Drew 10-10; Griffin 12-8; Casey 13-7; Anthony 12-8; Cliff 13-7; Garrett 11-9
Staff Picks
Drew Watts (10-10) – Senior Staff Writer
USC @ Colorado – We saw what happened to Colorado last week when they hit the road to take on Oregon. This game will be in Boulder, but the Buffs are still without star player Travis Hunter. Will the home-field advantage be enough to squeak out a win against the Trojans from USC? Not even close!
Colorado 17, USC 56
LSU @ Ole Miss – We saw Ole Miss travel and take on Alabama last week and I thought they were going to come away with a win in that game. This time around they are back at Vaught-Hemingway stadium to take on the Tigers from LSU. I feel like I am going to regret this pick but give me Ole Miss with the get-right game back at home, in a close one.
LSU 30, Ole Miss 31
Notre Dame @ Duke – College Gameday will make their first trip to Durham, NC for Duke football. Clemson knows what Duke is about especially at the quarterback position. This Duke football team is still playing well and this will be a big-time atmosphere for the team, and for the fans. I think Notre Dame will be a little bit too much for Duke on the ground in this one though. Give me the Irish to spoil the party in Durham.
Duke 20, Notre Dame 35
South Carolina @ Tennessee – Last November we saw the Vols come down to Columbia, SC and take on the Gamecocks. It was an absolute ambush from the word go. South Carolina wound up running away with that game 63-38. I dont think this Tennessee team is as good as the one they fielded last year, but this game is in Neyland, and the Volunteers have revenge on their mind. Tennessee is a 12 point favorite, and I think they win the game. But I have South Carolina covering the spread.
South Carolina 27, Tennessee 35
Clemson @ Syracuse – I picked Clemson to take down Florida State with more of a heart pick than a head pick. that one came back to bite me as Clemson dropped an overtime thriller. So now, a week later Clemson is heading up to Syracuse looking to pick up their first conference win of the year. Clemson has only lost in Syracuse one time, and that was in 2017 when Kelly Bryant went down with Injury. Syracuse has been decent to start the year but I think this is a game where we see Clemson continue to build on what they did last week. Give me Clemson minus the 6.5.
Clemson 38, Syracuse 20
Griffin Barfield – Staff Writer – (12-8)
USC @ Colorado – This one’s a weird one. Colorado looked awful last week and was brought down to earth, but so did USC, keeping Arizona State in the game for a majority of the game. The game is in Boulder and at 10:00 a.m. their time. With that being said, I think the Trojans get it done, it is a matter of how close the game will be, and I think it’s close.
USC 49, Colorado 42
LSU @ Ole Miss – Another fun SEC matchup. Yes, Ole Miss is coming off of a loss, but this LSU defense has looked abysmal. I expect the Rebels offense to have a lot more success, and with the home-field advantage, I think Ole Miss comes out with it.
LSU 24, Ole Miss 31
Notre Dame @ Duke – I’m keeping a close eye on this one. I don’t know where to mark Duke, but they are most certainly a top team in the ACC. Mike Elko will keep this game close, especially at home. However, I don’t see the star power of Notre Dame losing. Unless the Irish turn the ball over and don’t score on plays like Clemson did, I expect Notre Dame to bounce back in a fun one.
Notre Dame 21, Duke 13
South Carolina @ Tennessee – I might regret this one. This game depends on which South Carolina team shows up to Neyland. Yes, Tennessee is at home. Yes, the Vols have shown flashes of great play. But it’s college football, and if anybody could beat this Tennessee team at home, it would somehow be the Gamecocks. At this point, it could happen with how this season’s been going. Let’s roll the dice on Beamer here. He’s proven me wrong before.
South Carolina 42, Tennessee 38
Clemson @ Syracuse – Another close Syracuse-Clemson matchup. There’s been so much nerve around this game, but for me, I believe that Clemson looks a lot better than they did in Week 1. As long as the team does not have as many miscues as they did in Week 1, Clemson wins. The game will be razor-thin, however.
Clemson 21, Syracuse 17
Casey Cregan – Staff Writer – (13-7)
USC @ Colorado – Coach Prime was humble about his squad’s lopsided loss to Oregon last week. Like him or not, he’s good for college football. This week they welcome Lincoln Riley’s Trojans to Folsom Field. I don’t like Colorado’s chances at all in this one. Colorado should be able to score, but I think USC may be too much offensively in what could be a track meet.
USC 49, Colorado 38
LSU @ Ole Miss – Another tricky game here. LSU may be the hottest team in the SEC and Ole Miss took it on the chin last week against Alabama. This one is in Oxford, but I don’t think that will mean too much. LSU and Jayden Daniels are going to be too much for the Rebs, and may just be the team to beat in the SEC West.
LSU 31, Ole Miss 24
Notre Dame @ Duke – I’m very intrigued by this game. Riley Leonard is a fun QB to watch. ND fans think Sam Hartman is the next coming of Jesus Christ himself. Hopefully Al Golden learned to count to 11 this week, and will have the full complement of defenders on the field in crunch time. I will be outwardly pulling for Duke, but think Audric Estime and Hartman will be too much for the Blue Devils. It’s weird to say, but it will be a hostile environment at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham.
