College Football Week 12: The Ultimate Television Watching Guide Nov. 18-20
Welcome one and all to another edition of College Football Week 12: The Ultimate Television Guide.
Finally, last week the college football landscape did not change. Well it sort of changed with Boise State moving ahead of TCU in the BCS standings, but that is neither here nor there.
Auburn showed why they are at the top in the BCS standings; as they demolished Georgia at home. Oregon survived a scare at Cal, winning 15-13.
Now we head into the final three or four weeks, depending on the school; will Auburn or Oregon lose before the end of the season?
And, this is big so stay here, if Auburn loses against Alabama but wins against South Carolina in the SEC Title game; do they deserve to be in the BCS championship game over Boise, TCU, or any of the one-loss teams?
Many questions to answer, fellow couch potatoes. Some will say put Boise or TCU in over Auburn, and some may say put in Ohio State or Wisconsin (pending on Big Ten title), or Stanford.
All that a cretin columnist knows is that no matter what it will make for some great college football on television. And in the long run that is what brings us together; the love of television, college football, adult beverages, and pictures of mascots, hot cheerleaders, or drunken fans.
So click through, readers and enjoy this week's worth of televised games!
Thursday Nov. 18, 7:30 P.M. EDT: Georgia State at No. 11 Alabama ESPNU
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Well, not too much here in this game. There are a lot of you Alabama Crimson Tide fans that frequent this slide show, so this one is for you.
You can find your Tide rolling to victory big in this game. This is just the tune up game before big bad Cam and Auburn next week.
So enjoy it Alabama fans, if you can find ESPNU on your television. Just pray that some Georgia State d-lineman stays out of Ingram, Jones, or McElory's knees or ankles.
Thursday Nov. 18 8:00 P.M. EDT: UCLA at Washington ESPN
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Now, to start your college football television watching; you do not get to watch a Big East game!
Yay!
Instead you get two Pac-10 teams with losing records. UCLA comes into this game with a 4-5 overall record with a 2-4 record in the Pac-10 . And their opponent, Washington, at 3-6 overall with a 2-4 record in the Pac 10!
Boo!
Friday Nov. 19, 9:30 P.M. EDT: Fresno State at No. 4 Boise State ESPN2
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Last Friday, we got to see Boise State take on in-state rival Idaho. It is not much of a rivalry when you are beating your supposed rival 52-14.
This week, Boise comes back to ESPN on a Friday night so that we can see that they deserve to be in the top of the BCS polls.
Fresno State is not a weak opponent like Idaho was last week. No, last week Fresno took No. 21 Nevada down to the end of the game. But, Fresno State could not win in the end; losing to Nevada 35-34.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Saturday Nov. 19, Noon EDT: No. 7 Wisconsin at Michigan ESPN
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This game could be a surprise for game of the week. Look at it this way.
Two weeks ago, Michigan hosted Illinois. Both teams just flat out forgot to play defense taking their game to three overtimes. Final score: Michigan 67, Illinois 65.
Last week, Wisconsin hosted Indiana, an Indiana team that was winless in Big Ten conference play, but still has been very competitive in their games. Final score: Wisconsin 83, Indiana 20.
Gamblers, Christmas season is forthcoming, and black Friday is next week. Here is your over/under game of the week. You can thank these two teams when you're buying that 50-inch television to watch the conference championship games in December.
Saturday Nov. 19, Noon EDT: Pittsburgh at South Florida ESPN2
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This is how messed up the Big East conference is, and those fans of schools that have one or two losses that will be missing out on their conference championship, or a BCS game; please click the next slide because you may want to put your fist or face through the screen after reading the next sentence.
Okay, Pittsburgh at 5-4 overall 3-1 in the Big East Conference, with a win this week against South Florida all but clinches the Big East conference. They will need one win out of their last two games to clinch. So, Pittsburgh could be 7-5 and playing an 11-0 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.
Yes four or five losses and they will be playing in a BCS game, and this system is not broken?
Saturday Nov. 19, 3:30 P.M. EDT: Ole Miss at No. 5 LSU CBS
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LSU comes into their final SEC West division game against an Ole Miss team that has been dreadful this year.
Last week against an Tennessee team that had not won a SEC game; they gave up 52 points in a loss. This year, Mississippi has just been a punching bag for the SEC.
And after a blowout victory last week for the LSU Tigers; fans at the game this week should be back at their tailgate party before the second half kicks off.
Remember LSU fans, one loss and you may be out of a BCS game. Pittsburgh may have five losses and could win their conference. Just wanted to throw that one back in there just in case those LSU fans did skip that last slide.
Saturday Nov. 19, 3:30 P.M. EDT: No. 9 Ohio State at No. 20 Iowa ABC
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Before we get into the game, Parents this is where your hard earned dollars go. It ends up helping kids like this go to these games, and we thank you for helping make pictures like this possible.
Okay back to football.
This game not only has the eyes of Iowa and Ohio State fans watching, but it also has the fans of Wisconsin watching. Yes, Wisconsin holds the tie-breaker over Ohio State; but it takes the heat off of them.
But, for Ohio State this game ends any last chance they had at sneaking back into the Rose Bowl. They stumbled in the Penn State game early last week. But eventually found their game and blew out Penn State.
