Tuesday Top Ten: Most-Played College Football Rivalries in Play This Weekend

Well, folks, we've come to the best weekend of the college football season.  It's Rivalry Week.  My Hoosiers travel to that shit stain of a stadium in West Lafayette to battle with Purdue for the Old Oaken Bucket.  You know I despise the Boilermakers almost as much as I love the Hoosiers.  On Saturday, IU better damn well exact revenge on Purdue for the last two years, where Purdue and IU were both 5-6 going into the game, with Purdue winning both games by 7 to go to a bowl, and leaving IU at home for the bowl season.

While Lehigh and Lafayette have the distinction of being the most-played college football rivalry ever (by a longshot too), at 155 games (including this year), I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the games being played this Rivalry Week that have been played the most.  I'm looking at FBS games only -- and actually, many of the FCS rivalry games with more games have already been played, as have some of FBS rivalries that would be on this list if they weren't played earlier in the season (or will be played later this season) -- 

Here are the most-played college football rivalries that are being played this weekend, with the team's current records, the date/time/channel of the games (all times Central), the number of games played, the year the first game was played, the name of the trophy for which the teams play or the name of the rivalry game, and the overall record.

1.  Wisconsin (9-2) at Minnesota (10-1) (Sat. 11/30 2:30 p.m.; ABC)
Number of games played:  128
First game played:  1890
Trophy:  Paul Bunyan's Axe
Record:  Tied 60-60-8
This is the biggest battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe that we have seen in a while, as the winner will clinch the Big Ten West crown.  Minnesota is holding out hope to squeak into the College Football Playoff, while Wisconsin is trying to secure a New Years Six bowl berth.  What's crazy is that this is not only the most-played rivalry at the FBS level, but that the overall record is tied after 128 games played.

2.  Oregon State (5-6) at Oregon (9-2) (Sat. 11/30 3:00 p.m.; Pac-12 Network)
Number of games played:  122
First game played:  1894
Rivalry name:  The Civil War
Record:  Oregon leads 65-47-10
This year's Civil War lost a little of its luster after Oregon's heartbreaking loss to Arizona State this past Saturday -- all but knocking the Ducks out of the CFP -- but there is still a lot on the line.  Oregon State sits at 5-6 after their own heartbreaking loss (a 54-53 shootout loss to Washington State), so the Beavers need to win to secure bowl eligibility, while the Ducks still have a shot at a New Years Six bowl.

3.  Indiana (7-4) at Purdue (4-7) (Sat. 11/30 11:00 a.m.; ESPN2)
Number of games played:  121
First game played:  1891
Trophy:  The Old Oaken Bucket
Record:  Purdue leads 74-41-6
After Indiana's 7-2 start and national ranking, a tough road loss to Penn State and a sloppy thumping at the hands of Michigan at home have left the Hoosiers at 7-4.  For a program without a winning season since 2007, that's still nothing to complain about, but a win over Purdue would give the Hoosiers their first 8+-win season since 1993.  Purdue, on the other hand, has had a disappointing year, riddled with injuries.  The Boilers were supposed to be a dark horse in the Big Ten West, but sit at 4-7 on a campus that smells like industrial effluence.

4.  Clemson (11-0) at South Carolina (4-7) (Sat. 11/30 11:00 a.m.; ESPN)
Number of games played:  116
First game played:  1896
Rivalry name/trophy:  The Palmetto Bowl/The Palmetto Trophy
Record:  Clemson leads 70-42-4
This year's Palmetto Bowl should be a snoozer, as Clemson is nearly a four-touchdown favorite.  The Tigers are playing for a CFP berth, while the Gamecocks are playing for pride.

5 (tie).  Ohio State (11-0) at Michigan (9-2) (Sat. 11/30 11:00 a.m.; Fox)
Number of games played:  115
First game played:  1897
Rivalry name:  The Game
Record:  Michigan leads 58-51-6
Is there any rivalry that jerks itself off as much as Ohio State/Michigan?  Ohio State has already locked up the Big Ten East title, but the Wolverines would like nothing more than to knock the Buckeyes out of a CFP berth.  Of course, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is still looking for his first win against OSU, having gone 0-4 thus far.  This would be a huge win for the Wolverines and could give them a New Years Six Bowl, depending on how other games shake out.

