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Football
Tony's Tip Sheet
By Tony Gerdeman

Remember college football? Those were the days.

Unbeknownst to CNN there is actually college football being played on the field this week, so I hope you don't mind if we talk about it for a bit.

The weekend gets kicked off with the rarest of rarities on Thursday—an important ACC game. From there we go to a completely loaded noon slot on Saturday with nearly more games than networks on which to air them.

Things slow down at 3:30, but we do have a chance of seeing both Michigan and Boise State, which is always a good time.

The evening then winds down with Oregon at Stanford, which will go a long way in telling us if we're going to have an LSU – Alabama rematch to yell about.

And right now, I'm pretty tired of yelling.

Thursday November 10

Teams: #10 Virginia Tech (8-1) at #21 Georgia Tech (7-2)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 4.5
Cheer For: Georgia Tech

The winner of this game is a very solid bet to be playing Florida State in the ACC Championship Game. Iif Georgia Tech wins, they're a virtual lock to play in it considering the only conference game they have left is a trip to Duke. It won't be easy for the Yellow Jackets, however, because the Hokies didn't play last week and have had extra time to prepare for this matchup. Still, the game is in Atlanta, which will help Georgia Tech, but I have to believe Virginia Tech has been preparing for this game for some time. The 14-10 win at Duke the week before their bye week would seem to indicate that their minds were on a team other than the Blue Devils. The Hokies have the fifth-best run defense in the country (86.33 yards rushing per game allowed), but the Georgia Tech running game is different than everybody else's. I know that I have very little chance of getting this game right. I'm going with Virginia Tech because I know if I take Georgia Tech I'll get it wrong, though I'm pretty sure I just got it wrong by taking the Hokies. Virginia Tech 27 – Georgia Tech 21

Friday November 11

Teams: USF (4-4) at Syracuse (5-4)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Syracuse

A game between the two last-place teams in the Big East? Why has television forsaken us? Doesn't it remember that time we closed down the Out-R-Inn on a Sunday night and brought everybody back with us to watch a WWE pay per view back in college? We deserve better than this. Getting back to this junk game, I'm gonna take USF even though they've lost four in a row. Syracuse is ripe for an upset. I assume they're favored. I'm not going to expend the energy to find out. USF 30 – Syracuse 27

Saturday November 12

Teams: Florida (5-4) at #13 South Carolina (7-2)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (CBS)
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: Florida

We're cheering for Florida because the SEC is always better when teams fall back to the pack of mediocrity and nobody talks about them. We don't like it when others have success. It reminds us of our failures. Like the time we kept leaving post-it notes on the soda machine at the office back in college begging The Man to bring back Mr. Pibb. Why was Mr. Pibb taken from us? He didn't ask to leave did he? Was it something that we did? None of these questions were answered, and we moved on to Dr. Pepper. Sure, it eventually led to all of the success that you see before us today, but not a day goes by that I don't think about what might have been had Mr. Pibb never been ripped from our life. I don't know if Mr. Pibb failed us, or we failed Mr. Pibb. Probably somewhere in between. What was the question again? South Carolina 24 – Florida 21

Teams: #2 Oklahoma State (9-0) at Texas Tech (5-4)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 4.5
Cheer For: Oklahoma State

We're cheering for Oklahoma State even though I'm starting Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege this week. Relax, I've clinched a spot in the playoffs, so don't get conflicted. Texas Tech is looking to do their second derailing of an undefeated team of the season. It was just a few weeks ago that the Red Raiders upset the Sooners in Norman, and now they'll get a chance to do the same thing to the Pokes, but they'll get a chance to do it in the friendly confines of whatever it is their stadium is called. This game is going to be a shootout for as long as Texas Tech can keep up. Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden threw for 502 yards in last week's 52-45 win against Kansas State, and similar numbers might be needed this week as well. Texas Tech somehow sandwiched that monumental Sooner upset between four conference losses—the last two of which have been absolute blowouts. The current thought is that the Red Raiders pulled a Costanza and called it a night on their season when they knew they could do no better than that, but after two straight horrible losses, it's time to wake up again. I don't think Texas Tech wins this, but I think they can stay within three touchdowns for most of the game. Especially the first quarter! Oklahoma State 63 – Texas Tech 35

