CONFERENCE MOVE TO BRING ABOUT STADIUM ALTERATIONS
BOISE, Idaho (AP)...A pending departure from the Mountain West to join the newly resurrected PAC 12 has necessitated not only physical alterations but also contractual changes for the home football venue. The Boise State Broncos will replace their signature turf during the offseason. Not only to show the logo of the new conference but also because the playing surface itself has met its expected “shelf life”. School officials have decided to go forward with orange turf, rather than the traditional azure and switch sponsors from Albertson’s to Tang. The forthcoming difference in hue has generated much scheduling interest from other teams around the country. Feeling they could take advantage of the color-scheme, despite the Broncos' recent 22-4 home record and 51-11 tally here over the past 10 seasons, teams such as Oklahoma State, Syracuse, Texas, Tennessee and Clemson are seeking to play there. Moreover, even NFL clubs such as the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals have joined the fray to be put on the slate at the milieu.
The Ducks’ 42-27 boat-racing of USC on Saturday evening secured a second consecutive winning week en route to a 3-2 finish (31-35-1, .469)!
Parents are up in arms after learning their children have been exposed to talking teddy bears and other “AI enhanced” toys spouting betting advice using picks from...
THE WEBER KID’S WEEK 14 FORECAST
(Official sponsor of the Child’s Play “Good Guy” doll!)
FRI. NOV. 28
#3 Texas A&M (-2) over #16 TEXAS: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. The only factor favoring the Longhorns here is recent history showing UT winning four of the past five in the series. Probably comes down to the quarterbacks since both are superior at stuffing opposing run games, and Arch doesn’t get much balance from the ground plan to begin with. Aggies QB Marcel Reed is up for a possible Davey O’Brien Quarterback Award at 23 TDs against 7 picks. Manning, who will challenge brother Eli for cameos in Jersey Mike’s commercials during the offseason, has 25 throwing scores and 8 interceptions despite his troubles. Frequent clock stoppages for more first downs or incomplete passes could lengthen the contest and allow enough scoring to carry the total “over” its current mark of 52 ½. In any case, in view of the Texas debacle vs. Oklahoma in the Red River Shoo-Wop and the dancing upon the Kyle Field logo after last season’s 17-7 Steers victory, we believe this might get outta’ hand early...Gig ‘Em 30 Cattle 17
SAT. NOV. 29
#15 MICHIGAN (+10) over #1 Ohio State: Ryan Day seemingly channels his inner-James Franklin when it comes to Michigan, having beaten the Wolverines just once in his last five tries and not since 2019. Life regarding the B10 championship tilt for State is simple...win and in. Big Blue needs the upset and a hand from some other teams. Last two years have seen single-digit margins of victory. Until the 13-10 result in 2024, this series has featured point-a-paloozas, so we wouldn’t be stunned to see this finish over 44. Despite noting that, Michigan will be missing a top rusher, and the Buckeyes may not have either of its best two receivers...OSU 27 Michigan 23
#10 Alabama @ AUBURN (“under 46 ½”): Pachyderms can’t run, defend the run or get a good FG from beyond 40 yards if their playoff lives depended on it (fans know that and rained down their displeasure on Conor Talty after he missed a chippie early vs. FCS Mercer). And it very well might. Tide has a top 4 pass D but won’t need it much here. Tigers allow a lot of yards through the air but have nearly an equal number of picks (11) as pass TDs suffered (12). The coaching change seems to have reanimated War Eagles’ offense, which has lit it up for 100 points across its past two games after averaging just 15 in the six-pack prior to Vandy. Granted, one of those was a trouncing of Mercer most recently, but still. Tigers need a win to bowl and would obviously like nothing more than to get it here while taking down their rival and booting it from CFP consideration...’Bama 23 Auburn 20
