Before the Conference Championships & the College Football Playoffs, it’s Rivalry Weekend! Assume nothing, kinda like when you assumed that certain uncle would behave at Thanksgiving!!
While the biggest news in coaching is what station the Lane Train pulls into over the weekend, several other ACTUAL changes occurred with about as much fanfare as a documentary on the spawning habits of a snail darter fish. Colorado State Rams hired Jim Mora from UConn, Oklahoma State hired a guy without a mullet in UNT’s Eric Morris and expect Marshall Faulk to be the new HC at Southern University! Also, for you legal buffs, Brian Kelly was “officially fired without cause“…if that doesn’t spark legal reform in our country, nothing does!! “without cause” ?? Are you kidding?!?!?!
Pigskin Accountability Update: Padre 74-32 ZT 70-36 Solid week for both but the Padre was 1 better and extended his lead to 4 games. ZT indicates he has reached out to RFK jr. about ways to naturally increase his brain power and also see if there is a secret vaccine out there that could help…
Editors Note: Padre and ZT prognostications are submitted independently and they do not have access to read the other’s submissions prior to publishing ( pretty obvious ZT doesn’t read much period! ). Worth noting based on their submissions on the Ole Miss/Miss State game today!
Padre leads off for the the 14th straight week…..almost equal to how many weeks Notre Dame is already been told they are in the College Football Playoffs.
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State: Lane has The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” on loop at his home in Oxford—so much so that the Egg Bowl feels like an afterthought. As a Gator, if he decides to stay, I get it. If he decides to come to Florida, he’s awesome. If he decides to go to LSU, he is everything the media says about him. I think that’s fair logic. 🤣 In all seriousness, I believe that in America, if a man wants to stay or go for a job, that isn’t some great moral dilemma. But this is the SEC—and in the SEC, if he leaves or spurns another program, he’ll be called a Benedict Arnold (I was just watching The American Revolution on PBS). I do know this much: every single team that needs a coach would love Lane, and every single team that doesn’t need a coach thinks he’s evil for even looking at an offer. Funny how that works. On the game — the drama doesn’t matter. Ole Miss is better. Ole Miss 41, Mississippi State 24.
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech: Last year, this game was wilder than a 1990s spring break party at Club La Vela. This year? I sadly believe my fears have come true: Georgia was (emphasis on was) young. That’s why they were having weird games. Now? Now they look like Georgia again. The fact of the matter is that Kirby is a winner and he owns the Yellow Jackets. The Jackets decided to put this game in the Dome to make more money. They just turned it into a home game for the Dawgs. The Jackets wanted more revenue; instead they’re going into the red. Georgia big. Georgia 37, Georgia Tech 13.
Texas A&M at Texas: As a traditionalist, I wish this were still an SWC matchup. But I also wish stores still sold RC Cola, so clearly I’m wearing pants with suspenders pulled up over my belly button. As for the game, I’ve got a feeling Arch comes to play. Texas gets the rivalry upset. Horns 27, Aggies 26.
Arizona at Arizona State: The Sun Devils have one of my favorite classic logos (it reminds me of the Baltimore Orioles’ laughing oriole). But their QB is out. Logos are fun; QBs win games. Arizona goes into Tempe and gets the win. Arizona 23–20.
Ohio State at Michigan: How awesome is college football? To pump up Buckeye fans, there is a phone number you can call to hear a locker-room speech from Woody Hayes (614-488-1910 — try it!). It took me ten tries to get through because the lines were overloaded. God bless college football! The Buckeyes break the streak. Ohio State 27, Michigan 17.
Miami @ Pitt: Apparently, Pitt cares about this one… probably because it’s a conference game. Miami, on the other hand, is fighting for its College Football Playoff life— so basically, it’s “do or die” time. In my book, CFP desperation always beats conference pride. Miami 30, Pitt 22.
LSU @ Oklahoma: Oh look—another attempt by the SEC to create a new season-ending rivalry. Oh look—it’s not working. LSU is waiting on a rose from Lane, and Oklahoma is playing for the CFP. OU rolls. Sooners 24, LSU 10.
Vanderbilt @ Tennessee: Diego Pavia and his Commodores may be riding high lately, but Tennessee just finished beating a half-dead Gator squad like Florida owed them money. Maybe it’s my historical bias talking, but I simply cannot imagine Vanderbilt strolling into Knoxville and doing anything other than paying rent. Tennessee 37, Vanderbilt 24.
Oregon @ Washington: Dan Lanning is my man crush. Oregon 30, Washington 17.
