Celebrated from coast to coast by sports fans, bag men, mafia kings and mathematicians, Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero is the greatest resource for college football shenanigans on the internet. This is the 13th season for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero in its various forms. Joe is the reigning king of the picks, but we could only find a jester’s cap ‘n’ bells for him to wear.

Perhaps it is true, then, what William Shakespeare wrote in “King Lear.”

“Jesters do oft prove prophets,” mused the Great Bard.

What is Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero? Consider it a gift to society.

THE GRAND EXPERIMENT

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for AL.com. What happens when a sportswriter picks some of the toughest games of the week and goes head-to-head against a sharp and a football expert with a Harvard education? It’s a gift for college football fans every week in the state where college football is like a religion.

The Pro features his best picks on his website, ParamountSports.com, but he fearlessly picks the most difficult college games of the week against Joe and the Hero. Joe is just a hack and a slacker who everyone loves to hate.

No one works harder than the Hero. Nobody. Abercrombie played football at Hoover High School and Harvard, and he’s working every day to regain his ability to walk. He’s a student at Harvard, and an inspiration to all. To thank him, we want everyone to stand up for Ben and show him some love.

Show Joe no love at all. Besmirch his name at small dinner parties, and troll him on Twitter.

Before we get started, check out last week!

LAST WEEK

Joe: 4-2 straight up, 2-4 against the spread

Pro: 4-2 straight up, 4-2 against the spread

Hero: 6-0 straight up, 4-2 against the spread

Notes: Joe took chances. Joe made mistakes. Auburn better than perception? Yeah, that’s a big no. At least Joe made up for that miss by nailing Alabama’s struggle win against Texas A&M. The Pro took a hit with Oklahoma, but was all over Auburn and Alabama. The hype train is over Arkansas after its blowout loss to Mississippi State, and Hero knew it long before everybody else. Nothing’s better than 6-0 for our Hero!

OVERALL

Joe: 25-11 straight up, 17-18-1 against the spread

Pro: 26-10 straight up, 18-17-1 against the spread

Hero: 28-8 straight up, 17-18-1 against the spread

Notes: Short-lived lead for Joe, but he enjoyed his week in the spotlight. The Pro surged ahead in Week 7 after beginning the season 0-6 against the spread. He’s 14-4 against the spread in the last three weeks. On to the picks!

No.10 Penn State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at No.5 Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)

When: 11 a.m., Sat.

Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

TV: Fox

Series: Michigan leads 15-10.

Spread: Michigan by 6.5.

Trendy: Penn State is an underdog for the first time this season. Games involving Michigan have gone under the points total in five of six with the exception being a 59-0 blowout of UConn. The over/under is 52.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Penn State is ranked fifth nationally in rushing defense (79.6 ppg) and has 12 takeaways this season (seven fumble recoveries and five interceptions). Michigan is averaging 212 yards per game on the ground.

Joe says: Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford has completed 62 percent of his passes through five games. It’s not great. In fact, it’s ranked 10th in the Big Ten. Michigan always has a strong pass defense under coach Jim Harbaugh, and this season appears to be no different. Taylor Upshaw, Mike Morris, Mazi Smith and Jaylen Harrell can all get in the backfield and after the quarterback. The list goes on. Michigan forces mistakes, and opposing QBs are only completing 53.6 percent of their throws. Penn State hasn’t played anybody. Nittany Lions could get exposed here.

Joe’s pick: Michigan 24, Penn State 13

Pro says: Last year’s game could have gone either way but the Wolverines pulled it out with a touchdown with three minutes left to win and cover 21-17. Both teams look similar to last season, but I like the fact that Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is a three-year starter and has won 27-17 in the Big House two years ago. With Penn State having a bye week to heal up and game plan they could pull the upset.

Pro’s pick: Penn State 23, Michigan 20

Hero says: This game looks very even statistically with both teams having balanced offenses and strong defenses. Other than a close call with Maryland in Week 3, Michigan has dominated its schedule so far, but the schedule has not been very challenging. Penn State had a very impressive win on the road at Auburn but has struggled in its only two Big Ten games against Purdue and Northwestern. Jim Harbaugh has really gotten the Big Blue back to playing Michigan football, and the Nittany Lions are the only real competition standing between an undefeated matchup between Michigan and Ohio State at the end of the season. I like the Wolverines at home against a gritty Nittany Lion squad.

Hero’s pick: Michigan 28, Penn State 21

No.7 USC (6-0, 4-0 Pac-12) at No.20 Utah (4-2, 2-1 Pac-12)

When: 7 p.m., Sat.

Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City

TV: Fox

Series: USC leads 13-7.

Spread: Utah by 3.5.

Trendy: This is USC’s first time to be an underdog this season. USC was 0-3 against the spread in 2021 as a road dog.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Utah has won 22 of its last 23 home games.

