Different format this week as to be just candid as can be I'm swamped. I think most folks don't quite comprehend the time involved with handicapping these games. That is if you want to do it right. With the NFL, College football and now hoops, the NBA. It takes time. I made a commitment to RJ to do this and I keep my word. But I will just let her rip in one swoop this week rather than break it down team by team. This will amount to the most random of random thoughts as I swear I have zero notes in front of me. So if I stray a bit, just hang in there.
Well I stated clear as a bell before the first kick off this season that it was my view that Alabama was the best team in the SEC, and not only that, the best team in the nation. Well, they still may or may not be in the end but people are at least starting to admit maybe I was right. The really great teams play their best ball this time of year and it appears Saban is getting his team hitting on all cylinders. At the outset everyone and their black sheep cousin was tapping Leonard Fournette for the Heisman, I say Derrick Henry has not just nudged into the conversation but busted into the room like he does the line. Maybe the Tide go down, I just have one question. By who?
Been a crazy week at Missouri. That might be the biggest understatement of the year. Kind of like saying Dallas was not at the top of Jackie Kennedy's vacation list after 1963. I've seen it all the last week. I've seen grown people who are typically mild mannered get downright red faced hostile. I've seen supposedly intelligent and educated young people show that in reality they are green as grass in the real world. Hell, I have not been engaged in a bar scrap in years yet almost threw down with a guy this weekend. He was spouting about how racist Mizzou was and it was my tilting point. I asked him if this was from personal experience or if he was just parroting what he heard on the news. He waffled, I asked him for at least one specific case that involved him or his family personally. He couldn't do it and didn't like being pressed. Well I was on him like ugly on ape. Anyway, it was, well you get it. A memorable week. Crazy that Missouri won the game at Arrowhead saturday night against a more than capable BYU team. I honestly thought they would and put a play on them. Before the news had broken about Pinkel I was on the fence with that game. After he made it public I knew his kids would find a way. Now the rumors are flying about his replacement. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone. I have no clue what Mac Rhodes is going to do. That is my honest opinion. But if anyone thinks the Mizzou program will sink they are sadly mistaken.
What the hell has gotten into Arkansas? Right now I am not sure anyone in the nation would want to square off against the bunch. Brandon Allen is playing as well under center right now as anyone in the country. The kid is in a zone. Too bad the Hogs stumbled out of the gate so slowly.
I like teams that defend. A lot. Maybe why I am partial to Bama and have not completely disowned Mizzou. So I do tip my cap to Derrick Mason's Vandy club. That team can play defense. They beat Kentucky and are not a huge dog this week against the Aggies. I know a lot of squares will be loving the boys from College Station this week but confidence is a beautiful thing and the Commodores are pissing it right now. Sumlin had better have his kids ready to rumble or it could be a long flight back home.
It boggles my mind that Auburn, for all it's recruiting fertile grounds and reputation cannot recruit a better Quarterback than what they have got. I had a triple on the Tigers last week and I have to say the QB play was miserable. The coaching in general was just low level. They had me cussing a blue streak. My mastiff Sam did not even stay in the room.
I think this is a huge weekend for Les Miles and his Tigers. The last two weeks have well, sucked. First they try to stand up to Bama and get dumped head first into the dumpster. Then they try to climb out and restore some pride by punching Arkansas in the mouth only to get kicked in the balls. Now they are staggering around and have to face Ole Miss this week. In Oxford no less. This will be a true test on a couple of level. First just how good are they? Secondly can Miles work his magic as a motivator because this is a class in coaching motivation, and advanced course. The really special coaches shine in these spots. The mediocre coaches present teams who put out mediocre performances. I will be watching closely.
I want to know why anyone would not vote for McElwain for coach of the year if they had to decide the thing now. Nobody I know, yours truly included, anticipated the Gators having this kind of bite this year. Good grief, just how bad was Muschp as a head coach. I actually had a buddy suggest Muschamp as the new guy at Mizzou, I told him to put down the pipe. There would be a rebellion around here. Or I guess more accurately, another one. Geez, I don't want to revisit that.
Well that will be a wrap for this week guys. I do have a huge play this saturday. I know, there are huge plays every weekend. But, here is the straight scoop. It is my 2015 College football game of the year. The only one. I did have an SEC game of the year back on september 26th on Kentucky over Mizzou that won. But that was it. My clients know from past history that I don't screw around with the big label much. Just don't. They also know I win a helluva lot more of them than not. If you do not like GOY's then its hard to blame you. But as with most things in life it is important to consider the source is it not? I know there are sites that sneeze these things out at a embarrassing rate, but in all fairness that really had nothing to do with me does it? I use them prudently, and I usually win them. That is the general ideal right? Anyway, I obviously love the game and it is loaded and ready. No, it is not a lock. But I have hit on 11 of my last 13 featured releases and been seeing things pretty clearly in most cases. But if you are looking for a lock or are the type to throw a temper tantrum or hit the floor screaming if it loses I'd rather you just keep on moving. Lord knows I don't need that nonsense. There are plenty of other sites out there who peddle locks and crap. My clients know I shoot straight.
That's a wrap guys. Back to work. Best of luck this weekend with your action guys. Enjoy the games!