Football Pick’Ems: Now It Gets Tough

Back at it for another round. And with the NFL joining the mix, the degree of difficulty intensifies!

We had two perfect slates last week, as Thomas Stokes and Jacob Townsend both went a perfect 15-0. John Moorehouse and Mike Cox were close behind at 14-1.

Strong week for the panel overall with no one losing more than three games.

Here’s the current standings :

Thomas Stokes, 20-5 overall, 15-0 last week
Jacob Townsend, 19-6 overall, 15-0 last week
Scott Felts, 19-6 overall, 13-2 last week
Mark Vicars, 19-6 overall, 13-2 last week
Mike Cox, 18-7 overall, 14-1 last week
John Moorehouse, 18-7 overall, 14-1 last week
Mike Roberts, 18-7 overall, 12-3 last week
El General Naranja, 18-7 overall, 12-3 last week
Steve Wilmoth, 18-7 overall, 13-2 last week
J.T. Chadwell, 17-8 overall, 12-3 last week

MARK VICARS (Owner, I-81 Sports)

• Ohio State at Texas:  I HATE both of these teams for vastly different reasons. I wish they would both lose but that is not possible unless the Big 10 changes the rules again without telling me…  I think OSU wins.
• Tennessee at Georgia Tech: Tennessee and Georgia Tech have a lot in common: Bobby Dodd, who the Georgia Tech stadium is named after, is a Tennessee legend and we both hate UGA. That being said, Tennessee wins by two scores.
• ETSU at UNC: The Bucs vs. the Belichicks the question is does Bill’s girlfriend call the plays this Saturday? No? Then I don’t see much of a chance for the Bucs.
• Oklahoma at Michigan: Michigan is about to be 0-2 because I think Oklahoma smokes them… “Oh, Mark Michigan won last week…” No, they didn’t, they were awarded that win… It’s truly shameful and I am glad the AP voters dropped them out of the top 25.
• Old Dominion at Virginia Tech: This is a fun one, but Tech wins.
• Memphis at Boise State: Memphis is good, Boise is OK. Tigers win.
• Iowa State at Iowa: One of my favorite games of the year.. I think Iowa wins… I love the children’s hospital view of the stadium.
• Arkansas at Utah: Are Kansas wins just to make my buddy Brian mad..
• Furman vs Mercer: Furman hasn’t looked bad, I will take them.
• SEMO vs Southern Illinois: Southern Illinois just because I like the mascot. I will own the spaghetti monster dog one day..
• Jets at Titans: I think this is two really bad teams fighting for last place in their divisions.. Titans because I like the coaches better.
• Cowboys at Giants: Feeling like John Wayne today.
• Bucs at Bengals: Baker got a new contract… He will play hard and win!!
• Ravens at Colts: I love the Ravens offense.
• 49ers at Rams: Rams are my Super Bowl pick… They are loaded and unless the QB goes down I think they may go undefeated..

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

• Ohio State/Texas – Ohio State.  The betting side of me is always going to take the better side of the odds in a matchup like this.  The biggest deciding factor for me is Steve Sarkisian since becoming Texas head coach is 4-11 against the spread when the spread is less than 7 points.  Throw in Ryan Day’s 17-12-2 record against the spread on the road and I am going to take the Buckeyes here.
• Tennessee/Georgia Tech – Tennessee. Hesitantly picking the Vols here. As good as Josh Heupel is as a favorite, Brent Key is equally as good as an underdog and I think 12.5 points is too many here. As good as Faizon Brandon is, or can be, he is still a true freshman in a college football landscape where it is much harder to be successful as a youngster. I think GT can keep this one close but ultimately the Vols get the W.
• ETSU/UNC – UNC. What a chance for ETSU to make national news with an upset of Bill Belichick.  Unfortunately, that isn’t happening.
• Oklahoma/Michigan – Michigan.
• ODU/VA Tech – VA Tech. ODU has a respectable record covering spreads on the road (24-12 since 2019).  But, it was an upset by ODU that really started the end for former coach Brent Pry, so I don’t think James Franklin will let that happen two games into his tenure.
• Memphis/Boise – Boise. The Broncos showed against Oregon they are a high quality team that could contend for a playoff spot late in the year.  Broncos -8.5 would be a play for me.
• Iowa St/Iowa – Iowa. New Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers gets his first taste of the corn Corn Cy-Hawk Series.  He won’t be tasting the end zone much against this defense.
• Arkansas/Utah – Utah. Two brand new coaches to their respective programs.  Arkansas is a live dog here and I would take the points.  In the end Utah is probably too much.
• Furman/Mercer – Mercer. Not enough offense for the Paladins.
• SEMO/SIU – SIU. – Returning dual threat QB DJ Williams is too much for SEMO at home.
• Jets/Titans – Jets. – No matter what scenario you choose since 2020, these two teams are pretty much the bottom two in the league against the spread.  It doesn’t matter home or away, favorite or not, these have been the worst.  It’s easier to win as an underdog.  Give me the Jets.
• Cowboys/Giants – Giants. The Jaxson Dart era is here.  Cowboys are already banged up on the offensive line.
• Bucs/Bengals – Bengals. Two teams that are each pretty good in their respective spots against the spread here.  I’d lean Bucs on the spread and take the 3.5, but give me Joe Burrow with the ball late for the win.
• Ravens/Colts – Ravens. – Ravens are better against the spread in this spot, plus it’s Lamar Jackson vs Daniel Jones.  I’ll take the better QB.
• Niners/Rams – Rams. Very high expectations for the Rams this season.  They start the season off the right way.

