Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Football Future-see 2014: Week Fourteen

Record


Week 1
8-2

Week 2
5-0

Week 3
2-3

Week 4
4-1

Week 5
2-3

Week 6
2-8

Week 7
4-1

Week 8
3-2

Week 9
2-3

Week 10
2-3

Week 11
4-6

Week 12
3-2

Week 13
3-2

Week 14
5-5

Total
49-41
0.544

The season is rumbling toward the end, and so far it looks like Alabama, Florida State, and Oregon are locks for the playoff. Right now, Mississippi State is also considered part of the top four by the playoff committee, meaning we would have FSU vs Oregon in the Rose Bowl and Alabama vs Mississippi State in the Sugar Bowl. But the chaos situation is still in play. It’s entirely possible that anyone in the group of four listed above, plus Georgia, UCLA, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Arizona, or Arizona State could make the playoff. Granted, some teams, like Georgia, need help from other teams. But as we saw in 2012, chaos can still ensue.

The Games:

LSU at Texas A&M (Thursday, 7:30pm, ESPN)
Talk about a match-up of underwhelming proportions. Both LSU and TAMU have fallen off the map after hot starts. Neither team is playing for a major bowl game berth, so this is a lot of pride on the line. It’s difficult to go into College Station and leave with a W, so watch how the Aggie defense prepares for LSU. Arkansas proved that the Tigers can be shut down completely, so the Aggies may try to duplicate their success. I’m not really given to either of these teams, but I think home field counts for enough to get the Aggies over the hump. TAMU wins a close game.
Final Score: TAMU 24, LSU 21
INCORRECT: LSU won 23-17

5 TCU at Texas (Thursday, 7:30pm, Fox Sports1)
Alright, TCU, this has trap game written all over it. A Thanksgiving night game in Austin. Another chance to state your case for the selection committee. And a Texas team hungry for a win over someone highly ranked. If TCU isn’t careful they could find themselves on the losing side of a playoff rattling upset. But I don’t think that happens. The Horned Frogs are simply too deep and too well coached to allow the Longhorns to get the jump on them. TCU wins going away.
Final Score: TCU 40, Texas 20
CORRECT: TCU won 48-10

13 Arizona State at 11 Arizona (Friday, 3:30pm, Fox)
Arizona State, I have thought all year, was better than Arizona. And I think they prove it Friday. The Wildcats basically shot up the rankings off the back of beating Oregon. Arizona State should win this game, but it's possible Arizona keeps it closer than most people think. Sun Devils win.
Final Score: Arizona State 31, Arizona 24
INCORRECT: Arizona won 42-35

16 Georgia Tech at 9 Georgia (Saturday, Noon, SEC Network)
Some people are sending a lot of love Georgia Tech’s way in this game, but I don’t see it. Tech has to travel to Athens, where Georgia still has Nick Chubb, who is well-rested and ready. Georgia has Hutson Mason, who, while he may lack the yardage of other QBs, is the most accurate quarterback in the SEC. Georgia has a defense that grows more fierce by the game, especially in the front seven. The Jackets will run the ball, of that there is no doubt. But Georgia has enough defensive speed to contain their attack and win this game for the 13th time in 14 tries. There will be no scoreboard watching in Athens, as Missouri takes on Arkansas on Friday. By kickoff of this game, Georgia will know if they have a date in Atlanta next weekend. Dawgs roll.
Final Score: Georgia 45, Georgia Tech 27
INCORRECT: Georgia Tech won 30-24 in OT

South Carolina at 21 Clemson (Saturday, Noon, ESPN)
Thanks to injury and deflated expectations, several games on the slate have lost their luster. This is one of them. South Carolina was supposed to be a playoff contender, but injuries and a weaker-than-expected defense sent the Gamecocks into a tailspin. Clemson really took off when freshman QB Deshaun Watson took over. Then Watson got hurt and Clemson has crumpled. Other than wounded pride, this game does not mean much in the grand scheme of college football in 2014. This is probably a coin-toss game, but I don’t usually go against the SEC, if I can help it. Gamecocks win.
Final Score: South Carolina 28, Clemson 21
INCORRECT: Clemson won 35-17

