College Football Top 25: Week Nine

Junior Rico Gafford and Wyoming burst onto the list after upending previously-unbeaten Boise State 30-28. (Troy Babbitt/USA TODAY Sports)

1. Alabama (8-0)
2. Washington (8-0)
3. Michigan (8-0)
4. Clemson (8-0)
5. Louisville (7-1)
6. Texas A&M (7-1)
7. Ohio State (7-1)
8. Nebraska (7-1)
9. Wisconsin (6-2)
10. West Virginia (6-1)
11. Florida (6-1)
12. Baylor (6-1)
13. Oklahoma (6-2)
14. Western Michigan (8-0)
15. Auburn (6-2)
16. Oklahoma State (6-2)
17. North Carolina (6-2)
18. Utah (7-2)
19. Louisiana State (5-2)
20. Boise State (7-1)
21. Florida State (5-3)
22. Colorado (6-2)
23. Wyoming (6-2)
24. Virginia Tech (6-2)
25. Penn State (6-2)
Dropped: Tennessee (16), Navy (20), Arkansas (24); New/Returned: Wyoming, Virginia Tech, Penn State

NFL PICKS! Week Eight

Last week: 9-6 (Counting the Arizona-Seattle tie as a prognosticatory loss)
Year to date: 60-47 (.561)

LeGarrette Blount and the Patriots look to avenge a week four loss, their only one so far, against the Bills. (Jim Rogash/Getty)

(Home teams denoted in bold. Bye week teams: San Francisco, Pittsburgh, NY Giants, Miami, Los Angeles and Baltimore)

Thursday, October 27

Tennessee (3-4) 24, Jacksonville (2-4) 21
If the Titans can barely beat Cleveland at home, the Jags should do OK in Nashville. On paper, this is a Tennessee win. In reality, it's anyone's game.

Thursday Night Football will feature these punks in the Nissan Stadium stands as well. (David Slate/Facebook)

Sunday, October 30

Washington (4-3) 23, Cincinnati (3-4) 21 (game in London)
The team from America's capital city will win in the country from which America once won independence. So, take that Great Britain football fans.

Arizona (3-3-1) 26, Carolina (1-5) 21
I have lost all faith in the Panthers. The team is far too immature to win at a consistent level in the National Football League. I don't know where it starts, because the defeatist mentality has permeated the entire organization.

Detroit (4-3) 23, Houston (4-3) 21
Don't look now, but the Lions are on a three-game win streak. Losing JJ Watt is beginning to hurt the Texans.

Seattle (5-1-1) 26, New Orleans (2-4) 21
After the gruesome tie against the Cardinals in which Stephen Hauschka missed a chip shot for the game-winning field goal, head coach Pete Carroll stood behind his kicker 100 percent. That may go a long way for a team suddenly poised for another playoff run.

Kansas City (4-2) 27, Indianapolis (3-4) 24
Andrew Luck was impressive in another decided-in-the-fourth-quarter game for Indy. It's looking up for the Colts, but Kansas City is a tough squad to beat in 2016.

Jets (2-5) 26, Cleveland (0-7) 23
This may be the Browns' only chance to end their skid. The Jets have looked almost as bad as Cleveland, and their quarterback situation is fueled by resentment at the moment. Furthermore, the Indians are in the World Series and the Cavs just got their championship rings. If the Jets pull this one off, you're looking at the second 0-16 team in NFL history.

New England (6-1) 27, Buffalo (4-3) 21
It's not even going to be close. Bill, Brady and Gronk will put up 50 on Rex Ryan as payback for the Bills' win in Foxboro last month.

Oakland (5-2) 26, Tampa Bay (3-3) 23
The AFC West race continues to unfold as one of the more interesting division contests in the league, with next week's showdown between the Broncos and Raiders will have major postseason implications. Meanwhile, the Bucs are only half a game out of first in the NFC South.

Denver (5-2) 27, San Diego (3-4) 23
In this week's second divisional rematch (by the way, since when did the NFL start scheduling both games in a divisional series within the first half of the season?), the previously-defeated team will get revenge as well. The Chargers are a dangerously good team despite their 3-4 record, but the Broncos will correct their mistakes and even the 2016 series.

Atlanta (4-3) 29, Green Bay (4-2) 26
In the category of sentences you never thought you'd hear, Matt Ryan will outduel Aaron Rodgers in what might be the most fun game of week eight.

