It’s that time again.

I’m not going to tally how I did in the previous blog, because just like the Georgia football program, I operate on a 24-hour rule.

Here’s this week’s playlist:

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

Temple @ Memphis
Western Kentucky @ Louisiana Tech
Iowa @ Minnesota
Maryland @ Penn State
Texas @ Oklahoma
Notre Dame @ NC State
Auburn @ Mississippi State
Georgia Tech @ Pittsburgh
Houston @ Navy
Tennessee @ Texas A&M
Virginia Tech @ North Carolina
Purdue @ Illinois
BYU @ Michigan State
Colorado @ USC
Vanderbilt @ Kentucky
Alabama @ Arkansas
Texas Tech @ Kansas State
Syracuse @ Wake Forest
Georgia @ South Carolina
Florida State @ Miami (FL)
Utah State @ Colorado State
UCLA @ Arizona State
Arizona @ Utah

 

Thursday 8:00 Temple @ Memphis (-6.5)

The Song: “Maybe It Was Memphis” by Pam Tillis. The American Athletic Conference has seemed to be in Houston’s back pocket all season, but that’s not to say the Cougars don’t have some competition to knock them off their pedestal. Maybe it was supposed to be Memphis, but the Tigers look considerably weaker than they were in 2015. The Tigers probably can’t keep up the pace they displayed in a 77-point outburst against Bowling Green two weeks ago, but the good news is Temple isn’t a world-beater, either.  

The Spread: Memphis’ offense has looked strong several times this year despite losing its quarterback from last year, and Temple’s season-opening loss to Army still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I’m taking Memphis to win and cover this spread at home.

Saturday 12:00 Texas @ Oklahoma (-6.5)

The Song: “God Blessed Texas” by Little Texas. God Bless Texas. The Longhorns win in double-overtime against Notre Dame in Week 1, and everyone — not excluding myself — is convinced Texas is back and Charlie Strong is a genius. Fast-forward through two losses to California and Oklahoma State, and the fan base is enraged and the athletic director is evaluating Strong and what happened last Saturday. I’ve been sent to spread the message: Strong needs to win this one.

The Spread: As disgruntled as Texas supporters are, the folks backing Boomer Sooner can’t be much happier. Oklahoma’s defense has been putrid for most of 2016, which includes last week when they almost blew a big lead in the victory over TCU. I think Texas takes some pressure off its head coach with its second-straight win in the Red River Rivalry, leaving Bob Stoops’ seat to heat up a bit.

Saturday 12:00 LSU (-1) @ Florida

The Song: “When the Tigers Broke Free” by Pink Floyd. Last week, the Tigers broke free from whatever has held their offense back, as they set a school record for yardage in a conference game in a blowout victory over Missouri. Another strong showing Saturday can help LSU get the ball rolling and help Coach O’s job prospects.

The Spread: Florida’s offense has been misfiring ever since halftime of the Tennessee game. Even with Leonard Fournette likely sitting this one out, I think the Bayou Bengals bowl over the Gators, though no fake field goals will be included this go around.

Saturday 3:30 Tennessee @ Texas A&M (-6.5)

The Song: “Wake Up Call” by Maroon 5. Tennessee has been pulling comebacks left and right this season and have notably overcome double-digit deficits against Appalachian State, Virginia Tech, Florida and Georgia. However, if the Volunteers think they can afford to start slow against the maroon-clad Aggies, well, they’re in for a real wake up call.

The Spread: It’s hard to bet against a team like the Volunteers who has come back several times when it seemed the perfect opportunity to count them out, but this Aggies squad seems in prime position to top Tennessee. I’m picking Texas A&M to win, but when it comes to the spread, give me Tennessee and the points.

Saturday 3:30 Virginia Tech @ North Carolina (-5.5)

The Song: “Carolina in My Mind” by James Taylor. We’ve seen this story before: UNC loses a season opener against an SEC team only to run roughshod through ACC play onto the conference title game. Carolina, in my mind, is the best ACC Coastal squad by far, and they can prove it on Saturday.

The Spread: Virginia Tech has shown upside in Justin Fuente’s first season, including blowout wins in the last two weeks. Still, the Tar Heels are on a roll after upsetting Florida State, and I don’t see that slowing down Saturday. I’m taking North Carolina to cover in this victory.

Saturday 4:00 Colorado @ USC (-4)

The Song: “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver. The interest in this Rocky Mountain team seems to be an all-time high, as the Colorado Buffaloes are 4-1 and just finished dismantling Oregon State after upending Oregon. This game against USC can mean a lot in Mike MacIntyre’s attempt to keep his team relevant in the Pac-12.

The Spread: USC seems to be back on the right track after a slow start to 2016, but I can’t stop myself from buying into the Colorado hype train. I say the Buffaloes pull off a late touchdown in the fourth quarter to silence The Coliseum.   

Saturday 4:00 Vanderbilt @ Kentucky (-2)

The Song: “Brick House” by The Commodores. Vanderbilt’s defense looked like a brick house against Florida; the problem was the Commodores’ offense was as sturdy as a house of straw. Kentucky, meanwhile, was able to hang around with Alabama briefly last week before the Crimson Tide turned it on. Only hardcore SEC fans will want to watch these two teams play patty cake through four quarters Saturday. Viewer discretion advised.

The Spread: Both head coaches could really use this victory to give them a little more wiggle room going down the stretch this season. I don’t see one team as being much better than the other, but for some reason I have more confidence in the ‘Dores. Vanderbilt pulls the “upset.”  

Saturday 7:00 Alabama @ Arkansas (-13)

The Song: “The Razors Edge” by AC/DC. As good as Alabama has been for about the last eight years, the Crimson Tide have managed only one undefeated season in that stretch. There’s always one game that catches Alabama off guard and causes one week of people believing the dynasty is over. I have a sneaking suspicion the Razorbacks edge past Alabama.

The Spread: The game’s in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Arkansas has been within striking distance of Alabama the last two years, including a one-point loss to Alabama the last time here. Something about this series reminds me of Georgia-Tennessee last year. Tennessee was due then, and although Alabama is a wee bit stronger than Georgia was, I believe Arkansas is due this time around.

Saturday 7:30 Georgia (-8.5) @ South Carolina

The Song: “Georgia” by Field Mob and Ludacris featuring Jamie Foxx. We get a remix of sorts in this matchup, as former Georgia teammates, Valdosta State assistants and Nick Saban proteges Kirby Smart and Will Muschamp square off in Columbia, South Carolina. Smart debunked the idea that facing Muschamp didn’t make this game mean more or less to him, basically saying nothing was on his mind but — you guessed it — Georgia.  

The Spread: The Bulldogs are coming off a last-second loss to Tennessee, while South Carolina is fresh off a fairly close defeat at the hands of Texas A&M. Some think Georgia is ready to take out its frustrations on the Gamecocks, but the fact Georgia hasn’t blown out anyone in 2016 makes me hesitate on that. Include that and potentially terrible weather that slows down the offenses, and it leads me to say Georgia wins but does not cover that spread.

Saturday 8:00 Florida State @ Miami (-1.5)

The Song: “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by The Scorpions. The Miami program is drawing interest on the national level for the first time since the Larry Coker era, but the Hurricanes face a true test in a reeling Florida State program. A home victory for Mark Richt would get Canes’ fans rocking and may be the precipice of The U’s true return.

The Spread: Seminoles defensive coordinator Charles Kelly has been on blast for much of 2016, and odds are that he and the coaching staff couldn’t patch all the holes on this defense in the time since the 37-35 loss to North Carolina. Brad Kaaya and the Hurricanes give Florida State its first two-game losing streak since 2011.