If you don’t know who these guys are well….I guess that just means you never watched wrestling (same thing I said last year for part four). Yes it’s not the greatest stable of all-time but the nWo was amazing and a revelation in pro wrestling (that I believe was stolen from Japan but whatever). I am going to do a rating system for the final weeks of the system using nWo members. I have to be careful though since they had like 10,000 members or something like that so I will choose wisely to get my point across…I hope. If you have no idea what I am talking about then don’t worry…it probably means you’re normal.
We’re at the end of this exercise for this season. Final four weeks of the regular season. Two great weeks, one average week, one below-average week and NO BAD WEEKS. Even SEC Sleepwalk Saturday can’t really be called that because it’s not a horrible week. So November is gonna be something else in 2019. Here we go.
Week 11
This week is the third best week here. Quite important in the grand scheme of things but not top level like the real superstars. So Week 11 would be one of Syxx, Scott Steiner or The Giant.
Game of the Week: LSU at Alabama (3:30, CBS) – The yearly Bama-LSU primetime SEC on CBS game is not happening this season. This year CBS and the SEC have gone with Notre Dame-Georgia as their primetime pick for the season. They can try and get a second one during the season but that has rarely happened. Also it would have to be where Alabama and LSU are both at least top five if not #1 and #2. Not saying that won’t happen: both teams look like serious contenders this year.
Other Really Important Games: Iowa State at Oklahoma (Noon, FOX Sports One) – Honestly it was between this and Kansas State-Texas for the Noon FOX spot. I have a feeling it will be switched from what I have unless either the Wildcats or Longhorns are leading the Big XII at this point. Anyway, this is a huge Big XII matchup. You could even call it yuge. It’s nice to see teams like Iowa State being considered really good teams after years of thinking of them as Iowa State.
Clemson at NC State (7:30, ABC) – Still waiting for some team to usurp the Tigers to be #1 in the ACC. This might be the best shot right here with the Wolfpack hosting Clemson at night in Raleigh. I can understand why many are always down on the ACC since it truly is a one-team conference until further notice. Also, I am sure we will hear an inkling of Dave Doeren being on the hot seat: a yearly tradition.
Missouri at Georgia (7:00, specialty pack) – Missouri is an interesting team coming into this season. Drew Lock is gone which is a massive hole to fill. But it feels like they are kind of team that might have a chance to compete in the SEC East. A win here would turn the SEC East upside down (unless Florida already beat the Dawgs at the Cocktail Party then it would be more like a nail in the coffin for UGA’s championship aspirations).
Penn State at Minnesota (Noon, ABC) – Honestly it feels a bit weird to put Minnesota in this spot. But it’s Minnesota. The Golden Gophers. You kind of expect them to win between six and eight games and lose an important game that they should have won. Penn State should also be a contender so this may end up not being that close. Hopefully Minny surprises me. But this is the reason this gets ABC’s version of the death spot, kicking off at Noon.
Iowa at Wisconsin (3:30, ABC) – ABC gets all three of their games on this list. Amazingly enough, that is quite the accomplishment and I don’t think it has happened often at all. This is your typical Big Ten affair. When people think of Big Ten football they think of Ohio State-Michigan of course. Then probably this. Or this kind of game. Great defense. A lot more rushing than the normal college football game. Hardnosed. And other adjectives I’m sure.
Sneaky-Good Underrated Game: Tennessee at Kentucky (Noon, CBS) – Underrated? For sure. We will hear about it all week, especially if one or both of these teams is somehow in the Top 25. Then of course it would be in the most important games section but I digress. In essence, here we have the classic college football power up against a potential burgeoning college football power. It’s the kind of game both teams will feel they have to win. It’s also the opening game of the second, and last, CBS doubleheader of the season so hopefully you like Carter Blackburn and Aaron Taylor since that is who you will get.
Best Group of Five Game: Utah State at Fresno State (7:00, CBS Sports Network) – Hey a game here that doesn’t involve Boise State or UCF. Nice. Both of these teams are still quite good in the Mountain West and will of course be underrated because they had the audacity to be in the same conference as Boise State (USU takes it further by being in the same DIVISION as the Broncos. The gall!). They are also locked in during a timeslot that isn’t exactly brimming with amazing games. So this could get a lot of attention if the game is close late.
Worst Power Five Game: Texas Tech at West Virginia (3:30, FOX Sports One) – I will be getting this network soon. Yes I will. So then I can watch it on Saturdays from late August to the end of the year. And no other times. No sirree Bob.
Week 12
Fourth best week of the college football season. What this does is really set the table for the end of the regular season and starts paring down the true contenders from the pretenders. I would say Week 12 is Scott Hall or Kevin Nash (or both).
