Site: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Cap. 88,548)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Saturday
TV/Radio: CBS
We’re four weeks into the 2015 college football season, and we here at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column are anticipating Florida’s rivalry matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers.
The Gators went into Lexington, Kentucky, last week to face a Wildcats team that seemed poised for the upset. But Florida rode its defense to a 14-9 victory in UF’s Southeastern Conference opener. Florida was again undisciplined and its quarterback play was erratic under redshirt freshman Will Grier, but the Gators found themselves in the win column for the third straight week. Now the undefeated streak will be tested again against a Volunteers unit looking to snap UF’s 10-straight wins in the series.
Debating Saturday’s Texas vs. Oklahoma State game are alligatorSports assistant editor Luis Torres and alligatorSports staff writer Graham Hack.
Oklahoma State (-3.5) will win because… Oh Texas, a program that can’t figure itself on and off the field at the moment. The athletic director — Steve Patterson — was forced out and Charlie Strong’s future is in the air, and he’s only in his second year at the helm. The Longhorns’ offense ranks 100th and redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard will face his toughest test yet as the Cowboys rank 26th in total defense and will bring the heat on the young quarterback. Expect Oklahoma State to win this game by two touchdowns easily covering the spread.
— Luis Torres
Texas (+3.5) will win because... The Longhorns might be in a state of choas right now, but that didn't stop them from giving Cal a run for its money last week in a 45-44 loss. They're also galvanized and will have a home crowd ready for its first big victory of the season on their side. As for Oklahoma State, the Pokes haven't faced a decent team yet this year. In their only road contest this season, they struggled to down Central Michigan. It's safe to say that environment won't compare to Austin on Saturday afternoon.
— Graham Hack
Now on to the picks!
We have a two-way tie for first this week, both sporting 15-8-1 records.
To start off is Gator Country’s Nick "Coach’s pet" de la Torre, who frequently sits in the front row of coach Jim McElwain’s press conference. Come on, Nick, you just look like a suck-up. It’s understandable if you’re trying to show McElwain what his hair color will look like in 20 years, but the guy could see that colorless top from a mile away.
Tied with Nick is the Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar "He was an attractive guy " Thompson, who, while describing a ripped guy he saw at the gym, remarked how attractive the man was. He may have been attractive, Edgar, but there’s no way he compares with how attractive Mark Long looks when he wears his typical all-brown outfit.
In third place with a 13-10-1 clip is alligatorSports editor Graham "One-Way" Hall, who nearly started driving the wrong way on a one-way road in Lexington last weekend. It’s OK, Graham, the little girl who shouted "One way! One Way!" from her stroller had your back.
Tied with Hall for third place is the Palm Beach Post’s Anthony "Honey, they're bullying me" Chiang, who, after repeated attempts to set the record straight, still insists he is a Miami native. He even had his wife hop on Twitter to further propagate his bold-faced lie. This is becoming sad, Chiang.
Sitting in fifth place with a 12-11-1 record is Alligator managing/online editor Jordan "Sup, bro?" McPherson, who is apparently good buddies with linebacker Antonio Morrison. It was an awkward exchange to say the least, but that’s how most interactions with Jordan go.
In sixth place with a paltry 8-15-1 record is alligatorSports assistant editor Luis "self-defecating" Torres, who while trying to say "self-deprecating," said self-defecating. Hey Luis, we all know you can’t speak, but can you be a little more courteous of other people and not crap all over yourself?
Tied with Luis for sixth is 247sports.com’s Thomas "hashtag injury report" Goldkamp, who has built a reputation with Jim McElwain as being the "injury guy" because he's always asking McElwain who’s injured. Hey Thomas, he’s not a doctor. How is he supposed to know the difference between a low foot and a high foot?
And STILL in dead-ass last with a piss-poor record of 7-16-1 is Graham "how do I put this in park?" Hack, who while driving to Kentucky and driving the other Graham’s Prius couldn’t figure out how to park the damn car. We know you’re used to driving a John Deere tractor that runs on diesel, but get with the technology.
