The TriCitiesSports.com Pickin’ Panel deals with a feast of Tennessee state semifinals, Virginia region finals and college football play-in games on this week’s slate although it’s apparent some members of the panel are still in a turkey-induced coma.
First, in Tennessee, only Alcoa is unanimous over Sequatchie County in Class 3A while Anderson County is 13-1 over Macon County in Class 4A. In the 3A semifinals Sevier County is a 12-2 nod over Oak Ridge in Class 5A and in Class 6A, it’s Oakland an 11-3 selection over Maryville. Likewise in Class 1A it's also 11-3 for South Pittsburgh over Coalfield. In Cass 2A, York Institute is a 10-4 favorite over Marion County.
Over in Virginia the panel is nearly unanimous for Rye Cove over Eastside (12-2) in Region 1-D and 10-4 for Graham over Union in Region 2-D.
Finally, the high noon shootout in the Music City…it’s a trepid 11-3 pick for Tennessee to win over Vanderbilt.
Note that an investigation has been launched into last week’s results as it appears either illegal collaboration or collusion to alter the results may have been conducted amongst the Goetz’s, who both finished at 15-5.
Should those results be verified…maybe before Arizona is through counting its from November 5, Casey Goetz of WCYB ould be confirmed as just two games off the pace of leader Tood Freeman of ESPN Tri-Cities.
Defending champion Parker Wilmoth kept the pace with Freeman three games back in third, but is also two games out of second. WEMB’s Clay Ramsey was also 15-5 last week, but was not implicated in the Goetz scandal and sits in fourth place, four games behind.
Here are this week's selections:
TODD FREEMAN – Freeman Productions, ESPN Tri-Cities (14-6, 191-59)
Rye Cove 38, Eastside 24 -- Because someone from Rye Cove told me so.
High School Games
Graham 24, Union 21
Oakland 42, Maryville 38
Oak Ridge 21, Sevier County 20
Anderson County 34, Macon County 24
Alcoa 42, Sequatchie County 20
York Institute 17, Marion County 14
South Pittsburgh 14, Coalfield 7
College Games
Ole Miss 28, Mississippi State 21
Georgia 32, Georgia Tech 20
Ohio State 24, Michigan 12
Tennessee 28, Vanderbilt 20
Clemson 26, South Carolina 9
Notre Dame 17, USC 14
Alabama 26, Auburn 24
Missouri 10, Arkansas 6
Florida 42, Florida State 14
Oregon 24, Washington 20
Texas 28, Texas A&M 27
Virginia Tech 17, Virginia 7
CASEY GOETZ – News Director, WCYB (15-5, 190-60)
Rye Cove 32, Eastside 16 -- The Eagles lost in the region championship game last year to Honaker. This year the Eagles will win the region with a hard-fought win over Eastside.
Graham 21, Union 14
Oakland 31, Maryville 23
Sevier County 28, Oak Ridge 14
Anderson County 35, Macon County 21
Alcoa 42, Sequatchie County 13
York Institute 21, Marion County 20
Coalfield 31, South Pittsburg 22
Ole Miss 38, Mississippi State 17
Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 14
Ohio State 30, Michigan 16
Tennessee 27, Vanderbilt 21
South Carolina 28, Clemson 24
Notre Dame 35, USC 21
Alabama 27, Auburn 17
Missouri 34, Arkansas 26
Florida 42, Florida State 21
Oregon 34, Washington 20
Texas 27, Texas A&M 24
Virginia Tech 30, Virginia 26
PARKER WILMOTH – Defending and 10-Time Champion (14-6, 188-62)
Rye Cove 34, East Side 28 - Eagles are the homestanding team and they're unbeaten.
Graham 14, Union 7 - It was a one point game in the first meeting, it will be close again.
Oakland 35, Maryville 21 - Oakland is loaded with talent including Daune Morris who recently committed to the Vols. Oakland is laiden with speed and physicality as well.
Sevier County 28, Oak Ridge 7 - Smoky Bears are rolling...
