Oklahoma set the tone with an upset win over Bama in Tuscaloosa while Georgia effectively makes Texas #4 in the state with Texas A & M, Texas Tech, and North Texas still in the CFP hunt. It’s ok, the Cheez-It Bowl is still a possibility. Also, several schools provided “we still love our guy” including Maryland and Arizona. Lane Kiffin told the folks in Oxford and the CFB world ” I love it here!” when asked about all the places him name is attached to ( likely by Jimmy Sexton ).
Congrats to James Franklin who will be the next “sandman” to enter Blacksburg and lead the Hokies for the 2026 campaign.
ZT has noted the quality ( or perceived quality ) of the officiating in the SEC. It deserves review by Greg Sankey and the SEC office. Not a single team/single game but have noted “novice obvious” issues in games involving multiple teams. This weekend witnessed issues in the Ole Miss – UF & OU – Bama to pile on the earlier season issues with Auburn and others. SEC crews were considered the best in the country and that needs to always be the standard. OK, back to the fun stuff!!!!
Pigskin Accountability Update: Padre 66-31 ZT 63-34 Well, the Padre not only cleaned up ZT’s math but cleaned up with a 9-2 record in week 12 while ZT was 5-2. SO, for the 13th week in a row, the Padre with lead off and ZT will continue to be the 1st loser in 2nd place ( ok ZT, in a 2-man race, you are also in last place! ).
Padre leading off, as he has since August! Also ZT, Padre received a “word” about your “bonus pick”. As normal, he is 1-step ahead of you!
Mizzou @ Oklahoma: I’ve been told on good authority that Eli will be the next head coach at Florida. The same source also swears he’s headed to Auburn. And, apparently, that very same source insists he’ll be the next coach at Penn State, too. Meanwhile, Eli’s actual team is about to lose in Norman by double digits. Oklahoma 26, Mizzou 16.
Michigan @ Maryland: Next week, Michigan hosts Ohio State. Could the Wolverines be looking ahead to that matchup—like my neighbors, who have already skipped Thanksgiving and gone full-blown Clark Griswold in their yard since the day after Halloween? I think it’s possible, but I’ll say the Wolverines have just enough. Michigan 26, Maryland 20 (take that for your bonus pick ZT!)
Louisville @ SMU: Mustangs are cooler than Cardinals, and SMU is better than Louisville — at least in Dallas. SMU 29, Louisville 27.
E. Illinois @ Bama: I have to pick this one for my dear friend, the Twin. My AD in Florida scheduled Tennessee before FSU; Bama’s AD scheduled E. Illinois before Auburn. Bama’s AD > Florida’s AD. Bama 55, E. Illinois 10.
USC @ Oregon: This feels like a CFP elimination game. I’m not sure why, but I want Southern Cal to win. I know—that’s heresy from a Southerner. It’s like asking for an unsweet tea at a family reunion. But much like the aftertaste of that unsweet tea, Southern Cal will leave me bitter….because Oregon is sweeter. Ducks 37, Trojans 23.
Kentucky @ Vanderbilt: Big Blue vs. Big Book. The Big Book smacks down Kentucky, ending their winning streak. Vanderbilt dominates, taking the victory 24-10.
Kansas St @ Utah: I sincerely know very little about these teams, but I will pick the game. Since I know a little more about Utah than K-State — because they have a better record — I will go with what I know more. Utah 38, K-State 13.
Pitt’s head coach decided that Notre Dame was a game that didn’t matter — because it wasn’t a conference game. At first, I was taken aback by the comment (and honestly, I still am). But now I realize its genius! If non-conference games don’t matter, then nothing Notre Dame does should matter either! Clearly, Notre Dame’s losses don’t count, so that must mean their wins don’t either. Because none of them happen in conference play. Just call me Pastor Eisenstein. (By the way, I’m not a Notre Dame hater — I love their traditions! I just can’t stand their constant preferential treatment.) Okay, I see what just happened. I’m predicting the Pitt @ Georgia Tech game, and somehow, all I’ve written about is Notre Dame. The Golden Dome is clearly some kind of secret hypnotizing tool. Makes sense. Anyway, Georgia Tech will beat Pitt. Tech 30, Pitt 20.
Tennessee @ Florida: This game used to mean everything in the SEC. It used to determine conference championships and maybe even national titles. It was the game where Gameday always went, and sponsors lined up for their commercials. It was a golden era in college football. Orange vs. Puke Orange. Flatlands vs. Mountains. Cosmopolitans vs. Moonshine. That was until a man came along and destroyed it all. He became the one thing Vols and Gators could both agree on when lamenting the old days. He was the Napoleon (some will get that joke) of our once-thriving empires. That man was Nick Saban. Since his arrival, this game has become as pointless as pineapple on pizza — some people may still like it, but the majority doesn’t care what those people think. Anyway, Florida will play hard. Anyway again, Florida will lose another close one. Tennessee 27, Florida 20.
That’s it for the week. Betting odds now say The Lane Train is headed to LSU. If that happens, Gator Country may collapse into the Gulf of Mexico — I mean, the Gulf of America. Whatever. Just call it the Gulf of Gator Tears.
