Happy Thanksgiving!Gobble...gobble....
Two things that go together like a ball and glove in the month of November, and those are football and Thanksgiving. You'll get helpings of football over the course of Thanksgiving weekend, beginning with a Thanksgiving Texas tradition (NOT the Cowboys) when rivals Texas and Texas A&M square off on Thursday night. The Longhorns, at a mere 5-6 are pretty much cooked, just like the Thanksgiving turkeys that we'll all be eating prior to kickoff (8PM EST) of said game. This could mean possibly the end of the Mack Brown era in Texas, in a year where Texas fell off the wagon, as they lost capable vets like Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley to greener pastures (i.e. the National Football League). Former Longhorn Shipley (and ex-Longhorn Cedric Benson) will be playing at the same time as this matchup, and the Longhorns wish they had the missing weapons from last year. But the Battle for the Lone Star Trophy is not the DJBC Sports Corner pick for the Game of the Week....
GAME OF THE WEEK:
Michigan Wolverines (7-4, 3-4) at Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 6-1)- Saturday at High Noon EST, The Shoe (Columbus, OH)I'm going all out with this one....you may want to sit down. If you're an Ohio State fan, it's time to get your panties into a bind.
The last time that the Boys in (Maize and) Blue came to Columbus, Terrelle Pryor and company carved up, dismantled, and flushed what was left of Michigan's offense and defense down the banks of the Olentangy River in a 42-7 Ohio State snoozefest (Ohio State would lose to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl seven weeks later). Last year, with Bowl Eligibility on the line for a 5-6 Michigan, they kept the Buckeyes close, but not close enough in a 21-10 Ohio State win in the Big House (Ohio State would go on to beat this year's presumed National Champs Oregon in the Rose Bowl). This year, Michigan got off to a 5-0 start, including close calls over rival Notre Dame, I-AA UMass, and lowly Indiana. Then the rug (and their defense) came up from under them against Michigan State, who kept the Paul Bunyan Trophy safe and sound in East Lansing, and then two more losses to Iowa and Penn State, before a triple overtime thriller over Illinois, the highest-scoring Big Ten game in Big Ten history, and the most points Michigan has allowed ever (Ohio State has allowed more points in school history than Michigan). Michigan then went to West Lafayette on a rainy Saturday and shut Purdue up (after last year's shocking loss to the Boilermakers). Last week, Michigan could not stop the bleeding caused by Monte Hall and James White's rushing for Wisconsin.
Ohio State has won a record six straight in this series (when they should have lost at least three of those six games, all of which were when Lloyd Carr was Michigan's coach), and it has been over 2,500 days since Ohio State last lost to Michigan. Ohio State is due to lose to Michigan, because teams like Kent State, Akron, Youngstown State, and OU DON'T PREPARE YOU to play teams like Wisconsin, USC (both Southern Cal and South Carolina- what's the difference, Tressel couldn't beat either), Florida (chomp-chomp), Texas, Alabama, LSU (if Les Miles were UM's coach instead of Rich Rodriguez, OSU wouldn't have beaten Michigan last year at all), Oklahoma, Nebraska (which the Bucks are projected by this blog to get pummeled in Lincoln next year), or even Navy (who Ohio State almost lost to in last year's 31-27 thriller), because all those teams can run the ball and cause turnovers, and Ohio State, while they can cause turnovers, their offense is centered around TP/# 2. Ohio State is a 20-point favorite this year, and they will probably win, because Michigan's defense has been real crappy since Rich Rodriguez came up to Ann Arbor from West Virginia (remember the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"? RichRod broke something that didn't need to be fixed.).
Now it's time for all the Michigan fans to close your browser (or scroll down to the Thanksgiving Picks), because if you don't, your panties will be in a bind as well.
This will be probably the most thrilling game of the year, as it always is. Whenever Ohio State had National Title (or Rose Bowl) hopes during the glory years of John Cooper, you could always count on Michigan to screw things up for the Buckeyes. Desmond Howard's Heisman pose. Tim Biakabutuka. Shawn Springs falling flat on his face while Tai Streets sees nothing but clear blue skies and the end zone. Charles Woodson's Heisman-winning performance. Tom Brady's comeback in '99. Ohio State always found new ways to lose to Michigan during the Cooper Years (and even the Earle Bruce era), and that's the one thing that has lacked in this rivalry since Jim Tressel came to Columbus ten years ago. A Michigan upset over a power-hungry Ohio State football team. Since the Sweater Vest came to Columbus, this has not been a rivalry like it was during the "Ten Years War" of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, but a one-sided butt pounding courtesy of the Scarlet and Grey.
