huck-s-picks

Darrell Huckaby is a syndicated columnist and author of six books including two about Georgia football. Read Huck’s Wit and Wisdom every Wednesday and Sunday. Subscribe at darrellhuckaby.net.

10.31.25

Huck's Fearless Forecast

Trick or Treat, y’all! Spooky things happen when the last day of October falls on a Friday. Friday the 13th doesn’t scare me one bit—but Friday, October 3-1, that’s a whole nother kettle of fish. It feels really funny to be spending Halloween weekend in the North Georgia Piedmont instead of the Golden Isles. I will miss Friday night at the Crab Trap for sure. I won’t miss seeing all the jeans-shorts-wearing Gators chopping their way into the stadium. I’m hoping they won’t be so spunky while leaving, though. I have been in and out so much this fall because of some health issues that I have completely lost track of my picking record—but I do know that I was 8 of 8 last week. Not too shabby. But it is the weekend, again, so What the Huck! Let’s pick a few games!

Weakest Schedule in College Football History at North Carolina State—Nerds win against another team that would finish 20th out of 16 in the SEC. Boo.

Nerds 34 Wolfpack 21

Vandy at Texas. I should believe in Vanderbilt by now. I really should. And Texas hasn’t looked anything like the powerhouse they were projected to be and Arch Manning—bless his heart—has not been ready for primetime, and may not even play. If the game was in Nashville? Maybe I could bring myself to pick Vanderbilt. But it’s not and I can’t.

Horns Down 24 Commodores 18

South Carolina at Hotty Toddy. Shane Beamer brings his disappointing Carolina Chickens into Oxford and both schools are wondering if their coaches are headed for greener pastures. USC fans are kind of hoping that their guy will move on to VPI and try to resurrect his daddy’s memory, while Ole Miss folks are praying that the Lane Train doesn’t jump the track and head toward Gainesville. Or Baton Rouge. Or Toomer’s Corner. None of this will make an iota of difference in Saturday’s contest.

Rebels 38 Cocks 17

Oklahoma on Rocky Top. The Sooners were a sure bet to win every game but one in the Big 12 every year. They were not ready for Big Boy SEC football. They still aren’t. Vols on top.

Orange Team 34 Sooners 21

Kentucky at Loveliest Village. Little Game Mark Stoops is just playing out the string. Hugh Freeze is fighting for his life. Easy win for the Plainsmen, Tigers, War Eagle yellers.

Auburn 27 C-A-T-S 10

Georgia-Florida at World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The Gators are wounded and dangerous. If Georgia could jump on top early, the boys from Gainesville might fold. But they have great athletes and are sure to be playing with a giant chip on their shoulder. We haven’t put pressure on a quarterback all year. We haven’t snagged many interceptions all year. Some of our defensive backs haven’t been able to cover a cold all year. Those are not good omens. I think it will be a war and am praying that we don’t get in a hole we can’t claw our way out of. Dawgs on top—but shaky.

Georgia 26 Water Lizards 21

Look for me on the 78-inch line in Oconee County Saturday. I’ll be the good-looking Papa watching with my grandsons while my children take in the game. Yes. I will be wearing a red shirt.

Darrell Huckaby

You can read Darrell Huckaby's non-football reflections on life in the American South every Wednesday and Sunday. Subscribe at www.darrellHuck’s Fearless Forecast