FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS FOR WEEK FOURTEEN.

If you're not excited about some of the games today then somebody better check your pulse.

We're entering this Saturday that features some of the best rivalry games including several that have bowl implications in addition to national championship playoff hopes. So fasten your seat belts for a wild finish to the regular season.

YOUR GREAT EIGHT™ WINNING PICKS...

#16 Georgia Tech @ #9 Georgia...if this game is anywhere close to last year's tango, expect a wild one in Athens. UGA has ruled this match up for the last several years and the Bees desperately need a win to restore some zip into the cross-state rivalry. The Jackets have a much improved defense and they'll need it to step up big time to slow the Dawg's run game that features one of the best running backs in the country, Nick Chubbs. The key to the game is the Jackets ability to move the chains and eat up a lot of clock to keep Georgia off the field. The line of the game is just too juicy to ignore. UGA wins but doesn't cover the points. Take the Engineers and the points.

#15 Auburn @ #1 Alabama...like past Iron Bowls, this one has all the makings for a crazy and intense contest. Both teams are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. And you can bet that Bama has been stewing over last year's last minute loss and will be looking to pluck some War Eagle. If Bama's o-line can control the line and scrimmage and let Blake Sims find his groove, this Iron Bowl will go Alabama's way. Take the Tide in Tuscaloosa.

#4 Mississippi State @ #19 Mississippi...you most likely read Rockin Reb's prediction of Ole Miss winning this game. As he said, he was following his heart with the pick. A Rebel win will help the Ole Miss faithful feel better about losing three straight conference games to crash and burn. But in reality, Mullen's Mutts pack too much punch for the Rebels. Cowbells ring in this one.

Notre Dame @ Southern Cal...these teams have been playing since 1926 and both are looking to salvage disappointing seasons as they look to rebound from embarrassing losses last week. The Irish have done well against the Pac-12 the last few years, winning five of seven. You can flip a coin on this one. Take the Trojans and their home field advantage.

#18 Minnesota @ #14 Wisconsin...the winner of this game takes home The Axe, which the Badgers have done in the previous ten meetings. But this game has greater significance as the winner faces Ohio State in the Big Ten championship. The Gophers are good but Badger running back Melvin Gordon will make another strong statement for the Heisman. Wisconsin wins in Madison.

Tennessee @ Vanderbilt...coach Butch Jones needs this win badly. If not, the heat will be turned up on him next season with no excuses for losing to a team like Vandy. The Vols need a win to qualify for a bowl game, and to build momentum going into the critical recruiting season. And this is Vandy. Good gosh! Not the same Vandy team of past with James Franklin at the helm. Nope. This is a 3-8 Vanderbilt team that once again resides in the basement of the SEC East. Vols are a healthy 17 point favorite and should win well. Rocky Top rules in the Music City.

Florida @ #3 Florida State...the Seminoles have to take care of business in order to stay in the playoff hunt. Plus they face a challenging Georgia Tech game next Saturday in the ACC Championship game and it's important to keep their momentum going despite having some "ugly" wins the last few weeks. The Gators have shown they have some bite (ask Georgia) but we don't think they can hang four quarters with the Noles and Jameis Winston. FSU wins big in Tallahassee.

South Carolina @ #23 Clemson...this is another pretty good contest featuring SEC versus ACC. Clemson is favored and their qb Deshaun Watson should return but with a shaky knee...and that could be the difference. If Watson goes out, then the Tigers are done because his backup is pretty weak (see the GT game). Spurrier has won five straight in this series. Make that six today. Cocks crow in Clemson.

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WHAT'S AN EGG BOWL?
Since it's Thanksgiving it's only natural that we talk about the Egg Bowl because this game, featuring #4 Mississippi State and #19 Ole Miss, is traditionally played during Thanksgiving week, and in several seasons, actually on Thanksgiving Day.

These two in-state rivals first played in 1901, and have played for the Golden Egg Trophy since 1927.

