Mouth of the Midwest

I’m join inside AT & T Stadium in Dallas with 4 

Arizona Sun Devil backers … 

I predicted a “Texas Shootout” and it was over quickly with a few blasts from the amazing Cam Skattebo…

Get ready for a “Texas Shootout”…

Iowa State & Arizona State Saturday at 11:00a in Dallas. 

This year’s Big 12 Conference Title game sets up with a potential scoreboard lighting up affair. 

The ASU Sun Devils are on a big time roll. RB Cam Skattebo is a BEAST!

Iowa State is getting ZERO respect. Wake me up when they are picked to win Saturday. More fuel for the Sons of Campbell.

Iowa 33 Arizona State 30

Mike Giffith on the show tonight.

AJC.com – top notch college scribe and radio contributor.

SportsOverNightAmerica.com

Listen Live

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This edition of Mouth Daily comes from Nick Douglas.

CFB Rankings
The unveiling of the fifth College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings of 2024 comes with heightened anticipation later today. In what has been one of the wildest college football seasons in recent memory, this past weekend was the icing on the cake. With upsets and fights happening all day Saturday, seven ranked teams fell. The CFP speculation machine will be aggressively churning until selection Sunday on December 8th.

As the CFP committee convenes to decide the fate of teams on the cusp of greatness, let’s delve into a look into the teams in contention. These projections stem from a thorough analysis of head-to-head results, strength of schedule, victories over ranked opponents, and the ineffable “eye test” that often sways deliberations.

The Top Four: The Pinnacle of Contention

1. Oregon (12-0) The Ducks’ undefeated record is a beacon of consistency. They’ve had their rough games but are the only unbeaten team across the FBS. Their dominance on both sides of the ball ensures they retain the top spot as the nation’s premier team. Their grip on No. 1 is ironclad barring a loss in the Big 10 championship to Penn state. 
2. Texas (11-1) The Longhorns’ emphatic victory in the dormant rivalry with Texas A&M adds a signature win to previously questionable résumé. This triumph propels them into the SEC favorite, affirming their resurgence as a national powerhouse. They face Georgia Saturday at 4pm ET in Atlanta. 
3. Penn State (11-1) A steady climb in the rankings for the Nittany Lions is bolstered by Ohio State’s stumble against Michigan. Penn State’s ascension reflects the committee’s appreciation for their overall body of work. Whether they are poised for a deep run is another question. 
4. Notre Dame (11-1) The Fighting Irish escaped USC with a 49-35 win, cementing their playoff aspirations amidst chaos. They look primed to host a first-round game in late December. 

The safe zone

5. Tennessee (10-2) A victory over Vanderbilt locks the Volunteers into playoff contention. Their strong finish positions them well for a first-round home game, capping a stellar season.
6. SMU (11-1) The Mustangs’ triumph over Cal secures their place in the ACC Championship. A strong performance year-round from Rhett Lashlee’s group in their first season competing in the ACC makes for a stellar Cinderella story. Whether this one continues into January is up for debate. Coming off a 38-6 thumping of Cal, the ‘stangs look poised to make a run deep into the playoff.
7. Georgia (10-2) An 8-Overtime victory over Georgia tech late Saturday effectively secured the Dawgs a spot in the playoff. Marred by inconsistency from Carson Beck, Kirby Smart’s squad has stumbled to 10-2 with signature wins over Tennessee and Texas. 
8. Indiana (11-1) Where did this team come from? Outside of a bad loss in Columbus, Curt Cignetti’s first year in Indiana has been a resounding success, as they have seemingly cruised to 11 wins. Beating an 11-LOSS Purdue team doesn’t elevate their résumé much, but the Hoosiers have earned the right to host a round 1 game.
9. Ohio State (10-2) The jury is still out on whether Ryan Day sits on the hot seat after dropping his fourth straight rivalry game to an unranked Michigan this past weekend. Despite a 10-point performance at home, the Buckeyes remain playoff-bound. High-quality wins over Penn State and Indiana pads their resumé, though they will likely be on the road in round 1. 
10. Boise State (11-1) Boise State ought to crack the top 10 this week, as they have handled the Mountain west with ease and even gave Oregon a run for their money in week 2. Their consistency across the board, spearheaded by Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty, makes them a team to watch as the postseason approaches.

