COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKEND PREVIEW

by WCT, The Ship of Fools

You didn't think that a tryptophan-induced coma would prevent me from delivering the hard-hitting college football analysis that you ignore tolerate crave in this space each week did you? Of course not. Especially not on the eve of Rivalry Week, Part II. Heads up readers, this week for the first time we preview Friday games!

Lets dig in!

(As always, Eastern)

Arkansas at LSU (Fri, 2:30pm) - A lot of people forget that this is actually a rivalry game, as these teams are fighting is out for the Golden Boot. Razorback RB Darren McFadden had re-inserted himself into the Heisman race with 321 rushing yards on November 3rd against South Carolina, then, two games later, an 88 yard stinker against Mississippi State. If he wants back in, this game would be a perfect stage for him to perform on. LSU coach Les Miles has already had to answer questions about the Michigan job, so we will have to see how much of a distraction that turns into. Personally, I think that LSU's stingy D will be too much for D-Mac and the Hogs, but the game will be closer than the "experts" think.

Texas at Texas A&M (Fri, 3:30pm) - A bitter, bitter rivalry that usually produces entertaining games. Last year, a mediocre A&M team upset a Longhorn team that still had aspirations of going to a BCS game at the time. This year, neither team is particularly good, but A&M coach Dennis Franchione is already halfway out the door. I never bet on a team with a lame-duck coach, plus Texas still has a outside chance to sneak into the Big 12 Championship game. I'll take the Longhorns.

Virginia Tech at Virginia(Noon) - The Cavs and the Hokies meet for the Commonwealth Cup and a trip to the ACC championship game on Saturday. This should be a good matchup, for a change, in a series that has seen Tech win 9 of the last 12 meetings. I keep picking against Virginia, and they keep proving me wrong. You know, they say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. In that case, I am insane. I'm taking the Hokies.

Tennessee at Kentucky (1:30pm) - Not a rivalry game, but if the Vols win, they move on to the SEC Championship game. What if they won that game? Can you think of a worse SEC Champ in the last 10 years? I'd love to see it happen. Probably won't, but I would love to see it.

Connecticut at West Virginia (3:30pm) - This isn't really a rivalry game either, but instead the de facto Big East Championship game. West Virginia is another team that I refuse to pick this year. That's been my plan and I'm sticking to it to the bitter end. Take the Huskies.

Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (3:30pm) - "Bedlam." And incidentally, is there a dumber name for a rivalry game then "bedlam?" Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford will be a game-time decision after suffering a concussion in the Sooners loss at Texas Tech last week. It won't matter. All of the millions of dollars that T. Boone Pickens has poured into the OK State athletic department hasn't bought a team that can compete with the Sooners.

Florida State at Florida (5:00pm) - This rivalry has lost some of its intensity since the Seminoles have sucked the last few years. For some reason, FSU LB Geno Hayes has decided to give the Gators some bulletin board material by saying that he was going to shut down UF QB Tim Tebow. Someone should tell him that he is on a four-loss team. Take the Gators.

Alabama at Auburn (8:00pm) - "The Iron Bowl." For my money, the second best rivalry in college sports. By the way, why in the world did the schedule makers put this game at 8pm opposite the game of the year? 'Bama is coming off of a tough loss to some team from the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt Conference, and Auburn was just looking like they had hit their stride, then lost two of their last four. I don't know why, but I have a hunch that Alabama is going to rebound from last week's bed-crapping. Nick Saban knows that he will be judged based on what he does against the Tigers. Call me crazy, I'm taking the Tide.

Kansas vs. Missouri (at Arrowhead Stadium, 8:00pm) - Its finally here. The game of the year. If you like scoring, this should be a game for you. Kansas and Mizzou average 45 and 43 points per game respectively, and feature the two best QBs in the Big 12 in Todd Reesing and (WCT's Man-crush) Chase Daniel. These teams are like mirror images of each other, but if you think I am going to bet against my man-crush, you must be crazy. Take the Tigers.

Pic: gamedaysigns.net