4 Mississippi State at 19 Ole Miss (Saturday, 3:30pm, CBS)
The Egg Bowl held a lot more meaning just a month ago, but the sudden downfall of Ole Miss and the continual way Mississippi State hovers in the top four has taken away the shine from this match up. Bulldogs QB Dak Prescott seems to have fallen from the Heisman race. For Ole Miss, the once vaunted Landshark defense has given way to a weaker defense that just gave up 30 to Arkansas. That said, this is a rivalry game, and weird things happen. I'm calling for the upset here, as Ole Miss makes a late field goal to win by 3.
Final Score: Ole Miss 24, Mississippi State 21
CORRECT: Ole Miss won 31-17

Notre Dame at USC (Saturday, 3:30pm, Fox)
A game that typically has national implications doesn't mean a whole lot this year. At worst, this game will hurt the case Florida State is making to reach the playoffs, as the Noles barely escape Notre Dame in Tallahassee. Notre Dame has lost some games it should have won (FSU, Northwestern) and has fallen a long way from that 2012 National Championship Game appearance. I think Notre Dame wins here, but I think it's a close game and the Irish need a late TD to go ahead. Irish win.
Final Score: Notre Dame 27, USC 21
INCORRECT: USC won 49-14

Florida at 3 Florida State (Saturday, 3:30pm, ESPN)
This is the last time we will see Will Muschamp as the head coach of Florida. He resigned a few weeks back, effective the end of the FSU game. For a coach who has been on the hot seat since the start of last season, Muschamp has the chance to throw the entirety of college football into chaos. Defeat Florida State, which is totally doable, and watch the playoff rankings collapse in on themselves. But it is Florida, and even though they beat a flat Georgia team, they’re still lacking something. Jameis Winston, so long as he doesn’t get into further trouble with the law, is apparently free to do whatever he wants at FSU, and he can somehow engineer victories from the jaws of defeat. FSU sneaks by a fired up Florida.
Final Score: Florida State 21, Florida 17
CORRECT: FSU won 24-19

10 Michigan State at Penn State (Saturday, 3:30pm, ABC)
I wanted to put a Big Ten game on the slate, as they’ve been a tad under-represented here on the picks, and normally Michigan-Ohio State would fill that slot, but Michigan is so far down I don’t see them contending too closely with the Buckeyes. So instead, here’s Michigan State, once the hope of the Big Ten, traveling to Happy Valley to face the Nittany Lions. Michigan State is obviously the better team in this game, but Penn State is slowly coming around under former Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin. Sparty rolls.
Final Score: Michigan State 35, Penn State 17
CORRECT: Michigan State won 34-10

15 Auburn at 1 Alabama (Saturday, 7:45pm, ESPN)
If Alabama was smart, and we know Nick Saban is smart, then he had his team studying the game tape of what Georgia did to humiliate Auburn. Alabama is basically as deep at running back as Georgia, deeper at WR than Georgia, and better on defense, so this should be a blowout. But Auburn will definitely be looking for a rebound game. Nick Marshall won’t let the Tigers stay down for long. Still, I don’t think it’s enough. I see ‘Bama rolling in the second half and claiming a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
Final Score: Alabama 34, Auburn 21
CORRECT: Alabama won 55-44

The Right Wing Top Ten
The Associated Press Poll and the Amway Coaches Poll both feature a Preseason version. I even posted a “Preseason Top Ten,” or something to that effect, a while back. I never intended to use that poll as a basis for the Right Wing Top Ten, though.

15. Oklahoma Sooners (last week: NR)
14. Arizona State Sun Devils (last week: 15)
13. Arizona Wildcats (last week: 14)
12. Wisconsin Badgers (last week: 13)
11. Kansas State Wildcats (last week: 11)

10. Marshall Thundering Herd (last week: 10)
Why: This is probably all the love Marshall is going to get. Their schedule simply is too weak.

9. UCLA Bruins (last week: 12)
Why: UCLA smacked USC in the face and then didn’t stop...

8. Georgia Bulldogs (last week: 8)
Why: Georgia beat down their tune-up opponent ahead of a rivalry game with Georgia Tech

7. Ohio State Buckeyes (last week: 7)
Why: So long as Ohio State keeps winning they’ll hold position. Indiana gave them a momentary scare, though.

6. Mississippi State Bulldogs (last week: 6)
Why: Beating Vanderbilt is nothing special this year, so Mississippi State holds its place without movement.

5. TCU Horned Frogs (last week: 5)
Why: TCU remains on the outside looking in of my top four...

4. Baylor Bears (last week: 4)
Why: I know most polls have TCU ahead of Baylor. I happen to place some emphasis on the head-to-head win Baylor has over the Frogs..

