We have arrived at the most bittersweet time of the year.
Daddy gots to get paid!
The season has finally taken shape, the true money games are nigh, and the payouts for those winners, as always, are huge. Running concurrently with that sentiment is the fact that the season is almost over and we’ll have to bide our time for eight months. Thankfully, the slate of games this weekend look to be great.
Five Games
Oregon State v. Oregon
Peter: The weekend begins in earnest tonight. As Thursday games go, there hasn’t been a bigger one all year. Autzen Stadium, the Rose Bowl on the line? It won’t get rowdier than this in Eugene. The game seems like it might resemble the one played in College Station last week, that is lots and lots of points. Depending on your perspective, last year’s loss to the Ducks was either about being unable to contain Masoli & Co or being unable to match them offensively without the Rodgers brothers. This year, the most pertinent question: Can Canfield make it happen on the field? He has shown all year he can play, but two of his worst outings of the year were in back-to-back losses to Arizona and Cincinnati. To me, he is the most important piece of the puzzle. But…I love my Ducks.
Bjorn: Who would have bet at the beginning of the year that any of the end of the season rivalry games in the Pac-10 would be for the title? I guess if it was going to be any of them, it would have to be this one, but still, neat. Oregon just scores too many damn points, I don’t think the beavers can shave their way out of this one.
The true gunslinger
Cincinnati v. Pitt
Peter: A bit of the shine has worn off this game after Pitt lost to the Mountaineers in a field goal shoot-off. I’ve never been good at math, but the stakes are still high in this one: winner gets a BCS berth. The Bearcats have looked downright unstoppable on offense most of the year and I have a hard time believing that they won’t be prepared once again. I’ll take Coach Kelly over the Mustachioed One any day.
Bjorn: Good lord Pitt’s last game was ugly. No team can lay an offensive egg like that against a mediocre defense and expect to keep up with the Meow-Roars, the TexasTech of the North. Someone with all black jerseys has to be good each year. It’s like a rule I just made.
Florida v. Alabama
Peter: Discounting the title game, one could argue that this has the potential to be the best game of the year: two talented and irreparably irascible coaches with titles under the belts, two power house running games, two stout defenses, and one Messiah. Never been one for algorithms, but I’m pretty sure the math leads to greatness. Personally, I think Tebow will be in tears after this game. Not from physical pain, not from euphoria, but from the crushing emotional weight of a loss to the team from Tuscaloosa. I think Saban will keep Florida (relatively) contained and focus on establishing the pace of the game on both sides of the ball with their front lines.
Bjorn: As much as I love a good ol’ saturday afternoon crucifixion, I’m afraid Tebow will keep his crown above water as he walks across the tide. Florida’s defense is fast enough, experienced enough, and smart enough to stop the only 2 threats (Ingram and Jones) that Bama possesses. Both these teams seasons have been marked by strong defense and inconsistent offense, but Florida’s offense slightly less so. That will matter in this game. Gator eats ephelunt.
Ga. Tech v. Clemson
Don't forget to touch the rock!
Peter: Ah, the life of an also-ran conference…Until I started writing this column, I had completely forgotten the existence of the ACC title game. Hell, I stopped caring about the conference itself somewhere in week four maybe. This game should be a back and forth offensive explosion. I think Georgia Tech is the better team, but in the ACC that rarely matters. Since the dethronement of Bobby Bowden, it has been a conference that has prided itself on “wtf mate!?” moments. Whether it’s excruciating losses to DII teams (I can’t get the new acronyms straight) or inexplicable performances from supposed top tier teams, the ACC is a bouncy ball come to life. You don’t which freaking way it’s going to go next. So, in that spirit, give me Clemson or give me the remote.
Bjorn: Nobody beats the option man. What do you think this is, not 1952? Ga Tech ftw.
Texas v. Nebraska
Peter: Try saying “Ndamukong Suh” three times as fast as you can. Now, try saying “Texas beats Nebraska 35-10″ three times as fast as you can. There has been a general hubbub over the state of the Texas defense after last week’s performance against aTm. Everyone seems to forget that a) it was a short week, b) Muschamp tried (and failed) to implement new schemes and c) Jerrod Johnson played lights out. So, things to remember this week: a) Texas has plenty of time to prepare, b) whatever they are, Muschamp’s schemes will be working on Saturday and c) QB Lee will not be dropping rainbow tears into the arms of streaking receivers. What he will be doing, is crying real tears at the bottom of a giant pile of Longhorns. I’ll be flabbergasted if the Horns are tested.
Bjorn: So the Aggies found our weakness, A big fast QB who can get outside the pocket and throw perfect shots to the sideline. The Huskers have 1 good receiver (seriously over half their passing yards) and everything else is on the ground. Obviously Suh is awesome, and his fellow DT Crick is impressive too. I’m sure they’ll get a sack or 2, but for the most part flushing Colt out of the pocket is only going to create havoc for the rest of the defense. Hook them.
Oh snap, Chapter 4 of WSM? Inflatable Ben thinks things are getting hot in hur.
The Tilted Pylon: Finals
We have arrived at the most bittersweet time of the year.
