This is the 150th POST for the Pigskin Prognostications. We appreciate our faithful ( obviously bored out of their minds ) readers and plan to continue until the end of the World or we are banned from the Internet, whichever comes 1st.
Week 12 was better than you think as even though BYU fell from the ranks of the unbeatens, one of the Dolphins’ arch nemesis, Buffalo, took out the KC Chiefs so ZT and the rest of the 1972 Undefeated Dolphins could hoist the glass and toast the last undefeated team in the NFL. OK, ZT went to the Waffle House to celebrate but still….
Pigskin Prognostication Accountability Padre 64-37 ZT 61-35
Padre is working OT this AM but will be ready to prognosticate VERY SOON and continue to lead ZT past week 13!! Will update!!!!
7:07 LAS VEGAS TIME UPDATE ( yes, ZT In Vegas looking for CFP inside info and preliminary work for Thanksgiving weekend prognostications ) but THE PADRE IS NOW IN THE HOUSE!!
IU vs. Ohio St: IU finally plays a real football team. Likewise, Ohio St finally plays a real football team 😏. I kid. I kid. Penn St is a real football team 😉😉😉. Anywho, outside Columbus and the state of Ohio, the whole country is pulling for Indiana. Sorry Buckeye friends, but that is how it goes. Heck, I miss the country hating Florida. Now everybody feels sorry for us, and I get texts like my grandma died when they lose. So being hated means you are winning. And sadly for America, I think Ohio St keeps on winning. As Ohio St pulls away in the second half, Bobby Knight throws a golden chair in heaven and is forced to attend the Angelic Anger Management Program. Ohio St blows out the basketball school 41-20.
Ole Miss vs. Florida: Florida’s once future coach visits Florida’s now current and future coach. Last week was a pleasant surprise for us Gator fans. Like when I got my Maw’s Maw’s homemade pecan pie after eating a super dry turkey. But my Gators’ injuries catch up to them this week (plus, Ole Miss is better). The Lain Train storms into Gainesville and comes out winner — “bigly”. Rebels win 34-16. Sure hope I am wrong, but go look at how many players are out for my Gators. It ain’t pretty! But next man up. We shall see.
BYU vs. Arizona St: BYU slipped up last week. It felt like it was inevitable. Now confession time — I had no earthly idea that Arizona St was playing well till Sunday morning of this past weekend. I haven’t followed them since the days of Jake “The Snake” Plummer. Well, I think they continue playing well. Reality smacks the Cougars in the face again and the Devils take down the Mormons 27-24.
Penn St vs. Minnesota: I have nothing against Penn St….outside the fact that they have not won a single big game. How are they ranked so high?! All I hear about is SEC bias, and yet PSU is super highly ranked with zero big wins. Let’s start a Big Ten bias narrative! Those wins against teams like Purdue, Northwestern, Rutgers, etc., sure are something 🙄! — Okay, okay. Maybe I am a little biased too. Anyway, call me crazy, but I think the Gophers pull off the massive CFP altering upset. Minnesota shocks the college football works and wins 24-23.
Army vs. Notre Dame: Like with IU and Ohio St, the country is all-in on Army. The media fascination with Notre Dame is something psychologists and sociologists could put into volumes of books. How do I describe it? How about this — Remember the “New Coke” in the 1980s? Remember the hype? Yeah. You do. Now remember how bad it was and how people yearned for the original (now called “Classic”)? Well, that is the Notre Dame hype train. However, EVERY YEAR WE ARE PRESENTED WITH THE NEW COKE AND WE EXPECT A DIFFERENT RESULT. Unfortunately, this isn’t the game where we spit out the drink. That will come in the CFP. Notre Dame breaks America’s heart and beats Army 37-17 — only making America hate them more.
Bama vs. Oklahoma: Bear Bryant. Barry Switzer. Nick Saban. Bob Stoops. Two of the most storied programs in college football history. The legends and memories will be a part of college football lore long after we die. However, today is a little different. Bama is basically playing a playoff game every week, and Oklahoma is just trying to make a bowl game. Bama is better. Sooners play tough, but the Tide rolls 30-20.
