Turkey sandwiches for 3 days, that one relative whom you are reminded why you only see them once annually, and more football from Thursday on…..yes, we are all thankful!
This post is dedicated to all those who felt they were ready to be the star QB during the family touch football game. 1st… hope all your injuries are minor, because no how matter tough you act, you are in pain. And not just from 5 helpings of turkey, stuffing, and pecan pie. 2nd.. most of you have a vision you look like this, warming up in the pistol formation:
In reality, it is likely more like “The Pillsbury Throwboy” and one of ZT’s all time favorites Jared Lorenzen aka J-Load, Hefty Lefty, He Ate Me, and Battleship Lorenzen. RIP but never forgotten!!!
Last week’s results provided more chaos than playing Paul Anka’s “Having My Baby” at a High School Reunion. SEC was crushed with Bama, Ole Miss and Texas A & M losing. Several beneficiaries including SMU, Clemson, and Indiana to name a few.
Prognostication Accountability Padre 69-40 ZT 67 – 37
Padre remains in the #1 position ( per the prognostication selection committee) but ZT was in Vegas last weekend so expecting exceptional enlightenment from him this time ( good, he hasn’t been that “enlightening” for the past 13 weeks! ) after being around the “smart money.”
Padre is in the house 1st on this Thanksgiving & Football extravaganza weekend!
Georgia Tech vs. Georgia: They used to say, “No one suffers winning like a Gator fan.” That was when we were on top. Well, that sentence now applies to Georgia. At least some of them. I have two sets of Georgia friends. One group seems to think they will never lose. The other group seems to think they will never win—as if Spurrier is still roaming the sidelines looking to needle them some more (gosh, I miss those days!). The reality is that Georgia is not as great as recent years, but they are still great enough to win it all…especially in our new CFP World. The Dawgs come to eat against the Jackets, and they leave no crumbs at the table. Georgia wins big 44-13.
Miss St vs. Ole Miss: In early October, The Lane Train was supposed stop in Gainesville….next year….permanently. Instead, it came to Gainesville in November of 2024 and was derailed. My Bama fans won’t like this, but I think Ole Miss should be ranked ahead of them. Yet, Ole Miss has nobody to blame but Ole Miss. They had their opportunities against my Gators and blew it. I know their pain. I felt the same way after our Tennessee loss earlier this season. The Rebels are not out of the CFP race, but it is definitely feeling like they are in the desert and they are running out of fresh water 😏. Ole Miss rebounds and wins an egg or something by a score of 44-10. Humpty Dumpty would be proud.
Michigan vs. Ohio St: “The Game” is kind of just a game this season. Harbaugh is gone and still losing to his brother in the NFL. Ohio State is still good (or even great) and still beating up on the Purdues and Northwesterns and Akrons and Youngstowns of the world. Urban is gone. Harbaugh is gone. Yet, the more things change the more they stay the same. The Buckeyes get their revenge and win big. Ohio St by a score of 38-13.
Tenn vs. Vandy: The team located where real country people live is visiting the team where tv country people live. I kid, I kid. Nashville is actually a great city. Seriously. But as much as this Gator would LOVE for Vandy to ruin the Vols’ dreams, they are still Vandy and Tennessee is still Tennessee.
Rocky Top cruises to a playoff spot. Vols win 34-16. Get ready America—that song is about to be planted in your brain!
S Car vs. Clemson: 2024 is the year we have all asked the question. What question may that be you ask? Well, it’s the same question we asked in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, etc., etc., etc. The question is
—“Is South Carolina for real this year?”. Well, Saturday will give the final answer to that question. And the answer will be……that Clemson wins a thriller. The Tigers by a score of 26-24. Don’t worry Gamecock fans, I am sure we will be asking the question AGAIN next season.