Joe says: USC is the last team to beat Utah in Salt Lake City and that victory for the Trojans came to begin the bizarre 2020 season. USC’s offense is balanced and has weapons (QB Caleb Williams, RB Travis Dye, WR Mario Williams and, of course, Pitt transfer and Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison), but the Utes can link together first downs behind quarterback Cam Rising. Still, UCLA scored six touchdowns (four passing) and had 511 yards of total offense last week in the loss to UCLA, and I think USC is better than UCLA. This is USC’s first ranked opponent, but Oregon State isn’t bad and USC battled on the road against the Beavers earlier in the season and won 17-14. Time to bring Utes back down to earth a bit.

Joe’s pick: USC 35, Utah 33

Pro says: The Trojans are winning most of their games by double digits. They also have an incredible plus-14 in turnover ratio. That probably isn’t sustainable. They have one big glaring weakness and it’s their run defense. They have allowed from 144 to 221 rushing yards in five of the six games this season. Utah has run for between 162 to 247 yards per game this year and at home is 15-6 against the spread as a home favorite. The Trojans go down in Salt Lake City!

Pro’s pick: Utah 38, USC 30

Hero says: The undefeated Trojans have their toughest test yet on the road at Utah. Even though the Utes have had two losses on the road they are very difficult to beat at home in Salt Lake City. This game also looks very even statistically as both teams are scoring around 40 points per game and giving up around 19 ppg. Lincoln Riley, who is known as an offensive-minded coach, also has USC playing better defense this season. USC’s only close game this season was a defensive struggle on the road at Oregon State that the Trojans won 17-14, but Utah beat the same Oregon State team at home 42-16. The Utes stay tough at home and get the victory.

Hero’s pick: Utah 34, USC 28

No.8 Oklahoma State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) at No.13 TCU (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)

When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas

TV: ABC

Series: Oklahoma State leads 17-13-2.

Spread: TCU by 3.5.

Trendy: Pro and Hero both hit on TCU’s road win at Kansas last week.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma State is ranked 126th in passing yards allowed (304 ypg) and TCU’s defense has injured opposing quarterbacks in back-to-back weeks.

Joe says: TCU first-year coach Sonny Dykes is just the second coach in Horned Frogs history to start his tenure 5-0. The first was Francis Schmidt in 1928. Ol’ Schmitty was tough, but he probably liked brisket just like me. A smart cat with a law degree, Schmidt introduced a bunch of trick plays and new offensive formations at TCU. He went on to coach at Ohio State and went into the Hall of Famer in 1971. I say all of this because Fort Worth will be a legendary scene for Oklahoma State and TCU’s offense leads the nation in yards per play (8.1).

Joe’s pick: TCU 42, Oklahoma State 35

Pro says: Another game where two teams are similar in talent. The difference in this game comes down to special teams and Oklahoma State’s is a step above. Kicker Tanner Brown is 8 of 8 on the season and has made all 26 extra points. Pokes kick returner Jaden Nixon returned one kickoff for a touchdown against Baylor and a second return went to the goal line. TCU also doesn’t have much of a home-field advantage, going just 19-27-3 as a home favorite the last decade.

Pro’s pick: Oklahoma State 37, TCU 34

Hero says: It’s a battle of the last two undefeated teams in the Big 12 this Saturday in Fort Worth. The Cowboys have been consistently good under long-time coach Mike Gundy, but their defense does seem to have taken a step back this season, especially the pass defense which is giving up 304 yards per game. TCU has found an offense under new coach Sonny Dykes and senior quarterback Max Duggan leads an offense that can score quickly. Even though the Horned Frogs defense does give up many big plays, I like TCU at home to outscore Oklahoma State in what should be one of the most entertaining games of the weekend.

Hero’s pick: TCU 41, Oklahoma State 35

No.16 Mississippi State (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at No.22 Kentucky (4-2, 1-2 SEC)

When: 6:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky.

TV: SEC Network

Series: State leads 25-24.

Spread: State by 7.

Trendy: Kentucky has won the last three in the series at home with each victory coming against a different coach of Mississippi State (Dan Mullen, Joe Morehead and Mike Leach).

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: State is outscoring opponents 66-7 in first quarters. Hail State is 12-3 under coach Mike Leach when scoring first.

Joe says: This is one of the most competitive series in the SEC. Historically, that might not mean much, but this season both teams are ranked and playing for spots in major bowls. State’s offense has progressed to the point of featuring a running game, and so that’s something to pay attention to here. Last week, the Bulldogs had 173 yards against Arkansas (a high for Mike Leach’s three-year tenure in Starkville). I’m hoping Kentucky quarterback Will Levis comes back fully healthy against Tennessee in two weeks, but don’t expect him to play on Saturday (foot injury). Cats will need to score points to keep up, but it’s going to be tough.

Joe’s pick: Mississippi State 28, Kentucky 18

Pro says: Some people might think that Kentucky can keep it close here as the two opponents that beat them, South Carolina and Ole Miss, ran the ball 81 of 129 plays. Think again because Mississippi State uses its short, high-percentage pass attack like most teams use the run. Kentucky is without potential NFL high draft choice quarterback Will Levis. The Wildcats are a mere shell of themselves. Blowout city here!

