story info compiled by David Rice
Editor’s note: Welcome to the fourth season of Tusk to Tail – the sport of tailgating as organized, performed and perfected by a group of Hog fans who have been tailgating together sober and otherwise for more than a decade. Members of the Tusk to Tail Team are Sean Casey, Jack Clark, Dale Cullins, Greg Houser, Craig May, David Rice and Mark Wagner. Tusk to Tail is managed by The City Wire. Legal representation is iffy at best and professional psychological help is typically ignored, if not mocked.
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With the Razorbacks not playing this weekend, any fake flopping by Head Coach Bret Bielema will have to take place on his own time and will hopefully not be illegally captured by an Alabama fan.
THE GAMES
#17 Iowa @ #20 Northwestern
Greg Houser
Big Ten games are interesting. Well, let me rephrase by saying while a few are really good, most Big Ten games help fill time between better games. This one seems pretty interesting, but I have no clue who looks better for this match up. I'll go with Northwestern by 6.
Steve Superior
Northwestern had a terrible game last week. Outside of that, both of these teams are a surprise to me this year. Look for Northwestern to bounce back at homecoming and play better. I like Northwestern by a smidge.
#13 Ole Miss @ Memphis
Craig May
Memphis comes into its game with Ole Miss looking for a signature win and the national attention it craves under fourth-year coach Justin Fuente. For the first time since I can remember, both teams are ranked and playing for a conference championship. Memphis has been a great story for the last two seasons and Paxton Lynch will be the best quarterback on the field Saturday. As fired up as Memphis will be for this game, I look for the Ole Miss defense to keep Lynch in check. The Rebels get out of Memphis with the win. Ole Miss 41, Memphis 35.
Todd Rudisill
Upstart Memphis! No, just kidding, but they are 5-0 with a win over Cincinnati. If the Rebels come in sleepwalking this could be a close game. Rebels 41-24.
Louisville @ #11 Florida State
David Rice
Bobby Petrino has a young but talented team that is starting to get its swagger. Unfortunately Florida State is the kind of pro-style team that gives Petrino fits. The Seminoles’ strong running game and defense should be able to squeak out the win at home. Louisville 31, FSU 35
Steve Superior
Will Florida State have a letdown game after last week? No. Florida State ends the Cardinals two-game win streak.
#10 Alabama @ #9 Texas A&M
Dale Cullins
After watching that Bama D last week, comparing that to how well we slowed down A&M, and how well the Tide shut down the Hogs, A&M will be lucky to score. However, A&M's passing game is a bit more dynamic than the Hogs, so that could give Saban trouble. I see Alabama winning this game 30-21
Todd Rudisill
This is the game of the week, especially after Florida lost their QB in the other Top 10 match up this week. If the Hogs defense can hold A&M to 13 points for 36:00 minutes of the game, I think the salty Bama defense should do even better than that. Bama pulls away as usual in the end. Tide 27-10.
#7 Michigan State @ #12 Michigan
Mark Wagner
Michigan has outscored their opponents 160-14 over the last five games. They have three shutouts. I don’t see this looking good for Michigan State whose only quality win was against Oregon. It turns out that Oregon is horrible this year. I see this game being all Wolverines as they win by a score of 42-7
Steve Superior
Huge game. I don't want to pick against Dantonio's team. They are always solid. However, Michigan and their D this year is too strong. Wolverines win.
#8 Florida @ #6 LSU
David Rice
Florida freshman quarterback Will Grier tested positive for the Performance Enhancing Drug Ligandrol, which he says he unknowingly consumed from something he bought over the counter. His get-huge-quick scheme would not have been enough to get the win at Death Valley Saturday night anyway. Leonard Fournette is the truth. LSU 33. Florida 13.
Todd Rudisill
PEDs:. Just say NO! Gators lose their starting savior QB who had them rolling to 6-0. This was a huge night game in Death Valley, but after that suspension Tigers will win this one. 24-10.
Penn State @ #1 Ohio State
Sean Casey
Penn St is 5-1, but don't be deceived. They're pretty bad and headed into #1 tOSU. Buckeyes win this one going away, 45-17.
Steve Superior
James Franklin has Penn State moving in the right direction. Is that a shock? No. He won at Vandy. However, just because OSU hasn't dominated all of their games, doesn’t mean it is smart to pick against them. "The" Ohio State wins this game.