I'll be watching the game on Saturday like 90 percent of Columbus and 90 percent of Ann Arbor, and it will come down to whether the Buckeyes play too soft and if Michigan's defense is still as bad as they've been the last three years. But, this will not be Michigan's final game, as it was the last two years. Michigan, at 7-4, is Bowl Eligible for the first time since 2007, and will have a late December Bowl date. Ohio State, with a win, will get their sixth consecutive Big Ten title (either shared or outright), matching a record set between 1972 to 1977. As I mentioned, Michigan's defense needs to "man up", and an appropriate time for Michigan's defense to man up needs to be this upcoming Saturday in the Shoe, as Terrelle Pryor has visions of Heisman dancing in his head. You know what? So does Michigan's quarterback, Denard Robinson, who became the first quarterback to rush for over 1,500 yards and pass for over 1,500 yards all in one season in Saturday's 48-28 loss to Wisconsin. Expect Robinson to have a big day if he doesn't get hit by a barrage of "Silver Bullets" (Ohio State's defense).
PICK: Call me crazy and call me a lunatic, but...........
Michigan 42-41 (you think I would pick the Buckeyes....almost, I was tempted to pick the Buckeyes, but don't be surprised if Ohio State shuts Michigan down, because Michigan hasn't had a defense since 2007)THANKSGIVING NIGHT GAME:
THE LONE STAR SHOWDOWN (Texas vs. Texas A&M)
# 17 Texas A&M Aggies (8-3, 5-2) at Texas Longhorns (5-6, 2-5)- 8PM EST at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin) on ESPN
As I mentioned before, Texas is pretty much out of it, when it comes to a Bowl game, but can become bowl eligible with an upset over the Aggies in this heated Thanksgiving rivalry. This is far from the Texas team, as mentioned before, that went 13-1 last year, losing to Alabama in the BCS National Championship ten and a half months ago (and then several key players to graduation and/or the NFL). It will take a Thanksgiving miracle for the Horns to hook the Aggies, so pretty much you might as well stuff the Longhorns in your Thanksgiving turkey and call me when the Turkey is ready.
Pick: Texas A&M 41-20
BLACK FRIDAY/DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING GAMES:
THE IRON BOWL (Alabama vs. Auburn):
# 2 Auburn Tigers (11-0, 7-0) at # 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-2, 5-2)- 2:30PM at Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, AL) on CBS- UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK (other than Michigan-Ohio State)
I want to start off by saying that Cam Newton is guilty. Newton is guilty for trying to dupe the NCAA system. With that said, Alabama will bring the Tigers back down to earth (or Alabama) before the NCAA does, in an upset win.
Pick: Alabama 38-35
OTHER FRIDAY GAMES:
Colorado Buffaloes (5-6, 2-5) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-2, 5-2)- 2:30PM EST at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE) on ABC
Believe it or not, Colorado has a chance to go to a Bowl with a win, as the Buffs are 2-0 under Interim Head Coach Brian Cabral (1), and (2) Taylor Martinez got knocked out in last Saturday's 9-6 Nebraska loss to Texas Tech. But, as we all know, this is the final regular season Big 12 game for both of these schools, and an end to this great rivalry, as both schools are headed to other conferences (Colorado to the newly renamed Pac-12 and Nebraska to the Big Ten, which will ironically have 12 schools, while the Big 12 will have only ten) after this season.
Pick: Nebraska 24-13
# 21 Arizona Wildcats (7-3, 4-3) at # 1 Oregon Ducks (10-0, 7-0)- 7PM EST at Autzen Stadium (Eugene, OR) on ESPN/ESPN3
Arizona wants to let Oregon's guard down before the Civil War next week...but that probably won't happen.
Pick: Oregon 34-19
# 4 Boise State Broncos (10-0, 6-0) at # 19 Nevada Wolf Pack (10-1, 5-1)- 10:15PM EST at Mackay Stadium (Reno, NV) on ESPN/ESPN3
Virginia Tech was supposed to be the toughest team that Boise State had on their schedule. I was sort-of wrong. Nevada climbed into the rankings for the first time since 1948, and have stayed there so far this season, and the Wolf Pack could give the Smurfies, em, Broncos, their toughest test to date.
