College Picks Of The Week Supersized!!
By Jason Parker
First off, a happy thanksgiving from both Tim and myself to all of you on this wonderful day. Aside from the stuffing of our faces with…well, stuffing, football holds just as much of a place to many of us on this holiday as that dead bird you destroyed and devoured for dinner. This holiday, besides my family and friends, I have something else to be thankful for…that I didn't not give up any more of my lead over Timbo then I thought I was. It was looking bad for a second there, but I only gave up one game. With three weeks left, its do or die time here…so we've got a special treat for you…a 15-game rivalry edition of picks of the week. And away we go…
Jason This Season: 82-38 (.683) Last Week: 7-3
Tim This Season: 77-43 (.641) Last Week: 8-2
First off, let's cover the two non rivalry games in this weeks picks:
FIU vs. Arkansas State: How hilarious would it be for the Panthers to win the Sun Belt Conference, and not be bowl eligible? It's far fetched but mathematically possible…let's make this happen!
Preseason Pick: Arkansas State Jason Pick: Arkansas State Tim's Pick: FIU
Miami vs. USF: The battle of…Alligator Alley? U.S. 27? Tamiami Trail? Yeah, I'm at a loss to.
Preseason Pick: Miami Jason and Tim's Pick: Miami
Now, on to the rivalries…(and a shout out to Wikipedia…you'll see why in a second)
Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia: The "Backyard Brawl", which is actually a registered trademark, comes from the school's campuses being just 75 miles apart. Pittsburgh gets a chance to turn the Big East in their direction, something that the Mountaineers would love to spoil for their rivals.
Preseason Pick: West Virginia Jason and Tim's Pick: Pittsburgh
Texas vs. Texas A&M: These two schools love to celebrate their hate with fire: The Aggies with their annual bonfire, and the Longhorns with the "Hex Rally" every Monday before the game. Who would have thought Texas would have to upset their rivals just to be bowl eligible…not this guy.
Preseason Pick: Texas Jason and Tim's Pick: Texas A&M
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech: Depending on who you ask, this series has either been played 104 (Tech) or 102 (Georgia) times. After Tech left the Southeastern Conference, it was UGa that blocked their rivals from coming back, creating more bad blood. The tide has turned with these two, as now the Jackets have become the perennial favorites.
Preseason Pick: Georgia Jason and Tim's Pick: Georgia Tech
Notre Dame vs. USC: This one goes out to the ladies, as this series started because the wife of former Irish coach Knute Rockne was convinced by the wife of USC's athletic director that a visit to Southern California once every two years would be lovely. Like many of the other great rivalries in the game, this one means nothing this year, but will still be one to watch…mostly just because of force of habit.
Preseason Pick: USC Jason and Tim's Pick: USC
Mississippi vs. Mississippi State: While some may believe this game is called "The Egg Bowl" because of the smell of the state, it's actually a comment about the way footballs used to look like when the series first started. State comes in the higher ranked team, but as in most rivalry games, that doesn't mean a thing.
Preseason Pick: Ole Miss Jason's Pick: Ole Miss Tim's Pick: Miss. State
Penn State vs. Michigan State: The battle for the Land Grant trophy comes from the fact these are the two oldest Land Grant schools in the nation. Not that original…I'd expect better from those two schools.
Preseason Pick: Penn State Jason and Tim's Pick: Michigan State
Kansas vs. Missouri: Here's a fact for Tim…Missouri lays claim that their "Border War" with the Jayhawks in 1911 was the first Homecoming game played by any major college football team. They can also lay claim to a major beat down of their rivals this year.
Preseason Pick: Missouri Jason and Tim's Pick: Missouri
LSU vs. Arkansas: Every year since the Razorbacks joined the SEC, these two play for the Golden Boot trophy, which is made to look like the two states on top of each other. It is the heaviest trophy in college football, weighing over 175 pounds, or roughly the size of a seven year old from either state…or the amount of food I plan to eat today. Arkansas had its chance, but fizzled in recent weeks.
Preseason Pick: LSU Jason's Pick: LSU Tim's Pick: Arkansas
South Carolina vs. Clemson: In 1961, members of USC's chapter of Sigma Nu dressed up as Clemson players and took the field to "warm up". After a few moments of looking like idiots, the Tigers fans realized these weren't their players and chased the frat boys off the field. Nothing like some good, old fashion identity theft to make a rivalry exciting.
Preseason Pick: Clemson Jason and Tim's Pick: South Carolina
Michigan vs. Ohio State: Traditionally thought to be one of the best rivalries in all of sports, this hate goes back to when the Michigan was becoming a state, and wanted what is now Toledo…Ohio won, kept Toledo (is that really a win?) and the rest is history. Who would have thought after their #1 vs. #2 game just four years ago that this series would be so meaningless so quickly.
Preseason Pick: Ohio State Jason and Tim's Pick: Ohio State
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State: When these two teams first met 1904, it was freezing cold and there were no boundaries on the field. On a certain kick, the ball went out of the end zone…and kept going…and going…until it landed in a ice covered creek. Both teams proceeded to jump on the ball, thinking it was still in play. Hence the term "Bedlam" for this series. Sort of like their neighbors to the south, the role reversal in this series is something that makes this game of interest.
Preseason Pick: Oklahoma State Jason and Tim's Pick: Oklahoma State
***GAME OF THE WEEK FOR 49 STATES***Auburn vs. Alabama: While many think this series has been continuously played, there was a 40 year period starting in 1907 where both schools refused to play, with Alabama complaining about not wanting to play at Auburn, while the Tigers were upset about what they thought was biased officiating, even when the two schools both founded the SEC. The sexy pick is for Alabama to end the Tigers' perfect season, but I'm not buying it. Auburn did not pay Cam Newton that much for them to go 11-1.
Preseason Pick: Alabama Jason's Pick: Auburn Tim's Pick: Alabama
***GAME OF THE WEEK FOR FLORIDA***Florida State vs. Florida: Contrary to popular belief, these two schools are not required by law to play. In 1955, the state legislature voted on putting an amendment in the state constitution forcing the Gators to play the Seminoles. The amendment failed by one vote, 35-19. However, Governor Leroy Collins got the two sides together, and in 1958 the rivalry was born with a 21-7 Florida win. For the first time in almost 25 years, this game has no national title implications and no national appeal. This will be just like many of the games in this series from the 70's and early 80's…it's about ending the season with the big win. Florida wants nothing more then to keep their streak alive of wins over FSU, while I'm sure the 'Noles would trade their outside shot of an ACC title to break the six game losing streak. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I think the streak ends here.
Preseason Pick: Florida State Jason and Tim's Pick: Florida State
