Weekend Predictions: LSU over Georgia, and BCS ducks
So let me see if I’ve got this straight.
If LSU beats Georgia, LSU and Alabama will play for the BCS title. Simple. Unless some anti-SEC sentiment leads voters to match LSU against Oklahoma State (and everyone suddenly gets amnesia about the Iowa State game).
But this doesn’t preclude the possibility that LSU may play Oklahoma State in the BCS game even if Georgia upsets LSU. Why? Because at least one SEC school will go, and Nick Saban getting snubbed is funnier, and if you dare put both LSU and Alabama in the BCS final when neither even won its conference, you’ll have red noses and exploding clown feet falling from the sky (thank you, Larry), and even the BCS has its limit when it comes to humiliation. I think.
So really, what Saturday’s SEC championship comes down to is this: Barring some complete, multi-touchdown, oh jeez, Curly-just-dropped-the-TNT-powder-in-the-pancake-batter-again-collapse by LSU against the Bulldogs in the Georgia Dome, the Tigers are really only playing for Alabama’s lifeline in the BCS.
What could possibly go wrong with the BCS in the kitchen.
Dude. Has anybody seen Isaiah Crowell’s bong?
OK. Flush. Simplify. It’s just a football game.
Cleansing breath. And, go . . .
Georgia has one advantage in this game: Aaron Murray. Expectations for the running game are low, unless Crowell suddenly emerges from bubble wrap this week and breaks from the field with Forrest Gump’s miracle legs.
LSU is equal to or better than Georgia everywhere else. The Tigers have won over ranked teams, won on the road, won in Tuscaloosa, won nine of their games by 46, 26, 28, 30, 31, 35, 33, 49 and 24. Also, they conquered Belarus and are moving into Poland.
Yes, I really believe the Dogs have a chance to win this game. They are playing that well and that confident. The problem is too many things need to happen. Something-to-zero in turnovers. Something big on special teams. Something bionic on the defensive front.
It’s too much. The 10-game winning streak ends here. LSU wins, but Georgia keeps it close. I’ll dance with 13½.
It’s OK for Georgia fans to be Daydream Believers. Yeah. I’m going there …
School Daze
Oklahoma at Okie State: The Cowboys’ plan: 1) Win; 2) Scream, light their hair on fire, hold their breath, pass out and repeat (until somebody puts them in the BCS title game). All of which ignores the fact that they never should have lost a conference game to 2-4 Iowa State. Shut up and enjoy the Fiesta Bowl. OSU cover 3.
VaTech vs. Clemson (ACC title): The ACC keeps hoping for Miami-Florida State title game. It keeps getting Virginia Tech vs. somebody else. Clemson is 1-3 since starting 8-0 and turning back into Clemson. Hokies cover 7.
Wisconsin vs. Mich. State (Big Ten title): Fans have been warned: DON’T look Urban Meyer in eye when he emerges for his pontiff wave from a luxury suite before kickoff. Nice year for the Big Ten’s first title game. Scandal at Ohio State. Slime at Penn State. Where’s next year’s game, Chernobyl? Badgers win, but take Sparty and 9½.
UCLA vs. Oregon (Pac-12 title): One of the teams in the inaugural Pac-12 championship (UCLA) already has fired its coach (Rick Neuheisel). Even Auburn never did that. If UCLA wins, everybody might want to duck when Neuheisel gets his hands on the trophy. Actually, no worries there: Ducks win, but take UCLA and 32.
Rick Neuheisel, at the trophy presentation
NFL Six Pack
(I drank one)
Falcons at Texans: A stat from pal Len Pasquarelli: Falcons coach Mike Smith is 8-0 against rookie quarterbacks. Next on the list: T.J. Yates. It’s a nice story for Pope High School, but it wasn’t the Texans’ first choice. In consecutive weeks, the Falcons miss Adrian Peterson and Matt Schaub. Did Smith sacrifice a chicken? Falcons cover 3.
Broncos at Vikings: Tim Tebow (5-1) has won more games than Philip Rivers, Michael Vick or Josh Freeman. But he’s completing 45 percent of his passes and ranks 37th in yardage. Ever read one of those stores when the guy living out of a shopping cart wins the lottery? Slight market correction: Vikings cover 1.
Here's the felonious Lion, Ndamukong Suh, stomping a player, which is frowned upon in most cultures, and even the NFL.
