Week 13 Picks--Rivalry Madness

Texas Longhorns @ Texas A&M Aggies
Draper: Thanksgiving ends with a nice rivalry to kick off the weekend. A&M took this game to kick Texas from the ranks of the bowl bound. This year, the game means even less. Kyle Field and the 12th man will be the difference. Tannehill will lead the underachieving Aggies to another win over the vaunted Longhorns. UT: 24--TAMU: 38
Auer: While it may not be the last time these two teams ever meet, but now the Aggies are headed to the SEC. A&M will certainly look back on this season as "What if..." considering four of their five losses came by a total of 15 points... ouch. The Aggies are a better team and will send one final goodbye present to "big brother" in Austin. UT: 18--TAMU: 31
Hoying: If the game goes 30 minutes, bet heavily on the Aggies. Unfortunately, Texas A&M will be forced to come out after halftime and finish a game against a dangerous team looking for a statement win. The Longhorns feature a decent defense but lack the offensive firepower to keep up with Tannehill. Texas dies, Texas dies, and it's goodbye to A&M! Maybe West Virginia can be Texas's crappy rival from now on. UT: 17 -- TAMU: 34Schweinfurth: Aggies (woooo!) and the Longhorns, the battle for Texas. This is the last go 'round for this rivalry as a Big 12 conference game. Texas has shown some life, but is still a middle of the road team. The Aggies (woooo!) are just better and it's at Kyle Field. Aggies (woooo!) barbeque the Horns. UT: 17 -- TAMU: 45

Arkansas Razorbacks @ Louisiana State TigersDraper: The (arguably) biggest game of the weekend is this 'rivalry'. Neither of these teams have an in state rival, but Arkansas is familiar with knocking LSU from the BCS title (until everyone else lost the following week in 2007). This Arkansas team doesn't have Run DMC. Tyler Wilson has been very good except for the game vs. a defense (Bama)...uh oh. I will be rooting like crazy for the Razorbacks to win this and create utter chaos, but it's not going to happen. LSU keeps rolling. Ark: 13--LSU: 23
Auer: Without a doubt LSU has a chance to book their flights to the BCS National Championship game with a win today, regardless of what happens in the SEC Championship game next weekend. I will admit that I've watched R-kansas a grand total of maybe 15 minutes this year, and I didn't see anything that makes me think they can beat LSU in Death Valley. Ark: 7--LSU: 31
Hoying: LSU has indisputably built the best body of work to date, but they have a tough game this week against Ar-Kansas (have a grrreat day). Last time the Tigers came into this one ranked #1 the Razors knocked them down...into the title game. This season is just crazy enough for that scenario to play out again! Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson will test the LSU defense more than McCarron did in Tuscaloosa, but it'll take more than 9 points to match LSU's output against a good-but-not-great Hog defense. This rivalry has produced some of the most exciting clashes in the past 5 years, so let's hope the 1-3 matchup gives a better show than the 1-2 snoozefest earlier this month. Go Razor. Ark: 28--LSU: 21Schweinfurth: SEC gets teams 1, 2, 3 *puke*. But that ends this week. Arkansas has just been steady all year and very quietly putting together a good season. The Razorbacks can send the BCS and the SEC into utter chaos with a win (which I would love to see). Unfortunately, LSU is deserving of the number one ranking. I expect no Les than one fake kick out of Miles and LSU (see what I did there?). Ark: 17 -- LSU: 32

Georgia Bulldogs @ Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsDraper: Clean, Old-fashioned Hate has little implications nationally, but it's always of importance to beat your neighbors. UGA looks forward to an SEC title game that they ascend to thanks to scheduling leaving Bama, LSU, and Arkansas off the schedule. Tech has been flighty but I think the bring the Bulldogs down to earth. Richt will focus on the SEC title and lose sight of the rivalry. Tech has nothing else to look to. Close game taken by Paul Johnson's tricky option. UGA: 27--GT: 28
Auer: I've got a special place in my heart for a team and coach like Paul Johnson. I believe this could end up being the best game of Rivalry Weekend with UGA coming on strong lately, and UGA possibly looking ahead to the SEC Title game, it should be a doozy. Not to mention that the triple option is still a b*tch to defend against. UGA: 31--GT: 38
Hoying: GT looked like an ACC steamroller at the start of this season, until they played a team that had...what's it called...defense. Since then, the Yellow Jackets have looked shaky, taking advantage of a Clemson moment to score a big win. Meanwhile, Georgia has knocked out 8 creampuffs, punctuated with a nice dismantling of a decent Auburn squad. It's simple. One team is getting better, and one team is getting worse (ehhhh...ahhsome). Bulldogs win, again. UGA: 31--GT: 20Schweinfurth: A good old fashioned in-state rivalry. It's the ACC vs. the SEC except in this case I think the better team isn't in the SEC. The Yellow Jackets have a quick strike (!) offense that can effectively shorten any game. It's in the ATL and Johnson is the better coach. UGA: 17 -- GT: 24

