Curator Sam Burnham
​One of my favorite things about college football is tradition. You’d be hard pressed to find a game with a more storied tradition than the one being played today.

For well over a century, these two institutions have produced the officers who have led our military in the defense of our freedoms world-wide. Both the Union and Confederate armies were led by West Point grads. John Pershing and Dwight Eisenhower were both West Point grads. President Jimmy Carter, Senator John McCain, and astronauts Wally Schirra, James Irwin, and Jim Lovell were Navy grads. Chester Nimitz and William “Bull” Halsey are just two Navy grads who led us to victory over Imperial Japan.

The alumni list of these two institutions reads like a chronicle of American History. They’ve won our wars, served in office, walked on the moon, led businesses, engineered modern wonders, they’ve led in ever area of life. And while the game today is the biggest of the year, perhaps the biggest of their playing careers, it is possible this day will not register on the list of accomplishments these men will achieve.

But today’s game is special for another reason. The men who play today will be representing their branches, inspiring the pride of men and women standing on every continent and floating on every sea, who pledge their lives to the defense of American liberty and independence. Officers and enlisted will both cheer for them heir respective branches. Active duty, reserves, and veterans will look to these young men today to fight for bragging rights against the other branch - a foe in competition on this day, a teammate on every other.

While Navy has had a difficult season, while Army has found much more success, and while Army comes in as a heavy favorite, Navy is looking avenge last year's streak breaking loss. This is their chance to salvage everything, the whole year. All is a success if they can put together 4 strong quarters in Philadelphia against Army. Look foir old school traditional ground control football with a touch of the modern via the triple option. There will be a lot of hard nosed "low pad wins" type football today. I'm feeling good about Navy's chances. I'm going with the Middies.

And so we prepare for Army-Navy. The Black Knights vs the Midshipmen. For me, that means my first year as a Navy Dad. There’s a little more at stake this year. It’s a little more personal. And for that reason I proudly shout GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!

​But best of luck and a humble “thank you” to both.

Coach Drew Burnham
​This game is so much bigger than football for those that play in it, coach in it or watch it. I will get to all of that, but the coach in me wants to know the numbers.
The records seem to show that Army should win this one in a runaway, but don’t count on that. Navy has played a tumultuous schedule this year, especially if you look at the offenses they have faced, having taken on Memphis, Notre Dame, Cincinnati and UCF (say what you will, those boys can score!). The defense has been the downfall for Navy this year, surrendering 34 Points/game. Offensive production has not been lacking, and in reality is very evenly matched with the highly successful Army team. Defense has been the issue. Playing the quality offenses listed week after week has taken its toll.

Army has been extremely efficient this season and while you may say that their schedule has been easier to handle than Navy, let us not forget that they DID play Oklahoma to a 7 point game. They are averaging right at 30 points/game and the defense has been stingy (mostly due to limiting the other teams number of drives due to extreme ball control) allowing only 18 points a contest.

HOWEVER, none of that matters. Not even a little bit. This is Army/Navy and all bets are off. I have been very fortunate in my career to come in contact at some point with both sides of this beast. During an internship, I was part of an off-site training camp practice at the Naval Academy. Even in the summer it was obvious that though they would play 12 teams that season, there was only 1 on the schedule. Signs, t-shirts, shoes, goal post pads and anything else you could put writing on all read one consistent message: Beat Army!

Just this last week on the recruiting trail I ran into a student athlete who I had previously recruited who ended up committing to West Point. We spoke while I was in the school and I told him how proud I was of him and how much I looked forward to his future. On my way out the door, I looked across a gym at him and yelled his name. He looked at me and I yelled “GO ARMY!” to which he very naturally and enthusiastically replied “BEAT NAVY!!”.
This game has a set of lungs full of breath and a soul of its own. It means so much to so many people who should mean so much to all of us. These young men did not make their college football decision based on facilities, or gear, or wins and losses, or stars on their rivals page or any of the other meaningless things recruits make decisions based off of. They decided that protecting you and me was what they wanted to do, and if they play ball on the way that’s just icing on the cake. This is my absolute favorite game of the year and I so look forward to the kick off of this one.
I do think Army wins in a major slugfest, but this game is bigger than the win for everyone involved. Go Army! Go Navy!

Curator Sam Burnham
Game of the Week
SEC Championship - Georgia vs Alabama
This may be the game of the year.These are the two best teams in the nation and they will be the two best teams after this game is over. To be honest, at this point, Clemson is the only team that can stay on the field with these two. The Tigers are the only team preventing this game from being the national championship game. Georgia can win this game. It requires a big day by their pass rush and their secondary to hold down Tua Tagovailoa. Alabama has won their last two games while really only playing in the second half. If they try that Saturday, Georgia will repeat as SEC Champs.

