The last Saturday before Turkey Day. Can't help but get exciting thinking about a nice break from school, going home and hanging with good friends and family. There's the ever-so-interesting Thanksgiving Eve night and then, for us men, doing nothing but watching football and stuffing our faces while the woman grind away in the kitchen. Hell of a holiday Thanksgiving is. Without looking ahead to Turkey Day, this Saturday should be a great beginning to a great week. For those interested here are some of my picks and some friendly partying tips for tomorrow's games:
#19 Wisconsin @ #25 Minnesota (+16.5, O/U 50) 3:30 PM ET ESPN
My Pick
Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1) will win this football game, I'm pretty damn sure of that. Their running game is ranked 6th nationally and they have a stout defense playing a Minnesota (8-2, 4-2) team that turns the ball over a lot. This is the biggest game in a decade for the Gophers, the students are gonna be fired up and fate seems to be going their way right now. I've gone back and forth due to the hefty line, but I like the BADGERS on the road in this one. Gordon and White will control the game running the football behind the large and in charge offensive line Wisconsin flaunts. With that said I have to say its hard to pick against a great story, which Minnesota is this year winning for their embattled coach Jerry Kill, who's suffered multiple seizures on the sidelines this past year. It's gonna be about -75 degrees in Minnesota and that just means a lot of Wisconsin run game. Sorry Jerry, I love ya. Wisconsin 34 Minnesota 14.
Tailgate Rating and Tips (8.7/10): Grab a bunch of winter of beers, eat some chili, and leave the door wide open for the frigid atmosphere of Minnesota. Listen to a lot of depressing acoustic songs, it's Big-10 football.
#12 Texas A&M @ #22 LSU (-4, O/U 71) 3:30 PM ET CBS
My Pick
I love Texas A&M (8-2, 4-2) as a four-point underdog in this game. Last year, Johnny F****n Football played his worst game of the year against LSU (7-3, 3-3) throwing 3 INT's in a September loss, but he's come a long way from there. JFF ranks in the Top 5 in every major passing and total offensive category this season and is once again a Heisman candidate (my favorite to win it). He's also got a stud receiver in Mike Evans, who will could be a Top-5 pick when he comes out. A&M's D is atrocious though (maybe the worst in the FBS), and LSU has a strong offense led by once sexual assault predator Zach Mettenberger at QB. In the end, I can't pick against Johnny and regardless of my infatuation with Johnny's every move, I think the Aggies win without bias. Late touchdown drive from Manziel wins it for Texas A&M. Texas A&M 35 LSU 32. No practice tomorrow, Johnny's hittin the town.
Tailgate Rating and Tips (9.2/10): Johnny Manziel always deserves your full attention; he's the type of player we won't ever see again in college football. He loves Crown and Sprite or a nice Stella so do him some justice with one of the two, grab some pizza and wings and enjoy the show.
BYU @ Notre Dame (PK, O/U 54) 3:30 PM ET NBC
My Pick
Yea I know, this isn't a Top-25 game and it kind of sucks, but if you've read this far you like me enough to understand my love for the boys in blue and gold. The Irish (7-3) have broken my heart many times, TOO many times, and even multiple times this season. On senior day tomorrow they face a very good BYU (7-3) team, who could pose some problems for the Irish with the running game of QB Taysom Hill and RB Jamaal Williams. The Irish just lost All-American nose tackle Louis Nix (aka Irish Chocolate) for the year, a huge loss for their D-Line. However, I just don't see ND losing this game. I think Tommy Rees throws two TD's in his final home game and the D plays inspired football limiting the Mormons on offense. I just hope the damn running game gets going and the secondary can cover the deep ball and...ah hell Notre Dame could easily lose this game. Looks like emotional hell ride for me. Notre Dame 21 BYU 20.