SCOTT FELTS, I-81 Sports Contributor

• Texas 27, Ohio State 24: Texas is a slim home favorite (-1.5 points) after both sides demolished cupcakes in Week 1 (OSU 56-3 over Ball State, Texas 59-7 over Texas State). Last year’s 14-7 Buckeyes win in Columbus still stings in Austin.  Arch Manning looked sharp in the opener. Home-field noise + Manning’s year of experience edges it.
• Tennessee 34, Georgia Tech 17: Vols are solid double-digit favorites. Tennessee’s offense should feast; Tech can make it uncomfortable early but lacks the firepower for a full 60.
• UNC 48, ETSU 10: UNC is a massive favorite (-35.5). Tar Heels (1-0 after a narrow win over TCU in Ireland) should treat this like a glorified scrimmage. ETSU is a solid FCS team but outmatched.
• Oklahoma 24, Michigan 17: Sooners are -5.5-point favorites despite the Big House. Oklahoma looked dominant (shutout of UTEP); Michigan needed a last-(extra?) second Hail Mary to escape Western Michigan. Brent Venables’ defense travels better than Michigan’s offense right now.
• Virginia Tech 31, Old Dominion 14: The Hokies crushed VMI 73-3 in James Franklin’s debut; ODU handled Norfolk State. Home field and talent gap favor Tech, though ODU has history of making this match up uncomfortable.
• Boise State 28, Memphis 21: Boise is a tough out at home, especially early. Memphis has talent but the blue turf and altitude (sort of) matter.
• Iowa 20, Iowa State 13: Classic rivalry slugfest. Iowa’s defense usually wins these; the Hawkeyes are favored at home.
• Utah 31, Arkansas 17: Utes are solid home favorites (-11.5). Arkansas has SEC size but Utah’s scheme and altitude punish visitors.
• Mercer 31, Furman 24: SoCon scrap fest. Mercer is 2-0 and sharp at home; Furman is coming off a big loss on Rocky Top.
• Southern Illinois 28, SEMO 24: Rivalry game with history of close, high-scoring affairs. SIU has the edge at home after a solid start.
• Titans 20, Jets 17: Titans slight favorites. Both teams are in rebuild mode; expect a low-scoring, ugly affair.
• Cowboys 27, Giants 23 (SNF): Cowboys favored by -2.5–3. Rivalry games in MetLife usually deliver drama. Dak finds just enough; Giants make it interesting late.
• Bengals 28, Bucs 24: Bengals favored by -3.5 in what could be a high scoring shootout in a battle of prima donna, number one picks.
• Ravens 24, Colts 17: Ravens favored by -3,–3.5. Baltimore’s defense should travel well; Colts are still figuring things out offensively.
• Rams 27, 49ers 13 (in Melbourne, Australia – Thursday): Rams slight favorites in the international game. Travel and timing quirks could make this interesting but Rams D could make it boring.

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

Pressed for time this week because yours truly forgot he put a Thursday night game on the docket. So just winners.

• Texas over Ohio State
• Tennessee over Georgia Tech
• UNC over ETSU
• Oklahoma over Michigan
• Virginia Tech over Old Dominion
• Boise State over Memphis
• Iowa over Iowa State
• Utah over Arkansas
• Mercer over Furman
• SEMO over Southern Illinois
• Jets over Titans
• Cowboys over Giants
• Bengals over Bucs
• Ravens over Colts
• Rams over 49ers

