By Robert Perea and Tony Erquiaga
Robert
No worries this week about celebrating wins too early. Just days after I wrote about that last week, only one of my six picks was even in position to have a chance in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, while my picks were smacking me around, Tony had a nice week with five of six wins. Maybe for once we can both do well in the same week.
Mississippi St. (+2 ½) over Auburn: Mississippi St. quarterback Kamario Taylor has been touted as the college version of Lamar Jackson because of electric running ability. Unfortunately, the other thing he has in common with Jackson is that he is out for the season with an injury, and the Bulldogs have lost five in a row. But Auburn brings an offense that is struggling as well, particularly on the offensive line, and the strength of the Mississippi St. defense is its defensive front and linebackers. Bulldogs find a way to get it done.
Texas (+4) at LSU: Big-time error of omission by me not to take Alabama against this LSU team last week. I definitely hope this is not a case of jumping on the boat after its already docked, but I think Texas keeps the Tigers reeling. LSU doesn’t run the ball very well and the Texas defense has the lowest yards per play allowed in the country.
San Diego St. (+2 ½) over Utah St.: In a battle of two 4-5 teams, the road team is favored, most likely because its defensive numbers for the season are look better than the Aztecs. But I thought two weeks ago when I picked the Aztecs over Washington St. that they were underrated because they had played shorthanded several times earlier in the season. The offense is also better with the return of running back Lucky Sutton and the emergence of freshman quarterback Stone Saunders. In that game, Sutton ran for 115 yards and Javion Kinnard had 87. I think the wrong team is favored.
Panthers (+2 ½) at Saints: The Panthers briefly took the lead last week over the Broncos in the third quarter but ultimately couldn’t get the job done. That sets up this battle of 3-5 teams for the NFC South Division lead. In fact, all four teams in the NFC South have 3 wins, but unlike the Falcons and Buccaneers, these two teams already had their bye, so they haven’t gotten their sixth loss yet. I think the Falcons are the better of these two teams. I understand why the Saints are favored at home, but I’ll gladly take the points.
Chiefs (-3 1/2) at Falcons: I think three of my nine losses in the NFL this season have come when I’ve taken the Chiefs, so I might be done with them if this doesn’t work out either. But they got back on track after two straight losses, and good teams that end a losing streak, even if it’s just two games, often come right back with another strong performance.
Vikings (+3) over Packers: The Vikings defense was let down again by a horrible performance by quarterback Carson Wentz Monday night, so on Tuesday, they traded for Kirk Cousins. That defense is good enough that just serviceable quarterback play is enough to win. In the Vikings’ case, serviceable means get the ball to Justin Jefferson, which Cousins did 128 times the last full season they played together in 2022.
Last week
College: 0-3
NFL: 1-2
Season
College: 18-15
NFL: 17-9-1
Tony
Michigan at Oregon (-10.5): A couple weeks ago I said Oregon was dead, but the Ducks are back like the Undertaker in a casket match. There is an actual path to the Big 10 championship and CFP. Meanwhile, Kyle Whittingham could be gone after one year at Michigan. Oregon 31, Michigan 17
USC (+7) at Indiana: As much as I dislike Lincoln Riley and USC, I think this is too many points. Indiana is nowhere near what it was a season ago. The last time USC visited the Midwest, it was ugly in Wisconsin. I think USC keeps it close, but Indiana wins in a low-scoring contest. Indiana 17, USC 14
Utah at Arizona (+2.5): After beating BYU in the Holy War, Utah has to go on the road for a sneaky, tough game at Arizona. Did the Utes use everything up last Saturday. Shocker city, as an undefeated goes down. Arizona 30, Utah 24
Vikings at Packers (-3): You Like That!!! We will see. Kirk Cousins is back and better than ever with Minnesota. The happiest person in the world? Justin Jefferson. The Packers are playing well. If this game is in Minnesota, I probably go the other way. Packers 24, Vikings 20
Seahawks (-6.5) at Raiders: You had to make the QB change now Las Vegas. Throwing in Fernando Mendoza straight into the burning building against Seattle. The game is in Vegas but there may be more Seahawk fans. The Seattle defense will go after the Heisman winner. Seahawks 31, Raiders 10
Steelers (+3.5) at Bengals: Pittsburgh enjoyed a week off, while Cincinnati are getting back from winning in Spain. Joe Burrow may be the MVP. A Aron is playing well but the Steelers will do their best to run the ball and use the clock. Steelers 24, Bengals 23
Last week
College: 2-1
NFL: 3-0
Season
College: 14-19
NFL: 10-15-1
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