One might have thought that playing with 12 vs. 11, and with the solemn but sacred spirit force of the Aggie Bonfire tragedy 25 years ago, that A&M would have taken down their hated rival Longhorns on home turf in College Station.
I did.
But these Aggies didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to prevail, like say The Bear’s Junction Boys.
So, I missed that one.
But . . . and it’s a mighty But . . . that was the only game I got wrong.
NC State over Mack Brown, mes freres, that was a gimme. Sayonara Coach, we really appreciate all you did and wish you and yours all the best in the future.
Tennessee over Vandy. It was tough, but predictable.
That Curt Cignetti would keep the pedal to the metal until the final gun: I-N-E -V-I-T-A-B-L-E. The Hoosiers went all Phillips 66 on the hapless Boilermakers.
U of L over Arch Rival. SMACKDOWN.
4-1 for the last weekend of the regular campaign. 61-22 for the season, my BOAT predictioneering.
And, now for Championship Week . . .
. . . this week’s winners:
Western Kentucky @ Jacksonville State. It took the other Gamcecocks of Rich Rod awhile to get going. After starting the year ofer 3, they reeled off 8 in a row. Before falling by a deuce in Bowling Green last week. Rematch. Question: Might Rodriguez already have made his return to Morgantown by kickoff of this one Friday night? Rumors have it. The Toppers have been reasonably steady, also with eight Ws. Home team prevails.
Nevada Las Vegas @ Boise State. Default CFP play-in battle. Another rematch. (Not surprising in a conference with a reasonable number of members.) The Rebels only defeat was to the Broncos. At home. The Potato(e) Staters only blemish by 3 at the #12 Quack. Blue turf can be mighty mighty unforgiving on an Arctic night. B State to the playdowns.
Tulane @ West Point. The Green Wave is Top 20. But fell at home last weekend to Memphis State. The Long Grey Line have been one of the year’s surprises. One blemish only, that under the knowing eyes of TD Jesus in South Bend. Where more than a few squads have left with their tails tucked. Weather Report Part Deux. The Fahrenheit along the Hudson in early December is not quite as balmy as along Magnolia-festooned St. Charles Ave. Black Knights continue to surprise.
Iowa State vs. Arizona State. Oh how I’ve loved me some Cyclones in recent times while mentored by Matt Campbell, whose name seems to come up for every available job. None of which he’s taken. But this year’s Sun Devils, talk about a total makevover under Kenny Dillingham in Year II. From 3-9 to 10-2. My hunch is that this is the tightest battle of the weekend. Hate to do it, but believe the Grand Canyon Staters prevail.
Ohio vs. Miami (Ohio). My first curiosity about this MACtion title tussle is whether the Bobcats and Redhawks can adjust to playing on a night that isn’t a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday? Will their body clocks acclimate? But, of course, both contingents have to deal with it. During the season, Miami won this one at home. Doing it twice makes it double nice.
Georgia vs. Texas. Is Texas back? Well, not totally 100% sure, still waiting for Steve Kornacki to give us the results from Marfa. But here’s what I do know. Carson Beck is consistently inconsistent. So too the Bulldogs. Would feel a smidge more confident in my selection were the game at JerryWorld instead of Hot ‘Lanta. But still. The torch passes. Hook ‘Em Horns.
Marshall @ Louisiana. Maybe the Ragin’ Cajun band will strike up the “Kaplan Waltz” at halftime. Oh yeah, it’s the real deal. There’s a Kaplan, Louisiana deep in the Bayou. The Herd finished a game ahead in the standings. The schools did not meet. Second beats first. Loooooooosiana.
Pennsylvania State vs. Oregon. I only saw a significant portion of one Nittany Lions game. That surefire NFL TE notwithstanding, they had no O. The Ducks meanwhile have not lost. I mean, that’s pretty good, right? It shall be oxymoronic that the institution from the Great NW captures the Great MidWest Conference its first year in. Quack.
Clemson vs. Southern Methodist. Speaking of oxymorons, the school from Dallas that bought their way into the Great Atlantic & Pacific Conference even though they are neither Right or Left Coasters, is playing for the crown. Having won the regular season no less. The Dabos slipped into this one because, oh, Mario Cristobal always finds a way not to take care of bz. Mustangs.
— c d kaplan