• Arizona State (10-2) and Iowa State (10-2) control their destiny in the Big 12 conference championship game.

On the bubble: SEC Chaos and Redemption

Ole Miss (9-3), Alabama (9-3), and South Carolina (9-3) all sit on the outside looking in…for now. Ole miss has been a roller coaster ride all year, and the committee will have to seriously deliberate on whether it comes to an end now. The Crimson Tide’s bad loss in Norman two weeks back left the door wide open, while the Gamecocks’ dramatic victory over Clemson reshapes the narrative. Although they lost head-to-head matchups against Alabama and Ole Miss, Beamer’s squad looks like one of the hottest teams in the country right now. Will the committee look more into Head-to-head matchups or overall momentum and excitement? 

Outside looking in

• Miami (10-2) fell precipitously after a loss to Syracuse, underscoring the fragility of playoff hopes without victories over ranked opponents.
• UNLV (10-2) entered the rankings with a crucial Mountain West title game looming against red hot Boise State, adding another layer of intrigue to the playoff puzzle.

As we head into conference championship week, it’s important to note that these games will not be held against teams that lose. Your 3-loss SEC contingent will likely get vocal about their strength of schedule, while Miami fans will cross their fingers and hope for some love toward their high-octane quarterback Cam Ward. Irrespective of what happens, these fanbases will feel every kind of emotion come December 8th. There will be shocks, surprises, and perhaps even…mistakes. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Detroit is America’s team — at least for a day— Thanksgiving every year. No matter how good, bad or irrelevant as the powder blue & silver might be, we all tune in. Even Mom has the Lions playing in the background while she prepares the annual feast, right?

Now the Lions have supplanted the REAL America’s team the Dallas Cowboys who also are annual participants on Thanksgiving Day.

The only reason to watch the Cowboys and the NY Giants tomorrow is what ?

Because it’s FOOTBALL!

So, here are the picks for entertainment purposes ….

Caleb Williams has his coming out game. America will see exactly why the  Bears jettisoned Justin Fields and drafted Williams #1.

Williams throws for 355 yards, 3 Touchdowns and the Bears rock the Mighty Lions 34-24.

Wait, I just woke up to reality.

Detroit 41 Chicago 17

Dallas 31  New York Giants 13

Miami 23 Green Bay 20

Salt Lake City, Utah- Iowa State QB Rocco Becht came of age last night.

His spearheading the game-winning drive paid obvious immediate dividends; and Cyclone Nation can only hope the next similar opportunity comes on an even bigger stage. Like the Big 12 Championship game on December 7th?

ISU’s 31-28 over a beaten up Utah club had many twists and turns. When the Utes took the lead with a late touchdown it felt like Texas Tech all over again. The look on Becht’s face said otherwise. His steely eyes did not flicker once. 

Becht, Carson Hansen, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins conspired with incredible determination shrouded with calm and focus; you could feel it!

Now the stars are aligning almost beyond belief. Arizona State, 16th and dead last in preseason publications, is booking their trip to Dallas; they will crush overmatched Arizona. 

Meantime, Iowa State will not entertain such thinking. Kansas State invades Saturday night with temperatures in the teens and a feel-like below zero. A recipe for massive heartbreak? Nope.

This group is salty, tough and talented.

Cyclone Nation rejoices!

Salt Lake City- Try to find a place to watch the game – THE GAME- Indiana @ Ohio State here at 10a local time is next to impossible !!

Gracie’s, Whiskey Street, Flanker Kitchen & Sports Pub…. 

All closed.

So it’s the Green Pig of all places.

The NY Knicks are holed up here at the  Grand American Hotel and swimming with Iowa State football fans.

Knicks-Jazz at 3pm is tempting …

Look closely at one of the all-time NBA greats; Maurice Cheeks with the Knicks in Salt Lake City. 

Go West… that is where we’ll find an abundance of football intrigue and excitement. 

On the college front, the Big 12 is most certainly going to play out with a mad, 4 team dash to the regular season title.

