Cody’s ‘Five Things I’m Looking At’ Week 7

A true legend. Courtesy: Capitol Broadcasting Company

By Cody McClure

I still don’t know what happened at Arkansas, but I’ve processed it.

I keep coming back to a “combination of factors.” Football is the ultimate team game, and our team didn’t perform well on many fronts.

It wasn’t just the poor offensive line play, but that was a big part of it. It wasn’t just the poor quarterback play, but that was a big part of it. It wasn’t just the poor coaching, but that was a big part of it.

Oh well, snap and clear. Thanks Butch.

Looking around the rest of the country as it pertained to last week’s article — I correctly picked Washington to beat Michigan, and I think I was right about Mizzou-A&M being a potential playoff qualifier. The Aggies have set themselves up very well.

I’m not sure we’re going to be able to get Billy Napier fired this week, as it seems the Gators have regained a bit of confidence in their program. And I’m not sure whether or not Lane Kiffin is a fraud. The Rebs dominated at South Carolina.

But boy was I right about seeing a lot of I-40 last week. That was a long ass trip back to Knoxville on Sunday.

So much for the “Tennessee Stud” getting us through the Arkansas mud. Here’s to hoping we can bounce back after an L like Ole Miss did.

This is what I’m looking at in Week 7:

5. Penn State at USC

This is the best week of college football thus far — and maybe for the whole season. Tons of high-stakes, high-profile games.

James Franklin’s undefeated Nittany Lions travel across the country to the Coliseum to take on USC. Finally, a Big 10 game on CBS that seems cool.

It’s also a rematch from the very fun 2017 Rose Bowl in which USC won 52-49. Penn State is a 4-point favorite here, but this is a tricky situation for the Lions.

USC is reeling a bit with recent losses to Michigan and Minnesota. I think the loss to the Gophers could inspire the Trojans to come out refocused (as we’re hoping with Tennessee this week) — and Penn State seems ripe for the picking.

Franklin’s team may be undefeated and ranked No. 4 in the country, but I still believe they’re fraudulent. They ain’t played nobody, and they ain’t looked all that good winning.

From a Tennessee perspective, of course, we need as many of our peers to lose as possible. We’ve gotta pull for USC here.

If this current roster of Trojans can’t get it done, might I suggest putting the LA Rams in USC uniforms and hiding them away somewhere to come in at halftime.

You wouldn’t want anybody to know about it though. Perhaps build a large wooden horse and keep them in there.

4. Ole Miss at LSU

Another playoff eliminator. Well, maybe. You know, nothing is set in stone these days.

I suppose the loser of this game could still win out and slip in. But obviously the winner here positions itself in a better spot.

Yeah… duh Cody… great point. The winner is in a better spot than the loser. Big stupid man!

Sorry, I’m just trying to write something about the game. Like I said about Penn State, any time our peers can lose it helps us that much more. We are currently bundled up with a shit load of one-loss SEC teams.

It brings me some joy that at least one of those teams will be a two-loss team after this weekend. (Hope it’s not us!)

Also, either Texas or Oklahoma will take a loss this week, but we’ll get to that.

LSU has a trio of receivers that could be out for this game. One is out, two are at least questionable. Ole Miss’ star wideout Tre Harris is also questionable.

The Rebels are a 3.5-point favorite, but by God, this is a night game in Death Valley. I hope the LSU crowd brings the juice for this one.

Here at the station we are currently watching Tennessee’s 2005 win at LSU. That place was absolutely rocking in the first half. Thank you for your service, Rick Clausen.

Give me the Tigers to take down Ole Piss.

The tallest cowboy in Texas at the state fair. Courtesy: mysanantonio.com

3. Red River Shootout Rivalry

Why can’t we call it a shootout? What’s the problem? Some guy with poor mental health is just sitting there watching Oklahoma and Texas play football and it inspires him to go out and get an AR-15? I’m not buying it.

This is, of course, the first Red River game with these teams being in the SEC. So that makes it significant.

Is this the SEC’s best rivalry outside of the Iron Bowl? Feels weird to say, but it might be. Although — I think Texas and Texas A&M hate each other more. We’ll see that one later in the year.

As a Tennessee fan — again, find a way to make it about us — I keep thinking I will feel better about things if Oklahoma beats Texas. In fact, I think it’s the thing that will make me feel better the most this weekend outside of beating the Gators.

If Texas takes a loss, we’re all back to square one. So Boomer Sooner.

You know, Austin is a great town. The vibes are fun. The energy is there. Great music and comedy scene. Tremendous cuisine. Really, it’s everything I could want in a town.

But the Texas people have a jarring superiority complex. I didn’t really understand it until I went there. They think their shit don’t stink.

Now that they’re in the SEC, it’s only going to get worse. Especially if they keep winning. A little humbling of the Horns would be nice to see.

Boomer. Sooner.

2. Ohio State at Oregon. Bucks and Ducks!

Well, here it is. Ohio State’s only test of the season.

No. 2 vs. No. 3. Two undefeated teams. This one certainly has that big game feel. A lot of people have had it circled on the calendar since the preseason.

To me, it feels like a game Brent Musburger should be calling. What ever happened to Brent? Is he still in Vegas? A modern day Ace Rothstein.

“You are looking live at me and a one-legged hooker with an eyepatch here at the Bellagio!”

The Buckeyes are a three-point favorite, but haven’t really been tested this year. With that said, they’ve been absolutely dominant. Oregon, too, has lived up to their high ranking over the last few weeks.

Can a duck pull a truck? Find out below. I know for sure a duck can squash a buck.

Give me Oregon at home.

1. Florida at Tennessee

Yes, I’m still excited for this game, and I know many other Vol fans feel the same way. We’ll never get Arkansas back, but we can have a nice cleanse this weekend.

This is still a team that people can believe in, and I think they’ll show us some good things on Saturday. I’d be quite surprised by back-to-back uninspired performances.

Now, is the offense going to score 45? Doesn’t seem like it. But with the defense being as good as it is, if this offense can just get back to competency I’ll be happy.

It seems that most of Tennessee’s problems are correctable. That said, if the struggles persist this week, it’s probably safe to say we’re not a playoff team.

I maintain that this Florida team is not very good, and let us not underestimate the “Neyland Effect” under the lights.

I believe Tennessee will win convincingly. 38-13 Big Orange.

BONUS: Vanderbilt at Kentucky and Colorado in primetime vs. K-State

I don’t have a lot to say about these games, but I’m intrigued by both. Would have never thought Tennessee would have to worry about Vandy and Kentucky this year, but both have been spunky.

Can the Commodores keep up the momentum or was that Alabama win just fool’s gold? Still scratching my head over that one.

And then Deion in primetime… always fun. Colorado could actually cement itself as a true contender in the Big 12 with a win here.

Enjoy the college football weekend. Talk to you next week.