Gamecocks Favored in Norman…….Texas/Georgia pick……Top 25

The most important game for the Oklahoma Sooners is this week when they host the South Carolina Gamecocks.  Win and an bowl game is assured for OU.  A loss and that bowl might be just out of reach.  I have little confidence that the Sooners will get their offense going against an excellent SC defense as I have the visitors taking a hard fought contest 20 to 16.  Can OU block the front seven of SC?  No.  Again, turnovers will be key.

In the big SEC tussle in Austin, Texas will prove that they are the cream of the conference as I have them taking the Bulldogs of Georgia apart 37 to 24.  Georgia a good team but Texas in 2024 is the team to beat, not only in the conference but the nation.  Do not expect a slow first quarter as of the OU game last week for Texas.  It will be Hook’em all day long.

Friday night in Provo BYU will take the Oklahoma State Cowboys apart with a 45 to 24 win.  OSU has a quarterback problem and that veteran offensive line cannot block for Ollie Gordon.  BYU will get all they want as they move toward the Big 12 title game later in the year.

Alabama and Tennessee play in Knoxville in another top game.  I have the Vols 27-24.  It will be a close shave for either team to win.    

Top 25

1.   Texas

2.   Oregon

3.   Penn State

4.   Miami (Fla)

5.   Iowa State

6.   BYU

7.   LSU

8.   Ohio State

9.   Georgia

10.   Alabama

11.   Tennessee

12.   Texas Aggies

13.   Clemson

14.   Kansas State

15.   Boise State

16.   Army

17.   Pittsburgh

18.   Nebraska

19.   Indiana

20.   Navy

21.   Missouri

22.   Michigan

23.   SMU

24.   Vanderbilt

25.   Illinois 

Predictions for the Week

Friday

Oregon 46 at Purdue 13

Duke 24  and Florida State 21

Saturday

Miami (Fla) 31 at Louisville 24

Clemson 41 and Virginia 14

Indiana 22 and Nebraska 21

Missouri 25 and Auburn 17

Army 46 and East Carolina 18

Wisconsin 31 at Northwestern 17

Rutgers 26 and UCLA 14

Arizona State 21 at Cincinnati 15

Tulsa 24 and Temple 21

Tennessee 27 and Alabama 24

Notre Dame 24 at  Georgia Tech 23

Michigan 31 at Illinois 24

Navy 41 and Charlotte 24

NC State 31 and California 28

Kansas 30 and Houston 17

USC 34 at Maryland 21

Arizona 27 and Colorado 24

Texas Tech 25 and Baylor 22

Texas Aggies 27 at Mississippi State 18

LSU 23 at Arkansas 21

Iowa State 27 and UCF 10

Florida 17 and Kentucky 14

Kansas State 32 at West Virginia 24

SMU 38 at Stanford 18

Utah 37 and TCU 21

Feature Photo:  Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (9) is stripped of the ball by Texas in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)