3. Oregon Ducks (last week: 3)
Why: Oregon is a playoff-bound team, assuming they survive the Civil War and the PAC-12 title game.

2. Florida State Seminoles (last week: 2)
Why: The only reason I have FSU ahead of Oregon is that pesky 0 in the loss column.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (last week: 1)
Why: Alabama did what they needed to do in their tune-up for the Iron Bowl. Now Auburn is all that stands between the Tide and a berth in Atlanta.

Bowl Projections
It’s the time of year again. Time to unveil some bowl projections. These projections have nothing to do with my previously listed Top Ten.
Sugar Bowl (playoff semifinal): Florida State vs Oregon
Rose Bowl (playoff semifinal): Alabama vs TCU
Cotton Bowl (group of five): Mississippi State vs Baylor
Orange Bowl (group of five): Clemson vs Michigan State
Peach Bowl (group of five): Georgia vs Marshall
Fiesta Bowl (group of five): Ohio State vs Arizona State
Citrus Bowl (ACC/B1G vs SEC): Georgia Tech vs Missouri

Outback Bowl (B1G vs SEC): Nebraska vs Ole Miss

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Football Future-see 2014: Week Thirteen

Record


Week 1
8-2

Week 2
5-0

Week 3
2-3

Week 4
4-1

Week 5
2-3

Week 6
2-8

Week 7
4-1

Week 8
3-2

Week 9
2-3

Week 10
2-3

Week 11
4-6

Week 12
3-2

Week 13
3-2

Total
44-36
0.550

This has been, without doubt, the worst season I’ve had picking these games, but I feel pretty good, seeing as I’ve done more in terms of writing and breakdown. My preferred team, Georgia, has been on a rollercoaster this year, fighting through injury and just plain bad losses. But we’re drawing to a close this season. The conference championship games are fast approaching. Should be fun…

The Games:

12 Kansas State at West Virginia (Thursday, 7:00pm, ESPN)
I don’t know how they did it, but it seems like every ranked Big XII team has had to go on the road to play West Virginia. The Mountaineers have already taken down Baylor and took TCU to the limit. A Thursday night trip doesn’t necessarily bode well for the Wildcats. I’m looking for a close game from start to finish, but I think the Wildcats fall just short thanks to a last field goal. Mountaineers win.
Final Score: West Virginia 27, Kansas State 24
INCORRECT: Kansas State won 26-20

Charleston Southern at 10 Georgia (Saturday, Noon, SEC Network)
Georgia was pumped to get RB Todd Gurley back against Auburn. It led to the Dawgs crushing their bitter rivals 34-7. But, in sadly ironic fashion, Gurley blew out his ACL, likely ending his UGA career. Still, the Dawgs have games to play. RB Nick Chubb will look to lead the charge against FCS foe Charleston Southern Saturday. The Buccaneers have played well against FBS opponents, suffering a one-point loss to Vanderbilt earlier this season (Georgia defeated Vanderbilt 44-17). Charleston Southern is 8-3 on the year and this is their last game. Georgia still has in-state rival Georgia Tech. Look for the starters to get lots of rest in this game. It should be well in hand by halftime. Dawgs roll.
Final Score: Georgia 56, Charleston Southern 14
CORRECT: Georgia won 55-9

8 Ole Miss at Arkansas (Saturday, 3:30pm, CBS)
Arkansas finally notched a conference win, as I called it, in shutting out LSU 17-0. Ole Miss is coming off a bye week. The Rebels still have a lot to play for and Arkansas is primed to play spoiler for several teams. The Razorbacks could ruin Ole Miss’s season, thereby hurting the resumes of the other SEC West teams. The Hogs could also knock out Missouri, handing the SEC East to Georgia. Arkansas is playing loose now, getting that monkey off their back last week. I like the Hogs in a close game here.
Final Score: Arkansas 24, Ole Miss 21
CORRECT: Arkansas won 30-0

24 Louisville at Notre Dame (Saturday, 3:30pm, NBC)
This game could well adversely affect Florida State. See, the Seminoles strength of schedule is lagging a bit behind Alabama, Oregon, TCU, Mississippi State, and Baylor. FSU has beaten both teams in this game, but if Notre Dame wins then it’s likely both teams are out of the Top 25, which hurts the resume of FSU. That said, I like Louisville here for some reason. Yes, they’re going it without their top player, but Georgia did that for four weeks and still won 3 out of 4. Surely Louisville can pull it off against a reeling Notre Dame. Cardinals win a close one.
Final Score: Louisville 26, Notre Dame 21
CORRECT: Louisville won 31-28

