Week 6 did not disappoint but Week 7 could be CFB heaven!!! 3 HUGE matchups in the Top 17 and 6 Top 25 teams traveling with #6 Oklahoma and #10 Georgia on the road.
Fall may be here but the HEAT is on in several locations to include Chapel Hill NC, Madison WI, and Corvallis OR. Hard not to always check in on the “Belichick Situation” ( ZT….this may be worse than the “Bonnie Situation” in Pulp Fiction & thanks for referencing a 1994 film..). One post noted UNC may be looking to do an early contract extension before he leaves to go to SCAD, The Savannah College of Art and Design because she wants to work on a new line of designer stadium purses….. Again, just an internet rumor.
Pigskin Prognostication Update: Well, Well, Well….the Padre felt the wrath of dissing Waffle House ( a ZT favorite dining establishment ) and it costs him. Padre finished 4-3 in week 6 while the Hashbrown Eating Champion from 1984 was 6-1!! In celebration, ZT was treated to an “upscale WH” experience at Metro Diner and is ready to continue the “brainfood” winning trend this week!
2025 is now in a tie…..both are at 28-17 but since Padre has not trailed this season, he will still go first ( also, because most readers usually click to the next blog after reading the Padre to avoid lowering their IQ reading you ZT! ).
Padre is in the house!
Florida @ Texas A&M: Nobody coaches a must-win game quite like Billy Napier… when the Grim Reaper is rattling the gates of The Swamp. Gator Nation, we’ve all been there — this feels like dating someone who cheats on you constantly, then shows up with flowers, a heartfelt apology, and just enough charm to make you ignore all the red flags. Don’t fall for it, folks! Trust has to be earned — and one decent game doesn’t cover the cost of emotional damage. I want to win. I want to believe. But I’ve got that all-too-familiar sinking feeling heading into Saturday night. I sure hope I’m wrong — ask my wife, it happens all the time — but I think the Aggies pull away late. Texas A&M 30, Florida 13 (closer than the final score — at least that is how it will be sold to my football soul)
Bama @ Mizzou: Bama is only favored by 2 1/2. I know I am supposed to respect Mizzou, but I am still offended they are in the SEC. It’s like discovering a raisin in a chocolate chip cookie. Ironically, if Missouri ever decided to secede from the SEC, I’d probably send a fruit basket in support. Out of pure pettiness, I’m pulling for Bama. Out of actual logic, I think Bama’s just better. Bama 34, Mizzou 23
Ohio State @ Illinois: I picked Washington to upset Ohio State. I also once said Peyton Manning wouldn’t be a great NFL quarterback. There are apps that let you follow politicians’ investments to get rich. Well, bettors follow my picks — and then do the exact opposite. The going theory is this might actually be how Biff made his millions in Back to the Future Part II. I’m done picking against Ohio State in the regular season. Lesson learned. Buckeyes roll. Ohio State 44, Illinois 17
Indiana @ Oregon: Sometimes I think Curt Cignetti is the Baker Mayfield of college coaching — big moxie, a little trash talk, flashes of brilliance, and the occasional humbling reality check. And honestly? I like Baker. I like Cignetti too. From where I sit, the reality checks don’t say much about them — they’re usually just running into a buzzsaw of superior talent. That’s what this feels like. I’ll be pulling for Indiana because…well, why not? Chaos is fun. But Oregon’s just got too much juice (and Dan Lanning is, as my son would say, “him”). Oregon 34, Indiana 16
Oklahoma vs. Texas: Call me crazy, but in the 4th quarter against Florida, I though Arch finally started to look like the guy we all thought we’d see this season. I know OU might be getting their QB back, but for whatever reason, I’ve got a weird feeling this is the game where Arch arrives. Just like Florida randomly rose from the dead last week, I think Texas climbs off the grill — where they were halfway to becoming burnt steaks — and makes this interesting. I say Arch looks more like Eli vs. Florida than Peyton vs. Florida (yes, I somehow made the Red River Shootout about me — you’re welcome). Somehow, some way, the Longhorns pull it off. Texas 27, Oklahoma 20
NC State @ Notre Dame: I randomly bought a box of Lucky Charms the other day. One bite in, and boom — I was 11 years old again. No bills, no stress, no back pain from sleeping wrong. Just sugar, cartoons, and delusional confidence. So yeah, I’m taking Notre Dame. Why? Because Lucky Charms said so. And as Ron Burgundy once said: “It’s science.” Notre Dame 41, NC State 14
Michigan @ USC: So much history. So many great names. So many great teams. So not this season. I say Trojans win a game I really won’t watch — unless it gets interesting late. USC 37, Michigan 27
Georgia @ Auburn: I’m typing this while watching the Detroit vs. Seattle baseball game — which might actually still be going by the time Georgia and Auburn kick off. They call this matchup “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry,” and honestly, that feels appropriate… because this baseball game feels like Baseball’s Longest East Coast Time Zone Suffering. I’m running on fumes. And from the looks of it, so is Auburn’s season. Georgia takes care of business on The Plains. Georgia 27, Auburn 16
On other games just for fun: I say Tenn over Ark. FSU over Pitt. Georgia Tech over Va Tech. Utah over Arizona St. And Arizona upsets BYU.
Here’s to another great Saturday. Here’s to hoping I’m wrong about my Gators. Here’s to hoping my wife lets me sleep in — as I type this way too late. I should turn off this game… but the 11-year-old, Lucky Charms-eating kid in me just can’t do it. Go Gators! Beat A&M!
