Professor CT Junkie’s Week 7 Prognostications: The Surprise Edition

It seems to this Professor that there are some strange shenanigans surrounding the evaporating point spread in the Clemson-FSU matchup. I’m sure there’s a reasonable answer but I haven’t heard any, but that’s nothing new. My Miracle Ear hearing aid recently fell into the toilet and I flushed. At my age, hearing is so overrated. A lot more than point spreads are going this weekend, as there will be some surprises too, so lets go!

No. 10 Penn State at No. 5 Michigan

The Professor is of the opinion that with only a few exceptions, the B1G is overrated. The putrid scheduling, the dismissal of several coaches, and the uninspiring play leave me with one question. Who’s more overrated, the Wolverines or the Nittany Lions?

It is being played in Ann Arbor and that’s a tough place to play and win but Penn State isn’t afraid of noise. They’ve got a loud, happy valley themselves. Its funny, every season the media breathlessly and constantly touts the greatness of both James Franklin and Jim Hargaugh. However, that must be confined to their work off the field because it can’t possibly be based on the field play. It might be close, but the Flunkie here is Michigan.

No. 3 Alabama at No. 6 Tennessee

Slick Nick Saban has looked more like Sick Nick Saban thus far this season. Unlike the Tide, they’ve been so up and down within the top four in the polls so much, he probably is suffering from severe vertigo. It’s strange, this Professor respects Nick Saban but he’s kind of hard to like.

Speaking of hard to like, these two teams hate each other. There is a lot of history in this rivalry, most of it relates to Alabama’s dominance but this year might be different. I believe on Saturday, Josh Heupel’s Vols have a huge, realistic opportunity to rewrite a little of the rivalry’s history. The Flunkie in this one is surprising, Alabama.

No. 19 Kansas at Oklahoma

Kansas has been a big, pleasant surprise this season. Oklahoma has been surprisingly awful. I understand Brent Venables is a first year head coach who will be given some time to right the ship but there might not be enough time to accomplish the monumental task that he faces.

I’ve always felt the Sooners didn’t play defense, they just turned on the offense and most pf the time won until they played a team with a defensive pulse, then they just melted. This season, they still don’t play defense and have yet to find the ignition key for their offense. Yes, times are hard for the Sooners. The surprising Flunkie in this one, Chokelahoma.

No. 8 Oklahoma State at No. 13 TCU

This game might just be the hallmark game in the Big 12 this season. These teams have been dominant, ruthless, and confident. Both can win this one but we all know there can only be one victor.

When I prognosticate games that are toss-ups, I look for the intangibles and Mike Gundy’s scary post-game demeanor is that intangible that gives the Cowboys motivation. The Flunkie in this game, TCU.

No. 15 North Carolina State at No. 18 Syracuse

The Professor is utterly confused about something. How is it, the Carrier Dome, Syracuse’s private hot house, was named after Willis Carrier, the man that invented the air conditioner? I am befuddled. Anyway, back to the game. This should be a great matchup for both teams and the ACC in general.

The closenees of the statistical analyses of the teams matter not. The talent, the rankings, the bands or even the gameplan will not determine the victor on Saturday. The deciding factor for this one is whichever team doesn’t succumb to heat stroke. My guess, the heat stroke victim Flunkie in this one is, NC State.

No. 16 Mississippi State at No. 22 Kentucky

There are so many intriguing plot lines surrounding this matchup this year. Both teams are capable, both teams are talented, both teams are well coached. On the other hand, as fans, we never know which team will show up. The Kentucky that lost to Shame Beaver’s Rattlers cannot show up Saturday, they need the other team that has been impressive most of the year to be wearing the blue.

Mississippi State can go from playing like Champions to playing like chumps in a nanosecond. Mike Leach is a genius but he’s also eccentric as heck so, which Mike will show up Saturday? I’m thinking regardless of which genius wanders the sidelines, Mississippi State triumphs. CT’s Flunkie, Kentucky.

No. 4 Clemson at Florida State

There’s a reason why Florida is called the “Sunshine State.” Simply put, for year’s the sunshine was always shining on the same dog’s arse, Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles. However, that’s no longer the case because there’s a new shiny dog’s arse in the conference. Dabo Swinney’s Tigers.

Sure, Mike Norvell and his Seminoles have shown much improvement but they’re honestly not even that close to the Tigers, no matter the magic shrinking point spread. There won’t be any surprises in this one. CT’s Flunkie, Florida State.

That’s about all I’ve got for you. It seems like every week since Week 4, the games have gotten better. In my 108 years, I believe this is almost as good as the 1957 season, fun and interesting. My memory amazes me. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you next week. Until then, may your favorite team never be a Flunkie!