The College Football Playoff Committee has spoken and the resulting chills and thrills are going through schools and fans now like a cold November wind.
People do like to overreact to such things without taking a moment to step back and seeing the big picture. Which in this case is the fact that a lot of things can happen between now and Selection Sunday.
Having Georgia at #1 was as easy as scoring from the 2-yard-line in the new overtime rule (unless, of course, you are Penn State or Illinois), Alabama is where it should be (the Prognosticator challenges any team to survive that out-of-nowhere crowd and opponent the Tide face in College Station), Michigan State won’t last long at third, and despite its struggles in a weak conference Oregon definitely deserves to be ahead of Ohio State.
The committee showed some savvy by leaving out lucky-not-to-be-.500 Oklahoma, and Cincinnati can’t nudge the needle playing in that conference. It is obvious that the committee has each watching the games.
Meanwhile, Gary Patterson is out at TCU, Herm Edwards may be out at Arizona State and things are so bad in Westwood that LA’s two biggest college football programs may both be searching for new head coaches. Luke Fickle to UCLA and not USC?? It’s a better fit for him.
And will the media please quit salivating over Lame Kiffin? He’s nothing more than an immature Joey Freshwater who is best as an offensive coordinator under Nick Saban when he keeps his mouth – and his Twitter account – shut.
Now onto this week’s games. All times Pacific because the Prognosticator lives on the West Coast.
Missouri at Georgia (9 a.m., ESPN)
This would be a very good time for Mizzou to admit it made a mistake, seek a withdraw from the SEC and slink pack to the safety of what’s left of the Big 12. There, it can renew its rivalry with Kansas, which is far more appealing for the fans than to be fed to the likes of the Georgia Dawgs. Especially these ravenous animals, who will tear through them like a steak off a grill. Winner: Georgia
Ohio State at Nebraska (9 a.m., FOX)
Rejoining the Big 12 is an idea the Shuckers should take into consideration, as well. After all, things aren’t exactly working out too well in the Big 10. Not that a change in conferences will cool the hot seat of Frosty the Husker. The upside for Shucker fans is that they will get to see what a real football looks like for a change. Winner: Ohio State
Tulsa at Cincinnati (12: 30 p.m., ESPN2)
If there’s one thing the Golden Hurricanes have proven this year, it’s that they are good at losing close games to way better teams (28-23 to Oklahoma State and giving Ohio State a first-half scare) while also having the ability to lose to Navy. Now they face a team that is pointing at the playoff committee saying “look at us, look at us!,” as well as the ESPN College Game Day crew. Having two recent close games doesn’t do them any favors but they will be back on track against this 3-5 team. Winner: Cincinnati
Michigan State at Purdue (12:30 p.m., ABC)
Sparty pulled off another surprise against Big Brother but the team’s real test comes now: can it live with its success or will it fade like an old pair of jeans? The Railroaders have just enough oomph to send the Spartans marching home like a defeated army. Winner: Purdue
Auburn at Texas A&M (12:30 p.m., CBS)
Away from the Plains, the Tigers can be as tame as a cat taking a nap on the Serengeti plains. They will be awakened by the loud yells of “Gig ’em” and other chants that drowned out Alabama earlier this year. It’s doubtful the atmosphere will be quite that intense and the Cadets haven’t been tested since so here’s their chance to prove that game was no fluke. Winner: Texas A&M
LSU at Alabama (4 p.m., ESPN)
After a week off, the Pachyderms return to their stomping grounds of Bryant-Denny against the toothless Tigers taking their final breaths under Coach Oh No! The Boys from the Bayou would probably rather stay there rather than facing a rising Crimson Tide, where they will quickly be in over their heads. Winner: Alabama
Oregon at Washington (4:30 p.m., ABC)
If the Waddlers follow through on their tendency to play to level of their opponent, then they are going to look really bad this week. After all, the U-Flubbers have lost to UCLA, Montana and barely beat Arizona. So flop and waddle they may, but the Ducks will still get the W at the W. Winner: Oregon
USC at Arizona State (7:30 p.m.)
The failing Trojans, already down a head coach, have now lost their best player. Receiver Drake London is out with a severe leg injury and while the team is better off with Clay Helton Skelter no longer on the sideline that is not the case regarding London. Now if you think things are bad in Troy then get a load at things in Tempe. The melting Sun Devils were been outscored 56-7 in two halves of recent games and they only have five commitments in the 2022 recruiting class (Alabama, by contrast, has 18). So who will win? The better question is which team won’t lose. Winner: USC
Leave a Reply