There are some very intriguing match ups this weekend that could have some major implications on the playoff picture along with the New Year's Day Big 6. I never read too much into the playoff rankings early on because there's always some crazy stuff that happens down the stretch. Obviously, Auburn can throw a wrench into the works with a win over FUGA, as the committee has now placed those nasty, one-loss dawgs in the top 4. Another contest that doesn't seem to be getting much pub has Oklahoma going to undefeated Baylor. When is the last time anyone said "Undefeated Baylor" at this point in the season? With it's one loss, OU is sitting just on the outside looking in, but again, there's a lot of foosballz to be played before the dust settles.
One rivalry game that is normally one to pay attention to is Michigan vs. Michigan State. Right now though, this looks to be two teams going in opposite directions. The Spartans have fallen on hard times, sitting at 4-5 and losers of their last two, while Meat Chicken has rolled in it's last couple of games after a heartbreaker at Sandusky U. I'm not a Jim Harbaugh fan, but I'd like to see them continue to trend upward (That's the first time I've ever used the term "Trend upward") so that the finale against the Swolehio State Bulkeyes at the end of the season is the traditional battle you always love to see.
Michigan 35
MSU 21
Closer to home, the Fighting Two-ers go on the road to Starkvegas. I haven't read anything on it, but if I had to guess, I'd say Lord Saybinz sits his gimpy QB until the Iron Bowl. That might not sit too well with the boys in the real Vegas as the Tahd comes in as a 20+ point favorite. However, I think Bama knows they need to impress to jump back in the top four, and 2-er or not, they score early and often.
Bama 49
MSU 17
May be a stretch to say this, but I really believe this weekend could be the end of Gus if our boys don't whip that dawg ass. The other side of that is if we do beat FUGA, it's Groundhog Day on steroids and we get 6 more years of Coach Upthemiddle. A loss most certainly means we're headed for another 4-5 loss season and if Yella Fella and the Boys don't grasp the concept that $7 mil a year is worthy of better, then I don't know what to say. For as much as I don't want Gus Malzahn on the Auburn sidelines, I never have and never will pull for a loss. I'm certainly not here. As I said in another thread, I think we are equally as talented as FUGA across the board with the exception of QB. Jake Fromm State Farm is not a world beater, but he's solid as hell. We can't say the same for our signal caller. This game will come down to one thing and one thing only. Can Gus choose wisely from his Laminated Sheet of Genius? If he does, this is just the type of game that Auburn makes you say, "Where has that been all season?" Two great defenses going at it Saturday, but the boys in blue prevail.
Auburn 24
Fuck Georgia 21
What say ye, Brethren?