Thanksgiving Weekend 10 Best Football Games!

This week is Thanksgiving, which means a feast of football and food.  Thanksgiving is one of the few times which we remember throughout the year that what we are thankful for, the other times are mainly patriotic times.  But, as I think to what I am thankful for, I think of my Savior, Jesus Christ, who has rescued me from the depths of hell to the joyous points of heaven.  I'd like to also thank all of my friends who are there for me, no matter what I may do to ruin any trust that I may have built up.  Thank you to them, for without you and Jesus, I have no idea where I'd be.  Then, my family, who also gives me unconditional love, while we may not get along all the time, I still love you all.  Finally, just thankful for all of the things which I have, which most folks on earth and in this country even do not.  I have a shelter with heat, air conditioning, internet, cable, food, clean water, hot water, washer, dryer, electricity, laptop, dvd player, a wii, and so on and so forth, the list could fill up the entire column.  But, again, thank you to all, and now let us get on to the fabulous feast of football!

College


No. 2 Auburn at No. 11 Alabama

This is one of the more enticing Iron Bowl games in recent memory.  As Auburn would love to cream their hated rivals to move on and continue their quest for a national title.  Alabama's quest for a national title was derailed earlier in the season when it lost against South Carolina and LSU.  Alabama would love nothing more than to cream their most hated rival and knock them out of the national title picture.  Both teams seem to be evenly matched, but in a rivalry game, that does not necessarily matter, as last year's Iron Bowl was decided by one point and on a last minute drive by the Crimson Tide against a mediocre Auburn team.  Plus, this game is supposed to have bad weather associated with it, which will make this even more muddled to pick a team.  This is a toss up game, as both teams are insanely talented, and that's what my pick is based on, a toss up.


Pick:  Alabama 27, Auburn 23

No. 4 Boise State at No. 19 Nevada

While this is not a rivalry game, it will decide the WAC champion and if Boise State will continue on its way towards a hopeful national championship.  Nevada has continually gotten better in the last few years, and especially this year, with Colin Kapernick's senior year at quarterback for the Wolfpack.  Boise has not been confused by the "pistol" offense which Nevada employs, as they have been holding steady the past few seasons against them.  Nevada also has not been able to contain Boise State's quarterback Kellen Moore the past few seasons, as he has been torching the Nevada defense the past two games with at least three touchdown passes in each of  those.  While this is going to be a shootout, and with the emotion going through Kapernick's veins, I think that it will be decided by ten points at the very least.


Pick:  Boise State 51, Nevada 39

West Virginia at Pittsburgh

The "backyard brawl" will be very good, as it normally is, as it is another rivalry game.  This time, it will determine if Pitt will get the Big East's invitation to the BCS.  Pittsburgh has not been the powerhouse that most thought they would be when the season first kicked off, but they have been very consistent within the Big East, losing their only game by two in Connecticut.  West Virginia has also not been quite the team most thought they would be coming into the season, but they have also been very consistent within the Big East, losing their only two games within the conference by a combined eight points.  Rivalry games are always tough to pick, but I think Pitt would love to close out the conference this week versus their most hated rival.

Pick:  Pitt 20, West Virginia 17

No. 21 Arizona at No. 1 Oregon

Oregon is in the driver's seat to be in the national title game, just so long as they do not slip up versus either Arizona or in the Civil War versus Oregon State, they are in.  Oregon has had nearly two weeks to prepare for this game, after their close win at Cal.  The only way Arizona can win this game is if they pull what Cal did, by faking injuries to try and slow the Oregon offense down.  Oregon will win this game handily and LaMichael James will run all over the Wildcat defense.


