Today we're issuing a very special combined Hot off the Grill for the upcoming football weekend. Y1 and myself will be busy the next couple of days preparing for our coverage of an OWU athletics doubleheader on Saturday, so enjoy this overstuffed preview while you can! Pass the mustard and come, follow me!
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - #9 LSU (7-1) at #3 Alabama (8-0)
Our big game of the week focuses on the SEC West showdown between LSU and Alabama. If the SEC title game is a national semifinal, this game between the 'Tide and Tigers should be considered a national quarterfinal. For Alabama, LSU represents its stiffest test remaining on the schedule until the SEC title game. For LSU, winning this game at Alabama would give them the upper hand in the SEC West, and an SEC title game berth. If they could then upset Florida, could you argue they don't deserve a spot in the BCS title game?
As for the game itself, it should be no surprise if a mighty defensive struggle ensues between these two teams. The difference though will be Alabama's Heisman hopeful, RB Mark Ingram. Clearly, he is the most explosive player on either offense, and will be the focus of Alabama's attack. As for LSU, despite the improvement of QB Jordan Jefferson, the Tigers offense will struggle mightily to score TDs against the Tide's suffocating defense, led by Mt. Cody and LB Rolando McClain. In another low-scoring nailbiter, 'Bama will come out on top. PICK-Alabama
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - Pittsburgh (5-2) @ Denver (6-1)
Meanwhile, the biggest pro game of the weekend will be on Monday night when the now imperfect Broncos host the Steelers. Why does it seem every time we picked against the Broncos, they beat the odds and won. But, when we finally believe in them, they get beat up by the Ravens. While they're defense still looked impressive at times, Kyle Orton finally seemed vulnerable under the pressure of the Ravens. Things will get no easier when Denver faces the Steelers and their zone blitz. Big Ben always seems to bring it on the road, and should be able to stay alive in the pocket long enough to make plays downfield. PICK-Pittsburgh
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - #16 Ohio St. (7-2) at #11 Penn St. (8-1)
Everything seems to be against the Buckeyes this week as they travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn St. Both teams still hold out hopes for a conference title and a Rose Bowl berth. They're a 4-point underdog, they've lost their starting kicker for the season, and their star quarterback missed the 2nd half of their last game because he was "banged up". But, Terrelle Pryor has really seemed to bounce back after his atrocious performance against Purdue and the Buckeyes seem to finally have a running game with the emergence of Fr. Jordan Hall. Meanwhile, Penn St. is still lacking a real eye-popping win and has been feasting on the lower echelon of the Big Ten. The great OSU defense should shut down Darryl Clark and the Spread HD enough to squeak out a close win on the road with TP proving the doubters by making clutch plays. PICK-Ohio St.
Andouille's Under the Radar Game - Dallas (5-2) @ Philadelphia (5-2)
Aside from the Roy WIlliams circus (which we'll discuss below) this game has huge implications in the suddenly average NFC East. The downfall of the New York Giants the last few weeks has opened the doors for both Dallas and Philadelphia. Both are suspect coming in to this game with Dallas feasting on the poor of the NFL while Philadelphia still has that loss to Oakland to explain. Even though Tony Romo has been playing well (no INTs the last 3 games) he hasn't faced a hostile environment like Philly this season. Add to that the explosive playmaking of Desean Jackson (by the way, you should hear Y1's Merril Reese impersonation) and Philly is the wise pick at home. PICK-Philadelphia
Hot Dog Of The Week - Jonathan Dwyer -RB- Georgia Tech
Coming off of 186 yards and 3 TDs last week, this week's Hot Dog of the Week has to be Georgia Tech's powerhouse RB Jonathan Dwyer. At the beginning of the year, we at RSS had him as a dark horse Heisman candidate. And while he didn't do enough at the beginning of the season to throw his name in the ring, he's really come on as of late to help lead the Yellow Jackets to the brink of an ACC Division crown. This week, Dwyer and co. face Wake Forest, who ranks in the bottom half of run defenses in D1. Expect a big day for the triple option, and another big day for Dwyer.
Extra Toppings -
-For more in-depth analysis of this weekend's games, be sure to check out the picks from our friends over at Rumors & Rants
-First let's look at the college game. The ridiculousness that is Urban Meyer continued this week as he whined to anyone who would listen that poor little Tim Tebow was roughed up last week against Georgia. To hear this self-righteous jerk complain about one missed call on his precious QB while turning a blind eye (pun intended) to his own player's eye gouging is absurd. I wouldn't be surprised to find out Meyer considers himself on the same level as the Pope. Here's betting it will take a makeover of Touchdown Jesus to Touchdown Urban to ever see him coaching at Notre Dame.
-What makes Meyer look even more foolish was the response of Florida's All-American LB Brandon Spikes. Feeling remorseful for the distraction and wanting to put his team first, Spikes himself approached the coaching staff and extended his suspension against Vandy to the full game. Why in this situation did it take the player to be the mature one? Maybe his head coach could learn something from his selfless actions.
-One final college point that you'll only find here. The vaunted SEC now only has 3 teams in the Top 25. So while they might have 3 of the Top 10, don't listen to the usual "best conference in the world" hype.
-On the pro side, we may have a new contender for stupidest thing said this year thanks to Cowboys "#1 WR" Roy Williams. The loudmouth, who has a paltry 14 catches and 2 TDs this season was asked about the sudden emergence of Miles Austin who has 21 catches, 5 TDs his last 3 games! Williams said, "I'm the #1 receiver. But things are just going #2's way." He then complained about QB Tony Romo throwing him the ball incorrectly compared to Austin. Wow! And the Cowboys thought they got rid of all their whiny prima donna receivers when TO left. This type of me-first attitude, as well as completely living in la la land, won't do Roy Williams, or his team, any favors.
-We've said it before, we'll say it again. There's a multitude of crappy teams in the NFL. This week won't get any better for the types of the Lions, Bucs, Chiefs, and Redskins. At least the Rams and Raiders won't lose this week, although they might be the first to actually lose on a bye week.
-So Big Baby Davis of the Boston Celtics wants to play in the NFL. How about focusing on one sport at a time Glen, or just being able to take care of your own high-school teammate. I think I have a better chance of donning an NFL jersey any time soon than Big Baby.
-One way to fix the Redskins, John Riggins and owner Dan Snyder in a Steel Cage Texas Deathmatch for control of the 'Skins...my money's on Riggo.
Randall's Got His Eye On You... Eric Mangini-HC-Cleveland Browns
Even though the Browns have a bye, all eyes in Cleveland are on the Browns first year coach, the supposed "Mangenius". Ever since Mangini was hired, he's piloted an already shaky Browns franchise straight into a nosedive. His offense has been by far the most inept in the league with QB Derek Anderson trying hard not to break records for awfulness. I mean, the guy had a 10.5 QB rating last week against the Bears and still didn't get pulled for Brady Quinn until the last drive of the 4th quarter! The madness continued this week when Mangini's hand-picked GM was fired. Of course, everything is difficult with the Brownies, which might explain looking through George Kokinos's phone records to see if he broke his contract. Well, I guess they could just be cheap, too. This franchise is quickly become one of the most embarrassing in pro sports, and if Mangini survives through the season, I'll be surprised. Not survive his job...I mean physically survive the disgruntled Dawg Pound.
That's it for our combined football preview, but join us tomorrow as we give you our weekly EPL picks. Also look for the return of our Decade Series next week as we count down the Top 10 Games of the Decade! Don't forget for our BallHype friends that we need all the help we can get, so keep those votes coming...that way we can stop begging. Until next time, it's bye for now!
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