I am standing atop Lookout Mountain.

Allegorically speaking of course.

Though I have not Seen Rock City, I observe how Rocky Top checkerboarded the Wolfpack.

So what I says to myself, despite my unparalleled preeminence in the prediction universe, is, “Seedy, stop it already with the upset picks. You have enough trouble picking them for real.”

Full of myself after going with Tech in Week 0, I’ve now missed a couple upset specials in a row. Enough as we say is enough. No more picking big dogs.

Unless, of course, I change my mind.

So, yes, Tennessee ravaged the Wolfpack.

And, Kentucky, well, the Cats have now fallen to the Gamecocks (South Carolina version) three times in a row. Who figured? Not me.

While the Cardinals held serve against the Gamecocks (Jax State edition), triumphant Texas left the Big House in serious disarray, and Nebraska proved that Sanders (the coach) is more Wizard of Oz than the next Saban or Spurrier. (More on them just ahead.)

Three right. Two wrong. 11-5 for the season.

This week’s winners:

LSU @ South Carolina. Game Day in Columbia. Yes, they clothe Pat McAfee in proper attire though he still brings a tank top personality, but there shall be reason to tolerate him, if . . . if the producers do what they oughta. Make former Gamecock coach, joyously snarky Steve Spurrier, the Guest Picker. Spurrier. Saban. Got to be. (Could be as delightful and insightful as Peyton, Eli and Belichick Monday night.) Shane Beamer’s been doin’ some braggin’ since his charges tamed the Cats. But this is a proverbial Must Win for the Bayou Bengals. If not, Brian Kelly is going to have more to worry about than what havoc Francine wrought to his hacienda. LSU.

Washington State vs. Washington (Seattle). It’s only Week III, but Mr. Schedule Dude musta thought it was Rivalry Week. Colorado/ Colorado State. Utah/ Utah State. Oregon/ Oregon State. One more. (See below.) Why is the Apple Cup is being played in early September. At least it is. Because the Huskies went east young men, leaving their big rival dangling in the Ehrlichminian wind. So it’s now a Big Ten (Eighteen) vs. PAC 2 matchup. State is marginally the more tested of the battling 2-0 rivals. They beat Texas Tech. Which may be a meh. Or a gauge. They got a grudge. I mean, you know, a serious reason to be pissed. Cougars.

West Virginia @ Pittsburgh. This would also be a fight between a couple of schools and fanbases who truly dislike each other. Backyard Brawl. You betcha. 107th. Scars abound. Panthers did some serious coming from behind last weekend in Queen City. Team playing on their own turf has captured the last three of series. (So I’m advised by the Phil Steele Cheat Sheet.) You see where this game is being contested? Steel City. ACC > Big 12 (16).

Indiana @ UCLA. I go with the flow. I don’t decry NIL. Out of sorts more about the absurdity of league shifting. But, as my pal Jane says too often, it is what it is. Stillllllllll, Hoosiers vs. Bruins is a conference game? Beano Cook is tossin’ and turnin’ in his grave. It’s IU’s first visit since ’68 Tournament of Roses and a 14-3 L to OJ’s Trojans. UCLA is in Westwood. You know what a shlep it is to get to Pasadena where they play their games? The Hoosiers will have a much shorter trip from their hotel. It’s still a road game after a cross country flight. The first big test for supremely confidant Crimson & Cream mentor Curt Cignetti. He passes.

Georgia @ Kentucky. Uh, no. This week’s Kroger crowd might thin out even earlier than last Saturday’s.

Guess I did pick some underdogs. Promises made, promises broken.

— c d kaplan