In memoriam of the recently and dearly departed Jim Bakker, we have rebranded PTL.
Pay The Linemen.
Other than that, my mind is blank.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, more blank than normal.
Last weekend was third straight rising. From 3-4 to 4-3 to 5-2.
Thanks to IU, Alabama, Ohio State, Kentucky and the Mighty Bears of Wash U. of St. Louis.
Virginia Tech fell at home and Louisville choked on the road.
26-16 on the season.
CoachSpeak of the Week. Asked by a reporter, “What do you think about the execution of your team,”
Southern Cal coach John McKay responded: “I’m in favor of it.”
This week’s winners:
Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas). I’ve seen enough of these Under the Ferris Wheel battles to put any store whatsoever in whoever might be favorite according to BetYour401K.org. Throw the records out the window is a cliché that applies to this annual affair in Big D. (And, the answer is No; I haven’t seen Dallas from a DC9 at night.) All of that prelude and song lyric notwithstanding, I like the team expected to prevail. Texas.
UCLA @ Oregon. There are two oddly and almost inexplicably undefeated schools in the land, which have the pundits across the nation, wondering, “Whaaaaaaa?” One outfit is Bob Chesney’s Bruins. (For the other, stay tuned for the next paragraph.) It’s BC’s first campaign in Westwood, after a stint at, uh, James Madison. First year in P4. Undefeated. Dolly’s husband’s school. This sounds strangely familiar. It’s Dan Lanning’s fifth at Phil Knight U. and Quack haven’t been bad, but . . . their exit from the CFP the last two seasons have been crushing. 21-41. 22-56. Yes, they’ve made it to the playdowns, but loftier expectations have not been met. But shall be this weekend. UCLA is not quite ready to win at Autzen. Oregon.
North Carolina @ Pittsburgh. Yes, those paying attention and still hangin’ in here, the Panthers of Pitt are that other unblemished surprise. Pat Narduzzi ranted about not being ranked, which they are now after last weekend’s W without their hot shot young QB for the most of it. Pitt’s slipped into the rankings. They’ll also slip this time around. North Carolina.
Indiana @ Nebraska. What an intriguing matchup of cultures this one is. Nouveau Riche Hoosiers heading to play in front of the most loyal fanbase in the land against the Huskers who might actually finally hopefully be crawling back to relevancy. Has it really been three decades since Tom Osborne roamed the sideline? Have they really fallen 30 consecutive times against ranked foes? Current Husker mentor Matt Rhule was apparently on some DC Comic TV series episode. So, I’ve read. Curt Cignetti, on whom I’ve got an unrequited fanboy crush, plays on his taciturnish mien in a insurance commercials. Morning kickoff in the Corn Belt. The Hoosiers don’t appear to be what they were. But until they lose, I ain’t pickin’ against ’em. IU.
Louisiana State @ Kentucky. If mom wanted to take advantage of her son’s sudden success, she might be baking up a batch of King Cakes Sissy Style for the tailgaters. With a little plastic Wildcat footballer inside. ‘Cause the Louisiana State Mardi Gra-ers are landing in the Bluegrass. To meet an upstart which has performed beyond reasonable expectations. I am among the vast majority of football fans who truly loathes Lane. I so much want to pick against him. And I believe this game is going to be a junkyard brawl. But, holding my nose, LSU.
Florida State @ Louisville. Once upon a time, long ago far away, when there was a bonfire of hope for the Cardinals, this would have been what’s known in the vernacular as a Trap Game. But now that hope is like the last few flickers of the Cinnamon Sugar Apple Yankee Candle your cousin gifted you two Christmases ago, and light when you’re cooking Brussel sprouts. Now, the Cards, as someone wrote, might be kaputski. Back then Mike Norvell was firmly seatbelted at the top of Pink Slip Territory. Now the Seminoles venture to the RR Yard for Friday Night Lights at an upticking 3-2. Whilst U of L is reeling and receding at 2-3, hoping to be able to make it to a bowl game in a temperate clime. As a Louisville fan, my hope is on the wane. But I never pick against the Cards. U of L.
— c d kaplan