Dallas (5-1) 24, Philadelphia (4-2) 23
I have a theory about the Cowboys. They are a mediocre team when their so-called "stars" (Dez Bryant, for example) are getting all the attention, but their unproven rookies (Dak and Zeke) are fighting every down to prove they belong in the league. This makes Dallas a much better team. If Jerry Jones is wise, he will stick with the kids and leave the divas on the bench.

Monday, October 31

Minnesota (5-1) 23, Chicago (1-6) 14
Trick: John Fox will take off his mask and reveal himself to be Abe Gibron (the head coach who led Chicago to a 11-30-1 record over a three-year period in the '40s). Treat: Minnesota's defense will score all of the Vikings' points en route to another easy fantasy football victory for yours truly.

College Football Top 25: Week Eight

Senior Daikiel Shorts and 6-0 West Virginia continue to climb the rankings. (Raymond Thompson/Associated Press)

1. Alabama (8-0)
2. Washington (7-0)
3. Michigan (7-0)
4. Clemson (7-0)
5. Nebraska (7-0)
6. Baylor (6-0)
7. Louisville (6-1)
8. Ohio State (6-1)
9. Texas A&M (6-1)
10. West Virginia (6-0)
11. Florida State (5-2)
12. Wisconsin (5-2)
13. Utah (7-1)
14. Florida (5-1)
15. Boise State (7-0)
16. Tennessee (5-2)
17. Oklahoma (5-2)
18. Western Michigan (8-0)
19. Auburn (5-2)
20. Navy (5-1)
21. North Carolina (6-2)
22. Oklahoma State (5-2)
23. Louisiana State (5-2)
24. Arkansas (5-3)
25. Colorado (6-2)
Dropped: Houston (12), Miami (20); New/Returned: Louisiana State, Colorado

NFL PICKS! Week Seven

Last week: 6-9
Year to date: 51-41 (.554)

(Home teams denoted in bold. Bye week teams: Dallas and Carolina)

What are Philip Rivers and the 2-4 Chargers doing in this week's featured game? Throwing for a bunch of yards, probably. (Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports)

Thursday, October 20

Green Bay (3-2) 23, Chicago (1-5) 19

This series has belonged to the Packers for the better part of the past decade, with the Bears claiming just two wins in the last 15 meetings. For Packers fans not to lose hope, Green Bay must continue its dominance against Chicago.

Sunday, October 23

Giants (3-3) 21, Los Angeles (3-3) 20 (Game in London)

After getting off to a 3-1 start, the Rams have dropped two straight. The Giants rebounded last week after their own three-game losing streak and thus have an iota more momentum coming into this game.

Kansas City (3-2) 28, New Orleans (2-3) 26

The Sean Payton Farewell Tour will make its next stop at Arrowhead, where the Chiefs will eke past New Orleans to stay very much alive in the AFC West race.

Minnesota (5-0) 20, Philadelphia (3-2) 19

The Eagles could feasibly complete a three-game journey from first-to-worst in the NFC East after losing to undefeated, and bye-week-rested, Minnesota. Regardless, look for this to be a defensive showdown.

Indianapolis (2-4) 26, Tennessee (3-3) 24

In this week’s episode of “No One Wants to Win the AFC South,” 3-3 Tennessee will lose at home to 2-4 Indianapolis to tie the teams at 3-4 potentially one game out of the division lead.

Buffalo (4-2) 24, Miami (2-4) 19

After giving up 37 points to the Jets and firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Bills immediately went on a 4-0 run. Said run included wins against Arizona, New England and Los Angeles. Go figure.

Washington (4-2) 24, Detroit (3-3)

Last week I said a 4-2 Washington squad would need to be taken as a serious contender after having started the season 0-2. This is me taking a 4-2 Washington squad seriously.

Cincinnati (2-4) 24, Cleveland (0-6) 21

If the Browns can’t beat the Titans after having the game practically gift-wrapped for them, they won’t win a single game in 2016.

Oakland (4-2) 24, Jacksonville (2-3) 23

They’re not making highlight reels, but the Raiders are still winning. In fact, were the season over Tuesday, the Raiders would have the tiebreaker over Denver for the AFC West championship.

Baltimore (3-3) 23, Jets (1-5) 17

Sunday marks a good time for the Ravens to right the ship after having lost three straight. Todd Bowles making the switch to Geno Smith at quarterback might help slow the bleeding for New York, but won’t immediately stop it.

