This weekend saw two losses among the Top 5 but neither team is completely eliminated from the playoff. For Alabama, they have to win out but they may need a little help. Same for Penn State, but they need a great deal of help.

If there was a theme this weekend, it was blown leads.

It was a wild scene in T-town.

LSU 46 Alabama 41

It certainly was no 9-6 affair, but still a memorable game. For LSU fans, it was a monumental win, snapping an eight-game losing streak against their nemesis, and clearing a path to a possible Heisman and post season glories.

For Alabama fans, it was a disappointing loss. However unlike the last time the Tide saw defeat, the Crimson and White kept fighting until the end. What could have been a blow out win for the Tigers was just a 5-point loss and keeps Bama in the hunt for a playoff birth.

The game started out on a bizarre note with the Crimson Tide driving to the 8 yard line with Tua Tagovailoa mysteriously losing control of the ball with no contact. Nobody wants to play the “if only Colt McCoy” card, but you have to wonder what an opening touchdown for the Tide might have done to this game.

LSU’s Joe Burrow was an impressive 18-20 passing for 252 yards with three touchdowns at the half for a 33-13 lead, but was 13-19 with 141 yards and 0 scores in the second half.

Alabama running back Najee Harris introduced himself to the world amassing 190 all purpose yards with a TD on the ground and one through the air.

The biggest factor in the game was Alabama had more mistakes - unforced errors - and mental breakdowns.

NSFW: An LSU football player went on Instagram Live in the locker room after the win against Alabama and caught an F-bomb laded speech from coach Ed Orgeron. Store this one away for later when these two teams meet again.

Minnesota 31 Penn State 26

You had to know that PSU was not all that their record indicates. Since taking over in Happy Valley, James Franklin is 8-9 in November against B1G teams not named “Rutgers”. A loss for the N-Lions seemed inevitable. Few figured it would be at the hands of the Golden Gophers. Penn State was better in almost every category except for turnovers. Two first half interceptions were cashed into touchdowns for Minnie and the final pick nailed down the victory for the GGs. PSU’s Sean Clifford had thrown three interceptions all season coming into this game.

Should we finally start to take Minnesota seriously? No, we shouldn’t. At least not until they win at Iowa on Saturday.

SEC

Western Kentucky 45 Arkansas 19 - “Fried” is right. What a disgrace. The Hilltoppers (6-4) dominated this game from the get-go, scoring touchdowns on each of their five first half possessions. This must have been sweet redemption for WKU quarterback Ty Storey (22/32, 213 yds, TD 0 INT; 17 rush, 77 yds, 2 TD) who transferred out of the Arky dumpster fire in the offseason.

If you are a regular reader of RBR, you know I have been railing ad naseum against Chad Morris since the day he was hired. He was 14-22 at SMU and for some reason the Arkansas administrators thought that was pretty awesome. Coming into the season, Morris had the experience of QBs Ben Hicks (3 year starter at SMU) and Nick Starkel (part time starter at TAMU). He absolutely ruined their careers. On Saturday, Chad started freshman John Stephen Jones (3/10, 27 yds, 0 TD, INT) and later frosh K.J. Jefferson (6/15, 60 yds, 0 TD, INT). They both stunk up the joint. And you thought Gustavo was a quarterback killer.

Morris finishes his short Arky career a disgraceful 4–18 and 0–14 in the SEC.

Tennessee 17 Kentucky 13 - I cannot for the life of me understand why Mark Stoops continues to go with a wide receiver at quarterback, especially with a now healthy Sawyer Smith who is an actual QB. He got lucky a couple of times and continues to go back to that well with poor results. Lynn Bowden had 114 yards rushing but was only 4 of 7 passing with an INT. This is still football and you still have to have the ability to pass the ball effectively. At the very least, alternate Smith in there to throw the ball.

Tragic Shakespeare character Jarrett Guarantano (7/8, 115 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT) again came in on relief and guided the Vols back from a 13-3 deficit. But he almost blew it. A fumbled exchange with the running back at the UT 45 should have resulted in UK go-ahead points. But the ‘Cats inept offense lost the ball on downs at the 2. Blown lead: UK 13-0 at half.

