Week 2 was fun…..for most!!!
Duck Season opened in Oklahoma last Saturday and Pistol Pete had a field day in Stillwater. Texas had a comeback for the ages and no question had the Longhorns lost, Arch and Sark would be under more pressure than single-ply toilet paper on Taco Tuesday! Whittingham’s Wolverines sent the other Oklahoma team back to Norman with a big L.
Not the biggest story, but 14,895 fans in Amherst watched the U Mass Minutemen move to 2-0 for the first time since 2011 ( their last year in FCS before moving up in 2012! ). Get ready for Week 3 as conference play increases and Miami still has not played a game on Saturday this season. Likely because there is no Friday Night Court in S. Florida until October.
Pigskin Prognostication Accountability: The Padre and ZT were both 8-2 in week 2. Padre missed on Duke and Oklahoma while ZT missed on the O’s…Oklahoma and Ohio State. For the 2026 Season, both at 18 – 7. ZT ate some Pakistani food in DC and notes they may not score high in math but they love cricket and if one can figure out that game, it may help ZT prognosticate!
Padre maintains the number 1 position, at reader requests!!!!
The week that everybody has been looking forward to all off-season is finally here. The Lane Train is pulling into Oxford….and the locals are not giving that famous Southern hospitality. I think Abraham Lincoln would have received a more welcoming crowd in the 1860s than Lane will get this weekend. But there are other games on the schedule, so let’s get to them first.
UNC @ Clemson: Belichick vs. Dabo. I never thought I would type that sentence. Yet, here we are! The Bizarro World Bowl. One man sticks to his principles. The other….uh….well….my mother taught me that if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. UNC looks like the better team to me, but somehow, I’ve got a feeling Clemson finds a way. UNC gets more yardage and looks like they should have won, but the Tigers find a way—and Bill heads back to Chapel Hill a little deflated (Dad Football Joke). Clemson-23, UNC-20.
Miss St @ South Carolina: The Bulldogs went to Minnesota and beat the Gophers like they had delayed an order of cowbells. Now they travel to South Carolina to face the slightly favored Gamecocks. Call me crazy, but I think the SEC’s other Bulldogs will pull off the road win. Miss St-30, South Carolina-27.
Georgia @ Arkansas: The United Nations should send in some assistance because what is about to happen in Fayetteville may become a war crime. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how Arkansas is so far behind everybody else in the SEC. Tyson Foods and Walmart are literally in their backyard. And yet, the Dawgs are going to turn Fayetteville into a slaughterhouse. Georgia-52, Arkansas-10 (and it could be worse if Georgia wanted it to be).
FSU @ Bama: There was a moving truck spotted at Mike Norvell’s home. There are rumors that FSU wants to bring back Jimbo. There is chaos in Tallahassee. So much chaos that I am feeling sorry for them……………I’m just kidding. I couldn’t feel sorry for them if they lost 40 straight. I would be angry it wasn’t 80. The Tide rolls in The Revenge Bowl. Bama 34, FSU 16.
Kentucky @ Texas A&M: Kentucky looked good against Bama for a half. That and $1,679.49 will get you a gallon of gasoline in 2026. Kentucky plays decently for a half again. Then their dreams are dashed…much like my Friday night going-out-to-eat dreams after I filled up my truck at the Quick Mart. A&M-41, Kentucky-13.
SMU @ Louisville: This is a sneaky good/underrated game, and I honestly think it is a toss-up. So, that is what I did. I tossed a nickel (SMU heads, Louisville tails)….…and it said……….SMU. So, SMU by that nickel! Mustangs-29, Louisville-24.
Florida @ Auburn: Florida @ Auburn: Growing up a Gator, this was a huge game on our calendar every single year. I have so many positive and negative memories of this game. I have also seen it in person – twice at Jordan-Hare and once at The Swamp (2-1 for UF, with two of those UF teams winning Nattys). I really think that if you played these two teams on a neutral field, Florida would come out on top. But alas, it’s not on a neutral field. In fact, it’s on one of the most notorious NON-neutral fields (non-Auburn fans know what I am talking about). I so badly want to be wrong, and I hope I am! But I say the Plainsman Tigers of the War Eagle Yell break my heart. Auburn-27, Florida-23.
