The way the season has progressed there were times when I thought we'd have no undefeated teams left by now. A few battle on and we're back to better matchups and intrigue this week in college football.
Texas Tech has beaten Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska their fair share of times in the past but in every other season I've always looked at them as the underdog before those games. This is a situation where history and tradition means something, we're not starting from a clean slate every season... there are favorites and underdogs. However, this year the Red Raiders have earned respect clear through mid November and find the oddsmakers are making them a 7 point underdog on the road at Norman to the Sooners. Oklahoma has obliterated their last four opponents, but really hasn't faced a big challenge. Texas Tech has defeated Texas and Oklahoma State during that span and I get the feeling this might be their year. If they win they should end up in the national championship game unless success somehow undermines them. If they lose the Big 12 is in turmoil. I'll take the Raiders by 4, I think their D will be able to slow OU's offense enough to win after a wild shootout.
Penn State is at home to Michigan State and we get to see how they respond to their disappointing loos to Iowa. The Spartans have won three in a row but really haven't played top tier opponents since the Ohio State loss. Unless Javon Ringer can find a way to run against a tough PSU defense the Nittany Lions should take this one and book a flight to the Rose Bowl.
Ohio State plays Michigan in a year when Buckeye fans must be saying "No way, not this year" in a series where the down team has often played spoiler. There's not too much left to spoil for Ohio State but it would be a nasty kick in the pride to lose this one. I can't imagine the Wolvereens keeping this one even close but stranger things have happened... especially in this rivalry.
Utah and BYU are both ranked and Utah is looking for a BCS bowl bid. BYU is just the team capable of spoiling their plans but the two teams had extremely different results in their games against TCU, BYU losing their game. Utah's home team, I'll take them by a field goal.
LSU is #18 and home to a pretty good Mississippi team. The Tigers nearly lost to Troy last week and their mental response to that performance could impact the way this game turns out. I have a gut feeling 'Ol Miss will beat them and knock LSU out of the top 25.
Boise State gets one last challenge from Nevada and in my mind needs style points to get in the voters' minds for a BCS bowl possibility. If they win by 30-40 points people will take notice, if not the Broncos may be on the outside this year instead of getting another chance at knocking off another titan.
In a sad note (for me at least) Washington and Washington State play the Apple Cup this week with only 1 win between the two teams. The Huskies are trying to avoid a winless season. I've got to hope they take this one and spare Tyrone Willingham that embarassment.
That's it for this week, I didn't do a wrap up or a top ten ranking this last week because of the slow schedule and my own busy one, happy football watching...
Bar Refaeli
Maria Kirilenko
College Football Top 25 Review
NFL Fantasy Studs Week 9
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Good to see ya again Bones...
If Grandpa Joe (I say this affectionately) can finish out against Mich St, it very well could be the Nittany Lions against the Beavers!
And from what I gather, people would be itching to see USC in the Fiesta Bowl, against possibly Texas. That would get some serious viewership.
For that to happen, it means that tomorrow's game in Norman would have to have the wind come sweeping down the plains and OU needs to buck up on defense, at least enough to put up more points than the Red Raiders.
Since Mikey has Arizona Bowl Bound, it doesn't look like he'll be returning to OU. I still don't know what's up with Venables and Clemson. But oh how sweet the nectar if OU were to beat Tech, at home, and then win Bedlam. The jump over Texas would be expected. Sure, it would garner criticism by some, but the fact is that Texas will have beaten Tex A&M while OU Texas Tech and OSU...
OU and Bama in the title game would be swell!
But back to Venables, if he gets it done tomorrow, then I'll erase his the LSU defeat when Saban won. If Venables then goes and beats Mizzou in the Big 12 title game, I'll erase the USC whooping the next year.
Now if Brennty (said affectionately) goes and beats either Bammer or FLorida to win it all, hell I'll erase Boise St AND last year's W. Va tail kicking!
tomorrow is going to be so much fun!
hope im saying that about 830pm still
peace
DoIt4Johnny
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Bones, Another week, another good blog. I've come to expect no less. Doesn't matter what picks you make, some folks will disagree. On that note I would like to say that LSU wont lose twice to some sort of a Bulldog this year.
After that it seems the Big 12 is hogging all the attention this year and rightly so. Again I'm going against you and think that Oklahoma wins and puts the Big 12 in a Big Knot.
Bones, my final thought goes to post #1. DoIt4Johnny stole the show! Great post!
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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My mistake. I got Ol Miss's mascot mistaken with Mississippi St.
LSU over the REBELS.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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thx for vote of confidence norka...but i gets me inspiration from bones. perhaps we three could go on the road with a tour of football sites... our own version of college game day! heck we could post them on youtube, get a sort of cult following and try to cash in on it. make a mocumentary, a la SpinalTap etc...get some merchandise. trademark it.
anyway, i need to go buy some ale for tonights game. not often that i do, but whens i do, i really do!
DoIt4Johnny
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Thanks for the posts and support guys, I agree the three of us on the road would be fun although if it was in a season where the Sooners and Buckeyes ended up in the title game things could get uncomfortable, ha ha. I also agree good post DI4Johnny, I like your bowl matchups, Oregon State has grown up a lot since that PSU game and a rematch might be interesting. The rest of the college football nation might not see it that way. USC/Texas would be great too, and of course OU against anybody in the title game would be sweet. I'd like their chances against Alabama more than against Florida the way the teams seem to play. I think the Sooners might shake 'Bama's confidence where a big play individual like Tebow could hurt OU like McCoy did in the Texas game. Looks like OSU is beating Michigan. 21-7 right now and the Buckeyes are in control. Congrats Norka.
I think I may get some ale for tonight's shootout myself, so from a Sooner fan in Canada to a Sooner fan in California and a Buckeye fan in Georgia have a great game day...
98Bones Football…
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And they really did! I'm not usually superstitious, but what kind of ale did you get? Just because I'm a firm believer in Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster doesn't make me superstitious! Now unicorns and leprechauns, that would be superstitious.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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superstitious eh...that gives me an idea. im going to retrace my every move and replicate them next saturday when OU plays the Pokes, same time same channel (same result?)!
Your belief in Bigfoot is by no means an exercise in futility...in fact i think he is #76 for Tex. tech (you know, that mean looking son of a gun).
My new beverage of choice...Blue Moon Belgian Wheat Ale. and this from a guy who's definitely not a beer connasieur (conniseur misspelled, too lazy to google right way).
we three kings of orient are...i can see it now..this is just preliminary talk, but Bones would be Chris Fowler, the cool level headed one who leads and guides the discussion.
Judging from the avatar, Norka would have to be Lee Corso. I mean, a bear with a birthday hat riding a tricycle! that has corso written all over it.
that leaves me with kirbie. dashing, clean cut --
DoIt4Johnny
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Good choices DI4Johnny, but as the Chris Fowler character I'd feel better prepared with a few stat people to assist... maybe a few dozen, or hundred. And my make-up crew could get large too... we'd better have a big budget.
98Bones Football…
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