College Football pick'em 2017- Gameplay and scoring thread

[Dereich]

Oregon State @ Colorado State

Ohio State @ Indiana

Colorado State @ Colorado

Washington @ Rutgers

Wyoming @ Iowa

Maryland @ Texas

California @ North Carolina

North Carolina State @ South Carolina

Nevada @ Northwestern

Florida State @ Alabama  hope springs eternal, probably won't happen

BYU @ LSU biggest culture shock imaginable for all involved, Ole Miss/Cal will be similarly hilarious

Texas A&M @ UCLA

West Virginia @ Virginia Tech

Tennessee @ Georgia Tech


EDIT:  Michigan @ Florida

[Dereich]

North Carolina State @ South Carolina (in Charlotte) - probably the toughest game on the slate along with the first two of Week 1 Saturday which I have as upsets.

The odds all say NC State wins by 5 or 6; you're not exactly betting on an upset. The SC picks are the most surprising thing I see, actually. A decent team returning almost everyone SHOULD beat a crappy SEC East Muschamp team.

[Dereich]

North Carolina State @ South Carolina (in Charlotte) - probably the toughest game on the slate along with the first two of Week 1 Saturday which I have as upsets.

The odds all say NC State wins by 5 or 6; you're not exactly betting on an upset. The SC picks are the most surprising thing I see, actually. A decent team returning almost everyone SHOULD beat a crappy SEC East Muschamp team.

On the subject of the SEC East, I noticed you didn't pick Michigan/Florida. If you don't like the Gators that much (you did pick Florida State) why didn't you just pick Michigan instead?

I must have deleted that by mistake! Corrected. I went to both FSU and UF so I don't really have anything against Florida when they aren't going against FSU; I DO have something against Muschamp though.

[Dereich]

Christ, the states of Texas and Florida are not looking good for football this year!

[Dereich]

Boooom, first place.

Cincinnati at #7 Michigan

#18 Louisville at North Carolina

Pittsburgh at #5 Penn State

Indiana at Virginia

TCU at Arkansas

Nebraska at Oregon

Hawaii at UCLA

#12 Auburn at #3 Clemson

South Carolina at Missouri

#6 Oklahoma at #2 Ohio State

#15 Georgia at #21 Notre Dame

#11 Stanford at #4 USC

Minnesota at Oregon State

#23 Utah at BYU

Boise State at #22 Washington State

Houston at Arizona

San Diego State at Arizona State

The polls haven't come out yet, where are you getting these rankings?

[Dereich]

September 9

Cincinnati @ Michigan

Louisville @ North Carolina

Pittsburgh @Penn State

Indiana @ Virginia

TCU @ Arkansas

Nebraska @ Oregon

Hawaii @ UCLA

Auburn @ Clemson

South Carolina @ Missouri

Oklahoma @ Ohio State

Georgia @ Notre Dame

Stanford @ USC

Minnesota @ Oregon State

Utah @ BYU

Boise State @ Washington State

Houston @ Arizona

San Diego State @ Arizona State

[Dereich]

Air Force at Michgan

Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh

Baylor at Duke

Clemson at Louisville

Wisconsin at BYU

Tennessee at Florida

SMU at TCU

Purdue at Missouri

Oregon State at Washington State

Colorado State at Alabama (an upset here might be the greatest thing in the history of football)

LSU at Mississippi State

Kansas State at Vanderbilt

Kentucky at South Carolina

Arizona State at Texas Tech

Texas at USC

Stanford at San Diego State

Mississippi at California  (Let's get Ole Miss to 12-0 without an appearance in the SEC championship and or a bowl)

[Dereich]

And South Carolina...never believe in Muschump.

[Dereich]

September 21

Temple at South Florida


September 22

Virginia at Boise State

Utah at Arizona


September 23

NC State at Florida State

Texas Tech at Houston

Texas A&M at Arkansas

Ohio at Eastern Michigan

UCF at Maryland

Alabama at Vanderbilt

USC at California

TCU at Oklahoma State  (T C U   E X P O S E D)

Toledo at Miami(FL)

Duke at North Carolina

Louisiana Tech at South Carolina

Cincinnati at Navy

Michigan at Purdue

Syracuse at LSU

Mississippi State at Georgia (Kirby Smart is a mediocre Saban-clone and Dan Mullen is a very good coach. When in doubt go with the good coach. Also, Georgia against all odds loses the division in the Cocktail Party and order in maintained in the universe.)