Upset Alert - A Two Alarm Week
Big XII Championship - Texas vs Oklahoma
This isn’t as big of an upset as people are playing it out to be. Texas beat them before and they’ll beat them again. Oklahoma has no defense whatsoever and it shows. The Longhorns will be ready and will handle their business.
SEC Championship - Georgia vs Alabama
I said Georgia can win and now I’m telling you they will. Georgia has a chip on their shoulder after last year’s game. They’ve got the horses to stay in this race and while I think you’ll see Jake Fromm putting up some numbers, Georgia will win this on the ground. Running the ball and controlling the tempo will help with controlling Tagovailoa and lead them to victory.

Coach Drew Burnham
Game of the Week
Big XII Championship - Texas vs Oklahoma
As a general rule, it is incredibly difficult to beat the same team twice in one season. That is even tougher to do if the first game was close. Add a top 5 rivalry to the mix? Almost impossible. This game should be full of fireworks. I just think that at the end of the day there are too many things adding up against Oklahoma including the pressure of holding on to that playoff spot for dear life. That is pressure that the Horns don’t have to deal with. Look for this one to be a high scoring affair to the bitter end again with the Longhorns making just one more play late.
​
Upset Alert
The American Conference Championship - Memphis vs UCF
​See “Game of the Week” about how hard it is to beat the same team twice in a year. That was a 1-point game in October. The Memphis offense has only grown more volatile since putting 490 yards and 30 points on the Knights. That attack will carry them through this game. Look for Darrell Henderson (1699 yards, 19 touchdowns) to carry the ball 30+ times in a Tiger attempt to manage the clock and keep the UCF offense off the field. I missed this upset by a single point last time I picked it, I can’t be wrong twice right?

Curator’s Picks
Utah vs Washington
Louisiana-Lafayette vs Appy
Texas vs Oklahoma
UAB vs MT
Stanford vs Cal
Memphis vs UCF
Alabama vs Georgia
Fresno State vs Boise State
Northwestern vs Ohio State
Clemson vs Pittsburgh

Coach’s Picks
Utah vs Washington
Louisiana-Lafayette vs Appy
Texas vs Oklahoma
UAB vs MT
Stanford vs Cal
Memphis vs UCF
Alabama vs Georgia
Fresno State vs Boise State
Northwestern vs Ohio State
Clemson vs Pittsburgh

Curator Sam Burnham
Game of the Week
Apple Cup - Washington @ Washington State
When choosing what I think will be the best game on Rivalry Weekend, I'm looking at the choices. Georgia hosting Tech, Michigan facing an Ohio State team who looks woefully unprepared for the challenge, Auburn headed to Tuscaloosa. So I look out west and see a game with playoff implications. I see The Huskies from Seattle crossing the Cascades to face the face the Cougars on the Polouse. This of it as the Country Cat and the City Dog. But seriously, watch for Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, which Gardner Minshew is running flawlessly, to be a huge challenge for the Huskies. I also expect the Huskies will come prepared. The winner faces Utah in the PAC-12 Championship Game. For the Cougars, a win is another step toward a playoff appearance. Friday's 8:30 kickoff is a chance to get their team in front of the committee. In the end, Minshew makes a Heisman bid, the Cougars make a playoff bid, and the Huskies try to ruin both.

Upset Alert
Florida @ Florida State
Right now everyone in Tallahassee is ready to fire Willie Taggart. This game could help get things going in the right direction. Beating Florida, becoming bowl eligible for the 37th consecutive year, and having the seniors graduate having never lost to the Gators would all be wins for Taggart at this point. The Gators come in nationally ranked, still looking at major bowl possibilities and need this one to make a late season statement. But Florida has been inconsistent in a Jekyll & Hyde fashion. They looked strong against LSU but lost by 21 to Missouri at home. If they take Jekyll to Tallahassee, Osceola is going to hurt his feelings. 

