WASHINGTON — Have you ever eaten a half-baked cookie?
That’s what I feel like in early November while watching ESPN’s College Football Playoff Rankings Show. I know it gets people talking about the game, and that’s nice. And people will tell you “half of the fun of college football is arguing about it.” But instead of focusing on this week’s matchups, we’re debating whether or not Notre Dame (with 25% of their season to play) or Iowa (31%) should be the fourth and final seed? The oatmeal and raisins haven’t even begun to set.
There will be twists and turns over the next month…that’s the other half of the fun of college football. For years during the BCS, the doomsday devotees would freak out in early November when three or four teams would still be unbeaten…only to have the herd neatly thinned most seasons by mid-December (sorry 2004 Auburn). So instead of worrying about how the Big 12 will get hosed this year, or how Alabama won’t be properly punished for scheduling Charleston Southern, Louisiana-Monroe and Middle Tennessee, read a book Tuesday evenings. Let the cookies bake…and come back after Thanksgiving.
Maryland at Michigan State, 12 p.m. (ESPN2)
The Spartans are smartin’ after their one-point loss to Nebraska, as their season of living dangerously finally comes back to haunt them (their first three conference wins were one-possession affairs). MSU ranks 10th in the Big Ten in stopping the run, but the Terps have yet to find a consistent air attack this fall (completing just 13 of 34 attempts last week). The Maryland D has also had plenty of issues, allowing 31 points three straight weeks.
Presto’s Pick: Terps come up short, 31-20.
Virginia at Louisville, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
How are the Cardinals 5-4? When all is said and done, the case could be made for this team being the second best in the ACC. An ankle injury keeps dual threat quarterback Lamar Jackson on the shelf, but his understudy Kyle Bolin threw for 362 yards last Saturday. UVa’s defense has been a sore spot all season — the team ranks 13th in the ACC in stopping the pass and in yards allowed while surrendering the most points in the league.
Presto’s Pick: Cavaliers collapse, 37-21.
Navy vs. SMU, 3:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Fans of a certain age will tell you about how the Mustangs handed Roger Staubach and company their only regular season loss in 1963. Others will tell you how incredible the Pony Express was with Eric Dickerson and Craig James in the early 80’s, while some will mention the shenanigans that delivered the death penalty to the program later that decade. Years from now Navy fans will tell you about the days that Keenan Reynolds ran around, over and through defenses on a weekly basis. They’ll probably recall highlights from this Saturday’s game.
Presto’s Pick: Midshipmen cruise, 45-16.
Georgetown falls to Fordham, Howard is handled by North Carolina Central, William & Mary tops Towson, Richmond edges Villanova, James Madison defeats Delaware.
Last Week: 6-1.
Overall: 63-17.