Georgia 27 Missouri 0 - Don’t look now, but UGA has three shutouts on the year, two in the last three games. As a matter of fact, the Bulldogs have given up more than 17 points only once and that was in their sole loss of the season to SC, 20-17. Mizzery, playing without injured QB Kelly Bryant (hamstring) managed 198 paltry yards of offense and converted only 4 of 14 third down. Their punter got a workout, being called on nine times. Despite the win, UGA’s offense still looks pretty meager.

Florida 56 Vanderbilt 0 - The Gators offense was clearly feeling the hangover from the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” loss in the first half of this SEC East matchup. Kyle Trask threw two first half picks and produced only two touchdowns over a bad defense for a 14-0 lead. The defense on the other hand was HONGRY and they devoured the Commodores whole, limiting them to 128 total yards for the game. I am guessing the UF offense got an earful at halftime because they came out in the second half scoring TDs on five of their six possessions. It was the third shutout of the year for Florida but first over a P5 foe. Vandy doesn’t score a ton of points but this was the first donut they’ve put up this season.

Ole Miss 41 New Mexico State 3 - You don’t really care, do you?

OTHER STUFF

FAU! 37 FIU 7 - Lane Kiffin has the Owls at 7-3 (5-1) and first place in the C-USA East Division. After pipe dreams of Stoops and Urban went up in smoke, FSU fans are focusing their efforts on the former Bama OC.

CANCEL THE PARADE

Tulsa 34 UCF 31 - No National Champions t-shirts this year for Center Florida after losing to the 7-loss Golden Shower Hurricane. Blown lead: UCF 21-10 in the 2nd quarter; 31-24 in the 4th qtr.

MORE BLOWN LEADS

Oklahoma 42 Iowa State 41 - The Sooners built a 42-21 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. After cutting the lead to 14, ISU had a drive stall at the 13 yard line on downs. Okie got a first down on the first play of their next possession thanks to a Cyclones penalty but that would be their last first down of the game. After an OU punt, ISU scored four plays later to shortened the lead to 7. On third down, Jalen Hurts threw an interception giving the Cycs hope. They drove the 35 yards for another touchdown and then made the bold choice to go for two but failed. The way these two teams were playing in the final frame, ISU probably could have won in overtime.
Wisconsin 24 Iowa 22 - Wisky led 21-6 in the fourth quarter, until Iowa stormed back with a TD and a field goal. The Badgers answered with a field goal but the Hawkeyes struck right back with a 75-yard passing TD on the next play from scrimmage. However, the game-tying two-point conversion failed and Wisky ran out the clock.
SMU 59 East Carolina 51 - Fresh off a high-profile loss to Memphis, the Mustangs almost got upset by a godawful ECU team. The Pony Express opened up a 28-10 second quarter lead and proceeded to let the Pirates score 17 unanswered.

CONFERENCE CUPCAKES

Ohio State 73 Maryland 14 - They MAD! (See DRAMA section below)
Clemson 55 NC State 10 - Another exhibition game for AWAL (Auburn With A Lake).

HOT SEAT

• Appalachian State 20 South Carolina 15 - You might wonder how Will Muschamp can survive this season. His Gamecocks are 4-6 with games at TAMU and home against Clemson remaining. Coach Boom pulls in $4.4 million per year. That’s $1.1M per win this season. The problem is these idiotic ADs keep handing out ridiculous buyouts like they are afraid of losing their mediocre coach. Muschamp is under contract through 2024 with a $200,000 bump every year! If he is fired after Dec. 31, he will still be owed $18.6 million to become Saban’s new car washer.
• Temple 17 South Florida 7 - USF falls to 4-5 with Cincy, Memphis and UCF left to play. OOF! Odds are the Bulls lose all three and finish 4-8. Charlie Strong turned a 10-win program into a doormat inside of three years.
• Missouri is 5-0 at home and 0-4 on the road. The Tigers have scored 21 points in the last three games. To me that spells inadequacies and unpreparedness by the coach. I always believed the hiring of Barry Odom was a lazy one. This team is the epitome of mediocrity.
• When will Ole Miss (4-6 with LSU coming to town) move on from their Mike Shula and find a coach that can recruit and compete at this level?

