The Dirty Dozen...The TURKEY Edition!

It's Almost Done!

Despite what our friends at the Four-Letter Word say, this is the week...that TRULY is rivalry week. Alabama/Auburn, Georgia/Georgia Tech, Florida/Florida State, Oklahoma/Oklahoma State and Texas/Texas A&M are all RIVALRIES that truly define what college footbal is about. I guess, because of the BCS implications, the biggest of the games is the Battle of Oklahoma, but as always, expect the crazy this week, it always happens.

Last Week: 7-2, though I got the regulation final in the Crapple Cup, but since I didn't pick the winner, I lose. Overall: 67-17, not bad for a rookie, eh?

The Dozen:

1. Alabama (They are still undefeated. I'm not totally sold that they will run the table, unfortunately, it won't be this week when they lose. This Week: Alabama 27, Auburn 13)

2. Florida (Well, if you want to argue who the best team this year is, these are the guys that I would take ((I can't believe I'm saying this))it must be the thought of Tryptophan. This Week: Florida 41, FSU 27)

3. Oklahoma (They have a steak...get it...in how this all plays out too. Even though they lost to Texas, I think they are better. They better watch out this week, they play the Gundy's. This Week: Oklahoma 37, Oklahoma State 34)

4. Texas (They argue too much. They gave a game to Texas Tech and I'm not sure how they have made it to this level. This Week: Texas 38, Texas A&M 17)

5. USC (Again, not convinced ((boy I sound really negative this week don't I?)). Heck, they may not even win there conference. They too play a rivalry game, just not an in-state one. This Week: USC 24, Notre Dame 13)

6. Utah (I finally know the name of the coach: Kyle Whittingham. Hooray for me! Nice to see them in the BCS Party, it sucks that they will be a sacraficial((sp?)) Turkey for someone in a bowl. This Week: The Season is over)

7. State Penn (Joe Pa had his surgery, nobody has committed a felonius act on campus lately, all must be well in the Great State of Pennsylvania. This Week: The Season is over, they go to the Rose Bowl...and there was much rejoicing!)

8. Texas Tech (Well, reality finally came crashing in. I didn't think they'd win last week, but I didn't think they'd get embarrassed like that either. This Week: Texas Tech 112, Baylor 17)

9. Boise State (Well, they survived, but alas they won't make the BCS, though they probably are worthy compared to several other teams ((see USC)). But, it was a good season none the less. This Week: Boise State 31, Fresno State 21)

10. Ohio State (I just don't get this team, never have. But they play in the 10, where mediocrity rules. This Week: Season over, playing in the Crap One Bowl probably vs. Georgia)

11. Okie State (We just like the fightin' Mike Gundy's, we really do. Plus, they aren't a bad team, though this may drop them out of the Dozen for the season. This Week: See #3)

12. Ball State (Congratulations for running the table. You are worthy of a Top 10, but sadly, this will be as close as you get. Maybe David Letterman will create a Bowl Game for you. This Week: Season over, waiting for a bowl invite)

The Turkey Gizzards:

5. Notre Dame (Can someone please explain how they lose to Syracuse at home? Just when you think these guys might be returning to respectability, they tank. Will Charlie the Hut survive this? Does anyone care? This Week: USC kills them)

4. Meesh-a-gain (Wow, how the mighty fall and fall and then fall again. They are pretty bad and may not be good for awhile. This Week: Season is over mercifully)

3. Schmoo (Even the Schmoo had more success than these guys. June Jones is probably wishing it was June instead of November right now. This Week: Southern Miss. 31, Schmoo 14)

2. Washington State (Just because Washington gave you the game doesn't move you out of here. This is still one of the worst teams in the history of NCAA Division 1 football. This Week: Hawaii 28, Washed State 13)

1. Washington (God they suck. Tyrone Willingham's legacy here unfortunately will not be a good one. Yes, they may have made history...as the worst team in NCAA Football. This Week: Cali-forn-i-a 34, Washington 10)

HoHoHo...to all a...oh...wrong holiday. Everyone enjoy a Happy Turkey! They taste better.

Willingham To Go Away At UW

Ty Williingham has told the University of Washington he's had enough. Willingham will step as head coach of the Huskies after the 2008 season.

U-Dub is 0-7 this year following Saturday's loss to Notre Dame and has lost 9 in a row, tied with North Texas for the longest losing streak in the country. In 4 seasons Willingham has gone 11-32. Needless to say, he had to go.

"We didn't win enough football games. That's it," Willingham said. "Hopefully we've done all the other things right (and) it's a good strong program for someone to jump into and do things."

Washington athletic director Scott Woodward said he didn't want to change coaches in the middle of the year but today's annoucement ends any speculation about Willingham's status for 2009.

Who will the U-Dub go after. Gary Pinkel could be at the top of the list. Pinkel's mentor is Washington coaching legend Don James.

Photo Courtesy: Nick Doan/Icon SMI

Who's Next?

Two coaches have been whacked at mid-season. Tony Franklin took the walk of shame last week at Auburn when told he was no longer offensive coordinator. Clemson and Tommy Bowden parted ways. Things happen in 3’s so who's the next to have his head chopped?

The odds are pretty good that University of Washington head coach Ty Willingham is next on the hit list. The Huskies are awful, no beyond awful. U-dub is 0-5, 11-30 during the Willingham era. Let’s face it, Washington has fallen off the college football map. The Huskies are 8th in the Pac-10 in total offense and dead last, 10th, in total defense.

Adding to the misery is that U-dub’s best player, quarterback Jack Locker, is likely out for the season with a broken thumb. Read more about that right here.

0-12 is looking like reality in Seattle.

It’s looking like the Willingham era is closing too.

A year like this got Keith Gilbertson fired in 2004. Read more about that here.

Photo Courtesy: GREGORY SHAMUS/GETTY IMAGES

Another Dirty Dozen!

Shakedown Saturday

So we are getting closer to the real BCS Standings coming out. USC/Ohio State answered a few questions, this week will answer a lot more. So here we go:

1. Southern Cal (Is there any question right now, they may be better than the KC Chefs or Detroit Lions today)

2. Oklahoma (Pretty good and a soft schedule. Something tells me this won't stick)

3. Georgia (Nothing has convinced me they aren't this good. Don't read anything into the South Carolina game, trust me)

4. Missouri (Very good on Offense, again, a soft schedule, let's see how they do against a power team)

5. Florida (There are a few holes here, the Tebow will not win the title for you by himself, tough one this week at Tennessee)

6. LSU (Again a tough one this week at Auburn, its tough for anyone to win on the Plains, but this is the first shakedown weekend of the year)

7. Texas (Will Muschamp made them into a good defense, can they sustain it for a full season?)

8. Auburn (Winning 3-2 doesn't get you many style points, but you won. This will be a much truer test)

9. Texas Tech (Again, lets see what happens as the competition level increases, I have my doubts)

10. BYU (Until they lose, they are back and throwing it all over the place)

11. Alabama (Big, tough and physical, their test will be next week)

12. Wisconsin (I don't buy this team, they choke every year, I guess someone from the 10 has to represent)

This list will probably look a lot different next week, which isn't a bad thing.

The Bottom of the Bunch

5. UAB (These guys were dangerous not too long ago, whither poor Neil Calloway (the coach), he may not be around much longer)

4. FIU (Perpetual cellar dwellars. Not much has changed, and don't look for it to any time soon)

3. Washington (Poor Ty Willingham, another soul, not to long for the D-I coaching ranks)

2. San Diego State (At least it is a pretty place to play)

1. Syracuse (This will not change until Greg Williams is gone. Did they really think Lane Kiffin would come to the 'cuse?)