It's All About The Hardware

Thankfully, all the games we care about take place on Saturday this weekend.  Smack Daddy has had all week to think about the matchups and, with no trips out of state to play golf or to meet new grandchildren.  Mrs. SD taking her final exam to become a yoga instructor.  Big screen is mine all day, so should be able to catch a few of these games on TV.  Well, would have to live stream from Schenectady for the first one, but do-able.  Here's Week #12 and all that it has in store for us:

RU kidding??  UColl all the way!

Union (3-6) vs. RPI (4-5).  Always like to share the Dutchman's Shoes with my audience.  So this is our annual rivalry game, the fifth oldest in D-III.  Although the Enginerds have a better overall record, they're worse in conference.  Game is in Schenectady and the faithful will be ready to close out the season with a big effort.  Compared to Union, RPI gives up more of everything.  Three different QBs have managed to complete only 44% of passes attempted.  Their most prolific rusher, Andrew Armato has only gained 445 yds. all year.  An average of just over 55 yds./game, maybe he should be making sandwiches instead of playing football.  But I digest.  These numbers suggest that the Union "D" will contain RPI, and with it being "Senior Day" and all (20 seniors on the Garnet roster), QB Nick Becker and company should have a field day.  PICK:  Union. 



Air Force (2-8) idle; next 11/21 vs. UNLV.


Army (3-7) idle; next 11/30 at Hawaii.

Navy (5-4) vs. South Alabama (3-5).  The annual "Battle for the Jaguar" game!  Despite being near the bottom of the Sun Belt Conference, watch out for the Jags.  They beat Western Kentucky and only lost to Tennessee by a touchdown.  They like to throw the ball a lot more than run it, which they may be forced to do as a result of Navy's ball-control offense.  Senior QB Ross Metheny has a 61.8% completion rate and, with 359 yds., ranks 2nd on the team in rushing.  On the defensive side of the ball, SAU has held opponents to only 8 TDs on the ground.  But the motivation will be in Navy's corner, as one more victory means bowl eligibility.  Wouldn't be a bad bet to take the Jags and the points, though.  PICK:  Navy.

BYU (6-3) vs. Idaho State (3-7).  The annual "Battle for the Bengal Tiger" game!  OK, you get my point so I'll stop.  In the past month, Idaho State suspended head coach Mike Kramer for shoving WR Derek Graves to the ground.  Then the university suspended Graves for an undisclosed violation of team rules, rumored to center around Graves' habit of missing practices.  Kramer has a controversial coaching history that includes dismissals and lawsuits against former employers.  But none of that really matters when you consider that the Bengals are surrendering 61 pts./game in matchups against FBS teams.  BYU is most certainly an FBS team, and could easily win using its freshmen playing in the friendly confines of Lavell Edwards Stadium.  PICK:  BYU.

Another senseless mascot kidnapping

USC (7-3) vs. #4 Stanford (8-1).  The annual "Tree Game" actually is next week when Cal visits Palo Alto.  This week's matchup against USC should be a very good test, and determine how worthy Stanford may be of playing for a national championship.  We've seen how well both teams are capable of playing.  I'm inclined to lean in Stanford's direction because of how thoroughly they dominated Oregon, especially when running the ball.  But Southern Cal's offense has returned and their defense is playing out of its collective skulls under Ed Orgeron and staff.  Then there's the fact that the game is in Los Angeles.  But I think it's a matter of too much QB Kevin Hogan and RB Tyler Gaffney.  Last week the Trojan special teams got QB Cody Kessler off the hook by forcing turnovers that won't be as easy to find against a Cardinal team that protected the ball magnificently against Oregon.  PICK:  Stanford.

Boston College (5-4) vs. North Carolina State (3-6).  The Wolfpack rolls up yards but can't find the endzone.  Opponents have badly outscored NC State in the first and last quarters of most games.  Their QB tandem of Brandon Mitchell and Pete Thomas has a 55% completion rate but has suffered 24 sacks and 15 interceptions on the season.  The Eagles counter with QB Chase Rettig (64% completion rate, 14 TDs), RB Andre Williams (1,481 yds., 12 TDs), and a defense that limits opponents to just over 350 yds./game.  At home in Chestnut Hill, the Eagles should prevail.  PICK:  Boston College.

Joe Pesci's idea of "two utes".

#6 Oregon (8-1) vs. Utah (4-5).  Those of you who have watched My Cousin Vinny will understand the reference (see left).  Those of you with no sense of humor...*sigh*.  Coming off their first loss of the season, the Ducks return to Eugene to face a Utah team that has endured a somewhat disappointing season.  Last week the Utes nearly upset Arizona State and might have done so had it not been for the abysmal play of QB Travis Wilson (6-of-21, two interceptions).   On the flip side, Duck QB Marcus Mariota (knee) is still not 100%, nor is leading receiver Josh Huff (hand).  Just remember:  who beat Stanford earlier this year?  That's right, Utah.  Nah, ain't gonna happen.  PICK:  Oregon.

Georgia State (0-9) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (7-2).  Those of you who are Lord of The Rings fans...frightening, eh?  Now, for the sake of accuracy, Carville attended LSU and not Louisiana-Lafayette (or just plain "Loo-zee-anna" to many).  As for Gollum, a Google search turned up no results, although it is rumored that he completed one semester at Misty Mountain Community College.  The Louisiana offense reminds me of the service academy offenses:  one big gun (Alonzo Harris, 143 carries, 12 TDs), a cruise missile (Elijah McGuire, 9.0 yds./carry), and a read-option QB in Terrance Broadway, who can run (7 rushing TDs) and throw (64% accuracy).  State will be overwhelmed all day trying to throttle this offense, which scores over 38 pts./game and has gone over 40 both of the last two weeks.  Despite not wanting to go oh-fer-2013, the nod goes to the Cajuns.  PICK:  Louisiana-Lafayette.