Why LSU Will Beat Arkansas And the Predicted Outcome of Other Games In This Big Rivalry Weekend
USC and UCLA cheerleders together prove the two schools can get along (on occasion).
Well, wasn’t THAT fun!?
When all the “experts” start looking past games, trying to line up conference championships and the BCS, then college football comes through with its wildest weekend of the year last week.
The Pigskin Prognosticator has been predicting Oklahoma State’s fall for some time, just knowing it could not handle the success of being in the Bel Air neighborhood of college football. Just didn’t pick the right week or opponent (Iowa State!?). It is impossible, however, to rip the Cowboys considering they probably played with their hearts still in Stillwater after the plane crash that killed its women’s basketball coach and assistant.
USC, aided at the end by Chip Kelly’s clock “management,” saved the college football world any discussion about an LSU-Oregon rematch – which would have been another slaughter – and Baylor did the sport another big favor by stunning Oklahoma.
The next time the Sooners are in the BCS title game is too soon based on their past performances.
So what we have now is an even more intense weekend with two key games – both in the SEC – plus a couple of coastal battles to settle conference championship teams. There are big rivalry games, including one that is sadly ending, at least for the near future.
Thursday
Texas at Texas A&M (8 p.m., ET). Did Bevo really gets his name after some A&M students branded the score of one year’s game into the steer, and Texas students make it read Bevo to cover it up, as legend has it? It’s just one of the many great stories from this rivalry that will end with A&M moving to the Southeastern Conference. A&M wanted to continue playing but Texas said it has no room on its schedule. Oh really? How about on Thanksgiving!? This is only the 118th meeting; you ya gonna get to replace the Aggies? It’s a shame to see these traditions end. Once upon a grand time, Oklahoma and Nebraska both played on this weekend, as well. Winner: Texas A&M.
Friday
Arkansas as LSU (2:30 p.m.). Don’t be fooled by the Petriono Pigskins. #3!? Did you watch them play Vanderbilt? The Prognosticator did and once on the goal line the Commodores set sail without the football and on another missed a field goal at the end of the game after playing for overtime instead of going for the win. LSU will take the Pigs, roast them, then toss them into jambalaya and have a party. The Tigers can play man-to-man in the backfield and, like Alabama did earlier, use pressure up front to stifle the prolific passing game. Be aware, tho, that the Bengal Tigers often manage to screw up and play poorly against the Hogs for some reason. And they have not had a letdown this year (then again, JaMarcus Russell is no longer the quarterback). So don’t expect it to be a complete blowout. In fact, it could be a wild, whacky finish. Winner: LSU.
Saturday
Ohio State at Michigan (noon). This time last year, the football situation at Michigan was so bleak Wolverine fans were wondering if they would ever beat the Buckeyes in their lifetimes. Now. Ohio State is walking around with their arms on their heads trying to avoid getting hit by falling timber as the house caves in, Michigan has shooed away Rich Rodriguez (and by the way, Arizona, what are you thinking; do you never want to play in the Rose Bowl!?) and will actually win this game rather handily. Amazing. Winner: Michigan.
Alabama at Auburn (3:30 p.m.). The Tide has been thinking about this game for a year, and the last time it did that to an opponent (Florida) they won in a rout. This should be the same but Auburn is going to go out with its “compensation offense” (that is, running trick and whacky plays to try and make up for the lack of talent and girth) but eventually you’ve got to block those lineman and linebackers. And you have to tackle Trent Richardson. Auburn fans are crazy; they pump those orange-and-blue shakers at the very slightest hint of success and make the Plains a tough place to play. But the Tide will not be denied. Winner: Alabama.
Penn State at Wisconsin (3:30 p.m.). Being away from Penn State is good for the Lions. The Badgers are probably better than 10 teams ranked ahead of them – most assuredly Houston – and are two Hail Mary’s from being unbeaten. The Lions are still looking over their shoulder at what might next happen with the sorry scandal and, despite having one of the nation’s top defenses, will lose their bounce just as the Badgers start to jump. Winner: Wisconsin.
Virginia Tech at Virginia (3:30 p.m.). Like Oklahoma State, the Prognosticator keeps waiting for Virginia Tech to be, well Virginia Tech. The problem with this is the ACC is as soft as your uncle’s belly after Thanksgiving dinner. And, like that belly, it’s about to pop. Now that the Cavaliers have got rid of that pro coach who can’t coach in college, Al Groh, they actually have some fight in ‘em. Winner: Virginia.
Oregon State at Oregon (3:30 p.m.). The Civil War will be very un-civil to the Beavers, who would probably rather be playing Sacramento State by the time this one reaches the second half. Winner: Oregon.
Clemson at South Carolina (7:45 p.m.). Now this is what we’re used to seeing from Clemson. Right with the season for the taking in front of them, they tank. This is a cool atmosphere for a game; the Prognosticator has covered a few at both locations. The chant of “Go Cocks” is really cool (you have to be there to really experience it). South Carolina also serves pizza to the media at halftime. But that won’t help them slow down Clempson’s offense. Only Clempson can do that trick. Winner: Clemson.
Notre Dame at Stanford (8 p.m.). Anyone notice the Irish are 8-3? Has Notre Dame ever been this far off the college landscape with eight wins? It’s only had one win of note, against Michigan State (and how, Sparty, did you allow that to happen!?) and beat three-win BC last week 16-14. Hardly impressive. Andrew Luck needs this game to get back in the Heisman race, but if Stanford coach David Shaw keeps insisting the Cardinal are a “run-first” team then he’s trimming the Tree before the holidays. Let Luck loose and let us enjoy the show! Winner: Stanford.
UCLA at USC (10 p.m.). They did it. The Trojans actually went up to Eugene and beat Oregon. The Prognosticator had to make sure he was still drinking Stella and not tequila shots or something – plus being pinched by girls on a bachlorette party at the next bar table – to believe the eyes. Lane Kiffin out-coached his Pac-12 twin, Chip Kelly. And now in bounce the Trampolines, one win away from playing for the conference title. Careful, they are getting a little giddy again. Were this in the Rose Bowl, the Prognosticator would give them a chance, for the Trojans don’t play well in the Rose Bowl unless it’s well, the Rose Bowl. In the Coliseum, the Bruins better start thinking about packing warm for the New Jersey or Las Vegas Bowl and not Eugene. Winner: USC.