A rarity happened last weekend. Alabama played a home game and I was on my couch. But, that gave me the opportunity to watch a lot of football. Clemson was impressive controlling Lamar Jackson. Unfortunately for last year’s Heisman winner, he does not have much of a supporting class. Texas played USC much closer than I anticipated. San Diego St confirmed my faith in them and I begin to wonder if they will get the Non 5 invite to the big bowls. That would create an interesting waiting game for me and the Las Vegas Bowl I attend each season. UCLA fell on its face in Memphis. I don’t buy the body clock argument. Memphis beat them, straight up. UCLA has no D and they seem more suited to the Big 12.
The SEC proved once again that it may be Bama and the rest. Miss St embarrassed LSU. I read somewhere an angry LSU fan asking why they would fire the coach with the best win percentage in LSU history in order to hire the coach with the worst winning percentage in Ole Miss history. Vandy made the conference proud by beating Kansas St. In doing so, The ‘Dores got their first win over a ranked non-conference opponent since Harry Truman was in office. Auburn not only struggled against Mercer, a team that restarted its football program five years ago, they lost their backup QB (kicked off team) and one of its top recruits from a couple of seasons ago (transferring). Methinks there’s trouble on the Plains. For the first time since 1906, Kentucky, Vandy, and Miss St are all 3-0.
I went 3-2 in my Vegas 5 last week bringing my season total to 8-6-1. I moved to 50-22 in Top 25 and SEC games.
This week, I anticipate some great games. Conference play is in full swing for most everyone. For starters, giving 28 points is never that smart a play. That being said, I’ll take Oklahoma (-27.5) over Baylor. The Bears and the karma tour continues. Stanford will not lose three in a row. Therefore, I take Stanford (-7) over UCLA. Staying out West, Give me Cal (+17) over USC. USC wins, but Cal keeps it close. I also want Old Dominion (+27.5) against Virginia Tech. Lastly, Iowa (+12.5) against Penn St. And how cool is their new 1st Quarter tradition of waving to the patients of the children’s hospital next to the stadium?
Happy betting and expect the podcast to return next week.
The Mat Hudson 