This Weekend's 3 You Gotta See

1) #1 Alabama @ #16 LSU – Saturday, CBS - 3:30pm: Boy, oh boy. Yah think this game has been circled on the calendars of everyone in Cajun Country since Nick Saban took the ‘Bama job 2 seasons ago? Sure he left LSU for the Dolphins and those NFL dollars with a cupboard filled with talent, which Les Miles capitalized on in winning last year’s National Title, but you’re a fool if you think the Bayou Bengals and their faithful wouldn’t kill for this game. For LSU this game is purely for bragging rights as even with a victory they would need another Alabama loss to get back to the top of the SEC West. This will be Coach Nick’s first trip back at Baton Rouge, and he’s got the #1 ranked team in the country traveling west with him. This will be an absolute classic and we’ll find out a lot about just how good the boys from Tuscaloosa are. If they win this one, they still have a home game against hated rival Auburn, where anything could happen and a potential showdown with the Florida Gators in Atlanta for the SEC title game in a few weeks. As I look into my crystal BCS Trophy ball I see a road loss coming for the nation’s top ranked team for a second weekend in a row.

2) The New York Giants @ the Philadelphia Eagles – Sunday, NBC – 8:15: WARNING, if your name is Donovan McNabb or Eli Manning – lookout! When the defending Super Bowl Champion G-Men travel down I-95 to the Linc to take on their division rivals, I guarantee their will be big plays. Giants D-Coordinator, Steve Spagnolo is an Eagles D-Coordinator, Jim Johnson, disciple and thus share the same mindset… blitz, blitz, and blitz some more. And the educated football fans know, blitzes result in big hits on the quarterbacks and big plays for wide receivers facing man-to-man coverage. This is a must win for Philly if they have any hopes for an NFC East crown, a loss would put them 3 games back in the loss column. The Giants are surprising 3 point dogs in Vegas, a line I’d definitely stay away from, but if Bryan Westbrook is healthy, I look for a close win in front of a ravenous home crowd for the Eagles.

3) The Indianapolis Colts @ the Pittsburgh Steelers – Sunday, CBS – 4:15: Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning & Co. will look to get right back in the AFC playoff race in the land of the Terrible Towels. Last week Indy’s season was on the line at home against the Patriots and they fought and clawed their way to a 3 point W over the hated Patriots. The win evened their record at 4-4 and while the division race maybe already over with the Titans sitting pretty at 8-0, they needed that game to stay on playoff bubble. A win here and the Colts could be full steam ahead to Wild Card weekend. As for the Steelers, they dominated the ‘Skins in a blowout on Monday Night, but not everything is rosy in the Steel City. Big Ben Rothlesberger left the game and didn’t play in the 2^nd half after inuring his throwing shoulder on a touchdown scoring QB sneak late in the 1^st. Byron Leftwich filled in beautifully and could be called upon again if the Steelers decide against pushing Rothlesberger. However, I don’t think it will matter; the Steelers are too physical and too tough at home, I’ll take the Black & Gold.

Bonus Selections:

#9 Oklahoma State @ #2 Texas Tech – Saturday, ABC – 8:00: Big time Big 12 match up between the two teams who have surprised everyone but themselves. OSU is where Texas Tech has been the past few seasons… very, very good, but not quite there yet to win the big, big games. The Red Raiders magic year continues for another week – but lookout Lubbock lovers, a trip to Norman to take on the Sooners follows.