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

ILL-TIMED WINS

Florida State 38 Boston College 31 - This is why FSU fired Willie Taggart when they did. They didn’t want him to beat BC and Alabama State next week, earn a bowl game bid and make it harder for them to fire him. The funny thing here is that interim coach Odell Haggins, who has NO head coaching experience at any level, is gaining popularity for his 3-0 record as an interim (he won twice after Jimbo left FSU) and will move to 4-0. If the ‘Noles bow to pressure and hire him full time, it could be okay but probably a disaster. This long-time assistant is not going to bring FSU back to prominence.
Illinois 37 Michigan State 34 - Along those same lines, Uncle Crazy Beard Lovie Smith has Illinois at 6-4 after four straight wins. With @Iowa and doormat Northwestern left, he likely finishes with a winning record. Smith, who was 9-27 coming into this fourth season, should have been canned along ago. This cute little run they are on won’t carry over to next season. Illinois will probably do something stupid like give him an extension and they will be stuck with him. Blown lead: Sparty 31-10 entering the 4th quarter.

THE WACKY WORLD OF DESMOND HOWARD

Dear Lord, please don’t let Desi be right. Amen.

Teams in BOLD below already have one loss. Teams with a strikethrough have more than one loss.

• DESI - 1. Georgia (SEC Champs), 2. Clemson (ACC Champs), 3. Oregon (PAC Champs), 4. Wisconsin (B1G Champs); Iowa State (B12 Champs); Clemson over Georgia in the CFP final.
• CORSO - 1. Alabama (SEC Champs), 2. Clemson (ACC Champs), 3. Utah (PAC Champs), 4. Ohio State (B1G Champs); Oklahoma (B12 Champs); Alabama over Utah.
• HERBIE - 1. Alabama (SEC Champs), 2. Clemson (ACC Champs), 3. Ohio State (B1G Champs), 4. Texas (B12 Champs); Washington (PAC Champs); Alabama over Clemson.

MY PICKS

• 1. Clemson (ACC Champs), 2. Alabama (SEC Champs) 3. Ohio State (B1G Champs), 4. Georgia; Oklahoma (B12 Champs); Washington (PAC Champs); Alabama over Georgia.

BAMA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

• Duke (4-5) - The Blue Devils are falling apart before are very eyes. After losing three straight to UVa, UNC, and Notre Dame, they still have a chance to right the ship against Syracuse. If the Dookies can beat the lowly Orange at home, they would have to either win at Wake (not likely) or take down Miami at home (possible).
• New Mexico State (0-∞) - The sucky Aggies lost again but actually have a chance at a 2-win season as they close out the season with FCS Incarnate Word, and one-win UTEP, followed by Liberty.
• Southern Miss (6-3) - The Screaming Eagles are bowl eligible after roasting UAB over an open fire 37-2. USM can improve their stock at UTSA this weekend, and are still in contention for the C-USA title.
• Western Carolina (3-7) - Holy Catamount! The Fightin’ Cupcakes win two in a row, destroying ETSU 23-20!
• BONUS: SC lost. Tenn won. The Vols might actually somehow make a bowl game.

ADOPT-A-TEAM

• UL-Laf (7-2) - Laffy demolished Coastal Carolina 48-7. The Ragin’ Cajuns outgained the Chanticleers 564-236. The scrubs allowed a late touchdown. Billy Napier’s name has been making the rounds at some of the bigger schools. TBH, I think he needs a little more refining. He is only in his second year. Don’t rush it. Next for ULL is a total destruction of South Alabama.
• K-State (6-3) - Down ten points, the Wildcats ran a kickoff back for a touchdown and later added a field goal to tie things up with Texas. However, the Longhorns (6-3) took the W on a 26-yard field goal by Dicker the Kicker as time expired 27-24. There is no team left on K-State’s schedule worth mentioning. So, we bid a fond adieu to the purple ‘Cats for 2019. May you grow ever stronger under Chris Klieman and have more chaos-causing wins in your future.
• Wyoming (6-3) - The Cowpokes fell to the Smurfs in overtime on a missed field goal, 20-17. Not much reason to follow them anymore either. For you diehards, we send you here.
• Iowa State (5-4) - The Cyclones fell just short of ruining Okie’s season. No more chaos chances for ISU but they play Tejas this weekend and Brice needs some Meltdown material Texas-style. We’ll hang onto them for one more week.
• Hawaii (6-4) - The Rainbow Warriors edged San Jose Altuve State 42-40 for their sixth victory.