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Auburn TigersDraper: Iron Bowl could also provide some intrigue into the SEC/National title. Last year was Bama's shot to derail Auburn and perhaps elevate themselves back into the title hunt and they gagged away a huge lead. This year is all about payback. No Cam Newton=no Auburn win. Saban will be ruthless in this one at home remembering last year. Expect Dyer's running game to be stopped stone cold and the Tide to roll. Aub: 6--Bama: 24
Auer: Alabama is good, Auburn is not. What else needs to be explained? Auburn is a shell of what they were last year, and Gene Chizik should not last much longer in the SEC. Trent Richardson is a beast and may use this game to vault his name to the top of the Heisman Race. Aub: 7--Bama: 37
Hoying: Remember when Auburn beat South Carolina in Columbia? Anyone? Back when the Tigers were living on crazy late-game idiocy from their opponents, this team still had a bright future. Since then, they've been embarrassed by their other not-horrible opponents, losing to Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia by an average of 32 points. The Iron Bowl is always close, but Auburn has neither the offensive firepower to move the ball on the nation's best defense nor the the defensive fortitude to slow down Trent Richardson. This is going to be ugly. Like 2008 Ohio State - Michigan ugly. Aub: 3--Bama: 30Schweinfurth: Ahh the Iron bowl. I want to start off by saying that Auburn is not good and Alabama is. For some reason, Auburn has the ability to keep teams close. Alabama's D will be the difference in the game. This is closer than the experts think and and the Tide keep rolling toward a NC birth. Aub: 7 -- Bama: 13

Penn State Nittany Lions @ Wisconsin BadgersDraper: A berth in the B1G title is on the line in Madison. Penn State has fought through the controversy to win in Columbus for the second time since God knows when. Wisconsin has been rolling since the 2 Hail Mary upsets. This one could get ugly. PSU doesn't have the talent to hang with Wisconsin...and it's in Camp Randall. This is going to be brutal for the players and fans. Bielema doens't know what's happening so will go for 2 when up 40. OSU was lauded for keeping it relatively clean when the Lions came to town (avoiding the jokes/comments about Sanducky); don't expect the Badgers to hold back. Real potential to completely mute the game with the FCC issues of the crowd's chants. South Park's take on the situation will look tame in comparison. PSU: 9--UW: 34
Auer: Penn State now promptly gets to make a fool of themselves (again), after the Buckeyes let them off the hook in Columbus. The Badgers are an outstanding team that honestly should be playing in the BCS Championship game, but some odd losses, yes we got lucky, will keep them from that. PSU will use this game as an opportunity to remind everyone how bad they really are. PSU: 6--UW: 48
Hoying: Here you go, Penn State. One last chance to take a big game and a division title before your university ceases to exist as we know it. Penn State supposedly features the conference's top defense, but the only teams to really move the ball on Wisconsin were an imposter Ohio State squad and a very good Spartan team that Penn State had the fortune to miss. Wisconsin has Russell Wilson and Montee Ball. Penn State has...nasty all-white road uniforms. Bucky lays the beatdown Penn State managed to duck in Columbus. PSU: 0 -- UW: 24Schweinfurth: Penn State, after all the turmoil, the terrible offense, and the removal of JoPa, have rallied and find themselves on the brink of the B1G Championship game. Defense leads the way for the Nittany Lions. Wisconsin has shown this year, that, when up against a decent defense, they struggle. The Lions D is good, but I can't see them winning a third high stress, big game in a row. the Lions keep it close, but Russell and Ball lead the way. PSU: 9 -- UW: 25