5 (tie).  Mississippi (4-7) at Mississippi State (5-6) (Thur. 11/28 6:30 p.m.; ESPN)
Number of games played:  115
First game played:  1901
Rivalry name/trophy:  The Egg Bowl/The Golden Egg Trophy
Record:  Mississippi leads 62-47-6
The Egg Bowl will largely be a game with pride on the line, as Ole Miss is already out of bowl contention.  However, Mississippi State needs a win to become bowl eligible.  The Bulldogs' second-year coach Joe Moorhead is going for his second Egg Bowl victory in as many seasons.

7 (tie).  Georgia (10-1) at Georgia Tech (3-8) (Sat. 11/30 11:00 a.m.; ABC)
Number of games played:  113
First game played:  1893
Rivalry name:  Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate
Record:  Georgia leads 67-41-5
It's a great name for a rivalry, but this year's game doesn't look like it's going to be much of a game at all, with the Bulldogs sitting at 28.5-point favorites right now.  They have already clinched the SEC East title and have their sights set on a CFP berth.  Meanwhile, first-year Yellow Jackets head coach Geoff Collins is looking for a signature win to save an otherwise forgettable season. 

7 (tie).  Oklahoma (10-1) at Oklahoma State (8-3) (Sat. 11/30 7:00 p.m.; Fox)
Number of games played:  113
First game played:  1904
Rivalry name/trophy:  Bedlam
Record:  Oklahoma leads 88-18-7
Bedlam almost always lives up to its name, and this year should be no exception.  The Sooners -- who have already clinched a spot in the Big XII title game -- are gunning for a potential CFP berth, while the Cowboys are having a very solid season at 8-3.  It should be a shootout and a fun game to watch.

7 (tie).  Vanderbilt (3-8) at Tennessee (6-5) (Sat. 11/30 3:00 p.m.; SEC Network)
Number of games played:  113
First game played:  1892
Rivalry name/trophy:  None 
Record:  Tennessee leads 75-33-5
While the matchup doesn't look totally sexy on paper, Vanderbilt has won three in a row against Tennessee -- the Commodores' longest winning streak against the Volunteers since winning six in a row between 1920 and 1926.  The Vols have already clinched bowl eligibility, but you can guarantee that second-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt doesn't want to lose this one.

10.  Northwestern (2-9) at Illinois (6-5) (Sat. 11/30 11:00 a.m.; FS1)
Number of games played:  112
First game played:  1892
Trophy:  Land of Lincoln Trophy
Record:  Illinois leads 55-52-5
It has been a very disappointing season for Northwestern, as the Wildcats are looking at their worst season under Pat Fitzgerald and are missing a bowl for the first time since 2014.  On the other side of the coin, the Illini have saved Lovie Smith from the chopping block, winning four of their last five games after starting 2-4, to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2014.  A win would secure the Illini's first winning season since 2011 and first winning Big Ten record since 2007, which ended in a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Midwestern Eavesdropping

Fortysomething male, drinking a hazy IPA:  "You'd have to have some sort of poisoning to understand that flavor profile."
--Chicago
Eavesdropper:  GMYH

Thirtysomething female Chicago Public Schools parent, during CPS teachers' strike:  "Suck a D, Lightfoot.  See what that's like."
--Chicago
Eavesdropper:  GMYH

As always, if you overhear something funny or ridiculous (or that can be taken completely out of context), email it to gmyhblog@yahoo.com, along with the location you heard it and your preferred eavesdropping handle, for inclusion in the next exciting edition of Midwestern Eavesdropping.

Hair Band Friday - 11/22/19

1.  "Burning Like a Flame" by Dokken


2.  "Big City Nights" by Scorpions


3.  "Run Riot" by Def Leppard


4.  "Naughty Naughty" by Vinnie Vincent Invasion


5.  "Love's Got Me Doin' Time" by Cinderella


6.  "Jump" by Van Halen


7.  "The Liar" by Ozzy Osbourne


8.  "If I Was Your Mother" by Bon Jovi


9.  "Hot Rod" by Junkyard


10.  "25 Hours a Day" (live) by Y&T

College Football: Undefeated After Week 12

And then there were three.  Two weeks ago, we had seven undefeated teams remaining in college football's FBS division, and since then, four have been beaten.  This weekend's victims were #8 Minnesota, who lost 23-19 to #20 Iowa in Iowa City, as the Hawkeyes took home the coveted Floyd of Rosedale -- still my favorite hog-based college football trophy.  Elsewhere, #13 Baylor was finally exposed, losing a heartbreaking 34-31 clash at home to #10 Oklahoma, after leading 28-3 early in the second quarter and 31-10 at halftime.

