AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 23
Friday, November 23, 2007
Congrats, Dawgs: UK will beat Vols
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After a 4-6 disaster two weeks ago, we bounced back with a record of 7-3 last week. The three losses came because:
— I thought Michigan’s Lloyd Carr had one great game left in him against Ohio State. Nope. Now he’s retired.
— I didn’t know that Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford would get hurt and the Sooners would lose a gold-plated opportunity to play for the national championship.
— I finally thought Clemson was ready to win a big game at home and play for the ACC championship. Boston College and Matty (Ice) Ryan had other plans.
That puts is at 79-41 with two weeks left in the regular season. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving we present another …
Fearless Friday Forecast
1. Tennessee at Kentucky: You know it’s been a crazy season because this is the third big national game to be played at Commonwealth Stadium this season. If Tennessee (8-3) wins the Vols go to the SEC championship game. If Kentucky wins, the Wildcats (7-4) break a 22-game losing streak to the Vols, give their seniors a day to remember, and send Georgia to the SEC championship. Tennessee has been good at home, not so good on the road. We like Andre Woodson against that Tennessee secondary. Kentucky 31, Tennessee 24.
2. Alabama at Auburn: There are so many reasons to like Auburn in this game. The Tigers had last week off and this time of year that kind of rest can be as good as gold. Meanwhile, Alabama hit rock bottom last week with a loss to Louisiana-Monroe. Auburn is playing at home with a chance to make history. Alabama and Auburn started playing football against each other in 1893. In all that time Auburn has never beaten Alabama six straight times—until Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn 21, Alabama 13.
3. Arkansas at LSU (Friday, 2:30 p.m., CBS): Conventional wisdom says that Arkansas, with its great tailback combo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, can make a run at the nation’s No. 1 team. But LSU’s defense has the ability to slow down the run and force Arkansas to pass, something it doesn’t do well. The Razorbacks will hang in there for a half. But LSU and see the finish line that includes next week’s SEC championship game and, if they win it, the BCS title game in New Orleans. The Tigers are ready to sprint: LSU 31, Arkansas 17.
4. Florida State at Florida: The Gators can’t get to the SEC championship game but they are still in the mix for a BCS at-large bid if they can take care of business today against the state rival. This is a big-time recruiting game that is going to be played at a very high level. Florida wins and Tim Tebow wraps up the Heisman Trophy. Florida 31, Florida State 20.
5. Clemson at South Carolina: Neither team is real happy but both desperately need to win this game. The Gamecocks (6-5) have lost four straight and have to win or risk not going to a bowl. Clemson was in position to win the ACC Atlantic last week but fell to Boston College. This is a quality of life game for coach Tommy Bowden. Clemson 28, South Carolina 24.
6. Virginia Tech at Virginia: This one is for all the marbles in the ACC Coastal. Virginia (9-2) gets the edge if the game is close. The Cavaliers have won three games by one point and two games by two points. The problem is, this game is not going to be close because the Virginia Tech defense will force turnovers. Virginia Tech 28, Virginia 14.
7. Connecticut at West Virginia: This one is for the Big East championship and an automatic bid to the BCS. This is the biggest game in Connecticut’s football history. No. 3 West Virginia still has a chance to win the national championship. The Huskies (9-2) have had a nice season but they won’t be able to run with the Mountaineers on a chilly Saturday in Morgantown. West Virginia 31, Connecticut 17.
8. Kansas vs. Missouri (Kansas City): This is a big time rivalry in basketball. But they have never met in football with this much at stake as the winner goes to the Big 12 championship game. Kansas (11-0) is a good team but the Jayhawks have played a light schedule. Missouri (10-1) has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Chase Daniel and has a quality win over Illinois (40-34). Missouri 28, Kansas 24.
9. Boise State at Hawaii (tonight, 9 p.m., ESPN2): WAC Commissioner Karl Benson believes the winner of this game deserves a spot as an at-large team in the BCS. Hawaii (10-0), currently ranked No. 15, has the best shot if they can finally find a way to beat No. 19 Boise State (9-1), last season’s Cinderella team. Hawaii has dropped six straight games to Boise State. A victory would give Hawaii and coach June Jones their first outright WAC title. Boise State is looking for its sixth straight conference championship. Hawaii gets it done on the island. Hawaii 35, Boise State 31.
10. Oklahoma State at Oklahoma: Oklahoma (9-2) saw its hopes of winning a national championship come to an end last Saturday with a loss to Texas Tech. But the Sooners can still win the Big 12 championship if they can beat their state rival in Norman. After getting his bell rung last week in Lubbock, QB Sam Bradford has been cleared to play. If he can go the distance, this one might not be close. Oklahoma 31, Oklahoma State 21.