ZT is here and just so you know he still lives by what his momma always said “Clean your plate and you can go watch football”………
ZT notes this is a strange week with everything from a full moon earlier this week to the government shutdown to Amazon Prime week, where somehow ZT purchased over 16 pairs of socks from 3 different vendors. BTW, that included his first purchase of Bamboo socks ( just ahead of the 100% tariff coming to the country with the most Bamboo …. ). SO, it’s just fits that ZT has multiple upset specials to go with the family-size of Tums he purchased after his consumption of street tacos & Mexican corn from a food truck just before composing this week’s prognostications……here we go ( pardon the burp )……
8 Bama @ 14 Mizzou Tigers 11am
Some thought Bama-Vandy was a trap game….ZT did not BUT, this could be. How does one call a SEC game on the road a “trap game”? Well, post Georgia win, Vandy revenge and then the 3rd week in October vs. the VOLS, it’s more of a trap than spelling the word “part” backwards! Tigers and HC Eli Drinkwitz are 5-0 and are about to enjoy their 6th straight home game!! ( apparently a large donation to the “ Add Greg Sankey to Mount Rushmore” GoFundMe doesn’t hurt! ) This will be close but DeBoer leaves his special Hoodie in T-Town by accident. Upset Special Drinking with Eli’s Tigers 31 Low Tide 30
1 THE Ohio State Buckeyes Vs 17 Illinois Illini 11am
THE Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Champaign but they better bring their lunch pail vs. a flute or coupe ( ok, NO WAY you knew that about Champagne glasses ZT being a shot glass and mason jar guy! ) for sipping as the Illini want this worse than that last piece of pizza at 2am. Buckeye’s Defense has been tighter than a submarine door ( only allowed 25in points this year & no Red Zone TDs ) and they must maintain that vs a very good Illini offense led by Luke Altmyer ( 12 TDs and no INTs ). Will be competitive but THE Ohio State will still be #1 when the polls come out on Sunday. Buckeyes 35 Irritated Indians 20
7 Indiana Hoosiers vs 3 Oregon Ducks 230pm
GameDay will be in Eugene and never forget, this is where the movie Animal House was filmed. Casts of the film got into a brawl with a fraternity and the Hoosiers should expect the same when they come to town. May need the National Guard or at least Douglas C Neidermeyer to keep this one under control. Good news? Curt Cignetti is tougher than your mother-in-law’s baked chicken and this is the Hoosiers chance to eliminate the rest of the CFB naysayers. Will note the Ducks had a week off while the Hoosiers snuck by Iowa in Iowa City. Ducks 28 Hoosier Daddy 24
6 Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas Longhorns 230pm
What’s up at Lamborghini U?? Drop 2 games, Sark looking more like a shart and the Longhorns do have the distinction of being the quickest #1 AP preseason team to fall out of the Top 25. Best medicine to recover? The Red River Rivalry!!! Vegas helping this by throwing shade at the Sooners making Texas the favorite. Sooners HC Bret Venables expects to start QB Michael Hawkins Jr. again in place of the injured John Mateer ( maybe???.) Hawkins did start vs Texas last year and Sooners lost 34-3. On the other side of the ball, Arch Manning is under more heat than the kiln that exploded on Fawn Liebowitz when she was making that pot for Otter ( ZT, you are obsessed with Animal House today..) Upset Special #2 Sooners 24 Rump Roasts 23
Florida Gators vs 5 Texas A & M Aggies 6pm
How ‘bout them Gators!!!! Took out the Longhorns in The Swamp and it was no fluke!! While that was happening, the Aggies have reeled off their 5th win under the direction of QB Marcel “Marceau“ Reed who makes opposing secondaries look like clowns ( really ZT? ). Gators need a magician in the training room as they have 6 out and 7 questionable for this one. Unfortunately, all magicians are furloughed with the government shutdown. Aggies 27 Swamp Reptiles 21
N C State Wolfpack vs 16 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 230pm
ALRIGHT…ZT’s favorite coach is back in action but will have his hands full with the Wolfpack coming to South Bend with QB CJ Bailey and his high-octane offense ( ZT, what if someone reading this drives an EV? high-voltage offense? ). Issue in this one? Wolfpack defense looks more like a clan of gerbils and its in South Bend. Irish HC Marcus Freeman ( ZT loves Marcus – and only 4 more mentions this season per the court order) will have QB CJ Carr and RB Jeremiyah “feelin the” Love ready to propel ND to 4-2. Fighting Irish 42 Atlantic Coast Meerkats 24
15 Michigan Wolverines vs USC Trojans 630pm
This is likely a Big10 and playoff elimination game…why you say that ZT? Both have an early season loss ( Michigan to Oklahoma and USC to Illinois ) and schedule would indicate each likely drops another so whoever loses today is probably out of the mix. Thanks to Penn State, both are in the mix! Wolverines QB Bryce Underwood has taken care of the ball while the defense has been solid. Trojans can run the ball and have had a bye week to focus on Michigan. This one will be close but…. Upset Special #3 Wolverines 31 Bent Sword Trojan 28
10 Georgia Bulldogs vs Auburn Tiger s 630pm
Ok….Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman like each other better than these 2 teams. A night game at Jordan Hare and the official retirement of QB Cam Newton’s jersey add to the drama. Tigers have lost 2 in a row but got a much needed bye week while Dawgs recovered from the Bama loss by taking care of Kentucky. Dawgs have won the last 8 contests and Vegas line looks low….maybe another Vegas trap? ZT not getting hooked… Upset Special #4 Tigers 27 Kirby’s Car Crashers 24
Dad Joke: How does Kevin Bacon escape from a Bear Trap?? He’s gotta cut footloose!
Pigskin Prognostications by the Piedmont Padre and Zimmern's Twin 