Audio: Aaron Discusses College Football Coaching Changes on the Radio + the Week 11 Picks
Unfortunately, there will be no college football picks column this week (I'll go ahead and post my picks at the bottom here), but I did want to tip everyone off on one quick thing. On Thursday night I appeared on the "Rob After Dark" radio show down in Florida to discuss this year's college football coaching carousel. A lot of conversation stemmed off this article I wrote for Crystal Ball Run.
Regardless, Rob's producer was nice enough to pass along the audio, and I've attached it here. I also made the decision to put the audio into my podcast stream as well. So if you can't listen to the audio here, you can always download it from iTunes later. You can also subscribe to my podcast, so you get updates every time I post a new podcast.
Anyway, let's get to the audio, where Rob and I discussed the following:
- With Bobby Petrino the "hot coaching" name right now, the question has to be asked: Do schools still care about the character of their coaches, or just winning games? I also dive into the idea that Jim Tressel was fired for relatively minor NCAA violations, while Petrino will now be re-hired after major ethical ones.
- Where will Kirby Smart end up? I discuss this with Rob, and tell him why there may be some behind the scenes moving and shaking going on at Tennessee.
- Finally, Rob asks me where I stand on Charlie Strong. Rob likes the idea of him going to Arkansas, but personally I just don't see it happening. Frankly, I fully expect Strong to stay at Louisville for the 2013 season.
*****
In addition, here are my Week 11 Picks:
Arkansas (+14) over SOUTH CAROLINA: Saturday, 12:00 p.m. CBS
Love South Carolina, but I doubt they can score enough to cover a 14 point spread. On a different note, might this be the game where an opposing defensive lineman actually kills Tyler Wilson? Yeah, I'm looking at you Jadeveon Clowney.
Northwestern (+10) over MICHIGAN: Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ESPN
The Wolverines will win, but 10 points seems like an awful lot for them to be giving. Especially with Devin Gardner at quarterback.
Missouri (+3) over TENNESSEE: Saturday, 12:21 p.m. SEC Network
I mean seriously, what have we seen from Tennessee to lead us to believe they should be favored against anyone from the SEC at this point?
Oregon State (+4) over STANFORD: Saturday, 3:00 p.m. FOX
It's Week 11 and people still have no idea how good Oregon State is. People also still think Stanford is good. Which they're not, really.
ALABAMA (-13.5) over Texas A&M: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. CBS
If this game were in College Station it'd be one thing. But on the road, in Tuscaloosa against this defense, Johnny Football is going to struggle.
A&M will win these kinds of games eventually as long as Manziel and Sumlin are in town. Just not this year.
Arizona State (+8) over USC: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ABC
When are people going to stop giving USC the benefit of the doubt just because they're, well, USC. If the Trojans don't lose outright, this one will be damn close.
Penn State (+8) over NEBRASKA: Saturday, 3:30 ABC
When I saw this line, my jaw hit the ground. Has anyone actually watched Penn State play the last two months or so? They're the best team in the Big Ten not named "Ohio State" and it's not even close. This has to be the easiest money on the board.
OLE MISS (-3) over Vanderbilt: Satuday, 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
With games remaining LSU and Mississippi State, this is the Rebels best chance to get their sixth win and get bowl eligible. Could it be their best chance to impress Robert Nkemdiche as well?
TCU (+7) over Kansas State: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. FOX
I don't know if I have the guts to take TCU straight up, but man, doesn't this one feel just I tiny bit, I don't know, weird?
Mississippi State (+16) over LSU: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ESPN
LSU will win, and win easy. But they're not built to beat anybody by 16 points, let alone a team as half-decent as Mississippi State.
Georgia (-14.5) over AUBURN: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ESPN2
All I'm saying is, this game will be a lot more interesting when Bobby Petrino is coaching at Auburn next year.
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