Watch Guide 11/12
Welcome back to another edition of the Watch Guide! Last week’s games were excellent. Texas-Texas Tech went down to the wire, Florida got punched in the mouth and backed off vs Arkansas, and LSU played one side of the ball nearly perfect but not as perfect as Alabama did (Alabama won 10-0). Also we had that Presidential Election thing this week…
Lets get after it!
Friday: “Move along. Move along”
Saturday, Noon: Big XII “Espresso-Football” or “Beer Barrel”
Kentucky at Tennessee (SEC Network) – “Battle for the Beer Barrel” – This rivalry game has historically been a laugher for the Vols, as they’ve won 30 of the last 31 games (78-24-9 all-time). However, Tennessee (6-3, 2-3 SEC) hasn’t exactly looked sharp in any of its games, while Kentucky (5-4, 4-3 SEC) has played its way into an opportunity to win the Division (would need Florida to lose twice more) and go to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game for the first time ever. Could be a good one.
#16 West Virginia at Texas (FS1); Must Watch – This game has all the characteristics of a “trap game” . West Virginia (7-1, 4-1 BigXII) is 1-1 on the road this season and after a loss at Oklahoma State two weeks ago is still in the hunt for the Big XII title. However, there is no margin for error. Oklahoma is undefeated in-conference and still looms large on the schedule as they meet next week in Morgantown. Texas (5-4, 3-3 BigXII), on the other hand, is feeling much better about themselves after they withstood a siege from Baylor two weeks ago and last week survived a trip to Lubbock beating Texas Tech.
Saturday, 3:30: Big XII and SEC repeat
Texas Tech at #13 Oklahoma State (FS1); Must Watch – Similar tones to the Texas-WVU game. In order to have a shot at the Big XII title, Oklahoma State (7-2, 5-1 BigXII) needs to hold serve and win this game and the next vs TCU before playing the Bedlam game vs Oklahoma at the end of the season. Texas Tech (4-5, 3-4 BigXII), needs two wins in their final three games to become bowl eligible. Both teams score at alarming rates (OSU – 40.8 PPG, TTU – 46.2 PPG). This one should be very exciting.
#9 Auburn at Georgia (CBS) – “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry“.. and it’s remarkably close (George leads 56-55-8). Auburn (7-2, 5-1 SEC) got away with one vs a tough Vanderbilt team last week. For some reason unknown to science, Auburn HC Gus Malzahn decided to play Junior College Transfer John Franklin III at QB instead of “no doubt” starter Sean White vs a stout Vandy defense. Franklin went 2 of 4 for 9 yards passing, 7 rushes for 59 yards and only one TD drive during his first and only half of duty. Meanwhile, between the hedges, Georgia (5-4, 3-4 SEC) had a dog fight with Kentucky and won on a last second FG. Georgia fans are clambering for former HC Mark Richt to come back…
Saturday Evening: Pac-12 after dark!
7:30pm – #20 Southern California at #4 Washington (FOX); Must Watch – USC (6-3, 5-2 PAC12) has really turned it around since their 1-3 start this season. In those first four games of the year, USC and brand new offensive coordinator (and Tennessee Hero) Tee Martin had the Trojans averaging 22 PPG. Since that start, USC is 5-0 and has averaged 40 PPG. But it’s not all Martin’s doing. The Trojans have thrown in blue-chip recruit, Freshman QB Sam Darnold, who’s been some of the reason for the turn around and for saving first year HC Clay Helton’s job. Washington (9-0, 6-0 PAC12), on the other hand, has been destroying people all season, led by Sophomore QB Jake Browning, who has 38 Passing TD’s and is spreading it around (10 different receivers have a TD Rec). Washington also won last year’s match-up in Los Angeles, 17-12. Look for an electric atmosphere in Seattle for this tilt!
10:30pm – California at #23 Washington State (ESPN) – Washington State (7-2, 6-0 PAC12) started the season 0-2 with losses to FCS Power Eastern Washington and to Boise State, prompting Cougars HC Mike Leach to call his team a “JC Softball Team.” Since then, they have won seven straight games and are quietly sitting undefeated in conference, tied with in-state rival and division foe, Washington. WSU has big games on the horizon that could distract any team (road trip to #12 Colorado, and home vs #4 Washington in the Apple Cup). Cal (4-5, 2-4 PAC12) has been exciting to watch and are scoring a boatload of points, however, their defense can’t seem to stop a runny nose let alone an opposing offense. Cal is also running out of games in which to win in order to become bowl eligible. This one could be an excellent night cap!
See y’all next week!
Love the attitude Dave!