Who will you cheer for this weekend? ND, LSU, Pitt, Texas Tech, NC State, GA / TN
We're entering the final four games (for most teams) of the regular season. And, though many games will be played, the strength of schedule and likelihood that some teams will lose future games varies.
So - as difficult as it may be - who will you be rooting for, or hoping, to win this weekend.
At the top of my list is:
1. Clemson at ND. This is easily the toughest game for Clemson the rest of the year. The weather could be "different" than what the Tigers are accustomed to - with possible rain, wind, and temperatures in the 50's.
2. Bama at LSU. I'll be hoping for Brian Kelly to pull this one off to provide the Tide with their second conference loss of the season. And, going forward - Bama defeating Ole Miss next weekend - so, a two conference loss "West" division team can win the SEC CCG.
3. Tennessee at Georgia. A big win by either team. But, I do think Georgia fans (should they lose) will talk about the impact of losing one of their key defensemen (LB - Nolan Smith) to injury.
4. Wake Forest vs NC State. I'd like Wake to win this one - since UNC is the only currently ranked team left on NC State's schedule; whereas Wake Forest still plays Syracuse.
5. Syracuse at Pitt. I'll go with Pitt - primarily to decrease the ACC's Strength of Schedule.
6. Texas Tech at TCU. Though unlikely, it would be fun to see the Texas Tech Red Raiders find a way to win this one.
Any other games, results, or outcomes - besides the Michigan - Rutgers game you're interested in?
Generally speaking - two things... wins / losses that could help the Maize & Blue, and the B1G, and chaos.. lots of chaos. (And, if you're a "Get Smart" fan... that might be KAOS.)
November 3rd, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
I couldn't care less who wins these games. If we win our games, none of these mean a damn thing.
November 3rd, 2022 at 2:17 PM ^
Absolutely true …. and fuck notre shame now and forever!!!!
November 3rd, 2022 at 1:29 PM ^
ND winning eliminates Clemson.
LSU winning eliminates Alabama.
TT winning eliminates the Big 12.
Who fights UM for the 4th spot if they lose a close one at OSU? Oregon? If Tenn beats Georgia then that lessens Oregons chances. Another Oregon loss in the above scenario would help solidify a # 4 ranking should UM lose to OSU inna close one.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:01 PM ^
People keep talking about Oregon from the PAC 12 (for good reason, they've looked good), but USC and UCLA are also both at one loss, and the winner of their game on the 19th will likely be playing Oregon in the PAC 12 championship game. Wouldn't a USC team at 12-1, with a 1 pt road loss to a respectable Utah team, or a 12-1 UCLA team, who avenged their loss in Eugene in the PAC12 CG, be in consideration?
TCU would need to remove themselves from the discussion, and Oregon should be favored over both LA teams, but I think we need to talk about the PAC 12 three, rather than just Oregon. Oregon's blowout loss to Georgia might keep them from the playoff, where UCLA and USCs losses are likely easier to forgive.
November 3rd, 2022 at 1:33 PM ^
I'm not sure rooting for Irish is clear cut.
Should improve chances of one loss Michigan getting in.
But likely even more beneficial to a one loss OSU, as they share ND with Clemson.
Michigan and Clemson winning out seems likely to result in both teams in the 2v3 game, which does not sound so bad.
Plus Fuck Notre Dame.
But then again Dabo is kind of an ass.
November 3rd, 2022 at 1:36 PM ^
If we win out, we're in.
So, we need to focus on the best way to give Michigan a chance if they win out until losing in Columbus.
To wit: Let's see ND beat Clemson, LSU beat Bama, and Texas Tech beat TCU.
I suppose a dominating win by either TN or GA might knock the other out of the top-4 -- much more likely if GA wins and Bama loses -- but perhaps not. To get 2 Big Ten teams in would mean no ACC (Clemson), no Big 12 (TCU), and no Pac 12 (honestly, I don't know what is going on there), so that's a tough ask with 2 SEC teams taking two of the spots.
Overall, then, this is a fun exercise, but really we just need to win out. Just Win.
November 3rd, 2022 at 1:46 PM ^
Illinois.
November 3rd, 2022 at 2:18 PM ^
I think GA has a better defense and will win a close game against TN.
It would be nice if ND defeats Clemson
It is possible that LSU could defeat Alabama.
If everything goes well Saturday, then next week, 1. GA/TN, 2. OSU, 3. UM, and 4. TN/GA.
November 3rd, 2022 at 3:31 PM ^
3. Tenn at Georgia -- I don't think you want a big win by either team. You want them to be seen as about equal, and then the winner of the game goes on to lose by a two, maybe three score margin against a 2-loss Alabama or LSU team in the SEC CG. I think that is a doomsday scenario for the SEC.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:35 PM ^
I'll be at the game in baton rouge. Unfortunately it's supposed to. Rain all day so I could see myself just staying back at the tailgate to watch on one of the absurd motorhomes that fill the lot.
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:01 PM ^
Michigan... I will cheer for Michigan.
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:13 PM ^
ND (Clemson way more annoying than this version of ND)
TN (but this is maybe the one SEC game I watch this year, I just want to be entertained)
Sparty played very well against Wisco. Much as I’d like to see Illinois head into Ann Arbor in a tailspin, saving any drama for the game, I can’t root for those guys after the tunnel. Half that team saw it go down, and any one of them could have stopped it. They’ve always been Juggalos. That was a Boogaloo move.
November 3rd, 2022 at 6:05 PM ^
I hope y'all feel for me...my son went to TN, my daughter went to UGA...the back and forth is making me nauseous...however it's good natured..(most of the time)
November 3rd, 2022 at 7:17 PM ^
Yep, you nailed it. I went through and had almost exactly which games and who to root for as you. But, Illinois as well.
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^
Pains me to say I'll be rooting for an ND upset over Clemson. The question is whether you get the ND who loses to Marshall and Stanford or the ND who beats Syracuse, North Carolina, and actually gave Ohio State a good game.
Hoping for the latter but I'm sure they'll find a way to disappoint.