Rockin Reb ready to roll

Earlier this season, pundits and talking heads were setting up this game to have national championship impact since both teams were undefeated and flirting with top rankings. Since then, Mississippi State has remained at or near the top while Ole Miss has lost altitude after dropping three straight conference games. The Bulldogs have a lot at stake: a SEC West title, inclusion in the college playoff, and reaching 11 wins for the first time in school history.



Records and titles aside, this is still a big game for the Ole Miss Rebels and anyone else that loves the history of a great Southern football rivalry. 

To give us greater insight into this heated rivalry we've asked Rockin Reb to share his thoughts.

Rockin Reb is an Ole Miss alum and a die hard Rebel fan. I first met Rockin Reb twenty years ago when he was a power company exec and we were wrangling over an electric bill. We decided to split the difference once we discovered we were both SEC alums and fans.

As a side note, Rockin Reb was a lineman on the 1967 Marietta Blue Devils State Championship football team...the only Cobb County team to ever win a State Championship. So he knows his football. 
Let's start with a little Question & Answer with Rockin Reb. 
TIME FOR Q&A WITH ROCKIN REB... 
WWW:  What was your very first college football game attended?
RR: Hard to say which was the first but it was probably when I was 6 or 7. The Georgia/Georgia Tech freshman game was still a very big deal in the 50's and 60's and the game was always played on Thanksgiving day. It was a tradition to go to my grandfather's farm and hunt small game in the morning, have a big Thanksgiving meal, then go to the football game in the afternoon. The whole Kelly family attended.
 
WWW:  When was your first Ole Miss game experience?
RR:  My parents went to see Ole Miss play in a couple of the mid sixties Sugar Bowls when the Rebels, during their heyday, seemed to haven taken up permanent residence in that bowl. During that time frame, I was intensely interested in everything about the Ole Miss Rebels and could name all the players. I still have the Ole Miss pennant they brought me from one of those games and it stayed on the wall in my room right beside a Georgia Bulldog pennant. It killed my father (who is a Georgia grad) when I decided to matriculate at Oxford.

WWW:  What attracted you to attend Ole Miss?
RR:  When I was at Marietta High I had a B-Team and Varsity Coach by the name of Terry Anthony who had been at Ole Miss during the late 50's , early 60's heyday and all he could talk about at every football practice and during the school year was Ole Miss....the beauty of the campus, the beautiful coed's,the football teams, the beautiful coeds, the two Miss America's, and the other beautiful coed's. So all of this stuck with me and along with the subliminal influence of the Ole Miss Sugar Bowl pennant staring down from the wall and it just seemed like the place for me to be!!!!  

WWW:  Any Egg Bowl memories? 
RR:  Went to a few egg Bowls during the early 70's but with the proliferation of TV games and the fact that it was for years a Thanksgiving game meant a lot of the games were watched in the comfort of the living room...not without side bets with other Maroon Bullpuppy friends.
 
WWW:  We’ve heard so much about tailgating in the Grove.  Talk to us about that?
RR:  Tailgating in the grove is one of college football's seminal experiences, even when the OM football team wasn't doing so well. The Grove was featured for years as the hallmark experience of college football tailgating. Where else can you find chandeliers hanging over a 7 course tailgating meal served with proper silver serving trays and candelabras.

WWW:  For people like me, we’re confused about the team name.  Rebels? Black Bears? Rebel Black Bears? Black Rebel Bears? Help us.
RR:  The PC movement at Ole Miss has been in full flower for the last 15 years and the administration felt like a mascot change would be a good idea since Colonel Reb and his plantation owner-look reminded everyone of  different more unpleasant era in OM history. The student body was tasked with the job of coming up with a new name. Out of many entries they came up with "black bear" centered on the fact that numerous black bears used to roam the Mississippi delta. Of course it's hard to even find a black bear in Mississippi anymore but that's besides the point. But they had to get rid of Colonel Reb, the rebel battle flag, Dixie with love, and anything else that reminded the nation of the ugliness caused by the push back against integration during the mid sixties.

