Week 7 went full Red Dawn on the rankings: five of the top seven fell, and apparently nobody was safe. Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana, Bama, and Texas all heard the upset siren, making the AP poll look like somebody shook an Etch A Sketch. It was the first regular-season Saturday in poll history with that much top-seven carnage—totally historic and totally painful for five fan bases.
By midnight, contenders were singing “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” while the survivors were just trying not to become the next verse ( if you know, you know! ). So fire up the DeLorean, reset the rankings, and remember: where Week 7 went, nobody needed roads—just an ice pack and a playoff calculator.
Pigskin Prognostication Accountability Update: SO…the humbleness and improved dietary for ZT got him to .500 on a wild weekend while the Padre was 1 game under .500. So here we are in Week 8 and all tied up at 44 – 29 for the season. Padre maintains the number 1 slot and the readers can be heard cheering from coast to coast!
Padre leading off and feeling great knowing the Gator nation gets to enjoy the win over Texas for 2 weeks.
So, last week my Gators were suddenly another team. And by “another team”, I mean the team they were from three weeks earlier. I guess the saying is true: Nothing gets a Gator team focused like playing a Manning — well, at least Peyton and Arch. (Not really a saying, but it is to me!) My Gators have a Bye this week, which gives me a few extra days to rewatch highlights from Austin before an angry K9-Kirby comes for Gator blood. But alas, it’s not next week. It’s this week! And this week is still true orange over burnt orange. Now to the picks…
…BUT FIRST, IT IS CONFESSION TIME: Every Pastor should be honest – even if it hurts. Therefore, the hard truth is that some of these games interest me a lot more than others. Therefore, I am going to run through some of these less interested picks quickly. As I type this, it is late, and I need to go to bed. So, here are the games I’ve been asked to pick that I am not sure I have anything funny to say about…
Pitt @ Miami: Miami almost lost to FSU and jumped to #1. Pitt has looked good and then lost to Boston College. This game is a microcosm of the 2026 season. Well, a little sanity settles in on South Beach. Miami-41, Pitt-13.
Texas Tech @ Cincy: Red and Black beats Black and Red. Texas Tech-26, Cincy-16.
USC @ Wisconsin: Although they are overrated (AGAIN!), I think the Trojans conquer Madison. Southern Cal-34, Wiscy-30.
Houston @ Utah: Gameday back in the state of Utah. But, I am feeling mighty upset-minded this week. East Texas Humid Red-26, Rocky Mountain Dry Air Red-24.
Iowa @ Minnesota: The HC at Minnesota rubbed someone else’s blood on his face. Go Iowa! Normal (Iowa)-24, Vile (Minnesota)-23.
And now the games I admit I am a little more interested in….
Indiana @ Michigan: When they say the game of football is a game of inches, they mean it. Indiana would be #1 right now if not for one heck of a heartbreaking non-catch. But everything is still ahead of them. Up next? — The program that replaced the Astros as the most hated cheaters. And you know what stinks? I think the Maize Flavored Cheetos have a chance. Actually, I am going to say Michigan gets the upset. Michigan-23, Indiana-20. And now I need a bath in Holy Water.
Tennessee @ South Carolina: The Vols broke a crowd sound record. The cigars were lit. The cops turned the other way as people smoked in the Neyland. And the pumpkin orange people celebrated beating their arch-nemesis. Well, while the Vols were filling their lungs with smoke, the Gamecocks were resting on a Bye and avoiding a “let-down” after crushing my Jekyll and Hyde Gators. I like the boys from Columbia in this one. Sandstorm-24, Rocky Top-23.
Texas A&M @ Bama: While the Vols were on cloud 9 (or was that just cigar smoke rising to the heavens from Neyland?), Bama has had to look at that video of DeBoer making that face all SEC coaches outside Nick Saban have made at some point. Thankfully, Bama has the perfect cure of an opponent this week. Bama-34, Texas A&M-13.
LSU @ Auburn: Auburn joined Tennessee and rode that Smokey Mountain Cloud all the way back to The Plains. Meanwhile, a Kiffy Cat awaits. The SEC rollercoaster madness continues with Auburn going down to the only man more unpopular than the entire United States Congress. LSU-27, Auburn-20.
Ole Miss @ Texas: The Lost-2-Gators Bowl. In all seriousness, logic says I should pick Ole Miss. They look better. They have the better QB. Arch looks lost. Sark looks super lost. And yet, I am going to keep it weird in Austin. Texas-30, Ole Miss-27.
I am upset-minded this week. Knowing my luck, it will be Chalk Week. Luckily for me (or technically, not “luck”), I don’t gamble. So, if I have a bad week, all that will be lost is my football pride……….and that, for me, died a long time ago.
Gator out.
ZT’s penance was extended as he was forced to watch with Bama – UT game with a brigade of Vols while attending Vandy-Ark in Nashville. Being humbled is virtue ( keep repeating ZT!! ). All is well & ready for Week 8.