Pick: Boise State 41-27
Ohio Bobcats (8-3, 6-1) at Kent State Golden Flashes (4-7, 3-4)- 11AM EST at Dix Stadium (Kent, OH)
Pick: OU Bobcats 37-13
Louisville Cardinals (5-6, 2-4) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-6, 1-4)- 11AM EST at Rutgers Stadium (Piscataway, NJ)
Pick: Louisville 27-14
West Virginia Mountaineers (7-3, 3-2) at Pitt Panthers (6-4, 4-1)- Noon EST at Heinz Field (Pittsburgh)
Pick: West Virginia 30-13
Pick: Arizona State 23-17
Southern Miss Eagles at Tulsa Golden Hurricane (both 8-3, 5-2)- 6:30PM EST at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium (Tulsa)
Pick: Tulsa 41-33
Southern Methodist Mustangs at East Carolina Pirates (both 6-5, 5-2)- 2PM EST at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (Greenville, NC)
Pick: SMU 26-20
SATURDAY GAMES:
THE BIG GAME:
Michigan Wolverines (7-4, 3-4) at Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 6-1)- Noon EST at Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)
Pick: Do I need to repeat myself? I thought so. Wisconsin goes to the Rose Bowl by pounding Northwestern, so this is a moot BCS point for a Buckeyes squad whose University President doesn't believe that TCU and Boise State deserve a shot in the title game. OK, enough rehashing.
(Consensus of Sports Pundits: Ohio State > Michigan)
(This Blog: Michigan > Ohio State)
THE BAYOU CLASSIC:
Grambling State Tigers (8-2, 7-1) vs. Southern Jaguars (2-8, 1-7)- 2PM at the Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans) on NBC
This is the ONLY College Football game that NBC broadcasts that is NOT in South Bend. This is the most prominent African-American college football rivalry ever, as the Grambling State Tigers and Southern Jaguars take part in the 37th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic at the Louisiana Superdome. This year, one school's record is the reciprocal/mirror of the others. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's going to win this Bayou Classic of football?
Pick: Grambling 35-13
OTHER SATURDAY GAMES:
Cincinnati Bearcats (4-6, 2-3) at Connecticut Huskies (6-4, 3-2)- Noon EST at Rentschler Field(Storrs, CT)
Pick: UConn 27-17
Boston College Golden Eagles (6-5) at Syracuse Orangemen (7-4)- Noon EST at the Carrier Dome (Syracuse, NY)
These two old rivals face off as BC, once 2-5 this season, has reeled off four straight wins. The Eagles head up to Syracuse to play their former Big East rivals (BC used to be in the Big East before defecting to the ACC).
Pick: Syracuse 31-21
# 10 Michigan State Spartans (10-1, 6-1) at Penn State Nittany Lions (7-4, 4-3)- Noon EST at Beaver Stadium (College Park, PA)
It has not been a Happy Valley in Happy Valley for Michigan State, who is 0-8 all-time there against Penn State in this rivalry. Michigan State needs a win to get a share of the Big Ten title, and needs help to get to the Rose Bowl. Penn State could play spoiler.
Pick: Penn State 30-20
Virginia Cavaliers (4-7, 1-6) at Virginia Tech Hokies (9-2, 7-0)- Noon EST at (Blacksburg, VA)
Pick: Virginia Tech 44-0
South Florida Bulls (6-4) at Miami Hurricanes (7-4)- Noon EST at Sun Life Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)
Pick: Miami 39-6
Indiana Hoosiers (4-7, 0-7) at Purdue Boilermakers (4-7, 2-5)- Noon EST at Ross-Ade Stadium (West Lafayette, IN) on the Big Ten Network
Consider this the "Toilet Bowl" of the Big Ten rivalries.
Pick: Purdue 20-16
Kentucky Wildcats (6-5, 2-5) at Tennessee Volunteers (5-6, 2-5)- 12:20PM EST at Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, TN) on ESPN3
The Vols need a win here for a shot at a Bowl Game, while Kentucky wants to finish the year above .500.
Pick: Tennessee 24-19
Kansas Jayhawks (3-8, 1-6) vs. # 14 Missouri Tigers (9-2, 5-2)- 12:30PM EST at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Pick: Missouri 55-0
# 5 LSU Tigers (10-1, 6-1) at # 12 Arkansas Razorbacks (9-2, 5-2)- 3:30PM EST at Frank W. Reynolds Stadium (Fayetteville, AR)
This is going to be a great game as # 5 LSU escaped an upset in the "Magnolia Bowl" against Ole Miss, 43-36. Arkansas is going to take advantage of LSU's shortcomings (against Ole Miss) in any way possible.