My Hoosiers also had some heartbreak against #9 Penn State, as two special teams gaffes led to 14 Nittany Lions points and a hard-fought 34-27 loss, knocking the Hoosiers out of the Top 25.  It was fun while it lasted.  Up next is #13 Michigan, who IU has not beaten since 1987, but has played tough the last several meetings:
-2018:  IU lost 31-20 in Ann Arbor after being up at halftime and within 8 until a few minutes left in the game.
-2017:  IU lost 27-20 in OT in Bloomington, scoring 10 points in the final three and a half minutes in regulation to force OT.
-2016:  IU lost 20-10 in Ann Arbor (in the snow), after being up 10-6 late in the third quarter.
-2015:  IU lost 48-41 in double OT in Bloomington, with the Wolverines tying the game as time expired in regulation and the Hoosiers' Mitchell Paige bobbling a catch that would have sent the game into a third OT. 

It's time to get over the hump.

Anyway, in the latest release of the College Football Playoff rankings, the top four did not change, which comes as no surprise, as the top three teams crushed their opponents, all scoring 50+ points.  #1 LSU beat Ole Miss in Oxford, 58-37.  #2 Ohio State beat Rutgers 56-21, with the Buckeyes' defense allowing the most points in a game since their week 1 45-21 win over FAU.  #3 Clemson tamped down their toughest remaining opponent, Wake Forest, 52-3, extending their streak of scoring 50+ points to four games.  Finally, #4 Georgia made its CFP case stronger with a big 21-14 win at #12 Auburn, clinching the SEC East in the process.

Of the remaining three undefeated teams -- #1 LSU, #2 OSU, and #3 Clemson -- Clemson has, by far, the easiest road to remaining undefeated.  Assuming the Tigers can get past rivals South Carolina a week from Saturday, they will play yet another unranked team in the ACC Championship game -- Virginia (7-3, 5-2), Pitt (7-3, 4-2), Virginia Tech (7-3, 4-2), or Miami (6-4, 4-3).  LSU's path is considerably harder.  After a cupcake game against Arkansas in the Battle for the Golden Boot this Saturday, the Bayou Bengals travel to College Station for a game against Texas A&M (currently 7-3).  Assuming they win at least one of those two games, they will clinch the SEC West and face #4 Georgia in the SEC Championship game.  Finally, #2 Ohio State has the hardest row to sow to remain undefeated, and I think if they can come out of the next three games -- #8 Penn State (9-1), at #13 Michigan (8-2), and the Big Ten Championship game against #10 Minnesota (9-1), #12 Wisconsin (8-2), or #17 Iowa (7-3) -- without a loss, they deserve to be #1.

Here are the top 4 teams in the CFP ranking, along with each team's best win and worst loss, where applicable:
1.  LSU (10-0)
Best win:  at #5 Alabama (11/9; 46-41)
Worst loss:  N/A
2.  Ohio State (10-0)
Best win:  #12 Wisconsin (10/26; 38-7)
Worst loss:  N/A
3.  Clemson (11-0)
Best win:  Wake Forest (11/16; 52-3)
Worst loss: N/A
4.  Georgia (9-1)
Best win:  #11 Florida (11/2; 24-17)
Worst loss:  South Carolina (10/12; 20-17)

Here is a breakdown of the remaining undefeated teams and each team's remaining games (rankings are CFP rankings):

#1 LSU (10-0)
11/23 - Arkansas (2-8)
11/30 - at Texas A&M (7-3)
12/7 – SEC championship game (Atlanta) - #4 Georgia (9-1)
Remaining opponents' combined record:  18-11 (.621)
Best win:  at #5 Alabama (11/9; 46-41)

#2 Ohio State (10-0)
11/23 - #8 Penn State (9-1)
11/30 – at #13 Michigan (8-2)
12/7 – Big Ten championship game (Indianapolis) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  15-3 (.850)
Best win:  #12 Wisconsin (10/26; 38-7)

#3 Clemson (11-0)
11/30 – at South Carolina (4-7)
12/7 – ACC championship game (Charlotte) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  4-7 (.364)
Best win:  Wake Forest (11/16; 52-3)

New Book: Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales by Stephen King

A few weeks ago, I finished Meet Me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011 by Lizzy Goodman, which is an oral history about how rock was rejuvenated in NYC in the first decade of this century by bands like The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, LCD Soundsystem, TV on the Radio, and many others -- as well as how non-NYC bands, like The White Strips, the Hives, and Franz Ferdinand, were all involved in the rock revolution that was necessitated by post-grunge, nu metal, and late '90s pop.  It was really good, especially for those (like me) who are fans of early 2000s rock.  The book was heavy on The Strokes, which was fine with me, since they were kind of the leading force of the movement.  I only wish they had released more albums.

