- 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.
A 7-2 week moves us to 19-11. I’ve given out three straight winners in the NFL as well in our Wednesday Head-to-Head segment, but adding that on to the official record, would be tacky. I’m many things — tacky ain’t one of them. So, we are officially 19-11. You want nine more? That’s convenient — that’s how many are on the card.
Friday
No. 15 Washington (-3, 64.5) at UCLA
10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Van Pelt’s pick: UCLA (+3)
If you are familiar with the segment, you can guess certain teams in certain spots that are given. UCLA at home on Friday against red hot and unbeaten Washington is one of those teams. Bruins at home to get us soaring into Saturday off a late-night Friday cover. We are buying it to 3.
SVP: 5-2 ALL-TIME PICKING AGAINST WASHINGTON WITH UNRANKED TEAM
Saturday
Purdue at No. 21 Minnesota (-12, 53.5)
12 p.m. ET on ESPN2, Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Van Pelt’s pick: Purdue (+12)
We are active in the noon window. Watch Gameday, settle in and fire, right? Why wouldn’t ya? Minnesota has been dump-trucking people. The Gophers outscored four opponents by 159 points. But we can’t yell “Bang that big drum!” if we take them — can we? We cannot. So, gimme double digits and the Boilers.
SVP: 5-2 ALL-TIME PICKING PURDUE
No. 7 Kentucky at No. 14 Ole Miss (-7, 54.5)
12 p.m. ET on ESPN, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
Van Pelt’s pick: Ole Miss (-7)
Question for the Grove? Are … You … Ready? Well, I am ready to lay points with the Rebs with Kentucky in town. Meet you at The Library to celebrate.
SVP: 10-4 ALL-TIME PICKING SEC FAVORITES
No. 18 Oklahoma (-7, 46) at TCU
12 p.m. ET on ABC, Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
Van Pelt’s pick: TCU (+7)
Feels like we’re late to back the Horned Frogs this year — well, yeah. Went against them last week and paid the price, we will buy it up to 7 and hope for the best with OU visiting the stockyards.
SVP: 8-5 ALL-TIME PICKING AGAINST OKLAHOMA
Iowa State (-3, 59) at Kansas
3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
Van Pelt’s pick: Iowa State (-3)
This hurts me to do. I love Lawrence and the Jayhawks story. But with Kansas rolling and unbeaten, why are the Jayhawks underdogs at home to Iowa State? Makes no sense to you, does it? Does to me. If you know — you know. Gotta lay the number here. Sorry, Kansas — I know you’re furious.
SVP: 7-4-1 ALL-TIME PICKING IOWA STATE
Virginia Tech at North Carolina (-9, 54.5)
3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network, Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Van Pelt’s pick: Virginia Tech (+9)
This one was a late add. Not sure on what kind of weather we are looking at in Chapel Hill, but if they play as normal on the field or if you have to ride around in boats, your defense isn’t slowing many people down. We will take the generous candy and the road team from Blacksburg.
SVP: 6-3 ALL-TIME PICKING VIRGINIA TECH
California at Washington State (-4, 53.5)
5:30 p.m. ET, Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington
Van Pelt’s pick: California (+4)
Coogs, we love ya for getting the late score to help us get a cover for Winners last week. I’m afraid that might have taken a chunk out of the psyche. We are on Cal plus the small number on the Paloose.
SVP: 7-3 ALL-TIME PICKING CALIFORNIA
Virginia at Duke (-3, 52)
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3, Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, North Carolina
Van Pelt’s pick: Virginia (+3)
The last two are concerning. Virginia, you got us to the window last week in a weird one at Syracuse. The number in Durham seems a bit light. Lots of extra juice this week — so be it — we are buying this to 3 and scratching our heads curious if UVa is the right side here.
SVP: 6-2 ALL-TIME PICKING VIRGINIA
No. 1 Georgia (-29, 54.5) at Missouri
7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network, Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri
Van Pelt’s pick: Mizzou (+29)
Last one — HOTYBS. What’s a HOTYBS? A Hold On To Your Butt Special. Mizzou, you covered for us on the plains last Saturday. But going against Georgia is terrifying even when you get 29. Looking for a show of hands out there — who’s with me? Not one human. Hell with it — it’s fine — we’ll do it. We’ll take the Tigers.
SVP: 1-4 ALL-TIME PICKING UNRANKED TEAMS vs NO. 1 TEAM
OK. There’s your 9-er. Birdcage — reverse — no tease.
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