Week 6 picks are here for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero

Celebrated from coast to coast by sports fans, bag men, bartenders, mafia kings and mathematicians, Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero is the greatest resource for college football shenanigans on the internet. This is the 15th season for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero in its various forms.

This is the second season of the grand experiment for readers to get in on the action. Sign up for Joe’s newsletter, “SPORTS! Happy Hour,” to keep up with who wins the 6-0 Challenge each week. Make your and compare your wits against the experts (and Joe). Win the 6-0 Challenge and enjoy eternal glory. The newsletter comes out every Thursday afternoon at 4:20 p.m. Enter your email to subscribe.

Joe subscribes to ol’ Billy Shakespeare’s philosophy of picking football games. “Jesters do oft prove prophets,” mused the Great Bard. What is Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero? Consider it a gift to society.

THE GRAND EXPERIMENT

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for AL.com. What happens when a sportswriter picks some of the toughest games of the week and goes head-to-head against a sharp and a football expert with a Harvard education? It’s a gift for college football fans every week in the state where college football is like a religion.

The Pro is Lee Sterling, a noted numbers man of national success. Sterling features his best picks on his website, ParamountSports.com, but The Pro fearlessly picks the most difficult college games of the week against Joe and the Hero. Joe is just a hack and a slacker who everyone loves to hate.

No one works harder than Hero Ben Abercrombie. Ben played football at Hoover High School and Harvard, and he’s working every day to regain his ability to walk. He’s a student at Harvard, and an inspiration to all. To thank him, we want everyone to stand up for Ben and show him some love.

Show Joe no love at all. Besmirch his name at small dinner parties, and troll him with signs on ESPN College GameDay.

6-0 CHALLENGE

Click the link here to make your picks for Week 6 of the 6-0 Challenge. We’re also embedding the picks form each week in Joe’s Tuesday column on the SEC and here in Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero. Weekly winners of the 6-0 Challenge will be announced in Joe’s newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter here and scroll down to make your picks at the bottom of this post. Remember, picks are against the spread.

LAST WEEK

Joe: 2-4 straight up, 1-5 against the spread

Pro: 4-2 straight up, 4-2 against the spread

Hero: 4-2 straight up, 4-2 against the spread

Notes: Joe’s only correct pick against the spread was Coach Prime’s upset of UCF. At this point, that’s good enough to make Joe’s pathetic season. The Pro continues to roll (13-5 over the last three weeks against the spread and the Hero is back to his winning ways.

SEASON TOTALS

Joe: 16-14 straight up, 11-19 against the spread

Pro: 23-9 straight up, 20-10 against the spread

Hero: 22-8 straight up, 12-18 against the spread

Notes: Joe’s record straight up is truly a work of art. As they say at the Vegas sportsbooks, fade Joe for dough!

No.9 Missouri (4-0, 1-0) at No.25 Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0)

When: 11 a.m., Sat.

Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

TV: ABC

Series: Texas A&M leads 9-7.

Spread: Texas A&M by 1.5.

Total: 48.5

Trendy: Tigers are 5-0 against the spread in their last five road games and the Aggies are 0-5 against the spread in their last five home games.

MIZZOU GAME NOTES: Don’t look now, but Missouri is the nationally leader in consecutive wins at eight in a row.

Joe says: Who am I to buck the trends here? I made that mistake last week with UAB. The only trend worth anyone’s money with the Blazers is that Trent Dilfer will be playing golf as a retired NFL star this time next year. As for Missouri, Vegas isn’t enamored with the Tigers just yet despite all those wins in a row. Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed still isn’t listed as the starter on the depth chart after three consecutive wins, but Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz isn’t preparing to face Conner Weigman. Going with the old adage that defense travels here.

Joe’s pick: Missouri 24, Texas A&M 21

Pro says: Veteran Tigers starting quarterback Brady Cook is flat out better than anything the Aggies roll out on Saturday. Running back Nate Noel, who transferred from App State, has filled the breach of losing Cody Schrader, averaging 6.4 yards per carry with 441 rushing yards. Coach Eliah Drinkwitz is also a healthy 5-2 against the spread as a road underdog. Wrong team favored.

Pro’s pick: Missouri 27, Texas A&M 23

Hero says: Mizzou is coming off an off week where they had a chance to work on some early-season issues like scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Texas A&M is coming off a hard-fought victory over Arkansas, which gives them the early lead in the SEC at 2-0. Playing in College Station will be a huge challenge for the Tigers, but I think their offense, led by senior quarterback Brady Cook with a future first-round NFL draft pick Luther Burden III at receiver, can score enough to beat the Aggies at home.

