Thanksgiving Weekend Preview and TV Guide
by Peter Bean on Nov 22, 2007 9:49 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintThe penultimate week of the season carries with it a huge series of important and interesting games. Here's to hoping your long holiday weekend is filled with family, friends, good food, and football.
On to the games, which kick off on Thursday night this week. As always, my picks are for entertainment purposes only. I wouldn't touch with real money the vast majority of the games I'm taking a stab at. Scores are predicted before looking at the lines.
For this week's full TV lineup, click here.
1For TV coverage map, click here.
Thursday
USC at Arizona State This looks like trouble for Arizona State - even at home. The Sun Devils have at time struggled to run the ball consistently this season, but have supplemented weak rushing efforts with outstanding quarterback play. On Thursday, a banged up Rudy Carpenter (who was shaky last week against UCLA) will face one of the nation's top pass defenses in Southern Cal. The Trojans allow a paltry 5.0 yards per attempt and for the season have ceded just 6 aerial touchdowns, while picking off 9 opponent attempts. Though USC continues merely to get by on offense, I like the defense to be more than enough to carry them to victory.
Friday
Nebraska at Colorado: Joe Ganz, folk hero, comes off a 7 touchdown, 0 interception performance two weeks ago against Kansas State, leading the left-for-dead Cornhuskers to an astonishing 73 points. They travel to Boulder to face a reeling Colorado team which has lost four of five, including to Iowa State two weeks ago. I see one more win for Callahan before he's fired.
Arkansas at LSU: The Tigers allowed Ole Miss to rush for 7.2 yards per carry last week. Was LSU just saving its energy for this week? Hopefully so, because Darren McFadden and Felix Jones gave the Tigers fits last year, and will happily do so again. LSU probably ought to win this game by two touchdowns, but I have a sneaking suspicion they're going to be in for a ride.
Texas at Texas A&M: We've gone over this game in great detail, and today my pick - Texas by double-digits. The 'Horns enjoy the talent edge and have plenty to play for; it's difficult to imagine this team coming out flat again this year. We can hope, anyway...
Boise State at Hawaii: The Broncos are actually a respectable team against the pass; when the defense has struggled, it's most often been with a team which can run, like Nevada. Bad news for Hawaii? Perhaps, though their defense has put up respectable numbers this season, as well. The truth of the matter is that neither team has played any great competition, so it's quite the crapshoot to guess how this one will go. My head says Hawaii wins this at home, but my gut says Boise State's the better team. I'm going with my gut.
Saturday
Virginia Tech at Virginia: The Cavaliers just don't do anything especially well on offense, which is going to be problematic against a team like the Hokies. Conversely, VT has steadily improved offensively and now resemble the more complete team that's deserving of a top 10-15 ranking.
Tennessee at Kentucky: The Wildcats get one more chance to play spoiler as they host a Tennessee team which can win the SEC East with a victory. The Vols have squeaked by at times, rarely playing a complete game of strong football. Kentucky appears to be limping down the finish line a bit, though, with several key injuries hampering them as they close out what's been a brutal schedule. I'm taking the Vols in a close one.
Connecticut at West Virginia: West Virginia has the far superior offense, and, this year, a defense that won't lose them games. Playing at home, with the Big East title on the line (and a reasonable chance at a BCS Title Game apperance), the Mountaineers have so much to play for. So does Connecticut, but this is new territory for them. Can they win this kind of game on the road? I'm betting not.
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma: Demarco Murray is out. Sam Bradford is a game-time decision. Even playing at home, that spells trouble for the Sooners, who find themselves in an eerily similar position to Texas last year. Should the 'Horns beat A&M on Friday, Oklahoma will have to close out their in-state rival with key players injured just to make the Big 12 championship game. Go Cowboys!
