1st CFP rankings released, just not as fast as Auburn HC Hugh Freeze and SC OC Mike Shula were released after their respective low scoring games. 3 Top 10 darlings got reality checks as Vandy, Georgia Tech, and Miami all lost on the road to lesser or unranked opponents. IT’s NOVEMBER…that’s what happens!!!
The question is which teams will take care of business in November, and get on the golden CFP escalator and ride it to Miami?? We will see!!!
Prognostication Accountability Update: Padre 49 -29 ZT 51-30
Padre still in the lead position with 1 less in the loss column. ZT tried to sneak in on the “percentage play” with a couple of “layup” bonus picks but that was easier to detect than a Samurai Sword in carry on luggage at the airport.
Padre up first again ( really no need to say “again” as it is expected! )
Florida @ Kentucky: Another week. Another coach. Another game we probably should have won. Another loss. It’s a sad country song. Take it away, Willie… oh wait, Willie doesn’t care—just like nobody cares about this game except my fellow Gator fans and Wildcats. And I’m not sure we all care that much either. Yet, I don’t want to lose. Then again, our injury list is as long as a CVS receipt. Therefore, I’m going with the Cats. Kentucky 20, Florida 13.
Oregon @ Iowa: I was surprised by the 6.5-point spread. I figured Oregon would be favored by more. Then I looked at Iowa’s results—and I’ll be honest, they’ve actually played decent football. They even gave Indiana a scare and held them to just over 330 yards of total offense. For a second, I thought, “Maybe this could be an upset.” Then I had another thought: “If Oregon loses, would Lanning start eyeing Florida?” And that’s when The Football Torture Ghost appeared and said, “Congratulations, you just jinxed it. Oregon’s definitely winning now. Stop thinking happy thoughts about Florida football and think about basketball, Pastor.” Oregon 23, Iowa 13.
Georgia @ Miss State: To keep up this cynical tone, I want to believe Mississippi State has a chance. I also want to believe Coach Nick Saban can somehow roll back the clock to age 50 using an Oatmeal Creme Pie–powered anti-aging machine and then promise to coach Florida to eight national titles—heck, make it twelve. But then I remember The Football Torture Ghost always finds me. Georgia rolls. Hairy-hunkered Dawgs 30, whimpering Dogs 13.
Texas A&M @ Mizzou: Like in the SEC Shorts videos, I keep thinking “Hope” is going to wreck the Aggies at some point. But maybe it isn’t hope. Maybe they’re actually, factually good. Whether it’s hope, talent, or both, I say the Aggies continue their winning ways….and Drink keeps coming up as a future name for UF — which makes me want to take a drink. A&M 27, Mizzou 17.
Auburn @ Vandy: Hugh is out. Vandy is somewhat stout. It would be easy for Vandy to overlook Auburn out of pity for their coaching drama. But Vanderbilt has some great libraries, and Coach Clark Lea must have stumbled upon “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu — and Tzu says, “no mercy.” Either that, or Lea just watched “Cobra Kai”. Either way, Vandy smells blood. Commodores 27, Auburn 13.
Navy @ Notre Dame: The Irish have two losses and their best win is against Southern Cal. And they were ranked #10 in the CFP’s first pole. Tell me about SEC Bias again? Irish 40, Navy 10.
BYU @ Texas Tech: Mormons can’t drink coffee. Red Raiders fans probably put 90-proof in theirs. I like coffee… a lot—minus the white lightning. Coffee Cowboys 30, Coffee-less Cougars 20.
LSU @ Bama: Last week, I put some suggestions into ChatGPT to write a poem trying to convince Lane to bring his train—“The Freshwater Express”—to Florida. So I’ll conclude my picks with a poem about Brian Kelly and LSU, also created in ChatGPT with a few suggestions:
“Bye Bye, Brian”
Oh Brian Kelly, we’ll miss your charm,
Your fiery temper and your endless alarm.
How we’ll miss the way you blamed the team—
Said no one ever, not even in a dream.
And now LSU heads to Bama this week,
Fighting hard but losing, 30-20, so bleak.
And if LSU steals Lane Kiffin from Florida next,
My poor heart will break under The Football Torture Ghost’s hex.
