Credit for the push goes to Whit. Thanks? Please don't mistake this for a precedent. And if I may motion for this to be an open-source sort of post, Aye. Ya got some winners? Slide'm in here mate. Perverts. If you're looking for completely anecdotal, non-evidentiary backed picks, you've come to the right place.
Much has changed since the last time we did this, which was...'18? '17? Dare I ask? Whatever the year, the amount of football viewing afforded to me then was considerably different than today. More then, less now. Damn kids. Well let's get on with it, shall we?
Texas A&M -3.5 at Florida
What little football I have watched included games w/these two mediocre squads. Plus, I'm pretty excited to report that my middle daughter & I will be in attendance for this one.
When A&M played Notre Dame, the team of GTB and me, I was at a neighbor's house sitting around a table sipping on wine pretending to be fully engaged in conversation while peeking at my phone. I made it home for the 4th qtr. As any real fan would do, I watched the game in its entirety a day later. Yes, it was a great win for Marcus Freeman and ND, but by the time the game was over, I wouldn't go as far to say that it was apparent to me that both teams were not that good, but the possibility was considered. ND b/c of QB & endless mistakes that have carried over from last year, namely penalties (coaching), and A&M b/c of their QB, Conner Weigman. Even after playing McNeese State last week and winning by 6 TD's, he's 23/44 w/2 INT's and a lowly 5 yards per reception through his two games (taken out early in last week's blowout).
Big game for Billy Napier. His seat is warm. They lose this and it is....swahm-puy. A couple of his coaches bolted to A&M last year along with a pair of players adding a dash of extra incentive. A&M has the 12th man, but last I heard they don't make road trips. UF has Super Senior Graham Mertz - 6th season. Alliteration. Coming off an injury in the Miami game, Graham is questionable. But that's okay, because the next guy up is frosh DJ Lagway who killed it against Samford last week. Though I'm long on A&M and new coach Mike Elko, Florida is going to get in Weigman's kitchen early and often, rendering him useless. Chomp chomp. I'm going Gators outright. Come'n get sum.
Gators 24 - Aggies 20
Oregon -16.5 at Oregon State o/u 49.5
If you haven't been paying attention, Oregon hasn't been "Oregon", eeking out a win last week at home against Boise, and struggling a wee bit in week 1 at home against Idaho, scoring 61 points between the two games. WTF Ducks? Looks like Bo Nix was their everything. As a reminder, this will be the first time these two have met as nonconference opponents since the Beatles we're getting hot. This used to be one of the biggest rivalry games of the year, named the Civil War. I wonder what Honest Abe would think of that moniker.
Oregon State has a stout D allowing under 80 yards of rushing per game. Lo and behold, this is where Oregon's struggles reside, in the rushing game as well as pass protection.
The oddsmakers know what they're doing obviously. And that scares me. Does Oregon have its coming out party this week? I'm saying no, but they should come out victorious. (but don't be surprised by a home team victory)
Oregon 27 Oregon State 24 (and the over)
Week 3 of CFB, coming at ya!