Michigan St @ Notre Dame: I once walked onto the field and stood in the endzone at Notre Dame. I think Michigan St will spend about as much time in that endzone that I did. The Irish demolish Sparty. Notre Dame-41, Michigan St-10.
West Virginia @ Virginia: It’s Once Just Virginia vs. Still Just Virginia. It’s moonshine and pepperoni rolls vs. wine and cheese. Usually, I would take the guys who drink the white lightning over the cabernet. But that cabernet crowd sure can buy an offensive line! Virginia-38, West Virginia-17.
LSU @ Ole Miss: And now we come to it. If my unfortunate prediction comes true about Auburn taking down my Gators, I will then turn over to this game already in the fourth quarter in a grumpy mood. Lane keeps pushing every button imaginable to get attention. And no matter how negative it may be, like the old Honey Badger video from over a decade ago, “Lane don’t care!” Also, Ole Miss decided to serve papers to a former player the week of the game. The Drama Bowl has arrived….and the ratings will be NFL type numbers! It’s great to see that the actual game is what matters the most 🙄 (sarcasm). I would love nothing more than to watch Lane lose in Oxford, but I believe LSU is the superior team. Lane leaves Oxford in an armored car with a “W” painted on the side. LSU 27, Ole Miss 20.
Warning: I am not sure why, but I have always HATED losing to Auburn. If my prediction comes true, my picks next week may have the depth and humor of an annoyed 15-year-old when his smartphone has been taken away from him. “Who will win the game?” — “I dunno. Whatever.” 🙄
Gator Out!!
ZT been in DC for a few days this week…..got to see the swamp that is NOT located in Gainesville but a productive visit. Did sit next to a Georgia Grad/Fan on the way back who disclosed he was married to a Bama fan. Did ask if she was ok being married to a felon…he was quiet the rest of the flight.
#2 Georgia Bulldawgs @ Arkansas Razorbacks 11am
Dawgs vs Hogs…love it. Ark 1st year HC Ryan Silverfield got a wake up call in Utah last week and now gets to host the Dawgs in Fayetteville. May recall last year Silverfield ( while at Memphis ) took at shot at Georgia players driving/arrests. Kirby acted like no big deal but expect a major hit and run this weekend, and Kirby has the experienced personnel to do that!! Dawgs 38 Sausage Links 17
UNC Tar Heels at Clemson Tigers 11am
More story lines in this one than an episode of Love Island. Dabo working to get it together after opening week shellacking with a W over that team that ran through Nick Saban’s 2011 Bama like something thru a tin horn…if you know you know with Freshman QB Tait Reynolds. UNC did their part as they released Baby Belichick, suspended a player with a weapon, and said Jordan Hudson is not a distraction, even though she sees all Bill’s emails and noted his 3rd down efficiency on field was worse than at home….. ZT going with the ACC Upset Special Tar Hills 24 Dabo in a Jambo 20
FSU Seminoles @ #10 Bama. 230pm
Bama overcame a tough 1st half in Lexington before pulling away from the wildcats….Seminoles had a week off as they were having Generac generators installed all over campus. When the AD suggested more solar panels, they sent him to the AD transfer portal. The outcome of this one could determine if FSU HC Norvell gets to host Central Arkansas (his Alma Mater) next week. Bama 34 Lights Out 17
Kentucky Wildcats @ #9 Texas A & M Aggies 230 PM
Aggies don’t need to look over the fence toward the road trip to Baton Rouge next week.
