COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 12

COLLEGE FOOTBALL – WEEK 12 – 2k20

Abbreviated article today, some big games on the slate, but not much has changed since last week (one of the worst CFB slates of all time – well, the worst TOB can remember, so more likely the worst of this season).  News from the PAC12 that they are going to allow non-conference games this year (so much for being so worried about COVID, turns out Don Ohlmeyer is still right), which could open the door to Oregon playing BYU or Cincinnati.  That would help both sides, since without a signature win (there are none of those to be had in the PAC12) all three of those teams would likely be left out of the CFP.  Here’s to hoping we get a version of that in early December. 

On a recent work trip, a minor business idea came to TOB (unfortunately for TOB’s employer, it had nothing to do with my actual job, though very little does).  As a handful of men ranging form 35-50 chatted about the old days when we would go to college bars, buy cheap drinks and essentially have a full night of fun (and booze) for less than $20, a light went off.  Fake college ID’s for old people!  Young people are always trying to be older (shout out to Radetic for making the best fake ID’s back in college – well, “best” in that some door man at the dimly lit Grotto believed a peach-fuzz faced kid was 21), so why not let some old people pretend to be young again?  “But TOB, you can just enroll in University of Phoenix, SNHU, or one of those other adult colleges that are advertised 100 times a day.”  Yeah, I’m sure you can, but do you think some bar in Columbia, MO is going to waive the cover charge because you are taking some rando business class that you probably don’t need and won’t ever actually use?  I’m talking about Ivy league schools, or just the largest school that happens to be close to your hometown.  Single guy in your mid 30’s trying to pick up a younger girl – maybe your U of I college ID falls out as you’re paying for your $5 pitcher of Natural Light – look who might just be the 7th year senior!  Saving $$ on drinks and taking home a 22 year old, win, win! 

The only games that mattered last week (and that’s being generous):

·         Cincinnati over East Carolina – This game wasn’t interesting in the least, but if Cincinnati can keep blowing teams out they should have a shot at the CFP as the top teams continue to cannibalize each other.  They need that game against a PAC12 school though to prove they can hang with a Power 5 team.

·         Miami over Va Tech – Fortunately for the ACC Miami was able to come back and win this game.  Miami can (and should) win out to finish in the top 10 and give ND and Clemson an extra boost for the CFP.

·         USC over Arizona – USC could easily be 0-2, they are not good. 

·         ND over Boston College – This had trap game written all over it, ND came out and dominated.  Nice to see that, gotta win out, stay healthy, and prepare for the re-match with Clemson.  Next game is Friday after Thanksgiving against UNC, their toughest remaining contest.  Where is the Ian Book for Heisman push?  Oh, 11 TDs, 6 rushing TDs…that’s where it is.

Various team / conference takeaways:

·         Michigan (the entire state) sucks.  Time to start over, Harbaugh is likely out at UM, Mel Tucker appears to not be working out at MSU.  Yikes

·         Indiana is a great story, though the glass slipper may come off in about two hours. Some of those big wins from early in the season don’t look all that impressive as the season has gone along (Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, well, basically their entire schedule)

Big games of this weekend:

·         Indiana at Ohio State – If the Hoosiers can stay within 10, that’s a big step for the program.  Just don’t regress next season and become the Minnesota of this year (how’s that row boat going now PJ Fleck?)

·         Oklahoma State at Oklahoma – OKST is a fraud.  This should be a big OU win and will likely eliminate the BIG12 from the CFP.

·         Wisconsin at Northwestern – Northwestern has had a good defense for years, not sure they can score with Wisconsin – keep it within a score and hope that the ball bounces your way in the 4th quarter.

Nothing big in the SEC this weekend, that fires up next weekend with the Iron Bowl and some of the other big rivalries. 

Lounge Lizard Update:

Coming into the week as the number 1 team in the Afternoon Delight league, the Lounge Lizards faced a tough task trying to fend off league president Jeanne’s squad who were gifted a bye.  Fortunately, Case led the way with a solid 550 series and carried the Lizards to a miracle game 3 win giving us a 5-2 victory and maintain the top spot.  LOB continues to hold the Lounge Loser trophy by bowling 25 pins below her average.  The big mistake was coming out of the gates too hot, her average started 25 pins above where it finished last season.  Rookie mistake…

-Tonyonball