Atlanta (4-2) 30, San Diego (2-4) 28

OK, I’ll say it. The Falcons were robbed of a win last week; however, I finally predicted a Falcons game correctly so I’m not complaining. Matt Ryan and Phil Rivers will combine for 1,000 yards passing in this week’s marquee matchup, but look for a controversial call to go Atlanta’s way near endgame.

Tampa Bay (2-3) 24, San Francisco (1-5) 23

For the record, I hated Kaepernick long before he took a knee for the Star Spangled Banner. Also for the record, I support his right to kneel and am sympathetic toward his cause. I still don’t like the guy, though.

New England (5-1) 23, Pittsburgh (4-2) 20

One of the five most important lessons I have learned in my 24 years is “You Don’t Punish Bill Belichick.” Eventually, Supreme Overlord Roger Goodell will figure this one out, too.

Arizona (3-3) 21, Seattle (4-1) 19

In my upset of the week, the Cardinals will finally break .500 with their first signature win of 2016. This will create some semblance of gridlock atop the NFC West, with what could be 4-2 Seattle, 4-3 Arizona and 4-3 Los Angeles vying for division supremacy.

Monday, October 24

Denver (4-2) 23, Houston (4-2) 17

The Broncos will have had 11 days of rest heading into this one. Houston is riding a wave of confidence after coming back at home against Indy. It will be competitive all around, but the Broncos have a definite edge.

College Football Top 25: Week Seven

Freshman phenom Jalen Hurts and Alabama are on top for the first time this season after trouncing Tennessee 49-10. (Randy Sartin/USA TODAY Sports)

1. Alabama (7-0)

2. Michigan (6-0)

3. Ohio State (6-0)

4. Clemson (7-0)

5. Washington (6-0)

6. Texas A&M (6-0)

7. Baylor (6-0)

8. Louisville (5-1)

9. Nebraska (6-0)

10. Florida State (5-2)

11. Wisconsin (4-2)

12. Houston (6-1)

13. Florida (5-1) 

14. Utah (6-1)

15. Arkansas (5-2)

16. Boise State (6-0)

17. Tennessee (5-2)

18. Oklahoma (4-2)

19. Western Michigan (7-0)

20. Miami (FL) (4-2)

21. Auburn (4-2)

22. Navy (4-1)

23. West Virginia (5-0)

24. Oklahoma State (4-2)

25. North Carolina (5-2)

Dropped: Mississippi (15), Virginia Tech (20), Wake Forest (23), Arizona State (25); New/Returned: Arkansas, Navy, West Virginia, North Carolina

NFL PICKS! Week Six

Last week: 9-5
Year to date: 45-32 (.584)

(Home team denoted in bold. Bye week teams: Tampa Bay and Minnesota)

Dak Prescott (4) and Ezekiel Elliott, both rookies, have led the Cowboys to a 4-1 start. Can they keep up the pace at 3-1 Green Bay? (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)

Thursday, October 13

Denver (4-1) 29, San Diego (1-4) 24
Stat of the week: Despite outscoring their opponents by an average of 30-28 this season, the Chargers are 1-4. They'll lose another close one to a division opponent this week.

Sunday, October 16

Philadelphia (3-1) 29, Washington (3-2) 17
This one will have major ramifications in the NFC East race. After starting 0-2, the Redskins have quietly won three straight. If they can pull one off at home against the Eagles, it will be time to start taking Jay Gruden's squad seriously.

Pittsburgh (4-1) 33, Miami (1-4) 19
The Eagles game was an extreme aberration, because the Steelers have now won three of their five games by two scores or more. Expect them to continue this trend against the Dolphins.

Jacksonville (1-3) 26, Chicago (1-4) 23
The Bears need to win the snoozefest of the week much more than the Jaguars do; just five games into the regular season, Chicago is already four games behind in the NFC North. Jacksonville is just two games out of first place in the AFC South.

Tennessee (2-3) 31, Cleveland (0-5) 19
No matter how bad Cleveland is, the Browns have consistently beaten the Titans over the last few years. Somehow the Titans will overcome their home-field disadvantage to conquer their toughest opponent of the 2010's.

New England (4-1) 31, Cincinnati (2-3) 16
What is happening in Cincinnati? The Bengals have the league's fourth-best passing offense, with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green each second in the league in passing and receiving yards, respectively. A 2-3 record and third-place position in their division makes the stats essentially meaningless.