Packers at Giants: A few days after his defense allowed seven touchdowns to New Orleans, Giants coach Tom Coughlin proclaimed: “It’s time for us to be bold, not to listen to what you all are saying.” Want to be bold? How ’bout you get in somebody’s way? Pack covers 7.
Lions at Saints: Ndamukong Suh has been sentenced to two games to life. Roger Goodell’s plan to make Suh the face of the league worked out as well as the fed’s plan for the Al Capone plush toy. Saints cover 9.
Colts at Patriots: The Colts are 0-11 and have been outscored by 177 points, give or take a major organ. But the line is 20 points. Sorry. That’s like sliding chips and onion dip across the table and telling me, “Don’t touch.” Pats win, but give me Indy and 20.
•
Toteboard
“Depend on the rabbit’s foot if you will, but remember it didn’t work for the rabbit.” — R.E. Shay
Last week (kiss the ring …): 10-2 straight up, 9-3 against the line.
Overall (… and bow): 109-41 straight up; 87-61-2 against the line.
Important “Sack Schultz” update: This is the week the Hawaii trip will be decided. There’s a 10-way tie for first. I remain in contention for a high draft pick.
By Jeff Schultz
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738 comments Add your comment
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
6:55 pm
Odd. Even a life-long SEC fan like myself isn’t in favor of a rematch. I know how I’d feel if I was a fan of another BCS conference team (except for the Big East and the ACC, with the exception of VA Tech) that won it’s league and then watched a team that didn;t even win it’s division play for the whole thing.
I didn’t object in 2007 when we got left out. I understood. Even if we beat LSU and we get THREE BCS teams, I’m gonna wonder how fair the system really is. We all know the SEC is the premiere conference but a league title in the Big 10, Big 12 has gotta count for something.
JB
December 1st, 2011
6:58 pm
Beast…good to see you back out here. Regardless of what happens Saturday, Georgia feels pretty good about next year. With Murray back and about 15 other guys and some quality back ups who can play, we feel pretty good. We do have OL problems and RB problems but a really good Qb and some sure fire young talent at WR. We do lose both kickers. Looking ahead, we should win 11 next year.
Richard
December 1st, 2011
7:00 pm
Two things:
1. If you go to the BCS website, it has the EXACT same layout as ESPN.com. Not sure what that means.
2. That SEC pride all of you have in talking about how dominant the conference is…you know what it comes from? It comes from destroying the best non-SEC team every year in the BCS title game. If you really want to showcase SEC dominance, you should be screaming at the top of your lungs about how the non-SEC champion should NOT be considered for the title game.
(Kind of like Nick Saban did after the 2003 season)
JB
December 1st, 2011
7:00 pm
If Bama and LSU play for it this year, this will be the year the BCS implodes and the rest of the school Presidents step in and force a change. Yes, they probably are the best two, but you can’t ignore the rest of the conferences.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:02 pm
JB,
Yeah, I think the o-line will determine UGA’s fate next year. Seem to be pretty solid elsewhere. You guys need Keith Marshall…..if nothing else to push Crowell in practice. I’m getting the sense he’s a bit of a diva with no one behind him trying to steal his job. We’ve got several players in Gainesville that could benefit greatly from some solid competition for a starting job in practice. Depth is a great motivator.
OAKS
December 1st, 2011
7:05 pm
I can’t wait for both teams to run out, the announcer to say “Welcome to the Sec Championship!!” then the scoreboard lights up LSU- 0 UGA- 13.5 and then they kick off.. GO DAWGS
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:05 pm
I wonder about the BCS imploding. So much money there for all the haves (including the SEC). Not sure what it would take for the implosion, but it would have to register on the Seismic.
Joe
December 1st, 2011
7:07 pm
Equal to or better than UGA everywhere else? They don’t have a TE equal to or better than Orson Charles.
HedgesHaven
December 1st, 2011
7:08 pm
Skydawg,
To answer your question…a win by the dawgs and a Bama-LSU rematch in the title game will be the beginning of the end for BCS & Co….
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:09 pm
Simply stated…..
1. If LSU plays like they did against Arkansas and Georgia plays like they did against Kentucky…….LSU crushes Georgia.
2. If LSU plays like they did against Kentucky and Georgia plays the way they did against…????????……sorry, I can’t think of a reverse comparision to make this post work….
……..and that is simply it……..no one knows….truly…..what kind of team Georgia really has. I think people know what LSU has.
