Week 7 was anything but lucky for me.

For the second straight week, yours truly went 6-2 in picking games, dropping my overall record to 54-7 this season. It just goes to show that four-leaf clovers, lucky pennies and a rabbit's foot don't work their magic all the time, especially when it comes to the latter part of the season.

To prevent a third straight 6-2 week, I'm picking 9 games in Week 8 (Talk about a numbers game!). It would have been 10 games had it not been for Jacksonville State's bye week.

Maybe I need one of those too.

Anyway, for what it's worth, here goes.

Spring Garden at Woodville: The Panthers were oh-so-close to beating Cedar Bluff last week, but fell just a few yards and a few seconds short.

That kind of loss is a bitter pill to swallow, but I think head coach Jason Howard's bunch will shake it off this week in a big way with a big win at Woodville ... Spring Garden 44, Woodville 7.

Collinsville at Skyline: The Collinsville Panthers also suffered a tough setback last week, just when it seemed like they were ready to roll through the rest of the regular season.

Like Spring Garden, I think Alan Beckett's bunch will shake off last week pretty quickly. And, like Spring Garden, I look for Collinsville to come up with a big win over Skyline ... Collinsville 38, Skyline 6.

Valley Head at Gaylesville: The Trojans showed me a lot last week by shutting down Collinsville. It appears to me that Gaylesville's defense has come around, and the offense isn't too shabby, either.

David Sanford is one of the best running backs the area has to offer, and he seems like he's gaining momentum from week to week. Luke Murphy is managing the offense (and defense too, for that matter) very solidly.

Here's thinking another solid outing by Sanford, Murphy and company is in store against Valley Head ... Gaylesville 24, Valley Head 16.

Cedar Bluff at Gaston: Cedar Bluff has always been known for its offense, but it was the Tiger defense which came up big last week against Spring Garden.

Two defensive stands inside their own 10 within the game's final minutes can be the sort of thing that sparks that unit for the rest of the season.

It couldn't have come at a better time for the Tigers, as they travel to Gaston this week in a battle for the top spot in Class 1A, Region 6.

Almost the exact same scenario presented itself last year, with Gaston coming away with a 21-14 victory. I think a little revenge is in order for the Tigers ... Cedar Bluff 21, Gaston 14.

Sand Rock at Fyffe: Sand Rock head coach Russell Jacoway is just one win away from capturing 200 wins for his career.

The feat is an impressive one, especially since Jacoway has won all those games at one school.

It's going to be a tall order this week for the Wildcats to get Jacoway his 200th win at Fyffe. These two teams are no strangers to playing tight ball games, including last year's 36-35 overtime win by the Wildcats.

While it certainly would be special for Sand Rock to beat the Red Devils on Friday, I think Jacoway and the Wildcats will have to wait one more week for that milestone, especially with Fyffe coming off a loss ... Fyffe 24, Sand Rock 21.

Leeds at Piedmont: Who says the playoffs are a few weeks away? This game is pretty much for the Class 3A, Region 5 championship.

The Bulldogs have had little success against the Green Wave. They lost to Leeds twice last season in blowouts, but this isn't the same Leeds team everyone is used to seeing. The Green Wave isn't the tidal wave it once was, and I think Piedmont will be highly motivated to get some revenge. Christian Cantrell makes the difference with a late touchdown in this one ... Piedmont 28, Leeds 21.

Cherokee County at Locust Fork: Speaking of the playoffs, the Warriors have been playing at a playoff-caliber level all season. Even the rain can't slow this team down (see last week's game for an example).

And if Mother Nature can't slow Cherokee County down, what chance does Locust Fork have? Not much ... Cherokee County 48, Locust Fork 7.

College Football

Kentucky at Auburn: The Tigers were brought back down to earth last week in a loss at Arkansas, proving there are chinks in the armor.

However, I still think Auburn is one of the better teams in the Southeastern Conference. I look for the Tigers to rebound and get back on the winning track ... Auburn 34, Kentucky 17.

South Carolina at Alabama: Some folks may have had a flashback to 1992 with the Tide's 22-3 win at Mississippi last week.

Defense, defense and more defense was the name of the game. Just ask Rebel quarterback Jevan Snead.

And you know what they say about defenses.

Whispers of a national championship are beginning right now, and those whispers will become a little louder after another convincing performance against the Gamecocks ... Alabama 36, South Carolina 13.