Curator & Coach - Week 13

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. 

Coach Drew Burnham
Game of the Week
Michigan @ Ohio State
They don’t get any bigger than this one! This is probably a top 3 rivalry in the country…and that’s on a regular year. With the stakes as high as they are in this one, it only makes it bigger. Let the playoffs begin! The Wolverines have answered the bell in their big time games this year, surviving their mid-season murderer’s row by a combined score of 101-27. There have, however, been a few instances against some weaker competition that they made you raise your eyebrows. Lucky for them, this isn’t Indiana or Northwestern. On the other side, Ohio State has become the king of the heart attack game winning 3 this year by less than a touchdown. Does that make them a weaker team or does that make them a bunch who has a knack for finding a way to win? All of these questions will be answered Saturday afternoon. I would love to have a seat in the horse shoe for this one. What a sight it should be!

Upset Alert
Georgia Tech @ Georgia
​Well…this is awkward. I hope I’m wrong, HOWEVER, the triple is NEVER EVER EVER something to play with. It is not a toy. It is not to be taken lightly. It WILL kill you if you are not careful with it. Ask Alabama. Speaking of them, they are half the problem that I think leads to upset this week. Knowing that the Tide is looming in Atlanta next week can do a wonder on locking in on what will need to be their most mentally focused game of the year defensively. Seeing that game in the distance and knowing what it could potentially have on the line could creep up on this bunch. The Dawgs’ preparation can absolutely not afford to take a hit this week. They’ll need to be firing on all cylinders. Buckle up Dawg fans, this one could get bumpy.

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