Hero’s pick: Missouri 24, Texas A&M 17

No.12 Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1) at South Carolina (3-1, 1-1)

When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

TV: ESPN

Series: Ole Miss leads 9-8.

Spread: Ole Miss by 9.5.

Total: 53.5.

Trendy: The under is 4-0 in Ole Miss’ last four games as a favorite.

SOUTH CAROLINA GAME NOTES: Thirteen of the last 15 meetings between the two teams have been decided by seven points or less, including six decided by a field goal or less. The Gamecocks have won eight of the 17 games in the series, but never by more than seven points.

Joe says: South Carolina is probably still kicking themselves after blowing that 17-point lead in the first half against LSU. You know who’s not kicking himself for transferring to South Carolina? Former Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford. Ashford passed for two touchdowns and ran for another last week against Akron. He’s apparently getting the hook this week, though. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is back from injury (ankle) for South Carolina and apparently ready to go. That’s good enough for me. I might crash and die, but I’m flying with the birds here.

Joe’s pick: South Carolina 30, Ole Miss 27

Pro says: One of the ways to bet SEC football games is go with home underdogs if they have the better defense. Stats show Ole Miss with a better points per game average, but the Gamecocks are more tested having faced LSU. Ole Miss’ defense is as fraudulent as a $3.00 bill. Another loss and Lane Kiffin’s agent can start talks to become the Florida Gators next head coach.

Pro’s pick: South Carolina 28, Ole Miss 26

Hero says: The Rebels must rebound on the road at South Carolina after a surprising loss at home last Saturday or all the preseason hype over Ole Miss being a playoff team will be gone. The Gamecocks are coming off a bye week and will have starting quarterback Lanorris Sellers back from an injury. I am concerned about the Rebels ability to handle a strong South Carolina defensive line after Kentucky’s defense stopped their running game last week and harassed star Rebel quarterback Jaxon Dart. It will be a battle, but I expect Lane Kiffin’s Rebels to score enough to pull out the victory over the Gamecocks.

Hero’s pick: Ole Miss 27, South Carolina 20

No.4 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0) at Arkansas (3-2, 1-1)

When: 6:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.

TV: ABC

Series: Tennessee leads 13-6.

Spread: Tennessee by 13.5.

Total: 58

Trendy: Tennessee is 4-0 against the spread.

TENNESSEE GAME NOTES: Tennessee is one of four teams not to trail in a game this season. The others are Texas, Indiana and Army.

Joe says: I’ll be able to spell Nico Iamaleava by the Third Saturday in October. For now, I’m still looking it up every time. Vols were off last week, so they should be well rested. Josh Heupel is 8-1 when coming off an off week, including 3-0 at Tennessee. I know that Arkansas’ offense has put up some nice stats, but I don’t have much faith in the Hogs to get it done in crunch time. Arkansas won’t get enough stops and can’t come from behind.

Joe’s pick: Tennessee 42, Arkansas 21

Pro says: It’s usually about this time of the year the Razorbacks’ defense starts falling apart. They already gave up 39 points to an Oklahoma State offense that looks ordinary at best. The Vols offense is explosive with 78 plays of 10-plus yards and 25 of 20-plus yards this season. Katy bar the door!

Pro’s pick: Tennessee 42, Arkansas 21

Hero says: The Vols are coming into Fayetteville fresh off a bye week while Arkansas must recover from a tough loss to Texas A&M. It is always difficult to win on the road in the SEC, but I think Tennessee has too much firepower on offense and one of the best defenses in the SEC.

Hero’s pick: Tennessee 34, Arkansas 18

No.8 Miami (5-0, 1-0) at Cal (3-1, 0-1)

When: 9:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calf.

TV: ESPN

Series: Tied 2-2.

Spread: Miami by 12.5

Total: 55

Trendy: Miami is 4-0 against the spread in its last four road games.

GAME NOTES: Cal is hosting ESPN College GameDay for the first time. The only other Power 4 schools that haven’t hosted GameDay are Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers, Syracuse and Virginia.

Joe says: GameDay signs are going to be a little different than last week with Nick Saban and the gang going from Trump Stadium in Tuscaloosa to Antifa Field in Berkeley. Cal leads the country with 10 interceptions (thanks to four against Auburn). Miami quarterback Cam Ward leads the country in touchdown passes with 18, so something gotta give. Things could get weird in Cal’s ACC After Dark debut.

