Monthly Archives: October 2023

SEC Football: Week Nine

It’s another five game week in SEC football. 3-2 was last week’s tally and that puts us at 52-14 here in this 2023 season. We dipped just below 80%, at a .787 percentage, so let’s get her back to where she ought to be. Time’s a wastin’. Let’s do it!

South Carolina at Texas A&M (-15.5)

The Cocks are drooping having lost three straight and four of the last five. The Aggies under Jimbo are being the Aggies under Jimbo. Meh. Before I predict the outcome of the clash I’ll make another prediction. Coach Fisher will be gone after this season concludes. Texas A&M 31, South Carolina 17.

Florida vs. Georgia (-14.5) at Jacksonville

I think the Dawgs will drop a game this year but it ain’t gonna be Saturday. The World’s Largest Cocktail Party could be more exciting than people might be thinking. Billy Napier has the Water Lizards looking pretty good. They’ve shown improvement as the season has progressed, but the UGAS still have a bit more bite. Georgia 28, Florida 16.

Tennessee (-3.5) at Kentucky

The Corn Cobbers sashayed around for a half against the Tide last Saturday in T-Town. Then they drowned in a crimson gulf, losing by 14. They could very well lose in Lexington but I’m not feeling it. Tennessee 30, Kentucky 24.

Vanderbilt at Ole Miss (-24.5)

The Bear Sharks have a 95.9% chance of winning this contest according to ESPN’s FPI. The Commodores chances, therefore, come in at a whopping 4.1%. Nuff said. Ole Miss 42, Vanderbilt 17.

And in conclusion…

Miss State at Auburn (-6.5)

Let’s settle on in to the reality of this rebuild on the Plains. It’s going to require time and patience. Hugh Freeze was saddled with a holy mess. We were looking at 3-9 if he hadn’t come in and plugged a few of the holes. I was hoping for, and picked, eight wins for the Tigers this season. That remains possible. On paper. But it would require a sweep of these last five games left on the schedule. The odds are very much not in favor of 8-4. Auburn has a better football team than Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, and New Mexico State. Arkansas? In Fayetteville? Maaaaybe. Bama? Obviously not. But it’s at home. There’s always hope when the game is played at Jordan-Hare. Fact is, I’d settle for 6-6 and a bowl game. 7-5 is doable. Never forget Saban went 6-6 his first year at the Capstone. Pat Dye was 5-6 in his inaugural season, as was Tommy Tuberville. Dye was 8-3 in year two. Tubs was 9-2. That ain’t happening. Ok. One game at a time. Auburn should beat State at home. Period. Auburn 24, Bull Pups 15.

I’m headed to Lee County, AL this weekend for the first time in 2023. Greatly looking forward to it and a victory for the home team. Holler if you’re in town and care to visit a little while. It should be a lovely day.

Take care out there and love your neighbor(s). Peace out!

Take us home J. J. Cale. (Or Skynyrd if you so desire)

“Well, now they call me the breeze
I keep blowing down the road
Well, now they call me the breeze
I keep blowing down the road
I ain’t got me nobody
I don’t carry me no load”

SEC Football: Week Eight

We landed back in Acworth, GA late Wednesday afternoon from our trip out west. It was such a grand time of sightseeing and visiting with dear, dear friends. I hope you enjoyed the abbreviated SEC picks sessions of the past two college football Saturdays. The overall record now stands at 49-12. That’s an .803 pct. Still at 80% after seven weeks. Now let’s jump on in to Week Eight.

Miss State at Arkansas (-6.5)

The Hawgs have been playing opponents off their feet but just can’t seem to seal the deal. Seeing as how the Bull Pups might be the worst team in the SEC and the game is taking place in Fayetteville, a win appears to be in the offing for Sam “Cold Beer” Pittman and his troops. Arkansas 31, Miss State 20.

Tennessee at Alabama (-9.5)

The third Saturday in October. Vols (5-1) and Tide (6-1). Both teams coming off close wins. The visitors winning 20-13 0ver the Aggies and the home team squeaking by Arky 24-21. Bama will be looking to avenge a last second loss in Knoxville last season and the Rocky Toppers seek to stick close to Georgia in the SEC East race. Those two go to war on 11/18 in Neyland Stadium. But to the business at hand. I simply do not see Josh Heupel & Co. stealing one in T-Town. Alabama 28, Tennessee 21.

