Another season has come and gone now. The holiday bowl games and early signing day for recruits will happen soon. I don’t think anyone can say they expected the season to unfold the way it did for any Southeastern Conference team, well, maybe LSU. Life is about changes. Those of us who have gone through difficult situations need to remember how blessed we are because of the struggles we sometimes face. Struggles give us a chance to grow as individuals and as a family.

Friday:

Missouri @ Arkansas: The Battle Line trophy will be what these two schools compete for Friday. It was commissioned and made in 2015 for this game between the two teams who represent their adjoining states. Maybe, for this year, a more fitting name for the game would be the “Barry-No-Go-Bowling-Bowl.” The long-awaited decision by the NCAA was passed down on Tuesday enforcing the bowl ban for Missouri, recruiting visits and reducing scholarships. Odom’s Tigerettes were preparing for a border rivalry that would allow them to go bowling somewhere. Now, that is gone and the impact it carries could increase the call for regime change, not to mention the repercussions of the coming sanctions.

Barry Lunney will have his Piglets as hyped up as he can for his last game with them in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His Pigs will be trying to celebrate one last time before they all go their separate ways. Odom’s Kittens come looking to mark an out-of-town litter box as their own. One thing is for sure, each Barry may go somewhere, but neither goes bowling now. Who has the most motivation now?

T-Dawg’s Winner: Arkansas 27-24

Saturday:

No. 3 Clemson @ South Carolina: The longest continuous series in the south (1909 – 2019) will play again when Dabo unloads his Tigers in Columbia, South Carolina, so they can make use of the available prey, mainly chickens. The “bigger cats” will try to secure their prey then teach their young how to pluck a chicken before eating and then sit back and watch the littlest ones play with their catch. While Trevor Lawrence and his fellow felines have not been ringing the bell as loudly as they did last year, they still know how to shred an undermanned prey.

Will Muschamp’s “Cluckers” will be playing for his last hurrah in the Palmetto Bowl. It has been an up-and-down journey for Muschamp, but through it all, Muschamp has been Muschamp and has never really lit up the scoreboard anywhere he has been unless Charleston Southern came to call. Dabo has to ring the bell as much as possible, so expect feathers to be scattered all over the field in Columbia.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Clemson 51-10

No. 4 Georgia @ Georgia Tech: The winner of this game (114th in syje series, which is led by Georgia 67–41–5) will again claim the Governor’s Cup. Kirby’s Dawgs want to retain the cup for a third year in a row, and they should. Kirby has “lights-out” better talent and motivation in front of his Dawgs. The TIGURS lie ahead for a return back to Atlanta next and “The Ramblin-Wreck” can do nothing to stop that.

“Wo Nellie,” as Keith Jackson used to say. The Yellow Jackets are down record-wise. as the new regime has started to build something towards a future, which means moving away from the “flex-bone” multiple option towards the spread offense. Geoff Collins and his “Juice” has infected the Tech program and they are playing hard with mostly freshmen and sophomores. The offensive line and defensive line are beefing up. Collins has the strongest recruiting class for Tech in the last 25 years on the way. The “Juice” is flowing and Collins will have them ready to swarm Kirby’s Dawgs if they are looking more towards their return to Atlanta next week. The stingers may not be strong enough yet…….

T-Dawg’s Winner: Georgia 27-20

Louisville @ Kentucky: The Cardinals will fly east to Lexington, Kentucky, to a meet and greet with the Wildcats in what might be Mark Stoops’ farewell to the Bluegrass state. Only 70 miles and one win separates these two schools (Kentucky leads 16–15). Scott Satterfield has the Cardinals flying much higher than last yea, especially if you throw sunflower seeds on the ground because they will totally clean it up.

Stoops’ Wildcats have been up-and-down but seem to have found an answer playing a wide receiver at quarterback. Both teams are heading for a holiday trip of unknown origin and taking possession of the Governor’s Cup would make the vacation more enjoyable. If Stoops can get the Cardinals to stay on the sideline and watch his Cat’s tail-charming show, the greeting won’t be so nice.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Kentucky 27-24

No. 5 Alabama @ No. 15 Auburn: Alabama leads the series 46–36–1, with ‘Bama winning seven of the last 10. Saban will take his Crimson Tide down to south Alabama trying to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. Winning with a Tua-less team won’t be enough, as he has to get his Red Elephants to stomp the Tigers to smithereens in order to impress those in higher places.

Gus seems to be in the hot seat again, at least to a point, but when you make $7 million a year, there isn’t too many folks that can cash you out. Gus hasn’t been able to pull off a lot of magic recently, including having few answers for ranked teams. Gus seems to be most dangerous when he is counted out.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Auburn 27-23

Vanderbilt @ Tennessee: Derek Mason has been given assurance that he will be back next year even though the season has been a disaster. The Commodores must drop anchor outside Neyland Stadium to end their year, but if Mason can find a way to make it four in a row over the Volunteers, all of Nashville will be able to rest just a little easier.

Jeremy Pruitt’s rifle brigade has begun to win every sharp-shooter contest they have been in. The Volunteers have reversed many bad trends from past years this season, but one still awaits. An out-of-town holiday trip has been secured, but sinking the Commodores would be icing on the cake.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Tennessee 35-17

Texas A&M @ No. 2 LSU: The Aggies put up a fight in Athens, Georgia, but still fell into that November pattern of losing significant games. Jimbo will now take his cadets to Tiger Stadium for their 58th meeting (LSU leads 33–21–3). Kellen Mond will say adios to the SEC and hopes to say it while delivering a massive bite to a Tiger’s tail.

Joe Burrow and friends intend to avenge the seven-overtime loss in College Station, Texas, last year while making another down payment on the Heisman. Big Baby is the proud poppa of the SEC West Champs, but like most daddies, he wants a lot more for his kids and knows it is all within reach. Skull dragging Reveille is the next step before getting into a Cat-and-Dawg fight.

T-Dawg’s Winner: LSU 48-17

Florida St. @ Florida: In the 65th meeting between these two, the Gators seek to increase their lead (35–26–2). Mullenax tries to get the Gators third win in the last 10 games. The Gators haven’t lost in the Swamp this year and have no intention of letting a wooden Indian from Tallahassee break that streak. Trask can score just enough while the Gator defense will put a death grip on any Seminole who gets in too deep.

Odell Haggins is in his second term as interim head coach with the Seminoles. Since Haggins took charge, the Seminoles haven’t lost, although the competition hasn’t been top-notch. The Seminoles will try to take back the Makala Trophy. The Seminoles may make this one interesting before we see another ‘wide right’.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Florida 28-27

Thursday:

TSUN @ Mississippi State: Matt Luke has gotten the proverbial “vote of confidence” from TSUN’s new AD. The Land Minnows or Black Bears or whatever the heck they are this week, will try to turn Plumlee loose to do his thing. However, a hyped-up Dawg defense will be waiting for him.

Kylin Hill, Nick Gibson, Tommy Stevens and Garrett Shrader will run like deer through the TSUN line. Stevens will hit a multitude of receivers running loose through the 122nd-ranked pass defense (That’s DEAD LAST in the NCAA). There is little doubt it will be a physical game between two schools who don’t dislike each other, they downright hate each other. Sorry Lukey boy, Plums are out of season!

T-Dawg’s Winner: Mississippi State 38–23

May each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving while being sure to spend time with family. Be sure to tell and listen to all the old family stories that make each family unique. The food, sports and travel are important, but it is the special memories we build with loved ones that reminds us to be truly thankful for all we have been blessed with and have shared together.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone

and

HAIL STATE!