Celebrated from coast to coast by sports fans, bag men, 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 12th season for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero in its various forms, and for the first time “The Grand Experiment” has a new reigning king. The Hero, Ben Abercrombie, joined the party in 2020 and wasted no time schooling Joe on college football.
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 features his best picks on his website, ParamountSports.com, but he 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 the Hero. Nobody. Abercrombie 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 on Twitter.
STAND UP FOR BEN
The annual 3.2 For Ben is here. Let’s do this! The 3.2K virtual walk/run is in honor of Ben Abercrombie, who wore jersey number 32 at Harvard. Sign up today for the race, and get a T-shirt and race medal for the event. Anyone can participate anywhere in the world.
STILL RIVALS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Alabama has beaten Tennessee 14 times in a row, and so this week Nick Saban was asked if Alabama and Tennessee were still rivals. The answer is yes, of course, and Saban, for all of his greatness, isn’t the person to be answering that question. For the record, Saban answered correctly. The Third Saturday in October is here, so prep the cigars.
Alabama is a 24.5-point favorite this year, but competitive balance doesn’t determine a rivalry either. It’s the students and the players who carry on the traditions, and it’s the fans who bring a rivalry to life every year. When people stop talking about a rivalry, and the teams no longer play, then that’s when a rivalry dies. When reporters or fans point out it’s not a rivalry anymore because one team has dominated the contest for so many years, that’s just another form of trash talk. So talk all the trash you want, but just don’t throw any onto the field!
We got a new rivalry featured this week on Joe vs the Pro and the Hero, and it’s a Hero special. Harvard-Princeton is high-minded stuff, but anyone with a brain knows that Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero is a rivalry every week. Guess who’s talking trash now? Check out last week!
LAST WEEK
Joe: 4-2 straight up, 4-2 against the spread
Pro: 3-3 straight up, 2-4 against the spread
Hero: 4-2 straight up, 3-3 against the spread
Notes: Everyone nailed Alabama but missed with Arkansas. Trust issues with Auburn are understandable after so many runaway bus rides on Gus Express. The Hero underestimated the historically awful (and snakebit) Southern Miss Golden Eagles, and that cost him in the standings.
OVERALL
Joe: 23-19 straight up, 22-20 against the spread
Pro: 27-15 straight up, 16-26 against the spread
Hero: 30-12 straight up, 22-20 against the spread
Notes: Pro still has time to catch up. Joe should know. He’s usually watching from the back of the pack at this point in the season. Uncharacteristically, Joe has been in the black in three of the last four weeks to catch the Hero against the spread. On to the picks!
Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown hands the ball off to Oregon running back Travis Dye in the Ducks win against Cal.AP
No.10 Oregon (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) at UCLA (5-2, 3-1 Pac-12)
When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Cali.
TV: ABC
Series: UCLA leads 39-30.
Spread: UCLA by 2.5.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Oregon is one of just two teams in the nation (Coastal Carolina) to rush for at least 180 yards in every game this season.
Joe says: Oregon fans booed quarterback Anthony Brown during last Friday’s come-from-behind victory against Cal. They acted like ugly ducklings, one might say. Players noted after the game how they didn’t appreciate the energy. Since when did Oregon fans start feeling entitled? What have they ever won? Brown has struggled and UCLA has an excellent defense, so that’s also why the unranked Bruins are favored against a Top 10 team. UCLA’s rushing defense has held four opponents under 100 yards this season. Sounds good enough for me. The Bruins get their first victory against a Top 10 opponent in the Rose Bowl since 2007 (No.9 Oregon).
Joe’s pick: UCLA 25, Oregon 21
Pro says: All people talk about this year when you mention Oregon is the Ducks upset of Ohio State. Oregon hasn’t covered any other game this season and in fact struggled to beat Fresno State and lost to Stanford. UCLA’s two running backs, Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown, each average 6.4 yards per carry and should dominate this ballgame from start to finish.
Pro’s pick: UCLA 38, Oregon 27
Hero says: Both of these Pac 12 teams started off the season in impressive fashion but have faded off the radar due to recent losses. The teams look very similar statistically with balanced offenses, but UCLA does have the advantage in run defense (91 yards per game). UCLA senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is having an impressive year so he should be able to lead the Bruins to victory at home in the Rose Bowl over the Ducks.
Hero’s pick: UCLA 31, Oregon 28
Nice catch, Lane.
LSU (4-3, 2-2 SEC) at No.12 Ole Miss (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.
TV: CBS
Series: LSU leads 64-40-4.
Spread: Ole Miss by 9.5.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: LSU is 5-0 against Ole Miss under Tigers coach Ed Orgeron.