Since then, I have started Everything's Eventual:  14 Dark Tales by Stephen King.  As you may know, I'm a huge Stephen King fan.  Everything's Eventual is another collection of King's short stories, and I have read several of his others (Night Shift and Bazaar of Bad Dreams), which have been great.  This one isn't all horror, and so far it's been good.

Books Read in 2019:
-The Anatomy of Evil by Michael H. Stone, M.D.
-The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
-Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix by Charles R. Cross
-Chuck Klosterman X: A Highly Specific, Defiantly Incomplete History of the Early 21st Century by Chuck Klosterman
-Lou Reed: A Life by Anthony DeCurtis
-Chicago by David Mamet
-Meet Me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011 by Lizzy Goodman

Retro Video of the Week: "Nicotine & Gravy" by Beck

Assuming the world survives, this Saturday will be the 20th anniversary of Beck's release of his seventh studio album, Midnite Vultures.  It was the follow-up to his iconic Odelay album, which is kind of an unfair hamstring for Midnite Vultures because it will always be compared to Odelay.  Nonetheless, Midnite Vultures is fantastic in its own right, and it's probably my second-favorite Beck album (behind Odelay, of course).  Beck was proving he was Gen X's version of David Bowie -- a rock and roll chameleon who could put out great music while not sticking to one genre or sound.  Midnite Vultures has elements of funk, soul, R&B, rock, pop, and electronic music -- all with Beck's brand of irreverent hipster humor.

While my favorite chorus on the album is from "Debra" -- "oooh, I wanna get with you, aaawwww / And you sister / I think her name is Debra" -- my favorite track off the album is "Nicotine & Gravy," which has my second-favorite chorus on the album:  "I think we're going crazy / Her left eye is lazy / She looks so Israeli / Nicotine and gravy."  It's a funky little ditty that lyrically makes little to no sense to me (like many of his songs), and the video does nothing to clear that up.  But with Thanksgiving coming up next week, I know that can be stressful for some, so perhaps there isn't a more appropriate song than "Nicotine & Gravy" to describe what you're going to need to make things all right. 

Tuesday Top Ten: Non-Farewell Farewell Tours

As you may have heard by now, yesterday, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, and Poison announced that they will be doing a stadium tour together next year.  It certainly promises to be one of the funnest and most raucous tours of the year, and I can't wait until the dates are announced, as you can sure as shit believe I will be at the Chicago date.

While one fascinating aspect of this tour is the fact that all three bands essentially have the same lineups they have had for the last 30+ years (RIP, Steve Clark, of course) -- which is a feat in this day and age -- what's most surprising about the tour is that, in 2014, the members of Mötley Crüe signed a contract indicating they would never tour again.  Of course, there was a clause that said they could scrap the agreement if all four members agreed.  That appears to have happened, much to the delight of rock fans across the country.

Mötley Crüe is just the latest in a list of many rock acts that have announced their retirement from touring, only to change their minds a few years later.  Hell, I think I've seen Scorpions on two separate "final" tours.  While I was toying with doing a Tuesday Top Ten on faux "farewell" tours, yesterday, I came across a Rolling Stone article entitled "13 'Farewell' Tours That Didn't Stick — From Mötley Crüe to Kiss" that beat me to the punch.  So, click on the link and read a more-detailed and better-researched version of what I would have given you.  And dammit, get tickets for this tour once they go on sale because it maybe your last chance to see these bands!