So……Georgia might come out and get blown out……like Florida, like Arkansas.
Then, Georgia might come out and be everything they and their fans think they are….and….if they are…..Georgia could shock LSU…..and mess up the BCS big time.
Let’s hope it happens!
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:10 pm
……that is if you root for a team from the East……you want it to happen.
doggoneit
December 1st, 2011
7:12 pm
I believe the first half will be relatively quiet
Sam
December 1st, 2011
7:12 pm
Amazing video of a high school senior from Columbia TN who kicks the ball dead straight 75-80 yards in the air. He was successful on 54 of 54 attempts this season….100%. Now he needs a college team. Wants to go to LSU!
Watch for yourself…it is unreal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JKwgwFY3g
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:12 pm
There has to be a plus one deal next year…….so…..LSU could go play someone other than Bama in a bowl and Bama could go play someone other than Bama in a bow…..make all the top tier bowls relevant…..and then send the top two from those bowls to the BCS…..just makes sense.
BUZZ 2011
December 1st, 2011
7:13 pm
Crowell is hurt.. He didn’t even suit for the GT game. Note, without Crowell this Dawg has no chance.. Reality finally takes hols as LSU won’t be as forgiving as Kentucky or GT with turnovers… LSU 35 Dawgs 12
HedgesHaven
December 1st, 2011
7:14 pm
TampaGator,
What if LSU plays like they did against Miss St. Then can UGA beat LSU? Please?
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:14 pm
We need to come up with some kind of system that lets the Dawgs win one now and then. That’s all I know. These last few systems just ain’t working right.
HedgesHaven
December 1st, 2011
7:15 pm
Buzz2011,
Reality is when you know what your talking about.
Crowell suited up for GT bro….
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:15 pm
HedgesHaven,
The powers that be (the BCS committe themselves) met less than a month ago and one of their proposals was managing the championship game only and eliminating the AQs. The next meeting is in January.
That scenario could benefit everyone except for the ACC and Big East and would protect a team such as Arkansas this year.
The only problem is that the BCS would still exist.
It’s almost as if they saw what was coming and decided to launch a pre-emptive strike to protect their own hides.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:15 pm
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:12 pm
There has to be a plus one deal next year…….so…..LSU could go play someone other than Bama in a bowl and Bama could go play someone other than Bama in a bow…..make all the top tier bowls relevant…..and then send the top two from those bowls to the BCS…..just makes sense.
Wouldn’t help. You’d still get the two best teams in the BCSCG and the Dawgs would still say they got cheated.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:15 pm
I for one….do not want a LSU – Bama rematch. Just not fair to the rest of the country. I think Bama is the better team, but they lost to LSU….and they should have lost their chance to play in the NC game…..just like Michigan when OSU played Florida for the NC. Again…just makes sense to Boise, Oklahoma State, Houston, Va. Tech….and all the one loss top teams…..and…of course…..absolutely no sense to all Bama fans.
5150 UOAD
December 1st, 2011
7:16 pm
Look……..It is Tucker telling Bradley how to stuff the turkey and Schultz (ever the frenchie) Knows how to make the meal edible. HAHAHAHA
Schultz what WINE goes best with a Three Stooges Movie?
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:17 pm
If UGA plays like they did against Auburn, then they have as good a chance as anyone in the country (not named Bama) of beating LSU. Problem is, we’ve only seen that team once this year. Other than that, they’ve done just enough to win against some pretty weak competition.
HedgesHaven
December 1st, 2011
7:17 pm
Urinate on a Dog is back
5150 UOAD
December 1st, 2011
7:17 pm
Well I have just made sure UGA will win. I just finished a UGA football Helmet design Bird House. If this TECH fan did that it must mean UGA will win right? I am finishing up a HOUSE DIVIDED Bird House too. It has 2 helmets colliding and the person can order the teams on the helmets. I have a a friend with a website and I am trying to convince him to advertise my bird houses on one of his web pages. If he will let me I will post that info later and maybe some of you football fans might be interested in some of My designs.
I can say I am pulling for the Dawgs or against them. I just think from what I have seen LSU is just too Strong. The UGA running game is the key, but Bama couldn’t run on LSU. I fear UGA can’t either. If MURRAY is left to win it with his passing I don’t think UGA can win.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:18 pm
@TampaGator
I think Florida should play Oklahoma State in the BCSCG.
