furman win. This one’s a coin flip with worse lighting.
• Western Carolina 31, Chattanooga 28: Chattanooga is 4-3, coming off a 19-3 win over Samford. Western Carolina is 3-4, coming off a 17-14 loss to Mercer on a last-second field goal. Chattanooga’s defense is elite, allowing 14.2 points a game. But WCU leads the all-time series 3-0, including last year’s 35-28 win. Western Carolina’s home field in Cullowhee is a different vibe. This is the SoCon game that actually matters for the standings.
• Harvard 31, Princeton 17: Harvard is 5-0, ranked 17th. Princeton is 4-1, 2-0 in the Ivy, coming off a 16-10 win over Brown. Harvard won the last two meetings by 21 and 32 points. This is the Harvard-Princeton rivalry, which in football terms means two teams that think a 30-point win is a moral victory. 
• North Dakota 24, South Dakota 21: North Dakota is 6-2 after just knocking off number one South Dakota State 21-10 in Grand Forks, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Jackrabbits. South Dakota is 5-2, coming off a 31-10 win over Southern Illinois. South Dakota leads the all-time series, but the Hawks just proved they can beat anybody. This is a top-15 MVFC game that should be tighter than the spread suggests. 
• Browns 20, Titans 17: Cleveland is 4-2, coming off a 13-10 win over Baltimore. Tennessee is 1-5, winless at home. Quinshon Judkins, Audric Estime, Dylan Sampson, and Raheim Sanders are all out for the Browns, which means their running back room is emptier than a Monday morning gym. But the Browns’ defense is the reason they’re 4-2. 
• Vikings 27, Colts 17: Minnesota is 5-0, the only undefeated team in the NFC, and they’ve covered in four of five. Indianapolis is 2-4 after losing to Tennessee at home. That’s not a loss, that’s a comedy special. The Colts’ season has been so bad, even their own fans are rooting for the over just to watch something interesting happen.
• Ravens 27, Bengals 24: Cincinnati is 3-2, coming off a bye, relatively healthy. Baltimore is 4-2 but Lamar Jackson’s been out with an ankle issue. Joe Burrow’s the healthier, sharper quarterback, and the Bengals won in Baltimore last November 32-14. 
• Lions 28, Packers 25: Green Bay is 4-2, second in the NFC North, coming off a 23-13 win over Dallas. Detroit is 3-2, coming off a bye and a 45-21 win over Arizona. The Lions lead the NFL with 20 sacks but have the worst defense in points allowed per play. The Packers’ nine interceptions are the most in the league. This is a game where both teams’ best units are their opponents’ worst. 
• Chiefs 23, Seahawks 20: Kansas City is 5-0. Kenneth Walker III is back in Seattle for the first time since winning Super Bowl MVP for the Hawks. Seattle is 3-3. The Seahawks are 2.5 point favorites at home with rest, but the Chiefs’ defense just held the Chargers to six. Total’s 42.5. 
• Cowboys 24, Eagles 17: Dallas is 2-4. Philadelphia is 2-4 and on a four-game skid, and Jalen Hurts is on IR with a blood clot. The Eagles are scoring under 18 points a game. The Cowboys are 4.5 to 5.5 point road favorites, which is the kind of number that makes you think the books know something.

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

• • Ole Miss at Texas: The Longhorns’ season is falling apart. A loss here, and heads are going to start to roll in Austin.
  • Tennessee at South Carolina: This line has moved from the Vols being favored to the Gamecocks. The sharps know something we don’t.
  • ETSU at VMI: Bucs by a bunch.
  • Virginia Tech at Clemson: Clemson’s version of Death Valley is a tough place to play, especially at night.
  • Duke at Virginia: I don’t have a lot of faith in my Wahoos, but they need a win here. 
  • Indiana at Michigan: Could be a real long day for Hawkins County legacy Tommy Carr. 
  • LSU at Auburn: Lane Kiffin and company prevail in a battle of the SEC’s Tigers.
  • Texas A&M at Alabama: Imagine if the Crimson Tide and Texas both lost three in a row simultaneously? 
  • USC at Wisconsin: Give me the Badgers at Camp Randall.
  • Houston at Utah: The Utes have looked tough. 
  • Samford at Furman: Two of the SoCon’s lesser teams. Furman’s offense has been poor but I like the Paladins at home.
  • Chattanooga at Western Carolina: The Mocs might be leading the SoCon if they had a competent offense. Home field helps boost the Catamounts. 
  • Princeton at Harvard
  • North Dakota at South Dajota 
  • Browns at Titans: Winning two in a row feels like a lot for the Titans but I can’t ever root for the Browns. 
  • Colts at Vikings
  • Bengals at Ravens: Would flip this pick if Lamar was not questionable.
  • Packers at Lions
  • Chiefs at Seahawks
  • Cowboys at Eagles: Saquon is back? I’ll take the Birds.