Joe’s pick: Miami 33, Cal 31

Pro says: The Hurricanes defense had a rough outing last Saturday, giving up 34 points to Virginia Tech. They might be a tad overrated on that side of the ball, but four starters left the game due to minor injuries and cramping. The talent difference is huge in favor of Miami, and with Cal’s pace of play (No.13), and getting off an average of 76.7 plays per game, more plays usually means the more talented team and offense wins by a larger margin.

Pro’s pick: Miami 45, Cal 28

Hero says: Who would have thought that Pac-12 After Dark would be replaced by ACC Late Night?! Miami is traveling cross country to play a Cal team that has proven to be competitive this season. The Canes struggled last week against Virginia Tech, but the Bears will not have an answer for Miami quarterback Cam Ward. The more athletic Canes team should eventually pull away from a well-coached Cal squad.

Hero’s pick: Miami 31, Cal 14

Auburn (2-3, 0-2) at No.5 Georgia (3-1, 1-1)

When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Ga.

TV: ABC

Series: Georgia leads 64-56-8.

Spread: UGA by 24.

Total: 52.5

Trendy: Tigers can’t seem to cover on the road against good teams, 0-4 against the spread in their last four away matchups against teams with winning records.

GEORGIA GAME NOTES: UGA is 13-3 in bounce-back games under coach Kirby Smart. Georgia hasn’t lost back-to-back games since 2016.

Joe says: Auburn is celebrating its commitment from five-star quarterback Deuce Knight. That should be enough to pacify fans going into the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. Payton Thorne tends to play better in big games, so the Tigers have that going for them. I’ve been saying Auburn is closer than people think for several weeks. It’s gotten so bad that loved ones are beginning to be concerned about my health. Condition: bad case of brain freeze.

Joe’s pick: Georgia 35, Auburn 21

Pro says: The Tigers’ offense is a turnover machine with 15 gifts to opposing defenses over five games. What’s almost as bad is they ran for only 3.3 yards per carry last week against an Oklahoma defense in a loss that probably doesn’t compare to this Georgia “D”. Facing Georgia after a loss is not something even a great coach would want to do. Hugh Freeze in just his secnd year seems to be on thin ice. Sometimes you have to lay it if you want to play it.

Pro’s pick: Georgia 45, Auburn 13

Hero says: Auburn missed an opportunity last week to get their season back on track with their collapse in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma at home. Georgia dominated in the first half at Alabama last week, but found an offensive identity and stormed back to make it a game in the second half. It could be a massive beat down by Georgia, but I think Auburn will show up and fight hard in this rivalry game. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Dawgs are just better.

Hero’s pick: Georgia 35, Auburn 10

No.1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0) at Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1)

When: 3:15 p.m., Sat.

Where: FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.

TV: SEC Network

Series: Alabama leads 60-19-4.

Spread: Alabama by 23.5.

Total: 55.5

Trendy: Tide is 3-1 against the spread this season.

ALABAMA GAME NOTES: Jalen Milroe is pretty good at throwing bombs. In 17 career starts, he is averaging 35.3 yards per passing touchdown (33 scores).

Joe says: The Ryan Williams show heads to Music City, U.S.A. At this rate, the chances are pretty good that someone will write a song about it before next Monday. Young Williams is only 17, but he’s quickly becoming the biggest name in college football. I honestly feel bad for Vandy’s defensive backs. The Commodores have played well this season, but speedy receivers still give Vandy trouble. Williams leads the country in yards per reception (28.88). Vandy’s only chance is to keep Alabama’s offense off the field early and hope for the best late.

Joe’s pick: Alabama 34, Vanderbilt 21

Pro says: I really don’t see this as a potential upset, but it has all the makings of a letdown spot after such an emotional comeback win for Alabama last week over Georgia. If the Tide defense doesn’t come to play, then Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia (6 touchdown passes without an interception plus 279 rushing yards and another two touchdowns rushing) could make it a long afternoon.

Pro’s pick: Alabama 37, Vanderbilt 23

Hero says: Vanderbilt missed an opportunity to upset Mizzou on the road two weeks ago, but they are feeling good about their chances to hang with Bama after coming off a bye week. Vandy dual-threat quarterback Diego Pavia will give the Tide defense some problems, and don’t be surprised to see the Commodores take an early lead at home. The Alabama offense, led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, just has too many home-run threats for the Vandy defense to contain for four quarters.

Hero’s pick: Alabama 41, Vanderbilt 17

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