Red River Rivalry, Notre Dame-USC & Florida-LSU
There’s plenty of toilet paper left unopened at Toomer’s Corner, in Westwood the Baby Bears are officially in hibernation this week, the brightness of summer has turned into a bleak fall for the U-Dubers in Seattle and the Virginia Turkeys have trotted back to Blacksburg having faced not a Hurricane but what turned out to be a light drizzle.
Meanwhile, Gators are chomping to get at another breed of Tigers in the Red Baton, Trojans are marching into South Bend hoping to get out alive, a Tide-al wave is headed to East Texas and it’s the annual carnival of a game in the Big D.
Onto this week’s games. All times Pacific because The Pigskin Prognosticator lives on the West Coast.
Friday, Oct. 11
Colorado at Oregon (7 p.m., FS1)
There are times when the Ralphies play like stampeding buffalo but others when they put on a show that brings to mind their mascot’s original name of “Rraalph.” Which version of the Frontiersmen shows up at the Ducks pond won’t be known until kickoff. The host Waterfowls have been playing pretty foul on offense in conference play and are in danger of getting trampled, but their home crowd will help put up a wall that the Bison won’t be able to penetrate. Winner: Oregon
Saturday, Oct. 12
Texas vs. Oklahoma (Red River Rivalry, Cotton Bowl Dallas, 9 a.m., FOX)
Bevo and Boomer head to the Texas State Fairgrounds for their annual battle of the teams located between the Red River. All coolers – painted in the respective fans’ school colors – are headed to the ‘ol Cotton Bowl where the fireworks won’t wait until dark. The Steers have already lit up the bulletin board, warning OU QB Jalen Hurts to be sure and slide. That has not settled well with the Settlers, who are ready to add some longhorn meat to the menu at the fair. This game will be like being on a Tilt-A-Whirl and when it’s over, it’s the Orangeman who will be feeling dizzy. Winner: Oklahoma
South Carolina at Georgia (9 a.m, ESPN)
There was a time this was one of college football’s most exciting rivalries, unpredictable games that went down to the wire as either defensive standoffs or offensive shootouts. The discrepancy of the two teams this year, tho, makes that kind of outcome about as likely as a snowstorm hitting the hedges. The Dawgs are going to put a lickin’ on the Chickens that’s going to send the visitors home plucked down to the skin. Winner: Georgia
Alabama at Texas A&M (12:30 p.m., CBS)
The Pachyderms stomp into College Station riding the Tua Tsunami wave that’s going to hit Kyle Field like an Army howitzer. The Cadets are going to need more than the 12th Man to slow down the Tide; they are going to need an entire platoon. The Mond Man will get in a few of his squiggly runs but he won’t be able to keep pace with the rising flood waters of the Crimson Tide. Winner: Alabama
Florida State at Clemson (12:30 p.m., ABC)
The Felines have had a week off to lick their wounds from their trip to Tar Heel country and now face an Indian tribe that seems to retreat back to the teepee after halftime. If the Spears hold to form, they will charge out to a big lead only to surrender it in the heat of the battle. Before this one is over, they will have met their death in Death Valley. Winner: Clemson
Michigan State at Wisconsin (12:30 p.m., Big 10 Network)
Sparty looks to put up a defensive wall to slow down the ramblin’ Buckeys long enough to launch an assault that will let them emerge victorious. But these warriors lack the weaponry to inflict serious damage on their pesky and dangerous visitors, who will badger their hosts until the surrender flags come out at Spartan Stadium. Winner: Wisconsin
Rhode Island at Virginia Tech (1 p.m, ACC Network)
If there’s one way to get on a little winning streak and cool of your coach’s hot seat, it’s to upset sumblin’ and fumblin’ Miami and then get a 1-4 team from a minor conference at home. The Lunch Pails need all the scheduling assistance they can get, for they are starving for wins, even if the opponent is nothing more than a snack you get out of a vending machine. The Gobblers will happily gobble them down with the hopes there’s a feast somewhere down the road. Winner: Virginia Tech
USC at Notre Dame (4:30 p.m., NBC)
The Men of Troy come into the legendary college football castle riding not on a high horse but rather slumped in the saddle. Hot Seat Helton better show up wearing pants made out of Nomax because the Domers are bringing out the flamethrowers. Conquest is out out of the question as the visitors are going to need a Trojan horse kind of trick to walk out of here on top. Winner: Notre Dame
Penn State at Iowa (4:30 p.m., ABC)
Roaming out of the Lions’ den, the Felines head out to the cornfields to continue their feasting frenzy of the past two weeks. The Farmboys will try to fight them off with pitchforks, but that will be like tossing hay in a barn. It won’t be enough to knock down a Nittany although the Cats better not take this one lightly, for Kinnick Stadium can often be a place where championship dreams go to die. Winner: Penn State
Florida at LSU (5 p.m, ESPN)
Fresh off slaying one Tiger, the Swamp Creatures head to the bayou of Louisiana to take on another one with a little cat fur still clinging to their teeth. They will quickly discover, however, that these Felines are a lot more savage than the ones of the previous week and while the D has enough bite to cause some severe damage, they won’t be able to score enough to keep up with the Bengal version of the Tigers. Winner: LSU
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Sue Reddel says
FIngers crossed that the Badgers can beat the Spartans this weekend! It’s also Homecoming weekend and that would put a nice cap on it. It’s gonna be a bit brisk so I hope the Sparties bring their long underwear. With a high of 49 it’s gonna be chilly.