The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide, fresh off their much-needed bye, enter the Amen corner of the schedule, with games against LSU, Auburn, and Oklahoma in the stretch run. And, in many ways, it will be the most challenging, as all three are defensive-minded, with the Barn and Sooners being fully elite on that side of the ball.
First up is wannabe’ rival, LSU, tonight at Bryant Denny Stadium. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit around aimlessly waiting for the Tigahs and Tide to kick off. It is a heavy schedule this week (fully 10 games have already been played), however with surprisingly few “big” games. But what big games there are, matter in extremis, particularly to the Big 12 and SEC.
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So, let’s take a look at what to watch, why to watch it, and how to do so. The schedule is in God’s Right and Proper Central time, and comes via CFBGrid.
Must See TV
No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 19 Mizzou — Last year the Tigers got absolutely smashed in College Station. But since then, they’ve doubled down on winning the war up front and, like the Aggies, control games with their lines and running games. The other similarity is that both teams try to disguise their iffy quarterbacking and shaky secondaries. For all that, this is still the best defense the Aggies have faced all year, and Mizzou plays exponentially better in CoMo. After having smoke blown up their ass for a solid week, is A&M primed for an upset? Should be a good game for fans of old-fashioned MANBALL.
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No. 8 BYU at No. 9 Texas Tech — Tech is easily the most talented team in the Big 12 when healthy, and at full strength have smashed every opponent they’ve faced. BYU is the most resilient team in the Big 12, and while not as talented, they never seem to die, springing several road upsets and handling the Utes at home. But that’s the rub: neither have played particularly great competition either. The common quality denominator was Utah — the Cougars squeaked by at home; the Red Raiders smashed the Utes on the road by three touchdowns. This will be the best team that the other has faced all season. Will the Raiders flex their muscles at home, or will the Mormons be able to out-grit and out-gut their more talented hosts? It is a must-win for both in a very tight B12 race.
Auburn @ No. 15 Vandy — Like A&M/Mizzou, this game is going to be won upfront, and by the team that can best throw the ball. The running games for both have been highly efficient — Vanderbilt actually uses theirs though. And whereas the ‘Dores have one of the SEC’s best lines, and win by not beating themselves, the Barn has had the opposite problem. Their pass blocking is atrocious and they’ve mastered boneheaded mistakes. There’s also a lot of distraction with the coaching staffs. Clark Lea has been connected with almost every “big” opening (as though an SEC program with billion-dollar donors, new facilities, and reno’d stadium aren’t enough commitment). While Auburn faces a different sort of distraction…or is it a distraction at all? With Freeze out, DJ Durkin seems to have doubled-down on making the Tigers less of a tent revival, and more of a street fight. He seems to have their heads screwed on straight; and at least from the outside, this seems to be a more focused, disciplined, and coherent squad — and they already have the talent advantage. But is that enough and will the mistakes persist? This is likely going to be a war. Ordinarily you wouldn’t think a No. 15 team hosting a squad fighting for bowl eligibility would be very impactful, but this one is going to be.
Keep an Eye On:
No. 2 South Dakota State at South Dakota — Despite being mauled by the No. 1 ND State Bison last week, the Jackrabbits are still the second-best team in FCS. But they’ve struggled at the Dakota Dome, and though the Coyotes are having a down year with the new coaching staff, USD remains dangerous. An upset here would make their season. And yes, this is a completely self-interested plug. No, I don’t care. I’m writing it, so I get to choose. #GoYotes
No. 29 FSU (Just to remind you that FSU is a quality team) @ Clemson — Surely the Tigers won’t move to winless at home in the ACC, and somehow drop an unprecedented 5th game Upstate, right? If you’ve seen their woes defending the pass, then you don’t like Clem’s chances here. Klubnik is probably going to tee off on a bad FSU secondary, but can the Tigers get enough stops? They failed against the likes of Duke and SMU at home. A loss here could possibly bring to fruition my personal dream of Dabo Swinney at Auburn Without a Lake. You probably ought to root for the Seminoles too. #TeamSOS
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No. 6 Oregon at Iowa — This is one of those games that Oregon is loathe to play: ugly, physical, on the road. They were shut down by the far less talented Badgers for the better part of the afternoon last week. Now they get to reprise that rockfight with the OG master of winning disgusting football. Oregon really doesn’t like to get punched in the mouth. The Hawkeyes will swing with you all day along the lines. Possible upset? Or will the Ducks’ speed and talent just be too much? I don’t suggest you actually watch it until the final three minutes or so…that’s when you’ll know whether the Ducks blew the doors off the Hawkeyes, or whether Iowa will line up for an ugly game-winner from 43 yards. Those are really the only two possible outcomes here.
