Like some of you I am sure we're getting ready to head out of town for the thanksgiving holiday. I've been holed up in my office for the most part this week in overdrive preparing for this weeks football. But, I gave my word to RJ I would do this every week and I am a man of my word. Going to once again be the scatter gun approach so bear with me. There will likely be no rhyme nor reason to the flow here.
First of all it's really important to be able to set the ego aside and admit when you sucked. I sucked last week. The gambling gods did not just have a party at my expense it was a full fledged blow out extravaganza. I hope they enjoyed it. It was one of those weekends where every time you looked at the screen, no matter which channel and game, something negative was happening to your teams. Makes a man paranoid. I had a game of the year on Arkansas and their offense held up their end of the deal but the defense made asses of themselves. No pressure, loose coverage and school girl tackling are a lethal combination. Even after falling behind in the damn thing they rallied and were up 11 with a huge 4th and one. I think had they converted that one down the outcome would have been entirely different. We'll never know. And what was sick and the cherry on the day was with about 5 minutes to go in that game all hell broke loose for my friends and I. My better half and I were at a local hangout with friends and some loud mouthed clowns from out of town showed up. I paid no attention, obviously had other things on my mind as the big game was winding down. Well these knuckleheads were standing directly behind us and were as foul mouthed as any group I've ever heard. And I've been around some joints, trust me. Well my loving gal told them to please pipe down some. Like I said, I was focused on the game. BUT, when a grown man yells F you to your lady you tend to snap to attention. I climbed up from my bar stool and made it as clear as humanly possible this could have a very bad outcome for him unless he apologized. My buddy Bo was with me and he is not one to be trifled with either. We were outnumbered 2-1 but after some soul searching these guys decided to head for greener pastures. As is usually the case with big mouths they are more hat than cattle. Anyway, this consumed my attention as the game wound down. When the dust had settled I saw the final result. Yup, pretty sickening day overall. But, when you have been wagering on sports since the 1970's you don't shock easy. Those days can jump out and blindside you at any time.
Anyway, Arkansas is a machine on offense and Brandon Allen is in a zone. Props as well to Dak Prescott. I think that kid gets taken for granted. I found myself actually feeling sorry for Mark Richt as I saw his Bulldogs laboring hard before finally prevailing over Georgia Southern. That was Southern's super bowl and they brought everything and the kitchen table to battle. I kept thinking, oh hell Richt, if you lose this game you might as well call Atlas Van Lines from the locker room.
Props to Ole MIss. In a season that had national title hopes in mind they were in a tough spot. They had dropped a real nut cruncher to the Hogs but came out impressively against a very good LSU club. 38-17 is impressive as hell over that Tigers team. Chad Kelly has a gun and could play on sundays. Certainly has the bloodlines. Needs to keep his emotions in check.
I did not expect Missouri to beat Tennessee but I did expect a stronger performance. Pinkel's last home game and they had the Vol's on a very cold night. I saw where in their entire history Tennessee had only played three football games in temps below freezing. You never know how kids will react to that and I did think it could be a factor. But, as it turned out the Tigers had blown their load emotionally the week prior in Kansas City over BYU. It was the same old sad song for Mizzou, the offense sputtered around and looked embarrassing and the poor defense played their hearts out for nothing. That missouri offensive line is the worst I have ever seen here. Ever. And they are a veteran group that was good last year. Makes no sense. There is tons of speculation going around Columbia as to who will replace Pinkel. I am dead certain the first call went to Tom Herman at Houston. Don't know how the conversation went. I do know that is Mac's first choice. Les Miles is interesting and I'd have no problem with it but don't see it happening. Of course everyone has their opinions and most are not based on any knowledge. Anybody's guess. Only Mac knows.
Hearing Kirby Smart might be the front runner at South Carolina. Would he be taking a pay cut? I'm only half kidding. Bama pays their assistants well.
Speaking of Les Miles, I hear fans from down there both supporting and wanting him gone. Damn, tough crowd. The man is a proven winner over a long term. Good recruiter. I just don't get it. We would take him with open arms here at Mizzou. I knew he was a special coach when he was at Oklahoma State. That man would not be out of a job for long. That much is for certain.
Iron Bowl week and that ought to be an interesting game. Can Auburn restore some pride to this downer of a season by knocking off the Tide. Bama seems on course to make the playoff and there is obviously nothing the Tigers would love more than to blow all that up. Not sure the officials would let that happen, the SEC wants and needs the Tide in the big show. Just saying.
Okay, that is it for this week guys. Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable thanksgiving. Is it PC to say thanksgiving or am I supposed to just say holiday Well truth be told I don't give a flying you know what. Hope all you guys have a great THANKSGIVING! Take care fellas.