Alex Floyd, Local Columnist
Games this weekend
James Madison @ App State (Thursday)
Iowa @ Minnesota
Oklahoma @ Miss St
Vandy @ Kentucky
Ole Miss @ Texas
Houston @ Utah
Va Tech @ Clemson
Oregon @ Illinois
Boston College @ Ga Tech
Lock Haven @ Slippery Rock
BJ: JMU, Minne, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Houston, Clemson, Oregon, GT, Slippery
Ted: JMU, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Texas, Utah, Clemson, Illinois, GT, Slippery
Mike B: JMU, Iowa, Miss St, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Utah, VT, Oregon, GT, Slippery
Alex: JMU, Iowa, Miss St, Vandy, Ole Miss, Houston, Clemson, Oregon, GT, Slippery
Bob: JMU, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Texas, Utah, Clemson, Oregon, GT, Slippery
Ben: JMU, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Texas, Utah, Clemson, Oregon, GT, Slippery
Jeff: App, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Texas, Houston, Clemson, Oregon, GT, Slippery
Noah: JMU, Minne, Miss St, Vandy, Ole Miss, Houston, VT, Oregon, GT, Lock Haven
Mike C: JMU, Minne, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Houston, Clemson, Oregon, GT, Slippery
Doc: N/A
Carter: App, Minne, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Texas, Utah, Clemson, Illinois, GT, Slippery.
Paging Doctor Drake, the college football emergency room was slammed Saturday night. Five of the top seven teams went down in a blaze of glory…. or toilet paper. What a night. We are reminded that it’s anyone’s game any given weekend and that’s what makes it special. The carnage was likewise evident on our pick sheets as Ben continues as our leader with 6 wins, Commodore BJ Clark with 5 wins and the rest of us batting below 500.
It was a scene of crossed eyes, confused looks and scratching heads at this week’s PMFL lab session in the corner booth of the Pembroke Huddle House.
I specify corner because cross eyed and confused describes several booths in the Pembroke Huddle House, but I digress.
The week kicks off Thursday night with a matchup we’ve been waiting for. Undefeated James Madison goes to Boone, NC to take on Appalachian State. The Dukes are on a roll but Jeff and Carter think the Mountaineers end the streak.
Our Midwest matchup is Iowa @ Minnesota. Iowa is 5-1 in a crowded conference with that one being to No 3 OSU. Minnesota’s losses are to Miss St and a trouncing by Purdue. Both teams are coming off a bye week. BJ, Mike C, Noah and Carter pick Minnesota; the rest pick Iowa.
Oklahoma @ Miss St.
This should be a good matchup. After two beat downs in a row from Alabama and LSU, Miss St needs a win. Mike B, Noah and Me think they get one. The rest pull for the Sooners.
Vanderbilt @ Kentucky.
Kentucky has slipped up and looked like a football school here lately, but Vanderbilt’s quarterback made some moves on Georgia that makes me think the Commodores have this one. Noah thinks so too.
The rest pull for the Wildcats.
Ole Miss @ Texas and no, “Ole Miss” isn’t referring to Arch Manning. I think the chances for a Texas win are like my steak, medium rare at best. BJ, Noah, Mike C and Mike B are with me.
Houston @ Utah. Utah is 6-0 and Houston’s only loss is to Texas Tech who is 6-0. We’re about all Willie Fritz fans here in the lab but pretty well split on the pick. Ted, Mike B, Bob, Ben and Carter pick Utah.
BJ, Jeff, Noah, Mike C and yours truly pick Houston.
First of our two ACC matchups is Virginia Tech @ Clemson. The Hokies are 5-2 with losses to California and Pittsburgh, and the Tigers are 4-2 with losses to LSU and Miami. Mike B and Noah pick Virginia Tech, rest pick Clemson.
A Big 10 matchup Oregon @ Illinois. Both teams squeaked out close wins last week. The bookies have this one at 75% Oregon, but it may be a close one.
Check it out at 3:00 eastern time on Fox One or YoutubeTV. Carter and Ted pick Illinois.
Second ACC matchup is Boston College @ Ga Tech
with kickoff on Hyundai Field at 3:30 pm on ACC Network. Spread is -4.5 Yellowjackets. Standing and Stat-wise this is a pretty even matchup but we all think the Wayward Boys of North Avenue Trade School pull it off.
Last but not least, we can’t go a whole season without checking in on BJ Clark’s annual dark horse candidate Slippery Rock University. Lock Haven
comes to take on the Rock who is 7-0. Tickets start at $5 if you’re feeling a roadtrip. We all pick Slippery Rock except Noah who’s just sore at BJ for wearing that obnoxious Auburn bowtie to church.
Play on, PMFL!
Alex Floyd is on the Bryan County Board of Commisioners.