WWW:   The Rebels were flying high in the early stages of the season. How are Ole Miss fans dealing with the drop in rankings?  
RR:  Hugh Freeze has done a fantastic job bringing respectability back to a once proud Ole Miss program. He recruits at a championship level and regularly goes head to head with Saban, Miles, Richt and Malzahn for top talent. With that said, after the disappointing LSU and heartbreaking Allbarn game, a lot of the air seemed to be sucked out of the team and the fan base. After the 7-0 start you actually began to believe this team could be headed for the Georgia Dome and a chance at an SEC championship. After the 3rd loss to Arkansas the tenor on the Ole Miss Spirit chatboard was WTF. All we can do now is be a spoiler for Mistake's season by whippin there arse in the eggbowl.

 WWW:  The future of Ole Miss competing in a ball buster division with Bama, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, etc., etc.  That’s a tough row to hoe.  Can Ole Miss ever get to the Mountain Top (the Georgia Dome?).
RR:   As I said earlier, Hugh Freeze has a plan to make OM successful and in year 3 his plan was to go to a bowl. This will be his 3rd bowl eligible team so he is way ahead of his original plan. To be able to compete with the juggernauts of the west division of the SEC he has been recruiting to the highest levels ever experienced in Ole Miss history. He learned how to relentlessly recruit high value players at this level from former OM head coach Ed Orgeron. Luckily Hugh has a good offensive scheme to go along with his recruiting something his mentor never had. If he keeps recruiting at this level Ole Miss will be a contender year in and year out for the SEC championship. Keep your eye on year four and five. 
PLEASE WELCOME ROCKIN REB....

Well, as OM icon the late beloved Chucky Mullins used to say "Its Time"....Its time for the Ole Miss Rebels to rise up, forget the Arkansas game and kick some Maroon/bullpuppy tail and take the Egg Bowl trophy back from the bullies. The Big advantage Ole Miss will have is the game is being played in the friendly confines of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.  Since 1998 - which is the last 16 games - OM won in Starkvegas once in 2003, and Misstake has only one lone win in Oxford (2010). Other than those games the home team has won each time.

 
This is also one of those rivalry contests where you just have to throw the records out and tee it up. The stakes are high for both teams. Misstake is 10-1 overall and sporting a 6-1 sec record whereas Ole Miss is 8-3 with a 4-3 SEC record. Ole Miss needs this win to salvage this season and prove that their Alabama win was not a fluke and will relish the spoiler role by keeping the bullies out of the College football playoff picture.

One intangible for Ole Miss is that Coach Hugh Freeze more than any other coach since Billy"Bulldog"Brewer gets the importance of this game for recruiting, bragging rights and one upsmanship. As a native Mississippian.he understands the importance of the game for the fans of Ole Miss.

Ole Miss QB Bo Wallace still has a fairly serious ankle sprain from the Arkansas game and Laremy Tunsil, our stud left tackle, is still having trouble with a shoulder that keeps popping out of joint and kept him out of the second half of the Arkansas game. Both players are still planning on starting the game. 

It's a matter of which team wants it more.  

My prediction goes with my heart...Hoddy Toddy Ole Miss prevails 24-10.

 Look for your GREAT EIGHT™ WINNING PICKS tomorrow.  Happy Thanksgiving!

HATE WEEK: JACKETS v DWAGS
Momma always said that Thanksgiving dinner is never complete without all of the sides and fixins.

Love is in the air

So, as promised, here's a tasty side dish for the great Rivalry Week when bitter in-state foes meet on the gridiron or, perhaps, across the dinner table.

There are several big rivalry games this Friday and Saturday but none bigger then Clean Old Fashioned Hate: #9 Georgia versus #16 Georgia Tech.

This rivalry began in 1893 and is quick to stir the emotions of all involved. This is about home state bragging rights. This is ACC versus SEC. But this season, there's more at stake for both teams. UGA still has an outside chance of getting into the SEC Championship game and slipping into the College Playoff, and GT is looking to gain momentum going into its ACC Championship showdown with unbeaten Florida State.

So, there's a lot more riding on this game then in recent years which only adds to the excitement.

More spelling bee titles then National titles

To help us better understand the game, we've asked two past WWW contributors to provide their perspective. Gurley Gal, as you might suspect, is an alum of UGA. What'll Ya Have, named after that wonderful dining venue on North Avenue, is a Tech man. So we have the perfect duo for dueling outlooks.

