Big Game Hunting: Better grab a cocktail — this Florida-Georgia business is confusing

Break out those bucket lists, college football fans. If you’re serious about reveling in the sport, you’ll rank attending a Florida-Georgia game — informally known as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” — high among your things to do.

OK, so it’s a little late to get to Jacksonville, Fla., by Saturday. Maybe next year?

The schools in this mega-rivalry no longer use “cocktail” in any official way when it comes to their annual series — times have changed, after all — but try selling that to the hard-partying maniacs in Gators orange and Bulldogs red. An off-the-charts pregame experience leads to an amazing spectacle in the TIAA Bank Field stands, with a down-to-the-bone 50-50 fan split.

Yet there’s something about this year’s game that’s just plain odd. No. 6 Florida (+6½) vs. No. 8 Georgia (2:30 p.m., Ch. 2) features a higher-ranked team that is — on a neutral field — a sizable underdog. It makes no sense at all.

Worth noting is that the weekly AP poll has become — how to put this nicely? — almost completely irrelevant. It doesn’t factor into how college football determines its playoff field, nor is it reasonable to believe that writers who cover teams in other parts of the country keep close tabs on the doings in, say, the SEC East.

So: Which of these teams is actually better? The view from here — Big Game Hunting keeps close tabs everywhere, bub — is that Georgia and its slightly-higher-end talent has been outperformed in 2019 by Florida and its electric speed and terrific chemistry.

Take the quarterback spot. The Dogs’ Jake Fromm has all kinds of NFL ability, but the Gators’ Kyle Trask has mojo coming out of his earholes.

Georgia’s NFL-style ball-control offense meets Florida’s turnover-machine defense. The Dogs’ championship expectations under Kirby Smart meet the Gators’ compelling rise under Dan Mullen. Two excellent teams meet in a playoff-elimination game.

As for that point spread?

“That’s more a Vegas deal,” Mullen told reporters. “It would be a much bigger deal if you walked in and they spotted you the points.”

Wouldn’t it, though?

Somebody throw Uga a fresh bone. Dogs, 23-21.

In other Week 9 action:

No. 9 Utah (-3½) at Washington (3 p.m., Fox-32): There’s something missing in Seattle. For whatever reasons, Chris Petersen’s Huskies (5-3) haven’t quite remained at top-tier-program status since their 2016 playoff season. Meanwhile, the Utes (7-1) only get stronger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Is this when they snap a four-year losing streak against UDub? Indeed — 24-17.

No. 15 SMU (+5½) at No. 24 Memphis (6:30 p.m., Ch. 7): Don’t adjust that dial — this is, in fact, your ABC prime-time matchup. ESPN’s traveling “GameDay” circus is on the scene and everything. That’s what happens sometimes when a Group of 5 team like the 8-0 Mustangs rises up and makes this kind of noise. But don’t forget about the 7-1 Tigers, people. Memphis 34, SMU 24 — the AAC West gets even wilder at the top.

Virginia (+2½) at North Carolina (6:30 p.m., ACC Network): Look, somebody is going to have to face Clemson in the ACC title game. Will it be the Cavaliers (5-2), who are tied atop the Coastal division with UNC at 3-2? Or will it be Mack Brown’s Tar Heels (4-4), who scared the daylights out of the defending national champs in a 21-20 loss in Chapel Hill in September? Heels click, 31-20.

No. 7 Oregon (-5) at USC (7 p.m., Fox-32): Who in the Pac-12 can handle the Ducks duo of quarterback Justin Herbert, a future NFLer, and running CJ Verdell, who ran wild last weekend for over 250 yards? It’s a mighty test for the Trojans (5-3), who are locked up with Utah in a battle for the South crown. The Ducks (7-1) have been shaky of late, though. Cue the 34-31 upset.

My favorite favorite: UCLA (-5½) vs. Colorado (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network): The Bruins fell completely off the radar during their 1-5 start, but they’ve played very well in upsets of Stanford and Arizona State their last two times out. What Chip Kelly is doing is (finally) starting to work.

My favorite underdog: Miami (+3½) at Florida State (2:30 p.m., Ch. 7): Some of us are old enough to remember when ’Canes vs. ’Noles was as appointment-TV as it got. Note: This is not appointment TV. The U gets a much-needed road win, though.

Last week: 5-2 straight-up, 5-2 vs. the spread.

Season to date: 45-20 straight-up, 37-27-1 vs. the spread.

THE LOCALS

NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN

The facts: 11 a.m., CBSSN, 560-AM.

The records: NIU 3-5, 2-2 MAC; CMU 5-4, 3-2 MAC.

The story line: It’s a bit strange to say it, but the Huskies are still alive in the hunt for the West division title. This is another game they can win, too, as they attempt to claw their way to a respectable season. Will Ross Bowers play? NIU’s quarterback was in concussion protocol earlier in the week. It’s a different, more run-oriented offense when backup Marcus Childers is in there. Watch out for Chips receiver Kalil Pimpleton.

The line: Huskies by 1.

Greenberg’s pick: CMU, 28-23.

VIRGINIA TECH AT NO. 16 NOTRE DAME

The facts: 1:30 p.m., Ch. 5, 1000-AM.

The records: Virginia Tech 5-2, 2-2 ACC; Notre Dame 5-2.

The storyline: The Hokies have won three straight, finding a pretty good offense in the process. They’re a worthy opponent, but a bigger issue is how motivated — how angry — their opponents will be. The Irish have two choices after an embarrassing performance at Michigan that knocked them out of the playoff picture: quit or dig in. The latter is, mind you, easier said than done.

The line: Irish by 17½.

Greenberg’s pick: Notre Dame, 35-21.

RUTGERS AT ILLINOIS

The facts: 2:30 p.m., BTN, 890-AM.

The records: Rutgers 2-6, 0-5 Big Ten; Illinois 4-4, 2-3 Big Ten.

The storyline: The Illini find themselves at the intersection of overachievement and expectations, a strange and undoubtedly exciting place to be. They go for a third straight victory against the Scarlet Knights, who aren’t as good as Purdue, let alone Wisconsin. When Lovie Smith’s gang was 0-3 in the Big Ten, who would’ve believed they’d soon be favored by three touchdowns?

The line: Illini by 20½.

Greenberg’s pick: Illinois, 27-14.

NORTHWESTERN AT INDIANA

The facts: 6 p.m., FS1, 720-AM.

The records: Northwestern 1-6, 0-5 Big Ten; Indiana 6-2, 3-2 Big Ten.

The storyline: What’s left for the Wildcats to play for? More than anything else, they need something positive to take with them into the offseason. The last five games, starting with this one, are winnable, at least in theory. Is it possible the Hoosiers — coming off an emotional victory at Nebraska that made them bowl-eligible — will let their guards down in this one?

The line: Hoosiers by 11½.

Greenberg’s pick: Indiana, 24-16.