Curator & Coach - Week 11

Curator Sam Burnham

Game of the Week
LSU @ Alabama

This is obviously a “Clash of the Titans” matchup. Oddly, this year has a high power Bama offense facing off against LSU’s remarkable defense.

The questions surrounding the status of QB Tua Tagovailoa add to the intrigue. We’ll find out for certain once he takes the field. There’s no doubt in my mind that Tua will be in this game. The question is: how ready is he really?

​LSU will be playing without starting LB Michael Divinity who has stepped away from the team for personal reasons. But the Tiger defense has been so strong this year that I expect them to fill the gap.

While there’s a lot of talk about Bama’s offense, no one should underestimate LSU. Joe Burrow has proven he’s not just an athlete, he’s a gutsy field general who leads his team by example. He’s not going to be afraid to stretch into that Bama defense for a first down. I expect a big day from him.

Expect a hard fought, physical football game. This promises to be the best game of the regular season.

Upset Alert

Penn State @ Minnesota

the experts are giving the higher ranked Nittany Lions the edge as they enter the home of the Golden Gophers. Penn State has looked strong all year but they are due for their annual underwhelming game. The Gophers are on a streak ongrr than any they’ve had in decades. They have the potential to beat Penn State even in a good game. If State comes out even a little flat, they’ll have a long day.

Coach Drew Burnham

​GAME OF THE WEEK
LSU @ ALABAMA
As a general rule of thumb, I like to let the curator have the no brainer game of the week and I attempt to find one that may not be so obvious as a way to lure you into not missing a quality matchup that you may otherwise ignore. Well, this week, the curator can either join me or kick rocks. They don’t get any better than this! These are the matchups that college football fans live for! There is a rather intense rivalry between these two programs when there AREN’T National Championship implications involved in the matchup. Joe Burrow is one “Heisman moment” away from potentially sealing that thing up. Settling a hush over downtown Tuscaloosa would be a heck of a moment. The Tigers are fielding their best team in years in a form that we’ve never seen them take. They are a team that doesn’t have to rely solely on a juggernaut defense to keep them in games and are more than willing, and capable, to shoot it out with you if need be. For the Tide, The Flying Hawaiian likely, (let’s get real – that sucker’s playing) makes his triumphant return from injury. Bama hasn’t missed a beat without him but they will need all hands on deck for this one. Nick Saban has had nothing but high praises for the Tigers and I’m certain that Coach O shares the same sentiments, although we are still waiting on the press conference transcripts to verify. What a night we are set for! #1 vs #2. President on site. WOW! Laissez les bon temps rouler Tide!

UPSET ALERT
PENN ST. @ MINNESOTA
Row, row, row your boat….PJ Fleck and his all gas no brakes coaching philosophy has brought the Gophers to an undefeated start. They haven’t faced an opponent NEARLY as powerful as they will welcome this week, HOWEVER, I have been a personal victim to that man and I know what he, his staff and his team are capable of. I would love to see Penn State in the playoffs. I think it would be great for college football and Lord knows Nittany nation deserves it after everything they have been through. I am a huge James Franklin fan and I respect everything he stands for as a man and a coach. I am torn here as two of my favorites collide but I just think Funk master Fleck and the boys will power through with home field advantage and find a way. Should be a fun one to watch!

Curator’s Picks

TCU over BAYLOR
MINNESOTA over PENN STATE
​SMU over EAST CAROLINA
VIRGINIA over GEORGIA TECH
STANFORD over COLORADO
MICHIGAN ST. over ILLINOIS
KANSAS ST. over TEXAS
LSU over ALABAMA
WAKE FOREST over VIRGINIA TECH
WISCONSIN over IOWA

Coach’s Picks

BAYLOR over TCU
MINNESOTA over PENN STATE
SMU over EAST CAROLINA
VIRGINIA over GEORGIA TECH
STANFORD over COLORADO
ILLINOIS over MICHIGAN ST.
TEXAS over KANSAS STATE
LSU over ALABAMA
VIRGINIA TECH over WAKE FOREST
WISCONSIN over IOWA