Our first and only double weekend is coming up. We start off in Kennesaw, Georgia to see the Owls host the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State. This is not exactly a clash of titans with the 1-3 Cocks coming into play the winless Owls. Regrettably I did not do any real research before this game and actually plunked down $40 for some decent seats. I probably would have been much better off sticking with $20 General Admission. Not surprisingly, I haven’t had much luck getting anyone to come to this game and so I have yet to pull the trigger on the $48 ticket to the tailgate lot. Can we get someone from the Coles College of Business to explain the impact of supply and demand on pricing at Kennesaw State?
Thankfully Friday is just an appetizer for the big meal – Auburn vs Georgia on Saturday. I already have tailgating set up for this one. Admittedly, having them both lose last weekend has taken off some of the luster of this game. And while my ticket isn’t cheap, it is at least a $100 less than it was a week ago. The biggest concern now is that the Dawgs will still be smarting from last week’s loss against Bama and simply destroy Auburn in a fog of unmitigated anger. And of course, the tragedies of Hurricane Helene cannot be forgotten. Hopefully a good weekend of football will give the folks in the process of rebuilding a small but welcomed diversion.
Last Week: On the Couch
I had a nice fall break last week at the shore until Helene knocked out the internet on Friday night and I was left watching the Virginia Tech via text updates from my buddies. As we drove home Saturday, I was humming some random fight song and my wife said to me “I can tell you are ready to watch some football.” Indeed, I spent the remainder of Saturday parked on my couch jumping from game to game while updating the September SI wall calendar. I love going to games, but sometimes it is nice to be on the couch taking it all in.
Notes from last week.
- I am not big into conspiracy theories, but it is hard to comprehend how that Virginia Tech Hail Mary touchdown was overturned. Admittedly, it should have never came to it, but I feel for the Hokies on that one.
- Spent the afternoon watching Texas A&M squeak one out against Arkansas while simultaneously watching Auburn throw away the game against Oklahoma. The Sooners had no business winning that game.
- I had wondered how good BYU was, but with their win over Baylor to go 5-0, it is pretty clear they are for real.
- Honestly, for much of the Georgia – Bama game, it was relegated to a side screen. Instead, I was watching Illinois – Penn State. I was surprised as anyone when Georgia came storming back. It would have been grand theft larceny if the Dawgs actually won that game.
The Picks
Week 4 Results
The wheels are starting to fall off – another 1-3 weekend.
- I could not have been more wrong about Buffalo. They were never in the game against UConn. Who knew the Huskies were good – apparently Vegas did.
- New QB for UNLV, no problem. No drama apparently with all the QB NIL issues as the Rebels rolled over Fresno State.
- I had Liberty in the App State game, but it was cancelled. I scrambled and picked another loser as favored La Tech lost outright to FIU.
- I actually almost bet the Penn State game twice. I wish I had. It was the only game I got right.
Week 5 Picks
When your bets are doing as badly as mine, you can’t help but feel shaky on every pick. The ironic thing is that in my “fun” bets, I am killing it. Maybe I just can’t handle the pressure that cash bets bring.
- As mentioned, not much luster in the Jax State – Kennesaw State game I am attending. Hopefully, the Owls will respond to the bright lights of Friday Night TV. I am taking them so that at least I can cheer in earnest at the game on Friday night.
- UNLV burned me last week and looked really good doing it. The Orange also burned me against Stanford earlier this year. Pulling for the Rebels in this one.
- Betting on a rivalry game, particularly those between the Armed Forces, is fraught with peril. Navy has looked really good and Air Force not so much. Taking the Middies for the win.
- Another rivalry game, but I am banking on Georgia re-establishing their dominance with a big win over Auburn. Plus, it will add some honesty to my cheers on Saturday afternoon.
Ironically, Miami’s dubious win last week gets them on ESPN GameDay for their visit to Cal with a 5:30 PST kickoff. While I like the Bay area as much as anyone, color me unimpressed with the Cal experience. On the plus side, with Virginia Tech playing Stanford at 12:30 PST, one could pick up the rare same-day double. If I hadn’t been to those schools years ago, that’s probably where I would have been this weekend. Honestly, ESPN didn’t have much to pick from for GameDay spots. Maybe the Iowa – Ohio State game will be a good one. I think Missouri at Texas A&M is the one to watch this weekend. WVU also usually plays Oklahoma State close, but I wouldn’t sleep on ODU at Coastal Carolina either. It could be an interesting game.
That’s all I got, enjoy the games (and the September SI Cover Wall Calendar below).
Tree
