CFW Week 14 Forecast – North Carolina fires Mack Brown
Family, friends, food, fun and football
make for an ideal Thanksgiving
There is nothing like Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday. Every year, Thanksgiving Week is full of family, friends, food, fun and football. You can’t beat that combination.
Princess Gator and Gator Babe arrived Sunday. Since they have been here, we have had a lot of fun. Gator Gabe arrived yesterday. More family and more fun.
Today, the five of us will be having Thanksgiving dinner with friends. We’ll be at the home of Stephanie Stein. Joining the table will be Stephanie’s daughter, Julia, and her boyfriend, Nick, Stephanie’s son, David, and his girlfriend Olivia, along with Olivia’s parents, sister and her aunt and uncle. The dinner group is complete with our next-door neighbors, Dieter and Deb Gum. Now that’s a tableful – lots of family and lots of friends. Lots of food and lots of fun.
For my contribution to the meal, I baked two of my cast-iron skillet apple pies.
Following Thanksgiving Day, we have two full days of football – Friday and Saturday. Watching football while eating Bizzarro pizza. More fun, more food, plenty of football all combined with family. As I said, you can’t beat that combination.
And speaking of football, there are some good games on tap this weekend. Lots of good games and many will not only have an impact on the conference championship games, but also on the 12-team playoff. Who’s in and who’s out?
For starters, we’re in the SEC with the “Game of the Week” – No. 3 Texas (10-1) at No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3). A spot in the SEC championship game is on the line. Wild! It will be.
There are more potential wild games in the SEC. How about No. 8 Tennessee (9-2) at Vanderbilt (6-5). Can Vandy pull off another upset this season? Then we have Arkansas (6-5) at No. 21 Missouri (8-3). It could be a barnburner.
Oklahoma (6-5) at LSU (7-4) has potential. Can the Sooners make it two surprises in a row? And finally, the Iron Bowl – Auburn (5-6) at No. 13 Alabama (8-3). Until last Saturday, this game was a laugher. But Auburn came out of nowhere and beat Texas A&M, while Alabama went into nowhere, losing to Oklahoma.
Wondering, just wondering. We had three, not one but three, big upsets in the SEC last week. Could three more upsets be looming this week?
The big encounter in the ACC is No. 6 Miami (10-1) at Syracuse (8-3). Miami has to win for a spot in the ACC championship game. Otherwise, the Canes are out. And if the Canes lose, they could be out of the 12-team playoff too. Such angst.
Also, in the ACC, SMU has a chance to finish the season undefeated in conference play in the Mustangs first year in the ACC. That’s an accomplishment. California (6-5) at No. 9 SMU (10-1). It could be Mustang mania in Dallas.
Pitt (7-4) at Boston College (6-5) has potential. Pat Narduzzi has the Panthers on the down escalator, while Bill O’Brian has the Eagles on the up escalator. And finally, there is the “Bowl Eligibility Bowl” – Virginia (5-6) at Virginia Tech (5-6). The winner goes to a bowl game. The loser stays home. The Hokies never lose to the Cavaliers.
Every year, at the end of the season, there is the “superfecta” – the same four ACC teams against the same four SEC teams. The head honcho in this year’s “superfecta” is No. 15 South Carolina (8-3) at No. 12 Clemson (9-2). A lot is riding on the outcome of this game. Clemson wants to remain in the 12-team playoff. South Carolina wants to make the 12-team playoff. The excitement is building.
The remaining three “superfectas” are over before they start, according to some people. But there is always an upset out there somewhere. Here goes – Georgia Tech (7-4) at No. 7 Georgia (9-2). Watch out for those stingers. Florida (6-5) at Florida State (2-9). Chief Osceola says, “I’m not Sammy Seminole, I’m Chief Wampumstompum.” But Albert says, “No, you’re Chief Fullabull.” (A brief history of the FSU mascot names over the years.) The fourth superfecta has Louisville (7-4) at Kentucky (4-7). Who’ll be the thoroughbred in that game?
The best game in the Big 12 pits No. 24 Kansas State (8-3) at No. 18 Iowa State (9-2). Believe it or not, both teams have a shot at the Big 12 title game. Iowa State has the best chance, but only if the Cyclones win.