MIKE COX, Voice of the Patriots on 93.7 The Fan

• Texas 33, Ohio State 30: If Peyton can beat Ohio State, Arch can do it. It’ll take the game of the week/month to get the Longhorns there.
• Tennessee 29, Georgia Tech 24: There’s a large spread in this game and I don’t believe it. Georgia Tech does a good job of defending home turf, but the Vols win late.
• UNC 37, ETSU 16: Johnson City vs. Belichick. Hmmm. Would be interesting to see what happens in Chapel Hill if the Bucs win, now, wouldn’t it?
• Virginia Tech 44, Old Dominion 17
• Oklahoma 47, Michigan 14: Not sure many who didn’t despise Michigan before last Saturday don’t now. It honestly could’ve been Miami or Notre Dame and I still would’ve picked them over Michgan. No B1G refs, I hope!
• Boise 31, Memphis 24
• Iowa 27, Iowa State 13: Hawkeyes are just too strong but I’d love to see the Fighting Dave Dierkses (Dierki??) pull off the upset. Congrats, Dave, on retirement … and thank you!
• Utah 33, Arkansas 30
• Mercer 19, Furman 16: The Purple Paladins saw what real football was like last week. Mercer will do the same, but expect some of that good old-fashioned SoCon madness to rear up in the process. Should be a fun one!
• Southern Illinois 27, SEMO 21
• Titans 19, Jets 12
• Cowboys 28, Giants 24
• Bengals 33, Bucs 28
• Ravens 27, Colts 14
• Rams 27, 49ers 26

MIKE ROBERTS (Contributor, I-81 Sports)

• Ohio State at Texas, Ohio State
• Tennessee at Georgia Tech, Tennessee
• ETSU at UNC, UNC
• Oklahoma at Michigan, Michigan
• Old Dominion at Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech
• Memphis at Boise State, Memphis
• Iowa State at Iowa, Iowa
• Arkansas at Utah, Arkansas
• Furman at Mercer, Mercer
• SEMO vs Southern Illinois, Southern Illinois
• Jets at Titans, Titans
• Cowboys at Giants, Cowboys
• Bucs at Bengals, Bucs
• Ravens at Colts, Colts
• 49ers at Rams, 49ers

THOMAS STOKES (FCS Writer, I-81 Sports)

• Texas over Ohio State
• Tennessee over Georgia Tech
• North Carolina over ETSU : The Bucs will not complete a miracle like The Citadel did in North Carolina last Saturday against Charlotte.
• Oklahoma over Michigan
• Virginia Tech over ODU Boise State over Memphis
• Iowa over Iowa State
• Utah over Arkansas
• Mercer over Furman: Jaylen King had a day for himself last Saturday, but it was also against a school that has zero scholarships. This will be the first real test for Joel Taylor and the Bears, and they will take care of business at home. I felt comfortable taking Furman in the preseason as an early upset, but Jake Garica has shown very little production at the quarterback position. Joshua Stoneking has also been missing in action at least in the box score at 4 tackles in two games.
• SEMO over Southern Illinois: DJ Williams is still week-to-week and no disrespect to Jake Curry, but Southern Illinois offense will be the reason SEMO takes this game. I mentioned the history of this series in my FCS Briefing and why it is called the War for the Wheel. SEMO will take the wheel back to campus and they will go 2-0 against Missouri Valley Football Conference.
• Titans over Jets: Micah Robinson was a menace in his time at Furman, glad to see some FCS guys in the NFL.
• Giants over Cowboys: Rooting for Cam Skattebo to remain healthy all year!
• Bengals over Bucs
• Ravens over Colts
• Rams over 49ers

JACOB TOWNSEND (Host of the Morning Monster, WXSM)

• Texas
• Tennessee
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Virginia Tech
• Boise State
• Iowa
• Utah
• Mercer
• Southern Illinois
• Titans
• Cowboys
• Bengals
• Colts
• Rams

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

• Texas
• Tennessee
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Virginia Tech
• Boise
• Iowa
• Utah
• Mercer
• Southern Miss
• Titans
• Cowboys
• Bengals
• Colts
• Rams

I flipped coins on the NFL games… I bet I couldn’t name two players on any of those teams

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. 

Sorry for the short report this week, I’ve got a big Lucha des Apuestas match this Saturday in Tijuana! 

• Texas over Ohio State: Arch finally shines!
• Tennessee over Georgia Tech: Vols run for 250-plus yardage
• UNC over ETSU: The Gerald Sensabaugh Bowl! UNC is too deep.
• Oklahoma over Michigan: Oklahoma is the pick in honor of good ole JR ( Jim Ross )
• Virginia Tech over Old Dominion: Enter Sandman starts the blowout! Wonder if ECW’s Sandman will show up in the crowd?!?
• Boise State over Memphis: The Tater Boys are for real
• Iowa over Iowa State: Hawkeyes roll !!
• Utah over Arkansas
• Mercer over Furman: Cry me a river, Furman! Maybe play will be clean this week.
• SEMO over Southern Illinois
• Titans over Jets
• Cowboys over Giants
• Tampa Bay over Bengals
• Ravens over Colts
• Rams over 49ers