Curator’s Picks

​Mississippi State @ Mississippi
Oklahoma @ West Virginia
Washington @ Washington State
Florida @ Florida State
Georgia Tech @ Georgia
Michigan @ Ohio State
NC State @ UNC
Auburn @ Alabama
LSU @ TAMU
Notre Dame @ Southern Cal

Coach’s Picks

​Mississippi State @ Mississippi
Oklahoma @ West Virginia
Washington @ Washington State
Florida @ Florida State
Georgia Tech @ Georgia
Michigan @ Ohio State
NC State @ UNC
Auburn @ Alabama
LSU @ TAMU
Notre Dame @ Southern Cal

Curator Sam Burnham
​Game of the Week

This is a tough category this week. With the leaders all filling their schedules with cupcakes for a preparation for Rivalry Week, it's hard to hype up games featuring The Citadel or UMass. It's embarrassing and the teams should be ashamed of themselves. You want to start a season with some small school that's fine. But your fans, the pollsters, the Playoff Committee, the TV networks, the players, and, most of all, the dignity of the sport deserve better. Quit being cowards and make a real schedule. 
That being said:
West Virginia @ Oklahoma State
The Mountaineers have a few big weeks ahead of them. If they can finish strong and get a little help, they'll be playoff bound. But that means going to Stillwater and taking care of business. Mike Gundy is going to have his Cowpokes and his disdain for Twitter and over 40 years of manliness ready. I like defense, so this is a tough choice but I also like no-nonsense coaches and good teams that can throw a monkey wrench in the plans of powerhouses. This should be a fin game to watch. 


Upset Alert
Syracuse vs Notre Dame @ Yankee Stadium
The Orangemen (quit being silly) are the surprise of the season. At 8-2 this is a team that has done more than change the culture, they've been reborn. They gave both Clemson and Pitt all they wanted. With only those two losses, they head to New York City to play Notre Dame in the "Shamrock Series" which is a bit of a gimmick and y'all know I hate gimmicks. History tells us that Notre Dame throws one at the end of the season - Boston College, etc. Let's face it, they aren't going to be throwing anything except touchdowns against Southern Cal. So it is this week or never. Add to all that a questionable Ian Book - the Irish need a healthy field general in this one - and the pieces are in place. This is a very good Syracuse team. I don't think they know they're supposed to be intimidated by Notre Dame and, therefore, won't be. This should be a great one. I'm not making any guarantees but the Irish are officially on watch.
​ 

Northwestern @ Minnesota
NC State @ Louisville
Syracuse @ Notre Dame
Missouri @ Tennessee
Southern Cal @ UCLA
West Virginia @ Oklahoma State
Wisconsin @ Purdue
UAB @ Texas A&M
Duke @ Clemson
Arizona @ Washington State

Northwestern @ Minnesota
NC State @ Louisville
Syracuse @ Notre Dame
Missouri @ Tennessee
Southern Cal @ UCLA
West Virginia @ Oklahoma State
Wisconsin @ Purdue
UAB @ Texas A&M
Duke @ Clemson
Arizona @ Washington State

Curator Sam Burnham
Game of the Week
Auburn @ Georgia
This game may not have all the meaning that it usually has. Win or lose, Georgia goes to Atlanta. Win or lose, Auburn doesn't. But this is the Deep South's oldest rivalry. This one was first played in 1892 and has been played annually since 1919. This game is never meaningless. The rivalry itself is enough to motivate these two teams. Georgia fans are calling for a Blackout, which worked once against Auburn but after they tried it against Alabama, those black jerseys should have been piled up in the middle of the North Quad and burned. I expect to see red jerseys and a Georgia victory but Auburn isn't going to just roll over. 

Upset Alert
Ohio State @ Michigan State
The Buckeyes are in a position to make the playoff if they just win out. Finish with that one loss, capping it off with wins over Michigan and the Big Ten Championship Game and they are certainly in. But their season has been surrounded by chaos. An abusive assistant led to a scandal for their head coach who has now revealed some serious health problems. They got smashed at Purdue and then they squeaked past 2-7 Nebraska. This is a dead team walking, perhaps even stumbling into East Lansing. And Sparty is waiting their, licking his chops. 

Curator’s Picks
Ohio State @ Sparty
Ole Miss @ A&M
Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma
Kentucky @ Tennessee
Mississippi State @ Alabama
Purdue @ Minnesota
Washington State @ Colorado
Auburn @ Georgia
Texas @ Texas Tech
Clemson @ Boston College

Coach’s Picks
​Ohio State @ Sparty
Ole Miss @ A&M
Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma
Kentucky @ Tennessee
Mississippi State @ Alabama
Purdue @ Minnesota
Washington State @ Colorado
Auburn @ Georgia
Texas @ Texas Tech
Clemson @ Boston College

Curator Sam Burnham
Game of the Week
1Alabama @ 4LSU
​This is going to be a big week in college football. It is time to see who is for real and who is pretending, Picking just one game is a hard choice, especially with the game in Lexington. But with the Tide and the Tigers facing off in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night, this is the game to choose. It is safe to say that whoever wins this one will be my choice for #1 in next week's poll. This week we find out if LSU is even better than we think and if Bama is really that good or if their schedule is just that bad. 