Penn State at Iowa

Florida at Kentucky (This is the toughest one to me. I think Kentucky is underrated and will be pretty good this year, but 30 games in a row worth of history tell me Florida...If Kentucky wins it'll be by running the defense down and scoring in the 4th after the Florida defense gets tired while Florida has no points)

Southern Illinois at Memphis

Notre Dame at Michigan State (blegh, I don't want ND and I bet they'll play like crap but I'm just not ready to believe in Sparty again after last year)

Washington at Colorado

UCLA at Stanford

[Dereich]

September 28

Texas at Iowa State


September 29

Miami(FL) at Duke (A tough one. Miami hasn't played anyone and Duke has done well against pretty bad teams)

Nebraska at Illinois

USC at Washington State (I want to believe, but USC has been crushing upset hopes this year)

September 30

Indiana at Penn State

Oklahoma State at Texas Tech

California at Oregon

Arizona State at Stanford

Iowa at Michigan State

Maryland at Minnesota

Northwestern at Wisconsin

Vanderbilt at Florida

Houston at Temple

Syracuse at NC State

Georgia at Tennessee (if Tennessee wins this it'll be the ugliest game of the year...but it could happen)

Florida State at Wake Forest (if FSU loses this Jimbo had better fire Trickett or Kelly before leaving the stadium)

Eastern Michigan at Kentucky

Miami(OH) at Notre Dame

Mississippi State at Auburn

Marshall at Cincinnati

Memphis at UCF

South Carolina at Texas A&M

Clemson at Virginia Tech

Mississippi at Alabama

Northern Illinois at San Diego State

Colorado at UCLA

[Dereich]

Somehow I really doubt that amidst Francois injury and hurricane, losing on the road to a team that year-in and year-out has one of the top defenses in the country, would impact his job.

That's one of the big problems; by recruiting alone FSU should have a top five defense but it very clearly does not this year and over the last few years has not been close to a top defense. There are problems that exist and have existed with several units but Jimbo is unwilling to show any disloyalty to his staff by forcing them to make changes.

But Jimbo himself is certainly safe; even angry fans won't go farther than to say he's overpaid.

[Dereich]

October 5

Louisville at NC State

Memphis at Connecticut

Boise State at BYU

California at Washington

Washington State at Oregon

Wake Forest at Clemson

Iowa State at Oklahoma

Penn State at Northwestern

Georgia at Vanderbilt

Mississippi at Auburn

Eastern Michigan at Toledo

Illinois at Iowa

Duke at Virginia

Florida International at Middle Tennessee

West Virginia at TCU

Miami(FL) at Florida State

LSU at Florida

Notre Dame at North Carolina

Air Force at Navy

Minnesota at Purdue

Maryland at Ohio State

Arkansas at South Carolina

Colorado State at Utah State

SMU at Houston

Kansas State at Texas

Alabama at Texas A&M

Michigan State at Michigan

Wisconsin at Nebraska

Arizona at Colorado

UCF at Cincinnati

Stanford at Utah


-Louisville/NC State Louisville is the worse team. They'll score because of Jackson, but I don't trust their O-line against the NC State defensive front and I don't trust their defense to slow NC State down.

-If we were betting the Vegas line I'd absolutely pick WVU, but I think TCU will win even if they don't cover.

-Here's to hoping Maryland slays another giant

-FSU is playing like ass and is being out-coached left and right. Miami is not. The streak breaks and Jimbo hopefully fires some of his worthless assistants.

[Dereich]

Doesn't matter, Louisville is getting its teeth kicked in.

[Dereich]

So uh...Iowa State went to Oklahoma and won...after Oklahoma walloped Ohio State at THE OSU. Just like everyone predicted. This sport makes tons of sense.

[Dereich]

FMFFM

[Dereich]

Florida State (The Seminoles have played horribly this season, but they are better than Duke. At this point, I do have to question Jimbo Fisher's job security).

No. Jimbo Fisher won FSU a national title, has regularly won NY6 bowls, and most importantly has a buyout of $40 million if he is fired, the highest in the country by over $10 million. He could win three games and would not be fired because of both the goodwill he's accumulated and the fact that firing him would bankrupt the athletic department especially considering that FSU would need to pay for a new coach and coaching staff and would not settle for anyone cheap.

