The November Blitz is HERE
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Star log number 2 and as I write this article, I must admit this has been an exhausting week. No need to mention the reasons why (I think you have a clue) but now that it’s our nation must come together. My Mother taught me to respect everyone and no matter what their beliefs were. If someone with an open heart/mind want to discuss cultural differences, let’s have that conversation. What makes us better as people. This mosaic we call America has a lot of different pieces. Just because you like Seafood (I’m allergic and if eaten can be ugly. Remember Will Smith in the movie Hitch?) And I don’t, doesn’t make us enemies. Just means we have differences in taste. We can sit down, break bread, and have great conversation/ debate. Growing up in the biggest melting pot in the world, New York City has educated me to respect all creeds and colors. No matter your religion or political belief we can get along. I don’t have to understand one’s choice, but I must respect that choice as they must respect mine. When I look at the mirror of the USA, we all want the same thing. Take care of our families, have a good meal 5 out of 7 days (Friday & Saturday junk food), and the ability to enjoy life. I’m not a miracle worker (I leave that to the man above), but as we enter the Holiday Season let’s respect one another as there are more things that can bring us together than they are the tear us apart.
The college football has hit November, and it’s the witching hour. It’s time to learn about the contenders and the pretenders as we come down the stretch to the conference championships and playoffs.
We are now fully in November, and before you feast on turkey, a couple things must be sorted out. Let’s start in the ACC where at the moment Miami and SMU (yes, I said SMU) look to be on a collision course. Many viewed the Hurricanes a contender in a pivotal year for Mario Cristobal, but no one outside the Dallas metro thought SMU would be in this spot. Rhett Lashlee has done a heck of a job in the Mustangs first year in the league. I believe Miami is a lock if they win out (games vs Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Syracuse) to make the Top 12 but SMU is not too shabby themselves with a record of 8-1 (only loss to un-beating BYU) have off week should make the selection committee’s job a tough one. Go to the ACC Championship game and end the season 11-2 with loses only to two undefeated teams. Do they not get in?
Moving on to the mighty SEC. This league has been truly interesting. The upheaval of the Bama fans (even though they are in the Top 12), Texas is an immediate player, and the consistency of Georgia. Probably the most enjoyable team has been Vanderbilt. The Commodores came out the gate beating Virginia Tech and been a great watch all year. Wins over Alabama and Auburn (first time that’s been happening since 1955) have brought unexpected joy to Nashville. Head Coach Clark Lea has done a great job going to the transfer portal acquiring “Giant Killer” QB Diego Pavia. The 6 ‘0 QB from New Mexico State has Vandy at bowl eligibility and is a Darkhorse Heisman Candidate. Learning a new system was made a ton easier by Pavia’s former HC Jerry Kill joining the Commodores coaching staff. Kill is a football genius and has paid off major. No secret the SEC is the “Bell of the Ball” with 7 teams still with a shot at the playoffs. My thought is Georgia and Texas will have a rematch for the league championship and the first-round bye.
At the moment the Big Ten might be the class of college football. The league has on the #1 team (Oregon). The 20 million dollar program (Ohio St), the perennial bridesmaid (Penn St), and the ultimate Cinderella (Indiana). The Hoosiers lead by Curt Cignetti has come to Bloomington (self-proclaimed “Google Me All I Do Is Win”) and has made Indiana a football school. A big one in a few weeks against the Buckeyes will go a long way to keeping the glass slipper on until mid-December. The Ducks, being new to the neighborhood and the best. Should play the Buckeyes for the crown and similar to the SEC winner getting a bye.
Last but not least, the most entertaining / unpredictable league is the Big Twelve. It’s any given Saturday in the “Truck Stop” conference. BYU is undefeated and standing alone at the top. Head Coach Kalani Sitake was on a “Warm” seat coming into the season but has put the Cougars in playoff contention and an opportunity to compete for what the school won 40 years ago a National Title. The Big Twelve is home to the most discussed team in the sport Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes. The Buffs stand at 6-2 tied for 2nd place with a winnable schedule that can end with a 10 win season. Shedeur Sanders is playing like the best QB in the country, and Travis Hunter is looking like a Heisman Trophy winner. My thoughts are I see BYU and Colorado winning out. Iowa St who’s tied with Colorado I believe will lose 1 or even 2 more times leaving for a Buffaloes vs. Cougars Championship Game. Colorado in my opinion needs to win the league in order to get in which I believe they will do. Coach Prime in the Playoffs after 4-8 last year and 2 years removed from CU being 1-11.
The other contenders are a super Independent (Notre Dame) and a G5 giant (Boise St) . The Irish have one of the best wins (Texas A&M) and one of the worst losses (Northern Illinois). HC Marcus Freeman has re-grouped and has the Golden Domer’s poised for a playoff run. Boise St is the class of the Group of 5. Heisman Candidate Ashton Jeanty will get a chance to go against the big boys probably at the 12 seed. In the NCAA Basketball Tournament for 5 seed wants to play the 12. Could football become the same omen?
There’s been a lot of drama during this season. With the new playoff format there’s a ton of football to be played and with teams going down faster than bowling pins anything can happen in the month of November. Don’t miss a second ……
