Well, if Les Miles were better at managing end-game situations, two things would be different right now:
1) He’d still be employed, and
2) DK would’ve been 7-3 last week instead of 6-4.
Oh well, that’s the way these things go. Last week was scintillating, and this week will be almost as much fun. At least two contests will take place that will go a long way toward determining who will win Power Five Conference division titles. As the great Yogi Berra once said, “It’s getting late early.”
DK’s 2016 Week 5 CFB Game Picks
All game times in Eastern Daylight Time.
2016 Week 4: 6-4 (.600)
2016 Season: 26-14 (.650)
Louisville @ Clemson (Friday, October 1st, 8:00 p.m., ABC)
Heisman favorite QB Lamar Jackson will roll into Death Valley to take on Heisman candidate QB Deshaun Watson. Three weeks ago, those descriptors would have been flipped. Now, this game not only will determine temporary supremacy in the stacked ACC Atlantic Division, but the winner will take the pole position for a spot in the CFP Final Four at season’s end. Louisville will win on the road at night, and put a stranglehold on the ACC Atlantic before the season reaches the midway point.
Pick: Louisville 38, Clemson 30
Upset Special of the Week
Oregon @ Washington State (Saturday, October 1st, 9:30 p.m., PAC12N)
This match-up features two of the more disappointing teams in the PAC-12 this season-to-date. The winner of this game will remain in the hunt for the division title, but the loser will be in deep, deep trouble. Mark Helfrich’s seat is heating up, and The Pirate may not be able to get by with his oh-so-charming press conference performances for much longer either. The Air Raid will find its rhythm, and Wazzu will get the home win over the Quack Attack.
Pick: Washington State 41, Oregon 38
Florida @ Vanderbilt (Saturday, October 1st, 12:00 p.m., SECN)
The Gators played really well for a half in Week 4. Unfortunately, that game lasted for 60 minutes rather than just the first 30. Vanderbilt has improved as detailed in Kate Pearson-Halyburton’s piece here, but will it be enough to save Derek Mason’s job? The Dores will play hard and give Florida trouble this week, but will not be able to generate enough offense against that stingy defense. Florida gets the win.
Pick: Florida 31, Vanderbilt 10
Miami @ Georgia Tech (Saturday, October 1st, 12:00 p.m., ESPN2)
Clemson positively rolled Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jackets in Week 4. Miami opens its ACC season Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium, having not been tested so far in 2016. Brad Kaaya is playing like the pro prospect that he is, and he will fill the Atlanta skies with footballs all night long. Miami will get the road win Saturday afternoon.
Pick: Miami 35, Georgia Tech 14
Tennessee @ Georgia (Saturday, October 1st, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
Tennessee removed an aircraft carrier sized monkey from its back by finally beating Florida at home in Week 4. Now, the Volunteers travel to Athens, with a chance to grab the tiebreaker advantage over both teams that figured to have a chance to win the SEC East over them. Joshua Dobbs led the rally of his career last week, and brings abundant confidence to Sanford Stadium. He and the Volunteers stay undefeated.
Pick: Tennessee 37, Georgia 28
Wisconsin @ Michigan (Saturday, October 1st, 3:30 p.m., ABC)
Freshman QB Alex Hornibrook excelled in his first start, leading Bucky to a shocking blowout win on the road over Michigan State. Thank you, sir, may I please have another? Unlike Sparty, Michigan’s offense has destroyed every defense in its path so far in 2016. Wilton Speight has not been asked to win any games so far, because he hasn’t needed to. The Wolverines will ground and pound their way to a win at home in Week 5 also, but Wisconsin will give them a challenge as they do so. Look for a tough, hard-fought B1G slobberknocker in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Michigan will prevail.
Pick: Michigan 27, Wisconsin 21
Oklahoma @ TCU (Saturday, October 1st, 5:00 p.m., FOX)
QB Kenny Hill looks like the better QB in this week’s match-up, which is a surprise to everyone, including Baker Mayfield. TCU’s talent fell off this year versus the recent past. Oklahoma will come into this one desperate, looking to salvage its season after a shaky start. The desperate Sooners will get the win.
Pick: Oklahoma 45, TCU 31
Be Careful Here Game of the Week:
Utah @ California (Saturday, October 1st, 7:00 p.m., P12N)
Utah leads the Pac-12 South, getting a great comeback win over USC. The Utes are a dark horse contender for the CFP, but they tend to drop a game that they shouldn’t each year. A game just like this one. Cal lights up the scoreboard, and Chad Hansen leading the nation in receiving. Utah plays with grit and poise, and will find a way to outpoint the Golden Bears.
Pick: Utah 44, California 42
Texas @ Oklahoma State (Saturday, October 1st, 12:00 p.m., ABC)
Texas surprised the college football world with its Week 1 win over Notre Dame, but stumbled in Week 3 with its own ‘Be Careful Here’ loss to the aforementioned California Golden Bears. The Cowboys can score, but their defense ranks 72nd in the nation in points allowed. For those of you keeping score at home, that’s not good. Texas travels to Stillwater fresh off of a bye, and will get the win.
Pick: Texas 42, Oklahoma State 31
M*A*S*H Unit Game of the Week:
Stanford @ Washington (Friday, September 30th, 9:00 p.m., ESPN)
The biggest game of the early Pac-12 conference season pits injury-ravaged Stanford against the resurgent Washington Huskies in Seattle. These teams were poised to battle for Pac-12 North supremacy before the season started, and both enter this game undefeated and highly ranked. Each team also got a scare last week, but Washington is at home and healthier. Stanford will play without WR Francis Owusu, both starting cornerbacks (Quentin Meeks and Alijah Holder), and as many as four other usual starters, out due to injuries sustained in Week 4 against UCLA. All of that will be too much to overcome, and UDub will knock off the higher-ranked Cardinal, giving coach Chris Petersen the biggest win of his tenure at Washington.
Pick: Washington 28, Stanford 24
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