College Football Previewing Week #9

Well, the guys on College GameDay will tell you "This is a take care of business kind of week"... I like to cut through the crap,,, "There ain't much $h!+ going on this week" There is one game worth tuning into, which I'll get to here in a second, but other than that, the score tracker app on your phone will do just fine this week... And I don't want to get ahead of myself, but it doesn't look like you'll need much more than that for next week as well.

So why even bother? Well, if I've learned nothing else, I've learned there is ALWAYS a "complete shocker" sometime during the weeks of 8, 9, 10 and 11 that sends the college football world upside down.

That said, here are a few games to check in on every now and then.

11:00 a.m.
Texas @ #11 Kansas State - Line: Texas +10
Why?
The Cats had a big upset win IN Oklahoma last week (insert proud face here: I took the Cats and the points against the Sooners), they've got 1 loss, IF they can keep it that way, they'll be in the mix come the end of the season, considering that 1 loss was a tough one against Auburn. And as I've stated Texas is a wildcard every week.

2:30 p.m.
#1 Mississippi State @ Kentucky - Line: Kentucky +13.5
Why?
I hope this isn't a game, but simple question... Would you get excited to play Kentucky? Remember, we're talking football, not basketball. With that said, Kentucky IS improved, are they a real threat? Well if you're out drinking all the bourbon in Lexington the night before the game, yeah they could be. Dogs, please just stay focused and kick ass like you're supposed to.

Michigan @ #8 Michigan State - Line: Michigan +17
Why?
1. It's still a "Rivalry" game (please notice the quotation marks)
2. It COULD be the last time you see Brady Hoke on the sidelines wearing the "maize" and blue..
3. For god's sake the line is 17,... Check in to see if the Wolverines can at least cover.

#22 West Virginia @ Oklahoma State - Line: West Virginia +1
Why?
Well, both teams may have 2 losses, 1 loss each in conference, a Big 12 Championship is still not out of the question for either of these teams (though not likely)... AND Wow! The spread is only 1 point!

5:00 p.m.
#15 Arizona @ Washington State - Line: Washington State +2.5
Why?
As the line shows, this is a potential upset. These are 2 offenses that can put points on the board. The real bet here is the over/under at 72.5 points. Personally, I think were talking more 80+ when it's said and done.

7:00 p.m.
#13 Ohio State @ Penn State - Line: Penn State +14
Why?
1. Penn State is at home and has had 2 weeks to prepare, and after dropping 2 in a row. They kind of need this. 
2. ... It's on ABC???

7:30 p.m.
#4 Alabama @ Tennessee - Line: Tennessee +17
Why?
Because Robin Kiffin (Lane's mom) is worried about her baby boy being on the sideline when he returns to Tennessee for the first time... Awww...

On a serious note, while lengthy the CBS report is an interesting read.

Late Game:
#20 USC @ #19 Utah - Line: Utah +1
Why?
1. Should be a good game
2. MAYBE someone will look like they want to win the Pac 12 South... Maybe...



Finally!!! Let's talk about the game to WATCH!!!

... and to no surprise, it's down in the Southeastern portion of the country....

6:15 p.m.
#3 Ole Miss @ #24 LSU - Line: LSU +3.5

I'll let those guys on ESPN talk about how good the Ole Miss D is, and how Bo Wallace has done a good job, not turning the ball over the past three or four weeks. You want that info, turn on GameDay or head on over to ESPN/Yahoo whatever your favorite sports site is... I don't really care...

Because it's not the "stats" that's going to make this one fun to watch... it's the recent history between these two that's going to make this one enjoyable...

You: "Case, the 'history' between LSU and Ole Miss?"
Me: "Yes... the history between these two... stay with me, clearly you've forgotten what's gone on over the past few years..."

Let's start back in 2011 when the #1 Tigers were on the road at a VERY YOUNG Ole Miss, as expected, LSU crushed the Rebels. Les didn't want to run up the score, and instructed his offense to take a knee, which is commendable when you're up 52-3... BUT! It did raise a lot of eyebrows considering there was more than 5 minutes to go in the game... (and not to mention the 2 timeouts the Rebels had) Some say this "Started the war" between Ole Miss and LSU...

Then in 2012, the 8th ranked LSU Tigers hosted the unranked (Young) Rebels. Ole Miss fought hard and took a 7 point lead (35-28) with 11:11 to go in the game, LSU tied the game on a punt return with 9:10 to go, and... with 15 seconds left in the game, Jeremy Hill went over the top to give LSU the win, 41-35... And this is what Les Miles had to say after the game...

(Note: this was NOT a response to a question, this was his opening remarks)

If you're confused, it's ok... You're not the only one. The SEC was very confused and concerned. They employed the National Security Agency (NSA) to break down the coach's comments to better understand his mental stability and... just exactly what in the hell was he talking about?


Top officials at the agency worked on the case around the clock for months with no luck...


Finally, one of their  local sources provided them with a lead of 2 masterminds that were fluent in the language...

But...

When these were the 2 guys that walked in...

They said "F--- It", and added the speech to the wonders of the world list...

Then!

Last year, back in Oxford, the Rebels finally (with some experience under their belt) got their revenge against the 6th ranked Tigers. It was very similar to the game in 2012, Ole Miss went into the 4th quarter with a 10 point lead, 24-14. LSU whittled away and tied it up with 3:19 left in the game. However, this time Ole Miss would not be denied. They chewed up the remaining time on a 13 play drive which ended with a 41 yard field goal to pull off the upset 27-24.

So what does all this mean for this year? Well it's funny how the tides have turned, we've got a veteran Rebel team ranked #3 in the country vs a VERY YOUNG  LSU. The only difference is talent pops up like weeds at LSU (and it has to with the revolving door to the NFL they've got going on over there). 

This year's cast of characters for LSU (or roster as some call it) includes 18 TRUE FRESHMEN that have already seen the field, with many starting or seeing significant playing time, including QB Brandon Harris (TRUE FRESHMAN QB in the SEC...) and RB, Leonard Fournette who has already started his own personal Heisman campaign, but is going to need some time to work on the pose...

Rookie, what are you doing???

You've got the whole thing jazzed up... 

You've gotta bring that right leg over and lean to the left...

... and what are you doing with that left hand? Are you calling someone???? 

What's the matter with you?

Here... Please, just take a look at Dez, he's got the idea...

...Rookies... 

Anyways, let's get back to this... Young LSU... Veteran Ole Miss...

The Ole Miss "Land Shark" D is the real deal (and #1 in the country) giving up a stingy 10.6 points per game. 

Vegas has the Tigers as 3.5 dogs... But even with that experience gap, the game is still in Death Valley, "Where dreams come to die" -Les Miles. AT NIGHT. Now, Dak Prescott, and Mississippi State went in there at night earlier this year and put on a show... But to think LSU would lose 2 games at home AT NIGHT and one of those losses ISN'T even against Alabama (who they play at home in a few weeks) is almost incomprehensible. 

That said, I expect the Rebel's to be prepared for this. Hell, the last 2 years have been a dog fight between these 2...

All the football logic is saying "Take Ole's Miss!" They've got the D, Bo Wallace has played well as of late, they're hungry, they're making plays...But I can't do it. I gotta take LSU... But! bet your ass I'm going to take those 3.5 points Vegas is giving out. I may need them. We'll call it a... "Just in case".