Auburn vs. Bama: The “Kick Six”. The “Gravedigger”. So many Iron Bowl memories. My favorite memory , or most disturbing (or both at same time), came when I went to my first Iron Bowl. I sat there in Jordan-Hare Stadium as an Auburn fan right in front of me, and right next to her young daughter, began screaming for her team to hit Brodie (Bama’s QB) in his bad knee to wreck it again. It was intense! In other areas of the country, the rivals talk trash. In my beloved SEC, they poison trees and call for knees to be smashed. 🤣 Bama is still in the CFP hunt. Therefore, I think they rebound and then hope for some help to get into the CFP. The Tide win by a score of 30-17.
Miami vs. Syracuse: Thanksgiving weekend in Miami, FL or Syracuse, NY? Well….☀️🌊⛱️ The Hurricanes agree, and they just want to get back home with a win. There is no team in America who can beat anybody and lose to anybody like Miami. Earlier this week, I told a Miami friend, “I am old enough to remember Syracuse being a really good program.” I could probably say the same about Miami! 😉 The Orange give their all, but with everything on the line the Canes find a way. Miami punches a ticket to Charlotte by a score of 34-27.
Texas vs. A&M: One of the great rivalries that was destroyed by the travesty of conference expansion is now one of the great rivalries renewed by the continued travesty of conference expansion. I guess the lesson here is that if you make a horrible mistake just make it worse—and things will then come back together. There is your Padre Zen Moment for the day. The winner goes to Atlanta. In my not so humble opinion, the Horns are on a mission. No midnight yelling and special cheers will stop Texas. The Burnt Orange wins somewhat convincingly by a score of 30-17.
Florida vs. FSU: I am also old enough to remember when this was the premier rivalry in college football. People often ask me who I hate more—Georgia or FSU? Well, I get super nervous with Georgia. I have trouble eating and sitting still with FSU. I am sure there is some psychological reason for my hatred of FSU — most likely tied to growing up in the Panhandle (FSU country). Napier has gained the soft-trust of Gator Nation. However, if my Gators lose to FSU this weekend, Gator Nation will turn on Napier quicker than the people turned on the gubernatorial candidate in “O Brother Where Art Thou” — when he didn’t want the Soggy Bottom Boys to sing. So I have to make a pick. I hate picking my team in these types of games. But, here it goes—Florida scares me to death but finds a way. The Gators win 26-20. But if we lose, we riot…..okay, they may be too much. Could I at least burn a couch like they do in West Virginia? Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Go Gators/Beat FSU.
K State vs. Iowa State: It’s hard to even attempt something humorous when you know nothing of either team. I do know the Big 12 is a mess. Out of the chaos, I think it ends up being Arizona St and Iowa St in Dallas. The Cyclones find a way and beat the purple kittens 24-23.
Notre Dame vs. USC: Once again, I can say I am old enough to remember when this was a big game. 😏 Dare I pick USC? I can hear it now — “Surely, you must be crazy picking the Trojans, Lonnie.” My response? “Well, I am picking them, and don’t call me Shirley.” (Some will get that, and for some it will be like an airplane flying over their heads). Southern Cal creates chaos and wins 27-26.
Happy Thanksgiving weekend to everybody! I am thankful for many things this weekend, but I want to single out the greatest thing America ever produced (well, outside democracy, freedom of speech, the greatest economy ever, etc. 😉) — and that would be COLLEGE FOOTBALL! In spite of all its flaws created by greed, it is still a magical gift found nowhere else around the world. The pageantry, the rivalries, the uniforms, the iconic figures, etc., are all part of something that truly brings happiness to my life. I even appreciate the teams I hate! Today I am thankful for many things, but for these purposes of these weekly picks I am thankful for the great gift of college football. Here’s to a great rivalry weekend and an even better CFP! — Go Gators / Beat FSU!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
🦃🍗🏈🏟️
ZT is here…hope you have had at least 1 Turkey Day feeding and a few NFL games under your “loosened” belts before beginning the Friday/Saturday CFB marathon!!
