Beat My CFB Picks For 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

South Carolina at Ole Miss (-12.5) Preview

7:00 PM ET, ESPN

South Carolina (3-5) heads to Oxford to face No. 7 Ole Miss (7-1), favored by 12.5 in a nightcap at Vaught-Hemingway. The Gamecocks blew an 8 point lead with 3 minutes left vs Alabama last week to amazingly lose in regulation by 7. LaNorris Sellers throwing an inaccurate 18-32 for 222 yards with an interception that was not his fault but gave Alabama their 1st TD. Then he fumbled with 90 seconds left to give Alabama their last TD. Ole Miss is rolling after a 38-31 thriller over Oklahoma who has statistically the best Defense in America. Oklahoma averages 275 yards per game heading into the Ole Miss battle and at home surrendered 475 yards! Gamecocks are way behind the Sooners D averaging about 325 yards against their D. As for offense the last 6 games we've scored 22, 7, & 10. The Rebels' up-tempo offense averages 42 PPG Ole Miss should cover.

Vanderbilt at Texas (-1.5) Preview

12:00 PM ET, ABC

No. 9 Vanderbilt (7-1) challenges No. 20 Texas (6-2) in Austin, with the Longhorns favored by 1.5 at Darrell K Royal. The Commodores stunned the world this year. Beating at the time ranked opponents South Carolina, LSU & Mizzou. Vandy's balanced attack ranks top-20 in scoring (35 PPG), but their D allowed 380 yards last week. Texas grinded out a 29-21 win over Florida, with Arch Manning efficient at 246 yards but the secondary bending for 223 pass YPG.

Noon kickoff tempers the home crowd, and Vandy's road dogs (3-1 ATS) keep it tight. I'm rolling with Pavia TFN.

Georgia vs Florida (+7.5) Preview

3:30 PM ET, ABC

No. 5 Georgia (6-1) battles Florida (4-4) in Jacksonville, with the Gators getting 7.5 at neutral EverBank Stadium. Last we saw the Bulldogs they were beating Ole Miss. They've had a week off to get ready for this. Tradition means they won't look past the Gators despite their dumpster fire status. Florida players have little to play for at this point and have had a bye week as well to contemplate their futures after their head coach was fired. I picture Bulldogs win big!

Oklahoma at Tennessee (-3) Preview

7:30 PM ET, ABC

No. 18 Oklahoma (6-2) invades Knoxville to face No. 14 Tennessee (7-1), favored by 3 under the lights at Neyland. The Sooners fell 38-31 to Ole Miss in a shootout, with John Mateer throwing for 280 yards but the D allowed 431 yards! Last week the Vols won over hapless Kentucky but TN D allowed the Wildcats a season best 476 yards! OU's balance shines (228 rush YPG), but road SEC tests loom.

Neyland's checkerboard sea roars, and Tennessee's speed in the secondary rattles Mateer (2 INTs last week). Sooners keep it close early, but Vols pull away. Tennessee covers at home.

Duke at Clemson (+3.5) Preview

12:00 PM ET, ACC Network

Duke (5-3) heads to Death Valley to tangle with Clemson (3-4), getting 3.5 as road dogs. I can't remember Clemson was a FG favorite at home against an ACC opponent outside of FL State in a while. The Blue Devils upset Syracuse 34-21 with backup QB Rickie Collins' 244 yards and 2 TDs after Angeli's injury. Duke's offense ranks 26th (38 PPG), but D is 92nd (28 PPG allowed).

Tigers' desperate home crowd (they have lost 3 of their 4 home games) fires them up, but noon slot and Duke's pass rush (4 sacks vs. Cuse) disrupts. Blue Devils' momentum rolls. Duke covers on the road.

Miami at SMU (+12.5) Preview

12:00 PM ET, ESPN

No. 10 Miami (7-1) rolls into Dallas to face SMU (5-3), with the Mustangs getting 12.5 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The Hurricanes smoked Florida State 26-7? Wait, no—torched USF earlier, but last week edged Virginia 34-27 with Carson Beck's 340 yards and 3 TDs. Miami's D is No. 9 at under 15 PPG. SMU's 5-3 after a 35-28 win over BC, with Preston Stone's 320 yards and 3 TDs in up-tempo (38 PPG), but D allows 26 PPG.

Noon heat and SMU's home edge keep it feisty, but Miami's trenches and secondary stifle the rally. Hurricanes' talent overwhelms. Miami covers easily.

Georgia Tech at NC State (+5.5) Preview

7:30 PM ET, ESPN2

No. 8 Georgia Tech (7-1) heads to Raleigh to battle NC State (4-4), with the Wolfpack getting 5.5 at Carter-Finley. The Jackets crushed Duke 27-18, leaning on a stout run game (4.8 YPC) and D holding foes under 20 PPG. QB Haynes King? Wait, no—balanced attack shines. NC State rallied 35-31 over Virginia, but offense ranks 59th (32 PPG) and D is 107th (30 PPG allowed).

Night game in Raleigh adds juice, but Tech's front seven disrupts (5 sacks last week). Wolfpack's O-line shaky (3 sacks allowed). Jackets roll. Georgia Tech covers.

Tie Breaker

How many yards will the Gamecocks and Clemson combined be this week?

Last 3 games the Tigers have 488 vs UNC, 504 vs BC and 352 vs SMU. Duke surrender 392 YPG so I'll put the Tigers a bit over at 405.

Gamecocks put up 317 vs LSU, 224 vs OK and 333 vs Bama. Ole Miss allows about 350 per game so I'll go a tad under at 320 for South Carolina. combined 725