We had our first losing week of the season last week, 4-5. But we're still seven games over .500 for the year. And let me tell you, we could easily have had a record number of games this weekend. Longest list of teams in situations I like of the season. But we showed restraint. Why? I honestly don't know. Just seemed reckless to hand out double digits. So, we narrow it down -- but only a little -- to eight.
Buffalo (-2, 54.5) at Bowling Green
noon ET on ESPN+, Doyt L. Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, Ohio
Van Pelt's pick: Bowling Green (+2)
Have I had a MAC game this year? I have not. Let's fix that. You want to take a MAC home 'dog at noon with your buddy Scott? You don't have to, but we are, we're on Bowling Green at home against Buffalo.
SVP: 3-1 all time when picking MAC conference games
No. 4 Michigan (-22.5, 59) at Indiana
noon ET, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
Van Pelt's pick: Indiana (+22.5)
Mizzou coved in the first ever Hottybees game last week -- the Hold On To Your Butts Special. These are teams catching a big number and it feels scary. So hold on to your butts and hope the Hoosiers can hang around against GoBlue, who have Penn State visiting them next week. Hoping for a little look ahead.
SVP: 3-2 all time when picking against top-5 Michigan
No. 8 Tennessee (-3, 64) at No. 25 LSU
noon ET on ESPN, Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Van Pelt's pick: LSU (+3)
We are busy at noon again this week -- wish this one were at night. The high-flying Vols are tough to keep up with, but we are keen on the Bayou Bengals at home in a rare candy handout.
SVP: 5-3-1 all time when picking LSU
Tulsa (-6, 45) at Navy
noon ET, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland
Van Pelt's pick: Navy (+6)
Now, to honor America, a service academy sandwich. Navy at home getting less than a TD from Tulsa. In Annapolis, we are backing the Midshipmen catching 6 against Tulsa, which just hung around with both Ole Miss and Cincinnati. Middies aren't a fun follow-up.
SVP: 5-3 all time when picking Navy
No. 20 Kansas State (-1.5, 45) at Iowa State
4 p.m. ET on ESPNU, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
Van Pelt's pick: Iowa State (+1.5)
OK, Iowa State -- we're on you again. Last week you held Kansas five touchdowns under its scoring average, gave up only 10 first downs and somehow still lost. Might have had something to do with the three missed FGs. Kansas State is a very popular side this week as it visits Ames -- make us proud, Clonies, as we stand with you again.
SVP: 3-0 all time when picking against Kansas State
Army at No. 15 Wake Forest (-17, 67.5)
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3, Truist Field, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Van Pelt's pick: Army (+17)
I told you it's a service academy sandwich, and Army is the other piece of bread. You are asking -- why am I putting my dough on the Black Knights of the Hudson -- didn't you have them last year in this game? I sure did. Didn't Wake score 70 last year. Yep -- that happened, too. But we aren't here for the bad-mouthing of America. We are here to honor the people who defend our freedom... by... exercising ours... to bet on them. Plus 17. Not sure how that's enough. Hope it is.
SVP: 3-0 all time when picking service academies vs top-15 teams
Florida State at No. 14 NC State (-3, 52)
8 p.m. ET on ACC Network, Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, North Carolina
Van Pelt's pick: Florida State (+3)
Florida State just got beat by Wake Forest last week at home and is now on the road in Raleigh to take on the Wolfpack. We are going with the Noles getting a curiously small number given the respect the Wolfpack got last week at Clemson. Kinda makes ya wonder.
SVP: 3-1 all time when picking Florida State in night games
No. 12 Oregon (-13, 70.5) at Arizona
9 p.m. ET, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
Van Pelt's pick: Arizona (+13)
Finally, where is our man Tucson Slim? I think he graduated and is undoubtedly out in the workforce doing big things. Arizona begins a wicked five-game slate against ranked opponents, and first up is Oregon. I've been to Tucson, and it gets weird -- but it for real gets weird when the Ducks visit. We are saying Bear Down Arizona and taking double digits at home with the Cats, who have already tripled last season's win total.
SVP: 6-3 all time when picking Arizona
There were so many more; hope we picked the right ones to share with our beloved viewers.