Weekend Predictions: Don’t bet on a Falcons, Georgia or Tech win this week

Falcons (+3½) at Vikings

Great timing by the Falcons. They decided to sign a new kicker as all the reliable ones are playing for other teams. Parker Romo got the call to compete with Younghoe Koo, who missed a relatively easy field-goal attempt that would have forced overtime Sunday. Don’t let that distract you from Ruke Orhorhoro’s penalty for a late hit on Baker Mayfield that set up Tampa Bay’s final touchdown.

Those blunders negated quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s winning plays in the fourth quarter. He ranked seventh in the league in Total QBR after Week 1, just behind Mayfield. Penix can do damage against the Vikings if his blockers can keep Minnesota’s good edge rushers in check. I was going to pick the Falcons until this line moved from +4½.

Now, I’m taking Minnesota and giving the points.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel told reporters that controlling the line of scrimmage will be the key for his team. Writes Adam Sparks of knoxnews.com: “That message seems familiar because it was almost identical to what Heupel said during Georgia game week the past four seasons — all of which ended with a double-digit Tennessee loss.” That’s funny, but Georgia fans can’t laugh too hard after watching their team struggle to block Marshall and Austin Peay in short-yardage situations.

Maybe that’s one reason why UGA is favored by fewer points against the Volunteers than in the past eight meetings. Per the OddsShark database, the Bulldogs were favored by 3½ points versus Tennessee in 2016. The Vols won that game on a Hail Mary, then Georgia won the next eight games against Tennessee. The Vols will end that streak this week, despite some injuries on defense — but of course, I’ll take the points.

Clemson has played one good half of offense in two games. The Tigers scored 27 points against Troy a week after the Trojans gave up 20 to Nicholls State of the Football Championship Subdivision. Per the postandcourier.com, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said, “I got great players. I got guys who are gonna play on Sundays. But everybody’s got a job to do.” If Clemson has that much talent on offense, then Swinney is failing in his job.

Tech coach Brent Key said quarterback Haynes King (leg) is available to play after sitting out last week. Key has played King and Aaron Philo together in past games when King was ailing, and it’s possible he’ll do it again. Clemson’s defense will make it tough for whoever is at QB. The Tigers have won nine games in a row against Tech. Make it 10 in a row, but the Jackets will cover.

Bama followed a blowout loss at Florida State with a 73-0 rout of Louisiana-Monroe. It’s still hard for me to trust coach Kalen DeBoer after he’s burned me so many times. But I saw the video of his speech to the Crimson Tide players before the ULM game and, darn it, it was inspiring. “Everything you do is with bad intentions!” DeBoer said. That doesn’t seem so great, but it was the way he said it. Bama is my pick. I just know it’s going to be different this time.

Joebucsfan.com notes that Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is 4-0 in season openers, but 1-7 in night games. I guess that’s a bad trend for the Bucs in this Monday night contest, but does it really count as a “night” game when it’s indoors? The Texans rarely open the roof at NRG Stadium. I like the Bucs with the points, even if it’s open.