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Celebrated from coast to coast by sports fans, bag men, hippies, U.S. Senators, maybe Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, bartenders across the country, mafia Dons in New Jersey, radio jockeys, theoretical physicists and fighter pilots Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero is the greatest resource for college football shenanigans on the internet. This is the 16th season for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero in its various forms.
This is the third season of the grand experiment for readers to get in on the action. Sign up for Joe’s newsletter, SPORTS! Happy Hour, to keep up with who wins the 6-0 Challenge each week. Make your picks and compare your wits against the experts (and Joe). Win the 6-0 Challenge and enjoy eternal glory. The newsletter comes out every Thursday afternoon at 4:20 p.m. Enter your email to subscribe.
Joe subscribes to ol’ Billy Shakespeare’s philosophy of picking football games. “Jesters do oft prove prophets,” mused the Great Bard. What is Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero? Consider it a gift to society.
THE GRAND EXPERIMENT
Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for AL.com. What happens when a sportswriter picks some of the toughest games of the week and goes head-to-head against a sharp and a football expert with a Harvard education? It’s a gift for college football fans every week in the state where college football is like a religion.
The Pro is Lee Sterling, a noted numbers man of national success. Sterling features his best picks on his website, ParamountSports.com, but The Pro fearlessly picks the most difficult college games of the week against Joe and the Hero. Joe is just a hack and a slacker who everyone loves to hate.
No one works harder than Hero Ben Abercrombie. Ben played football at Hoover High School and Harvard, and he’s working every day to regain his ability to walk. He’s a recent graduate of Harvard University, and an inspiration to all. To thank him, we want everyone to stand up for Ben and show him some love.
Show Joe no love at all. Besmirch his name at small dinner parties, and troll him with signs on ESPN College GameDay.
GOODMAN: Fight like the Badger every day of your life
6-0 CHALLENGE
Click the link here to make your picks for Week 7 of the 6-0 Challenge. We’re also embedding the picks form inside the post for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero. Weekly winners of the 6-0 Challenge will be announced in Joe’s newsletter. Sign up for the FREE newsletter here. Winners will be announced on the newsletter every week. Remember, picks are against the spread.
SURVEY SAYS!!!
Congress ain’t played nobody, Pawl.
LAST WEEK
Joe: 3-3 straight up, 3-3 against the spread
Pro: 5-1 straight up, 5-1 against the spread
Hero: 4-2 straight up, 3-3 against the spread
Notes: The Pro’s only miss was Texas A&M’s cover against Mississippi State. The week was going well for Joe until he picked State straight up.
SEASON TOTALS
Joe: 22-14, 17-19
Pro: 25-11, 22-14
Hero: 21-15, 18-18
Notes: The Pro is leaving everyone behind after an all-time week that included upsets all over the board.
No.1 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0) at No.17 Illinois (5-1, 2-1)
When: 11 a.m., Sat.
Where: Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Ill.
TV: Fox
Series: Ohio State leads 68-30-4.
Spread: OSU by 14.5.
Total: 50.5
Trendy: OSU is 4-0-1 against the spread.
OSU GAME NOTES: Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, a transfer from Alabama, is now completing 80.2 percent of his passes to rank No. 1 nationally. He is also third in passing efficiency (196.99) and eighth in touchdown passes (13).
Joe says: They’re calling this an all-time Buckeyes’ defense. Ohio State hasn’t allowed 10 points in a game all season. That’s five games in a row, and the opponents included Texas, Minnesota and Washington. Former Alabama safety Caleb Downs is the best defender in the country. Coach Bret Bielema didn’t have the Illini ready for Indiana, but they’re calling this a potential trap game for Ohio State. I don’t see it. The Buckeyes are on a different level.
Joe’s pick: Ohio State 35, Illinois 13
Pro says: The question is do you want to step in front of this Buckeye money train? They’ve gone 9-0 straight up and 8-0-1 against the spread since their loss to Michigan late last season. Everyone thought their defense would be rebuilding with only three returning starters, but they’ve held all five opponents under 10 points. On offense, they clearly have the best starting receivers in the country with Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, have combined for 59 catches for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns. It’s Ohio state or pass for me.
Pro’s pick: Ohio State 38, Illinois 17
Hero says: Ohio State has arguably the best defense in the country led by safety Caleb Downs and allows only 5 PPG and a stingy 3.8 yards per play. Meanwhile, Julian Sayin is completing 80% of his passes to a talented receiving core while Bo Jackson averages 8.5 yards per rush. Even though Luke Altmyer and this Illinois offense have been successful through the air, they struggle on the ground, and with a defense that has struggled against good competition this season, I don’t see the Fighting Illini keeping this game close.
Hero’s pick: Ohio State 34, Illinois 17
No.8 Alabama (4-1, 2-0) at No.14 Missouri (5-0, 1-0)
When: 11 a.m., Sat.
Where: Faurot Field, Columbia, Mo.
TV: ABC and ESPN App
Series: Alabama leads 6-2.
