Turkey, family and five days full of football.Now THAT’S something to be thankful for (And sure; a steal on a big screen TV!)! The Big 12 and SEC already have next weekend’s conference games set, but their finalists must take care of a little business first.The Big 12 championship game will feature Nebraska versus Texas and the SEC championship will pit Alabama against Florida.The big three would obviously prefer to go into their championship games unblemished but undefeated Boise State, TCU and Cincinnati probably feel a little differently.As we’ve seen in the past, anything can happen during rivalry week.In the NFL, we’re treated to three games on turkey day, then a Monday night special that might just be the most entertaining game of the year.
(3) Texas at Texas A&M – (Thursday, 8:00 pm – ESPN – Texas minus 21)
Longhorn fans can smell a national championship berth.After being left out of the big game last year, they’re only two wins away from reaching their first BCS title game since Vince Young won it for them a few years ago.Young didn’t win the Heisman that year but his successor Colt McCoy just might.The Longhorn quarterback is the nation’s most accurate passer (73%) and last week became the winningest quarterback in NCAA history (43).If McCoy wins the Heisman this year, it will be no make up award.The kid has earned it, especially considering he had big shoes to fill in replacing Young.It’s difficult to follow a legend but Colt McCoy obviously never got that memo.A&M won’t go quietly though as they’d like nothing more than to spoil Texas’ perfect season.The Aggies are 7th in the nation in total offense and their quarterback, Jerrod Johnson, has actually thrown more touchdown passes and fewer interceptions this season than McCoy.He’ll need to keep that up if A&M wants any chance in this one.
Giants (6-4) at Broncos (6-4) – (Thursday, 8:20 pm – NFL Network – NYG minus 6)
What has happened to these two teams?When the Giants and Broncos started off the season at 5-0 and 6-0 respectively, they looked like Super Bowl contenders.Now they’ll each be lucky to make the post-season.The G-Men finally ended their four-game skid last Sunday with an overtime win over Atlanta.They’re hoping to feed off that momentum going into the NFL’s home stretch.Their defense has been woeful lately, but not quite as bad as Denver’s, who have been outscored by 80 points in their last four games!!!They’re allowing 350 yards per game over that stretch.Where’s Bill Romanowski when they need him?Denver called a players-only meeting this week to resolve last Sunday’s sideline spat between Knowshon Moreno and Brandon Marshall.Since both these teams have been so bad defensively, if you like touchdowns, this might be a game worth watching if you can battle through the tryptophan.
(2) Alabama at Auburn – (Friday, 2:30 pm – CBS – ‘Bama minus 10)
Ah… rivalry week.Does anyone really expect Auburn to knock off unbeaten Alabama?These two teams first played each other in the Iron Bowl in 1893, twenty years before Bear Bryant was even born.Alabama is one win away, albeit against their most bitter rival, from facing Florida in what should be the most captivating college football game of the year.Mark Ingram’s name continues to surface among Heisman frontrunners.He’s fourth in the nation in rushing yards and has seven 100-yard rushing games.He leads the SEC in yardage, yards per game and rushing touchdowns.Auburn had won six straight until Alabama ended that streak last year.Keeping that new streak alive might just make or break the Tide’s national championship chances.
Nevada at (6) Boise State – (Friday, 10:00 pm – ESPN – BSU minus 14)
Las Vegas has set this game’s over/under at 71, meaning this game should boast more offense than Michael Richards’ stand-up routine.Although Boise State still has to play New Mexico State next week, this might be their last chance to wow BCS voters.Nevada actually leads the WAC at 7-0 but has been flying under the radar since starting 0-3.They haven’t lost since.The Wolf Pack have THREE 1,000 yard rushers in Vai Tuau, Luke Lippincott and QB Colin Kaepernick who have combined for 34 touchdowns.Nevada leads the nation in rushing yards and yards per carry, which means they run a lot and they’re effective when doing so.Boise State ranks 30th in the nation in rushing defense.They’ll want to make sure they have their defense in order if they want to remain perfect on the season.
Florida State at (1) Florida – (Saturday, 3:30 pm – CBS – UF minus 24.5)
There might not be a dry eye in Gainesville this weekend as the Swamp is about to see the end of an era.These Gator seniors are already the winningest class in SEC history.Expect Tebow & Co. to receive a roaring ovation.He’s arguably the best player to ever don the orange and blue.Sorry, Emmitt, but one Heisman Trophy and two national championships are hard to argue with.Florida has won five straight in this rivalry dating back to Ron Zook’s 2004 victory in Tallahassee, meaning Urban Meyer has yet to lose to Florida State.It’s hard to believe he wants to start now.