Upset of the Week
This category is not a joke. Coach and I have hit these more often than not this year. If we put you on upset alert, you better watch out. I'm really watching Baton Rouge and Lexington here as the home teams really have a chance to both make statement and to punch their tickets to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers and the Wildcats both have very good chances of pulling off the upset this week. I wouldn't be surprised by either or both happening. But there is one game with playoff implications that I can't ignore because I have a feeling about it.
3Notre Dame @ Northwestern
Notre Dame needs to win out to get to the playoff. One slip along the way and they are done. Enter the Wildcats. Northwestern is 5-3 but that but they've won their last 4 and have wins against Purdue, Sparty, and Wisconsin. They should have beaten Michigan. This is a much better team than they get credit for. Playing at home with a chance to be the spoiler, I'd say they have as good of a chance as any to be that thorn in Notre Dame's side that we see arise about this time each year. If Notre Dame does not bring their best game to Evanston, there's a good chance they are out of the playoff picture come Sunday morning. Besides, Pat Fitzgerald says that the "RPO" is "pure communism." And that's beautiful.
​

Curator's Picks
GEORGIA @ KENTUCKY
MIZZOU @ FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME @ NORTHWESTERN
WEST VIRGINIA @ TEXAS
TAMU @ AUBURN
CAL @ WASH ST.
STANFORD @ WASHINGTON
IOWA @ PURDUE
PENN STATE @ MICHIGAN
ALABAMA @ LSU

Curator Sam Burnham
Game of the Week
Georgia vs Florida in Jacksonville
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. This is what Southern football is about. Rivalry, tradition, and grit. If both teams were unranked this game would still draw the attention of the Peach and Sunshine States. With an SEC East title hanging in the balance, this one matters even more. Kirby and the Dawgs are coming off a disappointing loss while Mullen and the Gators have turned around after a slow start. Both teams have a chance to make a statement. One team will be out of the playoff picture. Take all the stats and comparisons, wad them up and throw them in the trash. This is Georgia-Florida.

​
​Upset Alert
Wisconsin @ Northwestern
The Wildcats have beaten Purdue and Michigan State. They played Michigan to the wire. They had a dramatic comeback to beat Nebraska when it looked out of reach. They’ve only had two games this year that were decided by more than five points. Wisconsin came into this season with big expectations, most of which remain unfulfilled. If it gets late and Northwestern is close, or even ahead, the psychology will kick in and the Badgers will choke. That is a harsh assessment but Wisconsin has one game this year decided by fewer than 10, a 21-24 loss to BYU. If the Badgers want to win they have to start early, build a lead and keep it. Mark my words, if it gets close, Wisconsin is in trouble.

Coach Drew Burnham
Game of the Week:
Washington State @ Stanford
If the PAC 12 is to make an appearance in the playoffs this year the Cougars are their only hope. With only 1 loss and a tough enough schedule remaining to make a statement, every week is do or die for Leech and the boys. There is zero margin for error.Washington State is the sneaky team that no one is talking about right now. How will the tempo and flash of the Cougar offense match against the size and strength of Stanford’s ground attack? 2 absolute offensive wizards in Leech and Shaw square off. It’sfire and ice and it should make for one heck of a game to watch.

Upset Alert
​Texas @ Oklahoma State
College football is just better when Texas is good, and right now, Texas is good. The Pokes have been on a skid the last 2 weeks and this game may seem prime for a beating. It may deliver on that assumption. However, this would be an extremely easy game for the Horns to overlook and Oklahoma St. is powerful enough on offense to keep themselves alive. Ehlinger should be able to play for Texas, but off the shoulder sprain last week will he be 100%. In order to win this one they are going to have to be able to score and that may be a small hindrance to them. Add to that the phenomenal job the OK St. PR staff has done hyping this game and the return of Barry Sanders for the game. The environment will be huge and that always fuels a good upset. I feel good about this one. For the sake of the ABG top 10 pollsters I hope I’m right. Go Pokes.
​

Curator’s Picks (45-35)
​Clemson @ FSU
Wisconsin @ Northwestern
Vandy @ Arkansas
Purdue @ Sparty
Georgia vs Florida
Iowa @ Penn State
NC State @ Syracuse
TAMU @ Mississippi State
Kentucky @ Mizzou
Washington @ Cal

Coach’s Picks (46-34)
Clemson @ FSU
Wisconsin @ Northwestern
Vandy @ Arkansas
Purdue @ Sparty
Georgia vs Florida
Iowa @ Penn State
NC State @ Syracuse
TAMU @ Mississippi State
Kentucky @ Mizzou
Washington @ Cal

Curator Sam Burnham
Upset of the Week
8Michigan @ Michigan State 
Sparty was good to me last week in this column. I may have been the only person who wasn't dressed in green who thought the Spartans could pull that off in Happy Valley. I tend to believe they can do it again. Michigan is riding high after a big win over Wisconsin last week. But this is still Michigan we're talking about. Harbaugh consistently struggles against Ohio State and Sparty. With home field advantage and whatever Harbaugh's curse is, the Spartans are more like the favorites coming into this one. I think the wolverines keep it close but I don't think they keep it close enough. 