Pick:  Oregon 60, Arizona 42

No. 13 Oklahoma at No. 9 Oklahoma State

The "bedlam" series, as it is referred to in the great state of Oklahoma, is this year going to decide whether the Cowpokes are going to face Nebraska in the final Big 12 title game ever.  Oklahoma State has been a decided underdog in the series, losing more than 75% of its games within the series. But, this year Okie State is a decided favorite, as it is in Stillwater, and their offense has three dynamic players in quarterback Brandon Weeden, running back Kendall Hunter, and Dez Bryant 2.0 Justin Blackmon.  Oklahoma is also a good team featuring some good offensive weapons in its own right with Landry Jones, DeMarco Murray, and Ryan Broyles.  Both defenses are not all that good either, so this will again be a shootout.  I cannot pick against my good friend Danny Stinson's team, Oklahoma State, who is watching his first game after going around the world on a missions trip.

Pick: Oklahoma State 45, Oklahoma 41

NFL


Green Bay at Atlanta

This is probably the best game on the schedule this weekend.  Two division leaders, and a possible NFC Championship preview.  this literally could be it, in Atlanta in January.  Green Bay would want to win this game to get the homefield advantage and the number one seed in the NFC, and so Matt Ryan would get out of his comfort zone in the Georgia Dome, where he has lost once in the past three years.  This game will come down to if Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk and the rest of the Packers defense can stop Roddy White from catching balls, as he is the leading receiver in the NFC, and if they can stop the battering ram of Michael Turner, who is a very stout 250 pounds and he is hard to get on the ground.

Pick:  Green Bay 26, Atlanta 24

Jacksonville at New York Giants

Shockingly enough, Jacksonville is in first place in the AFC South.  Then, the Giants are just coming off a tough loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, which put them in second place in the NFC East, one of the harder divisions in football.  Jacksonville has the momentum on their side, as they are on a two game winning streak.  New York does have everyone healthy and ready to go, and they are back at home, but since David Garrard has an 111 rating on the road, and they will somehow continue to win.

Pick:  Jacksonville 23, New York 17

Kansas City at Seattle

This is a game between division leaders believe it or not, as Kansas City is utilizing its rushing attack to perfection, as both running backs for the Chiefs, Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones are on pace for over 1,000 yards each.  Then, there is Matt Cassel, who is managing the game well and getting the ball to his most talented receiver, Dwayne Bowe on a frequent basis, and the Chiefs continue to have a solid defense, only allowing slightly under 21 a game.  Then, Seattle is atop the NFC West by virtue of the rest of the division doing horribly essentially.  Seattle is in first place at 5-5, and just winning each week, as the stats say they should not be in first, giving up nearly five more points a game than they score.

Pick: Kansas City 30, Seattle 21

Tampa Bay at Baltimore

Tampa is in second place in the NFC South with their very young core of players doing some amazing jobs this season.  Josh Freeman is becoming the quarterback the Bucs hoped he would become, LeGarrette Blount has become a premier running back in just his second year in the NFL, Mike Williams put the problems he had at Syracuse behind him, and Gerald McCoy is starting to look like the defensive force we all thought he'd be coming out of Oklahoma.  Then, Baltimore has the complete package, with a great defense, and an even greater offense.  As the game is in Baltimore, give the edge to the Ravens, but do not be surprised if the Bucs pull the upset.

Pick:  Baltimore 31, Tampa Bay 23

Philadelphia at Chicago

Philly comes into the game on a three game winning streak after being embarrassed by the now dysfunctional Tennessee Titans and off of their bye week.  Michael Vick has become a bona fide MVP candidate and the defense has been stepping up in key situations, creating turnovers and putting pressure on the quarterback.  Chicago has also been on a roll itself, as they are themselves on a three game winning streak after losing to Washington before their bye week.  Plus, Jay Cutler has been cutting down on his interceptions lately, only throwing one last week against Miami, and the Bears defense is first in the league in giving up points, only around 14 a game.  The Sports Illustrated jinx could be in play for the Eagles, as Vick was featured on the cover of this week's magazine.  But, I think Sean McDermott would probably devise a few schemes to throw Cutler off his game and keep Matt Forte grounded.


Pick:  Philadelphia 28, Chicago 17

Again, please have a wonderful Thanksgiving, remember it everyday of the year, and safe travels to anyone who may be traveling.  Feast on food and football this weekend.