Buffalo (3-2) 33, San Francisco (1-4) 20
The Bills will begin to prove that Colin Kaepernick started the season as a backup because he can't play quarterback, not because of any political statements.

Baltimore (3-2) 20, Giants (2-3) 17
This one might look like a defensive showdown, but that's only because these teams have two of the ten worst scoring offenses in pro football.

Los Angeles (3-2) 24, Detroit (2-3) 23
The Rams and Lions are both enigmas. No one really understands how the Rams got off to a 3-1 start, including wins against NFC playoff mainstays Arizona and Seattle. The Lions, meanwhile, beat previously-unbeaten Philadelphia after only having won one previous game. I'm a believer in Los Angeles, who should win this one.

Carolina (1-4) 32, New Orleans (1-3) 28
The only reasons this game is not the snoozefest of the week is because it's an intra-divisional contest, and because the Jaguars and Bears are playing each other this week too.

Oakland (4-1) 26, Kansas City (2-2) 24
Andy Reid is traditionally strong coming off a bye week, but the Raiders keep finding ways to win. It will be close and it will be fun, but Oakland will stay deadlocked with the Broncos in the AFC West race.

Green Bay (3-1) 26, Dallas (4-1) 23
This game has "marquee matchup" written all over it. Two of the most storied franchises in NFL history, each with one loss apiece, couldn't be more different in 2016. The 3-1 Packers have looked underwhelming with an all-pro, Super Bowl-winning core that has been in place for years. The Cowboys look like an impressive, re-energized group whose strongest asset is its youth. Dallas's exceptional rookies will be facing their first real test of the season, so I'll take the experience of Rodgers, Lacy and co. to win a close one.

Seattle (3-1) 30, Atlanta (4-1) 24
Something tells me the Falcons are going to make me regret picking against them for the fifth straight week, but I still have issues picking against the Seahawks when they have the 12th Man at their service. Incidentally, I have yet to correctly predict a Falcons game in 2016.

Indianapolis (2-3) 27, Houston (3-2) 23
If every one of my week six predictions regarding the AFC South comes true, there will be a three-way tie for the division lead, with Jacksonville only one game behind the Colts, Texans and Titans.

Monday, October 17

Arizona (2-3) 34, Jets (1-4) 19
My analysis of this game can be summed up in the following tweet:

Not really sure why #MNF is still a television program. They've got good matchups, at best, in 40% of the games. No longer must-see TV.

— Clayton Hurdle (@churdle76) October 11, 2016

College Football Top 25: Week Six

Sophomore Chuck Wade and Wake Forest are 5-1 and making their 2016 Top 25 debut. (Jeremy Brevard/USA TODAY Sports)

1. Ohio State (5-0)
2. Michigan (6-0)
3. Alabama (6-0)
4. Clemson (6-0)
5. Washington (6-0)
6. Texas A&M (6-0)
7. Baylor (5-0)
8. Louisville (4-1)
9. Wisconsin (4-1)
10. Nebraska (5-0)
11. Tennessee (5-1)
12. Florida State (4-2)
13. Miami (4-1)
14. Houston (5-1)
15. Mississippi (3-2)
16. Boise State (5-0)
17. Utah (5-1)
18. Florida (4-1)
19. Oklahoma (3-2)
20. Virginia Tech (4-1)
21. Western Michigan (6-0)
22. Auburn (4-2)
23. Wake Forest (5-1)
24. Oklahoma State (4-2)
25. Arizona State (5-1)
Dropped: Stanford (12), North Carolina (15), Arkansas (20), Texas Christian (21), Maryland (23), Colorado (25); New/Returned: Utah, Virginia Tech, Auburn, Wake Forest, Oklahoma State, Arizona State

NFL PICKS! Week Five

Last week: 8-7
Year to date: 36-27 (.571)

(Home team denoted in bold. Bye week teams: Seattle, New Orleans, Kansas City and Jacksonville)

Led by a linebacking corps featuring Zach Brown and Jerry Hughes, the Bills have beaten two of last year's best teams in the last two weeks. They take on the surprising Rams in week five's marquee matchup. (Via buffalobills.com)

Thursday, October 6

Arizona (1-3) 28, San Francisco (1-3) 21
The struggling Cardinals need a chance to redeem themselves. A division game against one of the weaker teams in the NFC should help out immensely.

