Bold Prediction: Wake Forest To Upset Clemson
In the rocky world of college football, there’s one school that stands on top of an unstable mountain – and it’s not Rocky Top.
It’s down on the bayou, where there’s no buy out for a coach that’s clearly proven he’s swamped in his ability to be a head coach. Hire Ed Orgeron as your interim coach – he could actually make this his speciality – but hand him the keys to your Ferrari and you’ll wind up instead with it running like an old Ford Pinto.
Give that car to Butch Jones and tho he won’t exactly drive it off a cliff, he’ll never be able to climb a hill like, say, the one on Rocky Top. Instead, he’ll spend the whole time telling you all he’s accomplished, such as making it to the first turnoff, as he’s stuck in traffic miles short of the summit.
And out in the land of the freeways, Jim Mora gets to hide under a rock for a week as his Baby Bears take a break, tho it’s time to start pumping the breaks on L.A’s cross-town team and its coach.
So there’s more to watch in college football than just the games, tho these are the games to watch this weekend. And the Prognosticator is making one bold prediction.
All times Pacific because the Prognosticator lives on the West Coast.
Wake Forest at Clemson (9 a.m., ESPN2)
There’s some Deamons the Tigers have to deal with, and they will have a devil of a time disposing of these pesky visitors. Traditionally a conference doormat, Wake Forest has woken up to be knocking on the door of some major successes. Last week they nearly speared some Seminoles and this week they are likely to catch the felines napping after some recent big feasts. The Prognosticator is feeling a repeat of Pittsburgh last year for the hosts. Winner – in an upset – Wake Forest.
LSU at Florida (12:30 p.m. CBS)
The wounded Bengal Tigers escape the heat of the bayou and head straight into the Swamp where the hungry Gators are ready to apply a deadly chomp. It won’t take much to inflict more damage, as the once-mighty roar of the felines has been reduced to the equivalent of a purring kitten. Coach O isn’t sure what’s happening with his own offense and his defense is quick to roll over and play dead. This is ideal for the Gators, who need to sharpen their teeth for an upcoming Rocktober showdown with Georgia in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Winner: Florida
Miami at Florida State (12:30 p.m., ESPN)
The Spears have had a hard time getting their tomahawk chops back after losing their starting quarterback and missing a game to a hurricane, and now face more storm clouds as the Hurricanes circle around Doak Campbell. The Tribe may be wounded but they are not tossing this season to the wind. Winner: Florida State
Oregon State at USC (1 p.m., Pac-12 Network)
After getting their armor plating dented by some Cougars in Washington, the Trojans get back on their horse in the Coliseum. And they will be getting a boost from an unlikely source – Oregon State. The Beavers are so harmless they couldn’t dam up the USC campus fountain, let alone stop the flow of the river of Troy. Winner: USC
Alabama at Texas A&M (4:30 p.m., ESPN)
Once again, the Cadets have an impressive early-season record with Coach “Can’t Reach The Summit” Sumlin, and they get this game at home in front of some of the loudest and most vocal fans in college football. But no matter how many Yell Leaders they put in the stands, it won’t be enough to even slow down the stampeding Pachyderms. The Red Elephants are stomping mad and by the end, they will be trouncing all over their hosts. Maybe instead of a 12th Man the Cadets can add a 13th and even a 14th Man. Winner: Alabama
Michigan State at Michigan (4:30 p.m., ABC)
Sparty has lost his spark and will need not just one Michigan State Miracle but several to put up a fight against the Fighting Harbaughs. The Wolverines are going with their backup quarterback, Johnny Cracked O’Korn, and he’s going to be sweet enough by the end to make Sparty say “I don’t care.” Winner: Michigan
Wisconsin at Nebraska (5 p.m., BTN)
Bucky nearly got Badgered last week by some wilder-than-expected Cats from Northwestern and despite facing a team that might be close to shucking its head coach, had better keep pestering their hosts. The Shuckers might be a shell of their former selves, but they have tough enough husks to make the Badgers work for this prize. Winner: Wisconsin
Washington State at Oregon (5 p.m., Fox)
The inspired Cougars, fresh off a triumph over Troy, come in hunting for new prey as they scratch and claw their way into Pac-12 contention. But these are no lame Ducks they are facing. Despite getting their feathers ruffled by the Arizona State Pitchforks two weeks ago, they are a slick bunch of birds. At home, they will attack and then quack. Winner: Oregon
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