Game of the Week: Georgia at Auburn (3:30, CBS) – This game is majorly important and for obviously different reasons. UGA has a true contender in the East in Florida and Auburn has Alabama to deal with. It was tough picking a true GOTW with the calibre of games this week. The next two could also qualify for this spot and no one would bat an eye to be honest. Unless you are one of those people that truly believe that the huge Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech Techmo Bowl deserves the top spot.
Other Really Important Games: Michigan State at Michigan (7:30, ABC) – There is pretty much no way that ABC/ESPN will let this one go to FOX. They lose The Game every year and I am sure a few other good Big Ten games. And considering ABC loves putting Big Ten games on in primetime it would force their hand into doing something different which wouldn’t be a good look. Also this could be considered the game of the week, so there’s that. Unfortunately Sean McDonough would not be doing this game (HE DROPPED THE BALL! as his voice cracks)
Alabama at Mississippi State (7:15, specialty pack) – I will admit that most of the reason this game sits here is because of that prick Saban and his stupidly good Crimson Tide squad. However, we have Fitter Joe Moorhead now to contend with. I guess he just won’t lose his breath pacing the sidelines? I don’t know. CBS might bite on this game depending on how many appearances Auburn and Georgia have already had on the Eyeball Network. The one they don’t pick will get the ESPN primetime spot and a possible appearance on TSN.
South Carolina at Texas A&M (Noon, specialty pack) – Hey remember when the SEC Network started and Texas A&M blew South Carolina out of the water? Ah, good times. I know the ACC Network is hoping that doesn’t happen in their opening game. They are hoping more for the way the Big Ten Network started (Appalachian State…has stunned the college football world!). Anyway, this should be a really good game but it is only the third-best SEC game of the week. Quite a week for the conference that just means more.
Texas at Iowa State (3:30, FOX) – This could end up as the premier game on FOX…meaning at Noon Eastern. I am sure that some Big XII fans absolutely loathe 11:00 am start times. I don’t blame them to be honest since you have anywhere from five to seven home games a season and getting there for a morning kickoff would be difficult. But if you want a national audience, sometimes you have to do that.
Florida at Missouri (7:30, specialty pack) – Not often that games from the SEC Network make this list. Then again, it’s not that often that this many SEC games are on the list, period. So who the hell made the SEC conference schedule and what is their beef with Mizzou? Back-to-back games with Georgia and Florida? That’s brutal. One of the toughest two-game stretches in all of college football this season. If Tennessee is any good then that will make three tough divisional games in a row. Then again, life’s not fair.
Stanford at Washington State (7:30, FOX) – So of course as soon as I talk about 9:00 am kickoffs, there is an article put up talking about the Pac-12 almost needing to test that out to see if it would work. And honestly, I think it would. It might suck but if it’s one or two games a season for the whole conference, most people won’t care. Who wants to bet that this game is played in snow up in Pullman?
Sneaky-Good Underrated Game: Minnesota at Iowa (Noon, specialty pack) – Minnesota appearing twice? P.J. Fleck rowing that boat like he’s never rowed before obviously. Lately, Iowa has had Minnesota’s number but if the Gophers continue to improve then soon enough, Fleck will be the most popular college football coach in the history of the state of Minnesota, surpassing Hayden Fox.
Best Group of Five Game: Fresno State at San Diego State (Friday, 9:30, specialty pack) – The odd 6:30 local start on a Friday night should make attendance look rather, um, sparse for the first quarter. Especially in the cavernous Murph/Qualcomm/SDCCU Credit Union whatever. The Mountain West continues to be rather top-heavy as it has been for the past half-decade or so. I would include these two, Boise State and Utah State and then……..anyone? These four, at this point, seem to be the only ones with a snowball’s chance at the New Year’s Six spot. I’d say all the Group of Five conferences are like this but this one probably has the greatest disparity between the top teams and the bottom ones…until I realize the American has UCF and UConn.
Worst Power Five Game: Arizona State at Oregon State (10:00, FOX Sports One) – Oregon State and Rutgers I think are going to be in the running for worst Power Five team this season. This week, the Beavers get this spot at the bottom.
Week 13
This used to be the week I didn’t like. I didn’t hate it because it’s college football and I can’t hate it. But it used to be the week that many teams, especially SEC ones, would schedule easy games before American Thanksgiving weekend. And don’t get me wrong, it is still happening this season. But it’s not as bad this year. Oh no. And there are a couple of massive games as well. So Week 13 (normally Week 12) has somewhat redeemed itself! Huzzah! For that reason, I can’t use the worst nWo member, Vincent, to represent this week. So I will go with someone who wasn’t exactly the greatest wrestler but who could step up when needed. Week 13 is now Konnan.
