Alex Floyd, local columnist
Games This Week
Texas @ Mizzou
BYU @ Utah
Texas Tech @ West Virginia
Alabama @ LSU
Kentucky @ Tennessee
Oregon @ Ohio State
Miami @ Notre Dame
Air Force @ Army
Mich St @ Michigan
Richmond Hill @ Valdosta
A great Halloween Saturday was held all around my place. Dawgs win, Eagles win and I got… I mean the kids got…. Reese cups trick or treating in Pembroke.
Shoutout to everyone who keeps up the tradition of trick or treating. Living back in the swamp, I never got trick or treaters at our house but there’s several uptown that do it up right even in today’s era of $30 bags of candy that don’t weigh as much as a plucked rooster.
Speaking of plucked roosters, a local Republican bus tour came by the Heartwood clubhouse last Thursday. We heard from our local folks, state folks and former governor Sonny Purdue.
Many of you recall that when Boss Sonny ran for governor, he wasn’t given a chance because Georgia had elected a Democrat governor for 135 years (would’ve been longer but the last Republican was voted in with Union bayonets). Democrats got complacent and Sonny Purdue won. It took Democrats 135 years to get complacent, Republicans did it in 25. We’ll see how the ball bounces going forward and the 49% of Bryan County voters who sat this one out can’t complain.
Alright back to the fun stuff.
No 10 Texas @ No 19 Missouri: This should be a fun one kicking off at high noon on ESPN. Both teams are 3-2 in the SEC and 6-2 Overall.
They have not met since 2017. Texas is favored by a razor thin 3.5 points and BJ, Ted, Bob, Ben and Jeff.
BYU @ Utah aka “Holy War”: This in-state rivalry seems more interesting this year than ever as Utah takes No 3 and BYU is No 7. Ted and I pick BYU.
Texas Tech @ West by God Virginia: Coming off a tight win against Arizona, the Red Raiders go up to the high country.
You’ll have to stay up until 9:30 to see the kickoff on this one or read about it the next morning. We’re Texas Tech across the board.
The annual Alabama @ LSU showdown has a twist this year with kickoff at 3:30.
LSU dominates night games at home so this may give the Crimson Tide a chance. BJ and I say Geaux Tiguhs.
Kentucky @ Tennessee: the next best thing to an in-state rivalry. Neyland stadium kicks off at 6:15 primetime on ESPN with the Vols in allblack uniforms. Kentucky looks to come into town and break a five game losing streak in this series.
Ted, both Mike’s and I pick the Wildcats.
Oregon @ Ohio State: The big 3:30 CBS timeslot game of the day. At the beginning of the year it was predicted this would be a match between two top five teams but both teams have had a rough go of it and will be led by backup quarterbacks. Ben and both Mike’s pick OSU.
The College Gameday marquee is No 1 Miami at No 4 Notre Dame. The classic “Catholics vs Convicts” game kicks off at 7:30. Miami is one of the three unbeaten teams remaining in the top 25. Notre Dame’s only loss has been a tight 28-24 against BYU. Both will be playing for all the marbles. Ted, Mike B and Jeff pick the Fighting Irish.
Air Force @ Army: Another 7:30 matchup. The last matchup was Nov 1, 2025 as Army’s Dawson Jones kicked a last second field goal to win 20 17. Army leads the FBS in rushing yards per game (342.5) and Air Force is 2nd (341) so if you like to watch slobberknocker football this ones for you, if you like good passes, watch Miami and ND. BJ and I pick Air Force.
Michigan St @ Michigan aka the “Ted O’Niell Bowl” playing for the coveted Paul Bunyan Trophy. The Spartans need their first conference win and their first win over Michigan since 2021. Jeff and I pick Mich St on the upset.
Last but certainly not least is the one nearest to many of our hearts, Richmond Hill High School vs Valdosta High School. Who are the true Wildcats? Richmond Hill has been on a losing streak lately and Valdosta lost their rivalry game at Lowndes 32-31 last week giving them their only loss of the season. Ted and Mike C pick Richmond Hill.
Alex Floyd is on the Bryan County Board of Commisioners.