So the Thanksgiving feast is over and you say, let me ask Tony what I should do now. First of all, shame on you for needing my help when the answer should be obvious. Second, a traditional Sicilian celebration is called the Feast of the Seven Fishes. It’s usually for Christmas Eve, but this is a big, festive weekend so for you my friend, my offer that you should not refuse is the Feast of the Seven Games.
College Football Preview Week 13: The Feast
Ohio State at Michigan; Sat 12 noon EST ABC: This is my grandmother’s Clams Casino; a good starter that leaves room for more later. The game has more gravitas than at any time in recent years. Jim Harbaugh has brought Michigan back to relevance faster than most anyone expected. The defense has a newfound toughness and is second nationally in yards allowed. Ohio State is undeniably more talented, but their offense looks pedestrian of late and Urban Meyer has locker room issues. Indiana is the only team with a successful rushing game against Michigan this season. Can Ezekiel Elliot be better than IU’s Jordan Howard. The winner of this game needs a Michigan State loss against Penn State to get a spot in the Big Ten title game next weekend.
Clemson at South Carolina; Sat 12 noon EST ESPN: The marinated shrimp; No harm in checking it out, but keep your expectations in check. Obviously Clemson is a heavy favorite with a shot at the playoffs just two games out. The Tigers are already headed to the ACC title game. Their offensive line has matured in dramatic fashion over the course of the season and made Deshaun Watson one of the more impactful quarterbacks in the country. But…but…this is a rivalry game and South Carolina has nothing to lose. They are having a forgettable season and will be spending the offseason looking for a new head coach. Nothing would make that easier than beating Clemson and the Gamecocks have done that five of the last six years.
Alabama at Auburn; Sat 3:30 pm EST CBS: Similar to the Clemson/South Carolina game, Alabama is playing for everything. Many consider them the best team in the country, even with one loss. Derrick Henry is averaging 166 yards per game rushing in SEC games and the emergence of the young wide receiving corps is allowing for a more balanced Tide offense than when they lost to Ole Miss. Auburn has secured a bowl game already and has nothing to lose so is likely to throw everything it has at Bama, including both Jeremy Johnson and Sean White playing quarterback. Regardless of the signal caller, the offensive line is banged up for the Tigers making it challenging to force the tempo they want. The Iron Bowl is like the fried clams of the meal…hard to go wrong no matter what else is being served.
Penn State at Michigan State; Sat 3:30 pm EST ESPN: This is the baked cod…it’s important, if you have a vested interest. If Michigan State wins, the Spartans will play for the Big Ten championship next week. Penn State meanwhile limps into the game having lost three of the last five and two in a row. As of the time of this column, Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook is still listed as questionable for the game. That would be the one thing that fires up the Penn State kitchen, as the Nittany Lions are tied for first in the country with 44 quarterback sacks. The prospect of facing reserves Tyler O’Connor or Damion Terry gives Penn State its best hope for a palatable game.
UCLA at USC; Sat 3:30 pm EST ABC: In the crazy world of the Pac 12, the three-loss Bruins or the four-loss Trojans will win the Pac 12 South with a victory. The two schools are separated by a whopping 12 miles, so there are few secrets here. The USC offensive line ranks 102nd in the nation in quarterback sacks given up. Part of that is because Cody Kessler holds on to the ball too long, but part is an offensive line that just lacks technique. As a result Kessler is effective in the mid range throwing game and will rely on his receivers getting the yards after catch. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen hasn’t thrown an interception in more than a month and USC has a susceptible defensive backfield. But if Southern Cal’s front seven can get pressure on him, he does make freshman mistakes. I am going with an octopus dish here because with the penalties both teams rack up and with the reputation the Pac 12 refs have, there is going to be a lot of arms throwing flags.
Notre Dame at Stanford; Sat 7:30 pm EST Fox: Lobster fra diavolo because this game has a lot going on. It’s a playoff elimination game for both teams. Even as a potential Pac-12 champ, Stanford is a long shot with two losses. Still, the Cardinal have one of the best all-purpose players in the country in Christian McAffrey who is averaging 255 yards per game as a running back, kick returner and even an occasional quarterback. Notre Dame running back C.J. Prosise is listed as questionable for this game with a sprained ankle. Without him, the Irish are likely to have to put too much of the game onto the shoulders of quarterback DeShone Kizer. The irony is Notre Dame beating Stanford gives the Cardinal three losses and hurts the Irish strength of schedule. Notre Dame will need the win and then will be rooting for the Cardinal to win the conference title the following week to help that issue.
Florida State at Florida; Sat 7:30 pm EST ESPN: A big helping of linguini with clams; it feels good for the tradition, but has limited bearing on the big picture. Florida has already secured its spot in the SEC championship game next week, but a win over Florida State will help the Gators’ cause for a Sugar Bowl bid. Florida State is also fighting for a bid to a New Year’s Six bowl game if they can win here and crack the top 12. Both teams are starting quarterbacks who started the season at second on the depth chart. Sean Maguire has started three of the last four games after replacing Everett Golson for the Seminoles. Treon Harris has thrown six touchdown passes and four interceptions for the Gators since replacing the suspended Will Grier last month.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State; Sat 8 pm EST ABC: Had Oklahoma State beat Baylor last week, this would be the biggest game in the history of the Bedlam rivalry, but that is in the past. Even though both teams have only one loss, Oklahoma’s was back in September and so they have regrouped and are still in playoff contention. A win over a one-loss OSU team will keep the Sooners in the top four and they will be waiting and watching the conference championship games before knowing their fate. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield will be a game time decision. He passed the concussion test after last week’s head injury against TCU, but he has had little practice this week. Trevor Knight has been a pretty ordinary backup. For the Cowboys, it will be about coach Mike Gundy getting his team emotionally repaired after the season crushing loss at home against Baylor last week. Oklahoma State’s running game has disappeared so it is up to quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington for whatever spark is left. The food pairing? By now you have noticed we have exceeded the seven courses. I provided dessert. You’re welcome. Enjoy your cannoli.
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