5-8-1 on the season, with 6(?) weeks to go. We can see the other end, but need to get some 2-0s on the board.
We'll be catching most of the action today from Talladega, where tomorrow they've got an event where people go in circles for hours on end. And it is awesome. Looking forward to that.
In this week's picks, I'm concerned about winning - and only winning. So I'm throwing a bit of a curveball at the picks here, but it has been something I've been doing with some success this season. Hold tight.
The picks...
South Carolina -4 FIRST HALF
Tennessee broke our hearts a couple of weeks ago by mounting a huge comeback against Georgia, only to lose in OT. This was where Georgia's injuries were really starting to show. Tennessee played inspired, at home, but I still have little faith in them as an on-field product right now.
Now that Mizzou knocked off Georgia, there's like a 10-way tie for first in the East. New life for South Carolina, and I don't think Steve wants to mess around. They jump out early on Tennessee, and that's why we want the first half.
Texas A&M -13
Sorry to all my Auburn fans. Not today. A lot of "experts" are throwing our rumblings of a possible upset - but they are selling a game. Johnny Manziel is still the best player in college football - love him or hate him, doesn't matter - and Auburn, I believe, hasn't done itself any favors with what looks to be the onset of a dual quarterback system/controversy.
I think Gus Malzahn is awesome, but I never like the idea of creating a situation where players are now looking over their shoulders. Because once/if Nick Marshall has just the hint of a struggle, fans/coaches will start wondering if they need to go ahead and throw Johnson in. That wasn't the situation two weeks ago - why allow that to happen? I don't understand.
An uneasy situation for one side, and the other side has the best player in football at home. I think they can handle two scores.
There you have it. Let's make it 2-0 and get things right.
I'm on Twitter: @harry_long
