Rivalry Week
Written by David
You’re in luck that Wendi’s not writing the article this week. This whole column would be devoted to all things Michigan. We’d never hear the end of it either… Michigan this…Michigan that…rah, rah, rah! Four in a row, blah, blah, blah.
But you do get to hear all about Alabama beating Auburn 28-14…just kidding.
Rivalry Week did not disappoint though.
The Georgia Tech and #7 Georgia rivalry game had to go into eight overtimes which saw the Bulldogs prevailing 44-42.
At one point, Vanderbilt was leading #8 Tennessee 17-0 until the Vols decided to stop all the fun. The Volunteers prevailed 36-23.
In a snow filled game, Arkansas dropped their little-known rivalry game to #21 Missouri 28-21. The Hogs had the lead until they gave up a late score.
In a wild game, unranked Syracuse toppled #6 Miami 42-38. Syracuse at one point was trailing 21-0. As a result, Miami will miss the ACC Championship game.
Oh, and Michigan beat #2 Ohio State 13-10…and then there was a fight after some flag planting shenanigans at midfield which ended in police having to use pepper spray. With the loss, Ohio State will miss the Big 10 Championship game.
Another big shocker came when #15 South Carolina stunned #12 Clemson 17-14 in their annual rivalry game. Clemson had been in control of the entire game until the closing minutes.
North Carolina State pulled off the road win 35-30 over in state rival North Carolina in Mack Browns final game as UNC’s head coach.
The Texas and Texas A&M rivalry FINALLY resumed after 12 long years. #3 Texas seized control for most of the game until a pick-six got #20 Texas A&M back into the game. Texas A&M and the 12th man could not overcome a stout Longhorn defense though after failing to convert two redzone drives. Texas won 17-7 and will face Georgia in the SEC championship game.
Baylor whacked a surging Kansas 45-17. Baylor scored early and often as the Jayhawks couldn’t find any defense to hold off Baylor’s offense which tallied 605 total yards and 32 first downs.
West Virginia got smacked around by Texas Tech 52-15. Who saw that coming?
LSU thumped Oklahoma 37-17 in Baton Rouge which all of us saw coming based on our picks.
On to Pick’ems…
Let’s see a show of hands to see who’s sick and tired of seeing the same three people sitting in the top 3 spots…
Yet here we are with Sam sporting a comfortable 13-point lead over Wendi, and Wendi holding a 6-point lead over Cindie. Dislodging those three has been a very tall task.
Let’s run through a few scenarios. Even if Cindie does somehow seize 2nd place, Wendi would most likely slide into the 3rd place slot blocking Mike H. and I from being a top 3 finisher. However, if Cindie somehow does some bed wetting in the last week, Mike H. and I will have a shot at seizing 3rd place.
Everyone else is just hoping to win the last of the weekly prize money at this point.
Let’s all take a moment to reflect on where Sean is in the rankings. He’s beating Marc, an elderly person nearing 80, and someone who lost out on 55-points after forgetting to make their picks…and Sean’s ONLY beating his brother by 10 points!!
Kim stopped laughing after she realized she was only 5-points from Sean.
Most Points for the week: After a dismal week 13, Rick was able to right the ship in week 14 and snagged 47 points and the $10 weekly prize.
Least Points for the week: After surging the last few weeks and reaching as high as fourth place, Megan face planted this week and only grabbed 29 points.
Best Pick of the week: Rick, Kim, and Evelyn picking NC State to beat North Carolina in Mack Brown’s last game was huge considering most everyone had very high points on North Carolina.
Worst Pick of the week: Let’s go with Mike M. and Megan putting 8-points on Michigan State beating Rutgers. Maybe they were trying to steal a game and play catch-up.
One more week left and we’re off to Bowl Mania. If you wish to play Bowl Mania, please send your $15 entry fee to Cindie. The top 3 finishers in Bowl Mania will win cash prizes.
Here’s how we rank heading into the last week:
Sam– 544 points
Wendi – 531 points
Cindie – 525 points
Mike – 519 points
David – 513 points
Megan – 505 points
Noah – 504 points
Adam – 499 points
Rick – 498 points
Kim – 495 points
Sean – 490 points
Marc. – 486 points
Evelyn – 483 points
Mike M – 480 points