Clemson Tigers @ South Carolina GamecocksDraper: Another unsung rivalry. Clemson reminded us that they're still Clemson in a big way by choking at NC State. South Carolina has been forgotten after the loss of Lattimore, but the only reason they're not in the SEC title game is scheduling (beat UGA and lost to Ark and Aub). Home field gives the Head Ball Coach another win. Clem: 24--USC: 31
Auer: Flaky versus Flaky... should be a fun one. Let's look at this how the media will... SEC vs. ACC... automatic win for the SEC squad... and I can't disagree. Clem: 20--USC: 37
Hoying: Welcome to the Head & Shoulders Bowl, featuring the flakiest teams in the SEC and ACC. South Carolina has been able to avoid the bad loss this year, but at the cost of not getting a big win (Georgia in Athens is OK, I suppose). Meanwhile, Tajh Boyd and the Tigers are recovering from pooping the bed against a terrible NC State squad last week. Who has the advantage? Clemson is clearly more talented, but South Carolina has played more cohesively and consistently. Unfortunately, they also happen to be ranked higher than Clemson, so you know what that means. Clem: 31 -- USC: 27Schweinfurth: What happened to Clemson? Well, the Tiger's pulled the typical Clemson choke, going from national title contender to just another underachieving Clemson team. Like all schools, a win in the rivalry can salvage a disappointing season. South Carolina just hasn't been the same team without Lattimore. The Gamecocks keep it close, but Clemson pulls away late. Clem: 45 -- USC: 28

Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Stanford CardinalDraper: Blah, Blah, Blah. Andrew Luck. Everyone says that he will prove Heisman mettle vs. Oregon and ND. He sucked against Oregon and Notre Dame has no defense. Luck will destroy the Irish secondary and will Stefphan Taylor will steam roll. The Irish offense will score some points, but this game is not as close/important and it's hyped. ND: 24--Stan: 35
Auer: My fellow predictors decided to against their favorite homer pick and be realistic for once. Notre Dame is vastly overrated, Brian Kelly has gotten away with far worse than what has been allowed to happen at Penn State, and Stanford is still a much better team. ND: 12--Stan: 38
Hoying: I am always wrong about Notre Dame. I'm Catholic and I hate Stanford's band, so I pick the Irish to lose. ND: 17 -- Stan: 41Schweinfurth: Notre Dame is still an underachieving team and Stanford has Andrew Luck. I don't expect much out of this game except that Luck throws for 4 TDs. ND: 20 -- Stan: 35

