Neal's Picks, presented by Service Specialists: Week 3

NEAL'S PICKS PALATIAL HEADQUARTERS -- It's always difficult to get into a rhythm in the early weeks.

Like the old saying goes, "No one wins Neal's Picks in September, but you can damn sure lose Neal's Picks in September."

They've been saying that for years now, so as I told the interns Sunday as we gathered for the annual Sept. 12 Tequila Tasting Testing Party, we just have to stay at this until we figure out a strategy.

I meant picks. They thought I meant tequila, so it's been a stressful week at the Palatial Headquarters. Thank goodness for GameChanger Patch Co. (Enter promo code RebelGrove20 for 20 percent off your purchase.)

So we enter Week 3 with a lead, albeit the one-game variety. Last week, people complained about Big Ten games and high school games (Go Bearcats, by the way. #FirmlyFounded), so this week, we'll just stick with the Southeastern Conference slate. God forbid any of these clowns have to think a little bit. Wouldn't want anyone to pop a blood vessel or something.

On to the picks...

Neal’s Picks are presented by Service Specialists. With offices in Ridgeland, Canton, Jackson and Oxford, Service Specialists has been connecting candidates and employers since 1967 as the oldest staffing company in Mississippi.

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Last Week:

Neal McCready: 13-3 overall, 6-5 ATS

Chase Parham: 12-4 overall, 5-6 ATS

Jeffrey Wright: 12-4 overall, 5-6 ATS

Zach Berry: 10-6 overall, 3-8 ATS

For the Season:

Neal McCready: 26-6 overall, 15-10 ATS

Chase Parham: 25-7 overall, 12-13 ATS

Jeffrey Wright: 26-6 overall, 14-11 ATS

Zach Berry:23-9 overall, 10-15 ATS

New Mexico +27.5 at No. 7 Texas A&M, 11 a.m., SEC Network

Neal McCready: It's a lot of points, sure. But the Aggies' defense is solid and hell, New Mexico State scored 25 points against the Lobos. I regret this as I type it, but I'm laying them. I've got to think Jimbo knows his offense needs some confidence. Neal's Pick: Texas A&M 45, New Mexico 10

Chase Parham: Neal told me this week of picks sucks, and this is a prime example. This isn't about matchups. It's completely luck with whether Texas A&M beats New Mexico by four touchdowns. This is stupid. Yes, I'm bitter, and it's only week three. It's not a pro mindset. Parham's Pick: TAMU 38, New Mexico 6

Jeffrey Wright: New Mexico is allowing nearly five-yards per carry against Houston (Baptist) and New Mexico State. I think Jimbo might build some confidence ahead of the Arkansas game. WRIGHT’S PICK: TEXAS A&M 41, NEW MEXICO STATE 7

Zach Berry: Don't overthink this one. Zach's Pick: Texas A&M 48, New Mexico 6

Chattanooga (No line) at Kentucky, 11 a.m., ESPN+

Neal McCready: Big games await the Wildcats. Big games. Neal's Pick: Kentucky 41, Chattanooga 7

Chase Parham: Austin Peay dispatched of Chattanooga a couple weeks ago. This won't be a problem. Parham's Pick: Kentucky 40, Chattanooga 13

Jeffrey Wright: There has to be a country song about leaving Chattanooga for Kentucky. WRIGHT’S PICK: KENTUCKY 45, CHATTANOOGA 10

Zach Berry: "John Calipari got him another five-star!" Zach's Pick: Kentucky 36, Chattanooga 17

Southeast Missouri (No line) at Missouri, 11 a.m., ESPN+

Neal McCready: I've got my doubts about Mizzou, but the Tigers will be fine here. Neal's Pick: Missouri 44, SEMO 10

Chase Parham: Missouri needs a rival. Maybe it can get a trophy for this game. Then Eli Drinkwitz can tweet it at Kiffin looking for affirmation. Parham's Pick: Missouri 49, SEMO 10

Jeffrey Wright: Why do we even have to pick these games? Can we just let Neal post a photo caption and move on? WRIGHT’S PICK: MISSOURI 45, SEMO 10

