Trent's Touchdown - Week 14

Welcome to the Thanksgiving addition of the Touchdown. I’m telling you, when I get older, I’m going to have to stop watching college football, because it’ll give me a heart attack. We are at yet another important juncture of the season where a handful of teams all have a shot at the National Championship Game. What better way to sort it all out during Rivalry Week.


1) No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 12 Oklahoma State – 8:00 on ABC

Bedlam baby! Yet another Big 12 South prime-time showdown. I don’t know what is more impressive, the fact that the Big 12 has been so fun to watch this year or the fact that the number 12 team in the country is 4th in their division.

Even if Oklahoma wins, they still aren’t guaranteed the trip to the Big 12 Championship Game (Bedlam indeed). While I’m far from buying into Oklahoma, they are the quintessential Big 12 team that will get blown out by a SEC team in the National Championship Game. They have enough defensive talent to disrupt a good offense and enough offensive firepower to give a good defense fits.

While I want Oklahoma State to win, I don’t think they will. Zac Robinson is not as good as Graham Harrell and Dez Bryant is not as good as Michael Crabtree. One more prediction here, the BCS decides the Big 12 South Champion.


2) No. 23 Oregon at No. 17 Oregon State – 7:00 on VS.

Civil War baby! If you told me at the beginning of the year that this game could produce the Pac 10 Champion, I would have said, “wow, Oregon finally got it together.” Instead, it’s the Beavers with the shot at the Rose Bowl.

However, there is a bit of a problem since their star running back is out with a shoulder sprain. You can expect Oregon State to throw more, since Oregon has a horrid pass defense. Oregon will likely run the ball, but aren’t scared to throw it with Jeremiah Masoli getting better. I still think Oregon State will win this one, even with a back-up running back.


3) No. 4 Florida at No. 22 Florida State – 3:30 on ABC

There are too many jokes I can make about the FSU legal problems, but I’m going to try and limit it to one. With the FSU roster starting to look like they are trying out for Law & Order, you have to think Florida will run away with this.

Florida needs to be focused, since they need to win to stay in the National Championship hunt. As much as I love FSU’s youthful enthusiasm, I really don’t think they can stay on the field with Florida.

The Florida defense is too fast to be beaten by the run and the offense is too explosive to be kept in check for long. Florida just has too many weapons, which is usually how FSU’s legal problems start (oops, two jokes, sorry).


4) No. 22 Georgia Tech at No. 11 Georgia – 12:00 on CBS

Minus the random delusional or pessimistic fan, who would have thought either team would have the rankings they have right now?

Georgia is going to have to limit the run as much as possible, because there is no way they are stopping GT from getting yards on the ground. They need to try and force GT to throw the ball, which not only limits their effectiveness, but also provides a comedy factor for the viewing audience.

Georgia has a more balanced offensive attack, so GT will need to be consistent and play solid situational defense. Thankfully, for Georgia, they’ve had 2 weeks to prepare for the first option offense they’ve seen all year, and it’ll help. They should win this one.


5) Kansas vs. No. 13 Missouri – 12:30 on FOX Sports in Kansas City

Border War baby! This contest is really at battle between Todd Reesing and Chase Daniel. The better QB today wins. Both Missouri and Kansas have really poor pass defenses, so expect an aerial show.

Missouri just has too much talent and Kansas has been too inconsistent, especially against talented teams. This won’t be as close as last year’s game (which was closer than the score reflected).

6) Notre Dame at No. 5 USC – 8:00 on ABC

If you lose to Syracuse at home, you should be permanently banned from the Touchdown, except for comedic purposes. And just so you know, I’m laughing right now.


Extra Point:

7) We all know what Thanksgiving mean, gorging yourself on Turkey and falling asleep on the couch while watching football. This year that football game will be the Texas/Texas A&M game (at least in my house).

Which leads me to wonder about Thanksgiving for these kids. I mean, they can’t have a big Turkey dinner before the game. You can’t have Colt McCoy falling asleep in the huddle. But you can’t have it after the game, since it’ll be way too late. Do they have to wait until the weekend? Do they even get a Thanksgiving dinner? Am I thinking about this too much?

Obviously, I can answer the last question, and the answer is yes. Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Now stop reading and start picking at the leftovers.