Tusk to Tail: Let the Chad-bashing continue

THE QUESTION
Who do you think will win the World Series?
David Rice: 2020 has been a strange year. No, really. The Tampa Bay Lightning hoisted the Stanley Cup at the end of September. The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Finals a couple of weeks later. Now, the World Series is once again guaranteed to be won by a team from either Tampa or LA. Most of the media has declared this to be the Dodgers’ year, but I’m not buying it. I’ll take the Rays in 7 games, and parlay it with the Rams, Chargers, or Buccaneers winning the Super Bowl.

Todd Rudisill: Whoever is playing the Dodgers.

THE GAMES
Auburn @ Ole Miss
David Rice: At this point, would you even trust Chad Morris to order pizza for a small group? Gus should pull Morris’ play sheet and just give him the help wanted section of the paper. Ole Miss wins handily, 36-9.

Todd Rudisill: What a matchup. Gus and Chad vs. arrogant Ole Miss – though they seem much less arrogant after the Hogs put them in their place last Saturday. The awful defense of Ole Miss vs. Auburn’s awful offense. Auburn’s Bo Nix has looked like the total opposite quarterback he was last year, so shoutout to Chad Morris. The Land Shark defense looks like the defense it has always been. The biggest factor is Tiger running back Tank Bigsby. He is a dude. He ran for 112 in the loss at Carolina. Expect him to run for 150 plus on the Rebels. Auburn defense does just enough to swing this the Tigers’ way 37-33.

South Carolina @ LSU
Todd Rudisill: The Gamecocks are coming off a home win against Auburn, and are sitting at 2-2. Meanwhile the defending national champions LSU Tigers are a train wreck. After getting smoked by The Pirate’s Bulldogs (who are awful), they also lose at Mizzou. Enough said. South Carolina isn’t anything to get excited about, but they are decent on both sides of the ball. The Tigers’ quarterback Brennan has a leg injury and might be out. You have to think playing in Baton Rouge and playing for pride is enough for LSU. Tigers survive 31-27

David Rice: if this were the NFL, fans would accuse LSU of tanking their season to land Trevor Lawrence in the draft. Just a few months after their latest National Championship, LSU does not appear very interested in winning football games. Give the edge to Carolina, 13-10.

#18 Michigan @ #21 Minnesota
David Rice: Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck inspires his team and seems like a genuinely nice guy. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is famous for wearing khakis and seems like a douche. Nice guys finish last. Michigan 30, Minnesota 20

#9 Cincinnati @ #16 SMU
David Rice: If you thought we were done bashing Chad after the Auburn game, you thought wrong. As @Ian_A_Boyd tweeted, “Every place Chad Morris leaves immediately becomes amazing. Lake Travis in 2009: 3 straight state championships. Tulsa in 2010: 8-5, 11-3 next 2 seasons. Clemson in 2014: 5 straight playoff appearances, 2 national championships. SMU in 2017: 20-7 since.” Take the Mustangs in a close one.

#17 Iowa State @ #6 Oklahoma State
David Rice: Oklahoma State may be the only Big 12 team that could still make the playoffs. Give me the Cyclones and the points.

#2 Alabama @ Tennessee
Todd Rudisill: Once again Bama proves it is the best team in the SEC, rolling Georgia last week in their Top 5 matchup. Same song, different verse. Tennessee is supposed to be back, but somehow got throttled at home by Kentucky 34-7 to give the Cats in first victory at Knoxville since 1984. This is a rivalry game and Tennessee typically hangs for a half before the inevitable happens. Expect more of the same. Tide rolls. Again. 41-20

David Rice: When Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano enrolled, Barack Obama was still president. Years later, the Volunteers signal caller remains incredibly inconsistent. That doesn’t sound like a successful formula for beating the second-ranked team in the country. Alabama 52, Tennessee 34

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