- Scott Van Pelt joined ESPN in Spring 2001 as the network’s lead professional golf reporter. He has since become a SportsCenter anchor, primarily hosting the 11 p.m. ET edition while remaining the lead reporter and host of the network’s coverage of golf’s grand slam events. In April 2008 he was named co-host of ESPN Radio’s Tirico & Van Pelt weekday show (2-4 p.m. ET on weekdays). A native of Brookville, Md., Van Pelt graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television and film.
After a 4-6-1 week, this might not be the best time to tell you, you’re going to hate what I’m handing out here — like the neighbor who gives out pennies or Circus Peanuts on Halloween. This right here, will test your belly. But let me ask you something — you scared? I didn’t think so. Ten of ’em that are a snapshot into my odd brain.
Season: 42-33-3
Kentucky (-1, 40) at Missouri
Noon ET on SEC Network, Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri
Van Pelt’s pick: Missouri (+1)
Who we got in the noon window Scotty? Well I’ll tell ya — one is a team that is unbeaten for us in this segment. Had ’em last week in South Cack where they won big and we are on ’em at home in Columbia. Missouri gets the nod against Kentucky.
SVP: 3-0 when picking Missouri this season
No. 17 North Carolina at Virginia
Noon ET on ACC Network, Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Virginia
Van Pelt’s pick: Virginia (+7)
Now we turn to a team I keep taking that doesn’t cover against a team I keep picking against that just keeps on covering. Why would you take the Wahoos again, Van Pelt? Because I am unflappable and I have to.
SVP: 26-12-1 all time when picking unranked ACC team vs ranked ACC team
Marshall (-3, 46.5) at Old Dominion
2 p.m. ET on ESPN+, S.B. Ballard Stadium, Norfolk, Virginia
Van Pelt’s pick: Old Dominion (+3)
Now, as America’s No. 1 Sun Belt tout, it brings me joy to share with you that we have a pair of selections to release. Old Dominion in Norfolk as a small underdog against Marshall.
SVP: 8-0 picking Sun Belt games this season
Georgia State at Southern Miss (-2, 48)
3 p.m. ET on ESPN+, M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Van Pelt’s pick: Georgia State (+2)
We also are on the team that knocked off the Monarchs last week — Georgia State in Hattiesburg against a Southern Miss squad that is playing very well and won 3 in a row. We’re on the Panthers in the Rock.
SVP: 8-0 picking Sun Belt games this season!!!!
No. 15 Penn State (-14, 49) at Indiana
3:30 p.m. on ABC, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
Van Pelt’s pick: Indiana (+14)
Now it starts getting real sketchy — Penn State has punished me anytime I have gone against it and Indiana has lost five games in a row. But we are riding with the desperate Hoosiers vs. the Nittany Lions in a potential letdown spot.
SVP: 4-2 picking Big Ten conference games this season
No. 1 Tennessee at No. 3 Georgia (-8, 67.0)
3:30 p.m. ET, Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia
Van Pelt’s pick: Georgia (-8)
Now, this should be fun. Tennessee, you’re awesome. You’re the most fun team to watch in America. You’re No. 1. I have picked against you four times against the spread this year. Lost them all. This happened with Clemson a few years back. Kept taking points and taking whoopings. I might again. But everyone is taking the points because the line looks like a mistake given your offense. Is it? We’ll see. Athens, sing it with me: Who’s that coming down the track? A mean machine in Red and Black. This stubborn old goat is with the silver britches.
SVP: 7-1 all time when picking Georgia
South Carolina (-7, 48.5) at Vanderbilt
7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network, FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Van Pelt’s pick: Vanderbilt (+7)
From the reigning national champs to a team that has been outscored 179-45 in its past four games. Who would do such a thing? Who would back the Commodores? I would. Cuz I’m easy like Sunday morning, baby. Vandy — Anchor Down at home against the Gamecocks.
SVP: 4-6 all time when picking Vanderbilt (lost past five)
No. 4 Michigan (-26, 45.5) at Rutgers
7:30 p.m. ET, SHI Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey
Van Pelt’s pick: Rutgers (+26)
Why don’t you take Rutgers too, while you’re at it. OK, I will. Didn’t we break up? Yeah, but that was years ago and it feels good backing a team that just got shut out against a top-5 team, right?
SVP: 1-5 all time when picking Rutgers (outscored by 176 combined points)
No. 5 Clemson (-3.5, 47.5) at Notre Dame
7:30 p.m. ET, Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana
Van Pelt’s pick: Notre Dame (+3.5)
We’re almost done and we can stand back and look at our work. But a couple more for kicks. Notre Dame won for us last week in Syracuse. Can a team that lost on its home field to Marshall and Stanford really beat Clemson? Don’t have to beat them — just stay within three and we’re all laughing.
SVP: 3-0 all time when picking Notre Dame
No. 10 UCLA (-11, 66) at Arizona State
9:30 p.m. ET, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Van Pelt’s pick: Arizona State (+11)
And how ’bout a little night sweat in the desert? Stay up until the wee hours with the Sun Devils. I’m gonna, who’s with me?
SVP: 28-21 all time when picking Pac-12 conference night games
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