Curator & Coach - Week 9

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.

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​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.
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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