This is that time of year ( ok, a few weeks later but still December ), when the conference champions are crowned. SEC, ACC, and Big10 have CFP implications. Hard to see a path for any other teams to break in but it is 2020 so never say never.
Padre is up first as he has spent 5 days at Shoe Carnival after the UF game last week. Without further adieu……..
Padre’s Prognostications – Very bitter Gator fan edition
Bama 55 Florida 24
He threw a shoe. A shoe. Playoff and Heisman still in the picture – and he threw a shoe. However, it’s a new day and a new challenge!! Like David and Goliath, we will look at the giant and sling that shoe at his big red elephant head! And…..this isn’t the greatest book ever written. This time the Philistine looks at us and, like Austin Powers, says “Who throws a shoe!?!?” Then he proceeds to mud-hole stomp us into “also ran” status. We didn’t lose last week because of a shoe. We lost because of turnovers – and because we couldn’t tackle or cover Betty White. The Golden Girls would score 30 on us. At least their house slippers wouldn’t make it 20 yards down the field when we threw them.
Oklahoma 34 Iowa State 30
Before he heads off to Michigan, Campbell’s Skunk River Boys give Sooners everything they can handle, but they come up just short. I hear Oklahoma cowboy boots act like boomerangs when you throw them. If they boomerang and land in the same spot where they were thrown, is it still a penalty?? Asking for a friend.
USC 31 Oregon 30 – Friday Night
The Trojans somehow find a way to win again at the end. However, I will say those hippie Berkinstocks on the west coast don’t get as much speed when you throw them. Of course, in Cali they are probably throwing them while on “medical cannabis” so that makes it harder to throw 20 yards. But it is funnier!!! Suddenly, I have the munchies. Where are those Funyuns??
Ohio State 41 Northwestern 13
Ohio State is simply much better as they cruise to the CFP with 6 wins. Now, an Ohio snow-boot would be a sight when thrown 20 yards!!! I wonder if you hit someone with it if you could be charged with a crime? I am sure it would be “six” counts of very small misdemeanors…..but I am also sure that Buckeye people would say it was deserving to be called one of the best shoe throws/crimes of all time.
Clemson 41 Notre Dame 27
Clemson controls the game with better talent and a healthy QB. However, Notre Dame still makes the playoff as the #3 or #4 seed. I am guessing they land at #4 and play Bama in the semis. Just curious, when you find a Leprechaun’s shoe and throw it, does it land near a pot of gold? No. It probably lands in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
UPSET OF THE WEEK
UL- Lafayette 30 Coastal Carolina 27
I came close last week on my prediction that Coastal would lose to Troy, but they pulled it out. So, i am going to try it again. The Cajuns take down the Dirty Myrtles!!! When thrown, swamp boots pack a much stronger punch than flip-flops!!!
Padre going off line until after the Bama – UF game…….well he may look to see who is the latest athlete wearing Sketchers and expecting it to be a Gator…..
ZT been rummaging for snacks noting the Covid has reduced the number of food gifts at work this holiday season. Did note you can take a handful of Vitamin C gummies, put them on a 2 -day old Krispy Kreme donut and nuke it for 20 seconds for a tasty, and kinda healthy, holiday treat………
USC Trojans vs. Oregon Ducks Pseudo-12 Championship
Didn’t play 6 games, Nike Ducks replace the Washington Huskies in the North, etc., etc., etc. ZT flipped a coin and it landed on its side!! Refuse to acknowledge this is a game so you are on your own for this Friday Fiasco. ZT throwing out his Nikes and ordering a pair of New Balance in protest.
#14 Northwestern Wildcats vs. #4 Ohio State Buckeyes Big10 Championship
Ok. Big 10 rule change allows this to happen. Buckeyes should be in this one and they are. OSU a big Vegas favorite but ZT does like the NW defense. They have only allowed 14.6 points per game in 2020 and HC Fitzgerald gets more out of this team than a Perdue Farms processing plant gets out of a chicken. That is good because OSU, led by QB Justin “Crop-Dustin” Fields, has won 20 consecutive B10 games by an average of 26 points and the last 8 vs. NW by 31.9! Buckeyes’ weak area would be pass defense. NW QB Peyton “sorry, not Manning” Ramsey must have best game of career for the Wildcats to have a shot. Not happening. Buckeyes 38 Wildcats 21
#10 Oklahoma Sooners vs. #6 Iowa State Cyclones – Big 12 Championship
Well……this is a NY6 placement game. Last time ISU won a conference title? Missouri Valley Conference in 1912!! ZT likes the 2020 Cyclones with HC Matt Campbell “Soup” after an opening day loss to UL-Lafayette ( which doesn’t look so bad now! ) and a close one with OK State. Remember, this is a revenge game recalling the Cyclones blew over the Boomer Schooner 37-30 in October @ Ames. OU running game is improved since RB Rhamondre ” I love my madre” Stevenson has come onto the scene averaging over 6 yards per carry!! This is taking some pressure of QB Spencer Rattler. ISU will count on QB Brock “I love my purple jock” Purdy and RB Hall to light up the score board in Jerry World. ZT with the upset!!! Cyclones 31 Doomer Schooner 28
#3 Clemson Tigers vs. #2 ND Fighting Irish ACC/Catholic Championship
This game likely has biggest impact on CFP as most any outcome impacts the Top 4. ZT notes a bit more on the line for the Dabocatos noting a loss knocks them out. We all recall Trevor Lawrence was absent for the regular season match up and he has only lost 1 game as a starter. On the ND side, QB Ian “gold pants hide it when your peein” Book continues to improve and ZT loves the ND defense ( as much as any Bama guy can love anything about ND…….did check on Manti Te’o and his girlfriend being the holiday season and called Joe Theismann to ask how his leg was doing these days). Only way ZT picks ND is if the game is played on Christmas or Easter and it ain’t!! Tigers 38 Men of Midnight Mass 24
#19 UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns vs. #12 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Sunbelt Championship
The Sunbelt has lots of teams with long names…… This should be a great game! Chants pulled it out in last minute against Troy while the Ragin’ Cajuns had a week off to eat gumbo and suck crawdad heads. Only loss for ULL? An October match up with CCC that ended in a 30-27 Chants victory. No one giving the ULL much of a chance……But HERE COMES ZT!!! Cajuns 30 Grilled Chants 27
#1 Bama vs. #7 Florida Gators SEC Championship
Gators looking for redemption after the LSU debacle last week. This would be perfect game for any team to put a loss like that behind them. 10th SEC Championship game between these 2 ( Bama 5 – UF 4 ). Have been some classics for sure but none of that really matters. 2 best QBs in the nation face off. ZT ( ok, going to be a bit blasphemous to Bama fans ) believes UF QB Trask is better but just doesn’t have a cast of superstars around him like Bama QB Jones. Bama O-line should get the Heisman as Jones has been spotted eating a sandwich waiting for DeVonta Smith to get open. They can also run block….. RB Najee Harris will nod his head yes ( right before he jukes you !). ZT says this one will be closer than projected as Toney and Pitts are plenty of support for Trask who can light up any defense. ZT believes the difference is the below-par UF defense. BAMA 48 Gators 38
Padre and ZT taking some R & R until the College Football Playoffs and wish all of you a Happy and Safe Christmas….….. Except for Gary Danielson. Hope you enjoy sitting front of a dead tree and eating candy out of an old sock because Santa doesn’t believe in you either!!!
Pigskin Prognostications by the Piedmont Padre and Zimmern's Twin 