COUSINS

• Troy (4-5) - The Trojans beat Georgia Southern 49-28. They could beat Texas State but they aren’t winning at ULL or against Appy State in the final weekend. No bowl game here.
• South Alabama (1-8) - USA extends their losing streak to seven against lowly Texas State.

THAT ANNOYING STEP-BROTHER WHO TELLS HIS PAROLE OFFICER “NO, YOU GET A JOB!”

UAB (6-3) - The Blazers fell to Southern Miss by the hilarious score of 37-2. Birmingham U should beat cellar dweller UTEP, lose to division leader La Tech, and wrap the season with a toss up at North Texas.

SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS

A UMassive heart attack at West Point.

• Army (4-6) - The Black Knights kicked the ever-living crap out of pathetic UMass 63-7, outgaining them 546-125 with 34 first downs to a mere 7 by the Minutemen. The Cadets must find two more wins out of FCS VMI, @Hawaii, and Navy (played in Philadelphia, PA). But 6-7 probably won’t be good enough for a post-season invitation.
• Navy (7-1) - The #25 Midshipmen had a week off before their historic win at Notre Dame this Saturday. Hooyah! GO NAVY!
• Air Force (7-2) - Last Tuesday, New Mexico Lobos defensive lineman Nahje Flowers died at age 21. No immediate cause of death has been provided. Because of this difficult time, the Falcons agreed to postpone the game with New Mexico until November 23. AFA travels to Colorado State this weekend.

ELIMINATED

PREVIOUSLY ELIMINATED:

NEWLY ELIMINATED:

• Wake - Just a formality to this point.

ENDANGERED

• Clemson
• Oregon, Utah
• Minnie
• UGA, Alabama ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• Baylor, Oklahoma

A way WAY WAY too early look at the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture:

All is not lost for Alabama.

• ACC - Unless Wake Forest can concoct some crazy Loki VooDoo Mojo wackiness at Clemson on Saturday, Dabo’s crew has smooth sailing to the Playoff.
• Big Ten - It’s still a three-horse race but PSU is a distant third. Minnie is 9-0 and good for them but this silliness won’t last. Heck, don’t be surprised if they lose at Iowa on Saturday. anOSU still has roadblocks against PSU and improved @Mich, plus the B1G title game.

• Big 12 - Baylor and Okie both had struggle wins on Saturday. This weekend will likely eliminate one of these two.

• PAC-12 - Oregon (8-1) or Utah (8-1).
• SEC - Alabama still has a chance but they have to win out and win pretty. LSU is basically in with OM, Arky, TAMU and the SECCG remaining. UGA has the toughest road ahead: @Aub, TAMU @GaTech, SECCG.
• Indies - n/a!

SPOILERS?

• ACC - Wake ?
• Big Ten - Will Iowa spoil Minnie’s little lovefest?
• Big 12 - Baylor can’t keep this up. Can they? CAN THEY?
• PAC-12 -
• SEC - Auburn hosts UGA and Bama.
• Indies - n/a

RANK ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM

Tonight, Tuesday, the College Football Playoff Committee will release their second poll. Despite the hate from Joey & Jesse, and Kirk Herbstreit, the AP, Coaches and FWAA polls all rank Bama fourth. They all have the same Top 6. Below is how I predict the CFPC will rank the teams:

1. LSU
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Minnie

Five Southeastern Conference teams are currently ranked in the AP.

#1 LSU
#4 Alabama
#5 Georgia
#11 Florida - The Gators and Aubie both dropped one spot at the expense of Minnie who skyrocketed to #7.
#13 Auburn

* Texas A&M is still receiving a few votes.

Here is my after-eleven-weeks-half-ass Top 6 rankings.