Teams: West Virginia (6-3) at #23 Cincinnati (7-1)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: West Virginia

I'm torn. I'm actually starting to think we should be cheering for the Bearcats to make it to the BCS just so they can get drilled again. Those were good times, you have to admit. Cincinnati is in first place at 3-0 in conference play, but they have won their last two Big East games by just three points each. West Virginia comes into this game having lost a heartbreaker last week at Louisville. The Mountaineers have lost two of their last three conference games, and had to work awfully hard just to beat Rutgers. Dana Holgorsen doesn't look much like Bill Stewart, but his record sure does. His liver probably does too. Cincinnati 34 – West Virginia 29

Teams: #16 Texas (6-2) at Missouri (4-5)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (FX)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Missouri

Marshmallow fight! And not just regular marshmallows, but like super soft marshmallows with holes in them...like “Swiss marshmallows”. The Longhorns have actually looked pretty good the last two weeks with wins over Kansas and Texas Tech. This improvement coincides with (aside from the schedule) the insertion of freshman running back Joe Bergeron into the lineup. He has 42 carries for 327 yards and five touchdowns in those two weeks and looks to do more damage against Mizzou. I like where this offense is going right now with the running game and quarterback David Ash, but they're still young and this is a trap game against an opponent that has played well in quality losses. Missouri needs this win, and Texas might be feeling a bit full of themselves. But I'm still taking Texas because I was already regretting the fact that I was actually going to take Missouri. Texas 31 – Missouri 24

Teams: #19 Nebraska (7-2) at #12 Penn State (8-1)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Nebraska

Where to begin? How does one even go about picking this game? You either believe that the Nittany Lions are going to be too shaken to put together a quality effort, or everybody is going to come together and play the best football they can. Even if they play their best football, that doesn't guarantee a Penn State win. Still, I find myself siding with the Nittany Lions' chances. Over their first seven games, Taylor Martinez threw the ball either 21 or 22 times, and the Huskers went 6-1. Over their last two, Martinez has thrown it 13 times against Michigan State (a win) and 37 times against Northwestern (a loss). In other words, Nebraska's offense is getting wonky, and wonky is not a good trait to have against Penn State's defense. I don't expect much from Penn State's offense, but I think Silas Redd can run the ball well enough to find some points somewhere. Penn State 17 – Nebraska 16

Teams: #17 Michigan State (7-2) at Iowa (6-3)
Time (TV): (ESPN2)
Interest: 4.5
Cheer For: Iowa

On one of the pages of Michigan State's future autobiography “Sparty, NO!” you will find the story of this week's battle with Iowa. With a one-game lead over everybody in their own division and the most desirable schedule remaining, Sparty did the most sparty thing that it could have ever spartied—it lost to Iowa. I don't think Marcus Coker is going to run wild on the Spartans, but I think he'll run well enough to put the Hawkeyes in third and short. I also expect James Vandenberg to throw well against Michigan State's blitzes. The Spartans can't run the ball this year, and Iowa is solid enough on defense to continue that trend. Iowa 24 – Michigan State 21

Teams: Wake Forest (5-4) at #9 Clemson (8-1)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPNU)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Clemson

I want to see Clemson in the BCS just so they'll shut up about never getting to go. That's the same reason I took my wife out to dinner that one time. Clemson 41 – Wake Forest 31

Teams: Ohio State (6-3) at Purdue (4-5)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (BTN)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Ohio State

The talk all week has been that Purdue is a different team at home than they are on the road. Turns out, they're slightly better at home, just like everybody else. The Boilermakers absolutely have a defense that can slow down this Ohio State offense. But then, how much of a bold statement is that? Ohio State's offense slows down Ohio State's offense.If Purdue can slow the run down, then the Buckeyes are in trouble. Right now, however, it doesn't look like anybody can slow Boom Herron and company down.

