2025 Record
Blaine Duncan: 16-19 (Week Nine: 2-2)
TD Wood: 16-18-1 (Week Nine: 1-2-1)
Mallory McCormack: 15-20 (Week Nine: 1-3)
Greg Bosworth: 12-23 (Week Nine: 3-1)
Just because the Alabama Crimson Tide have a week off doesn’t mean that we at the Take rest, which is great because the weekend seems stacked with questions: is Vandy the real team as they travel to Austin, Texas to face the Longhorns and Arch Manning? While both Penn State and Florida have fired their head coaches, they still have to play Ohio State and Georgia, respectively, this Saturday. Do the Buckeyes and the Bulldogs have a cakewalk, or does new blood with interim head coaches inspire the underdogs? Oklahoma heads to Tennessee to play the blacked-out Volunteers in a spooky game of ranked conference opponents. Who's better: the Sooners' D or the Vols' O? It's Halloween weekend for sure. Don’t be scared!
Blaine Duncan
If I’m in the lead of this group and not even in the black, shit’s crucial. Let’s put together a winning hand.
Vanderbilt at Texas (-3) - This could be a tight game, and Vandy has to want to stay undefeated. Does Coach Lea have other jobs in mind? Is he distracted? And in Austin? Maybe Diego Pavia is a better quarterback than Arch Manning. Maybe he’s truly Heisman material. He’ll have a chance to prove that here, but I believe that Texas’s two losses (Ohio State, Florida) are losses any team could’ve had this year given the circumstances. It comes down to two things: Texas has more money to buy the better players and UT has a better schemer with Sark.
Rutgers at Illinois (-13.5) - The Fighting Illini were one of the dark-horse hopefuls to begin the season, but after three losses – to respectable teams, no less – they’re no longer ranked. They won’t lose three in a row, though, especially at home and especially against a Rutgers team who can’t beat anyone outside of the MAC.
Indiana at Maryland (OVER: 50.5) - It would come as no surprise if the Hoosiers put up fifty-one points by themselves. They’ve had plenty of high-scoring games, and the Terrapins can't stop them. Curt and co. likely want that committee’s attention here as the playoffs loom.
NFL Game of the Week
Vikings at Lions (-8.5) - The NFL has been harder to predict than the college games this year, but the Lions have two losses to two great teams with the Packers and Chiefs. They get the Vikings at home and hopefully Goff and Gibbs are the combo that puts them at the ten-point win.
TD Wood
A push feels so incredibly appropriate this season. It’s not the most glamorous slate this weekend, which is usually when things get crazy, and that makes you think twice when picking games.
Penn State at Ohio State (-19.5) – I just do not see how the Nittany Lions keep this one close. It’s in Columbus, the Buckeyes have maybe the best defense in the country, Julian Sayin and the Ohio State passing game is starting to take off, and Drew Allar is out for the year. I mean, strange things happen, but I don’t see it here.
Georgia Tech (-5.5) at NC State – It kind of feels like the Dave Doeren era is maybe coming to an end in Raleigh. I’m not steadfast in that belief, but the Wolfpack have grown stale and maybe it’s time to try something different? That line doesn’t feel like too much of a task for the Yellow Jackets, and this game feels like a good showcase for Haynes King’s Heisman campaign.
Hawai’i (+1.5) at San Jose State – Timmy Chang has the ‘Bows playing some good football, and this is a great matchup for his squad. Hawai’i, of course, has one of the top passing attacks in the country. The Spartans pass defense? Well… it’s ranked 134th out of 136 FBS teams. Not good for the home team.
NFL Game of the Week
Chiefs at Bills (+2) – The Buffalo franchise and fan base always get extremely hyped for this game. The Chiefs are getting better and better, but give me Josh Allen as a home dog in a game that probably eliminates the loser from contention for home field advantage in the playoffs.
Mallory McCormack
Trick or treat, y'all! I love this time of year with the cooler weather, leaves changing color, and well, football insanity! Quick question: do you know why it’s called fall? (Scroll past my NFL pick to find out why!) Last week was full of tricks for me, but this weekend we’ll do treats!
Georgia (-7.5) vs Florida - The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. What a wonderful name for a game. But sorry Florida, the Dawgs will catch a Gator by the toes or at least a TD plus some.
Vanderbilt (+3) at Texas - We all saw the awesome Arch memes this week, right? I mean, the one asking if he’s transferring to Georgia as the cop stands at his window was pretty awesome. But alas, I think the jokes keep coming for Texas. Don’t be surprised when Sark heads to the NFL.
Kentucky at Auburn (-10.5) - Talk about a trick! Freezus has risen from the brain fog and decided a QB change is needed. Congrats to their previous opponents, but Kentucky? Sorry Cats. It’s almost basketball season (also mic check mic check 1, 2, 1, 2…will the real Mark Stoops please stand up and make your way out of Lexington?!)
NFL Game of the Week
Colts (-3) at Steelers - And for the scariest pick of the week: who would’ve thought that Danny Dimes could actually still throw dimes?! Also gotta love some girl boss vibes that Carlie Irsay-Gordon is bringing! Who runs the world?! GIRLS!!!
Answer to my question? Because leaves fall down!!
Greg Bosworth
Finally a winning week and now going for 2 in a row 🤞🤞It should be an interesting weekend with several conference and playoff elimination games. Shame I’m going to have to get creative with the current YouTube TV/ ESPN fallout.
Vanderbilt at Texas (-3) - Maybe the story is great, but just not buying Vandy on the road. Texas is still questionable on the offensive side of the ball, but when they are on, it is impressive. Diego Pavia will be able to keep it close, but the Horns should be able to cover no problem.
Georgia (-7.5) vs Florida - The Cocktail Party has been a little one sided as of late but this one will probably be close late as the Bulldogs like to start late and Florida’s defense is very solid and should keep them in the game for awhile. Georgia should have no problem covering late.
USC (-4.5) at Nebraska - A playoff elimination game for one of these two teams. The Huskers struggle against ranked teams, so until they knock one off, I’m not buying it.
NFL Game of the Week
Cardinals at Cowboys (-2.5) - I know it sounds crazy to have any faith in the Cowboys with how bad that defense is. Dallas should be able to put up points and do just enough to cover. I’m sure we will make Kyler look like a star either way.
Note: All games are against the spread. Odds are taken from MGM Grand Sportsbook.
