Paul's Picks Week 9

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Welcome Back!

For the 3rd week in a row, I was subpar.  I went 31-16, or 66.0%, which is WAY below the standard I have set for myself, though it was an improvement from the week before.  Overall, I am now 150-65, or 69.8%, a drop of 1% from last week.  My goal every year is to finish at or above 80%, though I've never actually achieved that, but I almost always finish above 75%.  Last year I finished at 76.5% for the regular season, and 76.2% overall, which isn't too shabby.  

I want to point out that my predictions come simply from 45+ years of watching and following college football.  I do not have the time (or staff!) to do massive research into depth charts, injuries, transfers, etc, and so, if I were you, I certainly wouldn't take my picks to Vegas (or wherever) and bet the mortgage with them!  My brothers and I have been predicting the games among ourselves off and on for many years, and I should point out that I haven't "won" in a while, but I also haven't finished last, either, so there's that.  Anyway... let's get to the picks!

This week will be a little different.  I have been without power since 7:15 Thursday morning, and so have not had any access to the internet until I came to the school to allow kids to get their instruments for 8th grade night at the HS football game tonight (we've been out of school the last 2 days, and the school didn't have power on Thursday, either).  Since I have limited time, I am only going to list my picks without any reasoning or background.  Hopefully, power will be restored soon, and things will be back to normal next week.  You will know that I'm an honest person, because I was wrong on my 1st 2 picks!

Thursday October 29

South Alabama @ Georgia Southern- Jaguars over the Eagles

Colorado State @ Fresno State- Rams over the Bulldogs

Friday, October 30

Minnesota @ Maryland- Golden Gophers over the Terrapins

East Carolina @ Tulsa- Golden Hurricane over the Pirates

Hawai'i @ Wyoming- Cowboys over the Rainbow Warriors

Saturday, October 31

Boston College @ Clemson- Tigers over the Eagles

Georgia @ Kentucky- Bulldogs over the Wildcats

Memphis @ Cincinnati- Bearcats over the Tigers

Michigan State @ Michigan- Wolverines over the Spartans

Kansas State @ West Virginia- Wildcats over the Mountaineers

Coastal Carolina @ Georgia State- Panthers over the Chanticleers (Upset Special)

Iowa State @ Kansas- Cyclones over the Jayhawks

UTSA @ FAU- Owls over the Roadrunners

Temple @ Tulane- Green Wave over the Owls

Purdue @ Illinois- Boilermakers over the Illini

Wake Forest @ Syracuse- Demon Deacons over the Orange

UCF @ Houston- Knights over the Cougars

Rice @ Southern Miss- Golden Eagles over the Owls

Troy @ Arkansas State- Red Wolves over the Trojans

Notre Dame @ Georgia Tech- Fighting Irish over the Yellow Jackets

Indiana @ Rutgers- Hoosiers over the Scarlet Knights

UAB @ La Tech- Blazers over the Bulldogs

TCU @ Baylor- Horned Frogs over the Bears

LSU @ Auburn- Tigers over the Tigers (Bayou Bengals over the War Eagles)

Northwestern @ Iowa- Hawkeyes over the Wildcats

Texas @ Oklahoma State- Longhorns over the Cowboys (Upset Special #2)

Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt- Rebels over the Commodores

Appalachian State @ ULM- Mountaineers over the Warhawks

Virginia Tech @ Louisville- Hokies over the Cardinals

Boise State @ Air Force- Broncos over the Falcons

Mississippi State @ Alabama- Crimson Tide over the Bulldogs

San Jose State @ New Mexico- Spartans over the Lobos

Charlotte @ Duke- Blue Devils over the 49ers

Ohio State @ Penn State- Buckeyes over the Nittany Lions

Arkansas @ Texas A&M- Aggies over the Razorbacks

Missouri @ Florida- Gators over the Tigers

Navy @ SMU- Mustangs over the Midshipmen

North Carolina @ Virginia- Tar Heels over the Cavaliers

Oklahoma @ Texas Tech- Sooners over the Red Raiders

Louisiana @ Texas State- Ragin' Cajuns over the Bobcats

San Diego State @ Utah State- Aztecs over the Aggies

WKU @ BYU- Cougars over the Hilltoppers

Nevada @ UNLV- Wolf Pack over the Rebels

That's all for today!  Feel free to leave a comment, follow me on Twitter (@pbanderson), or subscribe to this blog.  Come back Monday for my TWIF Notes.

Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!

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