Pick: Arkansas 37-31
Washington Huskies (4-6, 3-4) at California Golden Bears (5-6, 3-5)- 3:30PM EST at California Memorial Stadium (Berkeley, CA)
Last week, Cal got flat out embarrassed by Stanford, while Washington topped UCLA. This is a battle for a .500 season. If Cal wins, they will finish the season at .500. That probably will not happen, because I think that Jake Locker will have a decent game as the Huskies travel down I-5 for a win by the Bay.
Pick: Washington 24-21
Florida Gators (7-4) at # 22 Florida State Seminoles (8-3)- 3:30PM EST at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium (Tallahassee) on ABC/ESPN
This is the premiere rivalry of the Sunshine State, as two of Florida's three big college football programs face off. Florida, while it had issues of consistency in the wake of Tim Tebow's departure, is bowl eligible, and will be grateful for just that. Florida State, in Jimbo Fisher's first year as head coach, have exceeded (almost) expectations.
Pick: Florida State 38-13
# 23 North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-3, 5-2) at Maryland Terrapins (7-4, 4-3)- 3:30PM at Byrd Stadium (College Park, MD)
Pick: NC State 34-26
# 24 Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 4-3) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-9, 1-6)- 3:30PM at TCF Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
After another heart-breaking loss to the Buckeyes, Iowa should take heart that they have Gophers for Thanksgiving leftovers.
Pick: Iowa 30-6
North Carolina Tar Heels (6-5, 4-3) at Duke Blue Devils (3-8, 1-6)- 3:30PM EST at Wallace Wade Stadium (Durham, NC)
Tailgating has been banned, and basketball season has arrived for these two Tobacco Road rivals as North Carolina will get a rare win over Duke, because Coach K's Blue Devils are 50 times better than the gridiron Blue Devils.
Pick: North Carolina 31-10
Brigham Young Cougars (6-5, 5-2) at # 20 Utah Utes (9-2, 6-1)- 3:30PM EST at Rice-Eccles Stadium (Salt Lake City)
Not even close in this Utah rivalry.
Pick: Utah 36-8
Northwestern Wildcats (7-4, 3-4) at # 7 Wisconsin Badgers (10-1, 6-1)- 3:30PM EST at Camp Randall Stadium (Madison, WI)
Last week, Northwestern got beat by Illinois on only one half of the football field (at Wrigley Field). This week, Wisconsin will beat them on both halves of the football field.
Pick: Wisconsin 49-7
# 3 TCU Horned Frogs (11-0, 7-0) at New Mexico Lobos (1-10, 1-6)- 4PM EST at University Stadium (Albuquerque)
Pick: TCU 70-0
# 25 Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-4, 3-4) at Ole Miss Rebels (4-7, 1-6)- 7PM EST at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (Oxford, MS)
Pick: Mississippi State 24-3
# 18 South Carolina Gamecocks (8-3) at Clemson Tigers (6-5)- 7PM EST at Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC)
Pick: South Carolina 31-24
Oregon State Beavers (5-5, 4-3) at # 6 Stanford Cardinal (10-1, 7-1)- 7:30PM EST at Stanford Stadium (Stanford, CA)
Pick: Stanford 56-6
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (6-5) at Georgia Bulldogs (5-6)- 7:45PM EST at Sanford Stadium (Athens, GA)
With rivalry games, there are often things on stake. This is no exception, as Bowl eligibility is at stake for the Bulldogs, and a winning mark for the Yellowjackets.
Pick: Georgia Tech 27-13
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-5) at USC Trojans (7-4)- 8PM EST at the Coliseum (Los Angeles)
Notre Dame has outscored its last two opponents 55-6 heading into this big rivalry showdown in the Coliseum against Bowl-ineligible USC (who is serving a Bowl ban this year).
Pick: Notre Dame 28-23
Houston Cougars (5-6) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-5)- 8PM EST at (Lubbock, TX)
Texas Tech wins this one easily, ending a disappointing season for the Cougars, which took a turn for the worse when they lost QB Case Keenum (for the season) earlier this year.
Pick: Texas Tech 35-0
# 13 Oklahoma Sooners (9-2, 5-2) at # 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1, 6-1)- 8PM EST at Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, OK)
This game has everything in this annual "Battle of the Sooner State", as the Cowboys are looking for the right to move on to the Big 12 Championship Game next weekend, while the Sooners would like to return there.
Pick: Oklahoma State 45-37
and
The Early Bird Special:
Temple Owls (8-3, 5-2) at Miami Redhawks (7-4, 6-1)- Tuesday 8PM at Yager Stadium (Oxford, OH)
This is a big game in the MAC, as the Owls of Temple (known mostly for their basketball prowess) visit Miami in a fight for the East Division title.
Pick: Miami 24-15
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