Sports Agenda for Thursday (11/17/11)
Big Story:
We're kinda hurting for sports news today as the Panthers had the night off, the Heat are done, and college and pro football finally get rolling tonight. But, there's still plenty going on, so let's hit this agenda.
College Football:
There are not a lot of great games this weekend as schools scheduled their cakewalk game before the end of the year rivalry game.
Here's a day-by-day guide to the weekend's games worth watching and picks who will win.
Thursday:
North Carolina @ Virginia Tech (ESPN)
Take the Hokies at home behind a strong running game and suffocating defense.
Friday:
Oklahoma State @ Iowa State (ESPN)
If you like slaughters, watch this one. Okie State will likely hang half-a-hundred on the Cyclones…by halftime.
Saturday:
Kansas @ Texas A&M
Take the Aggies by a bunch as Kansas is just a notch better than Florida Atlantic
Nebraska @ Michigan
Tough game to pick here, but I'm gonna go with the Cornhuskers' running game to control the clock.
Kentucky @ Georgia
Take the Dawgs in between the Hedges. Bulldogs will clinch the SEC East with a victory
Miami @ USF
Canes by a bunch in this one as USF is as their coach said, "limping home" this season
Mississippi State @ Arkansas
Gotta go with the Hogs here. Too much offense from Arkansas for Mississippi State to handle.
Penn State @ Ohio State
Battle of the downtrodden programs here. I'll take the Nittany Lions because OSU's offense is just awful.
SMU @ Houston
If you like aerial displays and high-octane offense and lots of points, this game is for you. I'll take Houston with an over/under of points of 140.
Texas Tech @ Missouri
Mizzou lost their starting tailback, but Tech's defense is bad and the team's offense is still looking for an identity. Go with my Tigers here!
LSU @ Ole Miss
Really? Do I even have to pick this one. C'mon, LSU could spot Ole Miss 10 points and still beat them. Sorry Right Reverend Houston Nutt.
Vanderbilt @ Tennessee
Don't sleep on Vandy, they're going to win here and for the second time in the last few years, will be *gulp* Bowl Eligible!
Virginia @ FSU
The Noles are still a year away, but next year…yikes. They'll take care of business at the Doak this weekend.
Oklahoma @ Baylor
I just don't think Baylor has the defense to stay on the field. Too bad, RGIII will be dazzling against OU's defense. Take the Sooners
***GAME OF THE WEEK***
USC @ Oregon
The Ducks could get derailed as they try to claw their way back to the national championship discussion. I think if USC's Woods is healthy, the Trojans have a great chance in Eugene. If he's not, well, take the Ducks.
Panthers: (@ St. Louis, 8:00 p.m., Fox Sports Florida)
Florida has some big games coming up over the next week.
Starting tonight, the Cats are in St. Louis to battle the Blues.
After that, they come home for a great game against the Penguins, if you go to a game, this is the one to go see.
They follow that with home games against the Devils, Rangers, and Lightning.
I'm starting to get interested in hockey for the first time since I was in undergraduate school and my school's team won the National Championship.
Course having no NBA will do that to you as well.
So much for the NBA.
Dolphins: (Sunday, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.)
The Fins had better hope tight end Anthony Fasano gets healthy by the weekend.
He's been a big part of the passing game during the team's back-to-back wins.
As for this Sunday's game, the Fins have one thing they have to do to beat the Bills….stop Fred Jackson.
If you shut him down and make Ryan Fitzpatrick beat you through the air, the Bills are dead in the water.
My guess is the Fins will stack the box early to make the Bills go aerial.
The Bills' best receiver is injured heading into the game, which could make it a long day for Fitzpatrick.
Marlins:
Still no signings in the hot stove league and I'm starting to smell a rat.
I'm concerned the team may be making a lot of noise in free agency and then coming home without any major free agents.
The team is now reportedly interested in C.J. Wilson and Roy Oswalt.
Two quality pitchers no doubt, but it seems the Marlins are linked to any free agent with a pulse.
I want to see them sign Reyes, Wilson, Buehrle, Oswalt, and maybe trade for Gio Gonzalez of the Oakland A's.
You could lose Buehrle or Oswalt and I'd still be happening.
How's this for a starting rotation next year…hypothetically of course.
Josh Johnson, C.J. Wilson, Anibal Sanchez, Gio Gonzalez or Buehrle/Oswalt.
