🏈 PJ's Picks - Week 12

[psychojoe]

The quest for slots in the 'Final Four' is starting to look like Nascar's latest version of the chase, with a second loss being the equivalent of going one lap down. Onetime contenders Auburn, Michigan State, Kansas State and Notre Dame fall into this category. It will take some bizarre happenings in the remaining weeks of the regular season to get these four back into the picture. This week does not have the 'elimination games' of last week as for as non SEC games go, but there is that rather interesting clash in T'town this week that will be a biggie in deciding who is in and who is out. On to this week's picks.

Ohio State at Minnesota

If the teams I mentioned above have fallen one lap down, consider Ohio State's impressive win over Sparty as the equivalent of being back on the lead lap. The legumes still have work to do, but they now have some chance to get int the playoffs, although they doo need help. Minnesota has surprised many this season, having become bowl eligible, and with only one conference loss they are still in the hunt for the B1g West. I can't remember if this is the Leaders or the Legends. Will Urban's minions come in flat after their huge road win last week, and be vulnerable to a decent Gopher team? Perhaps , but nnot in this universe.

PJ's Pick - Ohio State 48 Minnesta 28.

 

[psychojoe]

Nebraska at Wisconsin

The Huskers actually do have a path to the Big Four as well, though as in Ohio State's case, they will need help to get there. They absolutely must win this weekend at Camp Randall, which is never an easy task. Wisconsin is also still in the battle for the division lead, though its two losses make it near impossible to reach the final four. The weather will be frigid. Style wise, the Badgers and there ground and pound offense will be better suited to the cold.

PJ's Pick - Wisconsin 31 Nebraska 21

 

[psychojoe]

Cal at USC

Just in case you are not busy Thursday night, there is a football game coming up that will probably produce offense like you normally see in video games. Cal doesn't have much of a record, but they have produced lots of points with an explosive passing attack. USC clearly has the better athletes, but their 'stop em' unit isn't exactly great either. Look for the scoreboard operator to be exhausted by the end of this one.

PJ's Pick - USC 56 Cal 45

 

[psychojoe]

Clemson at Georgia

Georgia Tech is never an easy team to prepare for. Very few teams run their old fashioned triple option offense, and defensive players often have difficulty switching from aggressive mode to the disciplined style of play that is necessary to stop this type of attack. Clemson lacks the explosiveness of last year's team, but they still have plenty of firepower on offense. Although Dabo Sweeney is from my home town, I have to pick against them this week. In a mid upset:

PJ's Pick - Georgia Tech 34 Clemson 27

 

[psychojoe]

FSU at Miami

The 'Canes have made their way back from downtrodden towards respectability this season, standing at 6-2 on the season. Meanwhile, the Noles, aka Team Turmoil, are still unbeaten, though unlike a season ago they have been tested more than once. The expectation of FSU being as dominant as a year ago has been unmet, as the 'Noles have only covered the spread twice this season aand have gone into the final quarter with most of their games still in doubt. While Golden's warriors would like nothing better than to take down their most hated foe, it is my opinion that they are not quite ready to do so. Duke Johnson will need to have the day of his career for Miami to win. It should be another nail biter though.

PJ's Pick - FSU 34 Miami 31

 

[psychojoe]

Kentucky at Tennessee

The Vol faithful are upbeat now for the first time in several Novembers. They need to win two of their last three for bowl eligibility, and they are all actually games that they can win.

Kentucky started the season well, with some impressive performances, especially at home, but like many young teams they have struggled on the road. This Saturday their troubles will continue.

PJ's Pick - Tennessee 34 Kentucky 24

 

[psychojoe]

South Carolina at Florida

This is a battle between two teams who had far greater expectations than their achievement level this season. Florida seems to have righted its ship, while South Carolina is headed in the other direction. The Gamecocks displayed what we can expect from them for the rest of the season when they played Auburn two weeks ago, a wide open, nothing to lose attitude, going all out for the win, not afraid to take chances. Florida is beginning to resemble the team that many thought they would have when the season began, a run heavy offense with an aggressive, stingy defense. With a win they become bowl eligible and keep a slight chance to win the SEC East. Spurrier returns to the school that he put on the national football map in the nineties. Lots of interesting story lines in this one.

In the end, Florida will run the football and play defense. South Carolina will move the football, but they haven't defended much of anything all year.

PJ's Pick - Florida 31 South Carolina 23

 

[psychojoe]

Missouri at Texas A&M

Which Missouri team will show up.?ill it be the outfit that laid a big egg at home against Georgia, or the team that overcame a fourth quarter deficit to beat South Carolina on the road?

Which Aggie team will show up? Will it be the team that was road kill in a three game stretch against Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Alabama, or the outfit that prison raped South Carolina and took down Auburn.?

The Aggies seem to have gotten their energy back against Auburn, and will be at home against not nearly as formidable foe. If Missouri wins out, they can punch their ticket for Atlanta. This won't happen.

