The GAME
The 49, Meatchicken 17
The key to an upset for Meatchicken has to be putting pressure on Stroud. I do not think Meat has enough coverage guys to handle the possessive Big 3. But the has a good enough offensive line to keep the pressure at bay for the most part, and it has the best over all set of offensive skill position players in the country. The has seen its defense improve over the year and while its passing game has gotten better over the year, I think Meat is at its core too one dimensional to outscore the. They also remain coached by Big Game Jim Harbaugh so they have that going for them. I really hope and think we are headed to a showdown between the and Georgia in the National Championship game and I cannot wait to see the the offense against the Dog defense.
The IRON BOWL
Alabama 45, Auburn 10
As bad as I think Nix was, he is clearly better than having no quarterback at all. Alabama still cannot run the ball, but they can pass, even if their top receiver was the fourth best receiver at the before he hit the portal. I cannot see Auburn scoring enough, even if the Alabama defense looks vulnerable on occasion this year.
BEDLAM
Oklahoma 27, Oklahoma State 21
I guess both teams have roughly the same outside shot at the playoffs if they win out. I have no real sense of how this game will go, so a nice send off to Lincoln Riley on Saturday while his wife house shops in Baton Rouge, and he works on changing the names for his dogs from Boomer and Sooner to Geaux and Tigers.
The WHY ARE THEY WEARING LONG PANTS GAME
North Carolina State 38, North Carolina 35
What, no cute nickname? I guess the Tobacco Bowl would not fly these days, but there has to be something. Some people actually had UNC pegged as a top 10 team before the games began. Idiots. I am not picking them to win jack all.
PAUL BUNYAN S AXE
Wisconsin 31, Minnesota 10
Clearly a lesser game. MSU and Meatchicken play for all of Paul Bunyan. These guys just get his axe. I think Wisky is a definite and overlooked threat to Meatchicken and the in the Big However Many championship game, despite the result of the early season match up with Meat. I like ther defense and that they have rediscovered the running game.
The Rivalry Formerly Known as the CIVIL WAR
Oregon 31, Oregon State 21
They stopped using that moniker last year. I guess to avoid hurting the feelings of the veterans who survived that war, or something. Now they play for the Platypus Trophy, which on the surface makes no damned sense at all, though I suspect it has something to do with the platypus bill. Anyway, I look for the Ducks to get back on track this week.
The DUEL IN THE DESERT
Arizona State 24, Arizona 13
True interesting fact. The Territorial Cup, which is awarded to the winning school, is the oldest rivalry trophy in college football, dating back to 1899, 13 years before Arizona became a state (which explains the name) and 26 years before Arizona Normal became a four year college. A loss here would probably spell the end for Edwards at ASU, although that may be coming regardless. But Arizona is truly terrible and I cannot see them winning.
CLEAN, OLD FASHIONED HATE
Georgia 42, Georgia Tech 10
Not even a speed bump, I think.
The HEROES GAME
Nebraska 20, Iowa 17
Was not even aware this had a name, given how recent it really is as a rivalry. Nebraska has been kind of close to winning a few games this year, and Iowa has no offense to speak of, so I see an upset looming.
The APPLE CUP
Washington State 27, Washington 14
I was going to call this the Playing for tenth place on the head coach pecking order, but the rivalry has a name and tenth may be overstating the value of either position. Especially since whoever gets the head coaching gig for Wazzou still has to live in Pullman.
The PALMETO BOWL
ClemSIN 27, South Carolina 10
I somehow do not think when the season started ClemSIN envisioned going into this game with the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl on the line as the prize for winning.
CAN WE JUST GET THIS SEASON OVER WITH
Brigham Young 42, University of Southern California 14
USC has packed it in big time. Given conference champion tie ins, BYU is number 14 in the pecking order for the top 12 bowl game spots. I wonder if this year we not only get a Second Tier 6 team in the playoffs, we get another one in the other top four bowls.
D III PLAYOFFS
Mary Hardin, Mary Hardin Baylor 27, Birmingham Southern 20
MHB only put up 13 against Trinity, but if you think about it going up against the Father, the Son, AND the Holy Spirit is a tall order.
Mount Union 42, Johns Hopkins 10
On the bright side the Johnnies will make excellent doctors some day.