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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. 12 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech

The pick: Clemson wins, 27-21.

Oh, I was so tempted. The Tigers are clearly out of sorts, and now have to compete against a really solid squad on the road. Haynes King took down a pair of top-10 opponents last year, and came a play away from shoving Georgia’s home win streak into the shredder. He must be salivating as we speak.

I’m anticipating a tight one all the way through. The sheer talent differential ultimately allows Clemson to escape, but this performance certainly won’t earn the Tigers any brownie points with the committee.

Game 2: Wisconsin vs. No. 19 Alabama

The pick: Alabama wins, 24-6.

I’m not seeing the Badgers’ path to victory here. That suboptimal offensive line is a massive stick in the spokes. No time for Danny O’Neil to get comfortable. No space for Dilin Jones to operate. No opportunities for Mike Tressel’s defense to catch its breath. Bama pulls away in the second half.

Game 3: No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 15 Tennessee

The pick: Georgia wins, 34-13.

Even an NFL quarterback would have a difficult time navigating the atmosphere at Rocky Top. All of the professional sports teams in the state are three hours west. If someone in the Knoxville area enjoys sports, they’re at Neyland Stadium. 

I just don’t think the Vols are a real threat, unfortunately. The Dawgs annually puncture Josh Heupel’s attack, anyway; they haven’t allowed more than 17 points in this matchup during his tenure. Joey Aguilar’s blistering start has been fun, but it comes to a halt today.

Game 4: No. 18 USF vs. No. 5 Miami (FL)

The pick: Miami (FL) wins, 26-17.

I saw enough last week to know that the Bulls can hang with almost anyone. Todd Orlando took his lumps during his time in major-conference ball, but he’s done a fantastic job with that defense. The ‘Canes will need to work for every yard this afternoon.

Pulling off three consecutive stunners is obviously a tall order from a physical standpoint; it’s even more of a challenge emotionally. Does South Florida possess the mental fortitude to complete perhaps the most impressive 17-day stretch from a Group of Five program ever? Though the Bulls battle hard, I have Miami spoiling the party.

Game 5: Florida vs. No. 3 LSU

The pick: Florida wins, 28-23.

Maybe this is irrational of me. The Gators played with their food last week, and that loss may very well cost them a spot on Selection Sunday.

I remember how bleak things looked in Gainesville a season ago, however. That crew was 4-5, had just lost to Quinn Ewers by 32, and could’ve easily laid down and watched Billy Napier get the hook. The boys instead closed the campaign on a heater, outscoring their last four opponents by a total of 63 points. Once again, this fan base is on the brink of a full-fledged temper tantrum. I see Florida marching out of Death Valley with a critical victory.

Game 6: No. 16 Texas A&M vs. No. 8 Notre Dame

The pick: Notre Dame wins, 30-24.

Not too long ago, the Irish were the certified face of college football’s let’s-see-you-do-it-on-a-big-stage tier. Marcus Freeman has changed everything; he vanquished nine ranked teams in a row before stumbling in the national championship game.

Thus, I’m willing to give some blind trust to Notre Dame. Freeman can’t drop three straight, right? The Irish didn’t look sharp in the opener, but I like that they had a bye week to flush it and move on. Marcel Reed is electric, and I’m excited to watch him find solutions against an incredibly smart defense. Regardless of the result, it should be an awesome battle in South Bend.

• Week 2 Results: 3-3

• Overall Season Picks Record: 7-5

• Current CFB Prize Pot: $75

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