Neal's Picks, Week 3, presented by Vida-Mend

CHICAGO -- Let's get this straight.

After a .500 week, a fairly decent accomplishment given the language barrier the Neal's Picks interns are fighting to overcome, I had to hit the road.

A day of travel Sunday ended around 1 a.m. EDT on Monday at the Embassy Suites Cincinnati RiverCenter in scenic Covington, Kentucky. Two and a half days of rigorous NCAA Committee on Infractions coverage later, not to mention spirited competition with news outlets such as the Clarion-Ledger, The Ole Miss Spirit, Yahoo, WAPT and BillyGoBoy.com, I was off to the Windy City.

My beloved Chicago Cubs needed me, having been swept last weekend by the Milwaukee Brewers. Their offense flagging, their bullpen running on fumes, the Cubs needed me at Wrigley Field for the final two games of their series against the New York Mets.

So I turned the picks over to the interns this week. I contributed where I could, but they really got their hands into things, really kneaded the numbers, really massaged the statistics. I told them to put the work in, give it all their effort and maybe this week, it would be us and not Chase Parham who has the happy ending.

Last Week:

Neal McCready: 9-3 overall, 3-3 ATS

Chase Parham: 12-0 overall, 5-1 ATS

Jeffrey Wright: 10-2 overall, 3-3 ATS

Overall:

Neal McCready: 21-5 overall, 8-9 ATS

Chase Parham: 24-2 overall, 12-5 ATS

Jeffrey Wright: 22-4 overall, 10-7 ATS

Anyway, on to the picks...

Louisiana-Lafayette (+23) at Texas A&M, 11 a.m., SEC Network:

McCready: The Aggies have been awful so far this season under former coach Kevin Sumlin. Nicholls scared them a week ago, so Vegas is putting up a big line here wanting people to jump on the Cajuns and the points. The interns like big lines. They're not afraid of something just because of its size. Lay the points. Lay them all. Neal's Pick: Texas A&M 38, Louisiana Lafayette 10

Parham: My boy Will Hall has the Cajuns clicking offensively, scoring 48 and 42 points, respectively, but the defense is just freaking awful. Tulsa put up 66, and while Phillip Montgomery is job hunting with the scoreboard fireworks, THE University of Louisiana just plain sucks on that side of the ball. It's last stand time for Kevin Sumlin, and the Cajuns won't provide a large barrier for him to act like all is well for a week. Parham's Pick: TAMU 48, Lafayette 20

Wright: Wow, what a way to start off picks. Against my better judgment, I’m going to go against the eye test here. Lafayette likes to run the ball, and A&M has been pretty stout against the run thus far, granted not against prolific running games. ULL has scored eight-of-its-11 offensive touchdowns on the ground. Further, while Kellen Mond leaves much to be desired in the passing game, he has shown the ability to run the ball effectively, and the Ragin’ Cajun are giving nearly 400 yards rushing (383.5 YPG) each game on only 22.5 attempts. While the Aggies certainly appear to be dumpster fire, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt given the matchup. Wright’s pick: Texas A&M 38, UL-Lafayette 13

No. 23 Tennessee (+5.5) at No. 24 Florida, 2:30 p.m. CDT, CBS:

McCready: Neither team has a quarterback. Think about that. Schools that produced Peyton Manning, Danny Weurffel, Tee Martin, Shane Matthews, Josh Dobbs and Tim Tebow can't find a decent quarterback in 2017. How does that happen? Tennessee got lucky on Labor Day. Florida hasn't played in two weeks. I don't like laying the points, but this feels like Gators. Neal's Pick: Florida 20, Tennessee 13

Parham: Florida just can't score. Like Neal in high school. (Publisher's note: Cold. True, but so cold). I know there were some suspensions, and it was Michigan and all, but this has been an epidemic during Jim McElwain's tenure. No quarterback (other than mountain man Will Grier) and no chance at doing anything significant. He's won the East twice and is still on the hot seat. Butch finds another horseshoe and uses it Saturday. Parham's Pick: Tennessee 24, Florida 20

Wright: I honestly have no idea how you could have strong feelings one way or the other about this game if you are an investor. Florida hasn’t shown the ability to score yet, but they are returning talent to the lineup. Both offenses aren’t good while Florida’s borders on sucking. However, Florida’s defense is light years better than Tennessee’s. Tennessee was able to blow out the Gators last year at home because of huge passing plays down the field, plays that I don’t think Quinton Dormandy can make. I think Florida is still the better team, but I don’t think that they can score enough to cover. Wright’s pick: Florida 17, Tennessee 13

Mercer (No line) at No. 15 Auburn, 3 p.m., SEC Network:

McCready: The seat is hot for Gus Malzahn in mid-September. A win over Mercer won't cool it. As of this moment, I think Mississippi State, LSU, Georgia and Alabama all beat the Tigers. That's five losses. That's not survivable. Throw in another and the Plains will be on fire before November. Neal's Pick: Auburn 45, Mercer 7

