Last Saturday Night, I had had enough with the four fights I saw that afternoon in college football. The melee at Ohio State, the Alabama-Auburn scuffle, the Arizona-Arizona State bout and the North Carolina-North Carolina State brawl were all out of control, particularly Ohio State-Michigan. I kind of lost it. Beth wasn’t sure how to calm me down. She just let me have at it and cool down later and I apologized to her for my language. I usually get upset when the coach I predict to win makes a dumb decision like Dan Lanning did last season in Oregon’s 36-33 loss to Washington when he went for it on fourth and four or longer 5 times and cost his team the game. I got upset with the Vanderbilt Coach last Saturday for rushing three the entire game and allowing Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava to throw it all over the yard without any resistance.
But this was more frustration with the state of the game. Players are unruly. There needs to be consequences for this BS behavior. Somebody, the NCAA if they have any authority, or the conference commissioners need to ban flag planting on the opponent’s logo at midfield after a road victory. The lack of sportsmanship amongst these teams is absurd. The fans are out of control, too. With the NIL advantages these players have now and the ability to transfer if they aren’t getting what they want, whether it’s enough pay or playing time, there need to be rules on bad behavior. It’s a free for all out on the field now. I’m ready to see Greg Sankey and the conference commissioners take a stand on this. That goes for the Presidents of the universities and the ADs. Maybe Congress needs to get involved. We’ve entitled this generation of players. They act like idiots when they score touchdowns; gestures that used to be called unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. If we’re going to give them contracts and the ability to make money off commercials, they need to be treated like adults and fined for inappropriate behavior. I wish somebody would take some leadership in college football. Nobody seems to have the courage to do it. Elvis Costello, in his song What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding, has a very accurate line that applies to college football today. He said, “So where are the Strong and who Are the Trusted.” I’m not seeing it in college football. Something needs to change and somebody or a group of people need to step up and change this free for all that we’re calling College Football. There’s nothing collegial about it. It takes away from the enjoyment of the game when these guys are engaging in urban warfare. Nobody really wants to see that. I know I don’t.
Onto this week’s predictions.
Last Week: SU-18-4, Overall: 149-52, 74%
ATS: 8-10, 105-94, 53%
The SEC Championship
No. 5 Georgia (10-2) vs. No.2 Texas (11-1)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
3 PM CT
ABC
Chris, Kirk, Holly, Laura
Texas by 2 ½
Georgia out-physicaled the Longhorns in their first encounter in Austin on October 19th, 30-15, but I like Texas’s terrific running back Quintrevion Wisner and the Texas defense to push the Longhorns over the top and land a first-round bye in the 12 team playoff. The Dawgs are still a very good team, but they may have to travel in the first round.
Texas 24, Georgia 21
Big Ten Championship
No.1 Oregon (12-0) vs. No.3 Penn State (11-1)
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
7 PM CT
CBS
Brad, Gary, Jenny; been a while since we’ve talked about that prolific announcing team.
Oregon by 3 ½
I’ll take the upset here. Penn State’s defense and tight end Tyler Warren get them over the top and the Nittany Lions earn a bye. Oregon will host in the first round.
Penn State 24, Oregon 23
ACC Championship Game
No. 17 Clemson (9-3) vs. No.8 SMU (11-1)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
7 PM CT
ABC
Sean, Gregory, Molly
SMU by 2 ½
Give me the Ponies to win and earn a bye themselves. This will be a very good result for the No.11 Crimson Tide.
SMU 31, Clemson 27
Big 12 Championship Game
No.16 Iowa State (10-2) vs. No.15 Arizona State (10-2)
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
11 AM CT
ABC
Tess, Jess, Katie
‘Zona State by 2
Give me Kenny “Dilly Willy” Dillingham and the best name in college football, Cam Skattebo, a stellar running back whose rushed for almost 1,400 yards and added 17, 7’s,, to carry the Sun Devils to the Big 12 title. ‘Zona State gets in and should host a first round game.
‘Zona State 28, Iowa State 24
Friday
Mountain West Championship
No.20 UNLV (10-2) @ No. 10 Boise State (11-1)
Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
7 PM
FOX
Boise State by 4
I like running back Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos. Jeanty has rushed for 2,228 yards and 28 TDs. Isn’t that better than Colorado’s Travis Hunter for the Heisman considering Boise State will be in the Playoff? The Broncos earn a first-round bye as the fourth highest rated conference champion. This is a rematch of a game Boise State won earlier this season at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas. It’s always tough to win a rematch, but I trust Jeanty, quarterback Maddux Madsen and the Broncos.
Boise State 24, UNLV 17
Friday
American Athletic Championship
Tulane (9-3) @ No.24 Army (10-1)
Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
7 PM CT
ABC
Dave, Dusty, Taylor
Tulane by 5
Two phenomenal universities. Two awesome coaches in Tulane’s Jon Sumrall and Army’s Jeff Monken. Both teams have had excellent seasons. This has no bearing on the Playoff, but it’s going to be a terrific game nonetheless. Both teams are playing for a championship and that always matters. Sumrall and Monken have been rumored for other jobs; Sumrall more-so. Army exists for a higher purpose; to protect and defend. But they really care about football there, too. They sure want to beat Navy next week, and Navy surely wants to beat them. But I also like the Cadets to come away with the upset in West Point where the temperature at kickoff will be 27 and feel like 19. Those N’Awlins guys are great players, but they’re not used to this. I think Sumrall’s job rumors might play a factor, too. Monken seems pretty solid at Army, but you never know. Army quarterback Bryson Daily and a stout D are the difference makers.
Army 17, Tulane 14
7 Responses
Great commentary about the fighting and other issues related to NIL in college football today. It’s all very sad and hope they get straightened out soon.
I’m with you on every pick this week. I do worry the big stage may be too much for SMU and Clemson comes out on top. It sounds like Bama could still get in though. They don’t seem deserving of a playoff spot, but others don’t either and will certainly take it if they get in. Despite the three losses they do have the capability to win the championship while some others in the playoff do not.
You nailed it DW. No discipline, and no consequences for a player’s action because if you bench them they will transfer. The college football landscape has surely changed since the portal and NIL deals.
Agree with you on the classless actions of players and fans. The home team fans should stay off the field and have some respect for the visiting team and the visiting players should have some respect for the home team’s turf. The highest point spread in this weekend’s games is five, so I am looking forward to some tight contests.
Crazy last week. Agreed, no discipline and little to no accountability. I like your picks. Go Army!
I agree David. They need to take control of the NIL and set these young men on a successful path (rather than a temporarily bloated financial account). As to the melees, they will end up being treated like paid employees with heavy fines levied for inappropriate behavior. Through it all Roll Tide, Go Terriers, and Go Navy!
Ditto from me on your thoughts and comments. By the way, nice reference of Elvis and The Attractions. Oliver’s Army may be needed to quell the poor sportsmanship!
Thanks for the great commentary, Fellas!