[Dereich]

October 13

Clemson at Syracuse

Washington State at California


October 14

Arkansas at Alabama

Auburn at LSU

Georgia Tech at Miami(FL)

Texas A&M at Florida

Florida State at Duke

Michigan at Indiana

TCU at Kansas State

Texas Tech at West Virginia

BYU at Mississippi State

South Carolina at Tennessee

Eastern Michigan at Army

Old Dominion at Marshall

Oklahoma at Texas (in Dallas)

Purdue at Wisconsin

Virginia at North Carolina

Northwestern at Maryland

Vanderbilt at Mississippi

Toledo at Central Michigan

Navy at Memphis

Wyoming at Utah State

UT San Antonio at North Texas

Tulane at Florida International

Ohio State at Nebraska

Cincinnati at South Florida

Utah at USC

Michigan State at Minnesota

UCLA at Arizona

Boise State at San Diego State

Washington at Arizona State

Oregon at Stanford


-Washington State/Cal will take approximately six weeks to finish.
-Miami is not (yet) as good as their poll position. I'm tempted to take Georgia Tech, because I think its a coinflip, but I'll take Richt's excellent streak against Tech as the deciding factor
-A&M let staying closeish to Bama get to their heads. They are still the same team that lost to UCLA and will lose in the Swamp to UF and their hideous new uniforms.
-FACT TIME: Muschamp has never lost to Tennessee. He won't start this week.
-I hope Purdue beats Wisconsin. America's Team!
-Sparty is still a pretty bad and young team; I get the feeling that they remind us of that this week at Minnesota...but I like them, so I'm picking them anyway
-I hope Nebraska beats THE Ohio State. Or better yet a meteor hits the stadium!

[Dereich]

C L E M S O N I N G

[Dereich]

October 19
Louisiana-Lafayette at Arkansas State
Memphis at Houston

October 20
Marshall at Middle Tennessee
Colorado State at New Mexico

October 21
Oklahoma at Kansas State
Oklahoma State at Texas
South Florida at Tulane
Wake Forest at Georgia Tech
LSU at Mississippi
Maryland at Wisconsin
Iowa State at Texas Tech
Iowa at Northwestern
Temple at Army
Louisville at Florida State
Akron at Toledo
Boston College at Virginia
Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan
Tennessee at Alabama
Syracuse at Miami(FL)
Indiana at Michigan State
UCF at Navy
Illinois at Minnesota
Oregon at UCLA
Kentucky at Mississippi State
North Texas at Florida Atlantic
Michigan at Penn State
USC at Notre Dame Team Meteor, but really USC
Arizona at California
Wyoming at Boise State
Fresno State at San Diego State
Colorado at Washington State

So, do you want us to count the Notre Dame/USC pick as a pick for USC or as a no pick (which means you would get no credit for game)?

[Dereich]

October 19

Louisiana-Lafayette at Arkansas State

Memphis at Houston


October 20

Marshall at Middle Tennessee

Colorado State at New Mexico


October 21

Oklahoma at Kansas State

Oklahoma State at Texas

South Florida at Tulane

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech

LSU at Mississippi

Maryland at Wisconsin

Iowa State at Texas Tech

Iowa at Northwestern

Temple at Army

Louisville at Florida State

Akron at Toledo

Boston College at Virginia

Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan

Tennessee at Alabama

Syracuse at Miami(FL)

Indiana at Michigan State

UCF at Navy

Illinois at Minnesota

Oregon at UCLA

Kentucky at Mississippi State

North Texas at Florida Atlantic

Michigan at Penn State

USC at Notre Dame

Arizona at California

Wyoming at Boise State

Fresno State at San Diego State

Colorado at Washington State

-I think Vegas is wrong on FSU-Louisville. I don't see how this anemic FSU offense manages to score enough to overcome the points Lamar Jackson WILL score. FSU plays too slowly and conservatively to build up the margin we'll need to beat that. The only real hope I have is that FSU's defensive front should massacre Louisville's O-line.

-Anyone watching Alabama-Tennessee (Vegas line of Bama by 36!) instead of UCF-Navy (who isn't from one of those two states) needs to get their head checked.

-Haven't decided whether USC-ND will be an amazing game or an awful one.

