The last weekend in November is always an emotional mosh pit because some of the greatest rivalries in college football are played:
Michigan vs Ohio State in ‘The Game.’ Wolverines lead, 57-44-6. No trophy awarded.
Alabama vs Auburn in ‘The Iron Bowl.’ Tide leads, 40-36-1. James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy.
Texas (Tex Hex) vs Texas A&M (Aggie Bonfire) in the Golden Boot Trophy game (warning, lifting the trophy can cause a hernia). The Longhorns lead, 75-37-5. Lonestar Showdown Trophy.
West Virginia vs Pitt in the Backyard Brawl. Panthers lead, 61-39-3. No trophy.
Georgia vs Georgia Tech (Clean, Old-fashioned hate). Some refer to it as athletes vs students. Bulldogs lead, 61-39-5. Governor’s Cup.
Clemson vs South Carolina in the Palmetto Bowl. Brawl in 2004 looked like a gang fight. Tigers lead, 65-39-4. Hardee’s Trophy – C’mon, that’s weak.
UCLA vs USC (campuses are 12 miles apart; cheerleaders are miles apart; edge USC). Trojans lead, 43-28-7. Victory Bell.
Florida vs FSU. Former Florida Gov. LeRoy Collins had to convince the arrogant Gators to play the Seminoles every year. Gators lead, 33-20-2. Florida Cup.
This year, thanks to realignment, we have some new rivalries:
Nebraska vs Iowa (Farmaggedon). Name of new trophy to be announced on Friday. We suggest, ‘Children of the Corn Trophy.’ It probably will be Heroes Game Trophy.
Pitt (to the ACC) vs West Virginia (to the Big 12) in The Expansion Bowl. Teams might consider pooling revenue from this year’s game to pay conference exit fees and legal costs.
TOMORROW
TEXAS A&M (-7 1/2) over Texas – One team has a legit starting quarterback and two elite running backs. The other has a really nice logo.
Louisville (+3) over SOUTH FLORIDA — Cards have a chance to prove me right: Charlie Strong should have gotten a head coaching gig years ago. What a job he’s doing with Louisville.
NEBRASKA (-9 1/2) over Iowa – Huskers are a significantly better team at home. Not one of Kirk Ferentz’s better Iowa teams.
FRIDAY
Arkansas (+12 1/2) over LSU – Pretty sure I’m going to have an LSU defensive back on my Heisman ballot; just not sure which one. The Hogs can score on anyone.
W. VIRGINIA (-7) over Pittsburgh – Parlaying a West Virginia cover this week with a loss next week at South Florida.
Georgia (-6) over GEORGIA TECH – Dawgs have the speed to contain the option and last week’s scare at Kentucky was the wake-up call. Besides, we have to find a way to believe that Georgia can beat the SEC West in the league title game next week, making a mockery of the BCS.
SATURDAY
MICHIGAN (7 1/2) over Ohio State – Buckeyes know there will be a new sheriff in town next year, almost surely Urban Meyer. Wolverines snap a seven-game losing streak in this series.
Rutgers (-3) over UCONN – These games are always close but the Scarlet Knights have developed a run game to set up their passing game. And that ultra-sophisticated defense will befuddle UConn.
SYRACUSE (+3) over Cincinnati – Bearcats lost their O with injury to QB Zack Collaros. Senior day in Cuse. One more win needed to be bowl eligible. Winners get to eat real eggs, not egg whites.
Alabama (-21) over AUBURN – When the Tide returned this fall, Nick Saban had placed a copy of the newspaper story of the team’s 28-27 loss to Auburn last season in which Bama blew a 24-0 lead in every stall.
WISCONSIN (-14 1/2) over Penn State – The Nittany Lions lack of an offense finally takes its toll – along with everything else.
FLORIDA (+2 1/2) over Florida State – Piggy’s gut pick.
S. CAROLINA (-4 1/2) over Clemson – Tigers are 1-2 in their last three games and the one win was a 3-pointer over Wake. These inconsistent Tigers never change their stripes.
STANFORD (-6 1/2) over Notre Dame – Thanks, Andrew Luck; it’s been fun to watch. Legends Trophy up for grabs – must have stolen it from the Big Ten.
USC (-14 1/2) over UCLA – A lot of UCLA fans are rooting for USC because if the Bruins win, they could win the Pac 12 South and UCLA would have to give Rick Neuheisel a new deal. Those crazy L.A. kids.
BEST BETS: Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin
LAST WEEK
: 7-8; BEST BETS: 1-2