South Carolina at Missouri (-7.5)

Speaking of nipping at UGA’s paws, the MO Tigers have only one conference loss. They’ll be trying to keep pace, as well. The Roosters are 2-4 with three conference losses. Thus, they are out of contention in the East. All they can do now is crush some other team’s hopes. Were this contest being held in Columbia, SC instead of Columbia, MO, I might be inclined to pick the Cocks. But it ain’t and I ain’t pickin’ Beamer’s boys. Eli’s Tigers go to 7-1! Missouri 34, South Carolina 24.

Army at LSU (-32)

My alma mater, the Troy Trojans, shutout the Black Knights up at West Point last Satday. That is one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen. On the shores of the Hudson River. This one will be played on the mighty Mississippi. Red Stick. Our Auburn Tigers were pummeled there last weekend. Army will see a similar fate tomorrow night. LSU 45, Army 6.

And…

Ole Miss (-6.5) at Auburn

Two teams seemingly headed in opposites directions. Our Tigers have dropped three conference games in a row and stand at 3-3 on the year. The Reb-Bears ar 5-1 with their only loss coming in Tuscaloosa to Nick’s Crimpson Tide. Quarterback quarterback. What are the hometown Tigers to do? Beats me. But if we want to hypothesize for a moment, here’s my take. Auburn meeds to run the football early and often. Keep the ball away from that high-powered Old Mrs., offense, run the clock, and keep it close with a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Peering into the crystal ball, I see fleet footed Robby Ashford leading a late drive, scoring himself, and propelling the home teams to an upset of the 13th ranked Lane Train. Auburn 30, Ole Miss 28.

That’s that. Only five games involving SEC teams this weekend. Football weather. We ran into football weather on our two week jaunt out west, featuring New Mexico. What a beautiful place! And having an evening to honky tonk in Ft. Worth was special. We spent our first three years of marriage in Cowtown. We loved it. But! There’s no place like home!

Hey! Enjoy the weekend and lotsa football! There are some big ones on the docket besides the SEC clashes. Penn State at Ohio State. Duke at Florida State. Utah at Southern Cal. Two Alabama teams have already chalked up victories. South Alabama clobbered Southern Miss, 55-3, and Jax State eased by Western Kentucky, 20-17. So onward we press. Take care out there and love your neighbor. Peace out!

Take us home, King George…

“Cold Fort Worth beer, just ain’t no good for jealous
I’ve tried it night, after night
You’re in someone else’s arms in Dallas
Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind?”

Photo credit Openverse

SEC Football: Week Six

Welcome to an abbreviated session of revelatory SEC Football predictions! Like Willie we are on the road again. No won/lost record update. And blah blah blah. Let’s get to it!

LSU (-5.5) at Missouri

The Tyguz scored 49 points last week against Ole Miss. Problem is, the Reb-Bears tallied fiddy five. Yep! The ol’ double nickel. Felines aplenty in CO-Mo. Which will snarl most loudly? The eight ball says! LSU 35, Missouri 31.

Western Michigan at Miss State (-20.5)

Broncos and Cowbells. Sounds like a Wyoming love song. Or Bulldogs and Broncos. Same difference. The Bullies are in a dead heat with Vandy for dead last in the SEC. Don’t think I care to follow this one closely. I’ll hide, You watch. State 34,Western 16.

Alabama (-1) at Texas A&M

So (a needle pulling thread) The Tide is minus one AND has a 66% chance of winning. The Tide spanked Arky in its last outing while the Pachyderms crushed mighty State. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again. Jimbo told Nickydemus he’ll need to be saved if things go south for him in College Station. But The Fisher man has a parachute worth many multi millions. It’s all good. Alabama 28, Texas A&M 23.

Ok. That’s all the time I have to pick before the games get underway. We are on the road from Fort Worth to Alienville, NM. Nanu nanu. And it’s 10:06 CT, Saturday AM

Here are your winners of the remaining three SEC games for today.

Vanderbilt at Florida (-18)
Gators. Do they cover? I don’t care.

Kentucky at Georgia (-14)

Dawgs win but do not cover.

Arkansas at Ole Miss (-13)

Lane Train (or Trane if you’re into the whole HVAC thang) wins and covers.

Gotta wrap this Week Six up. Not easy trying to type in a moving vehicle, especially if you’re driving. No no no. Miss LeCroy is behind the wheel. And I words cannot express how great an evening we had, last night, at Fort Worth’s oldest and best honky tonk, the Longhorn Saloon. IMHO the world’s best honky tonk.

Take care. Enjoy the games. And love your neighbor. Peace out. Take us home Waylon…

“Well, the Honky Tonks in Texas
Were my natural second home
The way you tip your hat to the ladies
In the rose of San Antone.

I grew up on music
That we call western swing
It don’t matter whose in Austin
Bob Wills is still the king…”