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
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:29 pm
@TampaGator
Should have called it off then, like all the other OSU teams did.
Won’t matter anyway after the Sooners beat ‘em into a mud-hole.
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:31 pm
No guarantee Urban wins big in Columbus if he keeps the spread. Those QBs don’t come down the pike every year, and even when they do they don’t necessarily totally grasp that system.
Ask Dan Mullen.
DIT
December 1st, 2011
7:31 pm
TampaGator – I’m glad I’m not a gator fan. No, I thank the good Lord I’m not a gator fan.
Was not looking for a response from you, it was just an opinion.
tim scott
December 1st, 2011
7:31 pm
Ok Dawg fans first and foremost I have no dog (no pun intended) in this fight as a Gator fan I had my head handed me on both Saturdays. Does UGA have a chance of course they you have a good team, in fairness do not believe you have beaten a quality oppenet. LSU on the other hand has had a much tougher road this season. I am picking LSU for one simple reason I want the SEC to extend our streak of National Championship. All that being said good luck to both teams hope all the fans enjoy themselves.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:32 pm
We…..
No…you suck on information….Florida is going to play Ohio State on Jan. 2……the same day your Dawgs will play….they just will not get paid as much for playing in the game.
Big Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:32 pm
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg,
To answer your question to me, Yes I will admit I was wrong.
Go Dawgs
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:34 pm
DIT…..
Yep…..winning all those SEC championships and national championships in recent year really sucks for us Gator fans. I can see why you would hate to be one. You probably would hate to be a Bama and LSU fan as well…..because they have been winning SEC and national titles as well……
5150 UOAD
December 1st, 2011
7:34 pm
Tech fans are obsessed? UGA fans are all over the Recruiting Blog about a possible Tech commit. Give it up.
Tech fans are on SCHULTZ’s blog because it is a FOOTBALL blog. Some of us actually like ALL College Football. It just so happens UGA is still playing and tech isn’t. I do remember when Tech was in the Championship Game and UGA was not. i think UGA fans were ALL over the blogs still. so SHUT THE F…UP. We like FOOTBALL and College Football to be Exact.
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:34 pm
@TampaGator,
We all share the revenue anyway. Yet another thing that makes it great to be in the SEC. Even Ole Miss makes bowl money this year.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:35 pm
DIT…..
FYI…..when Saban took over Bama, they were 6-6 and lost to La-Monroe…..and then what happend….I fully expect Muschamp will have similar success in Gainesville.
DIT
December 1st, 2011
7:36 pm
Beast – sound a bit angry tonight. Not sure why you feel that you had to be on the attack for just posting an opinion. Then again I remember how mad I was at the Dawgs record last year. So I do feel your pain.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:38 pm
…..and you know….DIT…..
Georgia fans know what it is like to have two really “sucking” years in a row….like the last two years….and look where they are this year. Florida will be back there very soon. After all, it is Florida.
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:38 pm
5150,
You peple are obsessed with Georgia and no insult intended.
Do you remember beating Alabama in 1981? Bama and the Bear still in their prime together?
I was dating a Tech girl then and I couldn’t wait to get on that campus and get in on the party. I got off work and hauled it down there only to find a morgue-like atmosphere.
When I asked why, I got the same answer over and over.
“Yeah, but Georgia won today, too.”
That. my friend, is obsession.
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:39 pm
DIT…….are those enough responses for you….even though you “were not looking for one.”
DIT
December 1st, 2011
7:39 pm
I don’t doubt it at all that FL will be back, just like UGA
BUZZ 2011
December 1st, 2011
7:39 pm
UGA can’t stop the run against a balanced attack.. Yes, they may have held Vandy to 50 yrds or Kentucky to 60 yards, but I remind you that GT burned them for 245 yards rushing.. Dawgs forget quickly as last tear we ran wild for 415 yards..
TampaGator
December 1st, 2011
7:40 pm
Anyway……will be pulling for the Dawgs on Saturday. Go SEC East. Go Dawgs. Go Gators…..we will be back….and very soon. Good night.
45ACP
December 1st, 2011
7:41 pm
The Dawgs must have a running game and now we here all of this talk about Crow-Ell being such a diva. I thought that title was for wide receivers only? That kid needs to get with the program or get him some gone.
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:42 pm
Buzz,
With the wishbone, you won by 3, lost by 6, lost by 8 and lost by 14.
See a pattern developing here?
Learn to love it. Your ancestors already have.
D man
December 1st, 2011
7:42 pm
I agree with your picks this week except for the Vikings. They will beat Tebow…
D man
December 1st, 2011
7:42 pm
I agree with your picks this week except for the Vikings. They wont beat Tebow…
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:43 pm
@TampaGator
Seriously, it’s too soon to judge Will Muschamp. Urban left the program in a mess. There were plenty of 4&5 star players recruited, but that doesn’t mean that there was the potential to build a team from those recruits. Next year might be a little tough as well, but he should get three years to determine his true worth.
Funny that UGA fans would chide you for his not being a success in his first year. They’ve kept CMR around for 11 years and have absolutely nothing to show for it – and they can’t decide whether they should give him another contract extension. How delusional can one fan-base be?
