TUCKER’S PICK ‘EM: College football picks and previews for Week 9

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – 41NBC’s Tucker Sargent makes his picks in this week’s games of interest.

Record last week: 8-2

Record this season: 71-22

All Times Eastern

All FBS rankings reflect latest Associated Press poll

 

Appalachian State (5-2, 3-0 Sun Belt) @ Georgia Southern (4-3, 3-1 Sun Belt)
Thursday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. ESPNU
Any rivalry called “Deeper Than Hate” is worth watching, even if the last two meetings have ended in blowouts.

Georgia Southern won by 20 points in 2014. Last season, Appalachian State won by 18:

Appalachian State 26, Georgia Southern 17

Actual Score: Appalachian State 34, Georgia Southern 10 (WIN)

 

 

Kentucky (4-3, 3-2 SEC) @ Missouri (2-5, 0-3 SEC)
Saturday, October 29 at 12 p.m. SEC NETWORK
Who had Kentucky still alive in the SEC East race nine weeks into the season?

It’s awesome, but if your hand is raised, put it down:

Missouri 30, Kentucky 24

Actual Score: Kentucky 35, Missouri 21 (LOSS)

 

 

Duke (3-4, 0-3 ACC) @ Georgia Tech (4-3, 1-3 ACC)
Saturday, October 29 at 12 p.m. ACC NETWORK
Georgia Tech has lost to Duke two years in a row after winning ten straight in the series from 2004-2013.

The Yellow Jackets will start a new streak Saturday:

Georgia Tech 31, Duke 27

Actual Score: Georgia Tech 38, Duke 35 (WIN)

 

 

No. 2 Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) @ Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten)
Saturday, October 29 at 12 p.m. ESPN
Michigan State is in a downward spiral. After opening the season with two wins in two tries, the Spartans have lost five games in a row.

Things don’t get any easier Saturday:

Michigan 44, Michigan State 10

Actual Score: Michigan 32, Michigan State 23 (WIN)

 

 

Mercer (4-3, 2-2 SoCon) @ Wofford (4-3, 2-2 SoCon)
Saturday, October 29 at 1:30 p.m. ESPN3
Mercer is 0-2 against Wofford since joining the Southern Conference, including a 34-33 overtime loss last season.

I would take the Bears if the game were in Macon, but it’s not:

Wofford 31, Mercer 24

Actual Score: Wofford 31, Mercer 21 (WIN)

 

 

Fort Valley State (2-6, 2-3 SIAC) @ Morehouse (2-6, 1-3 SIAC)
Saturday, October 29 at 2 p.m.
Fort Valley State won its homecoming game last week over Central State and could pull to .500 in the conference by beating Morehouse.

Maroon Tigers > Wildcats:

Morehouse 35, Fort Valley State 24

Actual Score: Fort Valley State 24, Morehouse 16 (LOSS)

 

 

No. 14 Florida (5-1, 3-1 SEC) vs. Georgia (4-3, 2-3 SEC)
Saturday, October 29 at 3:30 p.m. CBS
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party River City Showdown pits the well-rested Florida Gators against the sort-of-rested (and coming off a loss to Vanderbilt) Georgia Bulldogs.

Kirby Smart could silence his critics with an upset win:

Florida 21, Georgia 16

Actual Score: Florida 24, Georgia 10 (WIN)

 

 

No. 4 Washington (7-0, 4-0 Pac-12) @ No. 17 Utah (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12)
Saturday, October 29 at 3:30 p.m. FS1
Washington has reeled off 10 straight wins since beating Oregon State 52-7 last November.

The streak started two weeks after a loss to Utah, a first for the Huskies in the nine-game series that dates back to 1931:

Washington 47, Utah 31

Actual Score: Washington 31, Utah 24 (WIN)

 

 

Georgia State (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) @ South Alabama (3-4, 0-4 Sun Belt)
Saturday, October 29 at 5 p.m. ESPN3
South Alabama, a team with wins over Mississippi State and San Diego State, is still winless in the Sun Belt.

Gotta love college football:

Georgia State 23, South Alabama 21

Actual Score: South Alabama 13, Georgia State 10 (LOSS)

 

 

No. 7 Nebraska (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) @ No. 11 Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten)
Saturday, October 29 at 7 p.m. ESPN
Nebraska is enjoying its best start since 2001, the year senior quarterback Eric Crouch led the Cornhuskers to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the Rose Bowl.

The ‘Huskers will drop to 7-1 though after their fourth straight loss to Wisconsin:

Wisconsin 28, Nebraska 17

Actual Score: Wisconsin 23, Nebraska 17 – OT (WIN)

 

 

No. 15 Auburn (5-2, 3-1 SEC) @ Ole Miss (3-4, 1-3 SEC)
Saturday, October 29 at 7:15 p.m. SEC NETWORK
Ole Miss is getting worse, and Auburn is getting better.

Expect another big day from the Tigers’ ground game:

Auburn 41, Ole Miss 23

Actual Score: Auburn 40, Ole Miss 29 (WIN)

 

 

No. 18 Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 SEC) @ South Carolina (3-4, 1-4 SEC)
Saturday, October 29 at 7:15 p.m. ESPN2
Tennessee looks to be in control of the SEC East, but a loss to South Carolina could make things interesting.

The Vols haven’t played since their embarrassing loss to Alabama:

Tennessee 33, South Carolina 23

Actual Score: South Carolina 24, Tennessee 21 (LOSS)

 

 

No. 3 Clemson (7-0, 4-0 ACC) @ No. 12 Florida State (5-2, 2-2 ACC)
Saturday, October 29 at 8 p.m. ABC
It’s become the ACC game everyone circles on the calendar.

Clemson is still alive in the playoff hunt, while Florida State is looking to play spoiler:

Clemson 27, Florida State 23

Actual Score: Clemson 37, Florida State 34 (WIN)