Anderson County 28, Macon County 21 - Mavericks are the favorite in 4A
Alcoa 42, Sequatchie County 21 - Alcoa looking to go for a 10th straight state title.
York Institute 28, Marion County 21
South Pittsburg 35, Coalfield 24
Ole Miss 35, Mississippi State 14 - Lane looking for NY6 game barring any chaos.
Georgia 28, Georgia Tech 14 - This game is going to be closer than some think. UMass was able to give Georgia a hard time for the first half.
Ohio State 28, Michigan 17 - Wolverines will slow the clock and run the football.
Tennessee 31, Vanderbilt 17 - Who would have said at the beginning of the year the most important game would be at Vanderbilt.
Clemson 28, South Carolina 27 - Gamecocks have been red hot lately, just hard to pick against the Tigers when they play at home.
USC 24, Notre Dame 21 - Irish really have not had the toughest of schedules. Lincoln Riley is also fighting to plug holes in a sinking ship. I will stick with the home team.
Alabama 17, Auburn 14 - Auburn is very capable of winning this game.
Missouri 24, Arkansas 23
Florida 35, Florida State 3 - DJ Lagway saved Billy Napier from almost certain termination, he is also an elite quarterback. He will be hard to handle in the future.
Oregon 35, Washington 17
Texas 27, Texas A&M 24
Virginia Tech 35, Virginia 21
CLAY RAMSEY – WEMB Voice of the Unicoi County Blue Devils (15-5, 187-63
Rye Cove 38, Eastside 18 - Eastside continues to make waves in the postseason, but their lone loss of the season was a convincing one to.... Rye Cove. Lightning will strike twice as Rye Cove continues to cement themselves as one of the best teams in Virginia.
High School Games
Graham 32, Union 25 - Union continues to sleep walk through games offensively, though their defense has been able to make enough plays to make it happen. Graham shutout Virginia High last Friday in a battle of the elements, so I'll take Graham to get it done.
Oakland 28, Maryville 24 - Maryville has been a bit more convincing in the playoffs, but Oakland is searching for their 5th straight finals appearance, and they'll do so with a big game from newest Tennessee commit, running back Daune Morris.
Sevier County 45, Oak Ridge 42 - Alright, I'm convinced. This Sevier County team is a team of destiny. The lone state title in school history for the Smoky Bears came in 1999 and required a win over Oak Ridge, so I'll believe in them to get it done as the final Region 1 team alive in the state playoffs.
Anderson County 30, Macon County 20 - Macon County is back in the state semis for the first time since 2003. The Tigers have been impressive in this postseason run, but Anderson County appears more battle tested to me, so I'll take the Mavericks.
Alcoa 56, Sequatchie County 21 - 9 consecutive state titles > 12 consecutive wins.
York Institute 28, Marion County 21 - A second reinforcement of Warriors still won't be enough to slay the Dragon, as York Institute gets to their first ever State Finals appearance.
South Pittsburg 31, Coalfield 14 - Wes Stone's Pirates will have a shot at back-to-back state titles after knocking off a Coalfield team who was lucky to escape with a win last Friday night over Oliver Springs.
College Games
Ole Miss 45, Mississippi State 17 - A perfect example of "mauling the hapless".
Georgia 23, Georgia Tech 20 - All eyes will be on this game in the second half in a one score game that Georgia finds a way to win.
Ohio State 35, Michigan 14 - For all the talk I've heard from Ohio State fans this week, the Buckeyes best beat Michigan, because the paper trail of funny will be endless if they lose to Michigan again.
Vanderbilt 35, Tennessee 28 - Call it a hunch, but Tennessee has always found a way to choke away a shot at greatness when it presents itself. Vanderbilt won't be happy after a loss in Death Valley last Saturday, and Tennessee's little brother plays the ultimate game of sabotage.
South Carolina 31, Clemson 28 - Call this one a hunch too. South Carolina has been playing a brand of football that has been really impressive lately. I like the Gamecocks to take down the Tigers and quell their playoff hopes.