15 Arizona at 17 Utah (Saturday, 3:30pm, ESPN)
The PAC-12 South battle rages on. Oregon has already clinched the North, and they await an opponent for the PAC-12 Championship game. Arizona rocketed up the ranking by defeating Oregon, but they need help to reach Santa Clara. A definitive win over the Utes would help them, but it may not be enough, as UCLA controls their own destiny. Winning out puts the Bruins in the title game, regardless what Arizona does. But I don’t think Arizona leaves Utah with a win. The Utes are a good team that no one is talking about. Utes win.
Final Score: Utah 31, Arizona 24
INCORRECT: Arizona won 42-10

The Right Wing Top Ten
The Associated Press Poll and the Amway Coaches Poll both feature a Preseason version. I even posted a “Preseason Top Ten,” or something to that effect, a while back. I never intended to use that poll as a basis for the Right Wing Top Ten, though.

15. Arizona State Sun Devils (last week: 7)
14. Arizona Wildcats (last week: NR)
13. Wisconsin Badgers (last week: NR)
12. UCLA Bruins (last week: 15)
11. Kansas State Wildcats (last week: 14)

10. Marshall Thundering Herd (last week: 13)
Why: This is probably all the love Marshall is going to get. Their schedule simply is too weak. Minnesota lost last week and remained ranked ahead of the undefeated Herd.

9. Ole Miss Rebels (last week: 11)
Why: A weak off gives the Rebels much needed rest.

8. Georgia Bulldogs (last week: 12)
Why: Someone help me figure out my Dawgs...they lose by 18 to Florida (whose coach just resigned) and then beat a 9th-ranked Auburn team by 27. I don’t know…

7. Ohio State Buckeyes (last week: 8)
Why: Why does Ohio State keep winning? It’s likely the Buckeyes face Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game.

6. Mississippi State Bulldogs (last week: 1)
Why: I watched Mississippi State lose Alabama. It was not as close as the final score indicated. Therefore the Bulldogs fall out of the top four.

5. TCU Horned Frogs (last week: 5)
Why: TCU remains on the outside looking in of my top four...

4. Baylor Bears (last week: 6)
Why: I know most polls have TCU ahead of Baylor. I happen to place some emphasis on the head-to-head win Baylor has over the Frogs..

3. Oregon Ducks (last week: 4)
Why: Oregon is a playoff-bound team, assuming they survive the Civil War and the PAC-12 title game.

2. Florida State Seminoles (last week: 2)
Why: The only reason I have FSU ahead of Oregon is that pesky 0 in the loss column.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (last week: 3)
Why: Ric Flair always said “to be the man, you gotta beat the man.” Well, Alabama beat the man last weekend, so they become the man this week.

Bowl Projections
It’s the time of year again. Time to unveil some bowl projections. These projections have nothing to do with my previously listed Top Ten.
Sugar Bowl (playoff semifinal): Florida State vs Oregon
Rose Bowl (playoff semifinal): Alabama vs TCU
I’ve changed up the order for the playoff, because I actually think the committee will avoid putting in two teams from one conference.
Cotton Bowl (group of five): Mississippi State vs Baylor
Orange Bowl (group of five): Clemson vs Michigan State
Peach Bowl (group of five): Georgia vs Marshall
Fiesta Bowl (group of five): Ohio State vs Arizona State
Citrus Bowl (ACC/B1G vs SEC): Georgia Tech vs Missouri

Outback Bowl (B1G vs SEC): Nebraska vs Ole Miss

Friday, November 14, 2014

Bernie Ecclestone and the Great British Foot in the Mouth

No one has ever shed a tear for Bernie Ecclestone, though many tears have been shed as a result of Bernie Ecclestone. Who is Bernie Ecclestone? He’s the head man of the world’s top motor racing series, Formula 1. He’s also 84 years old, filled with terrible ideas, and a recent victim of open-mouth-insert-foot-itis.
Bernie's normal look of confusion...


