Because it worked so well last week, and the week before, we've decided once again to give you a Pre-Thanksgiving Football Preview Feast at RSS! Ok, maybe next week we'll stop being lazy and do separate previews. But, it's two for the price of one this week as we give you all you need to know about Saturday and Sunday. College football presents a few nice rivalry games and the pros will give us plenty to talk about as well. So fire up the grill and follow me!
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - #10 Ohio State (9-2) at Michigan (5-6)
Ah, yes, the rivalry of all rivalry games. While most of the mainstream media and the East Coast elites in Bristol will tell you this game doesn't matter this year, don't believe them. In the heartland, this is still the biggest football game played every single year, even if these teams were a combined 0-22. Isn't that what makes a game a rivalry?? The records don't matter! While there isn't much meaning in the outcome for the Bucks (they'll play in the Rose Bowl), Michigan needs a win to become bowl eligible in RichRod's 2nd year. Think about that, Michigan has a distinct possibility of missing a bowl game in 2 straight seasons, simply stunning.
Jimmy T may fall under fire for his conservative play calling (more fiction than fact), but he has always pushed the right buttons in this rivalry. People that think his job may actually be in trouble need only look at his 5 straight Big 10 titles and 7-1 record against Michigan. End of story. The actual game though will be decided by one thing: defense. Ohio State's D is excellent and Michigan's blows maize and blue chunks. In all honesty, I would be surprised if this one is close. The Bucks make it 6 in a row over the hated Wolverines (and living in Columbus, that wouldn't be a bad thing for Y2 and I). PICK-Bucks
*On a side note, hopefully there will be some sort of tribute to be paid to the late Stefanie Spielman, wife of OSU alum and ESPN broadcaster Chris Spielman, on Saturday. Stefanie lost a prolonged battle with breast cancer yesterday at the age of 42. Together, the Spielmans raised over 6 Million Dollars towards cancer research through the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Locally in Columbus, the Spielmans are an incredible inspiration through their faith, their passion, and their courage. Regardless of whether you're a Bucknut or a rabid Wolverine, if you're watching the game on Saturday, take some time to save some thoughts and/or prayers for the Spielman family, Stefanie will be greatly missed.*
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - Chargers (6-3) @ Broncos (6-3)
These are two 6-3 teams going in two hugely different directions. San Diego is riding high after beating Philly last week and winning 4 in a row. On the other hand, Denver has managed to lose 3 in a row after starting 6-0. That includes a bad, bad loss to the Redskins. Kyle Orton is a gametime decision for the Broncos, and he'll need to play for Denver to have any chance. Earlier this season, the Broncos got big home wins against Dallas and New England, but it's clear the magic is running out for the McGenius. The only chance the Broncos might have on Sunday is to put Tila Tequila in at QB, at least it would slow down Shawne Merriman... PICK-Bolts
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - Eagles (5-4) @ Bears (4-5)
-Did you know that Jay Cutler has thrown 11 picks in 3 night games? Or that he has below a 50 QB rating once the sun goes down? Is he like some sort of reverse vampire or something, hmm... reverse vampires... how can I make a culturally relevant reference for that...
While some folks might think it would take a saucer people invasion to fix Cutler and the Bears, the problems lie along a woeful O-Line. Heck, I even think that Hester, Bennett, and Olsen are a solid receiving corps. Since the Bears and Cutler are so high profile, everything is going to seem worse than it really is, even with 5 INTs the Bears were one play away from winning in San Fran last week. McNabb always plays well in Chicago, but Lovie Smith always seems to come up with a win like this when he needs it. PICK-Bears
Andouille's Under the Radar Game - #11 Oregon (8-2) @ Arizona (6-3)
-While the attention out west may be on Jim Harbaugh, Toby Gerhart, and Stanford, this is the game with the real Pac 10 implications. With a win here and next week in the Civil War against the Beavers, Oregon will sew up their trip to Pasadena to meet the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. Arizona can climb level in the Pac 10 race with a win as well. Oregon all of a sudden find themselves as the former flavor of the week on the West Coast, but they'll respond in a big way by running all over the Wildcats. Expect Masoli and James to go wild in this one. PICK-Ducks
Hot Dog Of The Week - Toby Gerhart (RB-Stanford)
-The hulking Stanford running back has elbowed his way into the Heisman race late in the running. How on earth do you accomplish such a feat you ask? Well, running for 401 yards against USC and Oregon will do the trick. Gerhart is a power runner who leads D-I Football in Rush TDs and is 3rd in rushing yards. With a big performance in a rivalry game against Cal, Gerhart can book his plane ticket to New York and continue the Cinderella run towards the Heisman trophy. Seeing RBs with the powerful running styles of Gerhart and Mark Ingram from Alabama are great to see in the age of the finesse offenses and the spread. 3 yards and a cloud of dust baby!