Notre Dame 24, USC 14 - USC has led in the fourth quarter of every game they've played in, but the season just hasn't gone their way. The simple nature of this one is that Notre Dame is better and leads this one from start to finish.
Alabama 45, Auburn 14 - Alabama had a head-scratching loss to Oklahoma while Auburn had an emotional win over Texas A&M. I think we all know what will happen in this rendition of the Iron Bowl.
Missouri 23, Arkansas 20 - If this game were in Fayetteville, I'd have the Tigers on upset alert in the Battle Line Rivalry.
Florida 31, Florida State 17 - Florida has momentum, Florida State has... a win... over Charleston Southern.
Oregon 45, Washington 28 - Oregon completes a perfect regular season and locks in their playoff spot.
Texas 30, Texas A&M 27 (OT) - Perhaps the most anticipated college football game of the season, and a meeting of old Big 12 rivals will not disappoint as Texas scores the victory to set up their rematch with Georgia in Atlanta.
Virginia Tech 17, Virginia 10 - Both teams battling for bowl eligibility here. I know I'll draw the ire of friends of mine who root for the Hoos, but I have to give the edge to the Hokies in Lane Stadium.
TRAVIS LEMING – Owner, Rocky Top Storage (11-9, 186-64)
Eastside 24, Rye Cove 21
Graham 31, Union 14
Oakland 35, Maryville 21
Sevier County 24, Oak Ridge 21
Macon County 28, Anderson County 27
Alcoa 42, Sequatchie County 10
York Institute 21, Marion County 20
South Pittsburgh 35, Coalfield 31
Ole Miss 31, Mississippi State 10
Georgia 28, Georgia Tech 10
Ohio State 3, Michigan 2
Tennessee 31, Vanderbilt 14
South Carolina 28, Clemson 21
Notre Dame 35, USC 28
Auburn 21, Alabama 20
Arkansas 17, Missouri 14
Florida at Florida State
Oregon 38, Washington 14
Texas 31 at Texas A&M 14
Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 14
COLE JOHNSON - Sports Report, WCYB (14-6, 185-65)
Rye Cove 30, Eastside 19 — I think Eastside will stand stronger than the first meeting, but Rye Cove simply too much to handle and will put it away late.
Union 17, Graham 13
Oakland 27, Maryville 26
Sevier County 28, Oak Ridge 21
Anderson County 31, Macon County 23
Alcoa 35, Sequatchie County 21
York Institute 31, Marion County 29
South Pittsburgh 26, Coalfield 23
Ole Miss 34, Mississippi State 20
Georgia 35, Georgia Tech 16
Ohio State 31, Michigan 14
Tennessee 23, Vanderbilt 20
Clemson 24, South Carolina 20
Notre Dame 21, USC 17
Alabama 27, Auburn 21
Missouri 23, Arkansas 17
Florida 27, Florida State 19
Oregon 38, Washington 28
Texas 30, Texas A&M 23
Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 21
MIKE COX – Voice of Sullivan East Patriots @ 96.3 The Possum (13-7, 183-67
Rye Cove 28, Eastside 27.
Graham 23, Union 21.
Maryville 38, Oakland 30.
Sevier County 30, Oak Ridge 22.
Anderson County 32, Macon County 29 -- I don't want this...just don't see how the Mavericks can be beaten right now after they smoked the best teams east of I-75.
Alcoa 28, Sequatchie County 19 -- Alcoa doing Alcoa things. They might have to break a sweat this week...maybe.
Marion County 42, York Institute 24.
South Pittsburg 29, Coalfield 24.
College Games
Ole Miss 33, Mississippi State 12 -- Not much faith in the Bulldogs knocking this one out up north this year, sadly. I'd gladly take the L if it happens though. Hail State always!
Georgia 40, Georgia Tech 24 -- Bulldogs are friendly. Yellow jackets are very not.
Ohio State 45, Michigan 6 -- ....wish they could both lose.