Kansas vs Missouri: The weekend's best game is, appropriately, last. Even more exciting, it's being played at a neutral field - Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium. If you're not excited about this game, you probably don't love college football very much. This has exciting players, amazing storylines, and the highest possible stakes. The game itself sets up to be interesting, as well. Kansas has largely smothered every offense its faced, but the Jayhawks have yet to encounter anything like what Missouri will be bringing. In particular, the explosion of freshman Jeremy Maclin has helped elevate Missouri from a very good offensive team, to a great one. The Tigers still struggle to play consistent defense, though, and Kansas is as efficient an offensive team as there's been in college football this year. The big worry for KU fans, of course, is that the team has yet to face a top 30 team. Can they do what they do against explosive competition? I think they can. Kansas to 12-0.
--PB--
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OU-OSU
Hey PB-
Regarding your comment that "Should the 'Horns beat A&M on Friday, Oklahoma will have to close out their in-state rival . . .", my understanding is that the outcome of the UT-A&M game has no bearing whatsoever on who wins the South. If OSU beats OU, UT wins the South, even with a loss to A&M. A win by UT over A&M will only determine whether UT wins the South outright or via tiebreakers in a 3-way tie with OU and OSU (assuming OU loses to OSU, of course).
Now, don't get me wrong, UT still has plenty to play for vs. A&M, including BCS at-large chances (if OU beats OSU), and, well, freaking state pride.
by Ron McKelvey on Nov 21, 2007 3:42 PM CST reply actions
it's more complicated than that
if UT, ou and OSU tie for the South, there's a whole series of tiebreakers that come into play. Chip Brown's analysis the other day (see the diaries) shows that it will come down to who is higher ranked in the BCS standings -- Texas or o.u.
Unfortunately not
If both Texas and Oklahoma lose, there will be a three-way tie for first place in the Big 12. The tiebreaker would, unfortunately, slip all the way to "higher BCS Ranking," which Oklahoma is likely to win (they're currently three spots ahead of us). Though it's possible both teams could lose, but in such a manner that Texas finished higher in the BCS Rankings than OU, it is highly improbable.
We have to win.
Kansas-Mizzou
My heart (i.e., bandwagon rooting on Saturday night) says Kansas, but my mind says Missouri.
Likewise with OU-OSU; even with a banged up Bradford and sans Murray, I think OU's got, as you put it, the "talent edge and plenty to play for."
I'll also be rooting hard for my other team, the Kentucky Wildcats, to snap their losing streak against Tennessee. Hey, if Navy can beat Notre Dame...A side prop to that is with a Vol loss, Georgia moves up to play LSU in the SEC Championship, which would then follow that Florida would be the likely second BCS team from the SEC. If Tennessee wins, then Georgia would be the second BCS SEC team, provided they beat Tech.
I'll also be rooting hard for the Sun Devils. For some unknown reason, I can't stand USC. I just can't put my finger on it.
Happy viewing, everyone. May you all eat much food and watch much football.
If only...
Missouri hadn't dropped that game to o.u. Saturday's game would be between two undefeateds, possibly ranked 1-2 (how fine would that have been for the Big XII), and UT would be in control of its destiny to win the South. If only ...
Thought the same thing...
but honestly, who is truly legit this year?
LSU looked like a world beater early on and then cooled off. And I don't just mean the Kentucky loss, they barely got by an Alabama team that will be lucky to finish 7-5. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see them get upset in the SEC Title by a streaking Georgia team (if they make it) or even against an Arkansas team letting it all hang out.
Every team that has tried to wear the crown or lay claim to it this year has been humbled because unlike the Texas and USC teams a couple years ago, every team has flaws.
I also think we're conditioned to like our MNC's in a nice little undefeated package.
Plus, after years of watching them play mediocre football, it's hard for us to conceive teams like Mizzou and KU being this highly ranked or playing in a game of this magnitude.
Probably more than any other BCS year with the exception of maybe 2004, this year begs for a play-off.
A lot of people contend that what's happening right know is a de facto play-off. But I can't agree with that because teams like Ohio State don't have to play a conference championship game.
The playing field just isn't level. I think it'll be a travesty if a team like KU finishes 12-0 but loses in the Big XII Championship only to have a team like West Virginia or Ohio State jump them.
Then again, playing in a Conference Championship and winning it against a team of consequence can propel you above teams that don't play conference title games.
