Site: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Cap. 88,548)
Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: SEC Network
Following its 24-14 victory over South Carolina on Saturday, No. 8 Florida returns to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to take on the Florida Atlantic Owls.
UF’s defense has helped the Gators overcome opponents without overwhelming offensive firepower, but quarterback Treon Harris and Florida’s receivers should have no problem moving the ball against an Owls defense which ranks 91st in Division I football in total defense.
With an impending matchup with in-state rival Florida State, Florida knows it must take care of business against FAU to stay in the College Football Playoff picture.
Debating Saturday’s game between Michigan and Penn State is alligatorSports assistant editor Luis Torres and alligatorSports staff writer Graham Hack.
Michigan will win because…
Michigan’s only two losses this season have come on the road at No. 18 Utah and at home to No. 9 Michigan State on the flukiest play of the season — a blocked punt returned for a touchdown as time expired while the Wolverines led.
Penn State only has one victory over a team with a winning record this season, and that was back in September against San Diego State.
In many cases, Michigan might be looking ahead to next week’s clash with Ohio State, but a road game in Happy Valley will get the team’s attention.
— Graham Hack
Penn State will win because…
Who am I kidding, Michigan's defense has been dominant this season and will create problems for Penn State upfront.
But there's a very formidable defensive unit in State College as well.
The Nittany Lions have the nation’s sack leader in Carl Nassib, who has 15.5 sacks in 10 games. Penn State also leads the country with 42 sacks and is second with 93 tackles for loss.
Jim Harbaugh has revived Michigan this season, but the job James Franklin has done in his second season at the helm at PSU should not be overlooked.
Franklin and Nassib will help the Nittany Lions stun Michigan in Happy Valley.
— Luis Torres
Now onto the picks!
In first place with a record of 47-39-2 is Alligator managing/online editor Jordan "Please like my women’s basketball story" McPherson, who sent Edgar Thompson a copy of his story on January Miller hoping he would finally receive a compliment.
Unfortunately, the unlicensed one was left feeling neglected and unappreciated — just like women’s basketball.
We have a two way tie for second place, with both sporting records of 46-40-2.
First up is the Palm Beach Post’s Anthony "Media Poison" Chiang, who is currently being boycotted by a fan on Twitter for reasons unknown.
C’mon, Anthony, everyone is already boycotting you in the picks column.
Just admit your controversial win in the Florida-Tennessee game shouldn’t count.
Next is GatorCountry’s Nick "Commando" de la Torre, who walked into Wednesday’s media session saying he doesn’t wear underwear.
You didn’t have to admit it, Nick — we already knew that.
Your chafing leaves a trail of dead skin wherever you go.
In fourth place with a record of 45-41-2 is alligatorSports assistant editor Luis "Surge" Torres, who was so excited to find the previously discontinued yellow soda in a Georgia gas station that he bought two and finished them that day.
Luis slurped his second Surge at 9 p.m., took an easy test and then slept on the floor of the hotel room before the South Carolina game.
Some burns write themselves.
In fifth place with a record of 44-42-2 is the Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar "UnClutchLikeMJ" Thompson, who had trouble following the catfish saga of the 26-year old basement dweller named Neil Cool.
Although, based on those spicy DM’s you were trying to send awhile back, I’m sure you sympathize with any misbehavior on the Internet.
We have a two-way tie for sixth place with records of 38-48-2.
First up is 247 Sports’ Thomas "My forum is better" Goldkamp, who used the @ClutchLikeMJ news as a reminder that he also runs a forum where you can pay for information readily available online.
Just messing with you Thomas, you’re nothing like Mr. Cool.
Most of his Twitter followers actually liked him.
Next is alligatorSports editor Graham "Demon Baby" Hall, who recently became a dad to a 4.7 millimeter baby in the bathroom of Weimer Hall.
Urine luck, Graham, the jubilation will pass soon enough, just like your kidney stone baby.
And STILL in dead-ass-last with a piss-poor record of 35-51-2 is alligatorSports’ staff writer Graham "Where’s my seat?" Hack, who walked up and down media row three times trying to find his designated seat while covering the UF men’s basketball game on Monday night.
Come on Graham, you’re not important enough for a front row seat.
Maybe if it was a gymnastics meet.
