Ricks Picks

This was an entertaining week of college and high school football. A couple of surprises and perhaps a couple of disappointments, but that's part of the game, right? Even with a couple of surprises, my record last week was a respectable (I suppose) 13-2. I'm still hoping for a perfect record one week. Perhaps this will be the week. Let's get right to work, shall we?

Georgia vs. Tennessee
I'm beginning to think it will be a long season up on Rocky Top for the Tennessee Volunteers. They were pretty much dominated by the swamp lizards, especially by the Gator defense. This week the Vols face a Georgia team that seems to be firing on all cylinders. That could mean another dismal afternoon between the bushes in Athens.
Rick's Pick: Georgia

Florida State vs. Louisville
Despite losing Lamar Jackson at quarterback from last season, I still think Louisville is a pretty good football team. I'm also not ready to throw in the towel on the Seminoles, just yet. I have heard there is a “Go Fund Me” account set up to buy out Willie Taggert's contract. So far, it has raised a whopping $70 or so. That only leaves $20,999,930 to go if that effort is to be successful. My suggestion would be for those 'Noles to practice a bit more patience, hold on to their money and give Taggert a chance. But I still think Louisville has a slight edge this week.
Rick's Pick: Louisville

Florida vs. Miss. State
I had a friend accuse me this past week of picking Florida simply based on my “Gator bias.” I do admit to having a “Gator bias,” but that's not why I have picked them recently. This week could be a tough one for the Gators as they face a good Mississippi State team. The Bulldogs were handled pretty well by the Kentucky Wildcats, which was a bit of an upset, but not entirely surprising. Kentucky has a pretty good ball team this year. I think that does show some chinks in the Bulldogs' armor. I think this will be a pretty close game, but I think the Gators' defense will be the difference in this game, albeit a close one.
Rick's Pick: Florida

LSU vs. Ole Miss.
This will be another fun game to watch. In the past, the home team has usually won this game. This game is in Baton Rouge. I think the home team will win this game again.
Rick's Pick: LSU

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M
This is a rivalry game that goes way back to the days when these two teams were in the Southwest Conference. This year, the game is in Arlington, Texas and Arlington has generally not been a friendly place for the Razorbacks. That, and the fact that the Aggies are simply a better team leads me to believe the Aggies will win this one.
Rick's Pick: Texas A&M

South Carolina vs. Kentucky
This is probably a game that not many people would have paid much attention to earlier in the year. That was before the Kentucky Wildcats opened some eyes with pretty dominating wins over Florida and Mississippi State. I'm not quite ready to begin drinking the “Kentucky Kool-aide” just yet, but I am convinced that Kentucky is a really good team. I think this will be close, but I think the Wildcats will pull off what, in other years, would be an upset.
Rick's Pick: Kentucky

Ohio State vs. Penn State
I have begun to think the games I've been featuring in our weekly “Pigskin Picks” contest (which I encourage you to enter) have been a little too easy. This week, I decided to throw in a contest that should be a good, close match in the Big Ten. Look for this game to be a good knock-down, drag-out contest; but when the dust settles, I think the Buckeyes will be on top.
Rick's Pick: Ohio State

Aucilla vs. Munroe
This is a big rivalry game every year for both schools and rivalry games often take on a life of their own. That's just one reason they can be so much fun. The Warriors are coming off a bye week and they should be well-rested. Look for Wirick and company to put up big numbers in the rushing department.
Rick's Pick: Aucilla

Jefferson Somerset vs. Hamilton County
The Jefferson Somerset Tigers are a much improved team over last year. This week, they face former district foes, the Hamilton County Trojans. The Trojans are winless so far this season. With the success the Tigers have had so far this season, I think the Trojans will still be winless after this week.
Rick's Pick: Jefferson Somerset

Rick's Extra Points
Here are a few more games I'll be paying attention to, just for fun: Auburn over Southern Miss., Central Florida over Pitt, Michigan State over Central Michigan, Clemson over Syracuse and Alabama over Louisiana. So there you have it from me, let us know what you think by entering our Pigskin Picks contest. You could be our next lucky winner!