This week is our last official stadium visit of the year and it looks to be a dandy. The red hot Texas A&M Aggies roll into Columbia with the Tigers looking hungry for an upset. We are set up to tailgate in Lot X. Stop by and say hi if you are at the game.
Last week, Auburn was everything we hoped for right up until kickoff. The Tigers were so bad against Kentucky that it cost Hugh Freeze his job. Well, that and perhaps a bit too much golfing. I bet the ol’ Ball Coach Steve Spurrier is glad he coached in a different era. The review of Auburn will be out in a month or so, but no surprise here, going to see the Tigers play is a lot of fun.
Observations from last week:
It felt like there were a lot of surprises this weekend, not the least of which was the realization that ESPN had disappeared from my TV screen. YouTube TV you are most definitely on the clock. And, no, a $20 credit is not going to appease me.
- Bill Belichick avoided joining the long line of fired college football coaches for one more week with a solid win over Syracuse.
- Oklahoma’s win against Tennessee was a good one, just not good enough to make them relevant for the college playoff discussion. Even if they beat Bama in a couple of weeks, they are going to need help.
- With Georgia Tech’s loss to NC State, the ACC’s FBS playoff fate has been sealed. Only one team in the conference will get a bid.
- It’s shaping to be quite a race to the bottom between UMass and Sam Houston State. The Bearcats will have to be at their worst to remain winless with Oregon State and Middle Tennessee State left to play. UMass’s path is a bit easier, but they could manage to trip their way to a win against Akron or NIU.
The Picks
Last Week’s Picks
Speaking of terrible performances, I went a horrible 0-4 and was really never in any of my picks. The only solace was that these were paper loses. Much to my surprise, Alabama does not have online betting. Go figure, I can walk around with a loaded 44 Magnum on my hip in Bama, but betting on a college football game is a bridge too far the local legislature.
- I should have known better than to bet on Georgia Tech. The last “Tech” school to go undefeated was, surprise, Georgia Tech, way back in 1952.
- It was not surprising to see Cincinnati lose to Utah. It was surprising to see them get blown out.
- In my group betting pool, everyone and I mean everyone, picked Houston to cover against WVU. It, however, doesn’t make me feel any better.
- The Auburn offense was awful against Kentucky. The geriatrics in my morning Gentle Yoga class were more dynamic than the Tigers.
This Week’s Picks
- Indiana did not cover the last time I picked them but that was way back in September. The Hoosiers should absolutely stomp all over PSU.
- We definitely have the game of the week. I am more worried about my flight being cancelled than the Aggies losing this week to Missouri.
- Sometimes when a coach gets fired mid-season, the change actually makes the team better. Unless Hugh Freeze was a monster at Auburn I don’t see much improvement coming in the woeful Tiger offense. I like (but don’t love) Vanderbilt to cover this weekend.
- After Nebraska, UCLA has Ohio State, Washington and USC – all ranked. I am assuming they will be sufficiently motivated to get the win against the Cornhuskers.
Other Observations for this week:
- The Ohio Bobcats took a big step toward back-to-back MAC titles with their Tuesday victory over Miami, Ohio. If I was local to a MAC school, I would definitely be checking out the mid-week MACtion live and in person.
- Even with WVU coming off their big upset over Houston, I would still characterize this week’s game against Colorado the dumpster fire of the week. There’s going to be some bad football in Boulder this weekend (with apologies to Sam Houston State vs Oregon State – another lowlight of week 11).
- Way back in 2013, I saw a #5 FSU visit #3 Clemson – a game where Clemson got destroyed. This week features the 4-4 Seminoles vs the 3-5 Tigers. Yes, times have changed.
- I had a great time going to New Mexico State but they just can’t seem to get better. It is not going to taste very good for the Aggies faithful if they lose to FBS newbie Kennesaw State, especially after losing to another newbie, Missouri State, earlier this season.
I will leave you with the Auburn souvenir cup from last week. They understand K.I.S.S.
Enjoy the games,
Tree
