Autumn 2025 Begins In Earnest

That’s right, it may have been 90 degrees all goddamned week, but we have crossed the magick demarcation line into FALL!  I do not wish to speak of the footy this week (though it is on the telly this morning), so let’s get straight into the loaded-FOAR-bear JV NFL schedules:

Georgia Tech (-13.5) at Wake Forest (Noon, ESPN)

Navigating the ACC season is all about that rake step (as my Wolven Sort reminded Hippo – AND Other Hippo – last week).  Wake is not good at all (see their home loss to NC State), but this is a lot of points for a pretty one-dimensional swarm of Bees, especially on the road.  I guaran-damn-tee y’all there is value in the moneyline, as I’d say Wake has like a 30-40% shot to pull the upset outright.  GOLDEN RULE – ACC squadrons may look good for a few weeks, but are absolutely NOT ANY GOOD.

Southern Cal (-6.5) at Illinois (Noon, Fox)

How made are the Illini about Indiana pulling their pants down last weekend?  I guess we’ll find out today.  Bad body clock game for Troi Boiz, too.

Notre Dame (-3.5) at Pirate Kansas (Noon, ABC)

Finally, a match where I don’t favoUr the home dog.  Don’t get me wrong, I’d love Pig Sooey to win…there’s just no fucking chance.  The Powers That BE won’t stand for the Irish to be out of playoff contention this early.

THEEEE Ohio State (-8.5) at Washington (3:30, CBS)

Outside of the banner pic, I see no reason to BOW DOWN to this version of the Huskies.  But maybe they’ll surprise us.

LSU (+1.5) at Johnny Reb (3:30, ABC)

Five games in, and we get the very first road underdog…and it’s the #4 team in the country.  THIS is why Hippo is an SEC homer.

War Damn Eagle (+6.5) at Bonfire Cult (3:30, ESPN)

Auburn has no passing game, nor offensive line to speak of.  TAMU might literally kill someone out there.  But do we really trust THEIR offensing unit? A slugfest could be in the mix.

Indiana (-7.5) at Iowa (3:30, Peacock)

Apparently, Hoosier folk really dislike Iowa, which is a rivalry factoid I never once noticed before.  And I been watching football at least 50 years.

Tennessee (-7.5) at Mississippi State (4:15, SECN)

Sneaky game of the week – Cowbells can be VERY tough at home, especially if/when they smell blood.  Vols passing game is tough to slow down, though.  But maybe MSU makes this into a wild shootout?