A&M vs. Auburn: In trying to say his team was focused on Auburn this week, and not looking ahead to Texas, Elko created a viral moment by actual saying Texas and not Auburn! You know that the Tigers have that plastered all over their locker-room. Both schools are known for being agricultural schools (at least historically). Both schools are also known for being in the shadows of the flagship programs of their states. I sense something is cookin’ on the Plains this week. I am going to call it — The Tigers rally as a team and somehow get the upset in what I am calling “The Little Brother Bowl”. Auburn by a score of 23-20.
Vandy vs. LSU: A few years ago or so, LSU visited Vanderbilt and the “Tigah” fanbase literally drank the stadium dry by halftime. Well, Brian Kelly has probably drank that much by himself this week after losing to my Gators. Times are tough down on the Bayou, and Kelly’s fake southern accent is no longer “cute”. Kelly is desperate. The cajuns are circling. I so bad want to pick Vanderbilt, but in his desperation, Kelly rebounds and the Bayou Bengals take down the SEC’s version of Northwestern by a score of 30-17.
*Next week my Gators play @FSU. I’ll get back to that. Firstly, I get a lot of grief from my non-Gator friends for not trusting in what Napier is building. Well, trust me when I say that I truly want to win with the guy. He is everything you want out of a coach character wise. So, we will see what happens in year four. Now, secondly, all of that changes if we lose to FSU next week. If we lose to this year’s FSU team, I reserve the right to go into full-blown meltdown mode. And you’re gonna take it, ‘Merica! I will be so mad that I may turn my social media profile pick black like all these people do when they are protesting or lamenting or whatever. That will show everybody I mean business! 😏😉🐊
ZT….Here…kinda as been on the road to the NW and Vegas but fired up about this late November weekend with much on the line for Conference Championships ( yes, they still matter ) and the CFP. So many games to choose from….and like the issue with dessert at the Skyclub, if you can’t decide just check them all out!!!!
#5 Indiana Hoosiers vs. #2 THE Ohio State Buckeyes 11am
Another 11am CST kickoff for the Buckeyes…could that explain why they have only scored more than 7 points in the 1st quarter 1 time?? Maybe they need some Monster Drinks at the pregame training table…at least for Ryan Day and OSU Coaches. It’s late November and this is for real boys and girls. Lots of good efforts by the Hoosiers with #1in B10 in sacks and 3rd in the nation in total defense..yep, trademark of a Curt Cignetti coached team and the OSU O-line is banged up. Oh by the way, Buckeyes defense is #2 in the country and other than some rough times vs. Oregon, QB Will Howard is just a bit better tested. Hoosiers do enough to stay in the playoff mix but…. Buckeyes 35 We are still a Hoops School. 21
#9 Ole Miss Rebels vs. Florida Gators 11am
If Kiffin and the Rebels win here and the Egg Bowl, they are highly likely to make the CFP without “having” to go to the SEC Championship. Don’t tell Lane this as he has a tendency to not quite finish the deal. QB Jaxson “Lawn” Dart is one of ZT’s favorite ( thanks for that “kiss of death” ZT! ) and if he gets hot ( 71% completions with 22 TDs and only 4 INTs ) particularly early, likely a long day for the Gators. Napier has the heart of this team ( unlike Kelly at LSU ) and they continue to improve. QB Lagway must make it happen and take care of the ball as Ole Miss Defense is very good. In the Swamp, so ZT sees closer than Vegas but Rebels get a W…. Rebels 31 Swamp Creatures 23
#14 BYU Cougars vs #21 Arizona State Sun Devils. 230pm
Cougars got caught off guard at home by some Jayhawks ( another Hoops School ) and their reward is a road trip to Tempe against some HOT Sun Devils ( that was weak ZT! ). BYU still controls their CFP and Big 12 aspirations while AZ State needs to win with a little help from the Cyclones. Bottom line? Both need a win this week. Period! ZT likes the Sun Devil Defense and expect them to POUND THE BALL with Sr. RB CAM “ Bam Bam” Skattebo ( 1,074 yds 11TDs and 2 TDs in the air ) and getting in the end zone. Sun Devils 28 Old, ex-cheerleaders looking for younger dates 21