1. LSU
2. Ohio State
3. Alabama
4. Clemson
5. UGA

LET’S GO BOWLING

• 40 bowl games; 80 spots.
• 56 teams have six or more wins.
• 25 teams are a win away from 6. A few 6-6 teams will not get a bowl invite.
• Six SEC teams (Ala, LSU, Fla, UGA, Aub, TAMU) are bowl eligible. Tennessee is amazingly 5-5 with Mizz and Vandy left on the docket.
• Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Maryland join Rutgers in the 7 loss club. Arky is the only 8-loss Power 5 team.
• It’s a three way race for the Triple Golden Sombrero of a 0-12 record. Rice, New Mexico State, and Akron all sit at 0-9.

STATS OF THE DAY

• Ten of the twelve PAC-12 teams have at least four losses. No team has more than six.
• Ty Storey was 0-9 as the starting quarterback for Arkansas in his career. It took a transfer to WKU to get his first win in Fayetteville.

Krazy Kristi’s “SHUT UP!” of the Week goes to the wagging tounges out there stumping for Oregon. As you can see above in the STATS OF THE DAY section, all but Utah and the Dux have have at least four losses. So, who exactly has OU beaten? ANSWER: Stanford 4-5, Washington 6-4, Cal 5-4, Wazzu 4-5, So Cal 6-4, Colorado 4-6, Nevada 6-4 and FCS Montana. Impressed? KK isn’t. Some of these bozos are even trying to give them credit for a shoulda-coulda-woulda loss against Auburn. Wrong! They lost on a neutral site and AU is not looking so great.

HEISMAN HYPE

With the exception of TWO YEARS, the Heisman Trophy voting is basically a hype award. Often times voters fall in love with someone and refuse to REALLY look at what a player has accomplished.

Check out this hater:

WHO WILL WIN

CLARIFICATION: This section is not who deserves to win. It is who the slobbering press and other voters will callously crush on (see last year).

As this is often a flawed award (except for two times; see above), you just know there are some voters who prematurely put it in their heads that the winning QB of the Bama-LSU game would get their vote. No need to watch the rest of the games.

1. Joe Burrow (QB LSU Sr.) Home Alone’s Kevin all-growed up.
2. Tua Tagovailoa (QB Alabama Jr.)
3. Jalen Hurts (QB Oklahoma Sr.)

WHO SHOULD WIN

CLARIFICATION: This section IS for who deserves to win it.

• Burrow got the win and put up good numbers (31-39, 393 yds, 3 TD), but to be honest I cannot recall any big spectacular plays that he made against Alabama. I will acknowledge that he is a very good quarterback and will probably make a good NFL signal caller. Yet, could it be he is more a product of the system? This very same QB was garbage a year ago. Same with LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire who has already surpassed his yards and TD totals from the past two seasons combined. Where is that “Heisman moment” that the voters say is so vital?
• Tua showed some real toughness but also made some mistakes. The voters must be so relieved.

Runner-Ups

• Jalen almost blew it against Iowa State. He is still the same ol’ Jalen: good, not great.
• Justin Fields (QB anOSU Soph.) - Still an unlikable jerk but he will get some votes. Also going against him is teammate J.K. Dobbins (1,200 yds, 11 TD) who is the real hero of this offense.
• With Wisky’s Jonathan Taylor rightfully cast aside, the click-hungry media have turned their attention to the running back who should have been getting all the attention all year long: Okie Lite sophomore running back Chuba Hubbard. He won’t win but his performance this season is worth noting. He has been the leading rusher for most of the year: first in yards - 1,604 yards thru 9 games, second in rushing TDs with 18 behind some guy from the MAC.
• Chase Young (DE anOSU Jr.) - “Wut about a defensive guy??!?!?!”

If I had a vote:

• I still haven’t decided.