Teams: Rice (3-6) at Northwestern (4-5)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (BTN)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Northwestern

We're cheering for Northwestern because we want the Big Ten to do well when they're playing out of conference. We always want the Big Ten to go undefeated in non-conference games. Like remember that time in 2007 when we were rooting for Michigan to beat Appalachian State? Or that time in 2008 when we were rooting for Michigan to beat Toledo? Good times. Good times. Northwestern 37 – Rice 23

Teams: Pittsburgh (4-5) at Louisville (5-4)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (Gameplan)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Louisville

The Cardinals are one of three—I think—teams in the nation that are starting a true freshman quarterback right now. But the way Louisville is using Teddy Bridgewater is appalling to me. They're making him THROW THE BALL? It's disgusting. I read these box scores and see that Bridgewater threw the ball 27 times last week and 24 times the week before and I want to throw up. That's not any type of college football that I care to witness. Everybody in Louisville should be ashamed. Louisville 30 – Pittsburgh 27

Teams: #20 Auburn (6-3) at #15 Georgia (7-2)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (CBS)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Georgia

If Georgia can win their next two games (Auburn and Kentucky), then they'll be playing in the SEC Championship Game. We'd rather have them there than South Carolina because Georgia at least has an offense. Plus, the longer Mark Richt stays at Georgia, the longer Georgia won't have a cold-blooded SEC coach at the helm. Georgia 28 – Auburn 26

Teams: Miami (FL) (5-4) at Florida State (6-3)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC/ESPN)
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: Florida State

Kids today probably don't realize this, but Miami and Florida State used to have a tremendous rivalry. I know you don't want to believe it, but these games used to contain the largest collection of college football talent on the field at any one time. Those were the days. It was a simpler time. Hunter was just wrapping up a terrific run as America's favorite homicide detective, cell phones required impossibly large pockets, and half-shirts were still the nation's shirt of choice. We were a happy people. Now everything has caved in. People suck, and the Canes and Noles suck right along with them. If you are watching this game, you have likely been involved in a knife fight within the last week. Florida State 34 – Miami 21

Teams: #24 Michigan (7-2) at Illinois (6-3)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ESPN/ABC)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Illinois

I'm terribly interested to see how this game plays out. I'm currently of the opinion that Michigan wins it, but Illinois has had a week off to get ready for this game. They have defensive ends that can absolutely get after Denard Robinson and cornerbacks that can make plays on jump balls. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is the type of quarterback who would have given Greg Robinson's defenses fits, but we don't exactly know how he'll do against Greg Mattison's defense. Michigan hasn't faced a zone read team yet, so we really have no idea how they'll handle it. What we do know is that the Wolverines have linebackers who are slow and make poor decisions. That will not bode well. The other matchup to watch is receiver A.J. Jenkins on everybody. They will run him all over the place, and there won't be many who can match up with him. Michigan's defensive line is going to have to win this game. I think I have completely talked myself out of picking the Wolverines in this one even though that was my plan all along. Illinois has the sixth-ranked defense in the nation, so I clearly should go with them. I'm completely torn. I haven't gotten a Michigan pick wrong yet this year. I guess I'll go with my first instinct, that way even if I'm wrong, Michigan will still have lost. Michigan 24 – Illinois 21

Teams: Texas A&M (5-4) at #14 Kansas State (7-2)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Kansas State

The Wildcats have lost two in a row, to both Oklahoma schools. The good news for Kansas State is that Texas A&M is not located in Oklahoma, it is located in Texas. Wildcat quarterback Collin Klein is tied for third in the nation in rushing touchdowns with 19. He is amazing. Now he's starting to throw the ball as well. I always get burned by picking against Kansas State, so I'm not falling for it this time. Kansas State 35 – Texas A&M 28

Teams: TCU (7-2) at #5 Boise State (8-0)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (VS)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: TCU

We're cheering for TCU because this should be a home game for the Horned Frogs, but when the Mountain West Conference found out that TCU was leaving for the Big East, they voted to make this a home game for Boise State. What a bunch of petty tools. Meanwhile, now TCU is headed for the Big XII and Boise State might be headed for the Big East. Hey, if you've got some buddies that like to throw the football around, maybe you can join the MWC. TCU lost by two points at Baylor to start the season, and lost to SMU in overtime just over a month ago. Since then they've been solid and have been running the ball pretty well. The defense isn't where it needs to be, but they have the offense to burn some clock against the Broncos, but they won't burn enough. Boise State 38 – TCU 24

