The Reverse Barometer is back, which is good news for some (fans of the teams I pick to lose) and better news for others (unquestioned entertainment as you contemplate your weekend football picks). Just do yourself a favor, bet the exact opposite of what I say and you’ll be safe. I think. I mean, bet at your own risk. Oh, what the heck – here are the predictions.
Ohio State at Oklahoma: If Bob Stoops is known as “Big Game Bob,” then Urban Meyer is… “Unreal Urban?” I don’t know. But with a record of 156-27 as a head coach (third-best winning percentage, all-time) with three National Titles, I think Meyer is doing just fine. I give Oklahoma a chance, simply because it’s in Norman. But it will take an impressive performance by Baker Mayfield to get it done. But OU backup quarterback Austin Kendall went out this week and called Ohio State’s defense “basic.” I think it’s probably closer to “unreal” and the Buckeyes now have some bulletin board material as a result. Nice move, Austin. Ohio State 31, Oklahoma 21
Florida State at Louisville: The Seminoles have plenty of athletes on their roster but they don’t have “the athlete” – Lamar Jackson (who will win the Heisman Trophy this year, by the way). The Louisville signal caller has 13 touchdowns over two games and will add a few more on Saturday. Look for Louisville to run wild. Plus the Cardinals are honoring native son Muhammad Ali at the game, which has to count for something. Louisville floats like a butterfly and stings like Lamar Jackson. Cardinals 29, Florida State 27
Texas at Cal: Texas should win this game, and they better. The next two games are at Oklahoma State and then OU. A 3-0 start would continue to boost their confidence greatly while a loss may bring them back down to earth. But the Cal D is terrible and Texas should be able to run on them. The Bears will be able to score points too, so take the over. The Longhorn media love fest rolls on. Texas 45, Cal 31
Alabama at Ole Miss: Fact – Ole Miss has never beaten Alabama in three consecutive games. The Rebels have a two-game winning streak vs. the Tide coming in. The last time any team beat Alabama in three consecutive games was in 2007, before Nick Saban got there. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Tide will win this game, it’s just can Ole Miss cover the 11-point spread? Maybe, but does it really matter to anyone but Vegas? No. Tide rolls, 39-30
Texas A&M at Auburn: The losing coach in this game might jump to the front of the line for hottest seat in the nation, especially if it is Gus Malzhan. This will be the fifth matchup between the two since A&M joined the SEC, with the road team winning all of the match-ups. I like A&M’s defense in this one, but it’s Trevor Knight that has me uneasy. The Aggies go as far as he will take them, and two bad turnovers by Knight do them in. And the “due” theory that the home team is due to finally win. Auburn 20, A&M 17