Notre Dame 24, Duke 20
South Carolina @ Tennessee – Spencer Rattler is having a really good season so far. And even though the offensive line is still a work in progress and they’re running out a QB at running back, Rattler has a true deep threat in Xavier Legette. Tennessee was supposed to be the #2 team in the SEC East, but after being completely manhandled by Florida, I’m not sure what to think about the Vols. This one may be a lot closer than it should be, and may even lead to a win from our feathered friends in the Midlands. Nah, can’t do it.
South Carolina 31, Tennessee 34
Clemson @ Syracuse – Syracuse has beaten “powers” Western Michigan, Purdue, Army and Colgate in their first four games of the season. Only Georgia has played a worse schedule. Garrett Shrader is a load at quarterback. He leads the team in rushing and (obviously) passing. Running back LeQuint Allen has added 6 touchdowns on the ground matching Shrader’s total so far. The Orange defense is stout as well, only allowing just short of 90 yards a game on the ground. Clemson doesn’t allow teams to run on them, and is good enough to run the ball with Shipley and Mafah. Clemson big.
Clemson 35, Syracuse 13
Clifton Canady – Associate Sports Director (13-7)
USC @ Colorado – When Colorado hosts USC in Boulder, their last game offers a glimpse into what might unfold. This is particularly true considering the absence of their star player, Travis Hunter. Will they be able to capitalize on the home-field advantage and secure an unexpected victory against the formidable #8 Trojans? Realistically speaking, it seems highly unlikely! In my opinion, Caleb Williams and the Trojans will dominate the game.
Colorado 7, USC 52
LSU @ Ole Miss – The upcoming SEC matchup between LSU and Ole Miss is sure to be a thrilling game. Ole Miss may be coming off of a loss, but they have an advantage in their home field. LSU’s defense has not looked great this season, giving Ole Miss’ offense a chance to really shine.
LSU 17, Ole Miss 24
Notre Dame @ Duke – College Gameday making its first trip to Durham, the atmosphere is sure to be electric as two top teams in the ACC face off. While Duke has proved itself to be a formidable opponent, especially with their quarterback, I believe Notre Dame’s ground game will ultimately prove to be too much for them.
Notre Dame 34, Duke 24
South Carolina @ Tennessee – The South Carolina Gamecocks and Tennessee Volunteers are set to face off once again in what could be an entertaining matchup. Last year, the Gamecocks pulled off a stunning upset against the Vols, winning the game by a margin of 63-38. However, this year’s Tennessee team is eager to exact revenge and prove themselves on their home field in Neyland. I think Tennessee but not by much.
South Carolina 14, Tennessee 27
Clemson @ Syracuse – Clemson fans know all too well the struggles their team has faced when playing Syracuse both in the dome and in Death Valley. However, things may be looking up for the Tigers. With each game, they seem to be improving, especially with the emergence of promising quarterback Cade Klubnik. Clemson needs to with the turnover battle. On the other hand, Syracuse may have a perfect 4-0 record so far, but some wonder if they’ve truly been tested. With that in mind, my prediction is that the Tigers will come out on top in a big way.
Clemson 42, Syracuse 21
Anthony Weeks – Sports Director (12-8)
USC @ Colorado
USC 42, Colorado 14
LSU @ Ole Miss –
LSU 35, Ole Miss 28
Notre Dame @ Duke
Notre Dame 31, Duke 24
South Carolina @ Tennessee
South Carolina 28, Tennessee 21
Clemson @ Syracuse
Clemson 49, Syracuse 7
Garrett Mitchell- Staff Writer (11-9)
USC @ Colorado– The Buffalos got badly exposed last week by high octane Oregon. USC likes to play just as fast and has comparable talent to the Ducks and Caleb Williams at quarterback. It won’t be close.
USC 49, Colorado 17
LSU @ Ole Miss– This has the potential to be a great game. Both teams are very similar, though the Tigers probably have the better offense. The Rebels stumbled offensively last week against Alabama and I’m not sure they will have that much success this week, either.
LSU 31, Ole Miss 21
Notre Dame @ Duke– It was fun while it lasted for the Blue Devils. This game will not count in the ACC standings, but the Blue Devils will be humbled a bit in this one. The Irish will be playing angry.
Notre Dame 38, Duke 14
South Carolina at Tennessee– The Gamecocks might be feeling pretty good about themselves after scoring 37 points in a win against Mississippi State. Don’t worry. That feeling will go away this week and it’s back to the mean for South Carolina. Rocky Top will be a tough stone to crack.
South Carolina 13, Tennessee 45
Clemson @ Syracuse– It has been a comedy of errors that see the Tigers at 2-2. Clemson really is just a handful of unfortunate plays away from being 4-0 as Dabo Swinney said. Unfortunately they happened, and you have to move on. Clemson does that this week. Syracuse always plays the Tigers tough, but Clemson knows it has to play like a house on fire. I just hope the dome at Syracuse has sprinklers.
Clemson 42, Syracuse 14
