COLLEGE FOOTBALL - WEEK 7
Wow! Can we still call it Clemsoning if they’ve won a National Championship? All signs point to YES! Dabo losing on the road to a bunch of oranges, that’s embarrassing. The ACC has a few solid teams (Miami, NCST), but to lose to a sweet, seed bearing fruit that happens to be way out of its element (why did Syracuse adopt the Orange as their mascot anyway, lot of orange trees in upper New York?). This will knock Clemson down to the high single digits, which will really just be a blip if they can run the table. Now that four teams are in the final, one loss isn’t what it used to be. WSU, ranked 8 coming into this week, also lost by 30 points to “Chosen Rosen” last night. In a week where no two ranked teams play each other, some teams may be on upset alert (also, rare occurrence for mid conference play).
TOB and occasional (read: one time) contributor Dragon were chatting last night about what teams were actually ranked this year. Some of the usual suspects (Bama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Clemson, USC (I think), Penn State, Georgia), but also some teams that aren’t thought of much (Washington State, TCU, NC State). The rankings are much more spread out this year amongst the conferences, which could lead to total chaos, which TOB is a huge fan of (in sports as well as life in general).
This feels like 2007 when the top 2 teams kept cycling seemingly weekly with even Mizzou holding the number one position for a week. Remember that Mizzou fans, you were #1 for about 6 days…eleven years ago…now you have 1 win…it’s not going well. The best thing for Mizzou Football is that Mizzou Basketball will be starting here in about a month.
Let’s hope the upsets keep rolling in and ND climbs all the way to #2 only to face Alabama in an epic showdown for the title…oh wait, I’ve seen that story…it was painful. Irish to the Sugar Bowl to knock off Ohio State…oh wait…Irish to the Beef O Brady NTB Tire Music City Bowl to knock off Northwestern. Now we’re talking!
Now for the segment that Vegas is trying to get TOB to stop running, Tony and Cheech make picks sure to go wrong!
Last weeks’ results:
Cheech (15-10) – Cooling off, but still not a bad record!
Eastern Michigan (+14) over Toledo, because I'm riding these Eagles all season - WIN
Central Michigan (+11.5) over Ohio, dance w/ who brung ya' - WIN
Purdue (-4) over 'Sota, people call Minnesota "'Sota", right? - WIN
UNC (+15.5) over ND, road game, uncertainty about the QB's health, Irish will win by 9 – LOSS (Emotional Hedge)
FL (-2) over LSU, in another battle of crap teams (the SEC is full of them this year) I guess I'll stick w/ the home team. How is Florida ranked after getting blown out by mediocre Michigan and beating UK by 1 point? And how can a ranked FL team (3-0 in conference play) only be favored by 2 points at home against a team that lost at home to Troy? Nobody knows what's going on. – LOSS (Vegas knew what was going on, Florida isn’t good either!)
TOB (7-18): Atrocious!
Clemson (-21) over Wake Forest. Every time I see Wake Forest I immediately think of Forest Whittaker. That can’t be a good sign for the Demon Deacons. - LOSS
Northwestern (+14) over Penn State. The Nittany Lions have looked good, but Northwestern will give them a good game. - LOSS
Georgia (-17) over Vandy. Riding those Bulldogs. Kirby smart is primed for a showdown with little Nick Saban. - WIN
Miami (-3) over Florida State. Should be a seven point game at least, but since it’s a rivalry they make it one possession. Whatever. - WIN
Maryland (+30.5) over Ohio State. Maryland has been giant killers all year. Doubtful they win this game, but they won’t turtle up like some lesser teams. - LOSS
This week:
Cheech:
Florida State (-7) over Duke. FSU isn't ranked anymore? I guess that happens when you're 2-3. Anyway, I think they're better than that and win by 2 posessions.
Oklahoma (-8.5) over Texas. Nuetral site, rivalry game that OU needs to make a statement with.
Ole' Miss (-3.5) over Vandy, rednecks over smart kids
Central Michigan (+7.5) over Toledo. At 3-3, I think the Chippewas are the real deal
Nebraska (+24.5) over Nebraska. Huskers are at home, and have shown that they can hang w/ big teams, at least for a bit. Plus, the Buckeyes aren't that good and I think Nebraska could give them a real scare. Maybe, hopefully, if they're lucky,
TOB:
TCU (-6.5) over K-State – TCU has put a whoopin on some people this year. K-State let me down a few weeks ago. If I sound bitter, it’s because I’m incredibly bitter.
Michigan (-7.5) over Indiana – Want to root for the Hoosiers here, but Coach Khaki is pissed!
Wisconsin (-17.5) over Purdue – Purdue is having a fine season, beating Mizzou with their eyes closed, but Wisconsin is doing what they do, winning 10 or 11 games and no one notices. I see you Wisconsin, now send me some cheese curds!
Ohio State (-24.5) over Nebraska – Ohio State saw their chance last night with two teams ranked above them going down. Win this and they could leapfrog Clemson into the 7 spot. 7th game of the year Bret, can’t hold anything back now!
Utah (+13) over USC – USC has had some shaky moments this year. Utah has looked decent, their only loss to a solid Stanford team and eventual Heisman winner, Bryce Love.
Warning: TOB did not go against his gut his week, may be a good week to bet against all of those picks if you’d like to make some quick cash…
Bonus games to keep an eye on:
Michigan State / Minnesota – For some reason TOB thought MSU was having a rough season…double not so fast, their only loss is to none other than the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. This is the time of year that is conflicting for all one loss college football fans, rooting for rivals to keep winning so your strength of schedule looks better. It’s like rooting for an ex-wife to be successful so you can say you played a part, it just doesn’t feel right.
Oregon / Stanford – Both teams have the same record, Stanford is ranked 23, this could flip flop if Oregon wins.
Mizzou / Georgia – Just kidding, only Georgia fans and masochists would watch this game…I will be watching this game…
GO IRISH!
-Tonyonball
