The Retrospective, Week 8

Week 8 Record
Straight Up: 13-0
Against the Spread: 1-9

A completely ridiculous weekend for me, in a good way and a bad way. 13-0 picking winners and a laughable 1-9 against the spread. Had I ever considered betting before Saturday, I think it’s completely out of the question at this point.

Tulane (+32) at #8 Auburn
My Prediction: AU - 45, TU - 10
Actual Result: AU - 38, TU - 13

No surprises here. Auburn rolls over a clearly overmatched opponent, but misses the cover by about a touchdown. Freshman tailback Ben Tate goes for 156 yards as the feature back. Where do they find these guys?

Fresno State (+31.5) at #14 Louisiana State
MP: LSU - 38, FSU - 14
AR: LSU - 38, FSU - 6

Same as above. The Tigers continue to blow just about everybody out…and lose to every team with comparable talent.

South Carolina (-3) at Vanderbilt
MP: USC - 24, VU - 17
AR: USC - 31, VU - 13

Syvelle Newton continues to improve at quarterback, and the Gamecocks get a much needed conference victory. With that tough stretch coming up, they’ll need every win they can get to reach bowl eligibility.

Ole Miss (+16.5) at #15 Arkansas
MP: UA - 24, UM - 10
AR: UA - 38, UM - 3

This win could actually go a long way in the Razorbacks’ quest to prove that they are for real. They’re the first team to really dominate the woeful Rebels in conference play so far.

Alabama (+11) at #7 Tennessee
MP: UT - 27, UA - 7
AR: UT - 16, UA - 13

The Vols gut out a tough rivalry game, even if they were much less impressive than expected. I think they are going to need to start running the football effectively if they want to stay in the SEC/BCS races, though.

North Carolina (+6) at Virginia
MP: UVA - 13, UNC - 10
AR: UVA - 23, UNC - 0

So the Tar Heels are much, much worse than the lowly Cavaliers. Can you believe Virginia has managed to pitch two shutouts this year, and still have a losing record?

#5 Texas (-6.5) at #17 Nebraska
MP: UT - 21, NU - 13
AR: UT - 22, NU - 20

Zac Taylor really surprised me in lighting up a struggling Longhorn secondary to the tune of 302 yards and a couple of touchdowns. The Huskers pulled out all the stops in this one, but proved they’re not quite there yet.

#22 Boston College (+6.5) at Florida State
MP: BC - 17, FSU - 13
AR: BC - 24, FSU - 19

The outcome of this game was no surprise. While Drew Weatherford continues to put up numbers, the Seminoles’ rushing attack is still nowhere to be found.

#13 Georgia Tech (+7.5) at #12 Clemson
MP: CU - 27, GT - 24
AR: CU - 31, GT - 7

Clemson is better than we all thought, while the Jackets’ win at Virginia Tech and performance against Notre Dame continue to look less and less impressive. The Tigers ran for over 300 yards and shut Georgia Tech out for over three quarters.

St. Pius X at Southwest DeKalb
MP: SPX - 20, SWD - 17
AR: SPX - 21, SWD - 7

The Golden Lions are for real. They stake their claim as a top five team and a legitimate contender for a state title this year.

Lowndes at Valdosta
MP: LHS - 10, VHS - 7
AR: LHS - 23, VHS - 19

The season just continues to spiral out of control for the Wildcats, who lose yet another close game. Lowndes is able to stay in the discussion in the deepest region in the state.

Spartanburg at Dorman
MP: DHS - 31, SHS - 24
AR: DHS - 24, SHS - 17

The Cavaliers win this latest edition of one of the state of South Carolina’s greatest rivalries in an overtime thriller. Surely, “Flash 48” Steve Davis wouldn’t have fumbled at the goal line.

Mississippi State (+16.5) at Georgia
MP: UGA - 27, MUS - 10
AR: UGA - 27, MSU - 24

This game was huge as far as bowl eligibility goes for Georgia. The way this team has played for most of the year, and the way the schedule sets up, has them playing the unfamiliar spoiler’s role in most of their remaining games.