Pro’s pick: Mississippi State 41, Kentucky 23

Hero says: The Bulldogs are coming into Lexington on a roll while injuries and poor offensive line play have derailed a once promising season for the Wildcats. If quarterback Will Levis can return from his foot injury, Kentucky will have some hope that they can stop the bleeding, but the Wildcat offense was not consistently effective even when Levis was playing. Even though the State offense struggled earlier in the year in Baton Rouge, Mike Leach and the Bulldog offense, led by quarterback Will Rogers, kicked it into gear the last two weeks in easily defeating Texas A&M and Arkansas at home. I like the Bulldogs to pass this road test and continue moving up the rankings.

Hero’s pick: Mississippi State 30, Kentucky 21

Auburn (3-3, 1-2 SEC) at No.9 Ole Miss (6-0, 2-0 SEC)

When: 11 a.m., Sat.

Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.

TV: ESPN

Series: Auburn leads 35-10.

Spread: Ole Miss by 16.

Trendy: Auburn is 1-4 against the spread this season. Joe is 1-4 with Auburn. Coincidence?

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Auburn replaced its coach in the seasons following the last three road losses at Ole Miss: Pat Dye, 1992; Tommy Tuberville, 2008; Gene Chizik, 2012.

Joe says: Terry Bowden never lost to Ole Miss. Doug Barfield never lost to Ole Miss. Gus Malzahn was 7-1 against Ole Miss with the lone loss being at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2015. Hugh Freeze was the Ole Miss coach. Hmm. Something to chew on before the worst Auburn team since 2012 goes to VHS. Ole Miss wants this one badly after last season, and so maybe the Grovers will move into the stadium by the third quarter. Most of Auburn’s coaching staff has checked out, but something says that Ole Miss is a little overrated. Who have they played? The win against Kentucky came by way of two turnovers by the Cats. We won’t find out anything about Ole Miss here except for maybe how badly Lane Kiffin wants to coach at Auburn.

Joe’s pick: Ole Miss 38, Auburn 17

Pro says: Just to show you how overrated time of possession is, Vanderbilt held the ball for 41:17 of the 60 minutes but its defense got blitzed for 591 yards and the ‘Dores gave up 52 points. Mississippi is a Top 5 rushing attack, and even if Jaxson Dart is forced to throw more often in this game, then the Auburn defense has all of one interception this season. I, as many people want to know, how much longer will Auburn wait to fire Bryan Harsin?

Pro’s pick: Ole Miss 38, Auburn 17

Hero says: Ole Miss showed some maturity last week by overcoming a slow start at Vandy to run away from the Commodores in the second half. Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart looks ready to make the Ole Miss passing game more dangerous to supplement their already strong running game. Auburn fought hard at Georgia last week, but they are just not a very good football team right now. Lane Kiffin has the Rebels in a position for another historic season this year while Auburn’s Bryan Harsin may have more free time after this Saturday to contemplate his next career move.

Hero’s pick: Ole Miss 31, Auburn 13

No.3 Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) at No.6 Tennessee (6-0, 2-0 SEC)

When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.

TV: CBS

Series: Alabama leads 58-38-7.

Spread: Alabama by 7.5.

Trendy: Alabama has won 15 straight in the series. Last time the margin of victory was in single digits was 2015. Joe and the Pro both hit last week with Texas A&M’s cover in Tuscaloosa.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Alabama notes this week that the Tide has won 27 in a row against teams in the SEC East during the regular season. Most recently, Alabama lost to Georgia in the national championship game in its last game against an East foe.

Joe says: Alabama’s offense wasn’t all that bad at moving the ball last week against Texas A&M with backup quarterback Jalen Milroe running the show. The major problem, and this can’t be overlooked, was Milroe turning the ball over three times. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker hasn’t thrown an interception this season and his passer rating of 179.49 leads the SEC. Hooker is less likely to make mistakes than Milroe in a close game against quality competition, and big games like this come down to one or two mistakes. I’m also worried, suddenly, about Alabama kicker Will Reichard, who missed twice against A&M. Does Alabama need a healthy Bryce Young to win this game? Feels that way.

Joe’s pick: Tennessee 27, Alabama 24

Pro says: The Vols are much improved. The question is how much better are they compared to last season when they lost to Alabama by 28 points. As good as Hendon Hooker has been this year the loss of top wide receiver Cedrick Tillman can’t be understated and they also could be without two of their best defensive backs. At full strength, the Vols’ pass defense is very weak, ranked No. 128 out of 131 FBS teams. Without these two, and the possible return of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, this could be another rout. Roll Tide!

Pro’s pick: Alabama 45, Tennessee 31

Hero says: The Third Saturday in October is finally back on the national stage with ESPN College GameDay going back to Knoxville for the second time this season. It’s a battle of undefeated SEC rivals. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker has been amazing this season, and if he leads the Vols to victory over the Tide he should be the mid-season favorite for the Heisman. Alabama needs their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Bryce Young, to come back for this game and be at his best to win this game on the road before a frenzied crowd at Neyland Stadium. The Alabama offense has some home run hitters in the backfield and if the Vols’ defense cannot shut down the Alabama running game, then the Tide can keep the dangerous UT offense off the field. This should be a very entertaining game that could come down to the last play.

Hero’s pick: Alabama 38, Tennessee 31