It's week nine already, the season is cruising by in year one of Fuente and company. As we are enter the homestretch Thursday night is the ACC Coastal defining game for the Hokies. If Tech wins, Charlotte looks very likely, if Pitt defends then UNC moves into first with a very favorable schedule to close the year. Shout out to my boy Neal, going to the Ole Miss this weekend for the coed costume viewing party on the Grove.

Art courtesy of Scott Cole Show
Not 1 SEC game in this week's Pick Six (a first.) The horror. I can hear the calls going to PAWWWWWL as you read this. Hey, Don't blame me, blame BAMA for crushing the conference and doing the heavy lifting the last couple of years.
Thursday, October 27th
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
7:00 pm ESPN

- Homer Simpson has the Treehouse of horrors, VT football has the (Heinz) Field of Horrors. Different head coaches, schemes, talent, you name it as VT hasn't won at Pittsburgh, since Joe was an OG in HS. While the favorite, I think Fuente won't have a problem having the Hokies up and a bit salty
- I like Pat Narduzzi, I like James Conner, I have no ill will against Pitt (even with said performances vs Tech), but on Thursday, F 'em. If we, the fans, the team, the coaches have to think of them as the city slicke version of the cousins for a day then so be it
Pick: Pitt getting the points, VT (happily) grinding out a field goal win.
***
Friday, October 28th
Navy at South Florida -7.5
6:00 pm ESPN2
- USF just got corralled by Temple, exposed, poorly prepared, or not focused? I have no clue, what really matters is peak craziness in the stands on their most holy of Florida man holiday weekends ... have your screen grab machine on alert
- Death, Taxes and the Triple Option pissing off opponents and taking home W's vs superior talent. Admit, you like watching it when it isn't GiT or is it because the Navy coach isn't an asshole?
Pick: Navy, winning outright.
***
Saturday, October 29th
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
12:00 pm FOX
- I need Mike Gundy with his WAR MULLET to man up, do me a solid and beat the cousins. I don't care if the pokes have to cheat to accomplish it. Hey T. Boone just throw a couple coins and some pocket lint from your $10k suit at the State
- With a balanced air raid attack, coupled with the best (by a large margin) defense in the B12, wvu is cream of the worst P5 conference (Shade ALERT.) However, Stillwater will be their toughest road test to date and from here on out. Win here and it's a 2 game season for the 'neers
Pick: wvu laying the points to spite me.
***
Washington -9.5 at Utah
3:30 pm FS1

- Above will be the face of Utes fans by halftime or late 3rd quarter if this season holds form for UDub, enjoy your gameday experience, you guys and if you win, enjoy a caffeinated beverage, I won't tell
- We can all agree, the Huskies are a good team. The eye test says Top 5, but it's one thing to smash good teams at home, it's another to do it on the road. ESPN wants a good look, really impress and they can book a playoff spot?
Pick: UDub taking the points, they are hungry to prove they belong.
***
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
7:00 pm ESPN
- I am almost out of Wisconsin things to say, feels like this is a crucial point in the season for the Badgers. Win here (and out) and it's a damn good season. Lose and they could sputter in their remaining games
- Nebraska can pretty much punch a ticket to Indianapolis with a win, with an outside chance of being undefeated in doing so. If Nebraska wins this, I should start penning an "I'm sorry for thinking you sucked ass" letter to Mike Riley
Pick: Nebraska getting the points. Not only do I think Nebraska keeps it close, I am real tempted to pick them outright.
***
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
8:00 pm ABC
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- The Nole defense is a big steaming pile of meh with respect to the talent laden roster. As of now, QB Francois is just ok. To win, even at home, they'll need to catch breaks and rely on Dalvin Cook, A LOT. In case you didn't know, he pretty, pretty, pret-ty good
- Like Pitt, I'm indifferent to Clemson, but if I have to hear Dabo preach to me after a win again, I may drive to Sakerlina and break all 10 commandments on his front law
Pick: FSU getting points, winning outright. Clemson feels a bit off this year too, this will be the best FSU performance all season.
***
Beer of the Week:

Cigar City Diodcorides
Thursday night is going to a great beer night, as I watch the game with friends. Veil, Answer and Trillium IPAs will wash down this imperial stout with black caraway seeds, aged in rye whiskey barrels, Beer mail is great.
Picks are against the spread.
Review:
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State

Comments
Oh man, this week is evil.
Virginia Tech because I BELIEVE
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Nebraska
Florida State (let there be chaos!)
Hokies didn't cover the spread by I will totally take 0-1 here if it means 1-0 on the actual field.
Samesies
This is why I almost always take our opponent in a six pick. I win something either way.
VT
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Wisconsin
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
I've never been happier to take a L.
Virginia tech
Navy
WVU
Washington
Nebraska
FSU
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Clemson
also, the updated results for the last 2 weeks will be up by tomorrow night at the latest.
VT
Navy
WVU
Wash
Nebraska
FSU
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
...But, but we're the good guys.