No. 2 Indiana @ Penn State — The Nittany Lions have the talent on paper, but do they have the heart to fight back and make this a game? Or are the Hoosiers going to let ‘er rip on the road and blast another name brand? The Ducks already ran into IU, who may legitimately be the best team in football…or at least are playing like it. The Nittany Lions have dropped close game after close game all season. That resulted in the loss of James Franklin, sending him to Blacksburg next season (if #sauces are to be believed). But more worrying than the W/L record if you’re a Penn State fan, is that the defense has been exposed in a big way by talent (Oregon), scheme (Northwestern), and coaching (UCLA). Penn State with a trash defense and inability to run the ball would be like…Alabama with a trash defense and inability to run the ball. But an upset here throws the entire established order into disarray. I could stand for a little chaos.
Big, Dumb Fun Football
No. 5 Georgia @ Mississippi State: The Starkvegas Bulldogs are the scariest 3-5 SEC team I think we’ve ever seen, especially at home. They upset Arizona State, had No. 10 Texas on the ropes before losing in overtime, and it took two fluke scoop-and-scores for the No. 23 Volunteers to survive — also in overtime. In comes the Georgia Bulldogs with their offense that will throw every bit as much as ‘Bama, and a defense that has been a might-bit sus against the pass itself. They are the quietest Top 5 team in the country, and I think Kirby is actually enjoying the lack of notoriety for a change. You know he’s enjoying all of those close games that are making his group tougher — wins against rivals Auburn, Florida, Tennessee by 16 points, and a loss to ‘Bama by three. It’s been a long time since the Dawgs have been tested week-in and -out. Meanwhile, State had the week off, while the Dawgs had to focus on Florida, and now UGA gets to travel into the CLANGA hellmouth for one of those early trap games, and face a very motivated MSU team that can easily pull off the upset. This is just as likely to be a defensive struggle as a shootout…and it could happen in the same game, too. It’ll almost certainly be close though. A win here would be almost as good for ‘State as the Egg Bowl. They’re close, but are they close enough to finally get over the hump?
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Unwatchable Filth
Florida @ Kentucky: This tandem are 13th and 14th in passing offense and total offense, 12th and 14th in rushing offense, 15th and 16th in interceptions thrown, and 13th and 15th in scoring offense. It’s not like they got here honestly either — they’re just ugly teams, playing ugly football, and in the Gators’ case, significantly playing beneath their talent level. One squad has already fired its coach, the other may do so. There’s no life with either of them, no identity, Kroger Field is about as daunting as pre-Clark Lea Vandy, and this contest has generated all the excitement of a sloth on ketamine.
I genuinely can’t say anything good about either of these teams except that Jadan Baugh is a quality running back, Kendrick Law scored a touchdown last week, and Kentucky beat Auburn on the road. LOL.
It’s going to be bad football, played badly, and watching it will only make you feel bad.
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And if none of that tickles your fancy, you can always check out Alabama’s depleted basketball roster facing No. 5 St John’s in Madison Square Garden at 11:00 a.m. Central.
Here’s your football thread until we join you again for the 6:00 Central kick of ‘Bama / LSU. Have a great day.
Roll Tide
Who’s winning in Nashville today and why? Auburn? Vanderbilt?