Joe says: It’s possible that coach Ed Orgeron could finish up at LSU undefeated against Ole Miss, the team he first coached in the SEC. This is a crazy league. Still, Orgeron officially lasted one game against Ole Miss with Lane Kiffin now in Oxford, and the Rebel Land Shark Black Bears have a chance to impress recruits this weekend who might be choosing between the two schools. Ole Miss is going to try to run it up, so prepare for another installment of Lane Kiffin’s traveling SEC circus. If LSU running back Tyron Davis-Price can have another huge game, this one will go down to the last. Keep the solo cups in the stands, folks!
Joe’s pick: LSU 42, Ole Miss 38
Pro says: Ole Miss has had trouble with talented offenses that play fast. LSU isn’t as talented as most years as numerous skill players at quarterback, running back and receiver are out for the year injured and the Tigers are in the bottom third of plays from scrimmage. Ole Miss quarterback is playing at a super high level coming just 5 rushing yards short last of becoming the first SEC quarterback since Johnny football to pass and run for 200 yards in a game. LSU’s season was made last week with their upset over Florida. Blowout special here!
Pro’s pick: Ole Miss 48, LSU 28
Hero says: The news of coach Ed Orgeron being fired at the end of the year took the focus off Lane Kiffin and his souvenir golf ball courtesy of a Tennessee student last Saturday night in Knoxville. LSU played hard for Coach O last Saturday trying to save his job, but you must wonder about their motivation and focus heading into Oxford this week. The Ole Miss defense finally made a few stops last week, so I think they can slow down LSU’s rejuvenated run game enough to allow Matt Corral and the Rebel offense to do their thing.
Hero’s pick: Ole Miss 48, LSU 35
Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada might make a few mistakes against South Carolina, but he was perfect against Alabama. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)AP
South Carolina (4-3, 1-3 SEC) at No.17 Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2 SEC)
When: 6:30 p.m., Sat.
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
TV: SEC Network
Series: Texas A&M leads 7-0.
Spread: Texas A&M by 21.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: The difference between the SEC West and the SEC East in a nutshell is this. Texas A&M has outscored South Carolina 78-9 in the last two games. Gamecocks haven’t even scored a touchdown against Texas A&M since late in the fourth quarter back in 2018.
Joe says: We knew South Carolina was low on talent but last week’s struggle win against Vanderbilt was an eye-opener. The Gamecocks have a long way to go, but they only averaged 2.7 yards per carry on the ground against the Commodores. Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada came back to reality last week against Missouri, but this Aggies defense is going to overwhelm South Carolina. Forced turnovers by the Aggies defense will help Calzada in this one.
Joe’s pick: Texas A&M 40, South Carolina 12
Pro says: South Carolina lost quarterback Luke Doty for the season. Backup Zeb Noland is on par with Doty, so I don’t see that as a downgrade. A&M quarterback Zach Calzada is good for at least one interception and possibly a fumble, too. I don’t expect the Aggies to give an ‘A’ or ‘B’ effort after cruising in the second half last week against Missouri and watching the Gamecocks escape Vanderbilt.
Pro’s pick: Texas A&M 31, South Carolina 13
Hero says: The Aggies showed they were not a one-trick pony by dominating Mizzou last week. The Gamecocks are feisty under new coach Shane Beamer, but they will have a difficult time generating much offense against a very stout A&M front seven. The Aggies offense is still not a well-oiled machine but should be able to score enough during a night game at College Station to make this an easy victory for the Aggies.
Hero’s pick: Texas A&M 37, South Carolina 13
Harvard running back Aaron Shampklin had no problem with Georgetown. (Photo by Bradley Rex/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
No.16 Harvard (5-0, 2-0 Ivy) at No.17 Princeton (5-0, 2-0 Ivy)
When: noon., Sat.
Where: Powers Field at Princeton Stadium, Princeton, N.J.
TV: ESPN+
Series: Princeton leads 57-48-7.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: This isn’t a stat, but Harvard football coach Tim Murphy’s official title is The Thomas Stephenson Family Head Coach for Harvard Football. He has the most wins for a coach among the Ivys (183).
Joe says: It’s a rare season for the Big Three. Harvard, Yale and Princeton all enter the weekend undefeated. According to Harvard’s game notes, three Ivys haven’t been 5-0 since 1968. Am I smart enough to even pick this game? Highly questionable, but we’re going to wing it for our good buddy the Hero. Harvard’s defense seems like the best unit in this game, but Princeton probably has all the best sideline swag since Jeff Bezos is an alum. The Tigers have won three in a row but the streak ends here. Harvard defensive lineman Jacob Sykes is an unstoppable force, and I’m sure he could break down the reasons for that better than me since he’s majoring in Applied Mathematics. How’s this score for applied math?
Joe’s pick: Harvard 30, Princeton 29
Pro says: I have to think if I had a 400-point higher SAT score these two schools would have been all over me back in the day. This game has become a rivalry game almost on par with Harvard-Yale. These two teams only have one common opponent, Brown and Harvard won 49-17 after carrying a 42-0 lead into halftime while Princeton had to come from behind to win 56-42. Princeton has won each of the last three years. Time for the Crimson to end that streak and win by double digits.