Steelers (6-4) at Ravens (5-5) – (Sunday, 8:20 pm – NBC – no line)
In another battle of NFL teams heading in the wrong direction, it’s put up or shut up time for two of the league’s traditional defensive mainstays.After impressive starts, both Pittsburgh and Baltimore are coming dangerously close to missing the playoffs.Ben Roethlisberger is expected to play this week after getting knocked out of last week’s game with a concussion.Good thing since backup Charlie Batch is lost to wrist surgery and former Oregon standout Dennis Dixon, Pittsburgh’s third stringer, has only one career pass attempt.Across the field, Baltimore has scored only 41 points in its last three games.Now they must face the Steelers who have allowed the fewest yards in the NFL.
Patriots (7-3) at Saints (10-0) – (Monday, 8:30 pm – ESPN – NO minus 3)
Might we be witnessing a change of the guard in the NFL?The Saints have been unstoppable this year.With a win on Monday, they can clinch the NFC South with five games to play.What’s even more impressive is that they’ve been winning against quality opponents.New Orleans has already beaten the Eagles, Jets, Giants, Dolphins, Falcons and Panthers.And now come the big bad Pats.Expect Bourbon Street to be rocking on Monday, particularly if the Saints do what they’re expected to do, which is beat the Patriots and remain undefeated.
Chris
My only concern as far as the NFL goes , will be what happens on Monday night between the Pats and Saints. Everything else at the time will be oblivious to me.
I think that one of the best tandems in all of college football at present is Colt McCoy to Jordan Shipley. Next up on that list would be Tebow to any one on the Gators who happens to be in open territory at the time. LOL,LOL,LOL !!!
You’ve got to be chomping at the bit knowing that your beloved Red Sox are going after not only Roy Halladay but quite possibly also Tigers’ slugger Miguel Cabrera. What with Jason Bay said to be looking at testing the ‘free agency market’. The Sox adds those two to their fray and they might just have an edge on the Yankees next season.
Alan Parkins
Al… that Pats-Saints game is clearly the game to watch this weekend in the NFL.
McCoy-Shipley is definitely nice. Like I mentioned in the post, you gotta hand it to McCoy. Kid followed Vince Young, big shoes to fill, and the program didn’t skip a beat. I feel for Brantley and whoever else will follow Tebow.
I like the chances of landing Halladay. I just want to know what we have to give up to get him.
Chris
Yeah ! That’ll be the game to watch by far !
And it has the makings of being an epic confrontation. Hopefully the Pats’ll come out on top !
McCoy had some mighty big shoes to fill but I for one think that he’s done really great. Mack Brown has been lucky enough over the last few years to have two exceptional quarterbacks there in Longhorns’ uniform.
If the Sox can pull of a a trade for Halladay then it’ll definitely be a feather in their cap. Even more so if they can make it a double by landing Cabrera from the Tigers. I hear however that the Jays’ll want either Bucholtz or Lester along with a couple of players from the Sox’s farm system. I don’t know whether or not Epstein and Lucchino are prepared to give up that much for Halladay.
Here are my thoughts on it all. As and when you’re ready I’ll look forward to reading your comments.
Keeping Up Appearances Or In This Case Anything You Can Do We’ll Try And Do Better Than You …The New York Yankees
Alan Parkins
Fun Texas-Texas A&M game last night, although if the Longhorns are going to play for a national championship, they’re going to have to do something about that defense. If there’s something that can be said about both Alabama or Florida, they are both STOUT defensively.
I’d have to sit on that deal. Isn’t Halladay’s contract up at the end of next season? I’m assuming they’d redo that deal so they don’t just land Halladay for one year.
Chris
Anyone who’s got a higher approval rating than Obama has got to be doing something right ! The Prez has got too many fingers in far too many pies at present. ‘nough said !
Chowed down big time on Turkey day and personally I was completely bored by all three NFL games. Went into the Godfather trilogy instead. Now me and the boys are going to take in some of the sites in Daytona Beach , while the women go shopping.
Alan Parkins
Enjoy, Al.
This Florida game is a blow out. Still worth watching though… he he.
Chris
Pimp beat down at ‘The Swamp’. Now is the time for both Bowden and Weis to step down. It’s become all too embarrassing to see these two guys bring their respective programs into ill repute. All of the apologists out there ought to see the damage that’s now being done. And someone tell Herbstreit that onfield talent means being able to play in all facets of the game. And not just being able to rub jock-itch on your crotch before suiting up for a game.
So what’s happening with Tiger ? Crashes his SUV into a neighbors tree and fire hydrant and then delays being interviewed by the cops ? Oh what it must be to be a celebrity with money and to be treated differently from your average Joe Schmo ?
Had it been you or I and we’d have been ticketed at the scene of the incident , alcohol related or not.
Alan Parkins
Chris
Dropped this piece after Florida’s emphatic win over the ‘noles.
When You Arrive You’ve Got To Arrive In Style ……….
Alan Parkins
Al… I’ll have a little video dedication to Tiger coming out soon.
