LUCKY THIRTEEN. WE WIN. YOU WIN.

We’re winding down another great season of college football and getting down to nut-cracking time as teams look to finish strong as they compete for seats at the CFP table, conference titles, and spots in primo bowl games.

 

We went a strong 6-2 last week. The undefeated Golden Gophers moment in the sun ended with a 23-10 loss to Iowa and Wake got blown out by Clemson despite a 34.5 spread. Other than that, we made considerable money especially with the Badgers biting the Corn Dogs and Georgia hanging on to beat a scrappy Auburn club.

So…after 12 weeks we’re sitting at 72% with our picks. Doing well enough to earn some kudos from our Vegas sports book who wants to know our secret. We ain’t telling. We just making Mo’ Money and hopefully you’re doing the same. Right?

SIDELINES

• Can anyone tell us what the hell has Scott Frost done to earn a contract extension at Nebraska? He’s done nothing to show that he can coach big time, big boy football. Are the Huskers that desperate? Or is this just a way to assure future recruits that Frost is not going to get canned anytime soon?

OMG. What have I done?

• Pray tell us what Nick Saban is thinking by playing AND keeping a wounded Tua in a blow out win versus Missy State? We know injuries are a part of football. We get that.

But here are the facts:

1.   two weeks prior, Tua has ankle surgery…his second procedure.

2.   He took big time hits from LSU and was visibly hobbling, but finished like a warrior.

3.   His mobility was limited versus LSU and it was obvious in the Missy State game. If you can’t move, you get hit. And he wasn’t moving and he got hit…repeatedly.

4.   Missy State was a mail-in game. Saban should have given him the day off to recuperate. JV backups could have handle this game for Bama. Tomorrow Bama plays Western Carolina. Would have been another day off for Tua…resting up for the Iron Bowl. Instead, it’s all over for Tua, and for Bama.

5.   If you insist on playing Tua, then limit his exposure and pull him after building a 30 point lead before the half. Why keep him in?

6.   Tua doesn’t need more game reps, and he certainly knows how to run a two-minute drill. Instead, Saban keeps him in, and we know how things ended. This is all on Saban!

So…for Tua, we hope he fully recovers. But we’re not sure at this point what NFL team is gonna risk a high draft pick on him as he’s now labeled “injury-prone.” And it’s very doubtful he’s able to handle the combine early next year. Meanwhile, the Iron Bowl awaits and Saban may have cooked his goose for any chance at the CFP. If you’re a Tide fan, you gotta be pissed about this. If not, something is wrong with you.

[for the record, we invited Saban defenders to provide their point of view but curiously not a peep. We’re still waiting]

• if you’re a Georgia Tech fan then you have to be feeling pretty good after the Jackets handed NC State a loss last night on ESPN. Tech is still in rebuilding mode but it’s nice to see a GT defense make some big stops and a quarterback than can actually throw deep with accuracy. Better days ahead on the Flats.

Hey Winners (and losers, too). RED's BEER GARDEN is opening in January, the Official Beer Garden of Woolard's Weekend Winners. It's going to be THE place for cold beer (wine and cider too) and delectable snacks like big honking juicy weiners tightly cradled in steaming hot buns with all the fixings. Special discount for fans of losing teams because losers need love, too. Bama and Falcon fans welcome. Mention WWW for a winning discount!

THE GREAT EIGHT™ FOR WEEK THIRTEEN

#24 TEXAS A&M @ #4 GEORGIA…believe it or not, this is the FIRST time these teams have met since the Aggies joined the SEC, and could be the acid test for UGA qb Jake Fromm. Over the last four games, the Aggies haven’t allowed a team to complete more than 46% of its passes, haven’t given up a touchdown throw in three of those four, and on the year, are allowing fewer than six yards per pass. As good as Fromm is, he’s been under 47% over the last two games against Missouri and Auburn and hasn’t thrown for more than 175 yards in three of his last four dates. Hmmm. The Aggies can throw the ball but their lack of a consistent run game will hurt. This should be a good game. In an UPSET SPECIAL, take Texas A&M and the points (13.5).

I just ate garlic. Can you tell?

TENNESSEE @ MISSOURI…both teams are 5-5 and fighting to become bowl-eligible and both represent opposite ends of the momentum pendulum. Tennessee is on the upswing and rebouding after beating Kentucky, UAB, Mississippi State, and South Carolina. Meanwhile Mizzou’s offense has stopped scoring touchdowns, scoring only 27 points in the last four games. We like how the UT defense has been stepping up, and how much maligned qb Guarantano has played coming off the bench. It’s a road game but we like Tennessee in an upset. In an UPSET SPECIAL, take Tennessee over Mizzou.

CAL @ STANFORD…Cal has lost five of its last six games and needs just one more win to go bowling, but it’s not going to happen this week – it’ll have to try getting it done at UCLA next week. In a close game at the Farm, take the Cardinal over the Golden Bears.

Coach O got it going on

ARKANSAS @ #1 LSU…the undefeated Tigers (10-0) host a wounded Razorback team (2-8) that is just trying to finish its season and move on. It’s going to be a long evening for the Piggies but we’re betting that LSU is going to sleepwalk through this one. For sure they will score points to win. But the 43.5 spread is just too tasty to ignore. In an UPSET SPECIAL, take the Hogs and the points.

DUKE @ WAKE FOREST…this game will be won by the Deacons. No doubt. Duke has dropped four in a row and is headed no where. The Deacons, however, have a ton to play for. If (and this is a big “if”) Clemson gets a CFP slot, then Wake may very well end up in the Orange Bowl. They have get through Duke tomorrow and then Syracuse next week to finish 9-3. If that happens, they’re bowling in Miami. That’s big time motivation. And it will work. Demon Deacons out duel the Blue Devils.

#9 PENN STATE @ #2 OHIO STATE…this is a huge game with Big Ten AND CFP ramifications. Penn State rolls into the Horseshoe with perhaps the best, most physical defensive front that the Buckeyes have faced all year. They gave up five huge sacks to Wisconsin so we expect to see more of that as Penn State will put big time pressure on OSU qb Justin Fields. His legs may very well be gop do your job the difference in this game. The line (18 points) is too tasty not to bite. In another UPSET SPECIAL, take the Nittany Lions and the points.

Any more stupid questions?

TEXAS @ #13 BAYLOR…after losing a heartbreaker to Oklahoma last week (34-31) and ruining their undefeated run, the Baylor Bears are out for blood. They played brilliantly in the first half, then the wheels came off in the second. While Baylor’s offense regroups, the Bear defense will hold the Longhorns in check. They have the best pass rush in the Big 12 and will pressure Texas qb Ehlinger all afternoon. Do Bears poop in the woods? Yep. And they’ll do just that on the ‘Horns tomorrow. Bet on Baylor.

UCLA @ SOUTHERN CAL…the Bruins are desperate for a win. They have to beat USC, and then Cal next week to become bowl-eligible. Ain’t gonna happen. Why? Trojan qb Kedon Slovis has been as hot as any quarterback in the country over the last two games, connecting on 58-of-74 passes (78%) for 838 yards and eight touchdowns with one pick. In his last four games he’s thrown 15 touchdown passes, with one blip coming in the three-pick game in the loss to Oregon. He’ll be hot tomorrow in Los Angeles. Trojans pound the Bruins.

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