It’s too early to recommend betting the mortgage, but our #FITSPicks for the 2017 college football season have been “on point” so far this year …
Through two weeks, our founding editor Will Folks and Pee Dee prognosticator Brant Branham remain locked in a furious battle for supremacy – with Folks holding a narrow advantage in overall record while Branham enjoys a slim edge in picking against the point spread.
Each Saturday this fall, our panel of experts (which varies from week-to-week) is offering up its predictions for both of the Palmetto State’s major collegiate matchups as well as three of the best Top 25 tilts on tap.
How have they fared so far? Let’s take a look …
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#FITSPICKS: SEPTEMBER 2
#FITSPICKS: SEPTEMBER 9
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This week we welcome back the author of our favorite college football Twitter account, Woody Whitehurst. We also look forward to having guest pickers Martin Steinborn and Liz Reardon join us again for next week’s games.
Here are the Week 3 matchups …
KENTUCKY @ SOUTH CAROLINA
(Via Travis Bell Photography)
Williams Brice Stadium, Columbia S.C. – 7:30 p.m. EDT – SEC Network
Oddshark Spread Consensus: South Carolina -5.5
ESPN Matchup Predictor: South Carolina 82 percent
THE PICKS …
BRANT BRANHAM (9-6, 9-6 ATS) – SOUTH CAROLINA 30 KENTUCKY 20
Even though the Gamecocks are averaging a mere 303 yards per game offense, they are an all-around improved team this year. Deebo Samuel is real good wherever he lines up on offense and is the best special teams player in country so far. Meanwhile the Wildcats don’t have enough defensive to keep up. South Carolina’s gameday atmosphere should be electric in their home opener after their two big road wins. Take the chickens to win and cover here.
WOODY WHITEHURST (5-5, 5-5 ATS) – SOUTH CAROLINA 28 KENTUCKY 20
It’s clear that picking against South Carolina last week didn’t turn out like I’d hoped, so this time I’m going with the Gamecocks … you’re welcome, Kentucky fans.
WILL FOLKS (10-5, 8-7 ATS) – SOUTH CAROLINA 38 KENTUCKY 13
This is the third of four must-win games for South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp to start the 2017 season, and his Gamecock team should be amped beyond belief for its home opener – a “blackout” of Williams-Brice Stadium. At night, no less. I predict Jake Bentley has a career performance against the Kentucky defense and South Carolina wins in a romp.
FINAL SCORE: KENTUCKY 23 SOUTH CAROLINA 13
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#3 CLEMSON @ LOUISVILLE
(Via Travis Bell Photography)
Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, Louisville KY – 8:00 p.m. EDT – ABC
Oddshark Spread Consensus: Clemson -3
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Clemson 68.9 percent
THE PICKS …
BRANT BRANHAM (9-6, 9-6 ATS) – CLEMSON 34 LOUISVILLE 30
Clemson’s defense was dominant last week, but Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham ain’t Lamar Jackson – Louisville’s defending Heisman Trophy winner – by a long shot. Cardinals secondary is suspect with first two opponents completing 65 percent of their passes, so the Tigers should be able to throw it to their deep and talented receiving corps. With Jackson you can’t stop him – you can only try to contain him – but in the end I think Clemson’s defensive line will be up to the task. Tigers win a tough close one.
WOODY WHITEHURST (5-5, 5-5 ATS) – CLEMSON 35 LOUISVILLE 30
Heisman trophy winner Lamar Jackson is off to another fast start, but Brent Venables and his defense seem up to the task. With a full year of tape to review on the star Louisville quarterback, I suspect Clemson’s defensive coordinator could even tell you what time the guy goes to the bathroom.
WILL FOLKS (10-5, 8-7 ATS) – LOUISVILLE 35 CLEMSON 33
Clemson’s defense is the reason its program has become a perennial national championship contender. But Heisman winner Lamar Jackson shredded them a year ago – and gets the Tigers on his home field this season. I like Louisville in an upset likely to have major implications on the national stage.