Hair Band Friday - 11/15/19

1.  "Don't Cry" by Guns N' Roses



2.  "Talk To Your Daughter" by BulletBoys


3.  "Bad Boy Boogie" by Mötley Crüe


4.  "Burning for Love" by Bon Jovi


5.  "Gimme More" by KISS


6.  "House of Broken Love" by Great White


7.  "Alone" by Heart


8.  "Action! Not Words" by Def Leppard


9.  "Dangerous But Worth the Risk" by Ratt


10.  "Sugar, Leather & The Nail" by Dangerous Toys

College Football: Undefeated After Week 11

Well that was a hell of an action-packed weekend of college football.  We had two battles of unbeaten teams, with the underdog winning both.  #2 LSU laid 46 on #3 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, winning 46-41 in what was the biggest win for the Bayou Bengals probably since they beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2011 in a 1-2 match-up (and then subsequently lost in a rematch in the BCS Championship Game).

In the other unbeaten match-up, #17 Minnesota proved that it's not a fluke, knocking off #4 Penn State, 31-26, in what was certainly the Golden Gophers' biggest win of the PJ Fleck era, their first win over a Top 5 team since beating #2 Penn State in 1999, and arguably the program's most important win since the 1962 Rose Bowl.

But before we go any further, let's talk about my Hoosiers, who are ranked for the first time since 1994 (#24 AP, #25 Coaches), ending the longest unranked streak of Power Five teams.  Their reward?  A trip to Happy Valley to face a Penn State team that just lost its first game and will likely be angry.  It was fun while it lasted.

Anyway, in last night's release of the College Football Playoff rankings, and, of course, there was a lot of movement.  LSU rightfully moved from #2 to #1.  Despite beating Maryland 73-14, Ohio State slipped from #1 to #2.  Clemson jumped from #5 to #3 after a 55-10 win at NC State.  Georgia climbed from #6 to #4 after a 27-0 beating of Missouri.  #3 Alabama dropped to #5, and #4 Penn State fell to #9.

This leaves five undefeated teams left in the FBS:  #1 LSU, #2 OSU, #3 Clemson, #8 Minnesota, and #13 Baylor.  LSU and OSU have cakewalks this weekend, with games against Ole Miss and Rutgers, respectively.  However, the other three teams all face tough opponents this Saturday.  Clemson's game against Wake Forest looked sexier last week when the Demon Deacons were 7-1 and ranked #19, but a 36-17 loss to Va Tech squelched some of the luster.  Nonetheless, this is Clemson's only real test until the ACC Championship Game.  Minnesota travels to Kinnick Stadium to face #20 Iowa, in a battle for the Floyd of Rosedale.  And Baylor -- whose win at TCU was rewarded by the CFP Committee with a drop in the rankings from #12 to #13 -- is a home dog against #10 Oklahoma.

Here are the top 4 teams in the CFP ranking, along with each team's best win and worst loss, where applicable:
1.  LSU (9-0)
Best win:  at #5 Alabama (11/9; 46-41)
Worst loss:  N/A
2.  Ohio State (9-0)
Best win:  #14 Wisconsin (10/26; 38-7)
Worst loss:  N/A
3.  Clemson (10-0)
Best win:  at Texas A&M (9/7; 24-10)
Worst loss: N/A
4.  Georgia (8-1)
Best win:  #11 Florida (11/2; 24-17)
Worst loss:  South Carolina (10/12; 20-17)

Here is a breakdown of the remaining undefeated teams and each team's remaining games (rankings are CFP rankings):

#1 LSU (9-0)
11/16 – at Ole Miss (4-6)
11/23 - Arkansas (2-8)
11/30 - at Texas A&M (6-3)
12/7 – SEC championship game (Atlanta) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  12-17 (.414)
Best win:  at #5 Alabama (11/9; 46-41)

#2 Ohio State (9-0)
11/16 - at Rutgers (2-7)
11/23 - #9 Penn State (8-1)
11/30 – at #15 Michigan (7-2)
12/7 – Big Ten championship game (Indianapolis) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  17-10 (.630)
Best win:  #14 Wisconsin (10/26; 38-7)

#3 Clemson (10-0)
11/16 - Wake Forest (7-2)
11/30 – at South Carolina (4-6)
12/7 – ACC championship game (Charlotte) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  11-8 (.579)
Best win:  Texas A&M (9/7; 24-10)

#8 Minnesota (9-0)
11/16 - at #20 Iowa (6-3)
11/23 - at Northwestern (1-8)
11/30 – #14 Wisconsin (7-2)
12/7 – Big Ten championship game (Indianapolis) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  14-13 (.519)
Best win:  #9 Penn State (11/9; 31-26)

