Here are my picks for this week’s top college football games. There are only four picks this week, but make no mistake, these games are still worth watching and may have impact on the playoff picture.
Last Week’s Record: 5-2
3 Georgia vs. 24 South Carolina
The first of four picks this week pits a pair of ranked SEC teams against each other as the Georgia Bulldogs travel to Columbia, South Carolina to face the Gamecocks. This is an intriguing game with the Dogs being one of the most complete teams in the country. Jake Fromm and company will have their hands full this week though with a talented Gamecocks team led by quarterback Jake Bentley and talented wide out Deebo Samuel. This should be a close one but I like Georgia to get it done this week with Georgia running back D’Andre Swift being the difference.
Winner: Georgia
17 USC vs 10 Stanford
The second game of our picks again features a pair of ranked teams as PAC-12 rivals collide in Palo Alto where the USC Trojans face the Stanford Cardinal. The Trojans come in looking to pull a bit of an upset led by freshman signal caller JT Daniels who has impressed so far. But he’ll meet his match in Stanford QB KJ Costello who is coming off of a 4 touchdown performance against San Diego State. Bryce Love struggled a week ago but I expect him to find it this week against USC and break out. A name to keep an eye on is Cardinal wide out JJ Arcega-Whiteside, a big time mismatch in coverage at 6’3″ 225 pounds.
Winner: Stanford
15 Michigan State vs Arizona State
Our third game pits BIG 10 against PAC 12 as the Michigan State Spartans travel to Tempe to face Herm Edwards Arizona State Sun Devils. Michigan State comes in after avoiding an upset over Utah State week 1 in East Lansing. They’ll be on upset alert again this week against a Sun Devil team that blew out UTSA 49-7 in week one. I’ll take Sparky to beat Sparty in this one led by quarterback Manny Wilkins and backed by a wild crowd at Sun Devil stadium. After all the Sun Devils are here to do one thing. Tell it like it is Herm.
Winner: Arizona State
2 Clemson vs Texas A&M
We finish off with what seems to be Saturday’s most anticipated game as the Clemson Tigers visit College Station, along with College Gameday, to face the Aggies of Texas A&M. This will be the first real test of the Jimbo Fisher era and Aggie land should be fired up for it. A&M is led by sophomore QB Kellen Mond who’s dual threat ability will be important against a ferocious Tigers defense. While I think the Aggies can keep this one close, I don’t think they have enough against Christian Wilkins and the rest of this Clemson team. Keep an eye on Trayveon Williams, the explosive Aggies back got off to a good start last week and could rip off some big runs against Clemson that backs off the Tigers pass rush giving A&M a chance offensively.