Pittsburg Panthers vs #1 Miami Hurricanes 11AM
Hurricanes have the swagger, the palm trees, and enough team speed to make a GPS device ask for a water break. Pitt just brings their lunch pails and black coffee to South Florida wanting to end a 2-game slide after a 5-0 start. Closer than Vegas thinks after the FSU scare last week but…. Hurricanes 31 Flying Felines 14
#6 Indiana Hoosiers vs. Michigan Wolverines. 11AM
Just a few years ago, Indiana walking into the Big House felt like bringing a 50-cent coupon to buy something at Hobby Lobby you never wanted. Now the Hoosiers are winning and FAVORED at Ann Arbor. Key is how they respond to the OSU loss and will the Wolverines start Freshman QB Tommy “baby, you can drive my” Carr? Cignetti eats his Chipotle bowl and sends more heat on Carr than that salsa will on his own intestines. Hoosiers 24 Clap for the Wolfmen 21
#18 LSU Tigahs Vs Auburn Tigers 11AM
If this one was at night, ZT may be calling the Upset. Jordan-Hare at night is haunted and it is October. One issue, this one is at 11am. Both QBs got more Picks than a 10-year-old sweater so ball security will be critical to get the W. Will be close but Tigahs get a close W. Tigahs 28 Cats eating canned Gumbo 24
#8 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Cincinnati Bearcats 11AM
Red Raiders bring an undefeated record, Top 10 ranking, and more confidence than a guy ordering the hottest salsa in Tijuana without a follow-up question. Expect the Bearcats to also try to recover at home after 2 consecutive road losses. One issue ZT can’t get past is Cincy QB’s last name is French…just doesn’t fit since this isn’t soccer! Red Raiders 35 Koala Cats 21
#11 Tennessee Volunteers vs South Carolina Gamecocks 230PM
Vols and QB McIntyre show up in Columbia looking like that road crew you just passed on the highway but with the speed you cleaned your room when your parents said you couldn’t go out till that was done. Gamecocks had a bye week after skinning the Gators so they will be rested and ready. ZT likes SC QB Sellers but not as much as Vols RB DeSean Bishop ( 837 yds and 10 TDs ). Vols keep rolling. Road Version Upset Special Vols 27 Baked Chicken 24
Texas A & M Aggies vs. #13 Bama. 230PM
Well……both teams have enough chaos in their DNA right now to turn a Saturday into a 4-hour courtroom drama. The Aggies enter Tuscaloosa carrying talent, expectations, and a booster budget that probably has its own satellite. Alabama at home is where every Bubba in three counties becomes an offensive coordinator by kickoff and an SEC replay official by halftime. Bama rebounds from 2 straight losses heading into a much needed bye week Bama 38 We were Soldiers 24
#15 Iowa Hawkeyes vs Minnesota Golden Gophers 230PM
Iowa and Minnesota will treat the forward pass like a gas-station sushi roll: technically available, but nobody trusts it. Expect punts, field position, and Field of Dreams football: if you kick it, they will come—eventually. Gopher HC P. J. Fleck will keep rowing the boat, though against Iowa it may feel like paddling through a cornfield with one oar. Hawkeyes 21 Go-Go-Gophers 20
#7 Ole Miss Rebels vs #19 Texas Longhorns 630PM
Texas says It’s Tricky to win in Austin, but Ole Miss plans to Push It downfield until the Longhorn defense needs a boom box and a timeout. ( ZT…you are listening to too much 80’s hip hop on your Delta Flights! ). If Texas benches Arch Manning during this game, it becomes Ferris Bueller’s Day Off—except Ferris is wearing shoulder pads and the principal is the entire Longhorn fan base. ZT believes Arch has a big day….. Longhorns 31 Ole’ Miss 28
#16 USC Trojans vs Wisconsin Badgers 630PM
USC visiting Wisconsin is Hollywood meeting cheese curds, and neither side is prepared to admit the other might be fun. The Trojans want Fast Times at Ridgemont High; the Badgers want slow times at Camp Randall with three yards and a bratwurst. Upset Special Badgers 24 Trojan Horses 23
#14 Houston Cougars vs #10 Utah Utes 915PM
Top 15 match up which is perfect for CFB Insomniacs! Utes make visiting offenses feel like they booked a hiking trip and accidentally joined a bar fight. ZT likes the Cougars (football version) but the Utes will get it done. Check the score when you wake up in the morning! Utes 31 Sleepy Cats 24
Dad Joke: Why did the kicker finally decide to marry his high school sweetheart? She was a fair catch
Dad Joke Food: Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They’d crack each other up!
Dad Joke Bonus: What’s the best way to watch a fly-fishing tournament? Live Stream it.
Padre and ZT back for a spooktacular Week 9!
