Jimson Cuenta's 2008 College Football Series: Part 14

[Author's Note: In Parts 12-14 of my College Football series... I may get a little obsessive-compulsive with "The Importance of Winning AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY."]

Here is a recap of Jimson's Top 10 Standings After Week 13 of the 2008 College Football season:

1. Florida Gators 11-0

2. Utah Utes 12-0

3. Texas Tech Red Raiders 11-0

4. Missouri Tigers 11-0

5. Kansas Jayhawks 10-1

6. Arizona State Sun Devils 9-1

7. West Virginia Mountaineers 9-1

8. Georgia Bulldogs 9-2

9. Alabama Crimson Tide 9-2

10. Clemson Tigers 10-1

Now, it's time to move on to Week 14 of the 2008 college football season.

Key Games in Week 14:

Kansas (10-1) vs. Missouri (11-0) (in Kansas City, Missouri)

Obviously, this Big 12 North showdown is the game of the week in Week 14! In fact, this matchup features two teams, who are each ranked in the top five... as the #5 Kansas Jayhawks and the #4 Missouri Tigers face off, in Arrowhead Stadium!

In addition, BOTH of these teams head into this showdown, with so much momentum, and coming off a bye week!  In fact, the Missouri Tigers head into the showdown with an UNDEFEATED record... while the Kansas Jayhawks are coming off a HUGE WIN, AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY, against the Texas Longhorns, in Week 12.

In the end, I expect the Missouri Tigers to defeat the Kansas Jayhawks, and improve to 12-0... to set up an ALL-UNDEFEATED Big 12 Championship Game, against the Texas Tech Raiders!

Winner: Missouri

Auburn (8-3) @ Alabama (9-2)

It is SENIOR DAY in Tuscaloosa, Alabama... for the Alabama Crimson Tide!

Well, it's time, once again for the Iron Bowl, as the Auburn Tigers travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the #9 Alabama Crimson Tide!

Although Alabama has already won the SEC West, and clinched a berth to the SEC Championship Game (against Florida), it must also be noted that the Auburn Tigers have defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide SIX years in a row, in the Iron Bowl!

Remember what the Alabama Crimson Tide did last season, AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY?

Well, it's VERY EMBARRASSING, to say the least! However, I am pretty sure that most people remember it.

On November 17th last season, the Alabama Crimson Tide LOST AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY to the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 21-14. In fact, this following quote was written, on the Louisiana-Monroe @ Alabama game recap, on ESPN.com:

"The Sun Belt's Louisiana-Monroe, which beat Nick Saban and Alabama 21-14 in Tuscaloosa, is not a good team. Not even by Sun Belt standards. Back on Oct. 13, ULM lost to North Texas 31-21."

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273210333

Okay now, does anyone remember what the Alabama Crimson Tide did AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY... in each of the past SIX seasons?

Anyway, I just actually RESEARCHED this! In my reserach found out that the Alabama Crimson Tide holds the NATION's LONGEST CURRENT STREAK of LOSING AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY! In fact, the Alabama Crimson Tide have LOST AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY in each of the past SIX seasons:

2002: (November 23) No. 22 Auburn 17, Alabama 7

 
2003: (November 15) No. 2 LSU 27, Alabama 3

2004: (November 20) No. 3 Auburn 21, Alabama 13

2005: (November 12) No. 5 LSU 16, No. 4 Alabama 13

2006: (November 18) No. 15 Auburn 22, Alabama 15

2007: (November 17) Louisiana-Monroe 21, Alabama 14

Finally, does anyone remember when was the last time that… the Alabama Crimson Tide WON AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY?

In fact, it has been so long since the Alabama Crimson Tide LAST WON AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY that ESPN does NOT even go that far back, to show it!

So, I NEEDED to use another website to complete my research... and this is what I found:

http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/college_football_2001_schedules/alabama.htm

11-29-01 *SOUTHERN MISS (Thur.)** WON 28-15 - *at Birmingham, AL

However, I expect the Alabama Crimson Tide to FINALLY WIN AT HOME, on SENIOR DAY, and put an end to all of these embarrassing streaks... by beating the Auburn Tigers, for the first time since Andrew Zow was the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide!

The Alabama Crimson Tide have now realized the vital Importance of WINNING AT HOME, ON SENIOR DAY!

Winner: Alabama

Washington State (5-7) @ Hawaii (1-10) 

Well, BOTH of these teams snapped long losing streaks last week, as the Washington State Cougars snapped a 7-game losing streak, by beating the Washington Huskies... while the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors snapped an 11-game losing streak (dating back to the Sugar Bowl), and earned their FIRST victory of the 2008 season, by beating the Idaho Vandals!

On December 1st last season, the Rainbow Warriors, with Heisman finalist Colt Brennan, had to overcome a 21-point deficit, in Week 14, and NEEDED TWO TOUCHDOWNS, in the FINAL EIGHT MINUTES, to defeat the Washington Huskies.

Now that Hawaii is without Brennan, I am wondering if Hawaii can even win this game, against the Washington State Cougars.

Either way, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are not going to win this game IF they get down by at least 21 points. I just do not know how they can come back from that deficit, WITHOUT Colt Brennan.

Look for the Washington State Cougars to win this game, to improve to 6-7 on the season, and become BOWL ELIGIBLE... while the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors continue their struggles THIS SEASON, and fall to 1-11 on the 2008 season.

Winner: Washington State

Jimson's Top 10 Standings After Week 14 of the 2008 College Football season:

1. Florida 12-0 (defeated @ Florida State)

2. Utah 12-0 (bye week)

3. Missouri 12-0 (defeated Kansas)

4. Texas Tech 12-0 (defeated Baylor)

5. Arizona State 10-1 (defeated UCLA)

6. West Virginia 10-1 (defeated @ Pittsburgh)

7. Kansas 10-2 (LOST to Missouri)

8. Georgia 10-2 (defeated Georgia Tech)

9. Alabama 10-2 (defeated Auburn) 

10. Clemson 11-1 (defeated South Carolina)

Stay tuned! Part 15 of Jimson's 2008 College Football Series will be released on Saturday, August 2, 2008 :)

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