Scott Van PeltHost, SportsCenter with SVP4 minutes of reading
SVP looks to keep winning with its latest college football winners
Scott Van Pelt gives his latest group of college football winners, including USC and Clemson.
5-3 last week, which qualifies as a heater this season. Can we take advantage of the momentum? What kind of question is that? We are busy, busy, busy during the lunch window, and this is after I remembered that we can never take Rutgers again, even though I want to.
Saturday’s election
Arkansas Razorbacks at Florida Gators (-5, 50.5)
Noon ET on ESPN2, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida.
Van Pelt’s Choice: Arkansas +5.5
Let’s start with the Bunkie Perkins game, starting with a team that has lost six straight and fired a coordinator. Arkansas, how are we doing? It wasn’t great, but we’re rooting for the Hogs to keep him in Gainesville.
Senior Vice President: 9-2 all-time with the Arkansas pick
Texas A&M Aggies at No. 10 Ole Miss Rebels (-3, 53.5)
Noon ET on ESPN, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.
Van Pelt’s Choice: Texas A&M +3
Do you think this next pick could go that far? Another road dog in the SEC. Better to play this at noon than at night. A&M plus the Grove points in Oxford.
Senior Vice President: 9-8 in picks against top 10 teams this season
#15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-3, 44.5) at Clemson Tigers (+3)
Noon ET on ABC, Memorial Stadium, SC
Van Pelt’s Choice: Clemson +3
Hey coach, this ain’t Tyler from Spartanburg. This is Scott from Washington. I still believe in the home team and root for Clemson at home against Notre Dame plus a small number.
Senior Vice President: 0-1 all-time in Clemson picks
UCF Knights (-3.5, 59.5) at Cincinnati Bearcats
3:30 p.m. ET, Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati
Van Pelt’s Choice: Cincinnati +3.5
Hey, you know what’s less fun than rooting for a team that’s lost six in a row? I support two of them. Historic Nippert Stadium where the Bearcats welcome UCF to town. These teams are finding the road a bit bumpier in the Big 12, as expected. You should try to find the dubs where you can. Find yourself here for Cincinnati to try to grab one as a small dog.
Senior Vice President: 4-2-1 all-time with the Cincinnati pick
No. 11 Penn State Nittany Lions (-8, 49.5) at Maryland Terrapins
3:30 p.m. ET, SECU Stadium, College Park, MD
Van Pelt’s Choice: Maryland +8
Every time I pick up this team you call me a homer… it’s not that. Penn State has Michigan next week. The Terps’ season was undone by back-to-back losses as heavy favorites. Back in the Snake Pit — the real ones know — can they fight for 60? If they can, this feels like the window where they will.
Senior Vice President: 3-4 all-time at Maryland selection
No. 5 Washington Huskies (-3, 76.5) at No. 20 USC Trojans
7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
Van Pelt’s Choice: USC +3
A few more pet dogs to cap it off. I just love the place here for USC, home of undefeated Washington. The Trojans’ defense is a disaster, but Washington looks a little shaky here and ‘SC catching some in the Coliseum is a must-have situation.
Senior Vice President: 4-4 all-time in USC picks
Kentucky Wildcats (-4.5, 45.5) at Mississippi State Bulldogs
7:30 p.m. ET at SECN, Davis-Wade Stadium, Starkville, Miss.
Van Pelt’s Choice: Mississippi State +4.5
And we close in Starkvegas. I’m not doing the Christopher Walken cowbell thing because they went up in smoke when I did it earlier this season. We’re on the dogs as underdogs against Kentucky at home in this one.
Senior Vice President: 8-9 all-time in Mississippi State picks
That’s it. Fast week. There’s a ton more out there. Discipline is the key. Cell. Wheel. Reversed. Whatever you like.