The back nine is upon you after a hard weekend of soccer. I’m not in soccer shape yet.

10. Well, I guess we can go ahead and do an Overreaction Monday, even if it was week zero. OK, so here’s my take on FSU’s loss to Georgia Tech. At least we don’t have to worry about going undefeated into the semifinals. My overreaction would be that if you build from the portal, you can have some trouble early in the season. The bottom line is that Tech was the better team on Saturday (T-shirts sold separately).

11. It seemed like every commentator was trying to bring FSU fans back from the brink after that loss, and they pointed to the 12-team playoffs as the reason the semifinalists aren’t out of the running yet. That’s true, but the schedule is tough and FSU can’t afford another loss. The best bet is to win the ACC, but remember they are 0-1 in the ACC. I know Tech is getting better and better, but maybe we can put an end to the folks in Tallahassee wanting to leave the conference.

12. Enough about the guys out west. Let’s talk about real football, Florida football. I’m always torn about Saturday’s game. The truth is, I have no idea. It’s like waiting all summer for a movie to come out and wondering if it Casablanca oR Jaws: The Reckoning, This is the worst movie you’ve ever seen. If the Gators commit 12 penalties and have two guys wearing the same jersey on the field and lose the game a lot, Lorraine Gary isn’t going to be there to steer the ship and stab the shark with the broken bow. Hey, I told you it was bad.

13. Most importantly, we will find out on Saturday whether Florida is what we think or fear. That is why I have such mixed feelings. I saw One3 Florida’s talent had rated the 12^ththe best in the country. So you’re saying it comes down to coaching, right? I’ve been saying this all summer, that this year we’re going to find out if Billy Napier can coach at that level.

IT’S GAME WEEK!! 🐊 pic.twitter.com/MFBYpwoqMn

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) 26 August 2024

14. I think he can, and we all know he’s changed the culture and mindset of the Florida football team. He’s banking on the character and work ethic of the 2024 team. All Gators hope he’s right. Well, almost all Gators. There’s still a fringe group of crazy people.

15. It was a disappointing start to The Picks because I foolishly didn’t listen to people who really thought highly of Tech, but instead listened to people who thought FSU was awesome. Anyway, a 1-1 record is better than 0-2. On to this week:

• Like I said, I’m always torn between Florida and Miami. The spread is 2.5 on Miami and feels insignificant. I’ve been talking positively about these Gators all summer, so I’m taking Florida and the points. Don’t hate me.
• Georgia is a 13.5-point favorite against Clemson in Atlanta, and that seems like a lot. But then I think back to the Bullies’ 49-3 loss to Oregon two years ago. So I’m going with Georgia.
• Notre Dame gets 2.5 at Texas A&M and the Agriculturalists are a real mystery team. So is Notre Dame, actually. That’s tough. I’ll take the Irish and the points.
• LSU is a 4.5 point favorite against Southern Cal in Vegas and I expect there will be some coin bets here. I’m picking the Trojans and the points.

16. Nothing happened in the NFL screenings that changed my opinion of the teams. Here are my division champions:

• AFC: Bills, Ravens, Jags, Chiefs.
• NFC: Cowboys, Packers, Falcons, Niners.

I’ll wait until next week to let you know the wildcard qualifiers.

17. Florida’s soccer team is now 1-0-2 after a draw with UCF in a rough game on Sunday that saw as many yellow cards as goals (four each). Samantha Bohon’s team is improving and has fought from behind but isn’t quite up to scratch yet. And Mary Wise starts another season with three games in Colorado Friday through Sunday.

18. I snuck out to play six holes on Saturday, but I forgot my phone so I couldn’t listen to this playlist:

WRUF.com sports columnist Pat Dooley can be heard on “The Tailgate” with Jeff Cardozo Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on 98.1 FM/AM-850 WRUF.