Grill Hill: College football conference games highlight big weekend

Like a Kentucky football coach counting defenders on the field, mistakes were made in last week’s edition of Grill Hill.

In all, it was a solid weekend of projections, as I went 9-6 for the second consecutive week. The highlight was accurately projecting that the New Orleans Saints score 34 in a victory over the Carolina Panthers; the low point was making fun of the Jacksonville Jaguars before they beat the Baltimore Ravens by 37. Whoops.

With that behind us, it’s time to dive into 15 more games. High school football teams are into the region portion of their schedule, college squads are diving into conference play and NFL franchises are facing off in intriguing showdowns.

Let’s get started. Remember, if you want to play along, make sure to take part in our weekly Football Picking contest. Start by registering here and making your picks.

HS

Brookstone at Pacelli, 7:30 p.m. Friday - Brookstone 30, Pacelli 7

Hardaway at Westover, 7:30 p.m. Friday - The Hawks are coming off a 27-point victory over rival Columbus and are looking for revenge against Westover, which beat the Hawks by four touchdowns in 2016. The Patriots are off to a rough 2-3 start, and despite having the home field advantage, I don’t see them being able to stop Hardaway running back Marco Lee and the rest of the Hawks offense.

Hardaway 31, Westover 23

Manchester at Central-Talbotton, 7:30 p.m. Friday - Manchester 45, Central Talbotton 14

Northside vs Columbus (Kinnett Stadium), 7:30 p.m. Friday - Northside 31, Columbus 10

Opelika at Central, 8 p.m. Friday - The Red Devils have an interesting opponent in the Bulldogs, which are perennial contenders and happen to be coached by Caleb Ross, whose McGill-Toolen teams ended Central’s last two seasons. The transition to Ross has not been seamless, and the task of beating Central is a tough one. I predict Opelika keeps it at a two-possession game for most of the game but are unable to top the Red Devils.

Central 35, Opelika 24

NCAAF

Vanderbilt at Florida, 12 p.m. Saturday - Florida 28, Vanderbilt 17

Georgia at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Tennessee has been the thorn in Georgia’s side the last two seasons, which included the Bulldogs blowing a huge lead in 2015 and the Volunteers winning on a Hail Mary in 2016. The difference between those Tennessee teams and this year’s squad is the past ones — especially their offenses — had talent. Aside from running back John Kelly, this edition of the Tennessee offense is abysmal. Georgia rolls as it again shows the nation there is one competent SEC East team in 2017.

Georgia 30, Tennessee 14

Mississippi State at Auburn, 6 p.m. Saturday

Auburn opened as a double-digit favorite after Auburn rolled over the roadkill that is Missouri and Mississippi State got steamrolled by Georgia. The thing is, I saw nothing from either team that makes me think the Tigers will put away Mississippi State with relative ease. I still don’t believe the Auburn offense is clicking on all cylinders, and I think the Bulldogs will be fired up to prove the LSU blowout victory was not a flash in the pan. Mississippi State not only covers the spread but pulls off the road victory.

Mississippi State 24, Auburn 21

South Carolina at Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. Saturday - Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 20

Clemson at Virginia Tech, 8 p.m. Saturday - Clemson 21, Virginia Tech 20

NFL

New Orleans at Miami, 9:30 a.m. Sunday - New Orleans 28, Miami, 17

Buffalo at Atlanta, 1 p.m. Sunday

Atlanta got lucky on Sunday, defeating the Detroit Lions on what amounted to a technicality in the rulebook. This week, the Falcons host the Bills, which are coming off an impressive 10-point victory over the Denver Broncos. Buffalo running back LeSean McCoy is looking to break out after two consecutive subpar weeks, and I expect him to do that against the Falcons. His play, however, will not be enough as Atlanta improves to 4-0.

Atlanta 24, Buffalo 17

Detroit at Minnesota, 1 p.m. Sunday - Detroit 27, Minnesota 20

Tennessee at Houston, 1 p.m. Sunday

Wait, the AFC South is shaping up to be an entertaining division? In what may be the best matchup Sunday, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and company look to keep it rolling against a stingy Texans team that nearly defeated the New England Patriots. Led by rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson, Houston has shown glimpses of becoming a troublesome team in 2017. I predict they strike against the Titans.

Houston 31, Tennessee 28

Oakland at Denver, 4:25 p.m. Sunday - Oakland 17, Denver 14

This story was originally published September 25, 2017 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Grill Hill: College football conference games highlight big weekend."