Wasn't in last weekend, mainly because I wanted to let last football and baseball weekend simmer down a bit with all the upsets, and with the Royals advancing. But I think today's a good day to offer some predictions for how this weekend is going to go. So...off we go. As per usual, my predictions are for entertainment purposes only.
15. First, baseball. I'm going with the Royals in 6 and the Giants in 7. In the AL, I think the Royals can win tonight with Shields, win two in Kansas City (three and five probably) and then go back to Camden Yards and close things out. The reason they are here is because they are peaking at absolutely the right time and their best players are playing well right now, when it matters. I think they carry the momentum. In the NL, I'm going with Houston's old friend Bruce Bochy and his Giants...even numbered year magic.
14. Captain Obvious, but without Todd Gurley Georgia will not beat Mizzou this weekend. If you haven't heard, Gurley was suspended indefinitely while an investigation takes place into whether Gurley signed autographs for cash. In games like this, you need players like Gurley and without him I don't see Georgia winning on the road. A Mizzou win may well lock up the SEC East although I guess Kentucky is still in the mix.
13. Speaking of Mizzou, I will also predict that with the Tigers, Royals and Cards playing back to back to back tomorrow, there will be some heated discussions in some bars in Columbia when the baseball teams are playing. Could we see an I-70 Series? As I said I'm picking the Royals and Giants (would be the second all-Wild Card World Series, the first also involved the Giants in 2002), but an I-70 rematch of 1985 is very possible.
12. Texas will play Oklahoma closer than the experts think. What is the spread, like 14.5 or something like that? Weird stuff happens in this emotional rivalry (see last year when Texas demolished an OU team that went on to beat Bama). I don't like either team but if I were going to Vegas, I'd pick Texas to cover that point spread. Wouldn't be surprised to see this be a swing point game for Charlie Strong even though they may not win.
11. Boomer Esiason was on Jim Rome a while ago talking about Andrew Luck...and said he'd be just fine even though the Colts got a scare at NRG last night. I predict Boom is right, and furthermore I predict that Andrew Luck will win multiple Super Bowls before his career is over. The guy just has "it," whatever "it" is, and a knack for making big plays when needed. Very generous of him to let JJ Watt score last night, hehe.
10. Ole Miss will not beat Texas A&M this weekend. It's too tough a spot for the Rebels. I'm not sure Ole Miss got out of the clouds by Wednesday after beating Alabama (which I was happy to see, really can't stand Bama), and if they didn't there is no way they will go to Kyle Field and win.
9. Demornay Pierson-El will be playing wideout for Nebraska at some point this season, not sure when but I think he's got to. The guy is just too explosive, too electric to keep him out of being a wide receiver. Especially with Kenny Bell week to week on whether he's going to play or not, it makes sense to put DP-E in as an additional threat. Nebraska needs players who can stretch the field with Bell hobbled every other week.
8. Dallas will play Seattle close in Seattle. Yeah, you heard me right. I think Dallas plays them close because their offensive line is great. Not good, great. Been saying that all year. Seattle will win because they are just too tough at home, but Dallas will push them provided Romo has time to throw and time to hand it off to DeMarco Murray.
7. Arizona loses to USC this weekend. Another upset special from last weekend bites the dust. Much like Ole Miss I'm not sure Arizona got out of the clouds after last weekend. USC goes there and wins.
6. The Nebraska Overreactionists will be eating their words when the Huskers earn their rematch with Michigan State in December. And this is coming from a guy who has been more than critical of Pelini and some of his losses, but that loss was not a bad loss. Team showed character in coming back and nearly pulling out the win. I respect Jason Peter's credentials and the blood, sweat and tears he gave for that program (hell I grew up in that era), but his opinion from Big Red Wrapup earlier this week was completely misguided.
The good thing is, Nebraska can see them again, and in a rematch, on turf, in a domed stadium knowing that MSU has trouble defending the deep pass I'd like their chances...a lot. Nebraska fans who thought this team was a top four playoff team just aren't living on Planet Earth. The goal is the Big 10 Championship and getting rid of that damned conference title drought...always has been.
5. NY Giants over Philly on the road on Sunday night. Philly really hasn't beat anyone aside from Indy and they needed a meltdown by the Colts to win that one.
4. LSU looks terrible right now but it's the middle of the season. Ask me about them at the end of the year. I predict they'll get better and Brandon Harris will get better as he gets more snaps. I wouldn't be surprised to see them only lose to Alabama the rest of the way with Texas A&M being 50/50 as well.
3. If Auburn gets out of Starkville with a W this weekend they will go undefeated. South Carolina is terrible and has to go to Auburn, Bo Wallace at Ole Miss is too inconsistent for me to pick them to beat Auburn, Texas A&M goes to Auburn, Georgia may still be without Gurley when Auburn comes to town which leaves the Iron Bowl...and I've long said that Auburn will win that one because Saban hates playing their offense. And if they get to Atlanta they'll hammer the winner of the East which would put them in the playoffs undefeated. That leaves this Saturday as the biggest game of the season for #2 Auburn.
2. Even if Baylor survives this weekend they will not go undefeated. Playing at Oklahoma, on grass, in November in a game that may well decide the Big 12 title...not a good recipe for the Bears. They're a turf team, and more specifically a Waco team, get them out of that environs and they won't survive. Not to mention they still have to play K-State as well....
1. O'Brien will lace into the Texans after that horrendous start last night, and I'm sure he and the team will be working overtime to get ready for Pittsburgh. Down 24-0 and the boo-birds were out. I'm not even sure it will matter that they almost came back and won, you can't start a football game like that and expect to win at that level. I'm no Fitzpatrick fan, but the team got gashed at the start of the game and didn't come prepared.
So there it is, 15 predictions for you to note....
Until next time....
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