Eschewing every bit of ethics in my arsenal, years of abject and indisputable fandom and a modicum of common sense, I violated a long standing given last week. I picked the foe of the University of Louisville Cardinals to beat them on the gridiron.

Revealing some grit and guile, as well as a running game, a significantly improved OL, a somewhat better defensive secondary and being the beneficiary of some late game luck, U of L beat Florida State.

I’m taking full credit since I was picking against them, and gladly trade a tally in the right hand side of the ledger for such a Cardinal victory in Tallahassee.  And if Texas QB Sam Ehlinger hadn’t been knocked into Thursday after next on a tackle, thus causing him to woozily toss up an ill advised beach ball pick in OT, my scorecard for the weekend would have further benefited.

As it was, Penn State, Notre Dame and Mississippi State all dominated, as I figured they would.

So I was 3-2* for the slate — the asterisk is for U of L aberration. For the season: 26-19.

Who knows, pigskin deities willing, we might actually have some real football weather soon. As autumn deepens, the season’s getting serious. So am I.

This week’s winners:  

TCU @ Iowa State. One of the gnawing queries floating about the pigskin punditocracy all season is whether the Big 12 will actually have one of its members make it to the Final Four? With Bob Stoops retired, the chances of Oklahoma inexplicably dropping a season breaker decreased. Then Boomer Sooner under new management went bust at home against — Gasp!!! — Iowa State. So the current hopeful from the Heartland for postseason prime time is Texas Christian University. The Horned Frogs are undefeated and looking pretty nifty, with league Ws over Okie State and K State. Among their four pursuers with just a single conference L are those surging, pesky Iowa State Cyclones. Who are prepping in Ames under Matt Campbell  for Statement Win, Part Deux when the Purples come calling this weekend. History tells us it’s going to be a tough task. The last time Iowa State held TCU under 40 was 2013, the last time they won was 2012. Coming off a bye week against Kansas, the Horned Frogs will be rested, prepared and victorious.

Florida State @ Boston College. This matchup features the ACC’s two most surprising squads. The Seminoles, because they were a legit preseason national contenda but have been decimated by injuries and now stand 2-4, causing some of the more dumbass members of the faithful to be calling for Jimbo’s head skewered on Chief Osceola’s spear. BC, because, after losing about 149 consecutive league battles, they ambushed Louisville, then throttled previously 5-1 UVa in Charlottesville. The Eagles return home to host the reeling ‘Noles, in front of what might actually be a real college football crowd in Chestnut Hill. Bandwagon jumper oner that I am, I like the home team to continue its recent winning ways.

Penn State @ Ohio State. #2 versus #6 in the Horseshoe on the banks of the Olentangy with the B10 lead (Or at least part of it) and inside track to the Final Four on the line. And college sports greatest announcer Gus Johnson on the call. All together now: “This is what college football is all about.” The Buckeyes had last weekend off. While the Nittany Lions were hosting the Wolverines. Hmmmmm. Is a B10 scheduling investigation in order? 6-1 O-H-I-O remains a question mark. The only real team the Buckeyes played — Oklahoma — beat ’em. In Columbus. While James Franklin’s charges have won them all, have a very impressive QB and the leading Heisman candidate at RB. Not to mention, one of the top 5 Ds in the country. As Penn State was looking for and got revenge against Michigan last weekend, Ohio State is looking for revenge this weekend. I think Penn State’s got the better team. I think rested and prepared Ohio State will win.

Tennessee @ Kentucky. As of the moment I am writing this, Butch Jones is still the coach of the Volunteers. Stay tuned. Even Aunt Martha who could care less about football wouldn’t be surprised were there an interim mentor on the Rocky Top sideline this Saturday at Kroger Field. The Vols are, frankly, a mess, and ofer the SEC. Their offense hasn’t scored a TD since Dolly was but a sidekick on the Porter Wagoner Show. As for the Cats, well the Cats were cowbelled into reality in Starkville. Just when visions of real success were popping up in the Bluegrass, UK fell prey to the not so cuddly charms of Todd Grantham’s D. Regardless of any Tennessee turmoil, the Vols have had the Wildcats number. Since’84, UK’s only W was 10-7 in ’11. The Orange have dominated since then, setting their current win streak at five. They always seem to find a way. But, ya know, the Big Blue’s gonna get ’em this year . . . right? Uh, I dunno, but I’m going with UK anyway, though history tells me I’m a fool for doing so.

Louisville @ Wake Forest. I shouldn’t need to remind my readers that U of L had the Demon Deacons playbook before last season’s battle. OK, at least part of it. Yet, the Cards only tallied a FG before halftime, and were still behind 10-12 after 3Q. At which juncture, Lamar Jackson said, “enough of this shit,’ and did what a Heisman winner does. With significant help from RB Brandon Radcliff. Wake Forest is yet again not very good, having lost three in a row in the ACC. Louisville remains a work in progress. Recall from the lede that I have taken full credit for last weekend’s Cardinal W over the Seminoles, because I broke tradition and picked against my alma mammy. In Winston Salem, Louisville will need to prevail carrying the weight of my saying it will prevail on its back. Cards will conquer.

— Seedy K