CFB 2024 – Week 5

Week 4 helped get us here with some great games, big wins and some teams that will need to show if they are “mentally tough” after losing.

Odd deal of the week is #29 UNLV having Holy Cross transfer QB Matthew “I didn’t get my Loot” Sluka claiming his redshirt after leading UNLV to a 3-0 start. Claim is the $100k promised by an assistant coach that didn’t happen although no written agreement was produced. A Vegas sports book said they would pay it but too late. And we thought the Presidential race was loaded with wild claims. Forget all that and get ready for Week 5 as it is lining up to be good one!!!!

Prognostication Accountability Update: Padre 25 -12 ZT 19-14

Been a tough week in our household. We lost our dog of 15 1/2 years, and then 14 hours later a massive tree fell on our house. Therefore, no commentary on my picks this week. Just a lot to process.

In order to find some laughter in the loss, my pre-picks commentary is that at least my beloved pup no longer has to listen to my rants while I watch Gator games. 🤣 He was born in 2009, so he never even saw a conference championship at Florida. Poor guy would occasionally go and chill in the corner when I got mad at the game and yelled at the TV. 🤣 But he was my buddy. I will miss him more than words can explain. I am hoping that Rainbow Bridge is full of treats and forever joy — and maybe some winning football. 😏❤️🐾

Okie St — 27
Kansas St — 26

Notre Dame — 26
Louisville — 20

Arkansas — 23
Texas A&M — 20

Penn St — 30
Illinois — 24

GAME OF WEEK
Georgia @ Bama: Okay, okay. A little commentary for this game. The year my dog was born is the year Bama began their dominance. That season Saban got his revenge on Meyer. Tebow also cried, and the Florida Empire crashed faster than Rome, the popularity of piano neck ties, and the Tiger King. With his passing, maybe that signals things change and Bama’s reign is over?! Well, I don’t believe it will ever be the same at Bama (Saban is the GOAT, afterall! 🐐). I also believe Georgia is better than Bama! So that means…..I AM STILL PICKING BAMA! The Tide roll in the minor upset by a score of 27-24.

Next week I will be back with the snark and the bark. But this week I curse the fallen tree in my backyard, and I thank God for the blessings of my beloved pup. Attached is a pic of him chewing on a Georgia Bulldog. I loved that boy!

ZT on the road again via Mizzou ( some thought business but some stealthy early scouting ) and Omaha….Early Saturday flight to get to T-Town for the Bama – Georgia game so here you go with ZT’s still at #2 prognostications!

#20 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs #23Kansas State Wildcats 11am

These 2 teams that had a set back last week. Cowboys lost a tight one at home to Utah while Wildcats were treated like the #4 wife by BYU in Provo. Okie State got behind at home and the comeback fell short. Back on the road this week in Manhattan with both squads needing a conference win. Both QBs were shake last week Cowboys RB Ollie Gordon II ( 2023 Doak Walker winner ) was in early Heisman talk but has not had a solid start and needs a breakout game. Don’t see it this week and expect Wildcats RB DJ Giddens to show off instead at home. Wildcats 28. Cowpokes 24

#15 Louisville Cardinals vs #16 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. 230pm

Well…hello Cardinals!! 3-0 and a week off gets you a visit to South Bend! Can QB Tyler Shough (850 yds. 8 TDS )have that marquise game on the big stage? The ZT Key: can the O-line give him enough time vs. a solid ND front? If so, he may be able to pick the Irish apart like a fat man attacking a plate of bangers and mash. ND counting on QB Riley Leonard to do enough with his arm and more with his legs…note ND can NOT afford to lose a game as they only have 2 current Top 25 teams on their remaining schedule and no conference championship to help. The issue is Offense, not defense ( which has not given up over 20 points in a game this year). Fighting Irish 27 Molting feathered creatures 24

Arkansas Razorbacks vs #24 Texas A & M Aggies. 230pm

Hogs trampled Auburn while the Aggies have reeled off 3 wins after losing the opener to ND.
Get ready to watch both teams run and remember, this is in Jerry World so hopefully none of the Cowboys bad gris gris rubs off on either team ( hear both teams asked to use the visitors locker room ). Hogs QB Taylen “show me the” Green has been average passing but can tuck and run with the best of them. Aggies Offense has been good with some great line play as they toggle between banged up QB Weisman and freshman Reed. Least sacks in the nation with 8. If they run like expected, game will be over before the “early bird specials” at Red Lobster end. ZT just feeling it… Upset Special Woo Pig Sooie 24 Agonies 23

#19 Illinois Illini vs #9 Penn State Nittany Lions 630pm

If Georgia/Bama not on the card, this would be the game of the week. Illini are 4-0, and fresh off an OT win over Nebraska. Jr QB Luke Altmyer is hot ( not that way! ) with over 800 yds passing, 10 TDs and NO PICKS with favorite target WR Pat “I’m all that” Bryant with 6 of those TDs. ZT is a fan of HC Bret Bielema and he has done a solid job bringing the Illini back to relevance. It is no secret ZT is NOT a James Franklin“stein” fan. ( be nice ZT, remember you are still in rehab over your UT issues and you don’t have to watch Gary Danielson anymore so stay on the high road!! ). Penn State seems to blow one or 2 every year. So they are consistent ( nice try ZT but not really a compliment ). Will note PSU only averaged 6.8 yds per pass in 2023 but now almost twice that at 11.3 yds in 2024…puts the Nittany Lions at #2 nationally. That will help the run game. ZT wants to go with Illinois but just doesn’t think this is the week PSU blows it ( again, not a compliment ). Nittany Lions 34. Sad Native Americans. 21

#2 Georgia Bulldawgs vs #4 Bama. 630pm

SEC titans battle in Tuscaloosa. Bulldawgs ABSOLUTELY have this one marked after Bama knocked them out of the 2023 CFP. 1st time in 17 years BAMA is an underdog at home. Some believe Jawga is vulnerable after the struggle vs. KY. That is classic for Kirby Smart as they have a struggle bus game every year. Feel like that was it. Based on what is seen, if both teams bring their best to the field, Bulldawgs have the advantage. Winner of this one moves to #1 in the polls. Hurricane Helene NOT impacting Tuscaloosa removed what ZT believed would favor the Dawgs with sloppy conditions that would limit Milroe and lend edge to the Dawgs run game ( thanks ZT for talking about something that didn’t happen so you can’t be proven wrong!!! ). Enough chatter….DeBoer is solid but does not have the Saban-Psyche over Kirby….yet! Dawgs 27 Storm Surge 24

ZT is out……enjoying some football and don’t even think about snacking on your wiener dog!!!