College Football Predictions: Baby's Losers for Nov. 22, Rivalry Week

Welcome to Rivalry Week in college football. This will be a week of "Double-Down Fever" as we choose not only the normal eight toughest picks, but also eight huge "Name-Game" contests.

With so many historically important matchups this week, a case could be made for any number of candidates for the traditional "Game of the Week" designation. It seems clear to everyone that designation should go to the Texas Tech at Oklahoma battle. 

For those aware of such things, the date of this Saturday will always be linked with the state of Texas. On November 22, 1963, the President of the United States (see picture above) was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

To those who lived through that national nightmare, let us hope it never happens again. Assuredly, everyone was the loser in that tragic situation.

Let us remember that President Kennedy loved college football and eagerly followed it. We should take time this Saturday to pay respect to this great man, and wonder how different everything would have been had he survived that afternoon in Texas.

                                   BABY'S LOSERS 11/22/08

                                    PART ONE: RIVALRY WEEK

1) APPLE CUP: WASHINGTON @ WASHINGTON STATE

Always a great game, this year it defies description as both teams are so horrific. Baby's Loser, Washington State.

2) BATTLE FOR THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET: INDIANA @ PURDUE

Could it be? Is it possible? Can Joe Tiller receive a going-away present at last? Baby's Loser, Indiana.

3) THE BIG GAME: STANFORD @ CALIFORNIA

Wild and wooly is the best description of this rivalry, defined by the most famous play of all time. Baby's Loser, Stanford.

4) THE LAND GRANT TROPHY: MICHIGAN STATE @ PENN STATE

One of the most important games of the year. Upset waiting to happen? Baby's Loser, Michigan State.

5) THE BORDER WAR BRONZE BOOT: COLORADO STATE @ WYOMING

The Cowboys beat Tennessee in Knoxville, and they are tough in Laramie. Baby's Loser, Colorado State.

6) FLOYD OF ROSEDALE BRONZE PIG: IOWA @ MINNESOTA

The Golden Gophers have faded due to injuries and the Hawkeyes are coming on. Baby's Loser, Minnesota.

7) THE GAME: YALE @ HARVARD

The longest running and most famous of all annual rivalries, this is the 125th meeting! The name says it all: "The Game." Baby's Loser, Yale.

           RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK

8) THE BEEHIVE BOOT: BRIGHAM YOUNG @ UTAH

"Whoa Nellie" is the way veteran announcer Keith Jackson would describe this one. If the Utes win, they look for a date in the Sugar or Fiesta Bowl. The Cougars want their own big Bowl. Baby's Loser, BYU.

     RIVALRY WEEK: PART TWO

9) MISSISSIPPI @ LSU

The South's most notoriously nasty rivalry. While it seems that Ole Miss hates everybody, that special place is reserved for the Tigers. The Rebels are bowl–bound and demand respect. Ask Florida. Baby's Loser, tight, Ole Miss.

10) MICHIGAN @ OHIO STATE

The most famous rivalry in the Midwest. This year, the Buckeyes are better in every area. Wolverines hope for a miracle. Baby's Loser, Michigan.

11) TENNESSEE @ VANDERBILT

Things were so bad for the Volunteers in the loss to Wyoming that I can't see anywhere to go but up. Baby's Loser, in a shocker, Vanderbilt.

12) PITTSBURGH @ CINCINNATI

Big boy action in the Big East! Now here is what football is all about: three yards and a cloud of dust. Baby's Loser, in Upset City, Cincinnati.

13) SYRACUSE @ NOTRE DAME

The countdown to Greg Robinson's removal is over. Will the Orange win one for the Gipper against the Gipper's team? No! Baby's Loser, Syracuse.

14) OREGON STATE @ ARIZONA

Desert warfare will be different for the foggy Beavers from Corvallis. The Wildcats are favored and have everything in their favor—everything except the coaching of Paul Bryant's No. 1 disciple! Baby's Loser, Arizona.

15) THE ARMY @ RUTGERS

These two teams have been playing against each other since 1891. Now that's a rivalry! Baby's Loser, close, The Black Knights of the Hudson.

                                             GAME OF THE WEEK

16) TEXAS TECH @ OKLAHOMA

Certainly the most imposing obstacle to the Red Raiders winning the national championship is an away night game on grass versus a Top 10 team coached by Mike Leach's old bossman, Bob Stoops. Sounds pretty bad for Texas Tech, doesn't it? If that Sooners offense gets going, this could get ugly, a 49-21 type game. Just a hunch that men from Texas are up to the job. Baby's Loser, Oklahoma.

                                                           Race Chase

NAME                    MISSED                       FOR THE WEEK   FOR THE YEAR

12                          NONE                           8–0                      79–17, 82 PERCENT

TIMOTHY              NONE                           8–0                      76–20, 79 PERCENT

BABY TATE WENT 8–0 FOR THE WEEK FOR 75–21 AND 78 PERCENT FOR THE YR.

This week featured Tony knocking it out of the park with a perfect 8–0 record. Coming in at 7–1 were Colin (done in by Alabama), Red Raider, Ryan, Kristofer, Isaac, and Daniel (Notre Dame got them). Cliff also posted a 7–1, but it was Iowa who hung the "L" on him. Bobby came in at 7–1 missing Nebraska, and Brad did likewise, missing only Oregon State.

Kent, Adam, Chase, and Nathan all went 6–2. Kent missed Nebraska and Oregon State, Adam missed Nebraska and Iowa, Nathan missed Notre Dame and Iowa, while Chase missed only the first two picks of Notre Dame and Georgia.

MiamiMitch came in at 5–3 along with Josh and Michael. Aaron settled in at 3–5.

Thanks to everyone who played, and let's look forward to some knock down, drag out battles this week in Baby's Losers and on the field during Rivalry Week.