Gator out.
ZT, after getting close but not able to overtake the Padre, went back to his food roots for this week!! An intentional Waffle House visit on Monday to get the body chemicals back in balance was in order!
23 Missouri Tigers vs 8 Oklahoma Sooners 11am
Sooners took care of business in T-town and better get ready because Eli’s Coming!! Mizzou HC Drinkwitz being talked about as the “best value” in a HC based on a low buyout. ( $5mm ). Good guy but this is not like trying to get a deal on a frozen pizza at Sam’s Club. ZT trying not let the Sooners W vs Bama last week shade this prognostication but also hard for Mizzou to feel like Eli’s staying. Boomer Sooner 24 Siegfried and Roy’s Pets 17
30 Louisville Cardinals vs 28 SMU Mustangs 11am
Cardinals try to bounce back from close loses at home to Clemson and Cal and are rewarded with a visit to Gerald Ford Stadium in Dallas to face Mustangs. In Mustangs are ready and expect they will take a page from the former president and trip up the Cardinals! Mustangs 28 Broken Wing Birds 24
E. Illinois Panthers Vs 10 Bama. 1pm
It’s Senior Day in Tuscaloosa. Panthers last victory was on Oct 4 and QB Connor “hungry like a” Wolf throw an INT for every 2 TDs ( 8 TDs and 4 INTs in 2025 ). Bama goals are to win, play lots of players and get no one hurt ahead of the Iron Bowl next week. Bama 45 Big Payday Panthers 10
16 USC Trojans vs 6 Oregon Ducks 230pm
SO, every week the general consensus is “Trojans will lose”…but they don’t! Ducks are glad to be at home in the nest before the Cascade Clash at Washington next week. HC Dan Lanning will have them ready to take of business and remain high in the CFP rankings. Trojans HC “Hot Rod” Lincoln Riley seems to have found a home in So Cal ( ZT….the song “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airman is from 1972!!! – based on your picks, you could be part of the lost planet prognosticators…. ). Ducks too much at home. Ducks. 34 SoCal Malware. 28
Kentucky Wildcats vs 12 Vandy 230pm
PAVIA, PAVIA, PAVIA….one would think they are at a soccer match in Madrid with the entourage and support behind this guy! Over 3,000 all-purpose yards and grittier than toilet paper in a Wal-Mart bathroom. ZT on a Delta flight ( nice try for a sponsorship ZT .. ) and chatted with some Vandy fans who noted a little family riff and some members of the Pavia cartel no longer allowed in the games and just hang out in downtown Nashville ( like that is a place to stay out of trouble! ). Hoops season here so this version of the Wildcats are done…. Vandy 35 Pavia’s next victims 20
Kansas St Wildcats Vs 13 Utah Utes 300pm
Utes have scalped everyone but the Mormons from BYU over the last 5 weeks. Hard to see a winning path for the Purple Power Cats, other than getting bowl eligible. Will note a K State win would shake up the CFP. Too many injuries for the K. State and Utes have been solid on both sides of the ball. UTES 38 The Color Purple 17
32 Pittsburg Panthers vs 15 Georgia Tech Yellowjackets. 6pm
Well, it wasn’t by 100 but ND beat Pitt and the Panther fans feel worse than a Giraffe with a sore throat, regardless of what HC Pat Narduzzi says. Good news, they can get over it quickly with a road win in Atlanta. One problem, GT needs this win to get to the ACC championship and they are undefeated at Bobby Dodd stadium this year. GT defense lives up the Ramblin’ Wreck tagline at this point in the season. Got to have QB Haynes King carry the load. Heard his pregame music is from The Hollies “He ain’t heavy, He’s my brother” and Haynes is ready to carry GT to a W! Yellowjackets 35 Should have played ND harder 31
20 Tennessee Vols vs Florida Gators 630pm.
In the swamp at night, with nothin better to do than eat a Hillbilly! Gators have played up against UGA and Ole Miss in the past 3 weeks. Defense will keep them in it and question is how many offensive players will be out again this week. Vols blew out the Aggies…ok, it was the New Mexico State version and they don’t have a 12th man…. they have a guy called Pistol Pete ( after they determined Lasso Larry sounded like a guy that used to be part of Chippendales)
Both finish with rivals at home so no reason to look ahead. Upset Special Gators 24 Hillbilly Dancers 23
ZT undisclosed Bonus Pick ( since Padre smoked him in the catch up last week )
18 Michigan Wolverines vs. Maryland Terrapins 3pm
Wolverines will be having Turtle Soup for Thanksgiving and may have Terps HC Michael “sure, my job is safe “ Locksley deliver it in his new Door Dash van. Wolverines 31 Donatello’s Cousins 17
Dad Joke of the Week: What do football centers wear on their feet? Hiking Shoes
Bonus Dad Joke for SEC Refs: Why did the referee have trouble measuring the 1st down? Someone was yanking his chain!
Bonus Dad Joke #2: What’s Forrest Gump’s password? 1forrest1
Padre and ZT back on Friday after Thanksgiving…
Pigskin Prognostications by the Piedmont Padre and Zimmern's Twin 