College Football: Thanksgiving Week

This is easily one of my favorite times of the year, Thanksgiving!  My family always goes to the beautiful Hill Country of Texas and spends a few days with close friends and about 70 family members.  We eat, we play, we shop, we eat, we have fun and we watch football.  The room is usually divided into Burnt Orange and maroon during one of the games, bet you can guess which one.  Always a fun week, here are my picks for one of the best weekends of the year.

Texas @ Texas A&M:  The Lone Star Showdown could be shut down for awhile, which would be a shame.  This is easily one of the top rivalries in the land, and has been played 117 times with Texas leading the all time series 75-37-5.  This year, the game is a toss up with both teams struggling in different phases of the game.  Texas is having trouble scoring while the Aggies are having trouble stopping others from scoring.  While I think this one will be close, I think the Aggies have an advantage being at home…unfortunately.
My Pick:  Texas A&M 23  Texas 15

Arkansas @ LSU:  The big one of the weekend.  It’s another SEC showdown that features two of the top teams in the nation.  I didn’t think LSU would go undefeated this season, so I am surprised they are STILL without a loss.  This could be the week, which would throw a HUGE wrench into the BCS picture.
My Pick:  LSU 20  Arkansas 16

Ohio State @ Michigan:  This game is a classic rivalry, but this years version has as much excitement as a Thanksgiving Day dog show on NBC.  (I don’t know, just saw a commercial).  The main question in this one is if Urban Meyer will announce that he is the new coach of the Buckeyes during halftime or not.
My Pick:  Michigan 30  Ohio State 20

Alabama @ Auburn:  This game last year was a classic and is always one of the best rivalry games in the nation, if not THE best.  Alabama is still very much in the BCS championship picture, but needs to win at Auburn in order to keep those dreams alive.  Auburn would like nothing more than to ruin the Crimson Tide’s plans and send them home with crushed dreams.
My Pick:  Alabama 23  Auburn 10

Clemson @ South Carolina:  For some reason, I always picture a huge fight happening during this game.  Didn’t that happen just a few years ago?  Clemson is trying to finish up this season like they started it, by winning games.  South Carolina has been a little bit of a disappointment this season, and will try and get one more marquee win.  Should be a good one.
My Pick:  South Carolina 33  Clemson 27

Upset Pick of the Week:  Tulsa 38  Houston 35- This could be the week Houston FINALLY loses.

Game Nobody Cares About:  Albany 42  Stony Brook 20- Are you kidding me?  This is NCAA playoff football, EVERYONE CARES.

College Football: Week 11.

I have missed way too much football!  Let’s just get right down to this:

Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech:  Big ACC matchup between two teams that are kind of under the radar.  Sure, I picked Georgia Tech to upset Clemson a few weeks ago, but not much is known about the Yellowjackets other than their unique offense.  This IS a matchup of two of the top 25 teams according to the BCS rankings, GT is #21 and VT is #10.  Look for both defenses to do enough to keep their teams in this game, should be a good one on Thursday night.
My Pick:  Georgia Tech 24  Virginia Tech 20 

Nebraska @ Penn State:  Hard to believe what is going on at Penn State.  It is sickening.  I don’t think Paterno or any of the coaches or administrators should still be around for this game.  Just my opinion.  I will be amazed if Nebraska doesn’t hang 50 on this distracted Penn State team.  Actually, I don’t even care if they do.

Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech:  Normally I would call this thing a blowout, but the Red Raiders showed the college football world that they CAN knock off a top team, just ask the Sooners.  A couple of things to look out:  Texas Tech has the 11th ranked total offense in the nation, while the Cowboys have the 110th ranked total defense.  110th?!?!  That is BOUND to catch up with them soon.  This could be the week, but I think I may side with the Cowboys on this one.
My Pick:  Oklahoma State 38  Texas Tech 35  (would NOT surprise me to see Tech win)

Miami @ Florida State:  Remember when this game was THE game of the weekend?  I do, but we aren’t really there anymore.  The Seminoles are starting to play great football after losing three in a row, while the Hurricanes just can’t seem to find the “consistent” button on their controls.  The Seminole defense is legit, and will/should control this game.
Florida State 27  Miami 17 

TCU @ Boise State:  This was a great game in the past, but Boise is on another level right now, and TCU is not as good as they have been, which sounds silly with only two losses this season, but that is the stratosphere they put themselves in.  This one could be close for a half, but Boise State will pull away late and stay in the National Title hunt.
My Pick:  Boise State 40  TCU 23

Alabama @ Mississippi State:  While this game probably looks like a 45-13 type game, it has a chance to be a stunner.  I have attended a MSU vs. Bama game in Starkville, and it did not turn out well for the Crimson Tide.  Granted, that year was 2007 and Alabama hadn’t reached its current state, but it was still a stunner.  Could it happen again?  Probably not.
My Pick:  Alabama 38  Mississippi State 19

Oregon @ Stanford:  The big one.  Andrew Luck and Stanford have moved up the BCS rankings week by week, but no one  really trusts if they are a top notch team.  Oregon will prove to be a great measuring stick of the Cardinal and where they are as a legit national power. While looking at this game, you would think there would be MAJOR offensive fireworks, but there is always room for a let down.  Oregon has flown a bit under the radar since its opening loss to #1 LSU, but they Ducks are just as dangerous as ever.  Can’t wait to see this one.
My Pick:  Stanford 33 Oregon 31 

Upset Pick of the Week:  Washington State 29  Arizona State 24- Hey, why not?

Game Nobody Cares About:  Humboldt State 33  Western Oregon 27- This one is for the GNAC Championship.  Are you KIDDING me?