Friday – Sweat Pants Day post Turkey Gorge at Grandma’s house
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Ole Miss Rebels – Egg Bowl 230pm
Rebels coming off a big loss to the Gators while the skid row Bulldogs were beaten at home by Mizzou. Ole Miss has a VERY distant shot at a CFP bearth and Miss. State just wants to avoid a 10 loss season. Neither looks good. MSU defense has 2nd worse pass rush in the nation with run defense not much better. They couldn’t stop a fat kid from running a marathon. Only concern is Ole Miss looks more depressed than that guy in Meatloaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights” when he gets stopped “rounding 3rd”……. Yes, it’s the Egg Bowl, it’s a rivalry….Ole Miss still has hope since they are playing on Friday and don’t have results of other games they need for help so……. Rebels 48 We really are a Baseball School. 17
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Georgia Bulldogs “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” 630pm
ZT loves the way the Ramblin’ Wreck has been playing of late with home wins over Miami and NC State….Georgia back in good CFP standing after the road loss to Ole Miss and SEC Chaos this past weekend. Kirby grew about a foot ( still under 6 feet ) after those crazy SEC games and not about to let anyone take the Dawgs out of the CFP. GT will need a solid run game and expect Dawgs defense to step it up after they looked flatter than a balloon in a prickle of porcupines against U Mass. Dawgs 35 Towed to Pep Boys 13
Saturday – Day 3 of looking for new ways to eat Turkey
Michigan Wolverines vs Ohio State Buckeyes “The Game” 11am
OK….Good news for Wolverines? They became bowl eligible last week by destroying a 4 win Northwestern team. Bad news? They may not be able to eat Thanksgiving leftovers unless put in a blender and the suck them in via straw after this one. Buckeyes haven’t beaten the Blue and Maze since 2019 but that was before the Pandemic and it took them a little longer to recover than most ( ok ZT, just because you were told by an uber driver that drinking a gallon of Satsuma juice and a handle of Jack in 4 hours would cure covid doesn’t mean everyone knew that! ). It’s 2024 and Buckeyes are ready to beat their nemesis in Columbus. Buckeyes 35 Miss-a-gin 13
Tennessee Volunteers vs Vanderbilt Commodores 11am
Vols need the W for the CFP….Period. Commodores are Bowl Eligible but on a 2 game slide ( Ok, it was Texas and LSU ) since the win at Auburn. Vandy QB Pavia is banged up but HC Lea says the toughest man in town will play and goal is to keep the ball. That said, who has the biggest distraction this week?? Vandy with finals coming next week or Tennessee because deer hunting season as opened?…. ZT says calculus final for a smart guy more stressful than climbing a deer stand with a 1/5 of Jack in the back pack. Vols 31 Mighty Men of Math 17
South Carolina Gamecocks vs Clemson Tigers The Palmetto Bowl 11am
Clemson needs this one…..South Carolina WANTS this one. Gamecocks have improved and won 5 straight since dropping a winnable game at Tuscaloosa. ZT loves the toughness of 6’3” 242 lbs. SC Freshman QB LaNorris “rhymes with Delores” Sellers. Dabo is fortunate to be playing this at home and hoping his offense can keep pace. SEC vs ACC….. Upset Special Gamecocks 27 Portal-less 24
Auburn Tigers vs Bama The Iron Bowl 230pm
Tigers had a great 4 OT win at home while Bama looked like a D3 team getting a big payout for an old fashion butt whipping at Norman. Oh yeah, if Auburn wins, they become bowl eligible. Bama is undefeated in Bryant Denny so that is a plus ( all 3 losses on the road….apparently they “miss their mommies” when they leave town ). A few weeks ago, ZT says no chance for the Tigers, but since he flew with the AU hoops team ( taking a little credit for their Maui Classic W! ) and noting Tigers gritty win vs T A & M coupled with Bama’s dumpster fire in Norman, Bama wins but very close and only because playing at home with their mommies close by. Bama 31 Tigers 30
