Raise a glass. Take a side.

Georgia and Alabama renew one of college football’s biggest rivalries this weekend, with both teams looking to make a statement in the SEC and the national championship race. Meanwhile, Texas and Oklahoma meet in the Red River Rivalry, Indiana visits unbeaten Nebraska, and several other matchups could shake up the playoff picture.

At the Stillhouse, we’re bringing ten games, twenty predictions and four whiskey pours to the table. Scott and Doug are coming off another winning week straight up, although Scott still holds the season lead in that category and against the spread. Doug, meanwhile, has built a commanding advantage picking the totals.

Last Week’s Results

Season Records

First Pour

Scott: Shortbarrel Double-Oaked

The color is copper to dark copper. The nose leads with red fruits — maybe strawberry Twizzler and cherry — with a lot of sweetness. There’s also a hint of brown sugar and maybe a touch of licorice. I’m immediately hit by a punch of oak and a hint of tobacco and cherry. The mouthfeel is solid, and the finish carries some bittersweetness. But it’s so much on the oaky side that it’s a bit off-putting. Shortbarrel has a lot to learn about double-oaked bourbon.

Score: 76.93

Doug: 13th Colony Cask Strength (Signed Distillery Pick)

Solid copper color. The nose is a bit dark, leading with chocolate and rich, red fruit. There’s also some nutmeg and maybe a touch of smoke. The palate is interesting — sweet and savory with some floral notes that are intriguing. I’m not sure it’s among my favorites, but it’s interesting enough to try and figure out. I’m getting honey, caramel, toffee, cinnamon and that floral note. The mouthfeel is on the oily side, and the finish is nicely spicy with some honey-like sweetness and a bit of oak.

Score: 84.85

On to the games!

Game of the Week: No. 2 Georgia at No. 6 Alabama

Records: Georgia, 5-0; Alabama, 5-0
Where: Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Kickoff: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Line: Alabama -1.5
Over/Under: 52.5

Scott: Both teams are good, but Georgia is a complete team, and I think they’ll win on the road. It will be close, but I think it’s low-scoring. Scott’s Pick: Georgia 24, Alabama 21.

Doug: Georgia finally looks like the team carrying the mental edge in this rivalry instead of chasing Alabama’s shadow. Gunner Stockton has been efficient, and he has a great supporting cast and a strong offensive line. Keelon Russell’s is the X-factor that can keep Alabama in the game, especially in Bryant-Denny, but Georgia has the better balance on both sides of the ball and enough offense to survive another heavyweight fight. Doug’s Pick: Georgia 31, Alabama 27.

Florida State at Louisville

Records: Florida State, 3-2; Louisville, 2-3
Where: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, Louisville, Ky.
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Line: Louisville -3.5
Over/Under: 59.5

Scott: These two teams have gone in different directions since Louisville beat Houston. But Louisville seems better than its record, while I think FSU is worse than its record. Scott’s Pick: Louisville 28, Florida State 25.

Doug: Florida State looked much more dangerous in its blowout of Virginia, especially with Ashton Daniels creating plays with his legs and the defense suddenly creating pressure. But Jeff Brohm at home on a Friday night is a combination I’m not eager to bet against. Louisville has enough explosiveness to take advantage when FSU gets aggressive. The Cardinals will make one more big play in a game that stays close into the fourth quarter. Doug’s Pick: Louisville 31, Florida State 27.

Iowa State at No. 8 BYU

Records: Iowa State, 3-2; BYU, 4-0
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah
Kickoff: Friday, 10:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Line: BYU -10.5
Over/Under: 46.5

Scott: BYU at home looks good, and Iowa State isn’t the team it’s been in recent years. The Cougars look like a potential playoff team. BYU always has offense, and I think they’re good enough to cover. Scott’s Pick: BYU 31, Iowa State 14.

Doug: Iowa State’s Aiden Flora gives the Cyclones a real chance to shorten this game and keep BYU’s offense off the field, but Provo is a tough place to do that for four quarters. BYU’s defense has been dependable, and if the Cougars can force Iowa State into obvious passing situations, the matchup tilts heavily toward the home team. The Cyclones may hang around, but BYU will create enough short fields and scoring opportunities to pull away. Doug’s Pick: BYU 31, Iowa State 21.

No. 7 Indiana at Nebraska

Records: Indiana, 5-0; Nebraska, 5-0
Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb.
Kickoff: Saturday, noon ET
TV: FOX
Line: Indiana -7
Over/Under: 50.5

Scott: This is going to come down to turnovers. Nebraska will take an early lead, and it will be harder for Indiana to come from behind. The Huskers win at home. Scott’s Pick: Nebraska 27, Indiana 24.

Doug: Nebraska being 5-0 makes this much more than another stop on Indiana’s schedule, and Memorial Stadium should be louder than it has been in years. The Huskers can run the football and should make Indiana work for everything. But Curt Cignetti’s team has protected the ball, avoided penalties and gotten off the field defensively. Josh Hoover and the Hoosiers simply have more answers when the game gets tight. Doug’s Pick: Indiana 30, Nebraska 24.

Texas A&M at No. 14 Missouri

Records: Texas A&M, 3-2; Missouri, 4-1
Where: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Mo.
Kickoff: Saturday, noon ET
TV: ABC
Line: Missouri -3.5
Over/Under: 48.5

Scott: The question is, has Missouri done enough to convince me they can do it again at home? Eli Drinkwitz has his team playing together, and A&M has been a bit disappointing. I have to take the Tigers. Scott’s Pick: Missouri 42, Texas A&M 40.

