Nobody had a particularly good trip to Lexington.
The alligatorSports football crew battled illness and — most importantly — two straight nights of Cook Out, while the Gators lost their starting quarterback.
I think it’s safe to say everyone is happy to move on from what happened in Kentucky.
Tennessee comes to Gainesville this week, which means Florida is guaranteed to win the game in heartbreaking fashion at the last second.
Sorry, I don’t make the rules.
But before we get into that game and the rest of the picks, we’re actually going to debate a good game — No. 11 Michigan at No. 13 Wisconsin.
Well, not a good game. It’s probably going to suck to watch.
But both teams are in the top 15, so it counts!
Football writer Dylan Rudolph and Online Sports Editor Sam Campisano give their thoughts below:
Michigan will win because…
Desperation floods the halls of the University of Michigan, slowly filling the office of head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Despite what Harbaugh-apologists are saying, he is on the hot seat this year, and big wins are needed for him to remain at the helm after his fifth season with the program.
The good thing is he has the tools to do it.
Talent is rampant on both sides of the ball. No. 11 Michigan comes into the matchup against Wisconsin averaging 32 points a game and is ranked No. 20 nationally in total yards allowed per contest (272).
Though the Wolverines ducked an early upset against an unranked but talented Army team in Week 2, the team did come out of the game with some useful lessons learned.
Most notable was that stopping the run will be crucial this season. Michigan allowed Army to establish the ground game early, storming right down the field on a 10-play, 60-yard drive with no pass attempts in its second possession of the game.
But Michigan adjusted in the second half, straying away from its base 3-4 defense that the Black Knights abused up the middle and opted to stuff the box with big tacklers. Seven Michigan players set career highs in total tackles against Army, including linebacker Jordan Glasgow (11), defensive back Brad Hawkins (10) and defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (10).
Michigan will need to do much of the same if it hopes to stop the nation’s top running back in Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, who is tied for fourth in the country with five rushing touchdowns and 237 yards on the ground as well as 65 yards and three more touchdowns receiving in just two games thus far.
This is a perfect moment for Harbaugh to sell out and put a big win on his resume against a Badgers team that does not possess the overall talent his does but comes in with much more confidence.
-Dylan Rudolph
Wisconsin (-3.5) will win because…
Jim Harbaugh can’t coach in big games.
The Michigan coach is 2-10 against AP top-13 teams since taking over in 2015. That dire record includes four-straight losses to top rival Ohio State and two losses in New Year’s Six bowls, including last year’s 41-15 beatdown courtesy of UF.
The Badgers enter this weekend’s game as the No. 13 team in the country, and for good reason: They’ve outscored their opponents 110-0 in their two games this year.
Wisconsin has another key factor going in its favor — the raucous Madison crowd behind it. It’s no secret that Camp Randall Stadium produces one of the best atmospheres in college football, and the fans will no doubt be extra rowdy for a matchup of this magnitude. Wisconsin is 23-5 at home since coach Paul Chryst took over in 2015, including a 24-10 win the last time these two teams met in Madison in 2017.
Michigan needed overtime to beat Army in its last game. The Badgers haven’t allowed a point all season. This is an easy pick.
-Sam Campisano
Now onto the picks...
Tyler “Don’t Sleep on the Jags” Nettuno is tied for first place at 16-7, but after the past two of three Jags games, I don’t even know what “first place” is for you anymore. I mean, yes, we all realize you struggled with that Thursday night slate against the Titans, and yes, we sympathize that you haven’t had a Sunday night prime-time game in almost a decade, and yes, we also feel bad that the whole Nick Foles thing didn’t pan out as you hoped it would, but you keep wearing your Jags hat to the office. You do you for DUUUUUVAL.
Also in first is Mark “Nice Picks” Long, who happened to pick last week’s games identical to Tyler. I guess great minds think alike, Mark. Although, we did only go 4-3. Oh well, we’re still batting over .500. Just try to keep your eyes on your own paper when making your picks from now on.
Along with Tyler and Mark, Kyle “Don’t Call Me BiteSquad” Wood, is also tied for first place. Kyle had a rough night picking up Mari’s meal from Chipotle last week — despite the fact she had everything preordered for him to just walk in and pick up. She covered all her bases, texting him as he left she wanted Coke in her drink cup and a side of salad dressing for her bowl. Unfortunately for Mari, neither of those things came back to the office that night. Well, technically her 32 oz. cup did, but it was empty, so now it provides some nice office decor on her desk.
In fourth at 15-8 is Nick “Heathen” De La Torre, who implied on Twitter that he would be interested in being a taste-tester for KFC’s new donut sandwich. Gross, Nick.
In fifth at 14-9 is Edgar “Where Those Picks At?” Thompson, who, despite asking Tyler to send the games out at the beginning of the week, decided he would wait until after 7 on Thursday night to send in the email. And, it was only after Tyler sent an email and Kyle followed up with a text to remind him. It’s fine, Edgar. From now on, I’ll send them a month in advance to make sure you have time.
In sixth at 13-10 is Graham “Bad At Savings” Hall, who bought a chicken tender sub from Publix on Wednesday, right before they went on sale. You really do hate to see that. Graham, it might be time to follow that Twitter account that tells you when they’re discounted. That way you never play yourself like this again.
In seventh at 12-11 is Sam “Stunad” Campisano, who promptly turned full-New Yorker after getting behind the wheel of Tyler’s car on the way to Kentucky. Sam was yelling at other motorists with a stronger-than-usual Jersey accent. Sam started driving and immediately merged onto I-75 going about 95 mph. Calm down, you’re in the south now. You don’t have to hate everybody. He also referred to his co-football writers as “stunads”, which according to the internet is Southern Italian slang for stupid. Well, Sam, maybe you’re the stunad.
In eighth at 11-12 is Dylan “Stuck in First Gear” Rudolph, who didn’t realize until two hours into driving on the interstate that he had the car in low gear. Don’t worry, Dylan, it all worked out and we all survived. I’m more concerned that we had to explain to you what low gear even is. Yikes. Also, you’ll be receiving an invoice for damage to Tyler’s transmission.
In ninth at 10-13 is Zach “Would Go 12 In The Diamond With Tom Coughlin” Goodall, who inquired if he can still “put on the gloves” after the Jaguars’ president of football operations declared last season that anyone who disagrees with the Jacksonville roster moves can fight him. Do it, Zach. Stop him before he can single-handedly ruin this franchise.
In tenth at 9-14, we have Brian “Done With Bad Picks” Fox, who decided that this week is his time to get out of the second to last place spot. He capped off his picks email by saying, “It’s comeback SZN.” Good luck, Brian. But picking FSU and Notre Dame to cover seems bold. Anyway, at least you’re in no danger of falling into last.
That’s because, per usual, Mari “Needs To Learn How To Post Stories Herself” Faiello finds herself in the bottom spot at 7-16. Mari was spamming Sam and Tyler’s phones Friday night trying to get them to post a volleyball story online when she knew full well they were in the car driving to Lexington. Take a chill pill, Mari. No one reads about volleyball at 1 in the morning. They make bad decisions at midtown.
