Front Porch FootballWeek 9 Porch Picks: Nelson vs Bowers
It’s the last weekend in October — we all know what that means. We are entering the part of the season that features Clemson/Florida State, Florida/Georgia, South Carolina/Tennessee, and so many other great matchups. With great games come great guest pickers. This week features Chase Nelson and Austin Bowers.
Chase was born in Big Ten Country (Minnesota) where he became a die-hard Ohio State fan (how did we let him on here, again??). In middle school he moved to Atlanta where he was tortured by SEC fans. There he developed a hatred for the SEC (again, how is he allowed on this site?). Chase played football at Wofford. While at Wofford, Chase met Brendan their freshman year in tennis class. According to Chase, they had epic showdowns. The two forged an unbreakable bond. Chase met Chris under less than ideal circumstances. Chase was charged with an alcohol violation and sought Chris’s advice as a student advocate. Chris failed him as he was found guilty. Chris still thinks of this moment often.
Austin Bowers lived behind enemy lines, as well. Raised in the Midlands of South Carolina, Bowers, a diehard Gator fan, was surrounded by Gamecock fans. Bowers decided to move to the Upstate for college and attended Wofford. He graduated with Chris and was fraternity brothers with both Paschal boys. Austin also played some golf for the Terriers, and recently just completed a campaign for the South Carolina State House, and while he ultimately didn’t prevail, he showed he will be a political presence in this state for years to come.
Good luck to the both of you, gentlemen, and we wish y’all have a great weekend full of college football.
SEC:
1. Vanderbilt @ Arkansas
Chris: Arkansas
Brendan: Vanderbilt
Max: Vanderbilt
Michael: Vanderbilt
Austin: Arkansas
Chase: Vanderbilt
2. Florida vs. Georgia
Chris: Georgia
Brendan: Florida
Max: Georgia
Michael: Georgia
Austin: Georgia
Chase: Georgia
3. Kentucky @ Missouri
Chris: Missouri
Brendan: Kentucky
Max: Kentucky
Michael: Missouri
Austin: Kentucky
Chase: Kentucky
Lynn Bowden Jr. was the only Kentucky wideout with a reception last week. Image from Plainview Daily Herald.
4. Texas A&M @ Mississippi State
Chris: Texas A&M
Brendan: Texas A&M
Max: Texas A&M
Michael: Texas A&M
Austin: Texas A&M
Chase: Texas A&M
5. Tennessee @ South Carolina
Chris: South Carolina
Brendan: South Carolina
Max: South Carolina
Michael: South Carolina
Austin: South Carolina
Chase: Tennessee
Non-SEC:
6. Baylor @ West Virginia
Chris: West Virginia
Brendan: West Virginia
Max: West Virginia
Michael: West Virginia
Austin: West Virginia
Chase: West Virginia
Marcus Simms leads the team in receiving yards with 498. Image from USA Today.
7. App State @ Georgia Southern
Chris: App State
Brendan: App State
Max: App State
Michael: App State
Austin: App State
Chase: App State
8. Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech
Chris: Georgia Tech
Brendan: Georgia Tech
Max: Virginia Tech
Michael: Virginia Tech
Austin: Virginia Tech
Chase: Virginia Tech
TaQuon Marshall leads the GT in rushing touchdowns with 9. Image from Associated Press.
9. Miami @ Boston College
Chris: Miami
Brendan: Miami
Max: Boston College
Michael: Boston College
Austin: Miami
Chase: Miami
10. Clemson @ Florida State
Chris: Clemson
Brendan: Clemson
Max: Clemson
Michael: Clemson
Austin: Clemson
Chase: Clemson
11. Wisconsin @ Northwestern
Chris: Wisconsin
Brendan: Wisconsin
Max: Wisconsin
Michael: Wisconsin
Austin: Wisconsin
Chase: Wisconsin
12. Army @ Eastern Michigan
Chris: Army
Brendan: Army
Max: Army
Michael: Army
Austin: Army
Chase: Army
Elijah Riley stopped Miami from scoring their two point conversion in double OT for the win. Image from Army Athletics.
13. Purdue @ Michigan State
Chris: Michigan State
Brendan: Purdue
Max: Purdue
Michael: Michigan State
Austin: Michigan State
Chase: Michigan State
14. Iowa @ Penn State
Chris: Penn State
Brendan: Penn State
Max: Penn State
Michael: Penn State
Austin: Penn State
Chase: Penn State
15. South Florida @ Houston
Chris: Houston
Brendan: Houston
Max: Houston
Michael: South Florida
Austin: Houston
Chase: South Florida
Houston’s QB, D’Eriq King, can sling the football. Image from Houston Chronicle.
16. Washington State @ Stanford
Chris: Stanford
Brendan: Washington State
Max: Stanford
Michael: Washington State
Austin: Stanford
Chase: Stanford
17. NC State @ Syracuse
Chris: Syracuse
Brendan: NC State
Max: NC State
Michael: Syracuse
Austin: NC State
Chase: Syracuse
18. Texas @ Oklahoma State
Chris: Texas
Brendan: Texas
Max: Texas
Michael: Texas
Austin: Texas
Chase: Texas
Wideout, Tylan Wallace, is a key player to watch. Image from Oklahoma State Athletics.
