Weekend Picks: Down in Flames Edition

So Thanksgiving at the Bowden household got a lot more interesting this year. After Tommy Bowden and Clemson "mutually agreed to part ways," his brother and former Auburn head coach Tommy offered an astounding vote of confidence.

"He deserved it because he, of all people, knew what to expect when he got into this business," Terry said. "Clemson expects to win a conference championship every once in a while--and they should. After 10 years of falling short, they deserve the right to try and find a coach they believe can get them there."

Thanks, bro! I mean, what Tommy said is absolutely right, but that's just cold. Imagine what's going to happen when Terry asks Tommy to pass the stuffing on Turkey Day...

Terry: Hey Tommy, how about some stuffing?
(Tommy dumps large bowl of stuffing on Terry's head)
Tommy: Didn't someone at this table recently say something about getting what they deserved? This is all Cullen Harper's fault...

Speaking off people with stuffing on their head, how about those Tampa Bay Rays? I know, most of their team was in diapers the last time the Red Sox came back from a seemingly unsurmountable deficit in the ALCS (oh, that happened two years ago? Nevermind!). Seriously, if you blow a seven-run lead to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS when you're two innings away from putting them away, you deserve whatever horrific fate awaits you.

Personally, I think Josh Beckett tosses a gem tonight and the when the World Series starts next week, it will start in Boston. I mean, a team that has as much "postseason mojo" as the Sox doesn't need any help. Luckily, the upstart Rays just sealed their own doom. It was a good run while it lasted!

Ok, on to the gridiron where there is a somewhat interesting weekend ahead of us.

Vanderbilt at No. 10 Georgia

Before I start talking about the game, I've got great news! Apparently, Georgia commit Aaron Murray of Plant High School in Tampa, FL is getting into the Bulldog spirit before he even gets to campus. Murray, MVP of the presigious Elite 11 quarterback camp, broke his leg, effectively ending his high-school career. I'm sure Murray will be back to normal by the time he arrives in Athens, but it's good to know he's already getting plenty of experience with debilitating, season-ending injuries. Hey, how about we move him to left tackle?

And now, on to the game.

Is there any team more unifitted for their record than Vanderbilt? The Commodores are hovering somewhere around last int he country in offense. While their defense is solid, they haven't proved it against a dymanic offense all year. Honestly, Oconee County High School's defense could have stifled the now defunct Auburn "spread Eagle" offense.

SI.com's Stewart Mandel angered some Georgia fans this week when he mentioned that no one complains more about polls than Georgia fans. Seems like an accurate statement to me. Maybe if the Dawgs actually put together a relatively clean effort against a team they should beat (two red-zone turnovers against UT is awful), the pollsters will reward them. Vandy has played their best football of the past two years against Georgia. Or maybe Georgia has just saved their worst for the Dores. Either way, I see this being another "if this, or that didn't happen, we would have killed them" game for the Bulldogs. Georgia will physically and statistically dominate the Dores, but somehow find a way to make it close. Oh well. A win is a win.

Georgia 24-Vandy 20

Georgia Tech @ Clemson

Whew! Finally a break from that Jacksonville St. and Gardner-Webb stretch of the schedule. The Mustard Jackets head to Clemson to take on a coachless team with a new quarterback. No-brainer?

Not exactly. While any win over Gardner-Webb is impressive, Tech's 10-7 affair last Saturday was a little on the close side. While I didn't see the game (darn those non-televised affairs), I heard the Jackets' o-line was terrible. Gardner-Webb's defense will expose even the most seasoned of o-lines, but that should be a concern for the Jackets when they face an actual Division-1 team. Clemson should be a little fired up, given all that's gone on. I know, the Jackets claim they're headed for 11-1. Not so fast.

Clemson 17-Georgia Tech 13

No. 11 Missouri at No. 1 Texas

The Horns have a shiny new top ranking, and they're about to give it away...that's what most of the experts seem to think anyway. Apparently, the chip on Missouri's shoulder after their loss to the fighting Mike Gundys last week will carry them to a victory. But Texas, playing at home with as the top-ranked team in the country isn't going to give up the top spot just yet. Colt McCoy will complete approximately 95 % of his passes and the Horns will win another shootout.

Texas 38-Mizzou 31

LSU at South Carolina

Again, it seems as if everyone is picking the Cocks to win this one. Why? LSU's defense wasn't "exposed" last week. Florida's offense is just very good. South Carolina still has serious issues on offense. The Tigers are going to be more than a little pissed, and they're taking it out on Spurrier.

LSU 24-South Carolina 10

It's been a very long day, and actually a very long week. Therefore, that's all the picks for today. Let me know what you think. Remember, you forfeit the right to talk trash about my picks unless you tell me what yours here. Be sure to pick up your discounted Rays World Series merchandise before it's all donated to the homeless!