See, F1 is struggling under some hard times right now. Smaller teams (Caterham, Marussia, Sauber, Force India, Toro Rosso) are feeling the sting as more and more money is diverted to the, to borrow a college football term, Power 5 teams (Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, Williams).

Caterham and Marussia entered administration after the Russian Grand Prix. This rendered the teams incapable of competing at both the America. How did Bernie respond to the situation? By saying:

"Nobody will miss the two teams because they're not front-running teams; they've only got a name that people would know because of the problem they're in. If you want to get recognised, you've got to do something."

He even compared them to Oscar Pistorius, who has been in the news for his lengthy murder trial of girlfriend Reva Steenkamp. Ecclestone said, “This poor guy in South Africa, for instance, has got more interest because of what happened with him than when he was winning gold medals. He won medals and afterwards nobody thought about him. If this case hadn't happened he would have been forgotten, probably. Same with these two teams.”

Ecclestone also flashed out some of his trademark Ferrari favoritism, spouting “You need teams like Ferrari. If they go anywhere and you say to somebody 'Ferrari', they'll know what you are talking about."

It’s good to know that the man in charge of Formula 1 cares so much about the teams. But Bernie wasn’t finished running his mouth. Oh no, far more idiotic drivel was primed to come pouring out.

Ecclestone is, as stated earlier, the head of the highest ranking class of motorsport competition on the planet. His series is well-known for its claim to be the pinnacle of racing technology. And yet, only recently have they truly begun using Twitter in earnest. Bernie, showing off the avuncular good cheer of a lovable luddite, said of social media, "I'm not interested in tweeting, Facebook and whatever this nonsense is. I tried to find out but in any case I'm too old-fashioned. I couldn't see any value in it. And, I don't know what the so-called 'young generation' of today really wants. What is it?"

Yes, Bernie Ecclestone, head of the organization that supposedly leads the world in automotive technological innovation, says Facebook is nonsense. But the most telling quote in that bundle of loosely connected senile thoughts is “I couldn’t see any value in it.” Remember, for Bernie Ecclestone, if something isn’t going to make him another $100 million, he doesn’t care about it. This is a man with a net worth over $4 billion US dollars. His well-publicized squabbles with race promoters reveals an incredible fascination not with providing the best product for his viewers, thereby making him more money in the long term, but with making the most sound, for him and no one else, fiscal investments now for immediate payoffs.

Countries like India, Korea, and others have removed from the F1 calendar because they couldn’t afford Bernie’s exorbitant race fees. Like FIFA, Bernie has a propensity for dealing with governments instead of private investors. Maybe that’s just a European thing, I don’t know…

But Bernie has a way of connecting with an audience…wait, did I say “connecting?”...I meant, alienating…

“…you're telling me I need to find a channel to get this 15-year-old to watch Formula 1 because somebody wants to put out a new brand in front of them? They are not going to be interested in the slightest bit. Young kids will see the Rolex brand, but are they going to go and buy one? They can't afford it. Or our other sponsor, UBS - these kids don't care about banking. They haven't got enough money to put in the bloody banks anyway. That's what I think. I don't know why people want to get to the so-called 'young generation'. Why do they want to do that? Is it to sell them something? Most of these kids haven't got any money.”

One thing we’ve learned from the increasingly incoherent ramblings of this Beatles cover band reject is that he doesn’t seem to believe that people get older or that they can learn to make better financial decisions. But it’s all part of the mystique that is Bernie Ecclestone. And let me tell you, there’s a lot of mystique about this guy…
Take this statement for example: "I'd rather get to the 70-year-old guy who's got plenty of cash. So, there's no point trying to reach these kids because they won't buy any of the products here and if marketers are aiming at this audience, then maybe they should advertise with Disney."

The Bernie Ecclestone School of Modern Marketing, ladies and gentlemen. Only target septuagenarians who have large bank accounts. No teenager will ever grow up and get a job. Nope, from now until eternity the people who are 70 with big banks accounts will forever be 70 with big bank accounts and the teenage hoodlums will forever be teenage hoodlums.

