GONNA BE GREAT IN WEEK EIGHT

We rebounded nicely the last two weeks with solid 6-2 finishes. Making that extra delicious is hitting on a couple of huge UPSET SPECIALS including the last second shocker with Michigan State upsetting Michigan at the Big House. They say it's never over till it's over. Just ask Nebraska fans about that.

Included in our Great Eight is an intriguing matchup of two FCS powerhouses, James Madison and Richmond. This is our first FCS pick of the season. And, of course, we've included the classic rivalry, Alabama v Tennessee.

The Bama-Tennessee game has deep roots and a personal connection. My very first in-person exposure to this great match-up was in 1973 as a freshman at Legion Field. The Vols were led by legend QB Conredge Holloway (the first starting African-American QB in the SEC) and Coach Bill Battle going up against the great Bear Bryant. Old lady Legion Field was rocking since both teams were ranked (Bama was #2) and looking to make a major splash as the ABC national game of the week. The Vols had no answer to running back Wilbur Jackson, a 250 lb running back built like a Mack truck. It was a long ride back to Knoxville.

In keeping with past seasons, we've invited Kenny Clyde from Bamaland back again to share his thoughts on the 2015 Third Saturday in October.


KENNY CLYDE and the TIDE TAKE.

Cuz Danny Raye Clyde

Kenny Clyde and I go way back to the days when both of us arrived in Atlanta looking to make our mark in the ad agency business. Since those early days, we've logged many miles in our annual Third Saturday in October pilgrimages to either Knoxville or Birmingham. We typically headed out on Friday morning so we could get in 18 before hitting the bars. Depending on game time, we'd squeeze in another 18. Sunday morning before heading back to ATL, we'd get in yet another 18, weather, wives, and moods permitting. So this game has a special meaning to both of us.

Meet Kenny Clyde

Kenny Clyde sez RTR

Kenny Clyde hails from Birmingham where he grew up in the shadows of Legion Field where most Saturdays you could find him hawking Cokes and old lottery tickets in the stands of that hallowed place. Over the years I met his kin including all 49 cousins: Jim Bob Clyde, Forest Joe Clyde, Billy Joe Clyde, Cooter Clyde, Danny Rae Clyde, Leon Clyde...you get the picture; all very nice and all very Crimson Tide. Denzil and Ann, Kenny Clyde's folks, welcomed me into their home. Super folks and super Bear Bryant devotees. I never minded sleeping in the basement cause Denzil could whip up an over the top Southern breakfast that was well worth the sacrifice. Good times we had.

Please Welcome Kenny Clyde...in his words...

"I first laid eyes on Mark Woolard in May of 1981.  Just recruited to the biggest, baddest ad agency in the South, I was walked into my office and there was Mark, my next door neighbor (editor's note: I believe my office was bigger than his).

It took us about 4 minutes to establish that he was a Vol and I cheered for the greatest team in the history of college football, the Crimson Tide of Alabama. I told Mark that I grew up in North Alabama, so UT was always my third favorite team, (with my second favorite being whoever was playing Auburn that week).

Thus started a wonderful friendship that has continued all these years.  

Cuz Cooter Clyde: priceless artwork

Bama took that ‘81 game, then I had to suffer four losses till 1986, when the order of the universe was restored and Bama rolled off 7 in a row. And so it went, home and home, me and Mark and wives.  (Wish I could tell you the story of the liquid and illicit afternoon spent just outside Knoxville, causing us to be drunk and late for dinner. But I’d have to kill you.) (editor's note: no clue what he might be referring to).  

 Going to K’ville was especially nice, because we got to stay with Mark’s in-laws, Jim and Joyce.  No finer humans on earth. 

Then kids started getting in the way.  Mark had 3, we had 3, and there were practices and scouting and sports and the usual Dad stuff that took precedence over a road trip.

But we never stopped watching and we never stopped rooting.

It was easy for me to want to push Phat Phil out the door after he dropped the dime on one of our Memphis boosters being a little too friendly to a recruit’s family.  Then I watched with painful amusement as Lying Kiffin and Derelict Dooley wrecked a proud program.

Now I’m torn.  I think Butch Jones is a nice guy.  I think he should have beat Oklahoma and Florida with his late game double digit leads (editor's note: and the Arkansas game, too).  But somebody needs to buy him an old fashioned stopwatch to remind him it’s a 60 minute game.

Bama’s looking forward to its 9^th in a row come Saturday.  And at the end of the day I believe we’ll have it.  At which time Saban and his coaches will continue a great tradition started on the third Saturday in October in 1961—passing out victory cigars to the game-winning team.  A tradition begun by long time Alabama trainer Jim Goostree, who knew what that weekend meant.  Cause he was a UT grad who saw the light."

Here's Your Weekend Winners for Week #8...The Great Eight™...

