Weekend Predictions: Falcons over their exes; Dogs, Jackets cover

The Bucs are viewed as a team on the way up. They have a talented quarterback (Jameis Winston) who proved in college he could run play-action in the seafood aisle at a Tallahassee Publix, a head coach (Dirk Koetter) who knows offense and a former head coach (Mike Smith) whose specialty is defense.

Smith and Koetter used to coach with the Falcons. They were fired. They were not happy.

Smith was all psyched up for Thursday's news conference in Tampa Bay.

"They’re very good," he said of the Falcons.

Trust me: Underneath that vanilla exterior, there's . . . strawberry.

The Falcons are favored by a field goal. Sounds about right. Assuming they've learned how to tackle Winston because that didn't go too well last season. Birds cover 3.

A reminder of Jameis Winston's 20-yard run on third-and-19

Easily his best moves since doubling back with crab legs (40-second mark)

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Nicholls State at Georgia: Georgia's opponent wants us to refer to it as "Nicholls," I think because Harvard dropped "State" and look what it did for them. But it's still "Nicholls State" in Wikipedia, the official research department of Weekend Predictions. The school has 5,500 undergrads, none of whom should be playing football in an SEC stadium, but administrators are getting $525,000 to watch this from a safe distance with a fruit platter. Nicholls State has been outscored 359-33 in its last six games vs. FBS opponents. This should go well. Dogs cover 49.

Mercer at Georgia Tech: Paul Johnson took responsibility for the Jackets' sloppy play in the season opener in Dublin, so he only made his players walk across hot coals for three hours instead of four. Kidding. It was four. So this week isn't well-timed for Mercer. But the good news is the Jackets have suspended two of their B-backs, which means ... actually, almost nothing. Jackets cover 32½.

So many games this week remind me of . . .

Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee: Ever wonder what would happen if Tennessee football intersected with NASCAR? This game will be played at Bristol Motor Speedway. You've got no shot of getting a seat in Shoney's within 60 miles. It would be great if the coaching staffs were dressed as pit crews. Given the near loss to Appalachian State last week, Butch Jones would be wearing a "Laughing Clown Malt Liquor" jumpsuit like Ricky Bobby. Vols win but take VaTech and 11½.

South Carolina at Mississippi State: Dan Mullen lost the opener to South Alabama. No worries. The schedule gets easier now. Mississippi State covers 7.

Jacksonville State at LSU: SEC and ACC opponents this week include Troy, Arkansas State, FAU, Prairie View, Charleston Southern, Wofford and Jax State. But good timing for Les Miles. LSU lost to Wisconsin in Lambeau Field. Now they're back home, so the worst thing Miles has to worry about is being attacked by drunk boosters plotting his overthrow. Tigers cover 30.

Kentucky at Florida: The last time Kentucky beat Florida in football (1986), Ronald Reagan was in office and Bon Jovi sang, "Livin' On A Prayer," which should be Kentucky's football theme song. Mark Stoops is 4-20 in the SEC. His team blew a 35-10 lead at home and lost to Southern Miss last week.  Basketball practice opens Oct. 14. Gators cover 17.

Dear Lord, please forgive me for this . . 

Georgia State at Air Force: That loss to Ball State doesn't crush Trent Miles' hopes of getting a contract extension but the Panthers may be looking at an 0-4 start with Air Force, Wisconsin and Appalachian State in the next three weeks. So much for bowl season afterglow. Air Force covers 18.

Western Kentucky at Alabama: Nick Saban warned his players not to let down after stealing USC's dignity last week or they could lose this game. Of course they can. Because schools always pay $1.3 million to play teams they can lose to. Last two meetings: Alabama 76, Western Kentucky 7. Could be Saturday's score. Bammy covers 29½.

(Drank One)

Giants at Cowboys: Dallas opens the season with three players suspended, so angering owner Jerry Jones that he blew out his entire scouting staff at Leavenworth. South America's team. Giants cover 1..

Rams at 49ers: Colin Kaepernick likes to sit. He might as well get used to it. Rams cover 2½.

Vikings at Titans: Minnesota lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater so it traded a first-round pick to Philadelphia for Sam Bradford. It was either that or buy a pair of $79,000 socks. Vikings cover 2½.

Patriots at Cardinals: There's been media speculation that Tom Brady feels threatened by interim replacement Jimmy Garoppolo so he's giving him the cold shoulder during his suspension. This seems as preposterous as a legendary but insecure quarterback feeling compelled to deflate footballs. Wait a minute. Cardinals cover 6.

Raiders at Saints: Drew Brees is guaranteed $44.25 million in his new contract, even if he plays only two more seasons. Something tells me this team is going to drop into a black hole in 2018. Or sooner. Oakland with a slight upset (take the point).

Last week: 6-3 overall, 4-4-1 against the spread.

Lilly's pick: The mutt picked North Carolina last week and almost pulled it off. This week, I stuck cheese balls on pictures of former Falcons coach Mike Smith and his replacement, Dan Quinn. Lilly didn't hesitate. She went right. Against the home team again: Smith and Bucs win.

Recen t ramblings