BYU heads to Tempe, Arizona Saturday  to face the Arizona State Sun Devils; no easy spot for the wounded Cougars 

after last weeks loss to Kansas.

ASU is the choice here.

Iowa State shook off two straight losses rebounding nicely at home versus Cincinnati. The Cyclones in a ‘must win’ situation- the decimated Utah Utes would love nothing more than to vanquish ISU. Tricky spot, no doubt. Cyclones in a tight one.

Kansas is on a big time roll and so too is the visiting Colorado Buffalos. Expect a lot of scoring and the Jayhawks just have enough to hold serve at home.

Ted Flint – Twitter

Love this little item from Ted Flint- whoever that is?

We’ll do an NFL version of Go West on Friday.

Another last second crushing defeat for the Chicago Bears. This time it’s the Green Bay Packers administering the fatal blow by blocking Cairo Santos’ 46 yard field goal attempt. It’s now 11 straight defeats for the Bears against their rivals from the north. 

This one really stung. The bungling Bears deserved to win. Key plays set up the game-winning attempt – 4th down conversions to set up the decisive kick. Poor blocking and Cairo’s low driving kick got sent back like an unwanted gift. Ugly!

The NY Jets played scared and got what a deserved – another brutal loss.

4th and 2 and they opted for a FG to take a 27-22 lead. Convert and the game is won. No guts, no glory.

The REAL Kansas Jayhawks football team finally showed up. Back-to-back wins over Iowa State & BYU has thrown the Big 12 regular season race into utter chaos. Colorado is basking in the glow of the spoils for now; the Buffalos play at Kansas Saturday. Couldn’t script it any better for Deion and his Denizens! (FOX 2:30p Central).

The Buffs slight road favorites.

BYU has a tall order to navigate as the Cougars draw Arizona State same time in Tempe on ESPN.

Iowa State is at Utah where they’ll find a depleted Utes ball club. Still dangerous if the Clones don’t show up. 

Gotta stay on the SMU bandwagon. The Ponies are flat out good! Their lone loss to BYU just got worse with KU’s win …

Full football recap at 6pm Eastern / 5p Central tonight on Sports Byline.

Sportsovernightamerica.com

Thud. Ah, The Fellowship of the Miserable has new material to groan about: Tyson vs. Paul in all its glory… er, technical issues. 

“Sports Overnight America” was all in.

We had the A-team in place: Zayd Hussein, Giovanna Scroggins, Tucker & Blake Bern and the whole Bern Clan!

Tonight we’ll recap it; 7p-10p live. 

Cleaning out the Sports Closet…

Owen Freeman is a baller. The Iowa Hawkeyes big man imposed his will — and his game — on Washington State last night in his hometown Moline, Illinois. 21 points,11 rebounds, a steal and not-so-subtle leadership qualities.

Payton Sandfort tossed in 18 points as the Hawkeyes go to 4-0 on the young season.

Someone please remind Washington Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn that a field goal to take the lead in the 4th quarter is a good thing. Quinn and Detroit’s Dan Campbell will show exactly how coaches can blow games.

The Bears are poised to pounce. Like them to upset Green Bay. Too much talent to languish this long in mediocrity.

The Arizona Cardinals are on a bit of a roll. Murray and Marvin Harrison, Jr. are connecting and erecting something special in the NFC West. 

The LA Chargers and Mr. Harbaugh are  on a nice trajectory don’t you think?

We have a full compliment of people in Dallas tonight for the Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight- Netflix 8p Eastern…

Zayd Hussein, Blake & Tucker Bern and Giovanna Scroggins are all camped out in Big D ready to capture the action… 

I’m calling a “draw” tonight …  probably not, but it’s a quirky event so why not!

Enough crying out of the SEC! Ok, we’re two weeks into the CFP Rankings and their whining is just deafening.

The 3 Big 10 schools in Top 4 deserve their setting…. Right now!

The Dodgers might just get Juan Soto! Great for him; very bad for baseball.

I’d like for Buffalo to hand the KC Chiefs their 1st loss Sunday; Steelers vanquish the Ravens to boot!

Long way to go and this whole thing will shake itself out.

SMU HAS to make the 12 team playoff!

Good luck if your team draws the Mighty Mustangs!