Zach Berry: Big bounceback week for M-I-Z here. Zach's Pick: Missouri 55, SEMO 17

Tennessee Tech at Tennessee, 11 a.m., ESPN+

Neal McCready: Conference play won't be pretty for the Vols. Neal's Pick: Tennessee 42, Tennessee Tech 10

Chase Parham: Tennessee is going to lose a lot of games, but this will go better than the last time I saw an SEC team host Tennessee Tech. Too soon? Parham's Pick: Tennessee 38, Tennessee Tech 17

Jeffrey Wright: Bounce back game? WRIGHT’S PICK: TENNESSEE 45, TENNESSEE TECH 10

Zach Berry: Did y'all know Alcoa (Tenn.) are in the middle of a 3A six-peat? Zach's Pick: Tennessee 44, Tennessee Tech 20

No. 1 Alabama -15 at No. 11 Florida, 2:30 p.m., CBS

Neal McCready: I'm not convinced Florida can stop Alabama. I don't even think this is particularly close. The Tide rolls. Neal's Pick: Alabama 48, Florida 17

Chase Parham: Don't overthink it. Don't overthink it. Don't overthink it. Don't overthink it. Don't overthink it. Don't overthink it. Don't overthink it. Parham's Pick: Alabama 41, Florida 16

Jeffrey Wright: Please. WRIGHT’S PICK: ALABAMA 38, FLORIDA 17

Zach Berry: Until proven otherwise, lay 'em. Zach's Pick: Alabama 41, Florida 20

Georgia Southern +23.5 at No. 20 Arkansas, 3 p.m., SEC Network

Neal McCready: The Eagles lost by 32 at FAU. This is a sandwich game for the Hogs, coming off an emotional win over Texas and in front of a trip to Jerry World to face the Aggies, but still... Neal's Pick: Arkansas 37, Georgia Southern 13

Chase Parham: I hate this. Hate. Actual hate. Arkansas will be looking ahead. GATA Parham's Pick: Arkansas 27, Georgia Southern 10

Jeffrey Wright: I think there might be problems in Statesboro. Georgia Southern is 1-1 but has failed to cover the number by 22.5 and 25 points in each game. Also, Sam Pittman is now 9-3 ATS, and I forsook him last week. That’s on me. WRIGHT’S PICK: ARKANSAS 38, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 10

Zach Berry: Letdown City. Zach's Pick: Arkansas 33, Georgia Southern 20

Mississippi State -3 at Memphis, 3 p.m., ESPN2

Neal McCready: I could see how Memphis wins this but I'm not willing to bet on it. Neal's Pick: Mississippi State 27, Memphis 21

Chase Parham: The Bulldogs were good to me last week. The offense remains bad, but let's ride. I'd rather be wrong this way than take Memphis and be pissed when State out-athletes the Tigers. Parham's Pick: MSU 38, Memphis 30

Jeffrey Wright: I don’t think Memphis is going to be able to control the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball. Also, MacIntyre has had to blitz in order to get pressure this season, and that formula is not ideal against Leach. Wright’s pick: MISSISSIPPI STATE 31, MEMPHIS 20

Zach Berry: I gotta make a move somewhere. Here goes nothing. Zach's Pick: Memphis 33, Mississippi State 29

South Carolina +30.5 at No. 2 Georgia, 6 p.m., ESPN

Neal McCready: I've got to think Kirby Smart is going to do all he can to embarrass South Carolina for Will Muschamp's sake. Plus, can the Gamecocks score on this UGA defense? Neal's Pick: Georgia 40, South Carolina 7

Chase Parham: It is soooo many points. Just so many points. It's sitting there and begging for me to take South Carolina and the more than four touchdowns. But Georgia hasn't allowed a touchdown all season defensively. And Zeb Noland isn't the guy to change that. Parham's Pick: Georgia 49, Carolina 16

Jeffrey Wright: I’m going with the Will Muschamp revenge factor here. Also, South Carolina is allowing nearly five yards per carry. WRIGHT’S PICK: GEORGIA 41, SOUTH CAROLINA 6