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

THE SICK REPORT

• Of Tua’s performance, Nick Saban said “I think he was a warrior in terms of what he did.” Agree.
• The status of defensive end LaBryan Ray remains uncertain. “He still hasn’t been cleared medically to start practicing yet. He is in sort of a rehab mode right now to see when he can get maybe in the position to come back and be able to play. But we’re waiting for the medical staff to say it’s OK for him to do that.”
• Saban made no other mention of injuries.
• Georgia CB Tyson Campbell (turf toe) is expected back for the Auburn game. WR Lawrence Cager (shoulder) is a bit banged up but should be a go.
• Starters DE Marlon Davidson (back) and DB Jeremiah Dinson (virus) were back at practice for Auburn.
• Julian Okwara’s Notre Dame career is over after fracturing a fibula against Duke. The senior defensive end was a team captain and one of the defense’s best players rushing the passer.
• Oklahoma’s rushing game took a hit with the loss of running back Trey Sermon who is gone for the season with a knee injury.

DRAMA

• During the broadcast of anOSU-Maryland, commentators Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt seemed to imply that the Buckeyes think someone from the Terps’ camp had something to do with Chase Young situation.

Transcript via The Spun:

Johnson: They absolutely will get the ball back here. Ryan Day pouring it on a little bit here. It’s personal.

Klatt: Yeah, this is interesting partner, with what’s gone on this week.

Johnson: Remember, Chase Young is from that Washington D.C. area. He said he borrowed money from a family friend. Who would know about that?

Klatt: (Laughs) This seems interesting, 42-0, taking the timeouts.

It does feel like a bit of revenge with the onside pooch kick while already up 14-0 and the late timeouts to get the ball back and keep scoring. The final score was 73-14 with anOSU stockpiling a mind-blowing 704 yards and 40 first down.

• From the LOL/SMH Dept: A Pac-12 ref was suspended for penalizing wrong team in Cal-Wazzu game. In the third quarter, the Cougars were penalized 15 yards for hands to the face on a kickoff return. So, instead of starting the drive at midfield, Wazzu was forced to start it at their own eight-yard line. Problem is, the penalty was against Cal. The Cougars ended up losing the game 33-20.
• Injured/former starting QB Jake Bentley participated in the Senior Day celebration at the South Carolina game this past Saturday. Not an odd thing to do since he is in his fourth year. However, he has never redshirted and played in only one game this season. Is he leaving or coming back in 2020 for his final season of eligibility? If he returns, can he beat out Ryan Hilinski? Bentley started 32 games over the past four seasons and played poorly in an opening loss to UNC.
• Urban Meyer spent the weekend spreading nails on the driveways outside of local fire stations and pricking tiny holes in the hoses.
• To Fat F*** Phil Fulmer, the five-second rule means he can have seconds five times. Golden Corral has learned to turn off the lights and pull the shades when he drives by.

EYEBALLS

LSU-Alabama averaged a 9.7 rating and 16.64 million viewers on the SEC on CBS Saturday afternoon, per Nielsen fast-nationals. It was the highest rated regular season college football game since these two rivals met in 2011 (11.5, 20.0M). The game averaged a higher rating and more viewers than six of this year’s seven World Series games. Just imagine how it would have fared in prime time.

THIS WEEK

College GameDay will downgrade to Waco for Baylor vs Jalen Hurts. SEC Nation will be in Oxford, MS to watch LSU kick the crap out of OM.

(Below is an abbreviated list of games of interest. If you REALLY need to know about the big Incarnate Word-New Mexico State showdown, you can find the details here.)

It’s the Annual November MAC Takeover. Do you really care who the teams are? Just watch, you animals.

Tuesday, November 12

MAC1 at MAC2 6:30/7:30 ESPN2
MAC3 at MAC4 7pm/8pm ESPNU

Wednesday, November 13

MAC5 at MAC6 7pm/8pm ESPNU
MAC7 at MAC8 7pm/8pm ESPN2

Thursday, November 14

MAC9 at MAC10 6pm/7pm CBSSN
UNC at Pitt 7pm/8pm ESPN - Pitt needs to win this one in order to stay in the running for the honor of losing to Clemson by 45 in the ACCCG.

Friday, November 15

Louisiana Tech at Marshall 6pm/7pm CBSSN - La Tech done up and won 8 in a row while we were all looking at the AAC teams.
Fresno at San Diego State 8:30/9:30 ESPN2

Saturday, November 16

MUST SEE!

Georgia at Auburn 2:30/3:30 CBS - Expect a low-scoring game.