Spread: Alabama by 2.5
Total: 52.5
Trendy: Alabama is 4-1 against the spread.
GAME NOTES: Kalen DeBoer is 5-1 against ranked teams as Alabama’s coach.
Joe says: I don’t like the trap-game tag for this one. Mizzou is a good football team and Alabama knows it. The Tide isn’t discounting anybody this season after that opening-week egg against FSU. I’ve been impressed with the demeanor of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. He’s all business and this team is starting to follow its leader. Mizzou has a great running back in Ahmad Hardy. If Alabama can limit him in the second half like it did Vandy running back Sedrick Alexander, then the Tide walks away with a third massive win in a row.
Joe’s pick: Alabama 21, Missouri 18
Pro says: Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula is a similar type of player to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who Alabama faced last week. What makes this Mizzou offense special and tougher to defend is running back Ahmad Hardy, who leads the country in rushing with 730 yards and nine touchdowns. The last two team-leading backs the Crimson Tide faced the last two weeks don’t have a rusher who has gained even half that total. After defeating Georgia on the road and exacting revenge on Vanderbilt, I’m not sure how much Bama has left in the tank for a team coming off of a bye and clearly their biggest game in years after they got skunked 34-0 in Tuscaloosa last year.
Pro’s pick: Missouri 34, Alabama 30
Hero says: The Tigers have been dominant all season, averaging the nation’s seventh best 45.2 points per game on offense, and allowing only 14.6 points per game defensively. Mizzou running back Ahmad Hardy hasn’t been stopped yet, averaging 7.1 yards per rush, while Alabama has struggled with run fits at times this season. If that continues, the Tigers may not be stopped on the ground this week either. However, Mizzou has one of the worst strength of schedules this season, and even with two weeks to prepare, I’ll take the Tide.
Hero’s pick: Alabama 31, Missoui 24
No.7 Indiana (5-0, 2-0) at No.3 Oregon (5-0, 2-0)
When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.
TV: CBS
Series: Oregon leads 2-1.
Spread: Oregon by 7.5.
Total: 55.5
Trendy: For the first time in program history, Indiana is 5-0 for the second straight season.
GAME NOTES: Oregon seeks its 36th victory in program history against a Top 10 team.
Joe says: Indiana was pretty sloppy against Iowa but still managed a victory. Oregon had the week off after its overtime thriller at Penn State. This should be a great game. All things being equal, the Ducks’ passing defense is tied for third nationally with Ohio State, allowing 123.4 yards per game. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is completing over 74 percent of his passes with 14 passing touchdowns in five games. Slight edge in Eugene. Sco Ducks.
Joe’s pick: Oregon 28, Indiana 21
Pro says: I love the resurgence of Indiana football, but I’m still not ready to put both feet in the water just yet. Whenever IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza plays against top competition this season, and last year with Cal, the results on the road were mediocre to pretty darn bad. They beat Iowa by five points, scoring only 20, and last year they got whipped 38-6 at SMU, 17-15 at Pitt and 14-9 at Florida State. His counterpart, Ducks sophomore quarterback Dante Moore, has led his team to a 5-0 record and a win at Penn State. Moore is the real deal and the O-line and D-line of Oregon might be the best combo in the country!
Pro’s pick: Oregon 37, Indiana 24
Hero says: Indiana might be the easiest underdogs to pull against each week, as coach Kurt Cignetti boasts each year about playing a bunch of junior colleges in non-conference, and then somehow finds a way to blame it on the SEC. The Hoosiers’ have been blowing everyone out at home but struggled in their lone away game at Iowa where a terrible passing team found early success through the air until their starter was injured. Now, the Hoosiers have to travel across the country and take on an uber-talented Oregon team that’s head and shoulders better than anyone Indiana has played thus far.
Hero’s pick: Oregon 31, Indiana 20
No.6 Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0) at Texas (3-2, 0-1)
When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.
Where: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas
TV: ABC and ESPN App
Series: Texas leads 64-51-5.
Spread: Texas by 2.5.
Total: 42.5
Trendy: Texas is 1-4 against the spread.
OU GAME NOTES: OU is 7-3 all-time vs. the Longhorns when it is ranked in the AP Top 10 and Texas is unranked.
Joe says: The Arch Manning misery tour rolls into Dallas, but the Longhorns are actually a slight favorite. The reason is because Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is still questionable after injuring his hand against Auburn. OU’s backup is Michael Hawkins, Jr. He went 1-3 last season as starter, splitting time with Jackson Arnold. Mateer says he wants to play, but he had surgery on his right hand. Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m riding with Arch this week.
Joe’s pick: Texas 18, Oklahoma 15
Pro says: Hardest game on the card for me to predict. Texas is just 2-7 against the spread since last year’s SEC Championship game and Arch Manning’s role as a starter so far is a failure. Oklahoma is rolling along (5-0), but will probably have to play this all-so-important rivalry game without star quarterback John Mateer, who is out with a hand injury. Mateer’s loss just might be too much to overcome.