Florida State Seminoles @ Florida GatorsDraper: FSU loses another game by a field goal....shocker. Talk about a lost season after all the hype. How do you save it? Beat the Gators. The Gators have also underacheived, and even more than the Noles in my opinion. The Swamp is a huge advantage, but athletically, FSU is just better. Look for the Noles to save their season by winning the State of Florida. Future is bright, but this was a befuddling year. FSU: 31--UF: 23
Auer: Interesting game in a down year for both squads. FSU has more talent this year than UF, but that doesn't always translate to wins, especially on the road in your arch-nemesis' stadium. UF has struggled all year for consistency and could find it here in their regular season finale. FSU: 19-UF: 21
Hoying: How does a state with loads of talent and 4 BCS conference teams manage to produce 4 crappy teams? Florida hasn't been the same since John Brantley went down, and the Noles have had trouble producing against quality competition. Fortunately, the Gators are not quality competition. Expect to see a lot of great defense as FSU pulls out a close one in BHG. FSU: 14--UF: 10Schweinfurth: Has any team been more snake bitten than the Seminoles? FSU loses to Oklahoma and in the process loses some of their best playmakers. Once healthy, the 'Noles miss a FG wide left...again. Redemption is nigh for the 'Noles. Florida is bad, enough said. EJ Manuel has a big day. FSU: 35 -- UF: 17THE Ohio State Buckeyes @ Michigan WolverinesDraper: The Game. After a season of garbage, this is all the matters to Buckeye Nation. Michigan is quietly hanging around by outscoring opponents. Yes, their defense is improved, but the stats are a reflection of poor opponents (the B1G is bad, mmmkay). These teams are remarkably similar (mobile QB who can't pass, passable running game, ok receivers, decent D-line, crap secondary), but UM has decent playcalling while the walrus calling plays for the Buckeyes is killing us. I am not confident at all in this game, but I can't pick the Maize and Blue. I'm going total heart that this Buckeye team will enter the game with one goal: Beat Michigan; Save the Season; Destroy their hopes. GO BUCKS!! BEAT BLUE!! OSU: 20--UM: 17
Auer: A one game season it is. The Buckeyes have literally nothing to play for but pride. Luke Fickell can give on final middle finger to all those clamoring for Urban Meyer, or as I call him, scUM (part II). The Buckeyes have been a modern day version of Jekyll and Hyde, usually with the worst outcome, at the worst possible time. Michigan and it's fans are chomping at the bit to start off the Brady Hoke era with a win. This could either be 8 years of frustration coming to a head, and the Buckeyes getting bounced, and hard... or the squad that beat Wisconsin will make an appearance and keep us on our toes to the very end. OSU: 24--UM: 23
Hoying: The game of IF
IF the offensive line can get a good push at the line of scrimmage and handle the talented Wolverine D Line, the Buckeyes can have success running the ball, as the talent on the Michigan D drops off from there. If not, expect a long day of sacks, fumbles, and overall confusion out of the scarlet and gray.
IF the play-calling is creative and situation-appropriate, the vision and power of Boom, the escapability of Braxton, and the penetrating instincts of Posey will mold the Buckeye offense into the juggernaut we saw against Wisconsin and Nebraska. If not, expect 2nd and 9, 2nd and 11, and lots of punts (if we're lucky, and hopefully not from the Michigan 35).
IF the linebackers remember how to tackle, arrange themselves intelligently pre-snap, and take good pursuit angles, Denard's potential will be severely limited, and his frustration will lead to a few key turnovers. If not, Shoelace will shred the secondary with his legs and even his arm. Just ask Nebraska.
IF these pieces can come together, the Buckeyes are more than talented enough to take down Meatchicken for the 8th straight year. OSU: 28--UM: 20If not, at least we'll have Urban Meyer next time.
Schweinfurth: The one game I point to on the calendar every year. This is the first time in since Cooper was the coach that I am actually scared about this game. Both teams are identical. Both QBs can't, or aren't allowed to throw the ball. Both teams have young and questionable defenses. The Walrus, in his last game calling plays, unleashes the full force of Braxton Miller. Denard Robinson is broken in half by Ryan "The Razor" Shazier and the band rushes the field again!!! GO BUCKS, BEAT BLUE!!!!!

OSU: 1234478972 -- UM: -7 (Hoke ate the ball and the Wolverines are penalized for it)

Upset Specials:

Draper: UVA over Va Tech, Tulsa over Houston
Auer: Northwestern over Michigan State, Ohio State over Michigan
Hoying: Boston College over Miami, and 4 freaking upsets aboveSchweinfurth: Lions over the Packers!!!

Five Thoughts on the Week that was--Week 12

1) Chaos has doomed us to a rematch
All the rooting for the underdogs this past week has essentially sewn up an all SEC title. Are they the best teams in the country? Maybe. Is it definite? No. I will be rooting to absolute brutal chaos this weekend and next. If Arkansas beats LSU and the underdogs win in the conference title games, it's absolutely nuts. That being said, OU/OSU means significantly less; Oregon is out; Clemson is out. The only chance to avoid the punter's rematch is for Ok State to blow out Oklahoma and get lucky. I hope the voters avoid the rematch, but they may not have a choice. SEC is the best we have this year, but they don't stack up to the great teams of the decade let alone history.