Pro’s pick: Harvard 41 Princeton 31
Hero says: Both teams come into this game undefeated and ranked in the FCS poll. Harvard coach Tim Murphy became the Ivy League all-time wins leader earlier this season, but the Princeton Tigers have a three-game winning streak against the Crimson. An impressive and deep Harvard defense includes four players from the state of Alabama: senior defensive tackle Douglas Henze (Spain Park), senior linebacker John Jenkins (James Clemens), sophomore cornerback Alex Washington (Mountain Brook) and freshman cornerback Gavin Shipman (Thompson). The Princeton roster includes tight end Carson Bobo (Oak Mountain) and linebacker Daniel Beard (St. Paul’s Mobile). The Harvard offense is led by talented running backs, Aaron Shampklin and Aidan Borguet, but Crimson quarterback Charlie Dean will need to be effective throwing the ball against a strong Tigers defense. Princeton’s offense has been explosive in the passing game led by senior quarterback Cole Smith and is averaging 41 points per game. If Harvard’s defense can get constant pressure on Cole Smith, they can earn a hard-fought victory over the Tigers.
Hero’s pick: Harvard 31, Princeton 27
Grayson Cash attempts to recover a blocked punt in UAB's win over Southern Miss. (Jimmy Mitchell)
Rice (2-4, 1-1) at UAB (5-2, 3-0)
When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.
Where: Protective Stadium, Birmingham
TV: ESPN+
Series: UAB leads 6-3.
Spread: UAB by 23.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: This year’s homecoming game for UAB celebrates the 500th child honored thanks to the partnership between UAB football and Children’s Harbor.
Joe says: UAB’s homecoming uniforms are some of the best threads in all of college football, and not just because the names of Children’s Harbor patients will be on the backs of players. This is the fifth year for UAB’s Children’s Harbor homecoming, and the players always take this honor seriously. Two shutouts in a row?
Joe’s pick: UAB 42, Rice 0
Pro says: The Owls looked good for about a half in their season opener against Arkansas but not since. They’ve lost by a combined score of 185-24 against Arkansas, Texas, Houston and UTSA. Defense is ranked No.126 out of 130 FBS teams, allowing 40 points per game. UAB may not be able to beat the good teams, but they routed Southern Mississippi and FAU.
Pro’s pick: UAB 38, Rice 10
Hero says: The Blazers have feasted on bad teams this year and Rice is a bad team. It is very difficult for a defense to get a shutout in modern college football and UAB got one last week against Southern Miss. It is possible that the Blazers defense gets a second consecutive shutout against the Owls. UAB fans should celebrate a happy homecoming in the new Protective Life Stadium this Saturday.
Hero’s pick: UAB 38, Rice 3
Alabama fans lit up victory cigars in the stadium and all over the country after the 45-7 win over Tennessee in 2017. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)
Tennessee (4-3, 2-2) at No.4 Alabama (6-1, 3-1)
When: 6 p.m., Sat.
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa
TV: ESPN
Series: Alabama leads 57-38-7.
Spread: Alabama by 24.5.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. is now tied for third nationally in sacks with seven on the season. The national leaders include Richard Jibunor of Troy with eight.
Joe says: Alabama had its annual letdown game already, so don’t expect another. This should be a continuation of the beat down of Mississippi State. The Volunteers’ emotional loss to Ole Miss isn’t going to help Tennessee, and starting quarterback Hendon Hooker was injured in the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Joe Milton III would be the fresh meat for Alabama’s defense. Good luck, kiddo! This game has five-touchdown potential for Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
Joe’s pick: Alabama 55, Tennessee 10
Pro says: The Vols got out-coached last week in their five-point loss to Ole Miss. They allowed five quarterback sacks and had no answer for the blitz schemes thrown at them. Just imagine what Alabama can do once they look at last week’s game film. Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker is nowhere near 100 percent, so even if he does play I doubt he’ll finish this contest after being harassed all game long last week. Backup Joe Milton III is no threat as he hasn’t seemed to pick up the offense and didn’t even know he had to throw the ball in the end zone on the last play of the game last week. Katy bar the door.
Pro’s pick: Alabama 45, Tennessee 10
Hero says: New Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has installed a very effective offensive system, but a key piece, Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker, is questionable coming into this game. The Bama defense bounced back last week to keep Mississippi State out of the end zone. The Alabama offense showed signs of maturing last week in Starkville and should be in a comfort zone in Bryant-Denny for homecoming. If Hendon Hooker is close to 100 percent and the Vols can get their running game going they may make it a close game. If Hooker is not able to play it will be a long night for the Vols in Ttown.
Hero’s pick: Alabama 45, Tennessee 20