RISE AND SHINE FOR WEEK NINE

We have a another great Saturday fast approaching with a couple of the greatest rivalry games in college football.

We've seen some great games through the years

The Tennessee-Alabama game has always been played on the Third Saturday In October until some bean counter at SEC HQ decided to mess with the schedules. Regardless of the W-L records, the game between the Big Orange and the Crimson Tide has always been a good one, and in several instances, decided by just a few points, typically coming late in the game. I've witnessed quite a few of these games first hand and have experienced both the highs and the lows as a Vol fan; usually more lows than highs, but who's counting. While Bama is heavily favored this Saturday, stranger things have happened in a night game at Neyland on the banks of the Tennessee River.

Michigan-Michigan State is another classic that features two bitter in-state rivals, and this Saturday the Spartans look to continue their hot hand as they move closer to a conference title and an invite to the new playoff format. On Thursday long time Sparty fan, Mister Touchdown (TD), will be sharing his thoughts on the big game so be sure to check back for his featurette.

YOUR WEEKEND REWIND™....

Solid 8 week performance

It was another 5-3 Saturday and given the craziness of late, we'll take that, especially with our UPSET SPECIAL of Arizona State knocking off stubborn Stanford.


THE GOOD
#2 Florida State held on to win over #7 Notre Dame and, whether you like him or not, Jameis Winston showed us why he is one of the best playmakers in college football.  Now if he would only grow up.

#16 Nebraska was too much for the Northwestern Wildcats as they won 38-17 in Evanston. Ameer Abdullah had four rushing touchdowns. Interesting stretch of games coming up (Wisconsin, Minnesota) for the Huskers as they inch closer to the conference championship game.

#25 UCLA rallied late to beat their little sister, Cal, 36-34. It was the first time in eight visits that the Bruins have won in Berkeley.

#14 Arizona State upset favored Stanford 26-10 in Tempe. The Sun Devils dominated both sides of the ball as they scored the most points against the country's top-rated defense.

What the heck is happening in College Station?  Did the team forget to show up for the Alabama game? The #4 Crimson Tide rolled big time, 59-0. We're hoping they'll be too tired when they roll into KnoxVegas Saturday night in Weenie Kiffin's first return to Rocky Top.

THE BAD
We missed out on the Tennessee game as the Vols lost 34-3 in Oxford. We were hoping that UT could keep the game close and we'd win on the under. Our strategy looked like it might payoff at halftime but then the wheels came off Butch's little orange wagon as #3 Ole Miss unleashed its Rebel hounds.

Nick Chubb continued to impress as #9 Georgia beat Arkansas, 45-32. With Todd Gurley returning, does Pastor Richt have a tailback controversy?  A full stable of running backs bodes well for the Dawg's final push toward the Dome.

THE UGLY
As feared, Georgia Tech is beginning their mid-season swoon as they drop another ACC contest to struggling North Carolina.  If this trend continues, the heat on Paul Johnson's rumpus will jump another ten degrees. The winds of change are starting to howl at the Flats.

Be sure to check in tomorrow for Mister Touchdown's insight into the Michigan-Michigan State game.

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