FINAL SCORE: CLEMSON 47 LOUISVILLE 21
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#23 TENNESSEE vs. #24 FLORIDA
(Via @Vol_Football)
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville FL – 3:30 p.m. EDT – CBS
Oddshark Spread Consensus: Florida -4
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Florida 62 percent
THE PICKS …
BRANT BRANHAM (9-6, 9-6 ATS) – TENNESSEE 27 FLORIDA 23
Gators may need to go to the option offense – about everything else they’ve tried on that side of the ball the last few years hasn’t worked. Florida’s O-Line will have trouble protecting quarterback Feleipe Franks, while on the other side of the ball John Kelly should go north of 100 yards rushing. I like Rocky Top to make it two in a row against the Gators. Tennessee wins straight up.
WOODY WHITEHURST (5-5, 5-5 ATS) – TENNESSEE 27 FLORIDA 20
All I can say about this game is “yuck.” I have zero confidence in Tennessee, but that damn Smokey is just such a cute dog.
WILL FOLKS (10-5, 8-7 ATS) – FLORIDA 28 TENNESSEE 24
I got burned picking Florida in an upset earlier this year (one of my two losses on the season heading into this week) so I’m not exactly sure what I’m doing with this pick. Maybe just a gut feeling that Florida’s home field advantage – and the return of several of its offensive weapons from suspension – will carry them in this battle of SEC East behemoths. Oh, I also think Gators’ freshman quarterback Feleipe Franks is due for a big day.
FINAL SCORE: FLORIDA 26 TENESSEE 20
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#25 UCLA @ MEMPHIS
(Via: @UCLAFootball)
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis TN – 12:00 p.m. EDT – ABC
Oddshark Spread Consensus: UCLA -2.5
ESPN Matchup Predictor: UCLA 61 percent
THE PICKS …
BRANT BRANHAM (9-6, 9-6 ATS) – UCLA 38 MEMPHIS 27
It’s a long way from Westwood to Grind City, and the game starts at noon which is like 9:00 a.m. Cali time so the Bruins might look a little sluggish early. But with Josh Rosen at quarterback for the bears, with all due respect to my friend Senator Greg Hembree, I gotta go against his alma mater. I’ll take UCLA to win and cover.
WOODY WHITEHURST (5-5, 5-5 ATS) – MEMPHIS 24 UCLA 21
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is a star and the Bruins should win this game easily, but I’m really into that Marc Cohn song, so I’m going with Memphis.
WILL FOLKS (10-5, 8-7 ATS) – UCLA 40 MEMPHIS 24
The Bruins just have too much talent on offense. Yes, we all know how good Josh Rosen is at quarterback, but don’t snooze on sophomore tight end Caleb Wilson. He creates major matchup problems for Memphis (say that five times really fast) all over the field. Bruins roll in this one.
FINAL SCORE: MEMPHIS 48 UCLA 45
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TEXAS @ #4 SOUTHERN CAL
(Via: @USCFootballNews)
L. A. Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles CA – 8:30 p.m. EDT – FOX
Oddshark Spread Consensus: Southern Cal -15.5
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Southern Cal 75.9 percent
THE PICKS …
BRANT BRANHAM (9-6, 9-6 ATS) – SOUTHERN CAL 41 TEXAS 20
First meeting of these two since 2006 national championship game in Rose Bowl, which by the way was the last game called by the legendary Keith “Oh Nellie” Jackson. Trojan signal-caller Sam Darnold looks to be in mid-season form, and the whole USC team runs like a track team in pads. Men of Troy have won twelve straight and I think they make it thirteen today.
WOODY WHITEHURST (5-5, 5-5 ATS) – SOUTHERN CAL 38 TEXAS 24
This game is getting a lot of attention, but I’m not sure why. Texas coach Tom Herman can kiss his players on both cheeks before the game, but it won’t keep the Trojans from winning by double digits.
WILL FOLKS (10-5, 8-7 ATS) – SOUTHERN CAL 44 TEXAS 21
The last time these two teams played it was one of the greatest college football games of all-time. This game will likely be one of the worst. After an upset loss to Maryland to open the 2017 season, new Longhorns’ coach Tom Herman needs a signature win over an elite opponent in the worst possible way. He won’t get it today, though.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTHERN CAL 27 TEXAS 24
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