Extra Toppings -
-Speaking of Stanford, the 2 point conversion by Jim Harbaugh isn't a bad move because he stuck it to Pete Carroll, I'm all for sending that message to the USC juggernauts. However, what it did do was take attention away from his Stanford team and his Heisman hopeful. Bad move Jimmy.
-If you want more Week 12 College Pig delicacies, here's our friends at Rumors & Rants. I especially love the picks on the Bama & Florida games.
-With 2 weeks left in the regular season, the Top 2 teams in the country are playing FIU and Chattanooga, who is not even a D-I opponent!!! And, yet, there is no national rioting or outcry like you'll see when other power teams schedule cupcakes early in the season? How could this be? Oh, yea, ESPN and CBS are paying the SEC a $h*t-ton of money, sorry, I forgot.
-For the weekend before Thanksgiving, there are very few compelling games on the college slate Saturday. Maybe I'll root really hard for Kansas to beat Texas just to screw the BCS!
-By the way, here's my column from earlier in the week about the hideous Colin Cowherd and his offensive reaction to the Mangino/KU controversy. I really don't hate ESPN that much, but sometimes it's too easy! Despite Cowherd's idiocy, it looks like the walls are closing in on the Mangino era.
-Not that many games on the NFL slate to whet the appetite either this weekend... keep an eye on the Colts/Ravens game though. Indy could very easily suffer a letdown after the big Pats win against a hungry Baltimore team.
-So, Rex Ryan cried in front of his team? I want to like Rex Ryan, I really do, but it just seems like he will do or say anything to stay in the spotlight... all while his team continues to slide down the standings. They'll continue to slide against an angry Bill Belichick.
-Anyone still like Mark Sanchez for rookie of the year, NFL MVP, and the Hall of Fame? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller....
-The signing of Larry Johnson is a horrible idea for the Bengals. Not only is he a washed up malcontent, but bringing him in upsets the hugely unstable Ced Benson. Benson already thinks his shadow is out to get him. His quotes this week weren't exactly reading the company line. Why mess with something working so well??
-It might not be early enough to say that the NYG/Atlanta game could be an elimination game. For two struggling clubs on their way for a Wild Card, this could be the last chance to right the ship as the home stretch begins. Gotta favor the Giants at home and off of a bye.
Randall's Got His Eye On You... Mark Mangino
We touched on this story in the extra toppings and earlier in the week, but there is no person in the world of football under more pressure than Kansas' head coach. While idiots like Cowherd and the equally atrocious Jason Whitlock (not exactly Richard Simmons himself) call out his weight, the real issue is how he treats his players. If the allegations are true about him verbally abusing players by bringing up shot friends and alcoholic fathers, he needs to go. I don't care if you're in a football locker room or a Scranton paper company, there is no place anywhere for that. And don't forget about the weird stories involving the fights between KU football and basketball players as well. However, it might be right to reserve judgment until the tidal wave against Mangino passes and we see what's left. He can do a lot to save his job by beating Texas Saturday night in front of a national audience, but even that might not be enough.
Enjoy the football weekend, we'll check back tomorrow with our continuation of the Games of the Decade! Bye for now! Go Bucks!
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