Inspiration can strike you at such weird times.

I’m in the second season of running a college football pick ‘em. Each week, 20 of us make our picks with 25 games that I selected as the notable games of the week. I’m generally in the middle of the group when it comes to picks, which is perfectly fine with me considering how unpredictable college football can be.

That, however, was not the case last week.

I had by far the worst week I’ve ever had, only picking nine games correctly. As a result, I decided I had to change up my pick routine. Not only have I changed my strategy in my handy-dandy spreadsheet, but I decided to turn the hobby into a weekly post involving Spotify.

Each week, I will pick a song or band that ties into my pick for each of the 25 games and put them all together on a Spotify playlist. I will then provide the point spread via Odds Shark for 10 of those games and offer my advice on which side to choose.

Please note that I’m trying to include different genres of music throughout the playlist, but when all else fails I’ll go with a song or band I listen to regularly. If I miss a song or band that you think is obvious, let me know.

Let’s see how this goes:

 

Games (order is reflected in the playlist’s order)

UConn @ Houston
Stanford @ Washington
Toledo @ BYU
Florida @ Vanderbilt
Texas @ Oklahoma State
Northwestern @ Iowa
Miami @ Georgia Tech
Tennessee @ Georgia
Navy @ Air Force
North Carolina @ Florida State
Wake Forest @ NC State
Wisconsin @ Michigan
Minnesota @ Penn State
Kansas State @ West Virginia
Oklahoma @ TCU
Utah @ California
Memphis @ Ole Miss
South Florida @ Cincinnati
Western Michigan @ Central Michigan
Missouri @ LSU
Louisville @ Clemson
Arizona State @ USC
Oregon @ Washington State
Wyoming @ Colorado State
Arizona @ UCLA

Thursday 8:00 UConn @ Houston (-24.5)

The Song: “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer)” by Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers. There were probably several better songs for this Houston pick, but I stayed with this one because it was basically the song that started the gears turning in my head. Also, another win by the Cougars means Tom Herman and Co. are one day closer to the College Football Playoff.

The Spread: I like Houston in this game, but 24.5 points seems really high considering UConn is making progress, nearly beat Navy last week and — oh yeah — was the only team that beat Houston last season. Give me UConn and the points but Houston to win outright.  

 

Friday 9:00 Stanford @ Washington (-3.5)

The Song: “The Trees” by Rush. Anytime you have a chance to throw Canada’s best on a playlist, you take it and run with it like you’re Christian McCaffrey catching a sweep to the outside.

The Spread: I picked against Stanford last week and got burned on a late drive from the Cardinal offense. I trust McCaffrey and Stanford more than I do Washington at this point in the season. Gimmie Stanford outright.

 

Saturday 12:00 Florida (-8.5) @ Vanderbilt

The Song: “Gator Country” by Molly Hatchet. Florida may be on the road to face the Commodores, but it wouldn’t be a push to call Commodores Stadium “Gator Country.” Florida hasn’t lost to Vanderbilt in Nashville since 1988.

The Spread: Derek Mason got everyone riding the Vanderbilt wave at SEC Media Days only to have it crash onto the beach and leave all those Vandy truthers in a daze. Backup quarterback aside, I don’t see Florida struggling against the Commodores. Give me Florida in a snoozer.

 

Saturday 12:00 Texas @ Oklahoma State (-3)

The Song: “Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughn. Texas fans flooded out of the woodworks in Week 1 after they beat a Notre Dame that, turns out, is not very good. That aside, the 2-1 Longhorns can prove how talented they are when they start Big 12 play Saturday. A bad showing against the Cowboys, however, would leave those outspoken fans singing the blues like Stevie Ray.

The Spread: I remain a Charlie Strong believer even after Texas fell to the Jared Goff-less Cal Bears last week. The Cowboys aren’t a bad team, but I’m going with the Longhorns to start off conference play with a victory.

 

Saturday 3:30 Wake Forest @ N.C. State (-9)

The Song: “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham!. The Demon Deacons have been doing the jitterbug while their opponents have been doing the charleston in 2016, as the team is off to its first 4-0 start since 2006. Wake is definitely on the upswing, but a loss to the Wolfpack would drop them back down like a yo-yo.

The Spread: I’m surprised by the spread on this game, mainly because N.C. State hasn’t been anyone of note this season. Wins over William & Mary and Old Dominion aren’t enough to win my approval. I’m not sold on Wake Forest being for real, but I am picking the Demon Deacons to win this one outright.

 

Saturday 3:30 Wisconsin @ Michigan (-10)

The Song: “Especially in Michigan” by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Wisconsin has been one of the big surprise teams this year, but it’s hard to think the Wolverines will have major issues with the Badgers on Saturday. There’s a lot of people high on Harbaugh and his players to run roughshod over the rest of the Big Ten, especially in Michigan.

The Spread: The Wolverines looked vulnerable against Colorado two weeks ago but rebounded nicely with a 49-10 win over Penn State. However, Wisconsin showed its muscle with a 24-point victory over Michigan State last week. I think Michigan wins this game, but I don’t think they will be able to cover this spread.

 

Saturday 6:00 Utah @ Cal (-2)

The Song: “California Love” by Tupac. The Golden Bears’ offense has treated the gridiron like the wild, wild west this season, having scored 182 points through four games. Utah has shown signs of being a formidable Pac-12 opponent, but I expect Cal to keep it rockin’ on Saturday.

The Spread: California’s defense isn’t exactly the toughest in the nation, but you have to commend new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital for the way the offense has played after losing Goff as the top pick in the NFL Draft. Utah will go neck-and-neck with California, but I expect the Golden Bears to win this home matchup.  

 

Saturday 7:30 Missouri @ LSU (-14)

The Song: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. It is true that both teams in this game are Tigers, but only one has the eye of the tiger on its 50-yard line. LSU is in its first week after a head-coaching change, but it’s hard to imagine the team not rising up to the challenge of winning under interim coach Ed Orgeron.

The Spread: LSU has been underwhelming this season, while Missouri has shown glimpses of being a competitive SEC team. I think Orgeron will help the Bayou Bengals grab this much-needed victory, but I don’t think they cover the spread.

 

Saturday 8:00 Louisville @ Clemson (-3.5)

The Song: “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood. Right now, Louisville is poised for a College Football Playoff run, but that could always fall apart with a bad game against undefeated Clemson. Lamar Jackson could further his Heisman aspirations if he’s able to take a Louisville Slugger to the Tigers’ defense, though that task is easier said than done.

The Spread: It’s easy to see why Clemson is the favorite in this game. They’re coming off a national title game appearance, they’ve got a Heisman contender in QB Deshaun Watson and a stout defense and the game is in Death Valley. That being said, Lamar Jackson proved his ability in the Cardinals’ blowout victory over Florida State. I say Louisville ruins another ACC foe’s undefeated season.

 

Saturday 9:30 Oregon (-1) @ Washington State

The Song: “Authority Song” by John Cougar Mellencamp. It seems like Washington State head coach Mike Leach has been fighting authority ever since the swash-buckler has been on the college football scene. On the other side is Oregon, which is riding a two-game losing streak and is in desperate need of victory. The Ducks’ defense, led by former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke, has been caught in compromising positions several times this season, and I think it’s a total disgrace.

The Spread: Oregon can’t possibly lose to Nebraska, right? Wrong. Well, they’ve got to show up against Colorado, right? Not quite. So, the Ducks will definitely be good to go against Washington State, right? I say no. I’m going with Leach, as I’m want to do when given the option.