Miami Hurricanes vs Syracuse Orangemen 230pm
Hurricanes are glad this one is indoors for a matchup with 8-3 Orangemen ( no relation to Trump ). Simple goal…win and in both the ACC Championship and CFP….Lose? HC Mario Cristobal will be wrapped in bacon and thrown off a bridge on Alligator Alley. ‘Cuse is quietly 8-3 under 1st year HC “Farmer” Fran Brown. Love the QB battle between UM Cam Ward ( 3,774 yds & 35 TDs ) vs ‘Cuse Kyle McCord (3,946 yds & 26 TDs ).. Key is INTs!! Ward – 7 McCord -12 ZT sees closer than Vegas but Mario is not eaten in the Everglades this week. Hurricanes 38 Trump Colored New Yorkers. 31
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs USC Trojans 230pm
Well, Well, Well…..ND has been perfect since losing to “that team” the first week of September. Will note not the toughest schedule in the land but still won what they needed to win. This rivalry started in 1926 and being played for the 95th time with LOTS ON THE LINE!!! Trojans have won 3 of their last 4 and are now bowl eligible. Best 6-5 team in America ( thanks ZT, kinda like saying best 3 day old tuna sandwich ever… ) but NOBODY feels sorry for Lincoln Riley being on the hot seat (ok, maybe his wife ). ZT still is a big fan of ND HC Marcus Freeman ( like he cares ZT ) and they have a solid & balanced offense. They just need a W and they are in a good CFP position….lose, who knows! But they won’t…. Fighting Irish 31 Cry Lincoln Cry 20
Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A & M Aggies Lone Star Showdown 630pm
Aggies have prepared for Texas for at least 2 weeks, per HC Elko…cost them the Auburn game but at this point, does that matter?? This is one of only 3 matchups of ranked teams this week. 1st time these 2 have played since 2011- both are itching to take out their in-state rivals. Winner will go to the SEC Championship in ATL and likely the only way TA&M makes the CFP is to win this week. Texas had one of the easier SEC schedules & a T A&M win would be there 3rd over a top 10 team. SO….Texas is better and if Aggies a little more consistent would call for the upset…instead.. Longhorns 28 12th man sleepy from too much Turkey 24
Kansas State Wildcats vs Iowa State Cyclones Farmaggedon 630pm
Love the name of this one!!!! If you have ever been to Kansas and/or Iowa, you get it. 108th meeting with Cyclones have a 53-50-4 edge. Cyclone win and they are in the B12 Championship, Purple Power Cats will need some help. K State dropped games to ASU and Houston before bouncing back vs. Cincinnati. Cyclones QB Rocco Becht will be a 3000 yd passer for 2nd season but they will need their defense to be stiffer against the run or K State will exploit that with Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens. Key is QB Johnson is dual threat with 6 rushing TDs. Home field in a rivalry game is huge. Even in the Corn and Wheat belt…. Wildcats have not been an underdog in 2024…but they are this week. Will be close but….Upset Special Purple Power Cats 28 Light Gusts 27
Florida Gators vs Florida State Seminoles The Florida Cup 600pm
The only thing that can stop the tourniquet-worthy bleeding in Tallahassee is a W over the Gators. A few weeks ago, easy to see that possibility but Gators are hotter than mistakenly getting a ghost pepper for dessert. Back to Back upset wins over LSU & Ole Miss got the Gators bowl eligible. Ok, not what UF would traditionally be excited for but an accomplishment in 2024. DJ Lagway is on fire, recruiting is picking up, and just believe Gators get it done for the 1st time since 2021. Gators 24 We still own Casinos 21
ZT out until next week for the Conference Championships. Hope all have a great Thanksgiving….and remember we should be thankful because we could have embraced cricket as our favorite sport…..
Pigskin Prognostications by the Piedmont Padre and Zimmern's Twin 