Tennessee 35, Vanderbilt 21 -- Not a blowout, but the Vols will finish this right.
South Carolina 26, Clemson 24 -- Hi, I'm an SEC homer...hope you don't mind.
Notre Dame 31, USC 21 -- same as Ohio State game.
Alabama 44, Auburn 16 -- We're not remembering this Iron Bowl for long.
Arkansas 45, Missouri 42 -- This game may cause chaos, and I'm all for it.
Florida 75, Florida State 12 -- This will get someone fired. Also, same as Ohio State's game. Go away, both of you bad dreams.
Oregon 35, Washington 19 -- Ducks go undefeated to the championship game of whatever conference they've landed in that's either numerically or geographically challenged.
Texas 50, Texas A&M 38 -- The game A&M left when they departed the Big 12 is back and will give them headaches once again.
Virginia Tech 18, Virginia 14 -- It's been a bad year for football in the Commonwealth (except James Maidson), but a Tech win sends my Hokie friends bowling!
LAUREN BRADFORD – Sports Reporter, WCYB (14-6, 182-68)
Rye Cove 36, Eastside 24 - Rye Cove may have blown out the Spartans in the regular season, but I think this one is a lot closer. Slight edge remains with the Eagles though.
High School Games
Graham 35, Union 17
Maryville 25, Oakland 21
Sevier County 38, Oak Ridge 24
Anderson County 36, Macon County 15
Alcoa 24, Sequatchie County 14
York Institute 28, Marion County 21
Coalfield 28, South PIttsburgh 24
College Games
Ole Miss 36, Mississippi State 24
Georgia Tech 24, Georgia 21 - choosing chaos with this one because why not
Ohio State 36, Michigan 24
Tennessee 17, Vanderbilt 14
Clemson 36, South Carolina 0 - As Dabo once said, "Carolina is in Chapel Hill, USC is in California, and THE university in this state always has been always will be Clemson."
Notre Dame 36, USC 32
Alabama 36, Auburn 24
Arkansas 36, Missouri 17
Florida 36, Florida State 24
Oregon 36, Washington 24
Texas 36, Texas A&M 24
Virginia Tech 36, Virginia 24
BRIAN OWENS – Local Sports Enthusiast (12-8, 182-68)
Rye Cove 61, Eastside 20 -- Rematch from the regular season... Rye Cove is on a roll.
Union 6, Graham 0 -- Another rematch from the regular season. Strangely enough, any time these two foes meet, the road team seems to win. This time it's Union. Also, the weather is supposed to be in the 20's in Bluefield on Saturday. Another factor which will favor the Bears.
Oakland 35, Maryville 28
Sevier County 31, Oak Ridge 10
Anderson County 31, Macon County 22
Alcoa 41, Sequatchie County 14
Marion County 27, York Institute 26
South Pittsburgh 35, Coalfield 21
College Games
Ole Miss 42, Mississippi State 14
Georgia 29, Georgia Tech 14
Ohio State 42, Michigan 0
Vanderbilt 28, Tennessee 25 -- Picking this only because it's in Nashville and Vandy would love nothing more to end the Vols CFP hopes.
South Carolina 35, Clemson 7 -- Tigers need it to make the CFP. Gamecocks do too.
Notre Dame 35, USC 6
Alabama 21, Auburn 16 -- Would love to see the Tigers kill off the Tide for good. Don't see it though.
Missouri 28, Arkansas 20
Florida 35, Florida State 0 -- Good news for the Noles is the pain and suffering finally ends on Saturday
Oregon 35, Washington 14
Texas A&M 24, Texas 21 -- As much as I would hate this.... my gut instinct says Aggies will pull the upset.
Virginia 28, Virginia Tech 25 -- Another one score loss for the Chokies. This one ends their season and sends the Cavs bowling.
WADE LITTLETON – TriCitiesSports.com (13-7, 180-70)
Rye Cove 35, Eastside 21 -- The Eagles will fly past the Spartans in this Region 1D final at the Cove.