MIKE COX, Voice of the Patriots on 93.7 The Fan

• Texas 20, Ole Miss 19. Not picking That School Up North as often as I possibly can. Besides, I want Mannings to win things.
• Tennessee 24, South Carolina 21. It’s not fun playing in South Carolina, but I think this Vols team is strong enough to keep the upset from happening to them.
• ETSU 35, VMI 14. Should not be a problem for the Bucs, even on the road.
• Virginia Tech 34, Clemson 31.
• Duke 24, Virginia 21.
• Indiana 17, Michigan 10. 
• LSU 24, Auburn 21. Game 2 of a 7 game weekend (one hockey game Sunday night) on 93.7 The Fan… more info below…
• Alabama 28, Texas A&M 17. We’ll join in on this one after the LSU game, followed by Kentucky/Vandy, so you don’t have to change your radio all day. 🙂
• USC 33, Wisconsin 28.
• Utah 28, Houston 21.
• Samford 21, Furman 17. Never, ever, ever picking Furman. My App State friends from back in the day should be happy with me.
• Chattanooga 23, Western Carolina 14. No win predictions for that purple team, either.
• Harvard 30, Princeton 26. Gotta go with Frasier’s school… even if they wear that awful crimson color.
• South Dakota 32, North Dakota 28.
• Browns 23, Titans 21.
• Vikings 28, Colts 24. Tune in to this one Sunday at 1 on 93.7 The Fan… would like the Colts to win, but after the news of the week, I doubt it.
• Ravens 19, Bengals 18. Would be happy to be wrong on this one.
• Lions 28, Packers 21. Packers are on an upward trend, but I can’t bring myself to pick them. And it’s the second week they’re on my radio station, which is not helpful. Hopefully the Lions can get the win on 93.7 The Fan in the late game!
• Seahawks 17, Chiefs 13. Gotta pick Marty’s team and give the Chiefs Taylor’s number!
• Cowboys 27, Eagles 21. Two teams with LOTS of issues for MNF. Dak gets a win even though the rest of the team is weird. Our first MNF game this season on 93.7 The Fan next Monday at 7:45!

MIKE ROBERTS (Contributor, I-81 Sports)

Texas over Ole Miss

Tennessee over South Carolina

ETSU over VMI

Virginia Tech over Clemson

Virginia over Duke

Indiana over Michigan

Auburn over LSU

Alabama over Texas A&M

USC over Wisconsin

Houston over Utah

Samford over Furman

Chattanooga over Western Carolina

Harvard over Princeton

North Dakota over South Dakota

Titans over Browns

Vikings over Colts

Bengals over Ravens

Lions over Packers

Seahawks over Chiefs

Cowboys over Eagles

THOMAS STOKES (FCS Writer, I-81 Sports)

• Ole Miss over Texas 
• Tennessee over South Carolina 
• ETSU over VMI: ETSU will decide the score. I would like to see 40–50-point win so the playoff committee will see it as a dominating win over a team the Bucs should dominate. 
• Virginia Tech over Clemson 
• Duke over Virginia 
• Indiana over Michigan: I heard that future ETSU Buc Byrce Underwood got benched recently. 
• Auburn over LSU 
• Alabama over Texas A&M 
• USC over Wisconsin 
• Utah over Houston 
• Furman over Samford: Furman wins because the defense makes plays. I do not trust the Furman offense to win this game. 
• Chattanooga over Western Carolina: Chattanooga eliminates WCU from the running for the SoCon auto bid. 
• Princeton over Harvard: Both schools don’t have a marquee win, and this game could end up deciding the auto bid in the Ivy League. Princeton has just looked better in the games I have seen. 
• North Dakota over South Dakota: Lance Rucker is back on the defensive side for UND and I feel the boost he brings will be enough to break the three-game losing streak against the Yotes.
• Browns over Titans 
• Vikings over Colts 
• Bengals over Ravens 
• Lions over Packers 
• Chiefs over Seahawks 
• Cowboys over Eagles 

JACOB TOWNSEND (Host of the Morning Monster, WXSM)

• Texas

• Tennessee

• ETSU

• Clemson

• Virginia

• Indiana

• LSU

• Alabama

• Wisconsin

• Utah

• Furman

• Western Carolina

• Harvard

• South Dakota

• Titans

• Vikings

• Bengals

• Lions

• Seahawks

• Cowboys

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

Ole Miss – unless the ‘Horns start a new QB

Tennessee 

ETSU

Clemson

Virignia

Indiana

LSU

Alabama

Wisconsin

Utah

Furman

Western

South Dakota

Browns – two dreadful franchises

Vikings

Ravens

Lions

Seahawks

Eagles

El General Naranja, Rudo Extraordinaire

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

Greeting all you Egg Sucking Dogs! I told you I would be making a move up the ladder to position myself close to the top and I have .   John Moorehouse tried to cheat me out of a win last week until I let him know he would get the Cobra Clutch slapped on him that Masked Superstar taught me  a few decades back!

On with the picks!

Tx gets back on track

SC spoils all the Vol fans high from last week 

ETSU 

Clemson 

Duke

Indiana 

LSU is getting better

Bama back 

USC. This game is a toss up 

Utah in the road race 

Furman

WC

Harvard 

South Dakota 

Browns 

Vikings in honor of Jesse the Body 

Bengals

Lions 

Chiefs gotta take them til they lose 

Cowboys finally get a win