That, in a nutshell, is Bernie Ecclestone. And love him or hate him, Bernie is slowly destroying the sport he helped build into the behemoth it is today.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Football Future-see 2014: Week Twelve

Record


Week 1
8-2

Week 2
5-0

Week 3
2-3

Week 4
4-1

Week 5
2-3

Week 6
2-8

Week 7
4-1

Week 8
3-2

Week 9
2-3

Week 10
2-3

Week 11
4-6

Week 12
3-2

Total
41-34
0.547

I don’t know what it is about ten-game slates, but outside of a week one triumph, the two ten-game slates I’ve put myself up against have led to a cumulative 6-14 record. So I’m going back to a five-game schedule, if only for my own sanity. This week gives us a trio of SEC conference games, an ACC match-up in Atlanta, and a Big Ten game in Wisconsin.

By the way, do you want to know how important the selection committee believe strength of schedule to be? Ask Marshall. The Thundering Herd is undefeated, the only non-Power Five conference team to remain undefeated. So where are they ranked in the College Football Playoff Selection Committee's Top 25? Somewhere below 26th. They're not even in the poll. Ranked ahead of them by the committee are LSU (7-3), Texas A&M (7-3), and Utah (6-3).

The Herd is averaging nearly 48 points a game, giving up less than 17 per game, and is 9-0. The only problem is their best victory is either Middle Tennessee or Akron. The Herd will probably reach one of the top six bowls, seeing how East Carolina is somewhat imploding and the rules state that a non-Power Five team must get in. But Marshall is proving that strength of schedule is really important.

The Games:

19 Clemson at 22 Georgia Tech (Saturday, Noon, ESPN)
Georgia Tech is playing at a far better clip than anyone, myself included, was expecting of them this season. At the start of the season I predicted Tech to lose to Virginia Tech (won 27-24), Miami (won 28-17), North Carolina (lost 48-43), Pittsburgh (won 56-28), Clemson (yet to play), and Georgia (yet to play). The Jackets are averaging just under 39 points per game while giving up just under 26 per game. Clemson rolls into Atlanta this week with one fewer win that Tech, but a better conference mark. The Tigers are averaging 32.4 points per game and giving up only 18.4 points per game. They took the defending champion FSU Seminoles to overtime and they beat North Carolina 50-35. What does that mean? Who knows? These teams can surprise you on any given Saturday. Right now, I’m taking Clemson to win a very close game, perhaps even requiring overtime again. Tigers win.
Final Score: Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 24
INCORRECT: Georgia Tech won 28-6

16 Nebraska at 20 Wisconsin (Saturday, 3:30pm, ABC)
Nebraska runs the ball for nearly 281 yards every time they take the field, leading to them controlling the clock. Wisconsin, meanwhile, averages almost 50 more yards per game rushing, though the Huskers are outscoring them 40.4 to 36.8. The Badgers, though, have the third best scoring defense in the nation, allowing only 14.3 points per game. In fact, in their last three conference games, the Badgers have cumulatively outscored Maryland/Rutgers/Purdue 123-23. This game will go a long way in determining who faces Ohio State for the Big Ten championship. If both teams manage to get their running games going, it could be low scoring, as they eat up the clock. The last time they played each other, Wisconsin ran away with the game, winning 70-31. I think Nebraska will have studied that number long and hard this week, and will come out fired up. Huskers win.
Final Score: Nebraska 35, Wisconsin 24
INCORRECT: Wisconsin won 59-24

1 Mississippi State at 5 Alabama (Saturday, 3:30pm, CBS)
Somebody has to claw their way out of the unholy scrum that is the SEC West and claim a December 6 date in Atlanta in the SEC Championship Game. I think this game will go a long way toward determining that team. Alabama is playing some great football at just the right time. They recently shut out the Aggies of TAMU 59-0 and they just escaped Death Valley (Louisiana) with a hard-fought overtime win over LSU. Mississippi State, meanwhile, just dominated UT-Martin, and before that barely got by conference-winless Arkansas. This is still the same Mississippi State team that gave up 34 points to UAB. The Crimson Tide is giving up just over 10 points per game since their loss to Ole Miss. Over the same stretch, they’re averaging nearly 32 points per game. I think this will be a close game, with neither team able to establish dominance until the clock hits 00:00. By that time, though, I expect the Tide to have done just a little more than Mississippi State. Bama wins.
Final Score: Alabama 27, Mississippi State 21
CORRECT: Alabama won 25-10