Union 38, Graham 31 -- It's Graham's turn to wear the Union Label...
Oakland 42, Maryville 28 -- Maryville hasn't been able to get past Oakland in recent years and won't get past them Friday night.
Sevier County 31, Oak Ridge 28 -- Smoky Bears tell the Wildcats not only to prevent wildfires, but kick the 'Cats' behinds doing it.
Anderson County 42, Macon County 28 -- AC has too much firepower, but Macon will make it a game for three quarters.
Alcoa 38, Sequatchie County 28 -- Alcoa isn't the nine-time state champions for no reason. I believe the Tornadoes will make it 10 titles in a row before all is said and done.
Marion County 35, York Institute 28 -- For my friend, Kevin Redding, his alma mater will go back to Chattanooga...
South Pittsburg 42, Coalfield 35 -- Both teams have been in this position before, but South Pittsburg has just a little bit more in the tank.
Ole Mess 31, Mississippi State 14 -- Kiffin's boys take out some frustration on the A&M Bulldoggies.
Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 24 -- Tech is one candidate for comeback team of the year. The Jackets will keep it close for three quarters before the Dogs take over in the second half.
Ohio State 42, Meechigan 31 -- The Buckeyes are just better because my friend Ralph Hook said so.
Tennessee 24, Vanderbilt 17 -- This will be an interesting game at Dudley Field with Nico, Simpson and the offense scoring points while the UT defense bottles up Pavia.
Clemson 24, South Carolina 21 -- Tigers are hanging around, but will have to beat an improved South Carolina team. Dabo may be back in the ACC Championship Game if things work out...
USC 31, Notre Dame 28 -- I may find myself turning in between this game and Bama and Auburn. I've got a strange feeling that USC will be fired up to deny Notre Dame a trip to the CFP.
Bama 28, Auburn 14 -- Auburn is catching Bama at a bad time, after a loss.
M-I-Z-Z-O-U 28, Arkansas 14 -- This could be Sam Pittman's last game for the Razorbacks, but he should get another year.
Florida 24, Florida State 21 -- Doak Campbell Stadium will empty early after Florida gets a jump on the Seminoles. Billy Napier went from being a dead man walking to being on the verge of going to a bowl game.
Oregon 42, Washington 14 -- NC...no contest.
Texas 38, Texas A&M 31 -- Longhorns will score a touchdown late to edge the homestanding Aggies in Aggieland. The Aggies will set a bonfire for nothing.
Virginia Tech 38, Virginia 31 -- Tech has been a thorn in Virginia's side for years. The Hokies will eke out a win, but this game could go either way.
HEATHER WILLIAMS – Sports Director, WCYB (14-6, 180-70)
Eastside 28, Rye Cove 27 Revenge is a dish best served in a region championship. I have a been a big believer in the Spartans all season long. If there offense plays the way the have the past three weeks, they will be hard to beat.
Union 7, Graham 6
Maryville 28, Oakland 20
Oak Ridge 21, Sevier County 14
Anderson County 35, Macon County 14
Alcoa 48, Sequatchie County 24
York Institute 27, Marion County 12
South Pittsburgh 21, Coalfield 20
Ole Miss 48, Mississippi State 10
Georgia 25, Georgia Tech20
Ohio State 48, Michigan 24
Tennessee 28, Vanderbilt 27
South Carolina 35, Clemson 31
Notre Dame 24, USC 21
Alabama 45, Auburn 10
Missouri 55, Arkansas 14
Florida 3, Florida State 0
Oregon 28, Washington 0
Texas 28, Texas A&M 13
Virginia Tech 14, Virginia 13
STEVE WILMOTH – ESPN Tri-Cities, TriCitiesSports.com (11-9, 180-70)
Rye Cove 42, Eastside 24 – It’s the first all-Cumberland District Region 1-D final since 1988 when the Jonesville Bulldogs defeated the Eagles, 7-0, at the Cove on the way to a state championship in the school’s last year of existence. Rye Cove won the regular season meeting, 40-8, scoring three touchdowns in a three-minute span of the fourth quarter to pull away. Spartan running back Keldon Hamilton carried 42 times for 279 yards in last week’s win over Patrick Henry but Eastside managed just 115 yards on 36 attempts in the first meeting between the two teams. The Eastside offense averages 40 points per game against every team not named Rye Cove and the Eagle defense has allowed more than two scores in only nine of its 12 games. Much last last year when Rye Cove’s only two losses came to Honaker, the only two losses for the Spartans this year will come at the talons of the Eagles.
