I have been to ESPN Gameday on a couple of campuses. Being in the crowd is cool for about an hour – tops. At some point you want to get back to your tailgate, sit with an Irish coffee/Bloody Mary/Mimosa and enjoy a donut/danish/bagel/kolache. I will probably stroll over with the SoManyStadiums flag but I won’t stay forever. Been there, done that.
The weather forecast for the game is partly sunny with a 30% chance of rain in the afternoon. It is the same forecast that we had for the A&M – Missouri game where thankfully we had only a few sprinkles. In general, we had a great time at Missouri. Columbia was a fun time. We joined a great tailgate of Tiger fans that generously welcomed our group which included two Aggies. The game itself was a little bit of a runaway but that is a minor complaint. The full review will be out in a month or so (yes – I am way behind on the official reviews this season), but suffice it to say, Mizzou gets a big thumbs up.
Observations from last week:
Another week on the road, where my Youtube TV subscription was as useful as sunscreen in Seattle. I wanted to watch Tulane at Memphis but that was on, ah, ESPN. Doh. It took stops at four bars before we found one suitable for old guys just wanting to watch the damn Bama – LSU game. Thankfully, the Saturday night slate of games was fairly benign and our early exit back to the Airbnb was regret free.
- UVA losing was only a matter of time. If not Wake Forest, it would have been someone else. The Hoo’s have been flirting with disaster all season.
- None of the top Group of Five teams are undefeated but I don’t care. The race to see who makes that FBS playoff spot has never been better. And, I don’t want to hear from any #12 ranked Power Conference team whining about losing a spot to a lower ranked team. There’s 11 spots – earn it.
- Not sure if Iowa nearly beating Oregon is a testimony that the Big Ten is a tough conference or that it is overrated. I’ll take the latter over the former. Three Big Ten teams in the playoff is enough.
- I only watched the Sam Houston State – Oregon State game for three and half quarters. I went to bed just in time to miss the Bearkats’ miraculous comeback. Sleep, apparently, is for losers.
The Picks
Last Week’s Picks
It was back to mediocrity with a 2-2 weekend. Sigh.
- Indiana was lucky to win at against PSU. Not even close to covering. See also, Big Ten overrated above.
- Texas A&M is good, very good. Mizzou was never really in the game.
- A seven point cover when you go to OT is rare, but thankfully, that’s what Vandy did. It improved my mood substantially Saturday night.
- Watching UCLA losing to Nebraska was sad, especially when you saw a Rose Bowl half empty for a marquee match up. Again, see also, Big Ten overrated.
This Week’s Picks
- As long as Pitt’s rookie QB is standing, the Panthers have a chance.
- Penn State should have beat Indiana. They should beat Michigan State
- I don’t know why Lane Kiffin would even considering Ole Miss. The Rebs should cover because they need the win to stay in the SEC race.
- Picking Va Tech because: A – the Hokies have been playing better; B – Florida State is middling at best; C – My kid is a Hokie and I am biased.
Other Observations for this week:
- Ohio lost to Western Michigan earlier this week. The Bobcats may have just choked away the MAC title.
- I like Alabama to beat Oklahoma. I’d like Oklahoma to beat Alabama.
- Georgia won’t cover against Texas, but they will win.
- Sam Houston’s win streak will be short lived. The Blue Hens of Delaware will show them how you are supposed to make the jump from FCS to FBS.
The Mizzou cup was a bit busy, but full credit for still having a cup. Enjoy the games,
Tree