​Game of the Week
Mississippi State @ 5LSU
LSU took a huge step foward last week. I don't think anyone could have predicted the score to be that lopsided. On the other side, the Bulldogs have losses to Kentucky and Florida. But they also have a blowout of Auburn two weeks ago. LSU needs this game much more than MSU. With a win they continue to control their own destiny in the SEC West. The Bulldogs have nothing to lose and can be a bit more relaxed in their approach. 

Most importantly, this is an SEC football game in Baton Rouge. Expect a physical game with a lot of defense. This may not even be the closest game of the weekend but if you are a traditionalist, as I am, you'll probably love this one. There's just something about a game in Death Valley, It never seems to disappoint.
​

Coach Drew Burnham
Upset of the Week
10Oregon @ Washington State
Coming off a highly emotional game last week vs. Washington, you have to think that the Ducks are flying high and feeling invincible. That is not a great position to be in heading into the home of the pirate himself, Mike Leech. The Cougars are also riding high after a sneaky 5-1 start to their season and sliding into the top 25 this week. Neither of those accomplishments will overly impress the Ducks, but will still fuel the fire leading Wazzu into battle. I like this matchup. Watch for some creative play calling in key situations (3rd down and in the red zone) from Leech.

Game of the Week
10NC State @ 2Clemson
​Is this the defacto ACC title game? With both teams unbeaten it certainly starts to feel that way. NC State survived a scare last week from Boston College, likely due to looking ahead to what they had to know was their biggest test of the season. Looking past lesser opponents has been a reoccurring theme for them (see the nail biter vs. James Madison in week 1). This opponent will obviously not be overlooked. I believe that Clemson is a contender this year, but obviously not “the team to beat” that they have been in recent years. NC State has done a great job of building that culture into one that expects to win, I just don’t think it’s quite developed enough to handle this one, when both sides know what to expect. They’ve done enough that the element of surprise is gone for the Wolfpack and I believe that will keep them from taking this one.

Curator's Picks (38-32)
Michigan @ Sparty
Oklahoma @ TCU
Auburn @ Ole Miss
UVA @ Duke
Colorado @ Washington
NC State @ Clemson
Mississippi State @ LSU
Ohio State @ Purdue
Vandy @ Kentucky
Arizona @ UCLA

Coach's Picks (40-30)
Michigan @ Sparty
Oklahoma @ TCU
Auburn @ Ole Miss
UVA @ Duke
Colorado @ Washington
NC State @ Clemson
Mississippi State @ LSU
Ohio State @ Purdue
Vandy @ Kentucky
Arizona @ UCLA

Curator Sam Burnham

Game of the Week
2 Georgia @ 10 LSU
Both of these teams need this one. More then that, they each need to dominate the other to build the momentum they need to survive the meat of their respective schedules. LSU needs to bbounce beack from the tough loss at Florida. Georgia needs to prove, mostly to themselves, that they are on a similar level as Bama. That means the Dawgs have to run the football and dominate the tough LSU defense. That means better play on the line and enough passing to keep the Tigers honest. The Tigers aren't going to go down easy in Death Valley.

Upset Alert
Michigan State @ 9 Penn State
The breaks haven't fallen right for Sparty this year. But historically speaking they are great at playing the role of spoiler. Penn State is still in the hunt, with some help. But Michigan State can change that this weekend. With two losses and two more big games ahead, they are fighting for a decent bowl and for pride. Expect them to be scrappy and ready to play. Penn State is good, but not great and that will aloow the Spartans to eke this one out. 

Curator's Picks (33-27)
Florida @ Vandy
Tennessee @ Auburn
Duke @ Georgia Tech
Louisville @ Boston College
Georgia @ LSU
TAMU @ South Carolina
Washington @ Oregon
Michigan State @ Penn State
Wisconsin @ Michigan
Colorado @ Southern Cal

Coach's Picks(38-22)​
Florida @ Vandy
Tennessee @ Auburn
Duke @ Georgia Tech
Louisville @ Boston College
Georgia @ LSU
TAMU @ South Carolina
Washington @ Oregon
Michigan State @ Penn State
Wisconsin @ Michigan
Colorado @ Southern Cal