2016 Week 12
November 21, 2016
As the season is winding down, I'd like to express my gratitude to the NCAA and ESPN for making November so special. There's nothing quite like watching college football when there's a chill in the air, when teams are battling for position in the bowel season, and when dozens or even hundreds of fans sit glued to their seats, thanks to the ice. November MAC-tion is FAN-tastic!
As I noted last week, the SEC had their cupcake weekend. Top-rated Alabama had little trouble with Chattanooga, pulling away to win 31-3. Auburn pounded Alabama A&M, Georgia beat Lafayette, and even Kentucky had a 49-13 win over Austin Pee.
The marquee SEC matchup was the makeup game in Baton Rouge, where Florida topped LSU 16-10 on a late goal line stand. It was interesting to see those orange uniforms mixed with the purple and gold. My new good friend Dr Timothy Leary stopped by to watch and asked if they'd spiked the water up here with acid. I don't get what he's talking about at times.
In a late night trophy game, Southern Cal rolled past UCLA 36-14 to reclaim the Cheerleader Bowel.
Fellow conference member Oregon completed a spectacular pass with 2 seconds left to win at U.T.A.H., 30-28. I'm pleased that schools are still playing tough non-conference foes late in the year and I'm sure the Beavers had a great celebration flying back from Houston.
Speaking of the biggest city of the Loan Star State, regular Houston destroyed the St Louisville Cardinals 36-10. I guess Lamar Jackson won't win that Cy Young after all.
Some coaches under fire had a rough go of it. Notre Dame and head coach B Kelly blew a big lead and lost to Virginia Tech 34-31. I'm sure B Kelly would like to resume his rap career and take out his frustration by taking a leak all over some Cav coeds.
The University of Kansas pulled a stunning upset against Texas, winning 24-21. With that, I'm sure Texas will be looking for a new coach, as things just aren't working out anymore for John Mackovic Brown.
The weather in the Midwest was pretty chilly, as Michigan defeated Indiana in the snow 20-10. Ohio State had a tougher-than-expected battle against Michigan State, holding off a two-point conversion by the Fighting Chippewas to win 17-16.
Michigan State wasn't the only team who lost after missing a two pointer. WAC leader Wyoming stopped a late two-pointer and beat SDSU 34-33. That's quite the archrivalry between the Cowpokes from Laramie and nearby South Dakota State.
Oklahoma jumped out to a huge lead and held on easily during their visit to Morgantown Virginia, defeating Western Virginia 56-28. I haven't seen a Mountain Man go down like that since Ned Beatty.
There were a number of other surprising blowouts. Bring Em Young University had little trouble against a prominent Catholic school, as BEYU defeated U-Mass 51-0.
Kansas City State pounded a suddenly vulnerable Baylor team 42-21. I'm guessing the magic dust or the deal with the devil has worn off for the Bears.
Boston College flattened Yukon, sending them back to the Klondike after a 30-0 whitewashing.
And my Pitt Panthers continued their hot play, destroying Duke 56-14.
Next week it's rivalry time, with the Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State, "the game" between Michigan and Ohio State, the dual coaching farewell tour between Notre Dame and USC, the Battle for Paul Bunyan's Ass between Minnesota and Wisconsin, and, most exciting of all, the Battle for the #2 Pencil between Rhode Island Continuing Education and Stanford. Should be great!