Graham 14, Union 12 – The Bears and the G-Men have combined to win the last seven Region 2-D titles and will run the streak to eight on Saturday. Graham won the regular season tilt, 7-6, at Bullitt Park, holding Union to zero net total yards and one first down in the second half. The G-Men defense allowed Lee just 64 total yards in round on, allowed just 59 yards in a shutout of a Virginia High team last week that came in averaging 43 points per game over the course of a six-game winning streak and has allowed just 75 points all season.
Oakland 38, Maryville 35 – After failing to advance to the state semifinals for the first time in 23 seasons last year, the Rebels are back facing the Patriots in the semifinals for the 10th time in 11 years. Odd as it seems, Maryville hasn’t played for a state championship since 2019. Oakland had been ranked No. 1 all season before falling to Ravenwood, 32-31, on Halloween and won over Mt. Juliet, by just seven in the second round and won a 49-46 quarterfinal shootout over Riverdale last week. The home field is said to be good for three points and that will be enough for the Patriots.
Sevier County 35, Oak Ridge 13 – The unbeaten Bears will be on the road to take on the four-loss Wildcats in Class 5A. Sevier County has put together back-to-back miracle finishes, but won’t need such dramatics against the Ridgers.
Anderson County 28, Macon County 21 – After losing by one point to Upperman in the regular season, Macon County ousted the unbeaten and top-ranked Bees in the second round and after playing three straight home playoff games, the Mavericks take to the road for the first time in the postseason. Class 4A Mr. Football Finalist Waylon Larue’s ability to run the football and catch the ball out of the backfield as he did against Greeneville last week will be the difference.
Alcoa 42, Sequatchie County 14 – Interesting notes about Sequatchie County is that my grandfather was Principal there and my dad was once the Indians quarterback who grabbed a trombone during halftime. Additionally, perhaps the first high school football game I ever attended was a first-round Class A playoff game on a friday November 23, 1973 in which the Indians won their first-ever playoff game, a 54-9 trouncing at Spring City, which later consolidated into Rhea County High School. Alcoa is 3-0 all-time against Sequatchie with the most recent a 24-0 semifinal win in Dunlap back in 2016. The Indians’ only loss came in the season-opener, a 17-13 loss to rival Bledsoe County, but 11 wins in a row have come since. But nothing is stopping the Tornadoes spinning to a 10th straight state title.
York Institute 20, Marion County 16 - The Dragons have also won 11 straight after a pair of losses to start the season. York fell four points short of the state title game last season, but advances to the final this time around.
South Pittsburgh 18, Coalfield 14
Sequatchie County beat both during the regular season, slipping by the Pirates by one and the Yellow Jackets by three. Coalfield has also defeated Oliver Springs twice on the year while South Pittsburgh opened the year with a loss to the Bobcats. But much has changed since and South Pittsburgh is primed for a showdown next week with unbeaten and top ranked McKenzie for the title.
College Games
Tennessee 24, Vanderbilt 20 – After last week’s college football happenings, my Big Orange Cup is fully in place. Four of the five Commodore losses have been by one score or less. A Volunteer opening drive and offensive success early would take Vanderbilt and quarterback Diego Pavia potentially out of their preferred ball-control, rock fight style. If the Volunteers are drug into that, it could spell trouble.
Ole Miss 42, Mississippi State 13 - someone has to pay
Georgia 34, Georgia Tech 19 - in the playoff quirk, Bulldogs could lose this game, win the SEC title game and still end up as the No. 2 overall seed.