Wildcats played a good 1st half vs. Bama but the Titanic had a great 3 days before they hit the iceberg. ZT sees the difference in this one being the 11 men on the Aggie Defense and that 12th man to keep the Wildcats penned up. Even the crowd has a depth chart at Kyle Field. TAM QB Marcel Reed has a big day. Aggies 35 Smelly Cats 13
#16 SMU Mustangs @ #23 Louisville Cardinals 230 pm
ZT is fired up for this one. Expect plenty of offense and the winner to be the proverbial “last team with the ball”. Winner take the early lead in the ACC. Like both but expecting a photo finish with the Brohm’s brood making it happen. Cardinals 34 Mustang Sally 31
Miss. St. Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks 415pm
Bulldogs are 2 -0 and haven’t been pushed but they will be by the Gamecocks in Columbia this week. Gamecocks beat up on FCS Towson and ESPN bottom 10 state of Kent like Shaq dunking over Muggsy Bogues. ZT just likes SC QB Lanorris “rhymes with Delores” Sellers to breakout at home and take care of the Lebby’s puppies. Do expect both fan bases with say “ we are just one recruiting class away…” Gamecocks 28 Trailer Park Bulldogs 23
#27 Florida Gators @ Auburn Tigers 600pm
Gators lost last visit to Auburn in 2006 and has an all time record at Jordan Hare of 8-26-1. Hmm. Gator HC Sumrall was asked about family ties to Auburn and quickly noted who paid his mortgage…..Like that HC Comrade Golesh ( he was born in Moscow…Russia not Idaho ) gets 2 edge rushers back for this one. As noted, these 2 coaches are friends, just not this week. Hard to go against AU and as the home team but but dude from Pakistan told ZT “Your Brain has become out of order!” Gators 28 Tigers 24
Michigan St Spartans @ #3 ND fighting Irish 630pm
Medieval matchup between Spartans and Roman Catholics (ZT…you need to quit using Bubba AI ).
While MSU believes yelling “We are Sparta!!” will get it done, Marcus Freeman just points to Touchdown Jesus and shakes his head. Someone in South Bend will say “Back when Ara Parseghian was here, we ran the ball more!”…it won’t matter this week. Notre Dame 38 Spartan Spirit 10
#7 LSU Tigahs @ #8 Ole Miss Rebels 630pm ( Pope Mobile loaned to Kiffin! )
Well, Well, Well……This one has more drama than a Jerry Springer paternity test! After wanting NFL players 2 weeks ago, Kiffin list Tigahs starting QB as doubtful….the only thing doubtful is that Sam Leavitt won’t play with is “undisclosed upper body injury”….ZT knows that is painful as he had one of those injuries reaching over a fat kid at the Golden Corral Chocolate Fountain in 2016 and took him 2 more plates of meatloaf & potatoes to recover. Kiffin is slicker than a greased pig at the county fair but he can coach. Sat AM note: Sam Leavitt healed faster than that guy, in a sweat suit, on your flight that boards when they call for “anyone who needs a little extra time can board now” then runs off the plane when it lands…. ZT thinks Sam took some of that Immuno 150 that old dude sells on TV…….whatever Tigahs 28 Col Reb still crying 27
West Virginia Mountaineers @ #25 Virginia Cavaliers 630pm
So….this is actually the Duke’s Mayo Classic and being played in Charlotte. May be a better match up than the December bowl game. Mountaineers HC Rich ‘retread’ Rodriguez is 6-8 in his 2nd stint at WVU but is 2-0 this season ( ok it was over Coastal Carolina and UT- Martin but..). ZT likes Cavs Senior QB Beau “Ricola” Pribula to not cough it up and make the plays needed to get the W, even if only the players families are watching this one! Cavaliers 31 Mountain Mayonnaise 21
Dad Joke: My wife told me to stop impersonating a flamingo. That’s when I had to put my foot down!
Bonus Dad Joke: I called my tele – doctor and told him I broke my arm in 2 places. He told me to stop going to those 2 places!
Padre and ZT back next week…..because it will be on 96 degrees in the Southeast after September 21 when Fall officially begins!!!
Pigskin Prognostications by the Piedmont Padre and Zimmern's Twin 