I was yelling Go Green when this happened on the Jumbotron at Auburn. Tiger fans seemed quite puzzled It’s championship week!
But before we get into that, a shout out to Dr Big Guy for the great time at the Iron Bowl. From the War eagle and F16s prior to the game, the super cool light show at the end of the third quarter to the final play, it was an exciting game even if the outcome wasn’t quite what we were hoping for. As the game wound down, Dr Big Guy and the Swag Man headed down to the tunnels hoping to storm the field but Bama rallied back and won in triple OT. Crap
Meanwhile, the Big Guy and I were on the other side of the field enjoying highlights of the MSU Penn State game. Periodically, during time outs they would show live look ins of the the Land Grant Trophy game. Got to watch two Spartan scores including the game clincher. There must have been closet Spartan fans in the broadcast booth.
And, has there ever been a weirder coaching carousel season? Normally this would be the week when it starts but this year it go started well before the season end. And normally, losing coaches get fired for the not enough wins and too many losses only to be replaced by coaches from smaller schools or coordinators from the larger schools.
This year we got a coach was replaced for not getting a simple shot (Washington State) others just up and quit even if they went to the Orange Bowl two years ago and are headed to their fourth bowl in five years (Virginia)
But before we get into that, a shout out to Dr Big Guy for the great time at the Iron Bowl. From the War eagle and F16s prior to the game, the super cool light show at the end of the third quarter to the final play, it was an exciting game even if the outcome wasn’t quite what we were hoping for. As the game wound down, Dr Big Guy and the Swag Man headed down to the tunnels hoping to storm the field but Bama rallied back and won in triple OT. Crap
Meanwhile, the Big Guy and I were on the other side of the field enjoying highlights of the MSU Penn State game. Periodically, during time outs they would show live look ins of the the Land Grant Trophy game. Got to watch two Spartan scores including the game clincher. There must have been closet Spartan fans in the broadcast booth.
And, has there ever been a weirder coaching carousel season? Normally this would be the week when it starts but this year it go started well before the season end. And normally, losing coaches get fired for the not enough wins and too many losses only to be replaced by coaches from smaller schools or coordinators from the larger schools.
This year we got a coach was replaced for not getting a simple shot (Washington State) others just up and quit even if they went to the Orange Bowl two years ago and are headed to their fourth bowl in five years (Virginia)
The SEC, bless their hearts, doesn’t care about two or three years ago. Just ask Dan Mullen at Florida (SEC East champs 2020) and Ed Orgeron (National Champs 2019)
But what makes this year really weird is head coaches at the top Power Five programs leaving for other Power Five programs. I can’t recall the last time an Oklahoma coach left to coach another school but that’s what Lincoln Riley did when he left for USC. Say what you will about how it’s a great fit for Lincoln but in the end I still think he didn’t want to head to the SEC meatgrinder. He’s leaving the best program in the Big 12 for perhaps third or fourth best team in the SEC.
But that leaves unexplained why Brian Kelly left a sweet situation in Notre Dame (schedule full of ACC teams, PAC 12 teams and service academies, an exclusive NBC contract, national recruiting landscape) for the same SEC Lincoln is avoiding. Who leaves Notre Dame anyway? I can’t recall it ever happening.
The best part is that Luke Fickell, who was waiting for either the ND or Ohio State to open up was passed over for the Domer top job. After screwing around with State after Dantonio retired, I’m just smiling. Justly deserved there Luke.
And the carousel keeps spinning. Every day brings a new turn. I’ll have a full recap when things settle down – usually around the Super Bowl.
But what makes this year really weird is head coaches at the top Power Five programs leaving for other Power Five programs. I can’t recall the last time an Oklahoma coach left to coach another school but that’s what Lincoln Riley did when he left for USC. Say what you will about how it’s a great fit for Lincoln but in the end I still think he didn’t want to head to the SEC meatgrinder. He’s leaving the best program in the Big 12 for perhaps third or fourth best team in the SEC.
But that leaves unexplained why Brian Kelly left a sweet situation in Notre Dame (schedule full of ACC teams, PAC 12 teams and service academies, an exclusive NBC contract, national recruiting landscape) for the same SEC Lincoln is avoiding. Who leaves Notre Dame anyway? I can’t recall it ever happening.
The best part is that Luke Fickell, who was waiting for either the ND or Ohio State to open up was passed over for the Domer top job. After screwing around with State after Dantonio retired, I’m just smiling. Justly deserved there Luke.
And the carousel keeps spinning. Every day brings a new turn. I’ll have a full recap when things settle down – usually around the Super Bowl.