9 Auburn at 15 Georgia (Saturday, 7:15pm, ESPN)
Georgia went to Kentucky in a foul mode and the Wildcats paid a hefty price, falling 63-31. With less than two minutes to go, Georgia was still passing and running. I wondered if Georgia was going for 70 points, a feat they’ve not attained since September 17, 1994 against Northeast Louisiana. But, we are talking about Mark Richt…and I’m actually surprised he let his team score over 60. Auburn, meanwhile, is coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Aggies. Trust me, no one in Athens has forgotten the miracle that took place in Jordan-Hare last year that began Auburn’s magical run to the SEC championship. This isn’t just a rivalry, this is the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. This is the rivalry that has been played for over 110 years and the teams are separated by only 100 points or so. The road team tends to play well. Rankings mean nothing. UGA fans have started calling for a blackout, but Mark Richt has downplayed the rumors. It’s possible, but don’t hold your breath. That said, I’m looking for a close, hard-fought game, with Georgia winning late.
Final Score: Georgia 31, Auburn 26
CORRECT: Georgia won 34-7

17 LSU at Arkansas (Saturday, 8:00pm, ESPN2)
Arkansas will eventually knock off an SEC opponent. It is going to happen. They took the Aggies to overtime before falling 35-28. Alabama beat the Hogs 14-13 in regulation in a game in which Arkansas missed an extra point. Georgia, unfortunately for Arkansas, broke the trend and laid 38 on the Hogs before halftime en route to a 45-32 victory. Mississippi State, the #1 team in the nation, defeated Arkansas 17-10 in Starkville. The win is coming for Arkansas. Eventually someone is going to trip up. And I think that happens this week. LSU rolls into northwest Arkansas after a deflating overtime loss to Alabama. The Tigers are downtrodden and the Hogs have to be happy about how well they’ve played lately. It’s the perfect storm for the Razorbacks. QB Brandon Allen makes enough plays and the bruising running game of Arkansas carries the Hogs to a tight win over divisional foe LSU. Woo Pig Sooie (whatever that means).
Final Score: Arkansas 27, LSU 24
CORRECT: Arkansas won 17-0

The Right Wing Top Ten
The Associated Press Poll and the Amway Coaches Poll both feature a Preseason version. I even posted a “Preseason Top Ten,” or something to that effect, a while back. I never intended to use that poll as a basis for the Right Wing Top Ten, though.

15. Marshall Thundering Herd (last week: NR)
14. UCLA Bruins (last week: NR)
13. Kansas State (last week: 8)
12. Georgia Bulldogs (last week: NR)
11. Ole Miss Rebels (last week: NR)

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers (last week: 13)
Why: Nebraska’s running backs are great, and that running game is paying big dividends.

9. Auburn Tigers (last week: 6)
Why: A tight loss to the Aggies sent Auburn into a tailspin, which pretty much blew up the SEC West.

8. Ohio State Buckeyes (last week: 12)
Why: No one thought Ohio State would beat Sparty the way they did, but they claimed control of the Big Ten race.

7. Arizona State Sun Devils (last week: 11)
Why: Arizona State demolished the once mighty Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

6. Baylor Bears (last week: 10)
Why: Baylor went to Norman and stomped Oklahoma.

5. TCU Horned Frogs (last week: 7)
Why: TCU overcame Kansas State and looks like the front-runner for the Big XII.

4. Oregon Ducks (last week: 4)
Why: Oregon went to Utah and beat down the Utes to claim the PAC-12 North.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide (last week: 3)
Why: Alabama was tested by LSU, but I think they’ve come out stronger on the other side. I actually think this is one of the most dangerous teams in the nation.

2. Florida State Seminoles (last week: 2)
Why: The Noles got by the last real threat they’ll face before the playoff.

1. Mississippi State Bulldogs (last week: 1)
Why: Mississippi State olds the top spot, even though an Arkansas team on the rise took them to the brink.

Bowl Projections
It’s the time of year again. Time to unveil some bowl projections. Don’t worry, these are sure to be wrong.
Sugar Bowl (playoff semifinal): Florida State vs Oregon
Rose Bowl (playoff semifinal): Alabama vs TCU
I’ve changed up the order for the playoff, because I actually think the committee will avoid putting in two teams from one conference.
Cotton Bowl (group of five): Mississippi State vs Baylor
Orange Bowl (group of five): Clemson vs Notre Dame
Peach Bowl (group of five): Duke vs Marshall
Fiesta Bowl (group of five): Michigan State vs Arizona State
Citrus Bowl (ACC/B1G vs SEC): Nebraska vs Ole Miss
Outback Bowl (B1G vs SEC): Ohio State vs Georgia