Reflections on Redemption and Some JV NFL Previews

There is no Premiership action this morning.  Hope you remembered to sleep in.

This Autumn has been interesting for Hippo, to say the least.  Denver started 1-5.  Everton had one point at the first international break.  NC State…was doing NC State things, losing at home twice (ND and Louisville), and getting its doors blown off by DUKE without their starting QB (Devils won 24-3, despite completing a TOTAL of 4 forward passes).

But as we sit in mid-November, all have found form and redemption.  Denver is 4-5, with impressive (if not artful) wins over Kansas City and at Buffalo.  Everton are getting team-wide buy in, and playing above their talent level for a change.  “Safely mid-Table” looks plausible, perhaps almost likely.  NC State rallied to beat Clemson, Miami, and away to Wake Forest (our bogey ground).  No, there won’t be any chance at an ACC title, but good football is so much fun to watch – especially when one’s alma mater is doing it.  Very physical, resilient team.  GUH, if only we had some skill position speed/talent outside of true freshman KC “Mister Sunshine” Concepcion.

In other words…keep watching, and hoping against all reason for things to get better.  Once in awhile, footy will surprise you.  In a non-terrible way.

ED. NOTE – Obviously, the above was written before the 10-point FFP penalty was imposed, but thanks to the last month of play – Toffee supporters feel like it is very survivable, even if not reduced on appeal.  Would have been panic stations WITHOUT this last month-ish of decent play and results.

Louisville (+0.5) at Miami-FL (Noon, ABC)

A win here guarantees that the Cards will play Florida State for the ACC title.  As such, we all must root fervently for Louisville (as U*NC is the only other possibility).  Should be a low-scoring affair, we will see how Tyler Van (Subaru Outback Driver) reacts to returning from his one-week benching (the other guy broke his arm grusesomely at the end of the FSU loss).

Oklahoma (-24.5) at Original Recipe Big Love (Noon, ESPN)

Kind of a weird kickoff time out West, but maybe the Stormin’ Mormons (who have been in a bad tailspin of late) catch Steerfuckers North napping.  I dunno, it’s not a great early slate.

SMU (-8.5) at Memphis (Noon, ESPN2)

There is value in the Tiggers’ moneyline here, and I am not just saying that to suck up to Mister Pickle.  This would wrap up an American title game berth for the ACC-bound Ponies, should they prevail as Vegas expects.

NC State (+3) at Virginia Tech (3:30, ACCN)

Both of these teams are 4-2 in the ACC, with hated rivals on deck next week.  Bronze medal implications!  Are you not entertained??

Georgia (-10) at Tennessee (3:30, CBS)

Holy cats, an actual decent matchup!  Finally, the Dawgs have to play someone on the road and that has a pulse.  Maybe not as STRONG a pulse as before Mizzou kicked their teeth in, but still.

Oregon (-23.5) at Arizona State (4:00, Fox)

Will Quack Attack get caught looking ahead to next week’s Civil War?  Or next next week’s potential re-match with Washington??  I guess we’s about to find out.  Sparky can sometimes be feisty, though they can’t hang with a focused Oregon team.