All right, it's the end of another work week, and that means another Saturday of college football.
The fall always goes by so quickly for me, and it's because football is truly the best season of all. I grew up a baseball and basketball person, but football has now become the sport that interests me the most.
Last week, in my selected picks, I went 5-1, missing only the Florida win against LSU.
What we learned last week is that Carolina is still struggling; Wake Forest is good but not good enough; Duke continues to fight while looking at a winless season; and Daniel Evans has turned N.C. State into an ACC contender.
Here we go for Oct. 14 and my selected picks:
Wake Forest at N.C. State: The Deacons proved they can play with anybody, losing a game to Clemson they should have won. Wake can take you into the third quarter but against good teams will wear down. N.C. State has had a rebirth under Daniel Evans. Evans is not afraid to throw it up there and let his receivers go get it. State is favored to win, and they should. The Pack is my pick. That game, by the way, is on WRAL at noon.
South Florida at Carolina: At 1-4, the Heels desperately need to win this game. John Bunting desperately needs to win this game. Maybe this is the week, for a Carolina rebirth. My pick: UNC.
Maryland at Virginia: I picked this game because these are two rather uninspiring football teams. Maryland is 3-2 against a bad schedule, but they did play Georgia Tech tough last week. Virginia is just plain bad. I saw them beat Duke 37-0, and they were still bad. I like Maryland on the road to beat Virginia who can thank their lucky stars there is a Duke.
Tulsa at East Carolina: I like the way East Carolina's been playing. They were sick and beat up last week and still rolled Virginia. Tulsa is the defending Conference USA champion and Dowdy-Ficklen will be hoping. I would like to take the Pirates but something is telling me, "No." My pick: Tulsa in a good one.
Florida at Auburn: Let's see. I picked Tennessee to beat the Gators. I picked LSU to beat the Gators, and guess what? I'm picking Auburn to beat the Gators. Auburn is the slight favorite at home but coming off the horrendous loss to Arkansas. Actually, I think Florida's better, and I've been told by several, "Go with the Gators." But sometimes, I don't listen so well. My pick is Auburn. Got a feeling this week about the Tigers at home.
There you go. A State win would put them 3-0 in the ACC's Atlantic Division. State should beat Wake Forest, and with very winnable road games coming up at Maryland and Virginia, State will be sitting pretty in the ACC race. Who would have thought that about three weeks ago?
Meanwhile, over in Chapel Hill, if the Heels lose this one, John Bunting may have to go to the attic looking for the luggage. I know South Florida's not bad, but eventually you have to beat somebody.
Enjoy the games.
