Turkey weekend marks the transition from football to basketball on most college campuses as the regular season ends and playoffs and bowls await the lucky few. For fans loyal to a particular conference, when has there been a season like the battles in the Big 12, Southern Division, where Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State have played each other as if it were for the BCS trophy, and in many ways, there’s truth to that, because the team that prevails will surely face the champs of the SEC for the honors.
Speaking of the SEC, Alabama stands alone at number one, undefeated, ready to go, but first, assuming they beat Auburn, must face Florida, the champ of the SEC East for the honors.
This weekend features a curious mixture of games along with the grand finale rival games that have grandfathers and grandsons swapping stories of gridiron greats and campus capers.
Here’s our games this week:
Georgia Tech #22 at Georgia #11 (-8 ½)
In the battle for the Big Peach, this has been a strong year for Georgia versus a decent year for Georgia Tech. Clearly the Yellow Jackets are outmatched by their SEC counterpart from down state.
Florida #4 (16 ½) at Florida State #20
In recent years, Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles can go to the Swamp and get their butts kicked or stay home and get swamped. This year will be no exception. The whispers are getting louder wondering will Florida State ever been a major power before the Bowden era ends.
South Carolina at Clemson (-1)
Here’s hoping that a troublesome season for Clemson ends on a positive note thumping Steve Spurrier allowing him a quick dispatch to the golf course.
Virginia at Virginia Tech (-8)
Both teams have had their moments this year with the Virginia Cavaliers playing spoiler for many of their ACC rivals while on the other side of the mountains, Beamer Ball, is not quite up to full strength. Regardless the Hokies should prevail in this state rivalry.
Oklahoma #5 (-7) at Oklahoma State #12
Oh yeah, here’s some of that Big 12 action at its finest. Should State pull the upset, they would take credit for ruining their rivals’ shot at a national championship. They’d both stand at 6-2 looking at a team from Texas most likely go for the glory.
Kansas at Missouri #13 (-16)
“Somewhere over the rainbow….. “ Kansas beats the spread but loses the game, right Dorothy?
Notre Dame at USC #5 (-32)
In most years, this would be one of the most hyped games of the year, but alas, there’s not much to cheer for in South Bend these days. While talk about buying out the insane long-term multimillion dollar contract of Charlie Weis persists, the Fighting Irish are on a historically poor run over the last two years. The Notre Dame aura has faded tremendously since Lou Holtz left town. Meanwhile, Pete Carroll’s Trojans will do all they can to make a case they should play in the Championship Bowl not the Rose Bowl.
Auburn at Alabama #1 (-14)
Here’s a chance for Alabama to run a victory lap before things get serious when they have their showdown with Florida to advance to the National Championship game. ‘Bama was not in anyone’s picture at the beginning of the season, but they have played hard, persistent football in a touch conference rewarding them with an undefeated record so far.
Get your thoughts together on the merits of the BCS approach or some kind of playoffs. Regardless, New Years Day is not the same without the traditional Orange, Cotton, Sugar, and Rose Bowls and debates that ensued.
Speaking of the SEC, Alabama stands alone at number one, undefeated, ready to go, but first, assuming they beat Auburn, must face Florida, the champ of the SEC East for the honors.
This weekend features a curious mixture of games along with the grand finale rival games that have grandfathers and grandsons swapping stories of gridiron greats and campus capers.
Here’s our games this week:
Georgia Tech #22 at Georgia #11 (-8 ½)
In the battle for the Big Peach, this has been a strong year for Georgia versus a decent year for Georgia Tech. Clearly the Yellow Jackets are outmatched by their SEC counterpart from down state.
Florida #4 (16 ½) at Florida State #20
In recent years, Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles can go to the Swamp and get their butts kicked or stay home and get swamped. This year will be no exception. The whispers are getting louder wondering will Florida State ever been a major power before the Bowden era ends.
South Carolina at Clemson (-1)
Here’s hoping that a troublesome season for Clemson ends on a positive note thumping Steve Spurrier allowing him a quick dispatch to the golf course.
Virginia at Virginia Tech (-8)
Both teams have had their moments this year with the Virginia Cavaliers playing spoiler for many of their ACC rivals while on the other side of the mountains, Beamer Ball, is not quite up to full strength. Regardless the Hokies should prevail in this state rivalry.
Oklahoma #5 (-7) at Oklahoma State #12
Oh yeah, here’s some of that Big 12 action at its finest. Should State pull the upset, they would take credit for ruining their rivals’ shot at a national championship. They’d both stand at 6-2 looking at a team from Texas most likely go for the glory.
Kansas at Missouri #13 (-16)
“Somewhere over the rainbow….. “ Kansas beats the spread but loses the game, right Dorothy?
Notre Dame at USC #5 (-32)
In most years, this would be one of the most hyped games of the year, but alas, there’s not much to cheer for in South Bend these days. While talk about buying out the insane long-term multimillion dollar contract of Charlie Weis persists, the Fighting Irish are on a historically poor run over the last two years. The Notre Dame aura has faded tremendously since Lou Holtz left town. Meanwhile, Pete Carroll’s Trojans will do all they can to make a case they should play in the Championship Bowl not the Rose Bowl.
Auburn at Alabama #1 (-14)
Here’s a chance for Alabama to run a victory lap before things get serious when they have their showdown with Florida to advance to the National Championship game. ‘Bama was not in anyone’s picture at the beginning of the season, but they have played hard, persistent football in a touch conference rewarding them with an undefeated record so far.
Get your thoughts together on the merits of the BCS approach or some kind of playoffs. Regardless, New Years Day is not the same without the traditional Orange, Cotton, Sugar, and Rose Bowls and debates that ensued.
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