That way, you’d be happy and the SEC would still win the NC.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:18 pm
Hedges……
It both play the way they did against MSU…..then LSU wins by 10 or more. Forgot about that one….and it will be a very boring game to watch. Oh….the LSU vs. Bama game was boring to watch unless you were a Bama or LSU fan…….
5150 UOAD
December 1st, 2011
7:18 pm
Hedges………….when was I GONE?
I don’t Run & Hide.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:19 pm
Dawgapoloosa…..
Florida couldn’t beat “Sisters of the Poor” right now. Ohio State is licking their lips. Sad to say.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:20 pm
I think the LSU/Bama game was a classic. That was one of the best defensive battles I’ve seen in years. I bet the players mothers were sore the next day!
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:21 pm
Why would you urinate on a dog? That’s just weird.
On the other hand, I guess anything goes on North Avenue.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:21 pm
Watch the MAC play. They score lots of points.
We
December 1st, 2011
7:21 pm
Poor little TampaGayturd – Keep crying like a little girl. What time is your game Saturday… Oh, that’s right your team is not playing, but hey, nice New years day bowl….. Ops, not going to one of those either huh.
Sucks to be a TampaGayturd!
BreakingNews
December 1st, 2011
7:22 pm
Seriously – Tech fans, you really still want to come on here talking trash? 10 out of 11….stings doesn’t it?
I guess when your football is no longer relevant (with your basketball team close behind), all you can do is run your mouth on the blogs of other teams.
Any way you spin it, you’ll always be the little sister in this state…
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:22 pm
@TampaGator
Never said the could beat the poor sisters, but even Iowa State can Beat OSU.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:22 pm
We,
Very classy. Keep making your mommy proud.
We
December 1st, 2011
7:24 pm
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg. – Keep your mother off the streets
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:24 pm
@BreakingNews
Why you wanna pick on the Tech fans. There ain’t no relevant football played by ANY Georgia team. Not since last Century anyway.
Red Blooded American Dawg Lover
December 1st, 2011
7:25 pm
This is a very tellling discussion. Tech fans are obsessed with Georgia. Georgia fans only think about Tech once a year, and not very much then. Georgia fans couldn’t care less who wins the Tech/ whoever the ACC joke of the week is game. This is classic jealousy and low self esteem on the nerds part. The more negative things they post in a game that doesn’t have a thing to do with them, the more obvious it is that they have a huge inferiority complex…as they should have.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:25 pm
I can see Meyer now…..from his new home in Columbus…..watching his former team play his future team…….
“My dream team just scored a TD. Go Bucks. Wow….my dream team just scored, I can’t believe it. Go Gators. Oh, boy…..nice throw dream team future QB….go Bucks………oh…wow…..nice kick return Demps…..my dream RB….on my dream team…..Go Gators……did you see my boy throw that ball for the 49′ers last Sunday……for my dream team…..Utah…..boy, that was my true dream team……no…..Bowling Green was……..and Southern Cal will be in about 2 to 3 years…..now….that is really going to be my dream team……until I go coach somewhere else…..and then they will be my dream team.”
LakeDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:25 pm
@TampaGator
I think you’re right on the money. LSU is a known quantity. They’re good, consistently good. I believe UGA showed its potential against Auburn, but the question remains…have they reached the point where they can summon up their best game when they need it?
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:26 pm
We,
Keep yours away from my dog, and I’ll see what I can do.
Benadawg
December 1st, 2011
7:26 pm
I really don’t get why its such a big deal to beat Alabama in tuscaloosa, it aint like georgia hasn’t beaten them there……No Damn Rematch.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:26 pm
Urban’s just working his way up the ladder to Notre Dame…
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:27 pm
Where did GTBob go?
He was busy telling me about all of Tech’s wins over Georgia before CPJ got there.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:27 pm
……on a weekend where they lost two basketball coaches. Think their minds were on that game…..probably not.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:27 pm
I really don’t get why its such a big deal to Georgia fans who plays for a NC. The only sure bet is that it won’t be the Dawgs.
DIT
December 1st, 2011
7:28 pm
Love my Dawgs, but they have to play like they did against Auburn and then some to beat LSU. Nothing to be ashamed about if Dawgs do lose. It has been a great season. Anything can happen.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:28 pm
…..no…..Meyer is working his way “down” to Notre Dame……I hope.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:29 pm
DIT…..
Glad you don’t play QB for the Dawgs with that attitude.