#12 Vanderbilt @ #18 TENNESSEE (“over 65 ½”): Yes, we’re front-loading SEC games this week. Second choice for “lock”. Kirk Herbstreit said of this contest, “I like a lot of points in that one.” Turns out, we do too. Admirals have rung up 31 points in 4 of last 5 coming in and relinquishing 38 to the previously offensively-challenged Auburn team we mentioned above signals a willingness to forgo defense and settle for just outscoring the opponent. Before letting the rudderless dynamic duo of New Mexico State (Pavia’s old stompin’ grounds) and Florida tally a total of 20, Rocky Top was averaging just shy of 34 points-against. Vols QB Joey Aguilar is 9th nationally in passing yardage with a 23-10 TD-INT ratio. Diego Pavia is a couple notches lower at #14 with outstanding 26-6 ratio. Together, 7 defensive players are either out or “questionable” at the moment. Vandy (currently +3) hasn’t won in Knoxville since 2017 and not at all since 2018...“Anchor Down” 37 Davy Crocketts 34
CAL (+13 ½) over #25 Southern Methodist: Mustangs have quietly made their way into a multi-team tie atop the ACC, which is a goat rope, as well as into the playoff picture as the highest-ranked member of the American this week. SMU needs some help to make the conference title game. Style points against Cal won’t get ‘em anything. Bears just lost to Stanford by three touchdowns and had to fork over the “Axe” for the first time in seven seasons of “The Big Game”, meaning they’ll be in a bad mood for this one. Berkeley lost by 10 to Virginia and beat Louisville on the road. Total (presently 53) looks about right, though we’d lean a tad toward the “under”. Ursines HC Justin Wilcox was shown the exit a few days ago and players may give their best in support of Nick Rolovich...Pony Express 27 California 24
BETWEEN DA’ HASHMARKS
BTW, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly considering ditching the current red, pewter and Bay orange in lieu of returning to its retro pumpkin-shade unis so they, too, can “host” games at the future Boise digs.
An O-lineman for Texas A&M carries around a badly damaged folding chair (reportedly held together by bubble gum and chicken wire) as a symbol of unity and toughness. Likewise, Vindicator totes a rocking horse through the sportsbook as a sign he fatigues easily and needs to cop a squat on the regular.
Crappy Game(s) of Da’ Week: Air Force (3-8) @ Colorado State (2-9, half its dubyas came 21-17 over I-AA Norton Colorado). And already played Tuesday night...Bowling Green (then 3-8) @ UMush (then 0-11, losing by an average of more than 26 ppg).
This summer, a long drive hit by Travis Kelce on the 16th Hole at the American Century Championship here in Nevada found its way into the back of a female spectator’s head. EMTs intervened quickly (“Swiftly”??!!). The star TE checked on the fan then kissed her gently and autographed the ball-in-question, then replaced it with a new one and asked the victim to “lay still fer a minute” because rules dictated he had to “play it where it lies”!
This week on the big screen...Caesar and his army of primates dominate the 1976 home venue of the Seattle Seahawks in “Kingdome of the Planet of the Apes”!
During the same March phone in which Trump and Putin discussed options regarding the war in Ukraine, the two world “leaders” also talked about scheduling games featuring each country’s pro hockey teams. So, does KHL stand for Komrade Hockey League? Kabbage Soup Hockey League? Koffee Klatch Hockey League??!!
Black Shirt: This week’s great garment is presented to Joja’ State tight end Grant Hollier for the false start that moved the Panthers out of the red zone, helping stall what coulda’ been a backdoor cover score at Troy’s 14, allowing the Trojans (-11 ½) to win by 12 (one of our two correct “best bets”).
“Lock of Da’ Week”: Last Week: 1-0 Season: 6-7 (no, not that “6-7”!), .461. Utah and K-State combined for a week-high 98 points (tied for third-highest on the season behind Weeziana @ Marshall, which blew the breakers at [GASP!] 105 and the night Air Force @ UNLV tilt plunged the NEON City into darkness with 99), soaring waaaaaaaayyyyy above our projection of “over 58 ½”.
Shoppe Talk: We “welcome” the Mizzou Paper Tigers into our prestigious establishment at 1-3 (1-4, .200 back to last year).
Vindy’s Week 14 Best Bets: Last Week: 2-2 (.500) Season: 23-29 (.442)
Ball State @ MIAMI-OHIO “under 41 ½”, Arkansas State +2 ½ over APPALACHIAN STATE, SYRACUSE +3 over Boston College, NC STATE –8 over North Carolina
No comments:
Post a Comment