Game of the Week: Texas A&M at Georgia (3:30, CBS) – See what I mean? This would be one of the top 2 games in almost any week of the season. Can’t really complain, right? By this point we will have a very good idea where both of these teams stand in terms of the rankings and inside the SEC. This could end up being the most important SEC game of the year if both teams are really good, which is a distinct possibility.
Other Really Important Games: Penn State at Ohio State (7:30, ABC) – I can honestly say that this is almost guaranteed to get the ABC primetime slot this week. The only way this wouldn’t happen is if Penn State isn’t nearly as good as predicted since tOSU definitely should be in the Top 10 for most of the season. A far cry from last year’s second game which I was concerned wouldn’t be aired at all here since it was a FOX Regional Game! I’m glad the schedule makers have learned their lesson (somewhat).
TCU at Oklahoma (3:30, ABC) – If TCU has a special season, this could end up being a surprise GOTW if not a game of the year. Oklahoma will keep rolling along although their spot at the top of the Big XII is being challenged by Texas (IS BACK!). In a week that still isn’t amazing compared to other weeks, ABC should get a bonus if they can grab this one and the previous game.
Texas at Baylor (3:30, specialty pack) – Texas (IS BACK!) has an equally important game this week against a Baylor team that has come back from being, well, an awful football program (and not just on the field). Matt Rhule has done an incredible job in Waco and the Bears can put up a lot of points like those classic Bears teams of, um, a decade ago. This feels like a speed bump game so the Horns better be careful.
Sneaky-Good Underrated Game: UCLA at USC (4:00, FOX Sports One) – OK still only four games in the first two sections. I never said this week was amazing, just improved. These teams were, let’s be honest, horrible last year. At least by their standards. A Battle for Los Angeles with two good programs is not only good for college football, it’s good for the Pac-12 which needs something to clean off the stench of their conference continually shitting the bed and not being even considered for the College Football Playoff.
Best Group of Five Game: Boise State at Utah State (10:30, CBS Sports Network) – This is essentially your Mountain West Mountain Division championship right here. Honestly, no other team is close to these two. Not saying it can’t happen but these two teams seem like a couple of ladder rungs above the rest. CBS Sports Network was smart to pick this up before the season started. Their schedule always seems to have at least one game every week that is quite good and easily could have gone to ESPN. It’s becoming more of a must-have for college football fans (the Army and Navy games don’t hurt either).
Worst Power Five Game: Duke at Wake Forest (7:30, specialty pack) – A few games could have fallen in this spot and none of them are particularly bad. We’ve got this game with two perennially underrated ACC schools. Or I could have picked a relatively important Kansas State-Texas Tech affair. Or another Big XII matchup in Kansas going to Ames to play Iowa State. Or even Oregon State facing Washington State out in the Palouse. Honestly, none of these games are bad, per se, but could end up being blowouts in a couple of cases. Watch all of them be really close and we can’t see a few because they are on the Pac-12 Network or FOX Sports One or the Ocho.
Week 14
The crowning moment of the regular season for college football fans. The week most college football fans look forward to. It’s American Thanksgiving Week(end). And God damn it am I ever going to watch a shitload of football. So honestly, no one better bother me unless it’s a question about COLLEJ FOOTBAW! I will probably gain like ten pounds just from the food and drink I have over those three days. Since this is the pinnacle, there is only one person that belongs in this spot: Hollywood Hulk Hogan, BROTHER!
Game of the Week: Alabama at Auburn (3:30, CBS) – Hey remember when there was a rumour that this game would be moved to Black Friday? I wonder if they will ever consider that again. Not that it’s a bad idea. It’s more that there are some people that do not have that Friday off and would be pissed off to miss a game like this. Anyway, pick this game or the next one on the list as GOTW, don’t matter to me. Both these games will be extremely important barring a collapse by one of the combatants.
Other Really Important Games: Ohio State at Michigan (Noon, FOX) – The other potential Game of the Week/Year. Going into this season, it looks like the time is ripe for Big Blue to finally slay the demon known as THE Ohio State University. Michigan has Shea Patterson and a lot of their starters from last year back in 2019. tOSU, on the other hand, breaks in a new head coach and has some changes on both sides of the ball. This should be good regardless. And I expect GUS JOHNSON to go insane like he usually does.
Texas A&M at LSU (7:00, TSN3) – There is still a possibility that this ends up on the SEC Network. For real. Luckily for fans who don’t get the specialty pack, TSN goes nuts on college football because a) the CFL is done by this point and b) there are a lot of good games on the Saturday. For once we should not have any coaching hot seat discussions. Which is fine by me since sometimes they dominate the conversation a little too much (see Miles, Les).