PJ's Pick - Texas A&M 37 Missouri 28

 

[psychojoe]

LSU at Arkansas

Joey Gallaway disparages these two teams that can't do anything but run the football. I am sure that this one will not be on his list of games to be sure to watch. For fans of real football, though, this one should be a classic, old school game. The two head coaches have B1g roots, so the frigid weather in Fayetteville Saturday won't deter them. Their players, being mostly from warmer climates though, may be affected. This is definitely one that the Razorbacks have a chance to win. In the end, it will be a matter of which team wants this one the most. Arkansas really wants to get that SEC losing streak off their backs, and they are in front of the home folks. LSU has to be a bit down emotionally, as well as somewhat bruised from last weekend's battle. I give the Hogs a tiny edge..

PJ's Pick - Arkansas 21 LSU 17

 

[psychojoe]

Auburn at Georgia

The oldest football rivalry in the south promises to provide an interesting game. Georgia still has hopes of reaching Atlanta. The Boogs, meanwhile, pretty well had their visions of sugar plums go poof when they could not recover the last fumble of the day. Sometimes karma turns on you. Georgia gets Todd Gurley back, with fresh legs, though perhaps not many reps. Auburn figures to be down after their unexpected loss. The Dawgs can both run and throw the football. Their defense has been erratic, but generally better against the run than the pass. Auburn's secondary is a mess, and as last week has shown, they are vulnerable to the run as well, as long as there is a legitimate passing threat to go with it. These two teams really dislike each other, adding to the intensity.

PJ's Pick - Georgia 37 Auburn 24

 

[psychojoe]

Mississippi State at Alabama

You expect Alabama to be involved in very important games in November , but rarely do they involve Mississippi State. I think that by now most of us have moved past the early season 'they are Mississippi State after all' point of view. They have always been physical. This year they have the added ingredient of a Heisman contending quarterback who is their acknowledged leader, the soul of their team if you will. one downer for us is that we are a banged up football team right now. Although it looks like everyone will play, it is unclear how near 100 percent they will be. The upside, that many of these same guys were part of the disappointment of last season and don't want to be viewed as a team that let two opportunities to play for the big trophy. This won't be a game where our fans sit on their hands, and and our players will feed on their energy. Dak Prescott, meet Reggie Ragland. I expect us to scheme our defense much like we defensed Tebow in the 2009 SEC CG. Bring it on and we will find out who is best.

PJ's Pick - Alabama 28 Mississippi State 24

 

[Bamabww]

Good job @psychojoe. I look forward to this each week.

 

[Rolltide24]

What a mess the SEC East would be in if Florida beats USCe, Auburn beats UGA and Mizzou loses to A&M. Which could all very likely happen Saturday. If so, Mizzou could easily lose to Arky or at UT in the final 2 weeks. Will we have a 3+ loss team from the East playing in the SECCG? What a shame.

A side note, the SEC West is currently 9-0 against the SEC East this year. 2 games this week, Aubie at UGA and Mizzou at A&M, and Vandy at MSU next week are all that's left. Could the West end up 12-0 heading into the SECCG?

 

[TerryP]

A side note, the SEC West is currently 9-0 against the SEC East this year. 2 games this week, Aubie at UGA and Mizzou at A&M, and Vandy at MSU next week are all that's left. Could the West end up 12-0 heading into the SECCG?

Arkansas has a loss against the SEC East; UGA the week after we played the 'Backs.

 

[Rolltide24]

Arkansas has a loss against the SEC East; UGA the week after we played the 'Backs.

Damn, there went the shutout... I thought I was missing someone, only counted six teams. Well, I guess the West is 9-1 with 2 games this week, one game next week, and Arky at Mizzou the final week. Maybe the West could go 13-1. But that would require Arky to actually win an SEC game...

 

[TerryP]

Damn, there went the shutout... I thought I was missing someone, only counted six teams. Well, I guess the West is 9-1 with 2 games this week, one game next week, and Arky at Mizzou the final week. Maybe the West could go 13-1. But that would require Arky to actually win an SEC game...

They're getting better, but not sure how much better.

Hell, I'm still ticked off about UArk losing to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl several years ago.

 

[TerryP]

 

[rick4bama]

They're getting better, but not sure how much better.

Hell, I'm still ticked off about UArk losing to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl several years ago.

Yea! if I remember the Hoggs had that game and let it slip away.

 

[Rolltide24]

They're getting better, but not sure how much better.

Hell, I'm still ticked off about UArk losing to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl several years ago.

We were livid. Arky blocked the OSU punt back deep in OSU territory in the final minute. Dude could have scooped it up and moonwalked in to the endzone with a convey of teammates lining the path. But.... Instead... He dives on it.... That was frustrating to watch.

 

[planomateo]

We were livid. Arky blocked the OSU punt back deep in OSU territory in the final minute. Dude could have scooped it up and moonwalked in to the endzone with a convey of teammates lining the path. But.... Instead... He dives on it.... That was frustrating to watch.

Not to mention the whole Suckeyes administration "begging" for the 5 star tattoo-gate players to be allowed to play.