Zach Berry: This one is ALWAYS weird. Maybe not as weird with Will Muschamp on the other side now, but it will still be weird. But, Zeb Noland isn't doing anything remotely close to positive against that defense. Zach's Pick: Georgia 52, South Carolina 16

No. 22 Auburn +6.5 at No. 10 Penn State, 6:30 p.m., ABC

Neal McCready: I'll take the better team, the more athletic team and the points, thank you very much. Neal's Pick: Auburn 27, Penn State 24

Chase Parham: I don't think Auburn as good as people are making them out to be. They clobbered the cupcakes, but they were still cupcakes. This line is too big of a bite, though. Parham's Pick: Penn State 27, Auburn 24

Jeffrey Wright: I’ve just decided that I want the points in this game. Penn State is just 8-8 in White Out Games, and only 9-7 against the spread. They’re actually a better home team in non-White Out games. I think Auburn’s secondary is good enough to challenge Penn State’s receivers and limit explosive plays. I think this game is likely in the twenties, so I would rather have the points. WRIGHT’S PICK: PENN STATE 24, AUBURN 21

Zach Berry: Bo Nix is still Auburn's quarterback so, yeah. Zach's Pick: Penn State 27, Auburn 23

Central Michigan +20.5 at LSU, 6:30 p.m., SEC Network

Neal McCready: I'm anxiously looking forward to next week in the SEC West. LSU has to travel to Starkville, and I think there's a real chance it doesn't go well. This is a lot of points. Neal's Pick: LSU 31, Central Michigan 14

Chase Parham: Central Michigan burned me earlier this season. I'll not let Jim McElwain do that twice in three weeks. Parham's Pick: LSU 38, Central Michigan 20

Jeffrey Wright: If you filter out garbage time, LSU is averaging just 4.63 yards per play on offense, ranking 13th in the SEC. They are closer to Vanderbilt, who ranks 14th, in the category than they are South Carolina, who ranks 12th. There’s no way that LSU should be favored by 20 points or more against any FBS team outside of the bottom 25. WRIGHT’S PICK: LSU 34, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 24

Zach Berry: The honeymoon is over and resort security are looking to remove the patron who has overstayed his welcome. Zach's Pick: LSU 34, Central Michigan 16

Tulane +14 at No. 17 Ole Miss, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Neal McCready: I've got a ton of respect for Tulane and Willie Fritz. I have a tremendous amount of empathy for the Green Wave in the wake of Hurricane Ida. I also think this line is a trap. Neal's Pick: Ole Miss 45, Tulane 24

Chase Parham: The trap is set, and I'm walking into it. Michael Pratt can move the ball some, and the backdoor cover has me scared to death. Ole Miss is going to control the game, but a lilttle second-half sloppiness could make this interesting for Vegas. Parham's Pick: Ole Miss 42, Tulane 30

Jeffrey Wright: Kiffin covers at home. I think Tulane got a bump by how poorly Oklahoma played in Week 1. Also, in the past five years, Tulane has only covered once on the road against a power five opponent. WRIGHT PICKS: OLE MISS 45, TULANE 24

Zach Berry: This is a trap and Lane Kiffin is going to use this week to jumpstart preparation for Alabama into the bye week. Lay 'em. Zach's Pick: Ole Miss 52, Tulane 23

Stanford -11 at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m., ESPNU

Neal McCready: I like Clark Lea, and I hope he does well. I'll just close with nice words. Neal's Pick: Stanford 34, Vanderbilt 13

Chase Parham: How bad is Colorado State? Wow. They must be longing for the Mike Bobo era again. I mean seriously, the Rams are awful. So is Vanderbilt, and Stanford will find the 'Dores letdown-proof. Parham's Pick: Stanford 30, Vanderbilt 13

Jeffrey Wright: Thank you. WRIGHT’S PICK: STANFORD 38, VANDERBILT 14

Zach Berry: Go Trees. Zach's Pick: Stanford 33, Vanderbilt 12