Teams: #18 Wisconsin (7-2) at Minnesota (2-7)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (BTN)
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: Minnesota

I'm interested to see how Minnesota plays this game. After a win against Iowa two weeks ago, they stayed with the Spartans in East Lansing for the entire game before losing 31-24. Wisconsin comes to town and the Gophers appear to be hitting some sort of stride. (Granted, if you've ever seen a gopher, they don't have the longest or smoothest strides.) Against Sparty, quarterback MarQueis Gray threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 71 yards on 21 carries. Of course he also threw two interceptions, but it's clear that he is beginning to emerge as a troublemaker. I think Minnesota will score some points, but they don't have the defense to contain Montee Ball and Russell Wilson. Wisconsin 42 – Minnesota 24

Teams: Washington (6-3) at USC (7-2)
Time (TV): 3:45 pm (FX)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Washington

This should be a bit of a shootout between two fairly quality opponents. Despite both teams being pretty good, however, neither have a shot to make it to the Pac 12 Championship Game. USC isn't eligible for it, and Washington has already lost to Oregon and Stanford, and can't pass both. Still, when Washington and USC get together, you can throw out the records, and it really doesn't matter where you throw the records, because there's trash laying everywhere around USC. USC 38 – Washington 34

Teams: Tennessee (4-5) at #8 Arkansas (8-1)
Time (TV): 6:00 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Tennessee

We're cheering for Tennessee because we want Arkansas to lose. The Razorbacks represent Alabama's only quality win this season, and no, a win over Penn State is not “quality”. But it won't matter—Arkansas will still roll. Tennessee's defense should either join the MAC, or quit pretending to be one of them.

Teams: #3 Alabama (8-1) at Mississippi State (5-4)
Time (TV): 7:45 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Mississippi State

If you have a cow bell—and I know that you do—break it out for this game. The Bulldogs need all of us. Actually, I just checked, there's an app out there that lets you download an MSU cow bell to your phone. You then shake your phone to ring the bell. I wonder how many idiots at games drop their phones doing this. That's why a phone is only to be used as a replacement for an actual bell IN EMERGENCIES ONLY. With all of us shaking our bells, we can expect Mississippi State to keep this one close. Dan Mullen is due for an upset. Alabama 24 – Mississippi State 10

Teams: #7 Oregon (8-1) at #4 Stanford (9-0)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Stanford

Stanford faces its last big hurdle of the season Saturday night. Yes, they still have Cal and Notre Dame coming to town, but come on, those two teams are softer than soup. As if that wasn't easy enough, if they win out, they'll only have to play Arizona State or possibly even UCLA in the conference championship game. If they win out, of course, then ESPN won't get their SEC rematch in the BCS National Championship Game that they're begging for. This, above all else, is why we're rooting for Stanford. One single cheer for Oregon is a cheer for ESPN. You don't want to cheer for ESPN do you? Of course you don't. We all hate ESPN. I hate it as I watch it right now. I hate it when I watch it for twelve hours on Saturdays. I hate it when I listen to it on the radio. I hate their stupid website that I'm using to write this very preview. I especially hate my ESPN hoodie that I wear to buy my groceries. Anyway, enough of my rant about the evil ESPN, sometimes they just make me so mad. Stanford is favored by about a field goal in this game, which means that people don't want to give up on Oregon just yet. They're hoping they can be the Ducks they used to be, instead of the Ducks that people have seen get beat up over the last three years by power football teams. Unfortunately for them, Stanford is also a power football team. They're averaging 224.7 yards rushing per game, and are tied for third in the nation in stopping the run, allowing just 78.89 yards rushing per game. Obviously they haven't faced anybody this season. The two best teams they've played have been Washington and USC, and both teams moved the ball on them. Oregon's offense has more potential to do big things, but we'll get to find out whether Stanford's defense has been for real, or just been the beneficiary of weak scheduling. In the end this game is going to be won or lost by Andrew Luck, and I just can't see him losing to a Pac 12 defense this year. Stanford 38 – Oregon 28

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