DIT
December 1st, 2011
7:43 pm
Really BUZZ 2011?????
Please don’t compare tek to LSU because there is no comparison. All you need to know is 10 out of 11
45ACP
December 1st, 2011
7:46 pm
LSU is 97th in passing offense. That is not a balanced attack. The Jackets rank 108 FYI.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:48 pm
Georgia is Back!
Yeah… I heard that from Bama fans in 2005 under Mike Shula. All Georgia has done this year is string together ten wins against cream-puffs. Hell, Virginia Tech does that almost every year. What do the have to show for it? Champions of a loser conference?
Real SEC Champions play for National Titles – not Corn Dawg trophies.
Jenny
December 1st, 2011
7:48 pm
Run Isaiah, Run
Burma Shave
December 1st, 2011
7:50 pm
Dogs lose in the Dome
LSU will rule
Then we’ll all know
Mark Richt is a fool
BURMA SHAVE
5150 UOAD
December 1st, 2011
7:51 pm
HedgesHaven
December 1st, 2011
7:15 pm
Buzz2011,
Reality is when you know what your talking about.
Crowell suited up for GT bro….
CROWELL was SUITED-Up in his Pink Phi Mu Panties. He was not going in the game. He will last maybe 5 plays in the LSU game if he has to Pass Protect or actually carry the ball. The Kid is a Kitty Cat.
GA Wins
December 1st, 2011
7:52 pm
So does anybody know if there is any truth to what was being reported on 680 the Fan about Crowell taking himself out of practice because he took a shot?
If that’s true how in the world will he ever manage to play a whole game.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:54 pm
45ACP,
LSU has pretty much blown out everyone they’ve played. Not much need to pass the ball too often when you’re ahead three scores and have one of the best defenses in the country. Stats don’t tell the whole story.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:55 pm
@GA Wins
He won’t.
Next Question?
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:55 pm
See 5150,
You ARE obsessed with Georgia.
45ACP
December 1st, 2011
7:55 pm
CMR will not put up with his attitude.
45ACP
December 1st, 2011
7:57 pm
Stats tell me if you stop the run you have a chance. And UGA is good at stopping the run.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:58 pm
@Burma Shave
Mark Richt is being paid a handsome salary to basically just goof off. I don’t think he’s the one who should be wearing the “fool” label. The fools are the ones paying his salary.
Bong... bong...bong
December 1st, 2011
7:58 pm
How did Crowell and his homeboyz do in their drug tests this week?
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:59 pm
Don’t believe everything you hear on talk radio. Their goal is to create debate and more listeners. These are the same guys who were carping about Richt not signing enough players out of the state just a few months ago.
Turns out over 100 kids signed scholarships outta GA, so Richt was gonna lose over 75% of state kids regardless.
Just cos the talking heads on AM talk radio say something, it doesn’t automatically qualify it as the absolute truth.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
7:59 pm
45ACP
December 1st, 2011
7:57 pm
Stats tell me if you stop the run you have a chance. And UGA is good at stopping the run…
…Against Coastal Carolina and NMSU.
There. Fixed that for ya.
OAKS
December 1st, 2011
8:00 pm
bong bong.. probably about the same as the honey badger and his homeboyz. maybe they’ll get together before the game..
Melton
December 1st, 2011
8:00 pm
“The fools are the ones paying his salary.”
There’s something to be said for that point of view. I agree.
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
8:00 pm
Passing stats: yards per attempt
Alabama – 7.9
LSU – 8.2
Georgia – 8.3
Now, think about who those stats were earned against.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:01 pm
45ACP,
Of course they have chance. Just saying don’t be fooled by their passing stats. They dominate with defense, creating turnovers and big special teams plays. Once they’re ahead by 14 they just run the ball. That’s what they’ve done 10 out of their 12 wins. If UGA can manage to win the turnover battle and run the ball effectively, then they can win.
Richt is 10-1vsThe Nerds
December 1st, 2011
8:02 pm
Hell no.Look who they lost to… TCU. Bama lost to #1 LSU, SEC wins “ive forgotten the number” straight BCS . If Murray plays like he did against Auburn we’ll win….Kentucky. and we’ll lose. Its all on Murray
45ACP
December 1st, 2011
8:03 pm
LSU is ranked 97th in passing offense. PERIOD.
GA Wins
December 1st, 2011
8:04 pm
They cited Crowell’s actions as the reasom Richt was unwilling and obvioudly too frustrated to asddress the issue of running backs in general.
If you heard the broadcast it souned very plausible. Supposedly he showed up for Wednesday’s practice in a green “no-hit” jersey and basically refused to to practice.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:04 pm
LSU is ranked #1 in the country. PERIOD.
Dawgapaloosa
December 1st, 2011
8:05 pm
LSU and Alabama’s fourth team players have seen more action this year than Georgia’s second string.
GA Wins
December 1st, 2011
8:06 pm
excuse the typos 2 fingers don’t work that well.
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
8:06 pm
VT has only 2 players from Georgia.
Eric C.
December 1st, 2011
8:06 pm
48 is over/under on how many tech fans are impersonating as LSU fans