The Roadrunners have just enough defense to contain WKU OK - It’s time for Championship Week! Plenty of great games starting starting with tonight’s action:
UTSA +3.5 versus Western Kentucky – UTSA was 11-0 going into last week with a chance to sneak into a NY6 bowl. Then they crapped the bed against North Texas, getting smoked by the Mean Green 45-23. UTSA is still a good team. It just goes to show how difficult it is to go undefeated.
Western Kentucky and QB Billy Zappe are going to throw it all over the yard. They lead the nation in passing and have won seven straight since losing to UTSA back in early October.
Vegas wants you to believe that Western is going to play the revenge angle, that it’s tough to beat a team twice in a season and that UTSA is stumbling down the stretch. Don’t believe it. At home in the AlamoDome the Roadrunners will limit the Hilltoppers passing attack just enough to get the win. I’ll lay a quatloo in the money line at +140
UTSA +3.5 versus Western Kentucky – UTSA was 11-0 going into last week with a chance to sneak into a NY6 bowl. Then they crapped the bed against North Texas, getting smoked by the Mean Green 45-23. UTSA is still a good team. It just goes to show how difficult it is to go undefeated.
Western Kentucky and QB Billy Zappe are going to throw it all over the yard. They lead the nation in passing and have won seven straight since losing to UTSA back in early October.
Vegas wants you to believe that Western is going to play the revenge angle, that it’s tough to beat a team twice in a season and that UTSA is stumbling down the stretch. Don’t believe it. At home in the AlamoDome the Roadrunners will limit the Hilltoppers passing attack just enough to get the win. I’ll lay a quatloo in the money line at +140
Overs are fun - Gooooooo! Utah -2.5 versus Oregon – Another, you can’t beat a team twice trap. Utah soundly beat Oregon two weeks ago. Nothing has changed and Oregon really is stumbling down the stretch. I’ll lay the points for a quatloo.
Kent State vs Northern Illinois over 74.5 – yet another rematch game. Back in the beginning of November these two went full MACtion, scoring a combined 99 points. Now Vegas is only asking for 74.5. Sure why not, overs are fun.
UL Lafayette money line over Appalachian State – Another rematch. ULL destroyed App State 41-13 back when we were in Maui. Staying with a theme here. Despte Ragin Cajun heading up to Gainesville to coach the Gators next year, I’m still taking ULL on the money line at +125
Kent State vs Northern Illinois over 74.5 – yet another rematch game. Back in the beginning of November these two went full MACtion, scoring a combined 99 points. Now Vegas is only asking for 74.5. Sure why not, overs are fun.
UL Lafayette money line over Appalachian State – Another rematch. ULL destroyed App State 41-13 back when we were in Maui. Staying with a theme here. Despte Ragin Cajun heading up to Gainesville to coach the Gators next year, I’m still taking ULL on the money line at +125
Pitt plays defense - WtF does not Houston vs Cincinnati under 53.0 – Unders are hard. A turnover back in your red zone or heaven forbid, overtime and it’s gone. But Houston plays good defense, even better than Cincinnati. Houston will want to prove that tomorrow. They lead the AAC in turnovers so expect Cincy to play a little conservative too.
Pitt -3.0 vs Wake Forest – Both teams can rack up the points. But Pitt plays defense, WtF doesn’t. The Panthers make just enough stops to get the cover.
Iowa money line vs scUM – I’ll be rooting for Iowa anyways. Why not cash in at +340. It’s not like I’ll be happy if the Hawkeyes merely cover.
And for the other games I’ll do a money line parlay at +194 with:
Oklahoma State over Baylor
San Diego State over Utah State
Georgia over Bama – bye bye Tide to the CFP
And for all the games, spreads, picks and much much more, here is the 2021 Week 14 Bettors Guide
Pitt -3.0 vs Wake Forest – Both teams can rack up the points. But Pitt plays defense, WtF doesn’t. The Panthers make just enough stops to get the cover.
Iowa money line vs scUM – I’ll be rooting for Iowa anyways. Why not cash in at +340. It’s not like I’ll be happy if the Hawkeyes merely cover.
And for the other games I’ll do a money line parlay at +194 with:
Oklahoma State over Baylor
San Diego State over Utah State
Georgia over Bama – bye bye Tide to the CFP
And for all the games, spreads, picks and much much more, here is the 2021 Week 14 Bettors Guide
| bettors_guide_2021_week_14.xlsx |
Remember - the 2022 GO JUMBO trip is Oct 29 at the Westgate SuperBook
