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My Week 4 college football predictions.
Welcome to Glass Slipper! That Nebraska overtime performance was nothing short of hilarious; please enjoy the show.
- Jacob Rhee
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. 11 USC vs No. 18 Michigan
The pick: USC wins, 24-13.
If D’Anton Lynn has truly saved the Trojans on defense, his unit won’t give up more than one touchdown to Alex Orji. Michigan’s new quarterback has never displayed any sort of accuracy during his collegiate career, and I don’t expect him to magically morph into an elite thrower in his first start.
USC is not a dominant team by any means, and I think the Wolverines will linger around for all four quarters. But I don’t really see the path to victory here for Sherrone Moore’s crew. Michigan loses at the Big House for the second time in 15 days.
Game 2: Memphis vs Navy
The pick: Memphis wins, 24-21.
Every once in a while, Navy randomly pops up with a double-digit win season; the schedule falls nicely, that infamous triple option starts humming, and the confidence gradually grows. If the Midshipmen can surprise the Tigers, they’ll have a decent chance to enter their October 26 clash against Notre Dame with a 6-0 record. It’s way too early - and far-fetched - to start dreaming about Navy earning that automatic Group of Five playoff bid, but springing an upset today would at least place the possibility on the table.
On the opposite sideline, Memphis should be ranked right now. Ryan Silverfield is one of the best young coaches in the nation, and his squad wants that aforementioned CFP spot just as much. I have the Tigers escaping in this one, but they need to be extremely careful.
Game 3: No. 12 Utah vs No. 14 Oklahoma State
The pick: Utah wins, 26-23.
I don’t really know how to explain it, but there’s no way that this thing ends with a traditional-looking final score. You can kind of just feel one of those strange games coming, full of odd plays and funky momentum swings. I always trust the superior coach when a contest like that breaks out, which is why I’m taking the Utes without hesitation.
Cam Rising seems healthy, and Utah’s defense is equipped to contain Ollie Gordon II. Kyle Whittingham’s group won’t make it through Big 12 play unscathed, but this isn’t the week where the stumble occurs.
Game 4: Cal vs Florida State
The pick: Florida State wins, 27-20.
These two teams compete in the same conference, and the 0-3 squad is favored over the 3-0 one. That’s pretty weird.
The Seminoles have to win at some point this season, right? Right? I think it’ll finally happen today, and we might very well get the first sarcastic field storm ever.
Game 5: No. 6 Tennessee vs No. 15 Oklahoma
The pick: Tennessee wins, 41-24.
Not even 2011 Alabama could silence this Vols attack right now. Josh Heupel’s scheme is undeniably gimmicky, but that’s what makes college athletics so great. Gimmicks work at this level; they’re not just accepted, but also encouraged.
You’ve heard me gush about Nico Iamaleava multiple times before, but he’s not even the main Heisman candidate in his own backfield right now. Dylan Sampson has collected 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns in all three of Tennessee’s games. He’ll be the main star tonight, and Jackson Arnold won’t make quite enough plays to keep pace.
Game 6: Baylor vs Colorado
The pick: Colorado wins, 34-31.
This is Baylor football since 2015.
2015: 10-3
2016: 7-6
2017: 1-11
2018: 7-6
2019: 11-3
2020: 2-7
2021: 12-2
2022: 6-7
2023: 3-9
What in the world am I supposed to do with that? How can I possibly form any meaningful opinion about a program when its win total has changed by at least three for eight consecutive seasons?
Meanwhile, Colorado is not the laughingstock that a lot of folks believe it is. This will be among the most entertaining games of the weekend, and I have the Buffs pulling out a home victory.
Week 3 Results: 5-1
Overall Season Picks Record: 15-3
Current CFB Prize Pot: $45
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I’m not impressed with what I did personally.
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