Tennessee @ #8 Alabama...the Volunteers head to Tuska-Loser this Saturday with hopes of upsetting an Alabama team that's picked up steam since losing to Ole Miss back in mid September. The Vols finally got the "big-game monkey" off their back by coming from behind to beat the mutts in Knoxville. Another 20 seconds and the outcome would have probably been different with Georgia threatening late. This Saturday, though, UT's qb Dobbs will be facing a much superior secondary which notched 4 Aggie INTs, returning 3 for TDs, a school record. Bama has the upper hand in this series having won the last eight straight and has won 57 straight games over unranked teams. In past seasons, this has been a tight game at times so if the Vols can keep it close, they may - just may - have a shot at pulling a biggie. And the line of 15.5  points is just too tasty to overlook. So...in an UPSET SPECIAL take Tennessee and the points. Smokey howls with Verne and Gary Saturday afternoon.

Hotty Toddy, ladies

#15 Texas A&M@ #24 Mississippi...the Aggies stumbled against Bama last week with qb Kyle Allen throwing to too many guys in the wrong uni's (4 INTs by Bama). Meanwhile Ole Miss is looking to rebound from being upset by Tiger High in Memphis that carved up the Reb secondary with 384 passing yards (note: Memphis is a pretty good team this season). The Rebs appear to have all star DT Robert Nkimdiche cleared for the game and qb Chad Kelly leads the SEC in passing with 319 yds per game. The Aggies own this series 6-1 but not tomorrow. Take Ole Miss in a close one in Oxford.

 #6 Clemson @ Miami...if the Canes want to win this game they need to limit Clemson's scoring in the first half. The Tigers have dominated opponents, outscoring the opposition 137-33 in the first half of games. Miami is led by qb Brad Kaaya, last season's ACC rookie of the year. But Clemson's Deshaun Watson is lighting it up. Last Saturday he torched Boston College for 420 yards and 3 TDs, his second 400-yard passing game of his career. Take the Tigers in this one as Clemson keeps pace with FSU.

Bucky bites Illini

 Wisconsin @ Illinois...the Badgers have dominated this series of late and their stout defense will give the Illini fits tomorrow. Wisconsin is ranked third nationally in total defense and stifled Purdue last week, holding the Boilermakers to a total offense of 191 yards. While Illinois has imprived from last season, the Badgers have enough fire power to win on the road. Take Bucky and the Badgers over the Illini.

 Auburn @ Arkansas...the Tigers/Plainsmen/War Eagles/Dying Oaks look to extend their winning streak to 3. The Auburn offense has shown signs of life having scored 30+ points in their last two outings and the defense is ranked 11th nationally with only 5 passing TDs allowed this season. The Hogs are a run first/run often offense so look for them to pound the rock and control the tempo of the game. This should be a tight one. Take Malzahn's crew in an UPSET SPECIAL.

 #23 Duke @ Virginia Tech...the Blue Devils have no problem winning on the road. They've won five consecutive road games dating to last season, and have yielded the fewest points in the nation (56) and is tied with Michigan for first in the country by allowing only 9.3 points per game!At 5-1 it appears that Cutcliffe has his Dookies on the right track despite being the underdog in this one. In an UPSET SPECIAL, take Duke over the Hokies.

 #9 Florida State @ Georgia Tech...we debated about including this game in our Great Eight but are intrigued with this matchup that could very well be a trap game for the Noles. The past five meetings between these teams have been decided by a combined 17 points. Only a handful of plays separate the Yellow Jackets from having quite a different record and if they play a heady game, they may very well have a shot at knocking off the visiting Seminoles especially if their run game can chew up the clock. But FSU's Everett Golson is going to go right at the Bee's weakness: the secondary. He has zero INTs in 177 pass attempts. Plus rb Dalvin Cook is averaging 159 yards rushing per game. We hate to think that GT could be facing their 6th straight loss but this could happen especially if the defense continues to falter in the second half. Take FSU to win in Atlanta.

Duke: one badass statue

Richmond @ James Madison...ESPN College GameDay comes live from Harrisonburg, Virginia, a quiet little hamlet nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains. It's great exposure for small college football and a huge opportunity for viewers to experience the typical non-powerhouse atmosphere. But don't let the FCS label fool you into thinking this is a matchup of two so-so teams. JMU has a high powered offense averaging over 48 points and 613 yards per game. The Dukes have posted at least 38 points every game, hitting 50 four times in seven games. They hung 48 on FBS opponent, SMU. If that's not enough, ex-GT Yellow Jacket, Vad Lee, leads the JMU offense. In the win over SMU, Lee became the first Division I (FCS OR FBS) to throw and run for 275 yards in the same game, racking up 289 yards passing and 276 on the ground. Let that sink in for a moment. The 5-1 Spiders are 13.5 point dogs and this is very very tempting to take. But we think the undefeated Dukes are just too powerful. Take the Dukes over the Spiders.

Good luck this week. And have some fun!

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™