I think Bobby will stay another year. Even though they had a sub-par year by their standards, I still think it’s out of line for the boosters or university to put a time frame on his decision.
Give the old guy some time off. He built the program. Let him consult his family and others.
What good can come of giving him the weekend to decide?
Chris
Let him Bowden stay another year, for what ? More losses for the program and less kids shying away from wanting to play there . You’re shi_ting me right ? There’s nothing to consult about, it’s not as if he’s on his friggin’ death bed and he’s got a life or death decision to make . Stop it already ! LOL,LOL,LOL !!!
As for Tiger , let’s just say that the only reason he may well be evading the questions from FHP , could well be the fact that the accident and what’s alleged to have happened just don’t tie in with his medical records subpoeanaed by law enforcement. If indeed he and his wife had a physical altercation, then one of them may well be heading to court. Florida law is quite adamant when it comes to domestic violence and spousal abuse , no matter what form it happens to take.
Why the hell would Tiger want to cheat on this to begin with ? Click here to view ….
My latest piece .
Jim Cramer’s Mad Money , Buys, Sells And Holds ……NBA Style …..
Alan Parkins
As a Gator alum, Al, my suggestion to keep Bowden in place for another year was purely selfish.
Al… I have a special project coming out about Tiger.
Stay tuned…..
Chris
Are you trying to suggest that Jimbo Fisher isn’t a step up from Bobby Bowden ? LOL,LOL,LOL !!!!
I hear that Woods and Charlie Crist’ll spend time together spanking the monkey ? Woods won’t be getting any , anytime soon. And as for the Governor , what was he doing for self gratification before he got married ?
Thankfully there were no Ashley Durpre’s up in Tallahassee ? Or were there ?
For $80,000 that’s a mighty lot of pootie-tang ! What was Eliot Spitzer thinking ? Weren’t there any interns in Gracie mansion in Albany willing to put out , for that extra pay increase and soemthin’ ,somethin’ ?
Alan Parkins
Chris
The inactivity of both Wetherall and Spetman (FSU’s AD) up at FSU , is only giving further credence as to how dumb those two really are. The Irish fire Weis’ a_s at the drop of a hat but yet T K Wetherall and Randy Spetman are walking around as if they’ve each got a broom shoved up their rear ends. What the hell are they waiting on, The Three Wise Men and for it to rain frogs and toads as a sign from God that they’re doing the right thing ? What a bunch of numb-nuts these two are !
Thanks for chiming in on that Cramer piece ! I’ll probably do that again later on in the NBA season. I had one comment making the comparison between that and playing poker ? What the hell ? There are people who appear to be as dumb as they sound.
Alan Parkins
Al… I’m not at liberty to say anything more about the Tiger Woods situation as I have something special in the works.
Sounds like Bowden is announcing his retirement tomorrow.
Not sure that Jimbo Fisher at the helm strikes fear into the hearts of ACC opponents.
Chris
The asinine thing here with regard to the ‘noles is that some believe that their inherent problems stems from their lack of defense ? Their problems go way beyond that, as they’re also somewhat anemic on the offensive side of the ball.
Next year they’re likely to have ten returning starters. But then they’ll still have to deal with a resurgent Canes’ team and the rest of the ACC as well.
Is it me or is WDAE’s Dan Sileo as much of an a-hole as he comes off on the radio ? This guy wouldn’t know s_it from shine-ola but here he is pontificating on the fact that Woods has done nothing wrong than having an accident. I guess when your SUV hits a tree and a fire hydrant but your air bags don’t deploy but your lacerations on your face suggest otherwise . It could only have been from the vehicular accident ? What sort of a moron is this guy to begin with ?
But then again that may well be the primary reason he was hired by Clear Channel to begin with ? Dan we don’t want you for your insight or intelligence , lack of it thereof. We just want to show that student athletes who attended the ‘U’ aren’t all that bright to begin with !
Dropped this on the Bowden Weis fallout.
Well, Well , Who Couldn’t Have Foreseen This Coming ?
In the process of doing a piece on Ugandan boxer Kassem ‘The Dream’ Ouma. It makes for something of a thought provoking piece , given his childhood and background.
So AI could end up being back in a Sixers’ uniform ? From what I understand Sixers’ owner, Ed Stefanki and the rest of management are all for it and they’re setting up a meeting with the player. Apparently the Sixers have a roster spot opened , having lost their point guard for an indeterminate period of time .
Alan Parkins
Al… also just dropped a piece on the Weis firing.
And you know I don’t wake up early enough to hear Sileo. I used to listen to him a lot in Orlando. Sounds like he’s been going for a little more shock value over the fast few years.
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I, as well, possess a pit-bull who is the most supporting animal I’ve ever owned. Soon, a new dog breed will come along for the media to blast, as they have performed rotties and dobies in earlier years. Unfortunate that media sensationalism breeds a lot inaccurate info.