FSU @ Florida: I’m taking my son to his first game in The Swamp. Too bad this year’s version of a once-great rivalry is basically the 2025 Toilet Bowl. I have no confidence in my team, but my son always hits the jackpot at Dave & Buster’s. I’m going with the good-luck charm over logic: Florida 24, FSU 23.
Bama @ Auburn: They keep saying Jordan-Hare is haunted. Well, to paraphrase Ray Parker, Jr.’s ’80s hit “Ghostbusters”, “Bammers ain’t scared of no ghost.” Bama 20, Auburn 16.
BONUS PICK — WHERE WILL THE LANE TRAIN STOP? The Gator “insiders” I trust say we’ve got him. The LSU “insiders” believe they have him. The Ole Miss “insiders” believe he will stay in Oxford. There’s a part of me that believes my beloved Florida is his best fit. But I don’t think I’m allowed to have good things in football anymore. Lane Kiffin picks… LSU. The Corndogs win. 🌽🐾
Happy Thanksgiving and holiday weekend! May your bellies be full and your teams play well. One piece of advice for family dinners this week: if you want something to talk about at the table, play it safe and pick politics or immigration. Don’t bring up Lane Kiffin — he’s probably too controversial. 😏
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” — Paul, the Apostle
ZT more full of it than a stuffed turkey but here to prognosticate on rivalry weekend!!!
Black Friday
7 Ole Miss vs. Miss State. The Egg Bowl 11am
While all rivalries are a clashes, this one reminds ZT of a song by The Clash “ Should I Stay or Should I Go”….we all know why. I can note Lane will hear more cowbell than a Blue Oyster Cult cover band at a roller rink on Friday. Bulldogs HC Jeff Lebby can get these guys to a bowl with a W. Vegas has this line tighter than one would first think but defense ranked 93rd in scoring prevention and not a good recipe for a W. Rebels 35 My Ding a Lings 24
4 Georgia vs 23 Georgia Tech Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate 230pm
ZT noted the Yellow Jacket bus was apparently late to Bobby Dodd stadium and they allowed the kids from St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage to play the 1st 20 minutes ( was 28-0 Pitt if you missed it and yes, that is the Orphanage where Jake and Elwood grew up in the Blues Brothers….yes ZT we note it is another 1980’s film….you seen anything else in the last 30 years??). Dawgs went through the motions with Charlotte and only had 1 player get arrested so that is considered successful on both fronts! One more thing….supposed to be a “home game” for GT but is being played in Mercedes-Benz so not even neutral. Dawgs. 38 Hibernating Insects 21
3 Texas A & M vs 16 Texas. The Lone Star Showdown 630pm
WELL…..we got us a game you can hang your Stetson on in Texas!! Arch Manning looked like he could strut while sitting down last week vs. the Hogs. 4 passing TDs, 1 rushing and 1 receiving….better than Bobby Boucher! ( at least your in the late 90’s on movies ZT!! ). He better be that good this week as ZT believes Aggie QB Marcel Reed is the best in CFB. More fun is these 2 have not met in Austin since 2010. Will not be easy but rivalries are not meant to be. Sark is due a signature win and this is set up for that! Upset Special Longhorns 28 SEC Agony 27
25 Arizona Wildcats vs 20 Arizona St Sun Devils Duel in the Desert for the Territorial Cup 800pm
Couple of 8-3 Desert Dwellers..Interesting to see Wildcats favored in Tempe but maybe because its being played at night so the Sun Devil’s power is shaded ( that is weak, even for you ZT! ). Both squads can play defense and only loss in last 5 games for both teams is to the Houston Cougars. Close one and going with the home team ( ok 113 miles apart but still ) Upset Special Sun Devils ( even at night! ) 21 Wild ‘n Out Cats 20
Saturday
1 Ohio State vs 15 Michigan The Game 11am
Can THE Ohio State break the Blue curse?? It has been 2190 days ( as of Friday ) since the Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines. It all points to the Buckeyes but….believe Ryan Day will play for a sustained, ball control game and that will keep this score lower and TIGHTER than predicted. It is in Ann Arbor so that’s a HUGE advantage for the GO BLUE gang. Buckeyes. 21 Wolverines 20
12 Miami vs 24 Pittsburgh 11am
Hurricanes are out of season in the Atlantic and the Gulf of America but this game is in the Steel City that is known for the 446 bridges and the home of Heinz Ketchup ( ZT…do you think this is a travel channel blog? ). Panthers took care of GT on the road and now have a chance to ruin Mario Cristobal’s holidays. Can Pitt HC Narduzzi make it happen with the “don’t care if ND beats us by 100 as long as we win next 2” statement? He is half way there and Mario tends to coach big games with both hands on his own neck. ZT buying into the Coach N hype and playing in 32 degree weather. Upset Special Panthers 27 Frost Warning 24
