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It’s a Mizzou bye week edition of the Rock M Nation Pick Em as Week 10 is highlighted by Ohio State at Penn State, and some other intriguing SEC games.
Mizzou is on their bye week, but we’re still picking games on this Saturday slate — which is highlighted by Ohio State at Penn State, a ranked ACC matchup between Pittsburgh at SMU, and other key SEC games. Let’s make some picks.
Standings recap after Week 9:
Chad Moller (34-11)
Sammy Stava (30-15)
No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes (-3.5) at No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions (11:00 a.m. CST on FOX)
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Sammy Stava: Ohio State lost by one on the road at Oregon, and I think their experience playing in Eugene will help them in a tough road environment in Happy Valley. A talented Buckeyes team will also be desperate in order to stay in the CFP race. 24-20, tOSU.
Chad Moller: I also see Ohio State as a level above Penn State. The Buckeyes will be challenged by the crowd no doubt, but they showed well in a similar environment in the tight loss at Oregon. Penn State’s resume isn’t overly impressive when you look at it, so based on that – and the fact that I just don’t see Ohio State getting knocked out of the playoff – I’ll take the Buckeyes 27-21.
No. 19 Ole Miss Rebels (-7.5) at Arkansas Razorbacks (11:00 a.m. CST on ESPN)
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Sammy Stava: Arkansas is better than their record shows, but Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss have zero room for error now as the Rebels have to win out for a chance at the CFP. Jaxson Dart gets it done on the road. 38-30, Ole Miss.
Chad Moller: These are two of the harder teams to gauge in the SEC. Just when it looks like Arkansas is gaining steam, they take two steps back. Ole Miss already has two losses and their playoff hopes are hanging by a string. This just feels like a close game that Arkansas finds a way to lose more than Ole Miss controlling the flow. The Rebels might have a pair of disappointing losses, but they were both by just three points each. The better team will win but it’ll be yet another “could-have-been” moment for Sam Pittman’s ‘Hogs. Ole Miss 24, Arkansas 23.
Florida Gators vs No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (-16.5) in Jacksonville (2:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
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Sammy Stava: The Gators have a little bit of momentum after winning three out of their last four, but Georgia is fresh off a bye week after their massive win at Texas. Carson Beck and the Dawgs roll in this rivalry game. 38-21, UGA.
Chad Moller: Florida seems to be righting the ship that looked listless early in the season, but do Gators fans really want their team to do well enough to save Billy Napier’s job? Meanwhile, Georgia has had two weeks to sit on their massive win at Texas that reinvigorated the talk about their prowess. Normally I’d have no problem laying the points here, but when you look at UGA’s upcoming schedule – they’re at Ole Miss next week and home against Tennessee the next – I see the Bulldogs doing as little as they have to in order to win this one and keep their powder dry for the two huge games on the horizon. Because of that I’ll say Georgia never sweats this one, but the Gators hang around the margin. Georgia 31, Florida 17.
No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies (-2.5) at South Carolina Gamecocks (6:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
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Sammy Stava: I think this Texas A&M team is on a mission in Year 1 under Mike Elko. On the road in primetime at South Carolina is going to be a tough one, but the Aggies will find a way to get it done with their strong defense and on the ground with Le’Veon Moss. 21-17, TAMU.
Chad Moller: I’m a little surprised to see the line less than a field goal for the new darling of the league, but with A&M now playing revolving QBs, maybe that’s part of it? Granted, Carolina has been a very tough out this year and the other Columbia will represent A&M’s toughest road environment of the year. It might be sour grapes for the beating the Aggies gave my Tigers, but I just don’t think they’re as good as their ranking indicates. I’m calling for the upset on this one, South Carolina 23, Texas A&M 20.
No. 18 Pittsburgh Panthers at No. 20 SMU Mustangs (-7.5) (7:00 p.m. CST on ACC Network)
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Sammy Stava: SMU is at home, and I think they have the better quarterback play in Preston Stone. Mustangs hand Pitt their first loss of the season with a 30-21 victory.
Chad Moller: I admit I’ve not watched a snap of Pitt this season, so I’m really going on perception, which is not a recipe for success in the world of handicapping. That being said, SMU seems to be hitting its stride and while laying more than a TD isn’t ideal when going up against an undefeated team, that’s just what I’d do here. Pitt has been a nice story this year, but the Mustangs knock them off in this one. I’ll say SMU 31, Pitt 21.
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