2) The one problem of the BCS is that Bama's road to the title game is easier than LSU's (yes, playoffs dilute the season but rule changes could help).
Yes, I like the BCS in principle. I do not wholly support a playoff because I'd rather ensure that my title recipient deserves it (even if it excludes a team or two that also deserves it). A playoff allows teams to sneak away with championships (Steelers, Packers, Giants in football and Cardinals in baseball). The playoffs showed that a team can get hot and not necessarily be the best team but be crowned champion. This year's problem is that non-conference champion (Bama) has the easiest path to the title. They need not play an extra game because they lost at home to LSU. LSU is 'punished' with another game. I wouldn't be opposed to requiring BCS title participants win their conference. In regards to griping this year, there is only 1 team that can (potentially) complain about being 'left out': Houston. Everyone else has a loss so the remaining argument among 1-loss teams could have been avoided by winning all the games. Houston has a crap schedule so their argument is valid yet weak. Every season is a playoff is the argument for BCS apologists which isn't that bad an argument. Without the BCS, Oregon's game vs. USC is a seeding game, not an elimination game. Same with Bedlam (if they didn't suck last week). BCS requires your champion to be worthy while the playoff makes sure all worthy (and some unworthy) have a chance. It's a tradeoff that can't be solved with one system, but Bama's road being easier than LSU's is unfair.

3) RG3 finally had a Heisman quality moment/win
Andrew Luck was/is the Heisman frontrunner all year due to media hype and NFL potential. Is it deserved? For the NFL? Sure. For the Heisman? No. His stats are weak against a bad schedule. Many have pointed to Robert Griffin III as a potential contender but his low exposure and losses have buried him. Now he is resurrected by the upset of Oklahoma. Without the OU win, RG3 had no chance (fair or not), now.... He's right there. If the voters are fair, they should give him a second and third look. His stats are incredible against decent competition and he finally led his team to a HUGE win. I think it's time to jump off the Luck bandwagon. Hype shouldn't determine the greatest individual award in sport.

4) Urban Meyer will be the next coach at Ohio State in 2012.
Read between the lines. It's a done deal. Yes, he's denied 'being offered or accepting a job', but that doesn't mean that hypotheticals haven't been discussed and/or agreed upon in principle. Chris Spielman is his commentating partner so you know it's been discussed around the meeting room table. He will return home to Ohio to lead the Buckeyes in the next phase of success. ESPiN has even taken Meyer out of the 'field' and put him behind a desk due to the rumors. OSU must wait until the season is over to be fair to the coaching staff and players, but it's done. Fickell will be asked to hang around and we'll see what happens, but look for new excitement in Columbus.

5) Rivalries can make or break a season
OSU/Michigan, enough said. This season has been nothing but disappointment for the Scarlet and Gray but all wounds are healed by 1 game. If the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines, this year, Fickell's short tenure as head coach, and this senior class legacy will go down as a success. Without it, everything fails. Auburn can derail Bama's title dreams. The Cowboys can send the Sooners crying and stay in the hunt or be relegated to mediocrity. Gators vs. Noles is for Florida (and recruiting) supremacy. It's all that matters. In the NFL, the Superbowl is the only thing that matters. In college, the title matters, but for most teams who won't get that shot, the rivalry defines the season. So eat the turkey and cheer for your team. Let's break the 3000 day barrier for days since that school up north has beaten THE Ohio State University. It's all we have left....but it's enough.

Grading the Bucks--Week 12 Penn State

Offense: C-

The one good thing about this game is we won't have to see Jim Bollman in the Shoe ever again. Playcalling was as expected with unimaginative runs up the middle on most of the plays. Surprisingly poor play our of Senior Mike Brewster was offputting to say the least. Also, the return of Posey is quite infuriating seeing the impact he has on the field. If only he wasn't so stupid, perhaps a few more wins could have been squeezed out of this trying season. Braxton can still run but his passing is not up to FBS standards let alone OSU. He is late on throws and they are consistently off target. The bomb to Philly Brown should have been caught, but had it been thrown early, he's wide open and waltzes into the endzone. Hopefully defenses don't realize that our option plays consist of Option 1: Miller run and Option 2: Miller run. The turnovers killed us (Hyde and Hall....looking at you). More to come on this in the coaching section.

Defense: B-
2nd half featured some play by the Bullets. The goal line stand was spectacular but that can't hold up against the missed tackles and poor pursuit angles in the first half. The first TD by PSU was blamed on the Lion wildcat but it was really a sense of poor angles (see Orhian Johnson). The PSU running game was sufficiently bottled up (except for the wildcat). McGloin clearly can't pass but our secondary makes anyone look like Montana. Travis Howard went back to being beaten every play then bringing the wood...too late. Opposing offenses have learned to avoid the beasts inside of Simon and Hankins and just pick on the edges of our defense. Quick releases and screens nullify the pass rush....if only we could figure that out.

