2017 Six-Pick Week 9

We're hosting a Halloween party Saturday night, which means I'll need to avoid spoilers until everybody leaves and I can watch the VT-Duke game. I wasn't exactly planning on this one being a night game when we scheduled, otherwise I would have started the party and noon and kicked everyone out by 7.

A much stronger week last time out for everyone, with shakeitallabout nearly pulling off a perfect week. It's still tight at the top, with SpiderHokie and brickhaus now tied for the lead. kosuch8 is just 1 back, and Tacotown13 and VT Fencer sit 2 back. Me and OhHerro sit 3 behind the leaders.

Remember, you make your picks at CBSSports.com (LINKY HERE).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28

Oklahoma State (-7) at WVU
Factoid #1: This is the second-consecutive week Okie State goes on the road as a 7-point favorite. Last time, they held off Texas in one of those low-scoring slugfests for which the Big XII is well-known.
Factoid #2: WVU has given up at least 31 points to all 5 of their P5 opponents this year. That includes Kansas.
PICK: This one's tough. WVU played TCU close. But they haven't beaten anybody good either. I'll reluctantly take OSU.

Georgia (-14) vs. Florida

Factoid #1: Georgia's lost the last three straight in The Game Formerly Known As The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
Factoid #2: Jim McElwain claimed he and his family had received death threats for Florida's poor start this year. Bizarrely, Florida then implied they don't believe him.
PICK: You can tell when a team's season is circling the drain, and Florida's has that feel to it. Georgia in a blowout.

NC State at Notre Dame (-7)
Factoid #1: NC State fans were critical in exposing the academic fraud perpetrated by UNC. For that, we have to thank them.
Factoid #2: Other than Georgia, no one has come within 20 points of Notre Dame so far this season.
PICK: NC State still feels like a phony to me. The wins over Louisville and FSU don't feel as meaningful as they did at the time. Notre Dame by 10.

Penn State at Ohio State (-7)
Factoid #1: This is the first time Penn State's been an underdog this season.
Factoid #2: J.T. Barrett holds 24 school records at OSU. That's with having to split games with Cardale Jones at times.
PICK: Ohio State feels like they're past their peak with Urban Meyer at this point. It kinda feels like his last couple of years at Florida. Penn State wins outright.

TCU (-6) at Iowa State
Factoid #1: TCU is 5-2 against the spread so far this year. Everybody keeps underestimating Gary Patterson for some reason.
Factoid #2: With just one more win, Iowa State will match their total from 2015 and 2016 combined.
PICK: Iowa State's already dealing with Matt Campbell buyout rumors. Plus TCU's just a better team. This is a good line, but I'll take TCU by 7.

This guy may or may not be distantly related to a former SMU running back who may or may not have murdered 5 hookers.
Mississippi State at Texas A&M (PICK'EM)
Factoid #1: This feels like MSU does every year; middle of the pack. They pummeled good LSU and Kentucky squads, but got blasted by Auburn & Georgia. This is their ceiling going forward, I think.
Factoid #2: The Aggies are quietly 5-2, with their only losses a close one to Bama and the collapse against UCLA.
PICK: It's time for Kevin Sumlin's annual job-saving late season run. I'll take A&M.

Georgia Tech at Clemson (-14)
Factoid #1: Georgia Tech is 6-0 against the spread this year.
Factoid #2: Dabo Swinney showed guile this week by making Georgia Tech prepare to defend not just two, but three different kickers.
PICK: Georgia Tech keeps the number of possessions low and covers the spread, though Clemson wins.

Preparing to answer the door for trick-or-treaters
USC (-3) at Arizona State
Factoid #1: I am required to include USC in the Six-Pick every week. At least it feels that way.
Factoid #2: Arizona State was left for dead early in the season following losses to Texas Tech, San Diego State, and nearly choking one away to New Mexico State. They've since rebounded to win 3 of 4 in the Pac-12, including knocking off Washington.
PICK: Betting against USC every week would have earned you a lot of money this year. I'll do it this week.

DRINK OF THE WEEK:

One of my favorite seasonal macrobrews is back, and it's as good as I remember. The microbrew-unaware public thought Sam Adams was cutting-edge for infusing fruit into beer in 2001. Now it's mostly been forgotten. I happened to see it in the "Make Your Own 6-Pack" section of Kroger this year. I'll have to stock up on these for the offseason.

Remember, we're making our picks on CBSSports.com (LINKY HERE), though feel free to let everybody know what the correct answers will be in the comments.