Regardless, while I think the majority of fans are going to enjoy the heck out of the last two weeks of the regular season, most of us will still be disenchanted because we're always going to wonder if the two best teams really played for the title.
It's a good debate.
BY DEFAULT
LSU is a pretty strong number 1. They've been very unimpressive the last 2 months (!!!) but have gotten through a tough schedule with a single 3 overtime loss. Other teams playing much weaker schedules have for the most part been unable to do so, including OU (ISU nailbiter anyone?) and even our own beloved Horns (I mean really how horrid were you feeling after the first 3 quarters against Nebrska - good time in the 4th, though hehe).
Still, I really don't think a Georgia win would be an upset and indeed, based on recent from, I'd make the Dawgs a 1 or 2 point favorite on a neutral field. The Georgia Dome, moreover, won't be quite such a field so perhaps we should make that 4 or 5.
Damn it
It's the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, my fridge and pantry are just busting with all sorts of carbilicious fatness, my liquor cabinet actually resembles a liquor cabinet, the in-laws won't be here until noon tomorrow, my 3-year old is watching Nemo, and my wife actually said, "honey, you're just going to get in the way, why don't you just go relax."
And what is there to watch on TV...nothing. How is there not a college football game on tonight...hell I'd settle for Troy vs. Middle Tennessee right now, but nothing, nada, zippo, zilch.
"There's supposed to be a damn football game every night of the week. This is no way to run a desert."
Yes, I realize I should be very thankful for the bountiful football buffet we are about to receive, but would it have killed them to put a game on tonight?
Is there any doubt that Thanksgiving is the best holiday of all...it's like Christmas without the pressure.
Happy Thanksgiving to all. If you need me, I'll be watching the 2001 OU-OSU game.
ok so we know who we want to win.
but what exactly is your pick for the OSU-OU game?
by texaslonghornfan on Nov 21, 2007 5:56 PM CST reply actions
My Gut
... says ASU wins, but my head says USC. With all the 5-star talent USC has on the field, it would be good to see them suffer through a down season for a change. A little humilty never hurt anyone.
Ditto on the Bedlam Series. With Murray out and Bradford questionable, more of the cards seem to stack in OSU's favor. And again, 5-star talent playing agaist largely 3-star talent. This game has rarely gone the way it was picked by the experts, so lets hope this year is no different.
We want Kentucky to beat Tennessee so Georgia goes to the SEC Championship. Losing to LSU should drop Georgia below Texas in the BCS. Florida is as Florida does - they will probably get a BCS bid if Georgia loses. Orange Bowl will probably take them. The thought of facing Tebow in that game scares the bejesus out of me.
by patienthornsfan on Nov 22, 2007 6:36 AM CST reply actions
Desperately want
a win over aTm, certainly much more than a shot at the Big 12. Given a choice between Horns AND OU wins and no shot at the Big 12 and losses by both that would wash out in such a shot I'd strongly prefer the win. We're on a roll and I'm much more intersted in keeping that going into next year than the Big 12 this year.
More heretically, I have somewhat mixed feelings about going to the Big 12CG at all. The last few weeks have really been exciting but I'm kinda scared of loosing to the Kansas/Missouri winner. With a win Friday we have a great shot at a BCS Bowl or at least a great matchup in the Holiday or Cotton. A loss might derail that. Not saying I prefer we don't got but have somewhat mixed feelings.
This, btw, is exactly the opposite of 2005 when I really WANTED to play USC and remember being scared and rooting for them during the nailbiter at Notre Dame. Oh well.
In any case, should be a great couple of weeks of football.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone.
No Kelson
But getting the LB's back.
According to Texas athletic trainer for football Kenny Boyd, safety Drew Kelson (left knee) is doubtful for Friday's game against Texas A&M. LB Jared Norton (shoulder), LB Sergio Kindle (stinger) and DE Eddie Jones (shoulder) have been cleared to play for Texas.
by patienthornsfan on Nov 22, 2007 3:49 PM CST reply actions
UVA - VaTech
I think Virginia is not getting enough credit this year and Virginia Tech is getting too much. I think Virginia takes this game in a close one at home.
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