Parham: Well Auburn won't allow 11 sacks this week, but it also won't cool the concern that's either legitimate or premature. I'm not sure yet, as the Tigers still might be the second best team in the West. However, with that offensive line, Sean White might be back in the saddle soon. Parham's Pick: Auburn 38, Mercer 6

Wright: Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. Against, my better judgment and experience I chose to believe that Auburn had found a quarterback. I beg for your forgiveness, and vow not to let it happen again. Or at least until Auburn plays Missouri. Wright’s pick: Auburn 41, Mercer 6

Purdue (+7) at Missouri, 3 p.m., SEC Network:

McCready: I wonder if Jeff Brohm would leave Purdue after just one season for an SEC job. Several are going to be open, and he's highly thought of. Speaking of open SEC jobs, Barry Odom's won't be, but Saturday's loss to South Carolina wasn't a great look for Mizzou. These are the games, by the way, in which Drew Lock thrives. Neal's Pick: Missouri 28, Purdue 20

Parham: I'm struggling with the situation here. Jeff Brohm had done a nice of job making Purdue try hard and put forth good efforts in a close loss to Louisville and a win over Ohio. Drew Lock destroys FCS and bad teams, and typically this would be an easy decision, but Purdue has just enough spunk to make me thing Brohm gets a big one this week. Missouri gave up 35 in a half to Missouri State. The Boilermakers are going to score. Parham's Pick: Purdue 38, Missouri 35

Wright: Speaking of Missouri and their inability to stop traffic, Purdue quietly looks relatively competent. I by no means trust Purdue, but Jeff Brohm has the Boilermakers looking watchable. That’s more than I can say for Missouri. Wright’s Pick: Missouri 38, Purdue 35

Colorado State (+28.5) at No. 1 Alabama, 6 p.m., ESPN2:

McCready: Speaking of coaches who could end up in the SEC sooner rather than later, keep an eye on Colorado State’s Mike Bobo. He didn’t fare so well against Mike MacIntyre and Colorado a couple of weeks ago, but Bobo is highly thought of, knows the Southeast and has head coaching experience now. The interns like him also. They can pronounce his name. Saying it makes them happy. It makes them think of clowns, they said. My daughter, Campbell, now 16, slept with a stuffed frog when she was little. His name is Bobo. I miss her being little. I’m suddenly sad. I need to hang out with the interns and talk about clowns named Bobo. Perhaps that would cheer me up. Neal’s Pick: Alabama 37, Colorado State 10

Parham: Colorado State sold us a false set of good in week one, beating up on hapless Oregon State. The Beavers suck. Then, the Rams couldn't muster but a field goal against Colorado. So Alabama isn't allowing much, and I think the Tide offense does just enough here. A spread in the 30s would have had me going the other way. Parham's Pick: Alabama 38, Colorado State 9

Wright: Oh boy, this game is what happens when an unstoppable force, Nick Saban’s desire not to embarrass former coaches and/or friends, meets an immovable object, Alabama’s talent all over the field. Theoretically Alabama can name the score against a team that barely crossed midfield against Colorado. However, Alabama is just 4-12 against the spread in September game in which it’s favored by at least 28, while Colorado State is 5-1 ATS in its last six road games. Wright’s pick: Alabama 38, Colorado 10

No. 12 LSU (-7) at Mississippi State, 6 p.m., ESPN:

McCready: I really liked what I saw from Mississippi State on Saturday in Ruston. All jokes aside, that was a big deal for Louisiana Tech to get an SEC team into Joe Aillet Stadium, and the home crowd was ready to make a difference. After spotting Tech nine points, Dan Mullen’s team absolutely dominated. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from LSU also. The Tigers’ defense looks terrific and the offense has some balance. This has showdown written all over it. I think either team could win, so I obviously believe seven points are too many. Neal’s Pick: LSU 20, Mississippi State 17

Parham: Both teams have looked impressive but no idea what to make of any of it. Louisiana Tech might be the best team either has played, and State destroyed them, for whatever that is worth. Arden Key is back for this one, but there are other injuries for LSU, and I see State staying within striking distance. Parham's Pick: LSU 31, State 27

Wright: This game comes down to one question for me, can Mississippi State run the ball against LSU? No. LSU is 9-2 against the spread in its last 11 meetings in Starkville, and I don’t see any way that MSU can hold up against the Tigers’ defensive front. Mullen will try his damnedest to keep this a “one-score game”, but I don’t see how that’s possible given his offensive-line play. However, weirdly I can see this game getting a high-scoring late, and the Over has hit in nine-of-the-last 13 meetings in Starkville. Wright’s pick: LSU 38, Mississippi State 24

Samford (No line) at No. 13 Georgia, 6:30 p.m. CDT, SEC Network:

McCready: Kirby Smart picked up a signature win at Notre Dame Saturday. Get him while you can, SEC East. Neal's Pick: Georgia 41, Samford 7

