We have arrived at the week that most folks have waited for. This is the game you’re supposed to win. Call it what you want, Rivalry Week or whatever, but coaches are judged by performance in these games. Some didn’t even make it this far. Honestly, I’m not too surprised by some. I’ll make no predictions on who goes where, but I will make the observation that every opening seems to illicit the same three or four names. I hate to tell y’all but a) you ain’t that good a job and b) he ain’t that good a coach. Sometimes a change is necessary, but sometimes, and by that I mean usually, you think you can find someone better. Trust me, I lived through a bad decade of is this the guy before landing the GOAT. It’s about fit not name.

Diatribe paused. Last week saw Bama finally escape Arkansas. Honestly, I had the Razorbacks winning the Over on projected total, so I’m not that surprised. UGA demolished their inferior opponent. I’d like to state that UGA is unequivocally the best team in the country, but they have not been punched in the mouth yet. And we all know what Tyson said about that. To say Ohio St handled Michigan St seems an understatement. They may be playing the best of anyone, but that is their only win of note. My Bearcats are still in play and I can tell you their stadium is a destination location. Go see a game there, you won’t regret it. I apologize, I did not revisit the preseason show yet, but I discovered Hit Monkey on Hulu. Going into the last weekend of play I so far have correctly assessed 7 of a possible twenty conference championship game teams.  We shall see if a few more find their way to me. But, like the Miami Vice theme, I feel I Jan Hammered it.

This weekend should be about deciding factors and bitter grudges. Bedlam seems to think it is the end of an era. Mike Gundy, the mullet himself, thinks Ok St won’t play OU once they move to the SEC. There is zero reason this game can’t go forward. There are four major non-conference rivalry games currently in the SEC and there would be a fifth if some Texas boys weren’t so pissy. It is east to blame and less comfortable to do what’s right. If you don’t want to play, then say so. For the record, I don’t consider Bedlam that big a rivalry. You actually have to beat the other guy more than when it’s inconvenient to make it count.  And in the no one but the homers agree with you category, Bo Nix complaining about referees not only goes beyond ridiculous, but it pouts me in a position of commentary I am not comfortable with. If I say what I think, then I can be labelled a homer, but his reality coincides with neutral observed EVER.

It is hard to bet rivalry week. But yet here I am. I went 4-1 last week (silly me for thinking that Wake –37Forest was more than Vandy) and I now sit at 37-24-1. The Deacs cost me both the Parlay and the Teaser. It hurt and I’m bitter, but ya know, I’ll push through and make some bad NFL decisions (dangit, I did just that). This week I am taking the Over (+64) for Ole Miss at Miss St, UNLV (+18) at Air Force, the Over (+56) for Alabama at Auburn, SMU (-6.5) when they host Tulsa, and the Over (+43) when Clemson travels to South Carolina.

Despite the stability of the top 7 in the CFP rankings, there was an incredible amount of movement this past weekend. My preseason show partner Steve W correctly picked that Kansas would win more than one game and win a conference game. The shock comes from them beat Texas in Austin. Florida “won” Saturday but had a basketball game on grass against a mid-level FCS school. The lack of premium candidates likely negates Florida’s ability to make the change, but it seems that Mullen’s only talent is being able to give Alabama a scare. Speaking of the Crimson Tide, a win over Arkansas cliches the West after aTm and Auburn both lost must win games against the Mississippi schools. Wake Forest moved closer to ACC glory, but they have Clemson this weekend. And Oklahoma continues their bipolar season by losing to Baylor.

This coming weekend gives us a Pac 12 title game preview (potentially) with Oregon visiting Utah. A Utes win would kick open the door for Cincinnati. Of course, the Bearcats must beat SMU in order to stay alive and clinch a spot in the AAC title game. Michigan St at Ohio St will be huge and will set up an even bigger Ohio St @ Michigan clash. This is clinch weekend for a lot of folks. Life is a little easier going into rivalry week when you know you have another game coming. I will address some of the preseason picks next week and status how good (or horrible) we did going into money time.

The inability to get a 2-point conversation killed my teaser last week. I had no action on MNF but would have lost if I did. I went 2-2 last weekend with the USC/Cal game being voided. 33-23-1 is where I sit now. I took the Over (63) for South Alabama at Tennessee. The Vols can score and will be looking to take out some frustrations. I believe in Baylor (-1) against Kansas St and Wake Forest (-3.5) at Clemson. With the injuries suffered by the Tigers I will take South Carolina (+7.5) when they host Auburn. And the under the radar instant classic has me taking Louisiana (+4) when they travel to Liberty. As always, I have a Parlay and a Teaser with these as well.

The bad beat of the year award goes to FSU @ Clemson. Luckily, I got in early before the line moved and only suffered a push. The Big 10 East elimination tournament began and Ohio State handled Penn St while Michigan State pulled the epic comeback against Michigan. On the other side of the conference, Minnesota has now taken the lead and Wisconsin is lurking. On the road Ole Miss continues to underachieve, and Georgia has essentially booked a playoff berth. And we begin three weeks of MACtion, baby!

The first College Football Playoff rankings came out. I would have had Cincinnati higher myself, but poor performances hurt them I guess in the eyes of the committee. Folks should relax and realize that four of the five teams ahead must play each other at some point (or fall below them anyway) and the other two have shown they are very beatable. Alabama at number two looked more like a prestige ranking, but perhaps they view the body of work as more impressive than Michigan St’s record. It will all wash out.

That resolution begins this weekend. Bama hosts LSU in what used to be the game for the SEC West. The challenger in the West will be decided between Auburn and Texas A&M. I don’t think the Lee County luck travels to that well this time. Interesting matchups are available on the rest of the slate, but nothing with rank on rank. I wonder if Oregon handles Washington and if Nebraska continues to keep games close against Ohio St. I guess we shall see.

I finally lost Monday Night Football. I was also wrapped up in the bad beat of the year (so far). I went 2-2-1 which brings me to 29-18-1. I go with SMU (-6) at Memphis and Baylor (-6.5) at TCU. I know it can be scary giving points on the road in conference. I do take Texas A&M (-4.5) when they host Auburn. Kyle Field should be loud. I also grab two Overs with Oregon @ Washington (+51) and Clemson at Louisville (45.5). As always there is a Parlay and a Teaser in play.