ZT ready to roll and believes he really has a “better eye” on the games after observing this from his room in Vegas…
5 Georgia Bulldawgs vs Miss State Bulldogs 11am
Battle of the Bulldogs…..get those cowbells ready and Georgia can not afford to look ahead to a home game with Texas next week. Other than A & M, State has been within a touchdown of some solid SEC competition. Note Georgia has won 4 of its 6 SEC games by 1 score. Like this one to be closer than Vegas says but the eastern time zone bulldogs get the W. Dawgs 38 Cowbells 21
7 BYU Cougars vs 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders 11am
Pretty much a play in game. Loser can almost assuredly be outside the Top 12 at seasons end. ZT has more missed prognostications related to BYU than any other team this season. TT QB Behren Morton will out duel BYU QB Bear Bachmeier for the W. TT HC Joey “ not Jerry” McGuire will show us all the money this week. Red Raiders 31 Cats on Bikes 24
What does the Fox Sports say? ( Really ZT? Trying to tie in that horrid song by Ylvis with the Big10 network on Fox?…you should change your meds! ) .
2 Indiana Hoosiers vs Penn State Nittany Lions 11am
Well, well, well…… in a trip down memory lane to the last week of August 2025, Penn State was ranked #2 and Cignetti’s Hoosiers a stretch at #20. But its November and time only went back 1 hour on Sunday and there ain’t no Hot Tub Time Machine in Happy Valley. Will be tight for a while but…. Hoosiers 31 PSU with PFS ( post Franklin syndrome ) 21
9 Oregon Ducks vs 20 Iowa Hawkeyes 230pm
This game just smells odd….and not because it will be played in Iowa City. Both teams lost to the Hoosiers and Hawkeyes with an added loss to their rival Iowa State. ZT notes in the wild that Hawks do eat ducks and in honor of The Last of the Mohicans, Dr. Pierce in Mash, and Clint Barton of the Marvel series calling the Upset Special. Hawkeyes 23 Duck a l’orange 21
3 Texas A & M Aggies vs 22 Missouri Tigers 230pm
Mike Elko and the #3 Aggies continue their quest to prove they have always been top shelf and Jimbo Fisher only deserved about 25% of his buyout ( Thank you again Jimmy Sexton ). Eli has been rumored to leave for multiple jobs ( again, thanks Jimmy ) so could be some distraction. If he loses this game, Eli’s NOT coming ( nice Three Dog Night reference..). Aggies. 38 Eli Ain’t Coming 28
Auburn Tigers vs 16 Vanderbilt Commodores 300pm
Temperature will be above 32 in Nashville so appropriate that Hugh will not be there. Commodores looking for a bounce back after coming up short in a 4th quarter comeback attempt in Austin. This is the right prescription but beware of the tigers with a new leader ready to ambush Pavia and gang.
Interim HC DJ Durkin has done his job leading the defense so will see if he can translate that vigor to the Tiger’s Offense to do something….will be close and Vandy will need a FG for the win. Vandy 20 Tigers 2.0 17
Navy Midshipmen vs 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 630pm
Navy is 7-1….Irish are 6-2. Difference is ND lost to Miami and Texas A & M in the first 2 weeks and the midshipmen just lost to the mean green of North Texas ( maybe looking ahead but.. )…and it likely doesn’t matter if ND loses to Navy as CFP committee will never rank them below 12 as long as they have a winning record. Now, that’s ok with ZT as you all know HC Marcus Freeman should get a few liberties being he is loved by all, and particularly ZT ( only 4 references left ZT before Homeland Security comes to visit you..). Will note Navy runs on land like one would think Army would ( #1 Rushing Offense ) but it wont be enough.. Irish 38 Midshipmen 17 ( never make fun of the Armed Forces! )
LSU Tigahs vs 4 Bama 630pm
Wounded animals are dangerous, especially when the source of the injury is removed. With Lyin Brian gone and the Louisiana Governor Landry apparently taking over, Bama better have their A-game in gear this week. Seriously, Interim HC Mr. Wilson ( an Outlaw Josie Wales reference ZT? ) may be the all the spark a talented Tigahs team needs! MAYBE if in the bayou…but it ain’t! This one will be close!! Bama 27 Friends of Amos Moses 24
Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats 630pm
Gators looked good in the loss to Georgia and had their chances to win it. Wildcats are about as wild as the anesthesia room at a colonoscopy clinic. They got a W at Auburn in a game it looked like no one wanted to win. In the wild, while not their primary source of food, gators enjoy eating wildcats and so it will be this weekend in Lexington. Gators 24 Cat-tastrophe 21
Dad Joke of the week: What is a defensive lineman’s favorite instrument? The Sacks-a-phone
Bonus Dad Joke: How do you make a tissue dance? Put a little boogie in it!
Padre and ZT out but will be back next week, even if the shut down continues!!
Pigskin Prognostications by the Piedmont Padre and Zimmern's Twin 