Tailgate Rating and Tips (10/10): Bias rating, I don't care. Notre Dame Senior Day, grab a Guinness and watch the roller coaster of emotion that is Tommy Rees, which is every Saturday for me in the fall. No food recommended, especially if your an Irish fan; you might not wanna soak up any of the Guinness if this thing goes south.
#5 Oregon @ Arizona (+20.5, O/U 67.5) 3:30 PM ET ABC
My Pick
Two high-powered offenses in this match-up. Oregon (9-1, 6-1) is Oregon once again this year, sporting one of the highest scoring offenses in the country led by QB Marcus Mariota and a bunch of athletes at the skill positions. Arizona (6-4, 3-4) also has a great offense led by RB Ka'Deem Carey who ranks in the Top-5 in rushing yards and QB BJ Denker (aka Vanilla Vick). This game is going to be about who can score the most and I don't think Arizona can quite hang with the Ducks. The Ducks also cover every big spread so I like Oregon and the over 67.5. Oregon 52 Arizona 28
Tailgate Rating and Tips (8/10): Underrated game, should be high-scoring. A couple mixers might be a good play for this one if your watching. Maybe some House music. The three games above (yes, Notre Dame too) should take preference so choose wisely.
My Pick
The big Pac-12 match-up of the weekend right here. A lot of things tell me to take UCLA (8-2, 5-2) as a home dog. They've been playing good ball and have NFL talent on both sides, headed by QB Brett Hundley and a scary, scary man in LB Anthony Barr. However, I gotta go with Arizona State (8-2, 6-1) as my spirit pick for the weekend. My best friend Jack goes to ASU and it's my spring break destination this March, as it was my freshman year. Offensive show, but RB Marion Grice and QB Taylor Kelly get it done on a late. Arizona State 41 UCLA 37
Tailgate Rating and Tips (8.5/10): ASU is a wild time trust me, people get after it in all sorts of ways, but my boy Jack stays loyal to his Natty's. Natty Light is the drink of choice for this game...switch to Ice is UCLA catches fire. Jack's also a big grill guy, so dogs and burgers are a good call if your in a warm destination.
#8 Missouri @ #25 Ole Miss (+2.5, O/U 57) 7:45 PM ET ESPN
My Pick
Missouri (9-1, 5-1) returns senior quarterback James Franklin for this game on the road vs. Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3). Maty Mauk did an admirable job in relief going 3-1 the past four games. Missouri is looking to secure a spot in the SEC Championship game, so they can't afford any slip ups. Something tells me Ole Miss might win this game, but I think Missouri squeaks out a late win with a field goal. Ole Miss has some studs on both sides of the ball, but Missouri is rolling right now. Mizzou has a great offense, a defense that forces a lot of turnovers and they get their guy back behind center. High scoring one in the dirty south. Missouri 38 Ole Miss 35
Tailgate Rating and Tips (6.8/10): Two better games intersect this one at the similar times. Just skip it. Missouri is fun to watch, Ole Miss is sketchy.
#4 Baylor @ #10 Oklahoma State (+9.5, O/U 78) 8:00 PM ET ABC
My Pick
Baylor (9-0, 6-0) is the most explosive offense in college football...no contest. They rank first in the nation in total offense, first in plays averaged per game, and also lead the nation in big plays. Also, with all the focus on their eye-candy of an offense, Baylor's defense doesn't get the credit it deserves. The Bears D ranks 11th in total defense. With all that said...I don't like Oklahoma State (9-1, 6-1) in this game...I LOVE Oklahoma State. I just don't think they've got enough credit for the year they've had and I believe this will be a dogfight. They are finally starting to play on offense under QB Clint Chelf and got a nice win @ Texas last week. The Cowboys are real tough at home, definitely the best team Baylor will have faced to-date. Oklahoma State wins outright. Ok St 40 Baylor 37
Tailgate Rating and Tips (9/10): A fun, and very important, prime-time game after some good early ones. I'm craving Chinese food at the moment, so we'll go with Chinese and Buds. Two different countries but its football and everyone loves football.
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