[Dereich]

October 20

Marshall at Middle Tennessee

Colorado State at New Mexico


October 21

Oklahoma at Kansas State

Oklahoma State at Texas

South Florida at Tulane

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech

LSU at Mississippi

Maryland at Wisconsin

Iowa State at Texas Tech

Iowa at Northwestern

Temple at Army

Louisville at Florida State

Akron at Toledo

Boston College at Virginia

Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan

Tennessee at Alabama

Syracuse at Miami(FL)

Indiana at Michigan State

UCF at Navy

Illinois at Minnesota

Oregon at UCLA

Kentucky at Mississippi State

North Texas at Florida Atlantic

Michigan at Penn State

USC at Notre Dame

Arizona at California

Wyoming at Boise State

Fresno State at San Diego State

Colorado at Washington State

I'll just point out for the record that at the point this post was made Marshall had won and the first quarter was underway on CSU-NM. You should definitely still keep his pick on the second game; it could still go either way at this point!

[Dereich]

God I wish I was wrong about this FSU team. Making a bowl is actually going to be a challenge.

EDIT: and somehow it gets worse on the very last play. Our backup QB might be out.

[Dereich]

God I wish I was wrong about this FSU team. Making a bowl is actually going to be a challenge.

EDIT: and somehow it gets worse on the very last play. Our backup QB might be out.

Jimbo is on the hot seat now. Even if he doesn't get fired this season, a slow start next season means he's gone. In any event, they're almost certainly not making a bowl this season barring an upset, as they still have to play both Clemson and Florida, and the way they are playing both those games mean those will be losses.

FIRING JIMBO BANKRUPTS THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT. ITS 40 MILLION DOLLARS. HE LITERALLY CANNOT BE FIRED FOR YEARS WITHOUT RUINING THE SCHOOL.

Reading the rest of your post, FSU will still beat Florida who is playing even WORSE than FSU is. Missing a bowl is still very unlikely.

[Dereich]

Consider a Penn State-Notre Dame championship.

Really think about it; two of the most toxic, divisive, and scandal ridden programs in recent College Football facing off for the crown with no heroes to root for. Think about how much it'd fit in the Age of Trump. That doomsday scenario grows more likely by the week.

[Dereich]

October 26

South Alabama at Georgia State

Stanford at Oregon State


October 27

Tulane at Memphis

Florida State at Boston College


October 28

Buffalo at Akron

Wisconsin at Illinois

Oklahoma State at West Virginia

Rutgers at Michigan

Arkansas at Mississippi

Louisville at Wake Forest

Virginia at Pittsburgh

California at Colorado

Florida International at Marshall

Kansas State at Kansas

Air Force at Colorado State

Penn State at Ohio State

Georgia at Florida

TCU at Iowa State

UCLA at Washington

NC State at Notre Dame

Michigan State at Northwestern

Indiana at Maryland

Houston at South Florida

Vanderbilt at South Carolina

Florida Atlantic at Western Kentucky

Utah at Oregon

Minnesota at Iowa

UAB at Southern Mississippi

Mississippi State at Texas A&M

Duke at Virginia Tech

Nebraska at Purdue

New Mexico at Wyoming

Tennessee at Kentucky

Georgia Tech at Clemson

Texas Tech at Oklahoma

Washington State at Arizona

USC at Arizona State

San Diego State at Hawai'i


-I'm worried about FSU-BC; I've got to be after the last few weeks. Apparently BC scores points now and Jimbo has a serious coaching philosophy problem that is being exposed this year: his cautiousness and slow pace is just not allowing FSU to get enough on the board for when other teams play...But this is Boston College. They're a trash team with a trash coach. I HAVE to assume that FSU has not fallen so low so as to lose to THAT.

-I'm indulging myself with the Florida pick. I'll be at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party this year and am looking forward to another Saban Assistant falling flat on his face before the might of Jacksonville weirdness. To hell with Georgia.

-Michigan State/Northwestern is going to be a disgusting game that will end 3-2 in favor of Michigan State.

-I really really hope Penn State exposes THE Ohio State University; they're starting to creep back up again after being whipped by Oklahoma

-If Iowa State wasn't Iowa State we'd all be giving the ISU/TCU game a lot more attention; if they can beat Oklahoma they can beat anyone in the Big12.