Sunday, October 9

Minnesota (4-0) 27, Houston (3-1) 14
I've been high on the Vikings' defense all season, but I'll go a step further and say through the first month of the season, Minnesota is the best team in the National Football League. They win easily against a Texans squad that is not as good as its 3-1 record may indicate.

Indianapolis (1-3) 30, Chicago (1-3) 24
This game could just as easily go the Bears' way. The problems in Indianapolis are manifold; the Colts could be in the market for several key team positions come January.

Pittsburgh (3-1) 34, Jets (1-3) 20
Stop me when you've heard this before: The Steelers came out pissed off from a blowout loss the week before to record a blowout win last week. It won't be quite as impressive a win this week, but it won't be too close, either.

Miami (1-3) 22, Tennessee (1-3) 19
The most thrilling part of this snoozefest will be deciding where to play the game, as Hurricane Matthew bears down on the East Coast this weekend. If they relocate the event to Nashville, the Titans don't stand a chance.

Philadelphia (3-0) 31, Detroit (1-3) 16
Fresh off a bye, the Eagles are giving up an average of nine points per game. They'll stifle Matt Stafford and the Lions offense.

New England (3-1) 34, Cleveland (0-4) 17
The Patriots should have beaten the Bills last week; for ten seasons that's been almost as surefire a prediction as Eli Manning starting at quarterback for the New York Giants. No matter to New England though, Tom Brady will be back to put up four games' worth of stats against the only winless team remaining in pro football.

Baltimore (3-1) 28, Washington (2-2) 21
After an 0-2 start, the Redskins are finding their stride. After starting 3-0, the Ravens cooled down last week. This should be an intense competition between Beltway neighbors.

Denver (4-0) 35, Atlanta (3-1) 27
On paper, these are two of the best teams in the league. The caveat: the Broncos' opponents so far this year have a combined record of 5-11, and the Falcons' foes are 6-10. Denver's defense will slow down the Falcon passing attack just enough to remain undefeated.

Dallas (3-1) 23, Cincinnati (2-2) 20
The Cowboys believe in Dak Prescott, who is finding ways to win despite some crazy adversity. The Bengals are playing every bit like the third best team in their division right now; that is to say, inconsistently at best.

Oakland (3-1) 30, San Diego (1-3) 28
The Chargers have now given up fourth-quarter leads in two straight games. I don't anticipate the Raiders falling behind in this one, but if they do they'll be able to make up the difference easily.

Buffalo (2-2) 20, Los Angeles (3-1) 19
The Bills have figured out what they're doing, particularly on defense. The Rams are 3-1, but their three wins have come by margins of six, five and four points, respectively. This will be an upset and could be one of the classic games of the season.

Green Bay (2-1) 31, Giants (2-2) 20
This will be the Packers' second Sunday night game of the season, and it should go a lot better than their first time out. The Giants have cooled down after a hot start, and Green Bay should be ready to go after a bye.

Monday, October 10

Carolina (1-3) 30, Tampa Bay (1-3) 24
The Panthers desperately need to win on Monday night after being torched by the Falcons for 571 yards in week four. A 1-4 start would be devastating for Carolina, who just eight months ago were playing for the NFL championship.

College Football Top 25: Week Five

Washington soars into the top five after dismantling Stanford Friday night. (Lindsey Wasson/The Seattle Times)

1. Ohio State (4-0)
2. Michigan (5-0)
3. Alabama (5-0)
4. Clemson (5-0)
5. Washington (5-0)
6. Houston (5-0)
7. Tennessee (5-0)
8. Miami (FL) (4-0)
9. Louisville (4-1)
10. Texas A&M (5-0)
11. Wisconsin (4-1)
12. Stanford (3-1)
13. Baylor (5-0)
14. Florida State (3-2)
15. North Carolina (4-1)
16. Nebraska (5-0)
17. Mississippi (3-2)
18. Boise State (4-0)
19. Florida (4-1)
20. Arkansas (4-1)
21. Texas Christian (3-2)
22. Oklahoma (2-2)
23. Maryland (4-0)
24. Western Michigan (5-0)
25. Colorado (4-1)
Dropped: Texas (14), San Diego State (17), Michigan State (18), Iowa (20), Utah (24); New/returned: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Maryland, Western Michigan, Colorado