We had our first losing week of the season last week, 4-5. But we’re still seven games over .500 on the year. And let me tell you that we could easily have had a record number of games this weekend. Longest list of teams in situations that I like from the season. But we show restraint. Why? Honestly, I don’t know. It seemed unwise to dole out double digits. So, we reduce it, but only a little bit, to 8.
Buffalo (-2, 54.5) at Bowling Green
12 p.m. ET on ESPN+, Doyt L. Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, Ohio
Van Pelt’s pick: Bowling Green (+2)
Have I had a MAC game this year? I have not. Let’s fix that. Do you want to take a dog home MAC at noon with your friend Scott? You don’t have to, but we are, we’re in Bowling Green at home against Buffalo.
SVP: 3-1 all-time in choosing MAC conference games
No. 4 Michigan (-22.5, 59) at Indiana
12 p.m. ET, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
Van Pelt’s pick: Indiana (+22.5)
Mizzou appeared in the first Hottybees game last week: the Hold On To Your Butts special. These are teams that catch a huge number and it’s scary. So hang on and hope the Hoosiers can hold their own against GoBlue, which has Penn State visiting them next week. Waiting for a little glimpse of the future.
SVP: 3-2 all-time when choosing against Michigan’s top 5
No. 8 Tennessee (-3, 64) at No. 25 LSU
12 p.m. ET on ESPN, Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Van Pelt’s pick: LSU (+3)
We’re busy at noon again this week, hopefully it’s off at night. The high-flying Vols are hard to follow, but we’re interested in the Bayou Bengals at home in a rare candy delivery.
SVP: 5-3-1 all-time when choosing LSU
Tulsa (-6, 45) in the Navy
12:00 p.m. ET, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland
Van Pelt’s pick: Marina (+6)
Now, to honor America, a service academy sandwich. Marina at home receiving less than a TD from Tulsa. In Annapolis, we’re backing the Catch 6 Midshipmen against Tulsa, who took Ole Miss and Cincinnati. Middies are not a fun follow up.
SVP: 5-3 all-time when choosing Navy
No. 20 Kansas State (-1.5, 45) at Iowa State
4 p.m. ET on ESPNU, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
Van Pelt Pick: Iowa State (+1.5)
Ok State of Iowa, we’re with you again. Last week you held Kansas five touchdowns below their scoring average, allowed only 10 first downs and somehow lost. It might have had something to do with the three missing FGs. Kansas State is a very popular team this week when they visit Ames; it makes us proud, Clonies, as we are with you again.
SVP: 3-0 all-time pick vs. Kansas State
Army at No. 15 Wake Forest (-17, 67.5)
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3, Truist Field, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Van Pelt’s Pick: Army (+17)
I told you it’s a military academy sandwich and Army is the other piece of bread. You’re asking: why am I putting my money into the Black Knights of the Hudson? Didn’t you have them last year in this game? I certainly did. Wake didn’t score 70 last year. Yes, that also happened. But we are not here to speak ill of the United States. We are here to honor the people who defend our freedom… exercising ours… to bet on them. Plus 17. I’m not sure how that’s enough. I hope it is.
SVP: 3-0 all-time in choosing service academies vs. top 15 teams
Florida State at No. 14 North Carolina State (-3, 52)
8 p.m. ET on ACC Network, Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, North Carolina
Van Pelt’s pick: State of Florida (+3)
Florida State just got beaten by Wake Forest last week at home and is now on the road to Raleigh to take on the Wolfpack. We’re going with the Noles getting a curiously small number given how much respect the Wolfpack garnered last week at Clemson. Kind of makes you wonder.
SVP: 3-1 all-time when choosing Florida State in night games
No. 12 Oregon (-13, 70.5) in arizona
9 p.m. ET, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
Van Pelt’s pick: Arizona (+13)
Finally, where is our man Tucson Slim? I think he graduated and is definitely in the workforce doing great things. Arizona begins a wicked five-game roster against ranked opponents and the first is Oregon. I’ve been to Tucson and it gets weird, but it really gets weird when the Ducks visit. We’re saying Bear Down Arizona and taking double figures at home with the Cats, who have already tripled last season’s win total.
SVP: 6-3 all-time when choosing Arizona
There were many more, I hope we have chosen the right ones to share with our dear viewers.