In the Big Ten, it’s a case of more interesting encounters instead of big encounters. We begin with Washington (6-5) at No. 1 Oregon (11-0). It is a rivalry. Strange things can happen in rivalries. We move on to Michigan (6-5) at No. 2 Ohio State (10-1). It’s been a tough year for the Wolverines. It could get tougher. Perhaps the most intriguing game in the Big Ten this weekend is Nebraska (6-5) at Iowa (7-4). Have the Huskers found a new life? Is the Corn popping? Stay tuned!
A good AAC encounter takes place tonight in New Orleans – Memphis (9-2) at No. 17 Tulane (9-2). Tulane, already guaranteed a spot in the AAC title game, wants a spot in the 12-team playoff as the highest-ranked Group of Five team. It could happen.
Marshall controls its destiny in the Sun Belt Conference – Marshall (8-3) at James Madison (8-3). If Marshall wins, the Herd are in the Sun Belt title game. Should Marshall lose, another game plays into the picture – Appalachian State (5-5) at Georgia Southern (7-4). If Marshall loses to JMU and Georgia Southern beats App State, then Georgia Southern, not Marshall, is in the Sun Belt title game. But if Georgia Southern loses, Marshall is in the title game win or lose.
In the MAC, Miami (7-4) at Bowling Green (7-4) will determine a spot in the MAC title game. The winner goes and the loser stays home. It’s anybody’s guess.
And finally there are two good contests in C-USA, among the four best teams in the conference. Liberty (8-2) at Sam Houston (8-3) and Jacksonville State (8-3) at Western Kentucky (7-4). Jax State is already in the Sun Belt title game. Most likely, the winner of Liberty-Sam Houston will be the opponent. Western Kentucky has an outside chance.
With all those games, I can feel the heartburn now from the Bizzarro pizza.
Here’s a look at the remaining games for each of the teams in the latest college football playoff rankings. Who is in danger? Who is not?
No. 1 – Oregon (Remaining games: 2) Oregon hosts Washington on Saturday. Plays Ohio State in the Big Ten title game on December 7.
No. 2 – Ohio State (Remaining games: 2) Ohio State hosts Michigan on Saturday. Plays Oregon in the Big Ten title game on December 7.
No. 3 – Texas (Remaining games: 1 or 2) Texas plays at Texas A&M on Saturday. If Texas beats Texas A&M, the Longhorns will play Georgia in the SEC title game on December 7. If Texas loses to Texas A&M, the Longhorns’ regular season is over.
No. 4 – Penn State (Remaining games: 1) Penn State hosts Maryland on Saturday.
No. 5 – Notre Dame (Remaining games: 1) Notre Dame plays at USC on Saturday.
No. 6 – Miami (Remaining games: 1 or 2) Miami plays at Syracuse on Saturday. If Miami beats Syracuse, the Hurricanes will play SMU in the ACC title game on December 8. If Miami loses to Syracuse, the Hurricanes’ regular season is over.
No. 7 – Georgia (Remaining games: 2) Georgia hosts Georgia Tech on Saturday. Plays Texas or Texas A&M in the SEC title game on December 7.
No. 8 – Tennessee (Remaining games: 1) Tennessee plays at Vanderbilt on Saturday.
No. 9 – SMU (Remaining games: 2) SMU hosts California on Saturday. Plays Clemson or Miami in the ACC title game on December 7.
No. 10 – Indiana (Remaining games: 1) Indiana hosts Purdue on Friday.
No. 11 – Boise State (Remaining games: 2) Boise State hosts Oregon State on Saturday. Plays Colorado State or UNLV in the MWC title game on December 6.
No. 12 – Clemson (Remaining games: 1or 2) Clemson hosts South Carolina on Saturday. If Miami loses to Syracuse, Clemson will play SMU in the ACC title game on December 7.
No. 13 – Alabama (Remaining games: 1) Alabama hosts Auburn on Saturday.
No. 14 – Ole Miss (Remaining games: 1). Ole Miss hosts Mississippi State on Saturday.
No. 15 – South Carolina (Remaining games: 1) South Carolina plays at Clemson on Saturday.
No. 16 – Arizona State (Remaining games: 1 or 2) Arizona State plays at Arizona on Saturday. If Arizona State beats Arizona, the Sun Devils may play in the Big 12 title game on December 7.