SEC:

Florida at Missouri 11am/noon CBS - OOH! Fla-Miz! What a coup for CBS!
Kentucky at Vanderbilt 2:30/3:30 SECN - UK needs two wins. This should be one.
LSU at Ole Miss 6pm/7pm ESPN - OM will probably be all fired up in the beginning and then lose by 47.
South Carolina at Texas A&M 6:30/7:30 SECN - At 4-6, SC will fool themselves that they still have a shot at a bowl.

NATIONAL:

Michigan State at Michigan 11am/noon FOX - A tune up for Meechigan as they near the showdown with anOSU.
Navy at Notre Dame 1:30/2:30 NBC - Hooyah! GO NAVY!
Wake Forest at Clemson 2:30/3:30 ABC - Is there any chance in Hades that Wake can make a game of this one?
Minnesota at Iowa 3pm/4pm FOX - Minnie is a 3 point underdog. Will that be inspiration?
Oklahoma at Baylor 6:30/7:30 ABC - ELIMINATION GAME! A Yuge game in the B12.

THE PAC12 DOES NOT WANT YOU WATCHING THEIR GAMES, NOSEY!

Arizona at Oregon 9:30/10:30 ESPN - The Dux continue their charade.
Southern Cal at Cal 10pm/11pm FS1 - zzzzzz.....

#ALABAMA

FROSH

• As always, the usual freshmen starters: LB Shane Lee (3 solos), LB Christian Harris (1 asst, 1 QBH), defensive tackle DJ Dale (2 asst), offensive guard Evan Neal. DB Jordan Battle (4 solos, 2 asst) again got a start with the Tide in the nickel package.
• TE Jahleel Billingsley - Seeing more playing time with the loss of Miller Forristall. No stats.
• WR John Metchie - no stats
• DB DeMarcco Hellams - no stats.
• DE Byron Young - no stats.
• P Ty Perine (third game) - mishandled snap, 19 yard loss; 51, 44, 51 yard punts.
• LB King Mwikuta - no stats.

* All of the above have played at least five games except where noted.

Somewhat surprisingly, Justin Eboigbe did not play.

The top three tacklers in the LSU game for Alabama were defensive backs: Xavier McKinney 9-4 2 sacks, Jared Mayden 4-7, Trevon Diggs 5-5. Alabama depended on a good deal of secondary-heavy packages and the freshmen linebackers did not get in on too many plays.

SABAN VS MACK

Nick Saban is still up 3 Ws in career wins as a FBS/I-A coach on UNC coach Mack Brown.

Bully logic.

GAME 10: Saturday, November 16, 2019

Alabama at Mississippi State

Clanga-Clang Stadium, Starkvegas, MS ~ 11:00am/noon, ESPN + bonus coverage of SkyCam on the SEC Network

There have been some whispers as to whether Tua Tagovailoa will play at all against the Bullies. He likely gets the start but makes an early exit if Bama builds a big lead to rest up for bigger games down the road.

• ESPN: Steve Levy and Brian Griese with Todd McShay and Molly McGrath on the sidelines.
• SEC Network SkyCam: “The vantage point will be provided on the linear network utilizing natural stadium sound through a vast majority of the telecast with supplementary commentary from SEC Network’s Peter Burns, Gene Chizik and Chris Doering.”
• Eli Gold on Alabama Radio.
• Alabama is 83-17-3 all-time against MSU. This will be the 104th meeting between these two teams - the most frequent opponent for Alabama. The Tide has met Tennessee 102 times, LSU and Vandy 84 each, and Auburn on 83 occasions. The Tide have won 11 straight in the series with the Cowbell cult. The last time Bama lost to the Bullies was in Nick Saban’s first year at the Capstone.
• Bama opened as a 21 point favorite but dropped to 19½ due to the uncertainty of Tua. It then popped up to 20, and finally back to 21 as of Tuesday AM. Still a pretty low spread IMHO. The over/under is around 62½ but several books have yet to set one.

LOOKING AHEAD, BUT NOT REALLY: Alabama vs. Western Carolina on November 23 will AGAIN kickoff at 11am CT (TV TBA). Iron Bowl at Jerdin-Hair could be either the 2:30pm CT CBS game OR it could be 6:30pm CT on the SEC Network.

#RollTide