#13 Baylor (9-0)
11/16 - #10 Oklahoma (8-1)
11/23 - #19 Texas (6-3)
11/30 – at Kansas (3-6)
12/7 – Big 12 championship game (Dallas) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  17-10 (.630)
Best win:  at #22 Oklahoma State (10/19; 45-27)

Retro Video of the Week: "Material Girl" by Madonna

A mere 35 years ago yesterday, Madonna released her blockbuster album Like a Virgin, vaulting her into superstardom and making her the queen of '80s pop to Michael Jackson's king.  Mostly produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, the album had a slew -- though not a slough or a slue -- of songs that would become iconic Madonna songs, like the title track, "Material Girl," "Angel," "Into the Groove," and "Dress You Up."  The album has been certified Diamond by the RIAA, and it went to #1 on the Billboard album charts for three straight weeks in early 1985 and was the #3 album on the Billboard year-end charts for that year.  It also hit #1 on the album charts in five other countries and the top ten in another nine.

Other than "Into the Groove" -- which was not released as a single in the U.S. and not included on the U.S. version of the album and was, therefore, ineligible for the Billboard Hot 100, but did hit #1 on the Billboard Dance charts -- the aforementioned songs all cracked the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100, with the title track becoming Madonna's first #1 song, "Material Girl" going to #2, and "Angel" and "Dress You Up" both going to #5.

I am going with "Material Girl" because I think it so perfectly represents the materiality and superficiality of the '80s -- and it's just a fantastic pop song.  Of course, the video is iconic as well.  Also, as we head into the holiday season, it's a firm reminder of what's really important.

College Football: Undefeated After Week 10

Well, fair readers, we've reached the point in the college football season where the College Football Playoff rankings have been revealed.

But before we get to these pretenders, let's talk about my Hoosiers.  It's no secret that my alma mater is arguably the least successful Power Five conference football team ever.  We have two -- TWO -- nine-win seasons in our history, and the last one was during the Johnson administration (Lyndon, not Andrew, to be clear).  But currently, the Hoosiers are 7-2, which guarantees their first winning season since 2007.  They're off to their best start since 1993 and have won four Big Ten games in a row for the first time since that same season, a season I fondly remember as the nearest miss the Hoosiers had to going to the Rose Bowl since 1967 -- and a season I also don't so fondly remember because we lost the Independence Bowl to Virginia Tech, 45-20, which represented the downturn of the Bill Mallory era at IU at the same time as the rise of the Frank Beamer era at Va Tech.  We were two touchdowns from winning the Big Ten.  Clearly, I don't think IU is going to win the Big Ten this year.  Hell, here are three more fucking teams in the league than there were in 1993 -- though we have beaten all of them.  Bottom line, we are 7-2 (or better) for the 5th time ever (1993, 1987, 1967, 1945, 1905) and have won four Big Ten games in a row for the 5th time ever (1993, 1987, 1967, 1958, 1945).  For a program with as much futility as IU, this is all pretty significant.  And this weekend, we have a bye, giving us an extra week to prepare for our trip to Happy Valley a week from Saturday.

But anyway, unsurprisingly, Ohio State sits at the top of the initial CFP rankings.  They have killed pretty much everyone.  LSU is #2, Alabama is #3, and Penn State -- a school that sanctioned child rape for decades -- is #4.

There are seven undefeated teams left in the FBS:  OSU, LSU, Penn State, Alabama, Clemson, Baylor, and Minnesota.  Looking at the remaining games, none of these teams has a cakewalk.  At least two undefeated teams will lose this weekend, as LSU and Alabama are squaring off, as are Penn State and Minnesota.  