Parham: Notre Dame kind of sucks, but it was still a good win on the road. Jake Fromm has some gamer to him, and the defense is incredibly athletic. Parham's Pick: Georgia 44, Samford 10

Wright: Georgia has good kids. Shoutout for the money-line special last week, Dawgs. Wright's Pick: Georgia 48, Samford 7

No. 18 Kansas State (-3.5) at Vanderbilt, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU:

McCready: I learned a lesson two weeks ago. I bailed on my boy Boom and picked North Carolina State to beat South Carolina. My second favorite team, Vanderbilt, isn’t going to feel the sting of my betrayal. Nope, as tempting as it is to go with a more proven commodity _ in this case, Kansas State _ I’m sticking with Chase’s man-crush and the rest of the Commodores. I’m high on Vanderbilt. Their offense has balance and experience and their defense will hit you. Neal’s Pick: Vanderbilt 24, Kansas State 23

Parham: I think Vanderbilt is a better version of Kansas State and has the best player on the field with Ralph Webb. It's going to make for great film that can be used at coaching clinics across the country, as neither team makes many mistakes or has many missed assignments. Vanderbilt has a chance to actually be good this season. Parham's Pick: Vanderbilt 30, Kansas State 20

Wright: I’m at risk of betting with my heart here. I’ll admit that. Coach Snyder is my favorite football coach in college sports. He has won at a place where virtually no one before him nor no one after him can. I still can’t figure out how he does it either. He doesn’t have better players or an unbeatable scheme, but he simply gets the job done. I think Vanderbilt tries to do what Kansas State does, but I think the Wildcats will be better at their own game. I don’t know how they’ll cover, but I just trust that they will because they’re 5-1 ATS in their last six games. I think the smart play is to take the Vanderbilt money line as I think either they win or KSU covers, but I’m taking KSU to cover. Wright’s pick: Kansas State 31, Vanderbilt 24

Kentucky (+7) at South Carolina, 6:30 p.m. CDT, SEC Network:

McCready: Oh, this is easy. Boom and the boys went to the inferior Columbia and whipped the Tigers. The only thing that would have made the night better would’ve been a 40-point win for South Carolina. Oh, that would’ve been awesome. Mizzou losing by 40. Just saying the words cheers me up. Anyway, like I said, this one is easy. South Carolina is good. It just might be for real. It might even be a contender. Neal’s Pick: South Carolina 41, Kentucky 14

Parham: I rode South Carolina last week without a second thought, and I think Mizzou is better at home than Kentucky is on the road. The Wildcats were average in week one and bad in week two against Eastern Kentucky. If Carolina isn't flat this one is a given. Parham's Pick: South Carolina 27, Kentucky 17

Wright: You have to throw the ball and not turn it over to beat South Carolina, and I don’t trust that Stephen Johnson can do that on the road against a team that can stop the run. He will have to make big plays down the field, and he completes only 36.6 percent of throws of 15 yards or more against Power Five opponents. They only put up 17 points last year at home against South Carolina, and I don’t think that will be enough this week with Jake Bentley’s playing this time. Wright's Pick: South Carolina 28, Kentucky 17

Ole Miss (-3.5) at California, 9:30 p.m. CDT, ESPN:

McCready: Give me the over. Pick a winner. Any winner. Go for it. I don’t care. Just give me the over. There are going to be so many points. Points on points on points on points. All. The. Points. Ole Miss can’t stop the run and is susceptible to the pass. Cal can’t stop the pass, and Ole Miss is good at the points. Did I mention I love the over? It’s been a weird week for the Rebels. Their coaching staff was with me in Covington (could you feel the love?), the team has to travel to the Bay Area, etc. Cal, meanwhile, is 2-0 and looking for a signature win of sorts over an SEC team. I think the Golden Bears win in the end but I know I love the points. Neal’s Pick: Cal 45, Ole Miss 42

Parham: The over is going to be a trap. Everyone is going to jump on it, and it's going to fall just short because of a missed kick or two and a turnover or two in the red zone. It's happening. Vegas didn't build those shiny structures with hopes and dreams. Nope. Straight cash. Ole Miss has the best player, and neither team has a defense that provides a ton of resistance to this point. Ole Miss wins, and it goes under. Parham's Pick: Ole Miss 38, Cal 34

Wright: This game is a true measuring stick game for Ole Miss. While Ole Miss has taken care of business in the second halves of its first two games, I’ve still seen guys running free against the back end of the Rebels’ defense. Further, Ole Miss has faced an extreme amount of distractions this week. Ross Bowers has hit six-of-11 passes this year of 10 yards or more for four touchdowns and no interceptions and four-of-seven throws of 15 yards or more. I think Ole Miss will have to turn the ball over on defense to win this game, a feat that they haven’t proven thus far against inferior teams than Cal. Further, I think Cal can sustain drives better than the Rebels given their ability to run the ball. Wright’s pick: Cal 41, Ole Miss 38