The Goldin Guarantee: Syracuse @ Clemson and Week 9 Picks

Well, last weekend was interesting. I'm proud of our Tigers for fighting through adversity and picking up the W on the road. That being said, for my health's sake, let's put Syracuse away early this week. Close games are fun, but my goodness  they are stressful. A good homecoming beat down of the Orangemen (I know they go by just "Orange" now, but orange is a color, not a mascot) would be very appreciated. Overall, I posted a 4-4 record over last weekend. I completely whiffed on Alabama-Texas A&M, gave VT and UVA too much credit, and incorrectly thought a team full of engineers would beat a team of guys that never have to go to class. But, that was last week.

Saturday 10/25

North Carolina @ Virginia (-7, o/u 65) 12:00 (ACC Network/ESPN3)

The South's Oldest Rivalry (yes, really) renews itself this year in the 119th meeting between the Tar Heels and the Wahoos. While a dark cloud hangs over Chapel Hill as more and more comes out about academic fraud, Larry Fedora's football team pulled off a nice home win over Georgia Tech last week. It's Homecoming in Charlottesville, and Mike London's squad will be trying to get past last weeks loss at Duke. UNC can definitely score some points, but it's hard for me to take them on the road against an improved UVA squad. The Goldin Guarantee: UVA 35 UNC 31

Georgia Tech @ Pitt (-3.5, o/u 54.5) 3:30 (ESPNU)

Paul Johnson brings the triple option to the Steel City for what should an interesting game, if nothing else. Last week, Pitt knocked off Va Tech on a Thursday night at Heinz Field while the Yellow Jackets dropped one at UNC. This one could be a low scoring slug fest. The Goldin Guarantee:Pitt 24 GT 17

Mississippi State (-14.5, o/u 59) @ Kentucky 3:30 (CBS)

You had us fooled for a bit, Kentucky. We thought this was your year to make a statement, maybe make a run at sneaking into the SEC Championship game. Then, you go to LSU and just get slaughtered. Miss St, however, remains a cowbell clanging freight train that just rolls over everything in it's path. Dak Prescott should have a pretty nice day in the Bluegrass State and keep the Bulldogs on top of the polls. The Goldin Guarantee: Miss St 49 UK 10

Syracuse @ Clemson (-14.5, o/u 47.5) 7:00 (ESPNU)

Our offense under Cole Stoudt looked better last week then it did against Louisville, but still isn't running smoothly. Losing Adam Choice is also a huge blow. I trust Wayne Gallman enough to be our feature back, and CJ Davidson continues to thrive in the role of a change of pace back. I'm intrigued to see Tyshon Dye get some carries as well. How much we score will most likely fall more on how we play. Stoudt looked a lot more comfortable against BC, and the WR's were firing on all cylinders. Our defense remains to be solid, so hopefully the offense continue it's progress and put the game out of reach for the Orangemen. The Goldin Guarantee: Clemson 34 Syracuse 0

South Carolina @ Auburn (-18, o/u 65.5) 7:15 (SEC Network)

Steve Spurrier takes the Gamecocks down to the planes for a tussle with the #5 team in the country. South Carolina has looked less than impressive at times this season, yet inexplicably knocked off UGA. Auburn has had a bye week to sit and think about their loss to Miss St, so expect them to be angry coming into this game. While 18 points seems like a big spread to cover against a team like South Carolina, don't put it past Gus Malzahn's squad to do so. The Goldin Guarantee: Auburn 45 SCar 20

Ole Miss (-3.5, o/u 44/.5) @ LSU 7:15 (ESPN)

The #3 Rebels head down to Baton Rouge for a night game in Tiger Stadium. The Bayou Bengals certainly don't want a repeat of their early season home loss to Miss St, but everyone will have to be on their A-game to even think about giving Ole Miss their first loss of the season. The crowd at Tiger Stadium should be wild for this one, and if Ole Miss were going to lose a game between now and the Egg Bowl matchup with Miss St to end the regular season, it would either be this one or their home game with Auburn next week. I think LSU gives Ole Miss a run for their money, but I don't know that they can pull the upset. The Golding Guarantee: Ole Miss 27 LSU 24

Alabama (-17, o/u 47) @ Tennessee 7:30 (ESPN2)

Lane Kiffin returning to Rocky Top only adds fuel to the fire that is the Third Saturday in October (technically, this week will be the Fourth Saturday in October, but whatever). The UT police department has said they won't be giving Lane any special attention this weekend, so they either trust that Vols fans will be reasonable, or they are still mad at him. Either way, things could get ugly. On the field, it could be just as ugly, as the Tide face a Tennessee team coming off of a 31-point loss to Ole Miss. It'll be a wild weekend in Knoxville, that's for sure. The Goldin Guarantee: Alabama 41 Tennessee 17