The College Football Playoff Ranking and the Associated Press Poll, and sports news media sites are all talking Alabama-Notre Dame or Georgia-Ohio State. But you see, the other teams do not have the same win-loss status.

Have you noticed that they have left out Wisconsin, but think Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are better teams? And do you see the scramble for the Bowl bids, lining them up to see who is going to be their opponent? Ahhh! to have a good working crystal ball.

Here are your 10 picks for the week plus a tie breaker for Nov. 11.

1. Florida State Seminoles versus Clemson Tigers: Just about all the teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference are beating up on Florida State. Why stop now? Clemson by 21.

2. North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Boston College Eagles: This should be a great game to watch. Wolfpack by 10.

3. The Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: This was in line for game of the week, but everyone knows that the Hokies will walk away with this game by 13.

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Miami Hurricanes: This “ACC game of the week” is the game everyone loves to see, because so many people hate these two teams, and they are picking the loser, not the winner. Hurricanes wins by 10.

5. Duke Blue Devils vs. Army Black Knights: It's an opportunity for the Blue Devils to redeem themselves, but the Army said this will be our best season in 10 years. Army by 6.

6. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Missouri Tigers: There is a possibility that the Vols could win this game, but that is said in each game. They're still not able to pull it off. Tigers in a close one by 3.

7. Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs: "The Train" is still running full steam ahead and nothing is going to stop them. Tide by 21.

8. Arkansas Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers: There is a small, very small chance for an upset by Arkansas, but it's home for the Tigers, LSU win by 1.

9. Georgia Dawgs vs. Auburn War Eagles: This is the Southeastern Conference game of the week. Auburn needs to keep the eagle in its cage because the Dawgs will take big bite out of it. Dawgs by 21.

10. Florida Gators vs. South Carolina Gamecocks: The Gamecocks are really going to enjoy this game. There will be Gator meat for all the fans. South Carolina by 13.

Tie breaker: Michigan State Spartans vs. Ohio State Buckeyes: An upset is coming. Michigan State does what it did two years ago — beat Ohio State at home. Spartans by 2.

There's a good chance that the ACC will be in 10 bowl games this year. Eight will be all the SEC can fill, but that is not counting the playoffs.

Bill Everett is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and lives in the Baker area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: College football picks, week 11

CRESTVIEW — David Costa Enterprises will have a grand re-opening celebration for the second McDonald’s restaurant renovation in Crestview.

The event starts at 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at the south Crestview site in front of Walmart.

From the exterior, and throughout the entire restaurant, there will be a new look and feel with modern and sleek design, digital menu boards, digital self-ordering, free-standing kiosks, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating areas and many more special touches like activity tables and gaming systems, according to a media release.

The self-ordering kiosks being put in all the modernized McDonald’s locations enable the restaurants to put a higher emphasis on hospitality and welcoming customers as table service and more customer service in the lobby are provided.

"This location, like all the Costa Family restaurants continues to create a positive economic impact in the Crestview area, as the restaurant will employ approximately 60 people, with many new job opportunities anticipated," a Costa media release states. The company operates 20 McDonald's restaurants in Northwest Florida.

Call 897-3169 or visit costamcd.com or their Facebook page for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: McDonald's location ready for grand re-opening

CRESTVIEW — Loomis Bros. Circus will bring their new “Twenty Years of Tradition Tour” to Crestview’s Old Spanish Trail Park. 

Performances will take place Thursday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 12; Thursday, Friday and Saturday events are set 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday's finale is 3 p.m. at the Stillwell Boulevard Park.

The circus will feature a herd of performing elephants, White Siberian and Royal Bengal tigers, acrobats, performing poodles and live music, among other attractions.

“This year marks our twentieth year of presenting performances throughout North America and we’ve pulled out all the stops to celebrate this momentous occasion,” said Justin Loomis, the show’s producer and Ringmaster. “We have many surprises in store for you and your family in this year’s production, including an all new updated look and line-up of amazing acts from around the world.

"We are also very proud that we continue to present exotic animals in our show, and are the only touring circus in the United States where you can see a mixed herd of both Asian and African elephants!”

Full-priced admission to the circus is $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 2 to 12. Coupons for “Free Kids Tickets” are available at most merchants throughout Okaloosa County. There are also a limited number of discounted advance tickets available through the sponsor by calling 240-4053. Tickets may also be purchased, with cash only, at the circus box office on the day of show.

The annual event is sponsored by the Crestview Historic Preservation Board, which receives a portion of each ticket sold.

All seating for the circus is general admission and doors open approximately one hour before each scheduled showtime.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early for best seat selection.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Loomis Bros. Circus returns to Crestview

A Holt resident recently gave a standout performance in an Ohio freestyle horse reining event.