Doug: Missouri’s offense showed last week that it can beat you in more than one way, with Austin Simmons pushing the ball downfield and Jamal Roberts pounding away on the ground. Texas A&M is too physical and well-coached to let this become another Missouri runaway, and Marcel Reed gives the Aggies a different challenge at quarterback. But Faurot Field gives Missouri enough of an edge in what should be a fourth-quarter game. Doug’s Pick: Missouri 27, Texas A&M 24.

Bourbon Break

Scott: 13th Colony Straight Bourbon Finished With Maple Wood Spirals

Light copper color. The nose is vanilla and caramel — the standard bourbon aroma with a touch of sweetness and malt. Kind of like Whoppers candy. The palate brings a hint of the maple wood that warms in the front end of the mouth. This is very enjoyable. There’s a slight hint of orange rind, too, plus some oak and the Kentucky (or in this case, Georgia) hug. This is much better than the Shortbarrel. It’s not complex, but it’s straightforward and enjoyable to sip.

Doug: 13th Colony Rye Finished With Maple Wood Spirals

The rye has a solid color — mid-copper. The nose is classic bourbon — except this isn’t a bourbon. Brown sugar, caramel and vanilla go with more traditional rye notes of mint. The palate steps up and delivers huge flavors of toffee and caramel. And after resting a bit, the mint totally comes through. The mouthfeel is rich and thick, and the finish delivers big time — root beer, caramel, vanilla and brown sugar. This one is delicious!

No. 1 Texas vs. Oklahoma

Records: Texas, 4-0; Oklahoma, 2-2
Where: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Line: Texas -8.5
Over/Under: 39.5

Scott: This is a rivalry game, but it’s going to be ugly. No games come easily for Texas, and there will be no exception in this game. The Sooners will play it close in the first half before Texas responds and wears Oklahoma down. Scott’s Pick: Texas 31, Oklahoma 21.

Doug: The Red River Rivalry has a long history of ignoring what is supposed to happen, so throw out the records whenever Texas and Oklahoma meet. Still, Oklahoma hasn’t shown enough consistent offense to make me believe it can score repeatedly against the Texas defense. John Mateer’s may improvise to keep the Sooners alive for a while, but Arch Manning and the deeper Texas roster will eventually wear Oklahoma down. Doug’s Pick: Texas 24, Oklahoma 13.

No. 21 UCLA at No. 13 Oregon

Records: UCLA, 4-0; Oregon, 3-1
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line: Oregon -11.5
Over/Under: 58.5

Scott: Another interesting matchup. Oregon is at home and, even with a backup, has way too much offense. UCLA seems to be a weak 4-0 team. Scott’s Pick: Oregon 36, UCLA 19.

Doug: UCLA is undefeated and Bob Chesney has some confidence to the Bruins, so this is not the easy home win the name on the jersey might suggest. But Autzen Stadium remains one of the toughest stadiums in college football, Oregon has dominated this series recently, and Dan Lanning has had extra time to prepare. If Dante Moore is healthy enough to run the full offense, the Ducks’ depth and speed should eventually create separation. Doug’s Pick: Oregon 34, UCLA 24.

No. 10 LSU at Kentucky

Records: LSU, 4-1; Kentucky, 4-1
Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky.
Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Line: LSU -8.5
Over/Under: 52.5

Scott: LSU has too much firepower, and I don’t trust Kentucky’s offense, even at home. LSU continues to right the ship. Scott’s Pick: LSU 24, Kentucky 13.

Doug: Kentucky’s overtime win over South Carolina showed some toughness, especially when the Wildcats chose to go for two to end it, and Kroger Field at night has produced plenty of strange SEC games. Sam Leavitt gives the Tigers balance through the air, Harlem Berry adds a dangerous running threat, and LSU has enough skill talent to win even if Kentucky turns this into the kind of ugly, physical game it wants. Doug’s Pick: LSU 30, Kentucky 24.

No. 19 USC at Penn State

Records: USC, 5-1; Penn State, 3-2
Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.
Kickoff: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC/Peacock
Line: Penn State -1.5
Over/Under: 54.5

Scott: I really want to pick Penn State, but they haven’t looked good lately. USC hasn’t been impressive, but the Trojans keep winning. This will be an ugly game, but it could be low-scoring. Scott’s Pick: Penn State 13, USC 10.

Doug: Penn State looked awful against Northwestern, particularly against the run, but this feels like a classic bounce-back spot. The Nittany Lions come home angry, the White Out atmosphere should be ferocious, and USC has to travel across the country into it. USC’s offense will test a Penn State defense that has plenty to fix, but I expect a much more physical effort from the Lions and just enough late offense to escape. Doug’s Pick: Penn State 27, USC 24.

No. 23 Boise State at Fresno State

Records: Boise State, 4-1; Fresno State, 4-1
Where: Valley Children’s Stadium, Fresno, Calif.
Kickoff: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: The CW
Line: Boise State -6.5
Over/Under: 48.5

Scott: This may be the hardest game to pick this week. Fresno keeps it close, but Boise wins it on the road. Scott’s Pick: Boise State 24, Fresno State 21.

Doug: The Milk Can rivalry has been a problem for Boise lately, with Fresno State winning three straight in the series, so there is no reason to expect the Broncos to cruise. Fresno has also been excellent after halftime, which makes this dangerous if Boise lets the Bulldogs hang around. I still trust Boise’s overall balance a little more, and I think the Broncos build just enough of an early cushion to survive another Fresno rally. Doug’s Pick: Boise State 28, Fresno State 23.

Raise a glass. Take a side. That’s the Southern Sports Stillhouse.

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