Brett McMurphy’s Musings and College Football Picks for Week 5

What I’m wondering while waiting for this weekend’s games …

What will Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt say next?

While Tennessee’s season has been a disaster so far, Pruitt hasn’t been — at least, behind the mic.

A couple of weeks ago, Pruitt referenced the Titanic when discussing UT’s football program:

“When the boat starts going down, remember all the mice running to the top, right? We have had a few that left our program, but you will figure out who wants to be a Tennessee Vol and who don’t. I can tell you this: I want to.”

That’s gold, Jeremy! Gold!

Then this week, Pruitt was asked if his team can be competitive in the SEC.

Pruitt: “Our football team is 100 times better than it was this time last year. Our guys are working hard. We are stronger and more physical.”

Maybe so, but it’s not showing on the field.

Remember that he’s talking about the same Vols team that has embarrassing losses to BYU, Georgia State and Florida. Speaking of Georgia State…

Is Tennessee really 100 times better? I asked a long-time Vols fan if he agreed with Pruitt’s statement and he quipped, “He might be right, but the quarterback is 100 times worse.”

Luckily for the Volunteers, they have this week off (as of Thursday morning, the bye is a two-point favorite against Tennessee). After that, the Vols are at home against Georgia and Mississippi State, then at Alabama.

While this year’s UT roster might be 100 times better than last year’s squad, the Vols are likely headed to another sub-.500 season.


Will former Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer return to coaching or stay retired?

He’s said repeatedly that he’s done coaching, but until the 2020 season gets here, no one will know for sure.

However, at least one gambling website — BetOnline.ag — doesn’t believe Meyer.

Earlier this week, BetOnline released odds on whether Meyer would be coaching next season. “Yes” was -1000, “no” was +500. That means if you think Meyer will coach next season, you’d have to wager $1,000 to win $100.

The website also listed odds on who would be coaching at USC, Florida State and Michigan next season if those coaches (Clay Helton, Willie Taggart and Jim Harbaugh, respectively) do not return in 2020.

Meyer was the top choice for USC and the fifth choice at both Florida State and Michigan.

But Meyer recently shot down at least one of those landing spots — not surprisingly, Michigan — telling Columbus’ WBNS, “No, that’s not going to happen.”


What is going to happen this weekend? I’m glad you asked.

Before we get to my picks (9-3-1 in my last 13, by the way), be sure to tune in Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET at watchstadium.com/live as I join Bleacher Report’s Matt Hayes and Yahoo Sports’ Pat Forde on Campus Insiders for the latest news & insight, coach interviews and college football analysis.

If you hate the show, tell a friend. If you love it, tell two friends. I will make you this promise — next week’s show will be 100 times better than last week’s show.

Now on to my picks for Week 5. Odds from @BetOnline_ag:

Virginia Tech -3 vs. Duke
Temple -9 vs. Georgia Tech
Maryland +7 vs. Penn State
Arizona -6 vs. UCLA
Nevada -2.5 vs. Hawaii

Lock of the Week: Schlage Camelot Electronic Keypad Single Cylinder Deadbolt, Aged Bronze

The tote board

Last week: 2-2-1
Year to date: 10-7-1
Lifetime Lock of the Week: Absolutely perfect

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