Daddy gots to get paid!
The season has finally taken shape, the true money games are nigh, and the payouts for those winners, as always, are huge. Running concurrently with that sentiment is the fact that the season is almost over and we’ll have to bide our time for eight months. Thankfully, the slate of games this weekend look to be great.
Five Games
Oregon State v. Oregon
Peter: The weekend begins in earnest tonight. As Thursday games go, there hasn’t been a bigger one all year. Autzen Stadium, the Rose Bowl on the line? It won’t get rowdier than this in Eugene. The game seems like it might resemble the one played in College Station last week, that is lots and lots of points. Depending on your perspective, last year’s loss to the Ducks was either about being unable to contain Masoli & Co or being unable to match them offensively without the Rodgers brothers. This year, the most pertinent question: Can Canfield make it happen on the field? He has shown all year he can play, but two of his worst outings of the year were in back-to-back losses to Arizona and Cincinnati. To me, he is the most important piece of the puzzle. But…I love my Ducks.
Bjorn: Who would have bet at the beginning of the year that any of the end of the season rivalry games in the Pac-10 would be for the title? I guess if it was going to be any of them, it would have to be this one, but still, neat. Oregon just scores too many damn points, I don’t think the beavers can shave their way out of this one.
The true gunslinger
Cincinnati v. Pitt
Peter: A bit of the shine has worn off this game after Pitt lost to the Mountaineers in a field goal shoot-off. I’ve never been good at math, but the stakes are still high in this one: winner gets a BCS berth. The Bearcats have looked downright unstoppable on offense most of the year and I have a hard time believing that they won’t be prepared once again. I’ll take Coach Kelly over the Mustachioed One any day.
Bjorn: Good lord Pitt’s last game was ugly. No team can lay an offensive egg like that against a mediocre defense and expect to keep up with the Meow-Roars, the TexasTech of the North. Someone with all black jerseys has to be good each year. It’s like a rule I just made.
Florida v. Alabama
Peter: Discounting the title game, one could argue that this has the potential to be the best game of the year: two talented and irreparably irascible coaches with titles under the belts, two power house running games, two stout defenses, and one Messiah. Never been one for algorithms, but I’m pretty sure the math leads to greatness. Personally, I think Tebow will be in tears after this game. Not from physical pain, not from euphoria, but from the crushing emotional weight of a loss to the team from Tuscaloosa. I think Saban will keep Florida (relatively) contained and focus on establishing the pace of the game on both sides of the ball with their front lines.
Bjorn: As much as I love a good ol’ saturday afternoon crucifixion, I’m afraid Tebow will keep his crown above water as he walks across the tide. Florida’s defense is fast enough, experienced enough, and smart enough to stop the only 2 threats (Ingram and Jones) that Bama possesses. Both these teams seasons have been marked by strong defense and inconsistent offense, but Florida’s offense slightly less so. That will matter in this game. Gator eats ephelunt.
Ga. Tech v. Clemson
Don't forget to touch the rock!
Peter: Ah, the life of an also-ran conference…Until I started writing this column, I had completely forgotten the existence of the ACC title game. Hell, I stopped caring about the conference itself somewhere in week four maybe. This game should be a back and forth offensive explosion. I think Georgia Tech is the better team, but in the ACC that rarely matters. Since the dethronement of Bobby Bowden, it has been a conference that has prided itself on “wtf mate!?” moments. Whether it’s excruciating losses to DII teams (I can’t get the new acronyms straight) or inexplicable performances from supposed top tier teams, the ACC is a bouncy ball come to life. You don’t which freaking way it’s going to go next. So, in that spirit, give me Clemson or give me the remote.
Bjorn: Nobody beats the option man. What do you think this is, not 1952? Ga Tech ftw.
Texas v. Nebraska
Peter: Try saying “Ndamukong Suh” three times as fast as you can. Now, try saying “Texas beats Nebraska 35-10″ three times as fast as you can. There has been a general hubbub over the state of the Texas defense after last week’s performance against aTm. Everyone seems to forget that a) it was a short week, b) Muschamp tried (and failed) to implement new schemes and c) Jerrod Johnson played lights out. So, things to remember this week: a) Texas has plenty of time to prepare, b) whatever they are, Muschamp’s schemes will be working on Saturday and c) QB Lee will not be dropping rainbow tears into the arms of streaking receivers. What he will be doing, is crying real tears at the bottom of a giant pile of Longhorns. I’ll be flabbergasted if the Horns are tested.
Bjorn: So the Aggies found our weakness, A big fast QB who can get outside the pocket and throw perfect shots to the sideline. The Huskers have 1 good receiver (seriously over half their passing yards) and everything else is on the ground. Obviously Suh is awesome, and his fellow DT Crick is impressive too. I’m sure they’ll get a sack or 2, but for the most part flushing Colt out of the pocket is only going to create havoc for the rest of the defense. Hook them.
Oh snap, Chapter 4 of WSM? Inflatable Ben thinks things are getting hot in hur.
Who Shot Mamba? – CH 4 from Lasterday Films on Vimeo.