No. 17 – Tulane (Remaining games: 2) Tulane hosts Memphis on Saturday. Plays Army in the AAC title game on December 6.
No. 18 – Iowa State (Remaining games: 1or 2) Iowa State hosts Kansas State on Saturday. If Iowa State beats Kansas State, the Cyclones may play in the Big 12 title game on December 7.
No. 19 – BYU (Remaining games: 1 or 2) BYU hosts Houston on Saturday. If BYU beats Houston, the Cougars may play in the Big 12 title game on December 7.
No. 20 – Texas A&M (Remaining games: 1 or 2) Texas A&M hosts Texas on Saturday. If Texas A&M beats Texas, the Aggies will play Georgia in the SEC title game on December 7. If Texas A&M loses to Texas, the Aggies’ regular season is over.
No. 21 – Missouri (Remaining games: 1) Missouri hosts Arkansas on Saturday.
No. 22 – UNLV (Remaining games: 1 or 2) UNLV hosts Nevada on Saturday. If UNLV beats Nevada, the Rebels may play Boise State in the MWC title game on December 6.
No. 23 – Illinois (Remaining games: 1) Illinois plays at Northwestern on Saturday.
No. 24 – Kansas State (Remaining games: 1 or 2) Kansas State plays at Iowa State. If Kansas State beats Iowa State, the Wildcats may play in the Big 12 title game on December 7.
No. 25 – Colorado (Remaining games: 1 or 2) Colorado hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday. If Colorado beats Oklahoma State, the Buffaloes may play in the Big 12 title game on December 7.
North Carolina fans were relieved this week when it was announced that head coach Mack Brown had been fired. Until last week, everyone was assuming that Brown was going to retire at the end of the season. However, Brown announced he was going to coach another year. That statement from Brown upset Tar Heels fans. So on Tuesday, North Carolina fired Brown, effective at the end of the season. Brown will coach the final game Saturday against NC State. The Tar Heels are 6-5.
Upon hearing the news, West Virginia fans were quick to point out, “They fired the wrong Brown.”
In two stints at North Carolina, Brown was a combined 113-78-1. He first coached the Tar Heels for 10 seasons from 1988 to 1997, compiling a 69-46-1 record. Brown retuned to North Carolina in 2019 and coached for six more years through 2024, compiling a 44-32 record. North Carolina is the first Power Four school to fire its coach this season.
Rice announced that Davidson head coach Scott Abell has been hired as the Owls next football coach. Abell is 47-28 since arriving at Davison in 2018 and has had seven consecutive winning seasons. Abell went 39-24 at Washington & Lee before arriving at Davison.
East Carolina named interim coach Blake Harrell the new full-time head coach of the Pirates. Harrell coached East Carolina to four-straight wins after he took over from coach Mike Houston, who was fired five weeks ago. During the four-straight wins under Harrell, the Pirates have averaged 46 points and 535 total yards a game.
In this week’s FCS Coaches Poll, Montana State (12-0) is No.1, followed by 2. South Dakota State (10-2), 3. South Dakota (9-2), 4. North Dakota State (10-2), 5. UC Davis (10-2) and 6. Incarnate Word (10-2). The 24-team FCS playoff begins this weekend.
This week. ESPN’s College GameDay is in College Station, Texas, for the Texas-Texas A&M game. FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff is in Columbus, Ohio, for the Michigan-Ohio State game. The SEC Network’s SEC Nation is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for the Auburn-Alabama game.
Hats off to CFW readers and friends Tim Muth and David Stein who are running in the Space Coast Turkey Trot this morning in downtown Melbourne, Florida.
I hope your Thanksgiving is full of family, friends, food, fun and football.
Happy Thanksgiving college football fans!
Touchdown Tom
November 28, 2024
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
Week Fourteen’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Texas (10-1) at Texas A&M (8-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – The old rivalry resumes. It couldn’t come at a better time, as the winner will advance to the SEC title game. The Aggies come into the game off a loss. In fact, A&M has lost two of its last three games. The Aggies may not be at their peak. Texas, on the other hand, has won four-straight games. But Quinn Ewers hasn’t been playing at his best. However, to compensate, the Texas defense has been playing well. Better than the Aggies defense which is giving up 22 points a game. Bevo says, “Atlanta, here I come,” – Texas 27, Texas A&M 20.
