As the college football season quickly races to its conclusion, I tried to think of a song that embodied all the emotions I was feeling just thinking about what it will be like on a cold Saturday in February when I won’t have the Red Zone Channel to look forward to the next day grinning widely as we go “Triple Box” to see all the action. Chills I tell you…chills, people. Dare I say a “Total Eclipse of the Heart” will occur in those dark days. Let’s just call college football “Bright Eyes” at this point if you catch my drift. Well, enjoy the song as I prepare you for NBA…nevermind.
So, I see that my friend, Joker, is a little perturbed by his recent (ok, the whole season) dry spell with his picks. What I can tell you is that he has singlehandedly kept me from climbing to first place by picking my “go to” teams and causing them to lose. I have the text messages to prove it where he apologizes for ruining my week…before the games kickoff! But, alas, since we have gone to war together on a number of occasions, I shall just tell my friend to keep your chin up. I mean the art of gambling (even if you aren’t betting money) is a simple one…even Rain Man could do it…
What week is it again? Judging from the amount my Auburn friends have discussed it, you would think it was still Samford week for the Tigers. I literally haven’t heard a peep, so it’s kind of hard to get amped up for this one. With that being said, the Joker gave you his take, so I shall give you mine. Auburn will come out playing like they haven’t already lost the same amount of games as Alabama has the past three seasons combined…(you guessed it)…
They will run every single trick play you can imagine, try onside kicks at every opportunity, probably run the option after the Georgia Southern game, and basically do everything that a team that is a 21 point ‘dog should do if they want to win. For that, I respect them, but I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to watch. With that being said, I respect Auburn this year (don’t get used to reading that) for not mailing it in with a 3 or 4 win season as (don’t kid yourself) they could very well have experienced this year. But…they didn’t. Somehow, they are still in the Top 25 so props go out to the War Tiggers. So, what’s the verdict, Sebastian?
Jordan Hare Stadium will NOT be the orange and blue sea of fans that it should be for this one. I have heard that a TON of Auburn fans are not going to the game and selling their tickets. I predict close to a 60/40 split (Auburn/Bama) at this one, which is crazy. Alabama will come out a little stagnant, but, the “D” will not back down and will take all the haymakers that Auburn has to give them. The Offense will ramp up as Trent and the O Line begin to punish the D Line of Auburn. That will open up the play action (if they actually do it). I think AJ will have a good day and Trent will get close to 200. Why? Well, he is currently the frontrunner for the Heisman, he needs to have a good game to stay in that spot, and because Auburn is beat up along the front as was on display if you watched Georgia run for…a LOT on them. Do I think it will be 42-0? No. Should it be? I don’t think so. I do, however, think that the Bama players will be well prepared mentally for this game and will have it beat into their heads what it means to the season. I think Auburn fights hard but, in the end, makes it abundantly clear that they are a year (or two) away from having the depth to compete again on the highest level (and, yes, they will be back sooner than later).
Bama wins this one going away…38-13.
Now, onto the picks…
5 UNITS Houston -3 TULSA: Houston is still not getting any respect (and maybe rightfully so), but that does not mean they can’t mess some things up in the BCS standings. Tulsa is deceptively good (at times), but I think Case and the boys feel they have a lot left to prove. One, they still have to win this game just to get into the C-USA Championship Game (Tulsa is undefeated in conference too). Two, Case is still considered a contender in the Heisman race and needs to put up some big numbers to climb up the standings. Finally, Houston is playing for a BCS bowl bid and obviously has to win for that to happen. Yes, it’s in Tulsa (whatever that means), but I think the Cougars get it done. This one will display very little defense…guaranteed. Houston takes a Barnburner (sorry, I had to) 52-41.
3 UNITS Va. Tech -4.5 UVA: Vegas sure is giving the Cavaliers a lot of respect in this one. Yes, they beat FSU in Tallahassee, but I don’t see this one happening. The Hokies are pretty damn good and are still (kind of) alive for the BCSNCG. I don’t want to spend much time on this one because it’s not that interesting to me. I just had to take it after I saw the line. The Hokies go ALL IN and take it to the house…24-13.
3 UNITS Florida State -2 FLORIDA: Florida is pretty awful. I saw that first hand in the Swamp when Bama abused them and left only Bama fans (practically) in the stands in the 4th quarter. FSU got beat (SEE ABOVE) last week. This is a rivalry game, but Florida is really bad this year. FSU will get it back together and win in a very quiet Swamp. Florida will eventually get it back on track but not this week. FSU in a very boring game…35-27.
3 UNITS Arkansas +13.5 LSU: LSU is bad ass and a better team than Arkansas…period. However, a LOT is riding on this one in case you have been asleep all year. Basically, what I am saying is that Joker picked LSU…LSU wins (but doesn’t cover) 31-20.
4 UNITS MICHIGAN -7.5 Ohio State: Michigan is a better team and Ohio State is probably more concerned with whether or not they get Urban Cryer than the game this week. Basically, what I am saying is…
Michigan wins one much to the chagrin of this guy…
Sorry buddy…Michigan in the BIG HOUSE 31-17.
Well, I guess that about does it for this week. To everyone out there in JR World…
Happy Thanksgiving!
Have a safe holiday weekend, enjoy the games, and ROLL TIDE!
As you were,
SEBASTIAN
isn't it a litle late to do "week 12 picks"?? who's the retard now??
Posted by: Markham | November 25, 2011 at 08:46 AM