LSU vs 8 Oklahoma 230pm
Well…by the time this one kicks off, we will likely know if some guy from Mississippi is coming to Baton Rouge. Regardless, the Sooners have one mission, run over the Tigahs and get ready to host a 1st round CFP game. So much drama on the bayou but not in Norman. Venables’ Defense and QB John Mateer get it done, secure a spot and get ready to welcome someone else to Norman. Sooners 24 Bayou Boys 14
14 Vanderbilt vs 19 Tennessee I-40 Bowl 230pm
Well…Pavia fever has hit a new high but it was for more for Antoinette Padilla, his mom last week….even though Diego had a career best 484 yards and 5 TD’s, his mom may have gotten more air time than him! That ain’t gonna happen at Rocky Top this week. Throw in Vandy HC Clark Lea name getting tossed in for the opening in Happy Valley ( Signed a late extension on Friday!) is just enough distraction as smart people get distracted quicker than meatheads on rumors. Vols 35 Smart Sailors 28
6 Oregon vs 31 Washington. The Cascade Clash 230
Hmm… Ducks HC took a shot at some SEC teams when he said “ We didn’t play Chattanooga State this weekend” after the Ducks took out USC. Note to Ducky Dan: Pay attention to the corn on your own pond as Huskies have an instinct to hunt and a duck dinner would be just fine. ZT would go with an upset call for the Huskies BUT….HC Fisch is now being named as a candidate in a few job openings and Oregon HC Dan Lanning has the Ducks peaking at the right time. Another close rivalry game. Ducks 28 Huskies 24
FSU vs Florida. The Florida Cup 330pm
Seminoles are all in on Norvell for another year ( word is the FSU crypto bet went the wrong way so they needed to wait anyway to fund the buyout ) but Gators can prevent them from attending a bowl with a W in the swamp. Hopefully, more motivation by the reptiles than we saw vs. the bootlegging hillbillies last week. Its in Gainesville and 21st century Indians more comfortable in a casino than in a swamp. Gators 27 Seminoles at the Hard Rock 24
10 Bama vs Auburn The Iron Bowl 630pm
Saban said it best on GameDay “ that place is haunted!!!” talking about playing a Jordan-Hare and even more so at night. Add in all the Tigers need is a W to become bowl-eligible and eliminate the Tide from the CFP in the same night. ZT’s key to this one? How Bama compensate and execute for the lack of a running game. Not easy with TE Cuevas still not 100%. This one has all the makings of a classic Iron Bowl. If you like to bet, take Tigers and the points but see Bama as “more fortunate” in this one ( and not counting on their FG Kicker! ) Bama 28 War Eagles 27
Bonus Selection: Where will Lane Kiffin be coaching in 2026? Well, ZT will start with a conversation he had with a Charlie Daniels Cover Band at a Holiday Inn in Columbus, Mississippi and it went something like this:
“Jimmy Sexton went down to Oxford, he was looking for a coach to steal. He was in a bind because his billings were way behind and he needed to make a deal. When he came across this young coach hanging in the Grove where the Coed’s are hot, Sexton jumped on the hood of his Maybach and said “Lane let me tell you what!” You talk pretty good smack and can coach & recruit too, but I will bet $20million I can get a landmark deal for you!!”…. At this point, the ASCAP stepped in and shut it down like the Blues Brothers did the Good Ol’Boys that night at Bob’s Country Bunker ( where they played both kinds of music, Country and Western ). SO…..ZT has to predict, without a clear musical message, but going with Florida for 1 reason, he will not be directly replacing a legend but can rekindle that Spurrier spirit. UF is a school that can be rehabbed quickly with a portal pirate like Lane. Add in that he can recruit as well and will likely smoke most the Florida schools, Lane going Gators!!
Dad Joke: Why did the football player ask his coach to flood the field? So he could go in as a sub.
Dad Joke – Thanksgiving Special: Why did the cranberries turn red? They saw the turkey dressing!
Dad Joke Bonus: What do you call 20 Tennessee fans in a basement?? A Whine Cellar
Padre and ZT will return for the Conference Championships next week!! Enjoy 4 days of College and NFL Football as well as 7 days of Turkey!
Pigskin Prognostications by the Piedmont Padre and Zimmern's Twin 