RUNNER-UP: 2. Miami (10-1) at Syracuse (8-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Now this could be some game. Both teams can score. Both teams allow their opponents to score. We could be looking at a lot of offense and very little defense. The game has the top two passing quarterbacks in the country. Kyle McCord of Syracuse is No. 1 with 3,946 passing yards. Cam Ward of Miami is No. 2 with 3,774 passing yards. Sounds like a shootout to me. Miami shoots a tad better – Miami 34, Syracuse 33.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Memphis (9-2) at Tulane (9-2) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – Tulane enters the game on an eight-game winning streak. The Green Wave have playoff stars in their eyes. Memphis has spoiler stars in its eyes. Win or lose, there are no more games for the Tigers, except for a bowl game. But Tulane is looking at moving on up the ladder with a win here and another one in the AAC title game. Both teams score pretty good. Tulane has the better defense of the two. And Tulane has the home field. Pumpkin pie for the Green Wave – Tulane 30, Memphis 24.
4. South Carolina (8-3) at Clemson (9-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – A lot is on the table in this game, in addition to the fierce rivalry. We’re talking the possibility of making the playoff. That’s serious stuff. Both teams began the season a little shaky. Clemson was blown off the field by Georgia in its opener. Then the Tigers won six straight. The Gamecocks were no better than 3-3 after six games. Then they won five straight. South Carolina had problems getting its offense going. But the Gamecocks’ offense is running on a full tank now. No doubt about it this will be a hard-fought game. A true struggle. Cocky sharpens his spurs – South Carolina 28, Clemson 24.
5. Kansas State (8-3) at Iowa State (9-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – The Big 12 has been wild this season. The teams have been beating each other up. It’s a well-balanced league. Kansas State got off to a smart 7-1 start. Now the Wildcats have lost two of their last three. Iowa State got off to a good start too – 7-0. Now the Cyclones have lost two of their last four. Both teams are similar in many ways. Iowa State’s offense and defense are a tad better. On offense, Iowa State is better at passing; Kansas State is better at running. Passing wins – Iowa State 33, Kansas State 27.
6. Washington (6-5) at Oregon (11-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, NBC – This used to be a big game in the Pac-12. Now it’s a big game in the Big Ten – although not as big as in recent past years. Washington was a little down this year. Still, if the opponent is Oregon, the Huskies can play tough. But with Dillon Gabriel and crew, the Ducks play tougher – Oregon 27, Washington 16.
7. Liberty (8-2) at Sam Houston (8-3) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 3:30 pm ET, Friday, CBSSN – Liberty wasn’t quite the team they thought they were going to be this year. The Flames suffered a couple of bumps along the way. But Liberty can still make amends and get to the C-USA title game. Sam Houston got off to a good start – 5-1. The Bearkats seem to have lost their offensive punch in recent games. Liberty began 5-0, then lost two straight. The Flames come into this one on a three-game winning streak. And they still have their offensive punch. But the defense can be a little wobbly. The Bearkats get burned by the Flames – Liberty 27, Sam Houston 17.
8. Marshall (8-3) at James Madison (8-3) – (Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – Marshall was so-so for a while. The Herd began the season at 3-3. Now they have won five straight. Marshall’s offense is good. The defense isn’t so good. This has been a disappointing season for James Madison. They were hot for a while. JMU beat North Carolina, 70-50. And the Dukes scored 63 points the following week. But it has been up-and-down since then. You never know which JMU team is going to show up. They show up good this week, but the Herd shows up better – Marshall 30, James Madison 29.
9. Georgia Tech (7-4) at Georgia (9-2) – (ACC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Friday, ABC – You just know Georgia will have its mind on the SEC title game. After all, this is just Georgia Tech. The Dawgs don’t lose to the Yellow Jackets. But this is an improved Georgia Tech team. However, the Jackets weak point has been defending the pass. Enter Carson Beck. Beck could have a heyday against Georgia Tech. Uga gets out the insect spray – Georgia 30, Georgia Tech 23.