In their words, a look at the Georgia-Georgia Tech game...

What’ll Ya Have

Cousin Eddy, Gurley Gal and What'll Ya Have

It’s that time of year again when we give thanks, enjoy time with our loved ones and hate that team across the state. 

I’ve been a Tech man for seven years now - as a student, sports information aide in the athletics office and as an alum. In all that time I boast a lowly 1-5 record against the Dwags. Our last win in 2008 was one of the single best days of my life - and I’ve still got a handful of those sacred Hedges to commemorate it. Needless to say, I’ve been dying to see Tech get back on the winning side of this rivalry. THWG!

Gurley Gal

After taking some time to grieve over Gurley’s knee, I’m ready to make my glorious return to WWW and put some cash in your pockets just in time for the Holidays.

The Dawgs broke all our hearts in Jacksonville against Florida, while also putting my reputation at WWW at risk. Hey, even the best players and game pickers miss one every now and then. But this week I feel really confident that Georgia will continue to dominate at home and beat the Nerds. The Dawgs have won 12 of the last 13 games against Tech - the Nerds should know that those numbers don’t look too good.

Five Keys to the Game

1.   Turnovers: One of the biggest factors in this rivalry over the past six years has been the turnovers. It’s not rocket surgery, but the team who has committed fewer turnovers in this game in each of the last six years has won. The leg-lovers have only committed eight turnovers all season, one of the many reasons for UGA’s success. Meanwhile, Tech has forced 24 turnovers on the year for 116 points, or what we call, “Getting it done.” This could be a coin toss here, but I’ll take the Gold & White.

2.  Between the Hedges: So far this season the Dawgs have found success between the hedges and under the Sanford Stadium lights. Mark Richt’s last home loss was October 12th, 2013, to Mizzou. In the last four years the Dawgs are 23-2 at home, including 4-2 vs Top 25 teams. Why would this week be any different? Dawg fans will show up early, pack the stands and rock the hedges on Saturday.

3.  Ground Control: There’s no doubt the Nick Chubb has far exceeded expectations in place of Gurley. The kid runs with power, but also has that same Gurley breakaway speed to make him a threat each play. Since filling in full-time at running back, Chubb has averaged 163 yards per game against SEC opponents. Luckily, this is nothing new to the Jackets. Tech has already played three of the top 10 rushers in the country: Pittsburgh’s James Connor, Miami’s Duke Johnson and Georgia Southern’s Matt Breida. That’s an impressive list - and GT beat all of them. If Tech holds Chubb to under a buck fifty, Jackets win.

4.   Battle-Proven, SEC-Approved: Despite two terrible loses, Georgia has proven they can win tough games this season week in and week out. The Dawgs have beaten four Top 25 teams thus far and a win against the Jackets will end the season at five. According to Sagarin Rankings,  UGA has had the 12th toughest schedule in the country this year, while GT’s schedule ranks only 53rd. Advantage: season-tested Dawgs.

5.  Finish the Drill: Tech had this game just about wrapped up last year, but UGA’s 10 points in the fourth quarter were enough to force overtime and, eventually, their fifth straight win in the series. This year, both teams have gotten it done late in the game. UGA has outscored opponents 115-69 in the last 15 minutes, while GT has gone 122-57 in the same span. Tech has had plenty of games decided on the last couple drives. If you remember last year’s game as well as we do, you’ll know the team who can close will win.

Predictions

Gurley Gal: Count on the Dawgs to take care of business at home and send the Jackets packing back to Atlanta. UGA will still need a Missouri loss to put the Red & Black in the SEC Championship (playoffs, anyone?), but this will be a great game to send our seniors out with a bang. Pick the Dawgs, 38-31. #werunthisstate

What’ll Ya Have: That aforementioned game last year still stings quite a bit, making it hard for me to pick the Ramblin’ Wreck in this game. As much as our defense has improved this year, can it go toe-to-toe with the leg lovers for four quarters? That’s the million dollar question. With the Dwags opening up as a 14.5 point favorite, I’ve got your money maker right here: take Georgia, lay the points. 35-28 final.

