Big 10 Worms It’s Way Out Of A Corner
There is a conclusion in the SEC, submission in the ACC, confusion in the Big 10 a blindsided Buff in the Pac-12.
With Alabama and Florida set to play for the SEC Championship, Notre Dame gifted a place in the ACC title game, the Big 10 failing to can save face while at the same time making sure Ohio State plays for the Big 10 championship and an undefeated Colorado possibly shut out of the Pac-12 title game, college football heads into it’s almost-final regular season weekend.
The cancelation of the Michigan-Ohio State game due to high COVID cases with the Wolverines is now driving the Big 10 nuts with wha they did with the OSU Nuts. There was the two-step earlier in the season on not and then yes playing games, a minimum qualification for the number of games for teams to play and now with the conference’s poster child having played half the number of other College Football Playoff contenders, major concerns that the committee will say “well, we have these other nice New Year’s Six bowl games.”
Of course, had the league just started the games earlier then they would not be in this predicament. They could have, of course, simply scheduled a game this weekend with Texas A&M, which is also suddenly now idle, in what would have amounted to a playoff play-in game. But, apparently, the Big 10 does not look for easy solutions to problems of its own making.
Now onto the games. All times Pacific because the the Pigskin Prognosticator lives in San Diego.
Alabama at Arkansas (9 a.m., ESPN)
There is some talk around the league about Sam Pittman being SEC Coach Of The Year and while he’s done a remarkable job in his first year, it’s all hogwash. The Coach Of The Year should be the man on the other sideline, especially after he lost the conference’s most dynamic player. Does anyone even remember Jason Waddle-d out in October with an injury? Of course, the Pachyderms don’t worry about such things – they just keep stomping opponents and the Piglets are the next in line. Winner: Alabama
Coastal Carolina at Troy (Noon, ESPN+)
The Chanticleers (it’s hard to improve on that nickname!) make their Pigskin Prognosticator debut based on their upset of BYU last weekend. The teal-covered team is led by its Black Swarm defense and since it turned out the lights on Zack Wilson’s Heisman chances it will absolutely keep the not-USC-Trojans in the dark. Winner: Coastal Carolina.
Navy at Army (12:30 p.m., CBS)
The Cadets don’t have to march far for this one, for instead of traveling to the traditional site in Philadelphia, the game is being played in West Point for the first time since WWII. Michie Stadium is the site for this battle of the service academies and at just 3-6 the Midshipmen are sailing up from Annapolis unarmed and without a paddle. The 7-2 ground troops will easily be able to defend their castle. Winner: Army
Wisconsin at Iowa (12:30 p.m., FS1)
It’s been a rough season for the Wisconsinites, who have been starting and stopping as if they are in traffic on an LA freeway. As soon as they get moving, they see brake lights again. Meanwhile, it’s hardly been as herky-jerky for Herky the Hawk and the the team is riding a five-game winning streak. Make it six. Winner: Iowa
USC at UCLA (4:30 p.m., ABC)
There is a tradition at USC that goes beyond Traveler, the band playing “Tusk” and the Song Girls. It is one about playing in that “other” stadium, for the team does not play well in the Rose Bowl unless the game is the actual Rose Bowl. The Pigskin Prognosticator is apparently the only one to have notice this phenomenon but it is as prevalent as the San Gabriel Mountains. For that reason alone, the Men of Troy should be on high alert this week. For their part, the Trampolines have been bouncing high more often than they have been falling and are going to bounce the Hot Seat Heltons – and the Pac-12 – right out of the any remote hopes of making the playoffs. Winner: UCLA
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