While all Irish fans are certainly hoping for chaos during the bye week, I wasn’t expecting it to hit the HLS Podcast. As Eddie had previous commitments on our usual Wednesday night recording time, I fully expected that we would do a super-show tonight (Thursday) to do the picks.
Well, looks like that won’t work out.
Late last night, Eddie thankfully left me a message with his picks and even gave a bonus pick for the Thursday night game to try and make up for everything. The pick ’em entry form is below and I’ll have the standings updated later this afternoon (after all, I thought I would have tonight to do it!).
Anyways, we will still be live on Twitch tonight at 9:30pm CT/ 10:30pm ET. Considering that I’m going to have to re-produce the show on the fly during work today, it’s pretty much guaranteed that the bye week clusterfuck show tradition will continue in some capacity!
But enough of that, it’s picks time, and, as Eddie would say, LET’S GOOOOOO BABYYYYYYY!
#HAILGAMBLOR
(Thursday) Stanford (-3) @ Arizona State
Eddie: Stanford – Fuck Herm, y’all know we don’t trust Herm. This line stinks a little, but I chalk that to Thursday night game more than anything. No cartoon stink lines yet,
Tex: Stanford – Eddie’s well aware that I’ll ride with Herm this season on the picks and I do agree we have a little stink on this line, but, after a bye, I’m looking for Stanford to bounce back in a big way.
#12 Michigan (-7) @ Michigan State
Eddie: Michigan State – Michigan’s defense looks great, I get that, but their offense is still not to be trusted, and if this isn’t the prototypical spot for MSU to fuck over Michigan, I don’t know what is. Sprinkle a lil on the ML, but this should be close
Tex: Michigan State – Fuuuuuuuuuck Michigan as always. But, seriously, Harbaugh bombs against his rivals and it’s so well known it’s practically a meme. Plus, Michigan has to go on the road, something else that seems to screw with the Skunkbears. Until proven otherwise, this looks free to me. Harbaugh may get a W here, but not a cover.
#11 Oklahoma (-8) @ TCU
Eddie: Oklahoma – We’ve covered OU’s D being trash at length, but they got rid of Stoops, and TCU seems broken after gettin got by Kliff’s boys.
Tex: Oklahoma – Typically, I’d pick TCU in this spot. OU just fired a coach and they seem to be reeling. However, they have a couple things going for them: they had a bye last week and TCU seems allergic to holding on to the football. At the end of the day, OU will have too much offensive firepower and TCU won’t be able to keep up…holy crap I’m agreeing way too much with Eddie and I don’t like it.
#1 Alabama (-29) @ Tennessee
Eddie: Alabama – Tennessee garbage, roll tide.
Tex: Alabama – Congrats, Tennessee, you beat Auburn. Enjoy your flight to the sun because you’re wearing wax wings and Saban is the sun. Also, this line just screams weird. Just one point above four TDs? It’s almost like Vegas is trying to scare me. I AIN’T SCARED ROLL TIDE.
#19 Colorado @ #7 Washington (-15.5)
Eddie: Colorado – UW dead to me. They can’t score. This is mostly spite.
Tex: Washington – This pick scares me, but here’s the thing, SC’s crappy defense worked Colorado. As Eddie notes, Washington seems allergic to points and they are favored by damn near 16?! Vegas knows something and I’m trusting Vegas on this.
Houston (-12.5) @ Navy
Eddie: Houston – Navy is not good…that’s bout it. Jump on this fast cause line started at 10, seems to be going up more.
Tex: Houston – This line is here solely to make y’all aware that Navy is really bad right before we play them. I know that doesn’t give anyone comfort but take the free Houston money on this y’all.
#16 NC State @ #3 Clemson (-16)
Eddie: NC State – Speaking of prototypical spots, man I wish this was at NCST, but even coming off the bye, Wolfpack loves nothing more than fucking with Clemson. They’ll stay close.
Tex: Clemson – Rule #1 of looking for a Clemsoning is that the team needs to be unranked to fuck with them. NC State is the polar opposite. They are riding high, undefeated, and looking to make some noise. Problem for them is that the only noise they will be making will be from the crater that Clemson is going to create with their corpse.
#22 Mississippi State #@ #5 LSU (-7)
Eddie: LSU – SEC is just kicking my ass this year. LSU feeling good, and Miss St has been very suspect.
Tex: Mississippi State – Before I get any further, why are we ranking Mississippi State again? Have we not learned yet? Anyways, this is a perfect let-down spot for LSU. LSU wins, won’t cover.
#3 Ohio State (-13.5) @ Purdue
Eddie: Purdue – I know, I know, but OSU’s D, especially secondary, has been very friendly this year. We now know Bosa took a lesson from the BATTLEFROG bowl watching Jaylon lose a ton of cash. Plus, Purdue has been able to put up a lot of points. Weird night game in West Lafyette? Let’s get weird.
Tex: Purdue – I can’t believe I agree with Eddie here, but here we are. Bosa departing isn’t a great sign for Ohio State. I feel that’s going to take a toll that most folks aren’t expecting. Brohm loves getting weird and will throw the kitchen sink, plus the entire plumbing at the Buckeyes. Choo-choo motherfucker, the chaos train is rolling in.
Southern Cal @ Utah (-6.5)
Eddie: Southern Cal – I have no idea what this spread is, would’ve expected a flip tbh. World is on Utah, so I guess I’ll take Southern Cal to hopefully lose by 3 because sports hatred keeps us warm at night.
Tex: Utah – I know Eddie typically declares these, but I’m going to take a stab. CARTOON STINK LINE ALERT. Utah is…not good? Look, I know they beat Stanford, but even then that doesn’t explain the near TD advantage for them over SC. Plus, remember our recap episode, SC’s “fuck it, I’m going deep” offense was the perfect storm against Colorado. That ain’t happening here and I’m not doubting the stink lines. Go Utes.
Week 8 Entry
- Epilogue - January 3, 2022
- HLS Podcast Finale - January 2, 2022
- The Final Fiesta: Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State NCAA ’14 Sim - December 31, 2021