We hope to have a perspective on the Egg Bowl real soon so stay tuned.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™

A TIME FOR GIVING THANKS.

You can thank me now or thank me later. I really don't care as long as you thank me.

And what better way to thank me then to send along some primo Mac Daddy* smokes for the holidays or, perhaps, a fine bottle of Aberlour 12 year old single malt scotch whisky. Perfect for warding off the chill and for watching bowl games, all 79 of them.

So why the "thanks?"

Because we had THREE, count em, THREE huge UPSET SPECIALS this past Saturday. That's some serious coin coming your way if you bellied up to the bar and laid down some greenies! My pal, RD, in Mobile made a couple of grand and he's set for the holidays. Me? That's chump change. At WWW our philosophy is GO BIG or GO HOME. So if you see me cruising around ATL in a pimped out Escalade then you know I've had a very very good season. And we are.

Okay, enough self adulation. Let's do a quick recap so you can begin the process of preparing to see relatives on Thursday. You know what I'm talking about...the brother-in-law that you see only once, maybe twice a year...when there's free food. But I digest.

Scoreboard, please.

Finishing strong

We went 5-3 on Saturday which gives us a Season To Date number of 65%. Cha ching my friends. While we hit on three UPSETS we were hoping for more since the day started off strong. But as night fell, so did Tennessee, Southern Cal, and Utah. So we came up short of a perfect day but we're not whining...we're still winning.

*for you non-cigar smokers, that would be 60 ring Macanudo Cru Royale. But I ain't fussy.

YOUR WEEKEND REWIND™....

 ...the highlights...

Harvard over Yale...you could not ask for a more exciting second half of football as Harvard took the lead but Yale battled back, scoring 17 points in the 4th quarter. And then polite applause erupted from the stands as the Crimson scored the go ahead touchdown with 31-24 left on the clock to win . Gotta love non-scholarship Ivy League football...

...huge UPSET SPECIAL as the Golden Gophers knocked off Nebraska on the road in Lincoln, 28-24! Just when you think Bo Pelini is safe for another season, he gives the Husker fans more ammo to turn up the heat on his butt.  Memo to Husker fans: make sure you're okay with what you ask for because finding quality coaches that can build programs are hard to find. And quite honestly, I know of a lot of schools that would give their right pinky for six consecutive nine win seasons or better, which is exactly what Bo has delivered...

...in another big UPSET SPECIAL, Louisville knocked off Notre Dame 31-28 in South Bend! That has the Irish faithful in a tizzy and Touchdown Jesus not so happy...

...in an even bigger UPSET SPECIAL, Arkansas laid the wood to Mississippi, 30-0 as Bo Wallace shows his inconsistency one more time. And to think Bo W was the most experienced quarterback in the SEC coming into this season.  But it wasn't all Bo's fault as the Rebel defense was pushed around by the Hogs...

EXTRA POINTS

This week is the big Rivalry Week that hosts a number of in-state foes in heated matchups.

We have the Iron Bowl, Egg Bowl, Clean Old Fashioned Hate, the Civil War, the Apple Cup, Battle for the Palmetto State, the Territorial Cup, Jeweled Shillelagh, and more.

And, just like Momma's side dishes for Thanksgiving, we're serving up two tasty featurettes: a look at the Georgia Tech vs Georgia tussle in Athens, and the Egg Bowl with Mississippi State visiting Ole Miss.

So look for your email alerts for these goodies.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™

LUCKY 13: TIME TO MAKE MO' MONEY

If you caught last night's Duke-North Carolina game, you saw a goody, especially if you're a Tar Heel fan. UNC knocked Duke out of the Coastal Division race, pummeling the Blue Devils 45-20. So, congrats to Georgia Tech for winning the division, which sets up the December 6th ACC Championship game with Florida State. If I'm Jimbo Fisher, I'm not sure I want to face Tech's triple option and a Jacket defense that has shown a lot of grit.  More on this later.

This Saturday, admittedly, is a little soft in terms of top tier games. Regardless, we can still make money with some smart picks, especially with the Pac-12 matchups and our UPSET SPECIALS.

