Happy Friday folks! We made it through another week and an epic college football Saturday lies ahead of us. We’re going to take a slightly different approach to this week’s Review. Nothing really stood out as worthy of taking a spot in the “worst” category (aside from my picks), so let’s keep it upbeat. We’ve got a Best of the Week to share, and we’ll run through Saturday’s card.

Best of the Week: Headgear Milestone

There are so many wonderful traditions that make college football special. Exciting team entrances, midnight yells, epic tailgates, and alma-maters are just a few of them. But for longest time I have felt the sport is at its truly purest form on crisp Saturday morning during ESPN’s College Gameday.

Much like the sport it champions, the show has its own unique traditions. Fan made signs are good for a laugh, Desmond Howard makes a fool of himself on a weekly basis, and mostly clueless celebrity guests pick the games. Even Washington State’s flag “Ol’ Crimson” has made it to 290 consecutive episodes of the show.

These are all great, but nothing tops coach Lee Corso’s headgear selection! “LC”, as he is affectionately known, has been a fixture in many American living rooms in the fall since Gameday’s inception in 1987. But the famous show ending “headgear pick” wasn’t born until 1996, or at least that’s the official version. Since then, he has become a pop culture phenomenon with appearances in commercials and video games making his picks.

While the show may not hold the place it used to in every house, he still attracts plenty of attention. I know my family I always look forward to seeing what he has up his sleeve each week – maybe he’ll ride a Harley with Puddles the duck…

Or he will scare the hell out of Kirk Herbstreit…

It’s always good clean fun. “Not so fast” is good for a laugh when he disagrees with the rest of the panel too and the rest of his jokes add to the charm. There have been plenty of great milestones over the years, but last Saturday, Coach picked number 400. Shockingly it came in Boulder, Colorado of all places as Coach Prime and the Buffs faced Colorado State. The day became a celebration of Coach and the tribute that perfectly encapsulated his time on the air.

There wasn’t a dry on set, or in my house, and rightfully so. Coach Corso and College Gameday are a treasured part of the game, I couldn’t imagine Saturdays without him. It’s only fitting as a Notre Dame fan to have his 401st headgear selection come in South Bend this weekend. With health issues relegating him to a lesser role on the show and Pat McAfee seemingly being groomed to replace him, there are rumors this will be Corso’s final season. If it is, what a ride it’s been, so here’s to you Coach, thanks for the memories!

Nick’s Pick’s

#4 Florida State -2.5 @ Clemson: I’ve been riding with the Noles since their winning streak to finish last season, and I won’t stop now. Mike Norvell’s group got a wakeup call last week, as they nearly lost to Boston College. Now they come into Death Valley to battle a shockingly unranked Clemson team. In the past this could have been the game of the week, but Clemson just doesn’t match up well here. FSU wins this one comfortably with a big day from Jordan Travis at quarterback.

#19 Colorado @ #10 Oregon -21: While I’m not a huge fan of Coach Prime, the work he has done in Boulder thus far is remarkable. His son Shedeur Sanders has been great under center and two-way Star Travis Hunter has been a treat to watch. But at 3-0 the real tests begin, starting this week at Oregon. I know the Buffs have defied the odds before, but Bo Nix and the Ducks are too dynamic and deep for them, especially with Travis Hunter now ruled out. Ducks win and cover.

#15 Ole Miss @ #13 Alabama -7: For the first time in a long time Alabama enters SEC play looking very vulnerable. Their issues start under center with Jalen Milroe and Tyler Buchner (shocker) struggling. OC Tommy Rees is under fire and Nick Saban seems to be…mellowing?? Not sure what’s in the water in Tuscaloosa, but it’s not good. In stark contrast Ole Miss looks sharp with Jaxon Dart and Quinshon Judkins leading a talented offense and the defense looking to lead to their total of ten. I’m on the “Lane Train,” Reb’s win outright.

#22 UCLA @ #11 Utah -6.0: Chip Kelly has done some wonderful things in Hollywood as Bruin football is back on track. But this is a tough hill to climb, even for the best of teams. Kyle Whittingham’s Utes are a well-oiled machine and are near impossible to beat at home in Rice-Eccles Stadium. They have dealt with injuries, but stud signal caller Cam Rising is rumored to be making his long-awaited return. Give me UCLA to cover the number, but the Utes win a tight one.

#14 Oregon State -3.0 @ #21 Washington State: This a tricky game to get a read on, as Wazzu is always tough to beat on the “Palouse”. A late evening start in Pullman is usually very tough for team’s handle, but I think the Beavers are built to overcome it. Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei has settled in well at Oregon State, and he is complimented by a well-rounded team. Head coach Jonathan Smith has them firing on all cylinders and they’re physical enough to control this game. Oregon State wins and covers…now where’s my turnover chainsaw?!

#24 Iowa @ #7 Penn State -14.5: If this game was at Kennick Stadium in Iowa City, we could discuss an upset. But I can’t see the Hawkeyes sluggish offense going into Happy Valley and covering, let alone winning. Drew Allar is the most exciting Penn State QB in years and he really put his stamp on this season with a win here in conference at home. Nittany Lions win and cover.

#6 Ohio State @ #9 Notre Dame +3.0: As well rounded as these teams are, this game will be decided by QB play. While Kyle McCord is steadily improving for the Buckeyes, Sam Hartman is the better passer. Beyond that there isn’t much difference between them. Both teams have strong backs with Audric Estime and TreVeyon Henderson leading the way, and the defenses are among the best in the nation. I’m biased but I think Notre Dame wins a tight one with Hartman being the difference, jumpstarting his Heisman campaign.

Let me know what you think of this weekends exciting slate of college games on Twitter @YNWA9623 and subscribe to the blog by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner of your screen and entering your email. Enjoy the weekend everyone!