Hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving.
As we all look to emerge from our food coma, football all throughout the holiday weekend will make it a tough task to rise from the couch. It’s rivalry week, which means anything can happen, records aside.
In the head-to-head prediction game, The Younger rode Navy’s second half comeback to yet another victory for the guests. As of Week 13, the records are now:
K. Becks – 42-24
Guests – 45-21
I’m nearly dead in the water with only two weeks remaining, and my buddy Zach will look to slam the door on any comeback.
Let’s take a look at the top games for Rivalry Week 2019.
5 Games to Watch This Weekend
#24 Virginia Tech at Virginia (Friday, 12 PM ET)
The battle for the state of Virginia is also the gateway to the ACC title game, with both schools locked atop the Coastal division. The Cavaliers have one of the most dynamic players in the conference at quarterback in Bryce Perkins, who has proven to the country this season that he is capable of being a passer first. Expect Virginia to be able to move the football on a Hokies defense that has been suspect against the pass.
Suspect secondary aside, Virginia Tech has come alive in the second half of the year and is one of the more underrated teams in the country right now. This game will be close as Bronco Mendenhall has assembled the most talented Virginia team in recent memory, but the Hokies will keep a winning streak that dates back to 2004 in this series alive.
My Pick: 34-31 Virginia Tech
Zach’s Take: This game hardly deserves analysis because Virginia hasn’t won back-to-back games in this rivalry in over 20 years, so history says luck isn’t on the Cavaliers’ side. Tech has the advantage this year.
VT 38, Virginia 31
#19 Cincinnati at #18 Memphis (Friday, 3:30 PM ET)
The Bearcats have already wrapped up the American East division, while Memphis is locked in a tie for the West division lead with Navy, a team which it beat earlier in the season. But this could very well be the first of two consecutive games against these two.
Cincinnati’s defense is elite and is the reason why the Bearcats have already secured a spot in Championship weekend, but that fact has been especially highlighted the past two games. In order to beat the Tigers, Luke Fickell’s squad will need to score more points than it did in its previous two contests. Memphis is the closest thing to an Ohio State-type offense that the AAC has, which will bring up bad memories for Bearcat fans.
My Pick: 31-27 Memphis
Zach’s Take: I have a feeling that Kyle put this game in here because he knows I’m gonna pick UC. It is a Top 25 matchup, but I’m gonna say that he picks Memphis. So for that reason, I’m going with my former semi-alma mater.
UC 24, Memphis 21
#1 Ohio State at #13 Michigan (Saturday, 12 PM ET)
There is no reason that the Buckeyes should not roll the Wolverines in this one, other than the fact that it’s The Game, and things rarely go as planned in this rivalry. Ohio State’s front line on defense likely kept Jim Harbaugh up at night all week, because no one has had an answer for it this season. Shea Patterson isn’t the guy anyone would pick to solve that Rubik’s Cube.
The Wolverines will be loud on Saturday, but perhaps only proud for one half. There is no stopping this Buckeye train until at earliest the CFP, rivalry considerations aside.
My Pick: 34-14 Ohio State
Zach’s Take: Ohio State is the far *ore talented tea* both on paper and on the field, but this one could be close for longer than people expect. I do believe OSU pulls away eventually,
but I’ll always give the rivalry ga*e an extra edge. Harbaugh should be asked to hand in his playbook, but continues to skate by because he’s “a *ichigan *an”, whatever the fuck that *eans.
Also, fuck *ichigan and go Bucks.
Bucks 45, U* 21
#5 Alabama at #15 Auburn (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
Bo Nix is a freshman only in name at this point in the season, which along with Tua being out for Alabama is why most are giving the Tigers a solid shot at taking down the Crimson Tide in this year’s edition of the Iron Bowl. But what ATC has seen from Auburn in big games this season is a total regression offensively; neither the pass nor run game seems to work for Gus Malzahn’s squad against the big boys.
Auburn must hope that Mac Jones is unable to manage the Alabama offense, otherwise the Tide will roll on the road. Prediction: Jones will be just fine.
My Pick: 31-17 Alabama
Zach’s Take: Saban throwing shade at LSU after they’ve already lost to them this year is so…Nick Saban. Auburn is actually favored in this game (albeit because Tua is out) but only by 3, which means even Vegas isn’t sure about this one. I’m going with the Tigers, but I don’t like it!
Auburn 27, Bama 24
#12 Wisconsin at #8 Minnesota (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
The stakes are high in the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, as the winner will also book its place in the Big Ten title game taking place next weekend. The Golden Gophers also will be looking to beat Wisconsin in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1993-1994.
P.J. Fleck’s squad bounced back last week after a tough loss to Iowa two weeks ago that ended hopes of an unbeaten season, but the Badgers will be unlikely to surrender the number of points that Minnesota has averaged this season. Expect a traditional, hard-nosed Big Ten battle highlighted by a heavy dose of the run game on both sides. However, Minnesota’s ultimate victory will be a result of Tanner Morgan’s arm on a late fourth quarter drive.
My Pick: 28-24 Minnesota
Zach’s Take: Wisconsin is totally unimpressive to me in all facets, other than Jonathan Taylor. Yes, they had the top ranked defense or something earlier in the season, but they are overrated. Minnesota has been exciting all year and they really let everyone down with their loss to Iowa. They’re only 3 point favorites at home, and everything in me says to go with the Badgers…but I’m gonna Row the Boat! Ski-U-MAH!
Gofers 31, Wisco 28
5 Games to Flip To
Wyoming at Air Force (Saturday, 2 PM ET)
The Falcons need help to win the Mountain Division, but have still had a great season and can notch 10-wins for the first time since 2016 with a victory here.
#9 Baylor at Kansas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
We’re still waiting for that huge victory by Les Miles while at Kansas. Just saying…
Texas A&M at #2 LSU (Saturday, 7 PM ET)
The Aggies will get their 432nd chance of the 2019 season to upset a top ranked opponent in Baton Rouge.
Colorado at #6 Utah (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET)
Really the only game in the Pac-12 worth paying any attention to this weekend, all things considered.
#7 Oklahoma at #21 Oklahoma State (Saturday, 8 PM ET)
The Battle for Bedlam will be exciting for all four quarters, but it’s no secret that this rivalry is like an NBA game – tons of points scored for the first three and a half quarters, yet still somehow close with only a few minutes remaining in the game.
In the past, I’ve asked readers to let me know if they’d like to be guests on Around The Corn to make weekly college football picks. And while that invite still stands (email kbecks@aroundthecorn.com or message me on Facebook or Twitter if interested), the truth is that I’m basically asking friends and family on a weekly basis. Writing is a passion of mine, as is commenting on sports. But sharing those two passions with others are what has always made this worthwhile. So tell me what you think of the site and let me know what could be done better, or what would make you come back without prompting. I’d really appreciate it.
