I have learned my lesson and I will no longer be hitching my wagon to the Gators or Hurricanes. Florida and Miami were two of my four wrong selections from last week’s action. Entering the final weekend of the regular season, “The Clues” are now 36-28 for the year.
There is rock bottom and then there is this:
Now that I have put myself into a deep depression, let’s get to this week’s picks.
USF – UCF
For whatever reason, they are now calling this rivalry game “The I-4 Corridor Clash.” Apparently the “War on I-4” is either to politically incorrect or too cliché. I propose the “Bull-Knight Brouhaha,” “Stop-Following-Me-From-Conference-to-Conference-Bowl Presented by SunPass,” or anything other than “The I-4 Corridor Clash.”
This rivalry only has four chapters and all four of those have ended happily ever after for USF. This year is going to be much different. The Bulls have been abysmal in Willie Taggart’s first year at the helm, winning just two games. UCF can clinch at least a share of the American Conference championship with a win on Friday night.
Feel free to add your best name idea for this rivalry in the comments section.
Pick: UCF (-27)
Florida State –Florida
The Gators get the Seminoles at home, but that may be the only thing they have going for them. Florida enters on a six-game losing streak, including last week’s atrocity versus Georgia Southern. On the other side, the allegations against FSU quarterback Jameis Winston loom, but it hasn’t seemed to have any impact the last two games.
Florida State was beaten up in the second half by the Gators last year. They will be seeking revenge and there is blood in the water at “The Swamp.”
Pick: FSU (-27.5)
Miami – Pittsburgh
Miami got back on the winning track last week, but it was thanks to their defense which came up with a couple of big plays. Pittsburgh has been up and down all year, but I have no faith in the Hurricanes offense without Duke Johnson. Stephen Morris has been erratic throughout most of the year and this game is in Pittsburgh.
Pick: Pittsburgh (+3)
Other Games I Like:
Mississippi (-3.5) vs Mississippi State
Ohio State (-14.5) vs Michigan
USC (-3.5) vs UCLA
Enjoy the games.