The Game of the Century is two days away — Survivor Tuscaloosa.
No. 1-ranked LSU visits No. 2-ranked Alabama. Hide the women and children. This is not a game for the faint of heart.
The two teams are mirror images, more throwback Big Ten squads than speed and no-huddle SEC squads. The Tigers and Tide pummel with deep, physical defenses and batter with between-the-tackles run games.
The coaches have proven themselves. Les Miles has won a national title with LSU. Nick Saban has won two — one with LSU and one with ’Bama.
LSU has been better protecting the ball. The Tigers have thrown just one interception and lost two fumbles. They are +15 in giveaway/takeaway. ’Bama is +6.
But the Tide will be at home where the nation’s most rabid fans will turn Bryant-Denny Stadium into a vortex of paralyzing noise. If the Tigers have to use hand signals that will create confusion.
The line favors The Tide by 4 1/2 . Neither team has been tested this season. It should be a close game. Nevertheless, we have never seen a defense such as the one in Crimson and White. ’Bama by 6.
TONIGHT
Florida State (-15) over BOSTON COLLEGE — We gave the Eagles the honorary No. 25 spot in our weekly poll for their first ACC win of the season over Maryland. Snap back to reality. Oops, there goes gravity. The Eagles are barely one dimensional. The pedestrian running game (73rd) is not as bad as the awful passing game (107th). And they can’t score — 107 out of 120. Should be a beautiful night for a cup of clam chowder.
TOMORROW NIGHT
COLORADO (+21 1/22) over Usc — Warning: THIS IS STRICTLY A GUT PICK. Colorado has lost six straight and been outscored 261-91. But, USC is completely out of whack after going all in against Stanford. Lane Kiffin got fined $10K for saying league officials lied to him.
SATURDAY
WEST VIRGINIA (13 1/22) over Louisville — The Cards can’t score, and against West Virginia you have to be able to put points on the board. Plus, Mountaineers are very ornery over reports that Louisville tried to muscle in on that Big 12 invite.
IOWA (+4) over Michigan — The Hawkeyes are undefeated at home (5-0) and Michigan hasn’t proven it can win a snobberknocker.
UCONN (-2) over Syracuse — Huskies have had nine days since that buttocks kicking they took at Pitt.
TEXAS (-14) over Texas Tech — The Longhorns secondary is younger than the models in most women’s fashion mags. But the “Double Bye” — they had an off week and then played Kansas — has given them health and confidence.
Texas A&M (+13 1/22) over OKLAHOMA — The Aggies have blown three double-digit leads in the first half– Okie State, Arkansas, Missouri — losing all three by seven or less. The Sooners lost their best RB, Dominique Whaley, to a broken ankle.
OREGON STATE (+21) over Stanford — Oregon State has long been the Pac-12 locale ranked teams go to die. The Cardinal are coming off that emotionally draining win at USC. The Beavers are 2-6 but they’re 2-2 in their last four. A cold rain will be a factor.
NEBRASKA (-17 1/22) over N’western — Athletes over students in first Big Ten meeting between these two.
AIR FORCE (-17) over Army — Flyboys over G.I.s.
RUTGERS (+2 1/22) over South Florida — Bulls turn to bear cubs in physical games.
ARKANSAS (-5) over South Carolina — Gamecocks got by Tennessee without Marcus Lattimore. They don’t have enough offensive firepower to keep pace with a Bobby Petrino offense. Hogs got their wake-up call last week in last-second win at Vanderbilt.
Notre Dame (-14) over WAKE FOREST — Several years ago after a stunning home loss to Arkansas, Tim Tebow vowed no team would work harder than the Gators. Brian Kelley delivered a similar message after the Irish got slapped by USC.
OKLAHOMA ST. (-21) over Kansas State — Almost every college football fan knows the Cowboys lead the nation in scoring. Few know they also lead the nation in turnover margin. K-State is a mediocre team with a great coach.
Best bets: West Virginia, Oklahoma St., Arkansas
Last week: 9-6 overall; 2-1 in best bets
Season: 68-65-2 overall; 18-9 in best bets