Angie Reichert placed first in the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress Horse Show in Columbus, Ohio.

She rode Surely Cashin Chex — also called "Barbie" by Fort Walton Beach owner Linda Williams. Reichert performed her routine to to the music "Indian Outlaw."

Reichert is a performance American Quarter Horse Association trainer. She boards over 18 horses and works with another 25-plus clients who take lessons from her and her staffers, Devon Smith and Lisa Jackson.

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Editor's Note: The headline and content have been corrected from their previous versions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Holt resident takes first place in horse show

LAUREL HILL — At last, the Laurel Hill Hobo Festival took place on Saturday after being postponed in early October due to severe weather.

The festival, named for the town's school mascot, attracts hundreds of visitors from the Laurel Hill community and others.

The event was held at the Gene Clary Park and visitors enjoyed games, children’s activities, arts and crafts for sale, and a variety of food.

Local artists performed music throughout the day and antique cars and tractors were on display.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hobo Festival attracts visitors to Laurel Hill

BAKER — The Baker Block Museum hosted the 14th annual Baker Heritage Day on Saturday at the Jeanette and Charles Henderson Heritage Park adjacent to the museum building.

The event featured vendors of handmade arts and crafts and antiques; demonstrations of skills such as blacksmithing, shingle making, woodworking, quilting, open hearth cooking and yarn spinning; music from local Gospel and bluegrass groups; and a variety of food.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tri-County Bee Keepers Association, Santa Rosa County Creek Indian Tribe and the Florida Public Archaeology Network were among organizations that hosted booths.

Vendors provided face painting and children’s activities, homemade ice cream, and baked and canned goods. Antique cars were on display in front of the museum, and visitors explored the Baker Block Museum and the Baker Mercantile store.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Block Museum hosts Heritage Day

The weather has changed these past two weeks and, believe it or not, it does influence some teams and especially here in the South. But the nice crisp temperature in the 40s for a game makes those hot toddies and hot butter rums taste even better at the game and tailgate parties.

Here are your 10 picks for the week, plus a tiebreaker for Nov. 4.

1. Clemson Tigers vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack, ACC game of the week (1). The Wolfpacks feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel for them, if they win, for a chance at the ACC title. Sorry, not this week. Clemson by 3.

2. Syracuse Orangemen vs. Florida State Seminoles. Is this the real North vs. South game? No, it’s the Orangemen winning by 6. That game is Penn State vs. Alabama coming soon to your TV.  

3. Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Miami Hurricanes, ACC game of the week (2). The winner of this game will rise to the top ranking; loser gets a big bowl bid. Not many people like a hurricane, and we here in Florida and Texas have had our fill. Hokies by 10.

4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Virginia Cavaliers: Yellow Jackets are hot to trot but the Cavaliers are very cool and win this by 3.

5. Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The Fighting Irish are still running on their hype and the Deacons are just in the way. Irish by 14.  

6. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles vs. Tennessee Volunteers: There is a possibility that the Vols could win this game if the defense can score two touchdowns — and probably the only touchdowns for Vols. Vols by 3, and that’s wishful thinking    

7. LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide, SEC game of the week. Everyone has been waiting for this game. If LSU wins, they sign the coach to a two-year contract, but how do you stop a train? Not in Alabama you don’t. Tide by 21.

8. Ole Mississippi Rebels vs. Kentucky Wildcats. Wildcats Blue will be all over the Red Rebels at the Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. It’s been years waiting for the Wildcats to be this good; win by 17.  

9. Auburn War Eagles vs. Texas A&M Aggies. The home game for the 12-man in this game is a big factor. War Eagles want this game badly, but it’s a barn burner with high scoring. 12-man wins out; Aggies by 6.  

10. South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Georgia Dawgs: Dawgs cannot take this game lightly. Gamecocks are looking for an upset and it can be done, but the Dawgs pull the feather off the Gamecocks. Georgia win by 10.  

TIEBREAKER

 Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Florida Atlantic Owls, showcasing “We are Marshall!” — and with none other than the opponent coach whom we all know so well: Lane Kiffin, who is always in trouble as a coach and missed his calling at Tennessee, USC twice, Fresno State, Colorado State, Jacksonville Jaguars Pros and Oakland Raiders Pros. And, now, divorced from Layla, a Florida Gator alumna — and it’s still downhill from here. Thundering Heard by 12. 

The ACC as of now has 10 teams who are eligible for a bowl; that’s 10 out of 14 teams in the ACC. The SEC has the same number of teams but only eight will be eligible for a bowl.

Is the ACC taking over as the conference to beat?

Bill Everett is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and lives in the Baker area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: College football picks, week 10

CRESTVIEW — If you have an event you would like to submit, send your first and last name and information about the event to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this week in Northwest Florida