Grill Hill: Being petty with this week’s picks

As I sit and look through this week’s football schedule, I can’t help but be a bit distracted.

On Monday, we learned singer Tom Petty’s health has taken a turn for the worse. Though initial reports of his death were premature as of 6 p.m. EST, it appears the 66-year-old’s outlook remains grim after apparently going into cardiac arrest.

Petty stands as one of my favorite singers, and his catalog of music is hard to match. It might not be much — and hopefully it proves to be completely unnecessary — but I thought I would center this week’s Grill Hill around his music.

So with “Damn the Torpedoes” blaring on vinyl as I write, I offer my picks this week with a certain Tom Petty flavor. My predictions went 12-3 last week, by far my best effort since the NFL season began. “You got lucky,” you’re thinking. This is likely true.

Nevertheless, let’s look at this week’s games. Remember, if you want to take part, make your picks here.

HS

Jordan vs Spencer, 7:30 p.m. (Kinnett Stadium)

The Red Jackets are learning to fly under second-year head coach Justin Newman and have been on the cusp of their second victory several times. Spencer, meanwhile, has shown flashes throughout the season of its capability but is coming off a shutout loss to Crisp County. Friday’s game will be a tight one at Kinnett, but in the end, I think the Greenwave get the last laugh.

Spencer 27, Jordan 21

Marion County at Brookstone, 7:30 p.m. - Brookstone 27, Marion County 21

Miller County at Chattahoochee County, 7:30 p.m. - Chattahoochee County 17, Miller County 14

Central at Enterprise, 8 p.m.

The Red Devils won’t back down after a strong start to 2017 and look to keep it rolling on the road Friday. Central travels to Enterprise, which is the only region opponent to beat Central since Jamey DuBose became head coach in 2014. The problem for Enterprise is it’s 1-5 and is riding a five-game losing streak. The waiting for Central’s first loss this year continues.

Central 38, Enterprise 13

Glenwood at Edgewood Academy, 8 p.m. - Glenwood 35, Edgewood Academy 20

NCAAF

Georgia at Vanderbilt, 12 p.m.

The Commodores appear to be free fallin’ after an upset win over Kansas State, losing two straight to SEC foes Alabama and Florida. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are surging in a way they haven’t in several years after humiliating Tennessee in Neyland Stadium. Bulldogs fans may have a breakdown if Georgia loses to the Commodores for the second straight year; instead, they’ll get another blowout victory in the Volunteer State.

Georgia 38, Vanderbilt 13

Ole Miss at Auburn, 12 p.m. - Auburn 31, Ole Miss 10

Miami at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. - Miami 21, Florida State 10

LSU at Florida, 3:30 p.m. - Florida 24, LSU 14

Alabama at Texas A&M, 7:15 p.m.

The Crimson Tide are running down a dream, which is to steamroll through the regular season en route to the College Football Playoff. Next up is an up-and-down Aggies team led by head coach Kevin Sumlin, who remains on a hot seat despite being 4-1 this season. I expect Alabama to beat Texas A&M so badly Saturday that the Aggies athletic board may just tell Sumlin, “Don’t come around here no more.”

Alabama 45, Texas A&M 7

NFL

Panthers at Lions, 1 p.m. - Panthers 27, Lions 24

Ravens at Raiders, 4:05 p.m.

The once-mighty Baltimore Ravens are a mess this season, while the Oakland Raiders have shown glimpses of great play but have quarterback Derek Carr on the mend. Carr is now expected to miss at least two weeks, which leaves the Raiders' offense in question going forward. Sorry Baltimore, but I’ve still got to go with Oakland just because yer so bad.

Raiders 20, Ravens 17

Seahawks at Rams, 4:05 p.m. - Rams 35, Seahawks 30

Packers at Cowboys 4:25 p.m. - Packers 23, Cowboys 21

Chiefs at Texans, 8:30 p.m.

You don’t know how it feels to bungle a quarterback competition, but Texans head coach Bill O’Brien does after giving Tom Savage the nod over Deshaun Watson to start the year. Watson was superb against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, but the task gets much tougher against a Chiefs team that may be the best team in the NFL. Watson keeps Houston in the thick of things, but Kansas City gets the last laugh.

Chiefs 28, Texans 24

This story was originally published October 2, 2017 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Grill Hill: Being petty with this week’s picks."