College football and NFL picks: Who wins Kentucky-Georgia showdown?
With Saturday bringing the most important Kentucky football game in more than a half-century, we know you’re just waiting for our predictions.
OK, so maybe not.
We’re here anyway with our weekly picks. Last week, Ben went 6-4 straight up and 4-6 against the spread. For the season, he’s 55-35 overall and 46-42-2 against the spread. I went 9-1 straight up last week and 5-5 against the spread. I’m now 59-31 overall and 39-49-2 against the spread.
Without further adieu, this week’s predictions:
Georgia at Kentucky
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Line: Georgia by 9
John: Kentucky 20, Georgia 17
Everything about this showdown says Georgia should win. Georgia has NFL talent. Georgia has big-game experience. Georgia has beaten Kentucky eight straight games, including 42-13 last season. But then little in this Kentucky season has gone the way the experts thought it would or should.
Against the spread: Kentucky
Ben: Georgia 20, Kentucky 14
Kentucky’s defense is good enough to keep it close against just about anyone not named Alabama, but can the Cats actually score some points? They’ll be too tough to come by Saturday against the best team UK has faced this season.
Against the spread: Kentucky
Louisville at Clemson
Saturday, Noon, ABC
Line: Clemson by 40
John: Clemson 54, Louisville 7
The only question left in this train wreck of a Louisville football season is whether Cards Coach Bobby Petrino makes it to next season. Facing Clemson at Death Valley is not going to help Bobby P’s case for continued employment.
Against the spread: Clemson
Ben: Clemson 60, Louisville 10
The Cardinals are 1-7 against the spread this season despite low expectations for much of it. Forty points is a lot, but U of L is a mess.
Against the spread: Clemson
Texas A&M at Auburn
Saturday, Noon, ESPN
Line: Auburn by 5
John: Auburn 26, Texas A&M 24
Texas A&M’s ears are still ringing from those darn cowbells after a disappointing 28-13 loss at Mississippi State last week. Auburn had the Saturday off to celebrate its win over Ole Miss the week before. Home team gets the edge in a coin-toss game.
Against the spread: Texas A&M
Ben: Texas A&M 24, Auburn 23
Surprised to see the Tigers favored by this much, even with the week off. They’re capable of laying a dud. A&M will come to play after last week’s disappointment.
Against the spread: Texas A&M
West Virginia at Texas
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Fox
Line: Texas by 1.5
John: West Virginia 42, Texas 28
Was Texas just unlucky enough to fall under Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy’s mullet spell last week or were the Longhorns exposed in Stillwater? I lean to the latter explanation. Look for WVU quarterback Will Grier to put up pinball numbers.
Against the spread: West Virginia
Ben: West Virginia 34, Texas 21
Said last week I didn’t believe in Texas, yet I still picked them. As a famous Texan once said: “Fool me once, shame on ... shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”
Against the spread: West Virginia
Penn State at Michigan
Saturday, 3:45 p.m., ESPN
Line: Michigan by 10.5
John: Michigan 20, Penn State 10
My early-season doubts about the Wolverines have been dispelled by one tough, nasty, stingy Michigan defense. Penn State is fresh off a win over Iowa, a team with another standout defense. Michigan’s D is better, however.
Against the spread: Penn State
Ben: Michigan 28, Penn State 14
Wolverines’ defense is too tough, and they should be able to score some points against this Penn State team. Michigan’s dominance in the Big House continues.
Against the spread: Michigan
Missouri at Florida
Saturday, 4 p.m., ESPN
Line: Florida by 5.5
John: Florida 27, Missouri 24
Two teams in need of a pick-me-up. Florida blew its chance to win the SEC East by losing to archrival Georgia last week. Missouri lost on the final play of the game, an untimed down, to Kentucky last week. Gators get the win at home.
Against the spread: Missouri
Ben: Florida 34, Missouri 21
Gators have played four of their last five games somewhere other than Gainesville. Think they take care of business in this one.
Against the spread: Florida
Notre Dame at Northwestern
Saturday, 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Line: Notre Dame by 9.5
John: Northwestern 23, Notre Dame 20
Northwestern is on a roll. After starting 1-3, the Wildcats have won four straight on the way to the top spot in the Big Ten West. And Pat Fitzgerald’s team is just the kind of team that could knock Notre Dame smack out of the College Football Playoff picture.
Against the spread: Northwestern
Ben: Notre Dame 27, Northwestern 21
The Wildcats will keep things interesting, but they won’t knock Notre Dame out of the playoff picture. The Irish’s path to a drubbing in the national semifinals will still be alive after Saturday.
Against the spread: Northwestern
Alabama at LSU
Saturday, 8 p.m., CBS
Line: Alabama by 15
John: Alabama 31, LSU 17
Big fan of LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, a driving force behind the Tigers sitting 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC. Alabama’s powder keg of an offense is a whole different challenge, however. Baton Rouge will be rocking come Saturday night, but the Tide will still roll.
Against the spread: LSU
Ben: Alabama 28, LSU 17
Tiger Stadium will be a madhouse. It’ll be the closest game Bama plays all season (and the Tide will still win by double digits).
Against the spread: LSU
Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Saints by 1.5
John: Saints 28, Rams 24
This could easily be a preview of the NFC title game in January. New Orleans is at home. And at age 39, Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees is performing at an MVP level. Rams can’t stay unbeaten forever. Nod to the Saints.
Against the spread: Saints
Ben: Saints 35, Rams 31
Rams finally lose one. Something tells me these two will meet again in January.
Against the spread: Saints
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Line: Patriots by 5.5
John: Patriots 31, Packers 21
Ty Montgomery’s fumbled kickoff cheated us of the chance to watch Aaron Rodgers work his magic at the end of Green Bay’s loss to the Rams. For that, Montgomery was traded to the Ravens. But even Rodgers doesn’t have enough magic to beat Tom Brady in Foxboro.
Against the spread: Patriots
Ben: Patriots 34, Packers 20
Thought last week would be when things got ugly for the undermanned Packers. Rodgers needs some help, and it’s not coming this season.
Against the spread: Patriots
This story was originally published November 1, 2018 at 9:24 AM.