“I’m an attorney for the Corleone Family. These men are private detectives hired to protect Vito Corleone. They are licensed to carry firearms. If you interfere, you will have to appear before the Judge in the morning and show cause.”- Tom Hagen “The Godfather”
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College Football Week 13 begins tomorrow night with three Tuesday Night Mid Atlantic Conference matchups, including one that features winless UMass on the road in Athens for a bout with the Bobcats. Maybe the Minuteman find a way to win, but I doubt it.
There will also be an antipasto of treats throughout the week that will lead up to the main course.
In fact, I see six main course games that look tasty. Let’s peek at the menu the chef has prepared.
SIX TASTY GAMES
-NOON
- Missouri @ Oklahoma ABC
Ahmad Hardy versus the Oklahoma defense is the main draw to this game for me. Can Mizzou run the ball? If they can they have a chance.
So far this season, Ahmad is the Nation’s top rusher totaling 1346 yards on the ground with 15 touchdowns. This includes this past weekend’s incredible showing against Mississippi St. 300 Yards on 25 carries and 3 TD’s. Yikes. That’s a stat line that every fantasy football owner finds in their sugar plum dreams.
But can Hardy repeat this against the Sooners who allow a menial 82 rushing yards per game? This answer should be evident early in the game and in my opinion will decide the outcome.
This game feels like it could be low scoring. Something in the range of 37-42 points looks right by my estimation.
- Baylor @ Arizona TNT
The Nation’s number one passer, Sawyer Robertson versus a hungry Arizona team that is statistically a top30 defense that only allows 159 passing yards per game. Something has to give.
I’d love to see the Wildcats get to 8-3 this weekend and for Coach Brennen to continue to prove the preseason narrative about his lack of leadership to be utterly false.
I remember coming across a podcast that was going in on his leadership and personnel managment pretty hard and then found another source that said something similar. So, I started to pay attention to Coach Brennen in press conferences. This would’ve been during Fall Camp.
To my amazement, every time he left the podium, I felt inspired, I liked his message, and I felt that the harsh criticisms that described him on a Nationally syndicated well-known podcast were not only unwarranted, but completely false.
It was here that I became a Coach Brennen fan and pseudo-Wildcat supporter for the season.
Coach Brennen’s message to his team over the summer to “elevate technique” seems to be paying off. “Be where you’re supposed to be and you will play–if we can’t trust your technique, we can’t trust you on the field.” Seems that message has come through loud and clear.
Let’s go Wildcats. Bear Down.
Of course, on the other side, I’ve been a fan of Dave Aranda and his coaching style for years. I’d love to see his defensive style make a resurgence. He’s a leader and there is no doubt.
- Montana St @ Montana ESPN+
The final Noon game of the six.
11-0 Montana hosting cross state rivals 9-2 Montana St. Missoula will be hopping.
Can Michael Wortham and Montana continue their journey towards unbeaten greatness? Or will the visiting Bozeman Bobcats spoil the party?
AFTERNOON
- USC @ Oregon CBS/ Paramount+
Game of the Year. On June 26th, just before midday, I circled this game. Gee, it sure would be cool to have an 8-2 USC team against a 9-1 Oregon in late November.
And here we are–late November with the exact game I wanted to see.
This will be a “Live Thoughts with Whit” game.
There is a preview of sorts for this game that I’ve posted. It features a story about the hard working “Bread Man,” but after covers this game in the proper manner.
I’d love to see a Trojan win, but I really don’t care as long as it’s a close ball game.
PRIMETIME
- Cal @ Stanford ACC Net
Enter two more teams that I read and heard nothing but negative about in the preseason. “Wilcox has lost it–Frank Reich is washed up and only doing a favor for GM Andrew Luck.”
Granted Stanford is 3-7 but have competed in some of those losses. Cal meanwhile is torpedoing the low preseason expectations and are confidently 6-4.
Just worth a mention, 6-4 is a better record than Clemson, Duke, and NC St in the ACC.
However, this is a game that is going to be good regardless of record. This game should feature a good bit of passion. Just keep the band off the field when there are athletes running for touchdowns.
LATE NIGHT KICK
- Washington @ UCLA NBC/ Peacock
This will be another “Live Thoughts with Whit” game and incidentally, another game I circled back on June 26th.
This was supposed to be a 6-4 UCLA vs an 8-2 Huskie team with two high flying offenses in form. Now, the records may be a bit different, but the offenses certainly can score. Both teams.
This will be the Rose Bowl at Night. 70 points minimum is what I expect in this game that will end near 2:30 if you live in St. Augustine, Florida.
The winner does not matter in this one. Neither have anything to play for but pride. Let’s hope both teams open up the playbook since there is nothing to lose. Demond Williams vs Nico. 350 yards each with 4 touchdowns. Maybe Jonah Coleman rushes for another 2-3.
I really have no idea, but I’m truly hoping that this sixth course will be the sweetest. A delicious dessert to cap the day is just what everyone would crave.
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So, that wraps the menu for Week 13. Should be a fine day of dining and even better football.
See you then.
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.