Ohio State 37, Michigan 16 - see Georgia above…same for Buckeyes.
South Carolina 27, Clemson 24 - winner here could play their way in
USC 27, Notre Dame 23 - only matters if business is good in the Music City
Alabama 24, Auburn 23
Missouri 25, Arkansas 21
Florida 42, Florida State 10 - sure glad the Volunteers didn’t have to face D.J. Lagway, who may be the better quarterback in the league at this point.
Oregon 34, Washington 19
Texas A&M 27, Texas 26 - with tickets going for $1000+, no environment this season will be like that at Kyle Field on Saturday night. Yeah…I said it.
Virginia Tech 9, Virginia 6
KELLY GOETZ – Morning News Anchor, WJHL (15-5, 179-71)
Rye Cove over Eastside -- Let's aim for a perfect season!
Graham over Union
Oakland over Maryville
Sevier County over Oak Ridge
Anderson County over Macon County
Alcoa over Sequatchie County
Marion County over York Institute
Coalfield over South Pittsburgh
Ole Miss over Mississippi State
Georgia over Georgia Tech
Ohio State over Michigan
Vanderbilt over Tennessee - If this hits, I'll count it as an early Christmas gift
South Carolina over Clemson
Notre Dame over USC
Alabama over Auburn
Missouri over Arkansas
Florida over Florida State - Gators by 2 million
Oregon over Washington
Texas A&M over Texas
Virginia Tech over Virginia
BRYAN MOORE – 104.9 FM Nash Icon Voice of the Wolves, TriCitiesSports.com (10-10, 172-78)
Rye Cove 35, Eastside 23: The Eagles have come this far. Let them finish it off this year.
Graham 28, Union 21 -- G-Men are tough at home.
Oakland 30, Maryville 28 -- I’m going with the Patriots because of home-field advantage.
Sevier County 34, Oak Ridge 24 -- I thought the Smoky Bears were done last Friday but they proved me wrong. I’m not picking against them against the Wildcats.
Anderson County 30, Macon County 20 -- Ditto for the Mavericks. I was sleeping on them against Greeneville and Anderson County knocked off the Greene Devils. Not going against the Mavericks again.
Alcoa 40, Sequatchie County 20 -- Alcoa is the 9-time defending state champions. Need I say more?
York Institute 23, Marion County 21 -- The Dragons have won 11 in a row. Make it 12 on Friday night.
South PIttsburgh 33, Coalfield 7 -- The Pirates have been to the playoffs 42 times and reached the championship game on 14 occasions, winning seven of those contests for state titles. South Pittsburgh rolls on.
College Games
Ole Miss 38, Miss. State 21 -- The Rebels are going to take out some frustration on the Bulldogs.
Georgia 40, Georgia Tech 24 -- Tech might be able to score against the Bulldogs but it won’t be able to stop Carson Beck and the Dawg offense.
Ohio State 49, Michigan 7 -- The Buckeyes will score as many points as they can against their Big Ten rival.
Tennessee 27, Vanderbilt 17 -- It won’t be easy nor pretty but the Vols will survive and advance.
South Carolina 30, Clemson 28 -- The Gamecocks have been sneaky good this year and will prove it with a win over the Tigers.
USC 31, Notre Dame 30 -- The Trojans will squeak out a much-needed win over the Fighting Irish.
Alabama 28, Auburn 14 -- A must win for the Crimson Tide.
Missouri 35, Arkansas 31 -- Mizzou has more weapons than the Razorbacks.
Florida 28, Florida State 10 -- The Gators end the season on a strong note while the Seminoles go out with a whimper.
Oregon 44, Washington 28 -- The Ducks are too strong and will score at will.
Texas A&M 28, Texas 24 -- The Aggies ruin the Longhorns’ playoff hopes.
Virginia Tech 27, Virginia 24 -- The Hokies have lost a lot of close games. Tech slides by the Cavaliers.