Clemson at South Carolina (Noon, TSN3) – It feels like all the SEC teams are at home this season with their Week 14 rivalry games. It means there are a few less issues compared to when they are all on the road and a really good game ends up on the SEC Network and a not-so-good game may end up on ESPN in primetime. Like the last few years, this will be the final hurdle before the postseason for the Tigers but this may be a serious one this season as South Carolina looks to be a bit improved and all it takes is one upset to, well, upset the apple cart so to speak.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State (3:30, ABC/TSN4) – Could be a Big XII Championship play-in game. Also, it’s BEDLAM! Why it was moved to the final week of the season is anyone’s guess but it just adds to to the majestic college football ideal that is American Thanksgiving Week. Could be moved to the primetime slot depending on how the entire Saturday schedule shapes up.
Washington at Washington State (Friday, 4:00, FOX) – The Apple Cup is almost always a joy to watch. And it’s back on Black Friday. Noice! It doesn’t look like FOX will have a primetime game on this day so this should go on in the 4:00 timeslot. So there’s no way Chris Petersen can complain about this, right? By now we will know if the Pac-12 has, once again, beaten up on each other so badly that no team stands out or if there is one team that has stood above the rest. Honestly, getting Mike Leach into the CFP or NY6 would be fantastic.
Notre Dame at Stanford (7:30, ABC/TSN4) – See what I meant from the Bedlam part of this post? This could be essentially a play-in game for the College Football Playoff or New Year’s Six. And it’s when TSN goes crazy and broadcasts a bunch of college football (which I also mentioned previously). Maybe the winner of this game should play the winner of what is basically another play-in game and play the ULTIMATE play-in game…in Dayton. Don’t reply yet, NCAA. Just think about it.
Florida State at Florida (7:30, specialty pack) – As of right now I have this game on the SEC Network. No, I am not joking. The only way this moves off of there is if Florida State is better than many believe they will be. But considering it’s in Gainesville, it can’t go to ABC which leaves ESPN networks as the only options. And with other conferences almost being guaranteed a spot somewhere on the Saturday this could get dicey. So what I am saying is yes, this is one game you might not be able to see if you don’t have the specialty pack. Be forewarned.
Virginia Tech at Virginia (Friday, 8:00, TSN3) – Good idea to move the Commonwealth Cup to Black Friday as this game usually always means something…even if it’s just for bowl-eligibility. Interesting thing is that this could be for the ACC Coastal title. Honestly, is there any team that stands out in that division? Nope. It’ll be a matchup between Justin Fuente and Bronco Mendenhall, two guys who rarely smile.
Sneaky-Good Underrated Game: Iowa at Nebraska (2:30, BTN) – This has gone from being on ABC, to ESPN, to FOX, and now to BTN. Ugh. I have a feeling this game (which I dub Farmageddon but isn’t the real Farmageddon despite the fact it should be the real Farmageddon) will be super close and could have major Big Ten West repercussions since there isn’t really a single team in that division that could be considered the obvious favourite.
Best Group of Five Game: Appalachian State at Troy (Friday, 4:00, ESPN+) – Honestly I don’t think we will see this but it could end up being the best Sun Belt game ever. It’s only going to be a matter of time before a Sun Belt team nabs that New Year’s Six spot for the Group of Five. There is a slight possibility it ends up on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU which would put it on the specialty pack so fingers crossed!
Worst Power Five Game: Baylor at Kansas (Noon, FOX Sports One) – I was actually tempted to put Indiana-Purdue here since both teams won’t be as good (on paper) as last year’s squads. But BU-KU won’t be available to most Canadians where many Canadians can get IU-PU. So I based it on that. Either way, it will be a great week of college football!
Weeks 15 and 16
I’m not going to rate these weeks. Week 16 is Army-Navy which is always fun. I still wish for a day when we have an 11-0 Navy or an 11-0 Army coming in with a New Year’s Six spot on the line. Talk about ratings! As for the conference championships, other than the Pac-12, they are all on the Saturday now. So some will get better attendance but worse TV coverage. Don’t know if one is better than the other to be honest with you.
It’s done! The most important games blog posts are in the books and it officially means I am gearing up for college football. Got two magazines already: Athlon and Lindy’s. Phil Steele magazine is shipping soon. Will look for Street & Smith’s probably some time next week. And there you have it…I will have all my summer reading material ready to go. Already about 50 pages into Athlon. I guess that’s what happens when you have been five months without the sport (I don’t really count the weird all-star games).
Next up is the network specific posts. I always hope to get it as accurate as possible but as they say, “Card Subject to Change.” This means we are getting closer to the summer and the final countdown towards college football season. 73 days away from Week Zero and counting down.
Anyway, all y’all (as they say in the South) have a great rest of the week!
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