Hard to believe, but this is the last regular season weekend for our college football picks.
Last week’s scorecard:
Ben went 7-3 straight-up. He’s now 79-41 for the year. He went 6-4 against the spread. He’s 63-54-3 for the year.
I went 6-4 striaght-up. I’m now 81-39 for the year. I went 3-7 against the spread. I’m 51-66-3 for the year.
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This week’s picks:
Kentucky at Louisville
Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Kentucky by 17
John: Kentucky 42, Louisville 14
The Cats will close out a memorable season with their ninth win as Louisville fans are left to keep fingers crossed that Jeff Brohm comes home for Christmas.
Against the spread: Kentucky
Ben: Kentucky 35, Louisville 13.
Sure, the Wildcats’ offense has to score enough points to cover this spread, but Louisville is bad. Really bad. The Cards’ are 1-10 against the spread this season and haven’t finished within 17 points of a team since September.
Against the spread: Kentucky
Mississippi State at Ole Miss
Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Mississippi State by 10.5
John: Ole Miss 24, Mississippi State 21
The annual Egg Bowl has taken some twists and turns over the years. Prepare for another plot twist as the Rebels will take down the Bulldogs in Oxford.
Against the spread: Ole Miss
Ben: Mississippi State 35, Ole Miss 17
The Bulldogs have been playing some good football in recent weeks, while the Rebels have just been limping toward the finish of a season that was lost before it even started.
Against the spread: Mississippi State
Arkansas at Missouri
Friday, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Missouri by 23
John: Missouri 48, Arkansas 20
Repeating last year’s scenario, Missouri is once again finishing strong. Ask Tennessee. After giving up just 7 points to Kentucky, the Vols were burned for 50 by Mizzou. Meanwhile, Arkansas coach Chad Morris is more worried about with whom the Razorbacks are mingling.
Against the spread: Missouri
Ben: Missouri 41, Arkansas 15
Mizzou is coming off a 33-point win at Tennessee. Arkansas is coming off a 46-points loss at Mississippi State. This one shouldn’t be close.
Against the spread: Missouri
Georgia Tech at Georgia
Saturday, 12 p.m, SEC
Georgia by 17
John: Georgia 27, Georgia Tech 17
Fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings, Georgia may catch itself scoreboard watching on Saturday. Georgia Tech’s offense can be a headache, but Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs should take care of business.
Against the spread: Georgia Tech
Ben: Georgia 31, Georgia Tech 24
Seventeen points are too much to give in this rivalry game, especially when the underdog is a pretty good Yellow Jackets squad that can often be tough to put away.
Against the spread: Georgia Tech
Michigan at Ohio State
Saturday, 12 p.m., Fox
Line: Michigan by 3.5
John: Michigan 20, Ohio State 7
Jim Harbaugh gets the pub, but Michigan’s defense, led by coordinator Don Brown, is the real deal. The Wolverines should be able to handle Buckeyes, even in Columbus.
Against the spread: Michigan
Ben: Michigan 27, Ohio State 17
The Wolverines’ D versus the Buckeyes’ offense should be fun to watch. Think Michigan gets the better of it.
Against the spread: Michigan
Florida at Florida State
Saturday, 12 p.m., ABC
Line: Florida by 5
John: Florida 30, Florida State 17
Florida State is finally showing signs of life, including knocking off a ranked Boston College last week. Still, Willie Taggart’s Seminoles will have their hands full with the Gators. Look for Dan Mullen to get his first win as head coach in the series.
Against the spread: Florida
Ben: Florida 34, Florida State 20
You never really know what you’re going to get from the Gators from week to week, but Florida State has been pretty consistently bad.
Against the spread: Florida
Auburn at Alabama
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Line: Alabama by 24
John: Alabama 38, Auburn 10
Alabama will no doubt remember last year when the Tide stubbed its toe in the Iron Bowl before proceeding on to the national title. Auburn in 2018 is not as good as Auburn in 2017. Tide will roll.
Against the spread: Alabama
Ben: Alabama 40, Auburn 6
The beatdowns continue, for now. Maybe Georgia can stick within a couple touchdowns of Bama next week? Probably not.
Against the spread: Alabama
Tennessee at Vanderbilt
Saturday, 4 p.m, SEC
Line: Vanderbilt by 3.5
John: Vanderbilt 27, Tennessee 20
Smashed by Missouri last week, Tennessee will try to rebound. But Vanderbilt has had the Vols’ number recently. Going with the Commodores at home.
Against the spread: Vanderbilt
Ben: Tennessee 24, Vanderbilt 23
The Volunteers need a victory for bowl eligibility. Their wacky season continues with one here.
Against the spread: Tennessee
South Carolina at Clemson
Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN
Clemson by 26.5
John: Clemson 41, South Carolina 13
Clemson is sitting in prime position for the College Football Playoff. The Tigers aren’t about to slip up now. South Carolina has had a mildly disappointing year.
Against the spread: Clemson
Ben: Clemson 37, South Carolina 24
The Gamecocks won’t win this one, but — since that first half against Kentucky — they’ve shown quite a bit of fight.
Against the spread: South Carolina
LSU at Texas A&M
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., SEC
Texas A&M by 2
John: Texas A&M 20, LSU 17
Not a bad first season for Jimbo Fisher in Aggieland. Look for Texas A&M to finish above .500 in the SEC by taming the visiting Tigers.
Against the spread: Texas A&M
Ben: Texas A&M 27, LSU 20
The Aggies are 6-0 against the spread at home this season. Their only loss in College Station came to Clemson, by just two points. LSU is no Clemson.
Against the spread: Texas A&M
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