Next week there will be tons of big rivalry games such as Alabama-Auburn, Georgia Tech-Georgia, Ole Miss-Mississippi State, and more.

In fact, next week we welcome featurettes from Rockin Reb with his perspective on Ole Miss football, and we bring back Gurley Girl and Jumpin' Jacket with their "she said-he said" take on the UGA-GT finale. So be looking for those Thanksgiving treats next week. It will be schweet!!

YOUR GREAT EIGHT™ WINNING PICKS...

Oldest rivalry in America

Yale @ Harvard...since we're college football fans we had to include this game in our line-up because it's the oldest rivalry in the country, dating back to 1874. Once upon a time Harvard was the king pin in college football, winning 7 national titles from 1890 t 1919.  ESPN College GameDay will be in Cambridge for the 131st meeting of these schools and to see if the Crimson can win their 9th Ivy League title under head coach Tim Murphy. We see that happening. Take Harvard over the Yalies.

Missouri @ Tennessee...the outcome of this game has some serious implications. If Tennessee knocks off the Tigers, Georgia is the East Division champion headed to the Georgia Dome for the December 6th SECCG. And, Tennessee will become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2010 with Doolittle Dooley. Right now, the Vols are red hot with new QB Joshua Dobbs recharging a lagging UT offense. But it won't be easy; just ask the Aggies. In a squeaker, Big Orange bites the Tigers.

#25 Minnesota @ #23 Nebraska...the Golden Gophers lost a tough one last week in sub freezing weather to Ohio State. And the Bug Eaters were embarrassed by Wisconsin, giving up over 400 rushing yards to Melvin Gordon. Well, guess what? Minnesota brings a strong run game to Lincoln with David Cobb who averages 135 yards per game. Pelini needs this win to keep the fickle Husker fans happy. Not gonna happen. In a huge UPSET SPECIAL, Gophers take down the Big Red.

#8 Mississippi @ Arkansas...the Rebels had last Saturday off and should be well rested. But tomorrow they face a tough Arkansas team that is flying high after winning it's first SEC game for Bret Bielema, shutting out LSU. This is the perfect trap game for the Rebs as they head into the Egg Bowl showdown with Missy State. For the Hogs to win, they must pound the pigskin and own the clock, which is quite possible given their gigantic offensive line (averages 328 lbs) and bruising backs, Williams and Collins. We have a feeling that Fayetteville will be rocking. In an UPSET SPECIAL, Razorbacks run over the Rebels.

#15 Arizona @ #17 Utah...both of these teams have an outside shot at winning the Pac-12 South but I'll spare you the convoluted scenarios that must happen. The Wildcats have won the last two over the Utes who are looking for their eight win of the season, their best since winning eight in their inaugural Pac-12 season in 2011. We think it happens. Take the Utes over Rich Rod's Cats.

Victory Bell dates back to 1939

#19 Southern Cal @ #9 UCLA...there's a lot at stake in this big rivalry game, known as the Battle of the Victory Bell, with both teams vying for South Division honors. Both teams tout outstanding quarterbacks and their play may very well decide the outcome. Brett Hundley has been playing lights out but so has Cody Kessler who's thrown for 771 yards and nine touchdowns in the last two games. That's hot. In an UPSET SPECIAL Trojans skin the Bruins.

#24 Louisville @ Notre Dame...the question in South Bend is can the Fighting Irish rebound from its overtime loss to Northwestern. But how about this question: is Brian Kelly eyeing the Florida job? Why Florida? Why not. Can you imagine Kelly setting up shop right in the heartland of top flight recruits? Pretty tasty. But back to the game in hand. Notre Dame has been plagued with turnovers and mistakes (23 give-aways in the last 7 games...19 by QB Golson) and they'll be facing a pretty nasty Cardinal defense. We like Petrino's chances in this one. Take the Cards in another UPSET.

Stanford @ Cal...this is the 117th meeting of these schools in what is known as the Big Game. While neither team is in the running for a Pac-12 title, the winner does become bowl-eligible. And that's a big deal, as is taking home The Axe. Take the Cardinal in this one.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™