Pro’s pick: Texas 23, Oklahoma 20
Hero says: The Red River Rivalry will be a defensive showdown with Oklahoma most likely having to rely on backup quarterback Michael Hawkins while Texas’ Arch Manning is playing like a below-average backup quarterback. Oklahoma has harassed quarterbacks all year on defense, and the Longhorns’ offensive line hasn’t done Arch any favors. I don’t see that being any different this week, and the moment won’t be too big for Hawkins, who started for the Sooners in multiple games last year. The Sooners find a way with a backup quarterback in a close one.
Hero’s pick: Oklahoma 24, Texas 21
Florida (2-3, 1-1) at No.5 Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0)
When: 6 p.m., Sat.
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
TV: ESPN
Series: Texas A&M leads 4-3.
Spread: Texas A&M by 7.5.
Total: 46.5
Trendy: Vegas loves Texas A&M’s defense and for good reason. The Aggies allowed 10 points against Auburn and then nine points against Mississippi State.
A&M GAME NOTES: Texas A&M produced one of most dominant defensive showings versus a league opponent since joining the SEC in 2012 against Auburn. The Aggies limited the Tigers to just 177 total yards and 3.1 yards per play, while posting five sacks and generating four QB hurries. For the first time in SEC play, the Aggies didn’t allow a third-down conversion, pitching an 0-of-13 shutout on third-down tries. In the fourth quarter, the Aggie defense allowed just one total yard on 11 snaps.
Joe says: The Gators are once again predictably inconsistent. Leave it to coach Billy Napier to deliver a nice victory against Texas when it looked like the season was all but lost. I’m afraid Texas A&M at Kyle Field looks like a detour on the road to redemption. Nothing gets the Aggies’ attention like a victory against rival Texas. Texas A&M is playing lights out defensively. Auburn only had 177 yards of total offense and the Aggies followed that up by only allowing 219 yards against Mississippi State. It looks like UF is improving, but I can’t trust the Gators on the road at Kyle Field.
Joe’s pick: Texas A&M 33, Florida 17
Pro says: Sunbelt Billy sure seems to know how to flirt with getting fired. Last week’s domination of Texas probably bought him a few more weeks. Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed, just a combined 28-45 for 387 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions the last two games against Auburn & Mississippi State, weren’t that impressive. Florida’s defense is a cut above both of those teams. To the wire!
Pro’s pick: Texas A&M 24, Florida 20
Hero says: Gators’ quarterback DJ Lagway had his first complete week of practice since last season and Florida’s offense looked much better for it. Plus, freshman receiver Dallas Wilson made his season debut, and looked like the best player on the field. However, the Aggies’ defense has been incredible these past two weeks, and their offense finally got a consistent run game going behind a 141-yard rushing effort by Ruben Owens. Florida’s too hard to trust to pick them to win straight up, but I think they’ll put up a fight.
Hero’s pick: Texas A&M 27, Florida 23
No.10 Georgia (4-1, 2-1) at Auburn (3-2, 0-2)
When: 6:30 p.m., Sat.
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.
TV: ABC and ESPN App
Series: Georgia leads 65-56-8.
Spread: UGA by 3.5.
Total: 46.5
Trendy: Georgia has won eight in a row in the series.
UGA GAME NOTES: Georgia is 19-12-2 against Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Joe says: In years past, like maybe a decade ago or more, I’d say this is the type of game where Auburn finds a way to win a close one. But Auburn is discovering ways to lose close games these days. I don’t know if the breakthrough can come against a team with Georgia’s pedigree. This is a must-win scenario for Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, but pressure isn’t his friend and quarterback Jackson Arnold is going to have to complete some deep passes to win this game.
Joe’s pick: Georgia 15, Auburn 11
Pro says: Talk about the toughest road schedule so far in college football. It probably belongs to Auburn. They’ve already visited Baylor and two top 10 ranked teams, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Coming off the bye, I expect the Auburn offense to start clicking as their top two receivers, Eric Singleton and Cam Coleman with four combined touchdowns seem more dynamic than Georgia’s Colbie Young, who only has one touchdown. Georgia’s come-from-behind win at Tennessee probably has elevated this line higher than it should really be. Wrong team favored.
Pro’s pick: Auburn 27, Georgia 20
Hero says: Weird things always happen in Jordan-Hare Stadium at night, and Auburn had an extra week to try and address some of their protection issues on the offensive line. Hugh Freeze even went as far as getting left tackle Xavier Chaplin’s hearing checked. I’m not so sure Chaplin’s hearing can help him block an edge rusher or help Jackson Arnold slide the protection the right way pre-snap, but at least he won’t false start as much. But Georgia’s biggest weakness on defense is getting pressure on the quarterback as they rank 125th in pass-rush grade and Auburn’s defense is elite at stopping the run, allowing only 2.6 yards per rush. That happens to be Georgia’s offensive strength. It’s going to be a close game, but I like Gunner Stockton and the Bulldogs to make enough plays to leave Auburn with a win.