It's not out of the question that all seven will lose before the end of the regular season. Here's why:
-#1 Ohio State has dominated this year, with two 24-point wins being their "closest" games.  However, the Buckeyes finish the Big Ten regular season with #4 Penn State at home and then at #14 Michigan.  And then if they win those, they will likely face #17 Minnesota, #13 Wisconsin, or #18 Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game.  While Buckeyes fans may scoff at any of those teams, keep in mind that in the eight previous Big Ten Championship games, the lower-ranked team has won six times.
-#2 LSU plays at #3 Alabama this weekend, likely knocking the other out of contention for an SEC title game berth.  LSU has a slightly easier schedule going forward, as Alabama -- who has only played two teams this season that currently have winning records -- has to play at #11 Auburn in the Iron Bowl to finish the regular season.  And whichever one of them wins the SEC West will likely have to play #6 Georgia or #10 Florida in the SEC Championship Game.
-#4 Penn State has the hardest road to remaining undefeated, as the Nittany Lions play at #17 Minnesota (8-0), Indiana (7-2), and at Ohio State (8-0) over the next three weeks.  On November 24, they could just as easily be 8-3 as they could be 11-0.
-Defending champ #5 Clemson has played a pretty weak schedule so far (hence being left out of the top four in the first rankings), and their only real challenge on the way to the ACC Championship game is #19 Wake Forest at home next weekend.  The Tigers seem primed to take one of the top four CFP spots after all is said and done.
-#12 Baylor kind of got the shaft on its ranking, but the Bears still have to play #9 Oklahoma.
-Finally, #17 Minnesota got no respect from the CFP Committee, thanks to a pretty weak schedule thus far, but with #4 Penn State, #18 Iowa, and #13 Wisconsin still on the slate, the Golden Gophers have three chances to prove their worth and potentially clinch their first-ever berth in the Big Ten Championship game (and first conference or division title since sharing the Big Ten title with Indiana and Purdue in 1967).

Here are the top 4 teams in the CFP ranking, along with each team's best win and worst loss, where applicable:
1.  Ohio State (8-0)
Best win:  #13 Wisconsin (10/26; 38-7)
Worst loss:  N/A
2.  LSU (8-0)
Best win:  #10 Florida (10/12; 42-28)
Worst loss:  N/A
3.  Alabama (8-0)
Best win:  at Texas A&M (10/12; 47-28)
Worst loss: N/A
4.  Penn State (8-0)
Best win:  #14 Michigan (10/19; 28-21)
Worst loss:  N/A

Here is a breakdown of the remaining undefeated teams and each team's remaining games (rankings are CFP rankings):

#1 Ohio State (8-0)
11/9 - Maryland (3-6)
11/16 - at Rutgers (2-7)
11/23 - #4 Penn State (8-0)
11/30 – at #14 Michigan (7-2)
12/7 – Big Ten championship game (Indianapolis) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  20-15 (.571)
Best win:  #13 Wisconsin (10/26; 38-7)

#2 LSU (8-0)
11/9 – at #3 Alabama (8-0)
11/16 – at Ole Miss (3-6)
11/23 - Arkansas (2-7)
11/30 - at Texas A&M (6-3)
12/7 – SEC championship game (Atlanta) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  19-16 (.543)
Best win:  #10 Florida (10/12; 42-28)

#3 Alabama (8-0)
11/9 – #2 LSU (8-0)
11/16 – at Mississippi State (4-5)
11/23 - Western Carolina (FCS) (2-7)
11/30 - at #11 Auburn (7-2)
12/7 – SEC championship game (Atlanta) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  21-14 (.600)
Best win:  at Texas A&M (10/12; 47-28)

#4 Penn State (8-0)
11/9 - at #17 Minnesota (8-0)
11/16 - Indiana (7-2)
11/23 - at #1 Ohio State (8-0)
11/30 – Rutgers (2-7)
12/7 – Big Ten championship game (Indianapolis) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  25-9 (.735)
Best win:  #14 Michigan (10/19; 28-21)

#5 Clemson (9-0)
11/9 - at NC State (4-4)
11/16 - #19 Wake Forest (7-1)
11/30 – at South Carolina (4-5)
12/7 – ACC championship game (Charlotte) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  15-10 (.600)
Best win:  Texas A&M (9/7; 24-10)

#12 Baylor (8-0)
11/9 - at TCU (4-4)
11/16 - #9 Oklahoma (7-1)
11/23 - Texas (5-3)
11/30 – at Kansas (3-6)
12/7 – Big 12 championship game (Dallas) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  19-14 (.576)
Best win:  at #16 Kansas State (10/5; 31-12)

#17 Minnesota (8-0)
11/9 - #4 Penn State (8-0)
11/16 - at #18 Iowa (6-2)
11/23 - at Northwestern (1-7)
11/30 – #13 Wisconsin (6-2)
12/7 – Big Ten championship game (Indianapolis) - TBD
Remaining opponents' combined record:  21-11 (.636)
Best win:  Illinois (10/5; 40-17)

Retro Video of the Week: "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams

Yesterday marked the 35th anniversary of Canadian rocker Bryan Adams's breakout album, Reckless -- and yesterday was also Adams's 60th birthday.  Scorpioooo!

