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- Jacob Rhee

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Each Saturday morning of the college football regular season, I will be predicting the outcome of the six best games of the weekend. Every time I pick the wrong team to win, it costs me $15. At the end of the year, I will use the total pot of money to buy gifts for random Glass Slipper subscribers. That’s right; you literally benefit from my failures. Let’s go.

Game 1: No. 21 USC vs. No. 23 Illinois

The pick: USC wins, 27-24.

Look, I normally try to stick with my preseason opinions as long as possible. It requires a startling turn of events for me to abandon a team that I like. The massacre that we witnessed in Bloomington absolutely qualifies as such.

Above all else, I was disappointed with the lack of fight that the Illini showed. At 21-7, those guys had a choice. Swing back, or curl up into the fetal position. They very loudly chose the latter, and that’s not a decision I’ll soon forget about.

Jayden Maiava is suddenly tied for eighth on the Heisman odds list. He’ll turn in another nice performance, and help move the Trojans to 5-0.

Game 2: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Washington

The pick: Ohio State wins, 33-21.

One big reason why I’m so impressed with Demond Williams and Jonah Coleman? They’re producing like superstars, with an offensive line that’s… questionable at best. I’m extremely interested to see if that duo can continue humming when the windows tighten and the running lanes shrink.

I have concerns about the Huskies’ big boys on the other side of the ball, as well. The front four is far from elite, which means that Ryan Walters will need to commit extra resources towards stopping the run. Leaving corners on islands against the Buckeyes is not a sustainable plan; go ask Marcus Freeman about it.

Washington lingers for a bit, before OSU’s pass rush starts to take control in the second half. A solid road win for the Scarlet and Gray.

Game 3: No. 4 LSU vs. No. 13 Ole Miss

The pick: LSU wins, 35-20.

We discussed the Rebels’ quarterback controversy at great length, and it will indeed be Trinidad Chambliss taking the snaps instead of Austin Simmons. I don’t think either dude is capable of keeping pace with Garrett Nussmeier today, however. It’s wild to me that Ole Miss is favored.

The visitors in gold are superior at just about every position group, and that unforgiving defense should ward off any comeback attempt. I’m sure those ABC camera operators will be scrambling to capture the postgame interaction between Lane Kiffin and a certain linebacker.

Game 4: Auburn vs. No. 9 Texas A&M

The pick: Texas A&M wins, 28-23.

Two minutes left in regulation. Down by four, with possession. Are there five quarterbacks in America that you’d trust more than Marcel Reed? Are there three? Is… is there one?

The Tigers pulled off a massive upset in this matchup a year ago, and they’ll go toe-to-toe once again. Reed guides A&M on a late touchdown drive, and the Aggies escape.

Game 5: No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 3 Penn State

The pick: Penn State wins, 30-17.

Dante Moore has competed against four ranked opponents in his career. Three touchdowns, six interceptions. The kid has looked incredible here in 2025; he could very well be in New York on December 13th. We just don’t have a single shred of evidence that he’s prepared for an atmosphere like this.

The White Out is no joke. Of the previous 11 offenses to walk in there, only 2018 Ohio State mustered over 21 points in regulation. I think the Nittany Lions get off to a blistering start, and force Moore into a couple of mistakes. James Franklin defeats an elite squad, settling the detractors for at least a brief moment.

Game 6: No. 17 Alabama vs. No. 5 Georgia

The pick: Georgia wins, 34-24.

We’ve watched the Dawgs blossom from a strong-but-not-elite SEC program, into the gold standard of this sport. Something that has not changed throughout that evolution? The Alabama problem. Georgia has exactly one victory in this series over the past 18(!!) years.

Kirby Smart’s crew is undoubtedly itching for revenge after losing to the Tide in that thriller last fall. I’m anticipating a special evening from CJ Allen, who I believe is the best player on either team.

Sanford Stadium is the most underappreciated environment in college football. That crowd will bring the juice, and turn away a desperate Kalen DeBoer.

• Week 4 Results: 3-3

• Overall Season Picks Record: 13-11

• Current CFB Prize Pot: $165

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