Navy back doors it on the last play of the game!
Pitt gets the points
Navy wins outright
The Cousins cover
Washington covers
Nebraska gets the points
Clemson covers
RIDE OR DIE VPI
The team with the most boats
Gundy St.
Purple Dogs
Whisky
Clem's Son
If you listen carefully, you can hear every sailor screaming "Ships! Not boats!"
Then why do we call it "The Boat School"?
Disclaimer: Third generation Navy officer.
Because it's funny to rile them up! Their panties get into such interesting knots!
Pittsburgh (because every time I don't pick Tech they win)
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Wisconsin
Florida State
THANK YOU FOR NOT PICKING TECH
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Nebraska
Florida State - it's time for a clempsun
No the real Klempsun would be beating FSU in a classic and then losing to 'Cuse next week
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh - HOKIES
Navy at South Florida -7.5 - Navy. You squids better do right!
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State - WVU
Washington -9.5 at Utah - Washington
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5 -Wisconsin
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State - Clemson
Holy crap. Louisville is a 32.5 favorite over LOLUVa. I'm surprised vegas has so much faith in bronco's boys to keep it that close.
Pitt
Navy
WVU
Utah
Wisky
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Away Teams Unite!!!!
It took approximately 20 years between seeing this movie and Poltergeist to finally understand this reference.
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Florida State
Pitt (Hokies are 1-0 when I pick against them)
Navy
WVU
Washington
Corn
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5
Navy
West Virginia -3.5
Washington -9.5
Nebraska
Clemson -4.5
Virginia Tech (Heart pick. Game scares the hell out of me)
Navy
Oklahoma State
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Sheesh... I'm picking all road teams. That's gotta be worth something, right?
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
HOKIES BAK
Navy
wvu
Washington (they're making it to the title game)
Bucky
Clemson
Hokies
Navy
WVU
Washington
Nebraska
FSU
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Wisconsin
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
Oklahoma State
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Go Hokies!
VT
USF covers, Navy wins
Cousins
Washington
Nebraska covers, Wisconsin wins
Clemson, by a touchdown
Virginia Tech
Navy
Okie State
Washington
Wisconsin
Clemson
Virginia Tech - All aboard the Hype Train

South Florida
Oklahoma State
Washington - The curse of #17 will continue
Wisconsin
Clemson
Virginia Tech
South Florida
Oklahoma State
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Pitt
Navy
WVU
Washington
Wisconsin
Clemson
VT
Navy
Cousins
Washington
Huskers
Clemson
Hokies
Navy
WVU (ick)
Washington
Nebraska
FSU
Virginia Tech
Navy
Oklahoma State
Washington
Nebraska
Florida State
Virginia Tech
South Florida
Oklahoma State
Utah
Wisconsin
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
WVU
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
Oklahoma State
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Pitt
Navy
OK State
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
VT
Navy
WVU
Utah
Nebraska
FSU
Virginia Tech
Navy
Oklahoma State
Washington
Nebraska
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Wisconsin
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Wisconsin
Clemson
Tech (duh)
Navy
WVU
Utah in the upset (I just love the state of Utah)
Wisconsin
Clemson
Pitt
Navy
WVU
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Pittsburgh
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Clemson
Virginia Tech - standard homer pick
Navy
Oklahoma State - I hate wvu
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Beer: not sure what I'll be drinking this weekend, but a bar in Georgetown will be having one of Cantillon's brewers for a tasting event this evening. So I'll be drinking Lambics and Gueuzes tonight.
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
VT
Navy
Ok St
Dubs
Neb
Clem
HOKIES (putting on my best homer pants - we win by 2 scores)
Midshipmen
Cousinz
Huskies
Huskers
Noles
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Drinking Triple Crossing's "No Pumpkins Allowed" Halloween beer this weekend
I really like their branding too
VT
Navy
WVU
UW
Badgers
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5
Navy +7.5
West Virginia -3.5
Utah +9.5
Nebraska +8.5 shock of the week.
Florida State +4.5
This gets released this weekend...and sounds perfect for Sat night.

Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Wisconsin
Clemson
I think I'm only somewhere around .500 for the year, looking to make a surge this week
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy +7.5 at South Florida -- Book it for Notre Dame and Navy joining the ACC in a couple yrs
West Virginia at Oklahoma State +3.5
Washington at Utah +9.5
Nebraska +8.5 at Wisconsin
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Virginia Tech
South Florida
Oklahoma State
Washington
Nebraska
Florida State
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh Virginia Tech
Navy at South Florida -7.5 Navy
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah Washington
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5 Wisconsin
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State Florida State
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Pitt
Navy
Oklahoma State
Utah
Wisconsin
Clemson
Pittsburgh to cover
Navy to win
West Virginia to get them way over hyped for a big losing streak
Washington - a lot of points, but I think they win by at least 10
Nebraska - WAG - have not watched a single BIG this season, and don't care to
Clemson - they survived the trap, and will be up for this one
Pitt
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Hokies. F'em indeed. Pitt is like 90 minutes from Morgantown, I've got no problem assuming that there has been mass Cousin migration.
SoFlo covers... maybe barely, like a really old thin bed sheet.
Cowpokes always win a shootout. That's the law of the West.
UDub covers.
Riding Whisky all day long.
Clemson covers. If this were played last week I'd say 'Noles, but I imagine the Tigers are hungry after a BYE.
Hokies
Midshipmen
Neers
Huskies
Badgers
Seminoles
Virginia Tech
Navy
Oklahoma State
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
Oklahoma State
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
Oklahoma State - Because I can't!
Washington
Wiscy
Clemson
Bonus pick - Louisville covers because LOLUVA
Beer - my pumpkin beer I brewed at the end of September.
HOKIES
Navy
Oklahoma State
Utah
Nebraska
FSU
Virginia Tech
South Florida
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
If Tech wins,
CharlotteOrlando looks very likelyFIFY
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
H-O-K-I-E-S HOKIES!
Navy
wvu
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Pittsburgh
Navy
Oklahoma State
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Florida State
Hokies
Navy
Ok State
Wash
NE
Fl. State
Pitt
Navy
Ok State
Washington
Nebraska
FSU
Virginia tech
Navy
Ok state
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
VT
South Florida
Ok State
Utah
Wisconsin
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh, Always vote Homer!
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State, I feel dirty...
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Very sad to report, 0-1 for the week, but damn I love that W...
Virginia Tech
South Florida
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Pitt
Navy
Okie State
Utah
Nebraska
FSU
Pitt
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Clemson
Pittsburgh +4.5
Navy +7.5
Oklahoma State +3.5
Utah +9.5
Wisconsin -8.5
Florida State +4.5
Pitt
USF
WVU
Washington
Wisconsin
FSU
I think this is the toughest week of the year so far...
1. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
2. Navy
3. Cowboys
4. Utah
5. Nebraska
6. Noles I think
Virginia Tech
South Florida (J'Dinkalage Morgoone)
West Virginia
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
It's my 30th birthday, if we score my age I predict we win.
As for the other games to pick from...... they aren't VT and as the famous band Metallica sang:
"and Nothing Else Matters"
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh - Hokies throwin' with mustard tonight, break the curse
Navy at South Florida -7.5 - Boats before Bulls, their offense will give them lots of options to win
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State - OkSt will have a heck of a mountain to climb, and Rudolph isn't enough of a guide, away team wins in a prairie shootout
Washington -9.5 at Utah - In the race to the playoff Huskies are climbing ladders while Jake Browning will have the Utes falling down chutes
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5 - Badgers protect their house. May take a full 4 quarters of shucking, but they'll reach that golden grainy center with a win
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State - Noles grab the Tiger by the tail and tag this game as where Clemson's luck runs out. Florida State is the team that is it.
As for beers, grabbed a full size growler of this one from Stone Brewery. At merely 13% alcohol by volume it'll take me dozens of minutes to get drunk off this one

That Woot Stout is great stuff. Rivermill served it last fall when I went down for a game. This was my reaction when getting it for $7:

My friend also made a clone of it last winter and it's a great way to turn your tailgate up to 11.
holy moly, that's a helluva tailgate beer. Above is my reaction when I find Sexual Chocolate at The Underground every year.
We are by no means drinking just that 13% clone. That would mean death. We normally start with a solid base of <7% beer and then midway through we crack a couple of them open because we're young and stupid.
Pittsburgh
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Florida State
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida
West Virginia at Oklahoma State
Washington at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin
Clemson at Florida State
Pittsburgh
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Clemson
Pitt
Navy
Ok State
Washington
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
Oklahoma State
Utah
Nebraska
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Navy
West Virginia
Washington
Nebraska
Florida State
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia at Oklahoma State +3.5
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska +8.5 at Wisconsin
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
HOKIES
Navy
WVU
Washington
Nebraska
FSU
Pittsburgh (Tech wins a close one)
Navy
Oklahoma State
Washington
Wisconsin
Florida State
i got one right!
the best one.
Virginia Tech -4.5 (Didn't get the pick in before the game, but would've taken the Hokies so I can take that L.)
Navy +7.5
West Virginia -3.5
Washington -9.5
Wisconsin -8.5
Florida State +4.5