The Dirty Dozen and Bottom of the Barrel: Can Turkeys Really Fly??
What if way back in 1978--before many of you likely were even born, Broadcasting Legend and Radio Station Manager Arthur Carlson was right in his assumption that Turkey's were able to fly? Would it change your life?
Since Thanksgiving has been a thing for a long, long time---then outside making them a bit more difficult to catch--it likely wouldn't change a thing.
In the world of College Football, not only is this Thanksgiving--but for a majority of the teams playing....it's "Rivalry Week"...a.k.a. "The Last Week of the Season"...
A time were crazy things tend to happen and predictable outcomes rarely live up to expectations.....
Will that happen again this year? Well, that remains to be seen....
In the meantime, I'll brag a bit: 14-1 again this week kids. That brings us to a 107-16 record on the season. How 'bout them apples!!
Yeah, enjoy some more stuffing, a few extra slices of bird and some pie why don't cha!!
Here's what will happen this week---you heard it here first...and yup, it will be correct. Bank on it!!
THE DIRTY DOZEN
1) Alabama 11-0: So yeah, the Tide weren't exactly dialed in vs. Citadel last week. Though the 2nd half did look a bit more like vintage 'Bama. Still not betting on anyone taking these guys down....
This Week: vs. Auburn (RIVALRY!); My Pick: Alabama 37, Auburn 21
2) Clemson 11-0: The Tigers were never pushed while pulverizing Duke last week. Arguably this is the team clicking on the most cylinders at this time, they've improved as Trevor Lawrence has grown into the QB roll. Just can't see them losing at this point...
This Week: vs. South Carolina (RIVALRY!); My Pick: Clemson 34, S.Carolina 21
3) Notre Dame 11-0: The Irish looked damn impressive this past week, seemingly improving each week. They're making an argument to be included with 'Bama and Clemson this season.
This Week: at USC (RIVALRY!); My Pick: Notre Dame 31, USC 17
4) Michigan 10-1: I guess this is (4B) the week as I'm not yet sold on the Wolverines being at the same level as the 1st three teams. We get to find out if they belong this week. It will be on Shea Patterson to score points if Michigan wants to win...
This Week: at Ohio State (RIVARLY!); My Pick: Michigan 27, Ohio St. 23
5) Georgia 10-1: The Dawgs (4B) have taken care of business for the most part this season and have slowly gotten better. Not as good as the 2017 edition, the question will be do they have enough for Alabama in two weeks?
This Week: vs. Georgia Tech (RIVALRY!); My Pick: Georgia 43, Ga. Tech 31
6) Washington State 10-1: Yup, The Cougars are here! Aside from the stellar QB play from Gardner Minshew, this years edition actually plays defense, which means an awful lot to an offense first system...would love to see them sneak into the CFP...
This Week: vs. Washington (RIVALARY!); My Pick: Washington St. 41, Washington 27
7) Oklahoma 10-1: The best team with the biggest flaw: Defense. Kyler Murray is just that good--but he doesn't play defense, which likely keeps Oklahoma from going too far this season. Tough stage this week followed by the Big 12 title game makes a CFP berth unlikely...
This Week: at West Virginia; My Pick: W.Virginia 50, Oklahoma 47 (UPSET!!!)
8) UCF 10-0: Nice performance by the Knights in front of a national audience. They certainly looked the part---but this is where everyone says "Schedule" and is why the Power 5 should have their own league (another story for another day).
This Week: at South Florida (RIVALRY!); My Pick: UCF 43, S.Florida 27
9) Ohio State 10-1: Another flawed team, the Buckeyes are here because of few other options. They've done enough to get to this level--but not enough to get to the BCS due to mostly defensive issues. Oh, and their much maligned coach has health issues...
This Week: SEE MICHIGAN (RIVARLY!)
10) LSU 9-2: I don't like the Bayou Bengals as much as some others, but no denying they've had a great season. And they are good enough to be ahead of most any other 2-loss team. But unlike everyone else--their achilles heel is offense.
This Week: at Texas A&M; This Week: Aggies 27, LSU 23
11) Utah State 10-1: I just don't think the 3 loss teams in most polls are worthy. Which isn't to say Utah St. could beat them. But the Aggies deserve a reward for a good season. And yes, I know---they were one foot stepping out of balance away from losing to Colorado State last week...
This Week: at Boise St; My Pick: Boise St 41, Utah St. 39
12) Army 9-2: Yup, the Black Knights deserve this. Statistically they're 11th nationally on Total Defense. And you were assuming I was going to mention offense. Arguably this team should've beaten Oklahoma early this season.
This Week: BYE
THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL
Lest we forget---for all things good, there must be bad. Or in this case---the Barrel. Unlike the Dozen--we don't have a shortage of qualifying teams for this list....
And no, realistically, there is not much of a difference between the #5 team, the #1 team or the "Others under Consideration"....
5. Louisville 2-9: Nope, there will be no escape here for you Cardinals---despite jettisoning one Bobby Petrino. Bad defense and bad offense plus a "Power 5" schedule means you run the risk of landing here. Wah-wah!...
This Week: vs. Kentucky; My Pick: Kentucky 27, Louisville 13
4. UTEP 1-10: Welcome back Miner fans. You're back. While earning your way out with by beating Rice, getting smoked by Western Kentucky brings you back--almost full circle. Hey, look at this way. Only one more game this season....
This Week: vs. Southern Mississippi; My Pick: Southern Miss 41, UTEP 10
3. Rutgers 1-10: Oy, somehow the Scarlet Knights held Penn State to 20 points. However they only scored 7 their own selves. This is a horrible offensive (or horribly offensive) team who has not scored more than 17-points in a game the entire season...
This Week: at Michigan State; My Pick: Michigan State 31, Rutgers 7
2. UConn 1-10: So, is Randy Edsall important enough to be put on "The Coaching Carousel"...or is he just like a bad actor who never goes away? The Huskies are just an awful football team who've only given up less than 38 points once this season. There's nothing good---or nice to be said about the UConn football program right now....
This Week: vs. Temple; My Pick: Temple 51, UConn 20
1. Rice 1-10: Poor Rice Krispies. Pity poor Snap, Crackle and Pop, they've all suffered yet another awful season. And they had to play LSU last week. On the good side---The Owls scored, 10 points even. The bad: They gave up 42 to a seriously offensively challenged Bayou Bengal squad. Alas, Rice is thankful that the season ends after this week...
This Week: vs. Old Dominion; My Pick: Old Dominion 42, Rice 10...
Also receiving consideration: Central Michigan (1-10), San Jose St. (1-10), North Carolina (2-8), Arkansas (2-9)......
And so we wrap up a week of potential Turkey's....or some really great College Football, it all depends on your perspective on things.
Oh, in case you were wondering---here is the entire Turkey Flying episode from one of the greatest sitcoms in the history of Television, WKRP in Cincinnati. Instead of your music of the week, enjoy this---a truly legendary episode from Network TV's early days....