Building off of the success of his third studio album, 1983's Cut Like a Knife, Adams took his career into the stratosphere with Reckless.  The album hit #1 on the Billboard album charts, as well as #1 on the Canadian album charts and the top ten in five other countries.  Reckless has gone platinum five times in the U.S. and three times in the UK, as well as diamond in his native Canada.

And check out this impressive stat.  All six of the singles from the album released in the U.S. rose to the Top 15 of the Billboard Hot 100:  "Run To You" (#6), "Somebody" (#11), "Heaven" (#1), "Summer of '69" (#5), "One Night Love Affair" (#13), and "It's Only Love" (with Tina Turner) (#15).  At that point in time, the only other albums that could make that claim were Michael Jackson's Thriller and Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.  Not too shabby, eh?

I remember hearing "Summer of '69" for the first time at some point in 1985 at a friend's house.  He had Reckless on cassette tape, as was the style at the time.  I thought the song was great the first time I heard it, and I still think it's great.  The first stanza -- now instantly recognizable -- grabs your attention:  "Got my first real six string / Bought at the five-and-dime / Played until my fingers bled / Was the summer of '69."  The song then goes on to tell the story of forming a band, the band breaking up, falling in love, and the narrator's relationship with his lady falling apart.  But those were the best days of his life.  Even more impressive is that all of this happened in the summer of '69, when Bryan Adams was nine years old.

Tuesday Top Ten: Halloween Costumes (2019 Edition)

Last Thursday was the final Halloween of the teens.  As usual, I had a party the Saturday before, and this year, we decided to go with a '90s theme, which brought out some great costumes.

And, of course, on Halloween proper, I went with a creepy costume, thanks to a delightfully terrifying mask my kids picked out for me on a trip to Party City.  It kind of made up for the fact that we got three inches of snow on Halloween.

But enough about me.  Here are my ten favorite costumes from this year's Halloween, whether I saw them in person, on Facebook, or elsewhere on the interwebs.  These are in no particular order.

1.  Whatever the hell this is
Heidi Klum outdid herself this year, transforming herself from her normally gorgeous self into this alien-looking thing that apparently took her 13 hours to transform into.  Bravo.

2.  Me
One of my friends dressed up as me.  This is apparently what I look like to the outside world.

3.  Link
Lollipop decided to go as one of the most beloved Nintendo icons of the '80s and '90s.

4.  Maude Lebowski
Many years ago when my wife was seven months pregnant with our first child, she was supposed to go to Lebowski Fest with me.  I begged her to dress up as a pregnant Maude Lebowski.  She declined.  She tried to make it up to me ten years later.  Her art has been commended as strongly vaginal.

5.  Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega
Vincent's bolo was good enough, but Mia's adrenaline shot in the chest was the kind of detail I truly respect.

6.  Kurt Cobain
Not as bloody as I would have liked, but he even had the same t-shirt Cobain wore during the Unplugged show.  Well done.  And notice Happy Gilmore lounging on the couch.

7.  Brian Fantana and Sex Panther
Sixty percent of the time, it works every time.

8.  Lloyd, Harry, and Sea Bass
Son and his best friend went as Lloyd and Harry from Dumb and Dumber, which is more fitting than you know.  It took a lot of convincing, but once we told them they would get "swords" (i.e., canes) and unlimited bowls of loudmouth soup, they came around.  
Playing off of their costumes, I went as Sea Bass.  It's the only time you'll ever hear me ask for a Boilermaker.  And needless to say, things got awkward at 2:15 a.m. sharp in the bathroom.

 9.  Roach and Bodhi from Point Break
 It got weird when we went surfing at the end of the night.

10.  Baumer and Margot Tenenbaum
I saw this one on Facebook, from a woman I went to college with and her husband.  I'm a sucker for any Royal Tenenbaums-based costume.  No word if she chopped off a finger or if he shaved his head 80% of the way through the night and slit his wrists to make it authentic.

Hair Band Friday - 11/1/19

1.  "Gypsy Road" by Cinderella


2.  "Slip of the Lip" by Ratt


3.  "The Beast" by Twisted Sister


4.  "Life Loves a Tragedy" by Poison


5.  "Women in Love" by Van Halen


6.  "Danger Zone" by Quiet Riot


7.  "Leave Me Alone" by White Lion


8.  "A Million To One" by KISS


9.  "Comin' Home" by Danger Danger


10.  "Child of the Wild" by Gorky Park