10. Jacksonville State (8-3) at Western Kentucky (7-4) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – Jacksonville State has already qualified for the C-USA title game. Western Kentucky’s chances are slim, but there is a chance. The Hilltoppers have to beat Jax State and Liberty has to lose to Sam Houston. WKU hasn’t been playing its best lately. The Hilltoppers have lost their last two games. Meanwhile, Jax State has won its last eight games. The Gamecocks began the season 0-3 but haven’t lost since. They are averaging 37 points a game, with a quarterback – Tyler Huff – who runs better than he passes. The Gamecocks turn the Hilltoppers into Hill Floppers – Jacksonville State 23, Western Kentucky 20.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
West Virginia (6-5) at Texas Tech (7-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – Although West Virginia won last year, Neal Brown has a serious problem with Texas Tech. He can’t beat the Red Raiders, especially not in Lubbock. This contest has the potential to be a wild game because Texas Tech is averaging 37 points a game, but the Red Raiders are giving up 36 points a game. Last week, Texas Tech beat Oklahoma State, 56-48. That means WVU should have no trouble scoring on Texas Tech, but the Mountaineers won’t be able to keep Texas Tech from scoring on them. It sounds like it’s going to be a basketball score to me. Tech relies on the arm of quarterback Behren Morton and the running of Tahj Brooks. WVU is similar. The Mounties are averaging 30 points a game but giving up 29 points a game. Both teams are 5-3 in Big 12 play. The Red Raiders become 6-3 – Texas Tech 31, West Virginia 30.
Florida (6-5) at Florida State (2-9) – (SEC vs. ACC) – Saturday, ESPN2 – This is supposed to be an easy game for Florida. And it should be. But there is a little thing called rivalry here and that means a lot when these two get together. Florida became bowl eligible last week. The Gators may be content. FSU won last week. The Noles may be fired up. FSU’s problem has been the offense. There is none. With recent wins over LSU and Ole Miss, Florida appears to be a vastly improved team. Freshman D.J. Lagway is a more experienced quarterback now. The FSU defense will be keying on him. Albert does the scalping – Florida 24, Florida State 17.
Nebraska (6-5) at Iowa (7-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Friday, NBC – After Nebraska’s 44-point output last week, this has become a tough game to call. You get the feeling the Huskers are a new team. Something changed and that change was definitely on offense. The Huskers seemed to find something they didn’t know they had. Maybe quarterback Dylan Raiola has come into his own. He does have a season of experience behind him. And maybe Nebraska found a running back in Emmet Johnson. Iowa has been an up-and-down team all season. The Hawkeyes were up last week. That means they should be down this week. As Kaleb Johnson runs so runs Iowa. He has rushed for 1,492 yards, averaging 136 yards a game. Iowa has the home field advantage. That may be the difference. The Hawkeyes have the better corn this year – Iowa 30, Nebraska 28.
Duke (8-3) at Wake Forest (4-7) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ACCN – Under first-year coach Manny Diaz, Duke is about to finish an amazing season. The Dookies could end up 9-3. They should. Although quarterback Maalik Murphy needs to keep his middle fingers to himself this week. Simply put, Wake Forest has had a terrible season. And it’s probably not going to get any better against Duke. The Demon Deacons have given up 33 points a game. And they have lost their last three games. Wake has a decent quarterback in Hank Bachmeier. But Bachmeier has no offensive line. And Wake has no defense. The Dookies are no turkeys – Duke 31, Wake Forest 20.
Purdue (1-10) at Indiana (10-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – What can you say about Purdue? Not much. That’s for sure. The Boilermakers have lost ten-straight games. Eight of those 10 losses have not been close. The Boilers are giving up 38 points a game. Indiana is averaging 41 points a game. That spells trouble for Purdue. The Hoosiers want to make amends for last week. And Indiana is currently a playoff team, and the Hoosiers want to keep it that way. They do – Indiana 38, Purdue 17.
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
Utah (4-7) at UCF (4-7) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Friday, FOX….
South Florida (6-5) at Rice (3-8) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 2 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Middle Tennessee (3-8) at FIU (3-8) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 2 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Florida Atlantic (2-9) at Tulsa (3-8) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Quotes of the Week
“We know what’s at stake. We’ve felt what it’s like to not win this game, and it’s bad. It’s one of the worst things that’s happened to me in my life quite honestly. So we can never have that happen again, ever. And that’s been the approach all season, Ohio State coach Ryan Day, on the upcoming Michigan game.
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
(The next CFW – Week 14 Results – will be posted Monday morning, November 2.)
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