Beat My CFB Picks And You Could Win A Tailgate Package

Every Friday morning during CFB season I join Columbia sports talk legend Teddy Hefner on his Fox Sports 1400 show to pick some of the biggest games of the week. If you beat my picks you may win a tailgate package from Mathias Sandwich Shop on St Andrews Rd. Text your picks and your answer for the tiebreaker to 803-315-3292

Vanderbilt at South Carolina (-5.5) Preview

7:45 PM, SEC Network

Vanderbilt heads to Columbia to face South Carolina, with the Gamecocks favored by 5.5 points. Williams-Brice will be loud, but Vandy’s got some fight. Diego Pavia, the Commodores’ dual-threat QB, lit up Virginia Tech last week, throwing for 200 yards and rushing for 80 in a 44-20 rout. Vandy’s offense is clicking, averaging 6.2 yards per play, and their Defense is ranked 5th best in America right now allowing only 191 ypg. This isn't your older brothers Vandy!

South Carolina’s defense is nasty, but not yet elite. allowing 606 total yards and 4.5 yds per play. Our offense is not good. Currently ranked 116th in the country. Vandy’s run-heavy approach will be in trouble with our extra fast LB's flying to Pavia. South Carolina’s 16-game win streak over Vandy looms large—they’ve owned this matchup. Quite honestly if the record wasn't the record or they were playing in Nashville I highly doubt USC would be the favorite. But we are the favorite and we are at home and I'm taking South Carolina to cover at home.

Clemson at Georgia Tech (+3.5) Preview

Noon, ESPN

Clemson rolls into Atlanta to face a feisty Georgia Tech squad, with the Yellow Jackets getting 3.5 points at home. The Tigers’ offense has been sluggish, barely escaping Troy 27-16 last week. QB Cade Klubnik completed just 58% of his passes and threw a pick. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, is 2-0, with Haynes King slinging 2 TDs in a 35-10 beatdown of Syracuse. Their O-line is a strength, but Clemson’s front seven, led by Barrett Carter, can disrupt.

The Yellow Jackets’ defense is suspect, giving up 260 passing yards last week. If Clemson’s offense looks more like the second half of last weeks game they could exploit it. Bobby Dodd Stadium isn’t a fortress, but Tech’s got momentum. Still, Clemson’s talent edge and desperation to avoid an early stumble make them the pick. Tigers cover, but it’s close.

Georgia at Tennessee (+3.5) Preview

3:30 PM, ABC

A classic SEC showdown in Knoxville, with Georgia favored by 3.5 over Tennessee. The Bulldogs are 2-0, leaning on a suffocating defense that’s allowed just 12 points per game. Carson Beck was steady last week, throwing for 220 yards and 2 TDs against Tennessee Tech. Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava is electric, torching Kent State for 3 total TDs, but Georgia’s secondary is a different beast.

The Vols’ defense is fast but undersized, and Georgia’s O-line should control the trenches. Tennessee’s lost eight straight to the Bulldogs, often by double digits. Neyland Stadium will be wild, but Georgia’s discipline and depth are too much. Bulldogs cover on the road.

Florida at LSU (-9.5) Preview

7:30 PM, ABC

LSU hosts Florida with a hefty 9.5-point spread in Death Valley. The Tigers are 2-0, with Garrett Nussmeier dealing, throwing for 300 yards and 3 TDs against Nicholls. Florida’s licking wounds after a brutal loss to USF, but their 2024 upset over LSU shows they can hang. Graham Mertz is gritty, but his 1 TD last week won’t cut it against LSU’s secondary.

The Tigers’ run game, led by Josh Williams, should feast on Florida’s shaky front seven, which allowed 4.8 yards per carry last week. LSU’s crowd will make it tough for the Gators to stay composed. Florida’s got talent, but LSU’s firepower and home edge are overwhelming. Tigers cover big.

Texas A&M at Notre Dame (-7) Preview

7:30 PM, NBC

Notre Dame, favored by 7, hosts Texas A&M in a marquee non-conference clash. The Irish are 0-1 after a shocking loss to Miami, with Riley Leonard struggling (180 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs). A&M’s 2-0, with Conner Weigman looking sharp, throwing for 250 yards and 2 TDs against McNeese. The Aggies’ D-line is fierce, racking up 5 sacks last week.

Notre Dame’s home crowd will push them, but their O-line looked shaky against Miami’s pressure. A&M’s ground game, led by Le’Veon Moss, could exploit the Irish’s 4.1 yards per carry allowed. This feels like a rebound spot for Notre Dame, but A&M’s physicality keeps it tight. Irish win, but Aggies cover.

USF at Miami (-17.5) Preview

4:30 PM, The CW

Miami, favored by a whopping 17.5, hosts a red-hot USF team. The Hurricanes are 2-0, with Cam Ward lighting it up—350 yards and 4 TDs against Florida. USF’s 2-0 too, bullying Boise State and Florida with a stingy run defense (3.7 yards per carry). QB Byrum Brown is a dual-threat, but Miami’s speed on the edges will test him.

The Canes’ O-line is a brick wall, giving Ward time to pick apart USF’s secondary, which allowed 230 passing yards last week. Miami’s home crowd at Hard Rock Stadium adds juice. USF’s scrappy, but the talent gap is real. Miami covers, but USF keeps it respectable.

ECU at Coastal Carolina (+7.5) Preview

7:00 PM, ESPN+

Coastal Carolina hosts ECU, with the Pirates favored by 7.5. ECU’s coming off a tough loss to NC State, where they blew a 17-0 lead. QB Jake Garcia threw for 200 yards but had 2 picks. Coastal’s 1-1, getting smoked 48-7 by Virginia, with their defense allowing 5.5 yards per rush.

ECU’s run game, led by Rahjai Harris, should exploit Coastal’s porous front. The Chanticleers’ QB Ethan Vasko is a runner, but ECU’s secondary is solid, forcing 3 turnovers last week. Conway’s a tough place to play, but ECU’s got more firepower. Pirates cover on the road.

Arkansas at Ole Miss (-8.5) Preview

7:00 PM, ESPN

Ole Miss, favored by 8.5, welcomes Arkansas to Oxford. The Rebels are 2-0, with Jaxson Dart slicing up Middle Tennessee for 300 yards and 3 TDs. Arkansas squeaked by UAB, but their offense sputtered, with Taylen Green managing just 1 TD. The Hogs’ O-line is a concern, allowing 3 sacks last week.

Ole Miss’s defense is relentless, with 6 sacks against MTSU. Their speed in the secondary should contain Arkansas’s shaky passing game. The Vaught-Hemingway crowd will be electric, and the Rebels are rolling. Arkansas keeps it scrappy, but Ole Miss’s talent pulls away. Rebels cover.

Tie Break Question

Passing yards for Gamecocks PLUS passing yards for Vandy

Despite blowing out VT last week Pavia only threw for 228. The week previous was also a route against Charleston Southern and yet again a lot of the damage came from the run game with 280 in the air. Gamecocks gave up 221 to VT and 208 to SC State. I'm giving Vandy 210 this week.

LaNorris needs a big game. His 209 and 128 last week isn't going to get it done. I trust Beamer, Shula, Mike Furrey (WR Coach) have worked very hard to make vast improvements this week. Statistically Vandy has one of the best pass D's in the country after 2 games. only giving up 221 yards total for 2 games. I think we return to TE and RB passes in exchange of a run game. This neutralizes the lack of protection/run blocking by getting the ball out quickly to someone in space. I think we get 260 this week making the total 470 yards.