#4 Penn State Nittany Lions vs Minnesota Golden Gophers 230pm
Nittany Lions are in one of the best spots in the CFP….2 wins and they are in …no Big 10 Championship game so they will get several weeks to rest/heal. Gophers are bowl eligible but would be happy to ruin PSU’s “pre-playoff euphoria”. Minn HC P J Fleck needs the run game to produce and QB Max “my back is waxed “ Brosmer to throw enough, but safely, to keep the PSU defense honest. PSU responded well after the OSU loss and expect they keep rolling in the cold weather in Minneapolis Nittany Lions 31 Aluminum Gophers 14
#19 Army Black Knights vs #6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 6pm
ZT made a ‘tactical error” when he went against Army on VETERAN’S Day weekend!! Worse decision than eating a quart of chili before going on a 5-mile run ( come on ZT, you can’t drive home 1 mile from the Waffle House without needing to stop! ). Who doesn’t love Army ( ok, Navy ), but they really need to win out, including this one, and then over UTSA and Tulane….anything else and they are out of the CFP noting best win to date is vs. the Mean Green. Fighting Irish have been blowing out everyone since they lost to “that team” ( the Pope issued a Papal edict that the words “Northern Illinois” will not be uttered within 50 miles of South Bend for the next 100 years or in the Bronx this weekend ). Will note it is difficult to simulate the Black Knight offense in practice but… Fighting Irish 31 Army Reserve 14
#7 Bama vs Oklahoma Sooners. 630pm
Hmm….anyone reading this old enough to remember the TV show “Lost in Space” ?? ( you assume anyone actually reads this ZT!). Ok it was a 1965-68 series but the Robot ( no name ) would yell out when trouble surfaced “DANGER Will Robinson!!” Bama better listen to that as this trip to Norman is exactly that. Sooners HC Brent Venables can scheme a defense for any offense, particularly with a bye week leading into this one. Bama…Ignore OU losing 4 of the last 5 or the OC firing. Don’t EVEN think about the Iron Bowl next week. This is the OU bowl game ( sure, they can beat LSU next week and still get to one but that is not the signature win they need this week!! ). Vegas says Bama by 2 TDs? ZT recalls the other phrase the Robot said was “That does not Compute!” And neither does this. Close with a late W….. Bama 27 Boomer 24
#15 Texas A & M Aggies vs Auburn Tigers 630pm
Ok….2 “signs” for this one. 1st, Texas A & M Head Coach Mike “ Dorko ” Elko, says they are focused on their game with Texas and ignoring Auburn. 2nd, ZT traveling west and had the entire AU hoops team on his flight. Very nice group and ZT was also reminded how young people can take a nap at a moments notice. ZT did offer the 6-11 Center some rebounding tips, he politely laughed and said “ I’m good!” That is all ZT needs to call for the upset. Upset Special Tigers 24 Cattle Ranchers worried about Longhorns 23
Vanderbilt Commodores vs LSU Tigahs 645pm
Tigahs look like a 14ft aluminum boat in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico with a tropical storm approaching ( which is what many of the LSU faithful would like to put Lyin Brian Kelly in at this point ). Has he lost the locker room after 3 straight double digit losses? Sure they will go to a bowl game and can still win 10 but it ain’t what was expected in Baton Rouge!!! Vandy…got thumped by the Gamecocks but got a much needed bye week before this and the UT game. They have won games on the road although this will be Baton Rouge at Night. Vandy Coach Lea notes: “This is an Identity Game” and Commodores have been able to back up that mental toughness in 2024. Will be tight but Kelly gets a win when needed ( to keep his job ) in a close one. Tigahs 31 Rear Admirals 27
ZT finishing the day in Vegas and back in next week for the Thanksgiving Weekend of games starting on Friday!!! Hope you eat enough to have to change into sweatpants!! BTW, ZT may have to get another round to see if he can pick a favorite…..
Pigskin Prognostications by the Piedmont Padre and Zimmern's Twin 