One more thing, this is the last home game for Iowa Quarterback Ricky Stanzi. He has had an amazing career at Iowa; and it should be amazing to see what he can do in his last game at Iowa.
Saturday Nov. 19, 3:30 P.M. EDT: No. 19 Virginia Tech at No. 24 Miami ESPN
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Miami Hurricanes, The U, welcome back to the Top 25 for what seems to be the fourth or fifth time this year. Now that you are back at No. 24, you get the division-leading Virginia Tech Hokies.
Well, unless The Canes can keep up with this Va. Tech offense; it will be another week of losing their Top 25 ranking.
Going on with the last slide, of other fan bases watching a particular game; the Boise State fans will be glued to this game. And who knows if Oregon and Auburn does not lose this year, and Va. Tech ends up winning the ACC; maybe we will see Boise and Va. Tech again?
Saturday Nov. 19, 3:30 P.M. EDT: Illinois Vs. Northwestern ESPNU
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No real reason for this game here, except for the game being played at Wrigley Field. It was cool to see this stadium played as a hockey game; and it should be cool to see it as a football field.
Northwestern has been a pretty good team this year, and Illinois has struggled a bit in the last few games.
But as stated above, Wrigley Field will be a football field once again with the goal posts attached to the outfield wall.
Saturday Nov. 19, 7:00 P.M. EDT: No. 13 Arkansas at No. 21 Miss St. ESPN
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Every time Arkansas is playing a prime time game, this should start the slide:
WOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH PIG SUEY!
Arkansas seems to have found their stride as of late. They have won their last four straight games, all by double-digit margins. In those four games, they have scored at least 38+ points.
In Arkansas only two loses this year, they lost, after leading for three quarters, at home to Alabama; and on the road to Auburn.
For Mississippi State, they have had a great year at 7-3. However, four of their games against ranked SEC opponents, they have lost three. They need this win here to end their SEC season on a great note.
Saturday Nov. 19, 7:00 P.M. EDT: Army Vs Notre Dame NBC
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Boy who wishes that they did not take this picture when they signed this deal? You think Weis got to keep the jersey after he was shown the door?
Any way, after a great win last week against Utah; Notre Dame looks to save their season with a win against Army this week. Yes, a win against Army saves a season for Notre Dame and makes them Bowl eligible.
Oh and if you were not able to catch the game at Wrigley Field, then you are in luck! Notre Dame and Army square off in Yankee Stadium.
Saturday Nov. 19, 8:00 P.M. EDT: No. 8 Nebraska at No. 19 Texas A&M ABC
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In our prime-time game of the week, it is a Big 12 showdown with Texas A&M hosting the North division leader Nebraska.
Who knew that with just three weeks left in football that Texas A&M would be the best BCS football team in the state of Texas?
After losing three straight games in the middle of their season, the Aggies seemed to be on their way to another mediocre bowl game. But, they have strung together four straight wins, to put them back into Big 12 title contention.
Nebraska has had a great season, in their last one in the Big 12. Their only stumble was at home against Texas. Let's see what they can do against A&M in their last game in a Big 12 stadium.
Saturday Nov. 19, 8:00 P.M. EDT: No. 14 Oklahoma at Baylor ESPN2
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Oklahoma, oh Oklahoma, how the season has gone from wonderful to horrible for you.
You were on top of the world at the start of the BCS; and now you are just barely hanging to a Big 12 title game. Where has the time gone? More importantly; where has your season gone?
At home, Oklahoma is almost unbeatable. At home, Oklahoma has that aura of invincibility.
But on the road, Oklahoma is a complete different team. Let's see what Baylor can do, in what seems like their first prime time home television game in their school history.
Robert Griffin III should put on a show this week against an Oklahoma defense that has been shaky since the BCS standings were released.
Saturday Nov. 19, 8:00 P.M. EDT: No. 25 Florida State at Maryland ABC
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Really NCAA Top 25, really, your 20-25 teams consist of Florida State, Mississippi State, Iowa, Utah (two losses but non-BCS), Arizona, and Miami?
Really?
Do they just crank up the bingo roller and whatever five teams with three losses come rolling out is their 20-25?
Really?
This week Florida State, with a loss for North Carolina State, could clinch the ACC Atlantic division.
However, a loss to Maryland all but kills any chance for a Florida State team that has lost two of its last three games.
Saturday Nov. 19, 8:00 P.M. EDT: USC at Oregon State ABC
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Listen, usually you will see a picture of the home team's mascot/cheerleader/fan, but come on; would you like to see an Oregon State Cheerleader or the Oregon State Beaver over some USC cheerleaders?
Okay, don't answer those questions.
USC showed some heart last week in their upset of Arizona on the road. It says a lot about what first-year head coach Lane Kiffin has done at USC this year. This team really has nothing to play for; as they are banned from a Bowl Game this year.
In a game that features both teams not going to a Bowl Game, at least these USC cheerleaders will be making the trip to the game.
Thanks for reading and sitting through another week of College Football: The Ultimate Television Viewing Guide! Did you enjoy my ranting and raving? Well, if you did you can get more at my Twitter page www.twitter.com/tjmcaloon. Thanks for coming I'll see yeinz next week!
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