Special Teams: B-
Nothing good, nothing bad. Can't comment much here. Buchanan was inexplicably sent in to punt at the OSU 38 and it sailed 10 yards deep. That's a loss for the special teams unit. Nice tackling but nothing else of note.

Coaching: D-
Slants, screens, sneaks, short passes, etc. These are all illegal for the Buckeyes according to the coaches. How do you get a young, inexperienced and semi-talented QB used to throwing the ball? Run quick routes or screens. Miller can't get in a groove or get used to reading defenses because the routes drawn up take way to long to develop. The most glaring error is the incredibly stupid/forced use of the wildcat. What is the purpose of the wildcat? To get the ball into the running backs hand earlier so he can make something happen. Who is our best runner? OUR QB!!! You can run the 'wildcat' with Miller. It's call a QB draw! There's no need to bring Hall or Hyde in to take the snap. Just call the 'wildcat' plays with our best player taking the snap. OSU has dropped from the top 20 in total offense in 2010 to the bottom 20 this year. How big the impact the loss of one head coach can make. Great defensive adjustments at half, but the whole offensive staff is bye bye. To whom it may concern: Urban Meyer will be the coach of OSU next year, it has been discussed (not 'officially'), and most likely agreed upon by both parties (in 'principle'). Read his statements and he doesn't deny the possibility. It will happen. Just wait and let this team and staff finish the season. Fickell deserves this last hurrah and let's face it, this game is all that matters. Fickell's short tenure at OSU will be completely ruled by the outcome of this next game. GO OHIO, BEAT MICHIGAN!!!

Draper Index Week 12--CHAOS!!

Let me preface this by saying: These rankings aren't that crazy although they might be very different from the SEC-centric media. Also, the lead LSU has at this point (over 7 points) over number 2 is pretty insurmountable. I believe an LSU loss will keep them firmly at number 1 in these rankings (not that that is wrong).

Draper Index--Week 12
1) LSU (by a ton)
2) Oklahoma State (even with the loss)
3) Alabama
4) Oregon
5) Oklahoma
6) Arkansas (yes they beat TAMU...and no one else--but so did the Oklahoma teams...)
7) Stanford
8) Boise State
9) Virginia Tech
10) USC
11) TCU
12) South Carolina
13) Michigan State
14) Wisconsin
15) Clemson
16) Kansas State
17) Nebraska
18) Penn State
19) Georgia
20) Michigan
21) Auburn
22) Houston
23) Notre Dame
24) Tulsa
25) Baylor

My Ballot1) LSU
2) Alabama
3) Oklahoma State
4) Arkansas
5) Virginia Tech
6) Stanford
7) Oregon
8) Houston
9) USC
10) Oklahoma
11) Boise State
12) Kansas State
13) Michigan State
14) Georgia
15) South Carolina
16) Baylor
17) Wisconsin
18) Michigan
19) Clemson
20) TCU
21) Penn State
22) Nebraska
23) Virginia
24) Georgia Tech
25) Notre Dame

Now that total chaos occurred, the nice neat BCS scenario has been completely altered. Here's my projections. While I hate the idea of a rematch in the title game, most think it's a foregone conclusion. Don't rule out Oklahoma State if they trounce OU. People (and by that, I mean me) don't want the rematch so voters might get creative.

BCS Title: LSU vs. Alabama
Rose: Wisconsin vs. Oregon
Fiesta: Oklahoma State vs. Stanford
Sugar: Michigan (hope I'm wrong) vs. Houston
Orange: Virginia Tech vs. WestVirginia

Hopefully this happens as the possible but ridiculous scenario
BCS Title: Arkansas vs. Oklahoma State (this assumes Ark beats LSU yet Bama goes to SEC title--and loses to UGA--which would happen if Bama and Ark top 2 SEC in BCS)
Rose: Penn State vs. UCLA
Fiesta: Kansas State vs. Houston
Sugar: Georgia vs. Oregon
Orange: Virginia vs. Rutgers