By The Pigskin Prognosticator, PubClub.com College Football Analyst
There is euphoria is Eugene, elation in Austin, sighs of relief on the bayou, faded optimism in Oxford, whining in Columbus, rocky ground on Rocky Top and downright confusion in Tuscaloosa.
Regarding the latter, The Prognosticator was in Tuscaloosa this past weekend and a mere six games into the DeBoer era fans, the media and most importantly the influential alumni and boosters are hoping the new hire does not turn into the DeBoer error. There are major questions regarding the assistant coaches and an almost a silent resignation that this team is not good enough to even make a 12-team playoff. There is even discussion among some boosters about avoiding the dreaded “Auburn Syndrome” of a having a knee-jerk reaction and firing a coach and not having a good plan to hire a replacement. The offensive line is being out-schemed and the defense is not commuicatiing, leading to breakdowns. Bama certainly has the ability to “be Bama,” but it can also slide into being a mid-tier SEC team. Attitude and effort will determine whether or not the Tide will roar in or will roll away, wastin’ time and talent.
Now onto this week’s games. All times Pacific because The Prognosticator lives on the West Coast.
Friday, Oct. 18
Oregon at Purdue (5 p.m., FOX). The Quackers need to avoid the “Alabama-Georgia syndrome” and that is to come off a big and emotional win and then go on the road to face a traditionally bad program. Fortunately for them, the Boilermakers are not as much of a threat as is Vanderbilt now. In fact, the Whiskey Shot In A Beers have only beaten Indiana State while losing 66-7 to Notre Dame 52-6 to a a mediocre Wisconsin team and letting Illinois hang 50 o them. Scoring on that team, to say the least, should not be a problem. Winner: Oregon
Saturday, Oct. 10
Miami at Louisville (9 a.m., ABC)
The Prognosticator has paid little attention to Louisville because, well, it’s Louisville and there is only so much time and energy one can devote to college football, but he has been keeping an eye on Miami. The should-have-two-losses Canes benefitted from an overturned call that should not have been overturned one week and just happened to be in the right place at the right time when the Cal Bears seemingly left the stadium because they heard the salmon were running in the rivers in Alaska. In other words, they are more lucky than good and this will, in all likelihood, catch up with them, even in the cushy ACC. Winner: Louisville
UCLA at Rutgers (9 a.m., FS1)
Another 9 a.m., game for the boys from West Coast? And all the way across the country? The Baby Bears will probably be in hibernation just like thier fans, who will pull the blankets back over their heads at that hour rather than turn on the TV. Winner: Rutgers
Alabama at Tennessee (12:30 p.m., ABC)
The last time the Pachyderms packed up to go to the state of Tennessee, things did not go so well and now it’s for one of the South’s greatest rivalries, one known simply as the Third Saturday of October. There is nervousness in Knoxville because while this Bama team is beatable there is also a fog over the Smokeys that goes beyond the famous mountains and into Neyland Stadium. The team that makes the least mistakes will win and while the Tide will hit some big plays it will be close, but not cigar. Winner: Tennessee
Notre Dame at Georgia Tech (12: 30 p.m., ESPN)
When the season started it looked as if there might be a little sting in the Yellow Jackets, but that’s before we all knew that Florida State is a paper warrior. But they are about the only thing standing between the occasionally Fighting Irish and a pot o’ gold path to the playoffs. With USC marching in the wrong direction (keep reading) it’s looking like real challenge remaining might, be, er, ARMY!? Winner: Notre Dame
USC at Maryland (1 p.m., FS1)
The life of Riley isn’t so amusing these days as is appears the “home run” hire coach is presiding over a crumbling empire. Troy was supposed to march into the Big 10 and become dominant warriors but losing to a Michigan team that can’t throw the ball, to Minnesota (Minnesota!?) and now Penn State in the the past four weeks has the arrogant leader squarely in the sights of disgruntled alumni. The wounded Warriors should be able to beat the Terps but that will do little to alleviate the pressure building inside of Heritage Hall. Winner: USC
Texas A&M at Mississippi State (1:15 p.m., ESPN Network)
The SEC-leading Cadets march into not-so-Stark-Vegas armed with the lead in the SEC – and who had that in their mid-season office pool!? – and have a pretty easy opponent this week. So much so, they won’t have to send an entire battalion to defeat them. Winner: Texas A&M
LSU at Arkansas (4 p.m., ESPN)
Cats do have nine lives but how many are left for the Bengal Tigers, who escaped South Carolina only because an opposing player lost his cool and against Ole Miss when the receiver pushed a defender to the ground with no call on what turned out to be the the game-winning play in overtime? The host Hogs would seem to be the perfect catch for a team living on fortunate breaks, for they have an incredible ability under ‘ol Sammy to do the dumbest things to lose games. They will have a few of those moments on Saturday but the time is up for the Bayou Felines. Winner: Arkansas
Georgia at Texas (4:30 p.m, ABC)
The Kirby Canines seem to be playing up or down according to thier competition – sometimes, in the same game – which means they should be at their full tenacity level. But will they be barking up the wrong tree? The Steers have been stampeding opponents, leaving them in a cloud of dust. The Dawgs will fight back, tho this year it seems their bite is not quite as ferocious as thier bark. Winner: Texas
Idle: Ohio State. The Nuts are back in Columbus licking their wounds happy to be rid of that Pac-12 intruder before returing to the friendly confines of the Big 10. Also idle is Penn State.
The Pigskin Prognosticator has covered college football games across the country as a reporter for several newspapers and media outlets.
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