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A congrats to Arkansasan, current Louisville coach and future Razorback coach, Charlie Strong on last night's victory over Rutgers, which all but assures him a berth in the BCS.
Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who played with basically one healthy arm, gets it. With all of the money-grabbing of conference realignment, it is good to see why we all love this game.
Friday Night
No. 21 Northern Illinois vs. No. 17 Kent State (7 p.m., ESPN2)- It does not mean much to the rest of the country, but both of these schools are 11-1 and 8-0 in the conference, exactly what you want in a conference championship game. NIU's Dave Dorren is a young coach who has won early and will most likely be coaching at Arkansas next season. Although it would need some help from the automatic qualifying conference teams, the Golden Flashes (best nickname, behind Razorbacks of course, in college sports) could put themselves in play for a BCS berth. Their win tonight would make them the first team ever to make a BCS game after returning a punt the wrong way for a safety instead of a touchdown.
No. 16 UCLA at No. 8 Stanford (8 p.m., FOX)- A rematch of last week's game, where Stanford won easily. I would expect to see much of the same this week as Stanford heads to the Rose Bowl with the win. I like this Stanford team a lot and would love to see them in a four-team playoff scenario because of the size they would bring to the game. Have either of these coaches been linked to our coaching position? If not, add them to the list.
Saturday Noon
No. 11 Oklahoma at TCU (ESPN)- In their last two wins the Sooners have scored 101 points while giving up 97. Just another day in the Big 12. If they can outscore the Horned Frogs on tomorrow and have Kansas State lose, they will earn a BCS bid by winning the conference. TCU's current, soon to be former after he takes the Arkansas job, coach Gary Patterson likes to play a little bit of defense which could pose a problem for Oklahoma.
No. 23 Oklahoma State at Baylor (FX)- The Oklahoma schools not ending their season with each other is another pitfall of conference realignment... Here is another game where defense is an option, yet never encouraged. Both teams are averaging 45 points per game. A quick DYK-- Baylor's Art Briles, the next Razorback coach, is one of 12 play-callers to average more than six yards per play over the last two seasons. Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy, who will also coach in Fayetteville next season, has enjoyed his time at his alma mater but is ready to move on. Gundy gets it done.
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The SEC noon game has come and gone, but in good news, ANDRE WARE WILL NOT BE PROVIDING COLOR COMMENTARY! So you have that going for you.
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Mid-Day
No. 20 Boise State at Nevada (3:30 p.m., ABC)- The Broncos, coached by future Hog coach Chris Peterson, had two chances to win last time they were in Nevada and Kyle Bortzman blew them both. This won't happen again, as Boise wraps up its share of a 126th and final WAC title under Peterson.
No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Georgia (4 p.m., CBS)- My sister is a senior at UGA, though still a loyal Razorback fan when they are not playing each other. I would love nothing more than for her school to get a shot at the BCSNC this season, especially if that comes at the expense of Alabama. But have we not seen this all before? Like only a year ago? Again, like most years, the talent is there for the Bulldogs. It comes down to a measure of execution. Chances are if the Tide did slip up and lose they would fire Nick Saban, who would then be the next coach at Arkansas, because they are quite the irrational bunch. "Who's that coming down the track? A mean machine in Red and Black." Dawgs win this one and Richt is probably still fired. Good news is, he winds up on The Hill.
Night
No. 18 Texas at No. 5 Kansas State (8 p.m., ABC)- In an ironic twist of fate, the Longhorns will be cheered on by Oklahoma. The bad part for both Texas and Oklahoma is that Texas' pass defense is horrid and led by future Razorback coach Manny Diaz (We all know that's not happening.) Kansas State's Collin Klein is trying to win a Heisman and needs an 800-yard game to win. That's not out of the question with this Texas defense.
No. 13 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (8 p.m., ESPN)- The ACC. What a joke. Georgia Tech, knowing they have no shot at winning has already filed for a petition to the NCAA to go to a bowl game with a losing record. Their dreams come true as the Noles win easily.
No. 12 Nebraska vs. Wisconsin (8 p.m., FOX)- The Badgers are the third best team in their division and four games back of the leader. The two schools ahead, Ohio State and Penn State, have had some off-the-field issues you may have heard of that are keeping them out of postseason play so this is what you get. The Cornhuskers should win and head to the Rose Bowl, but this is college football. By that time, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini will be coaching Arkansas anyways.
Season Record: 88-24