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November has a cold and unforgiving heart. The games get rougher as the time left in the season dwindles, which is why now, more than ever, we try to absorb as much as we can. The outlook may look bleak in Auburn, Alabama, but at least there are diversions elsewhere.
On to the games. You can find a complete TV schedule here.
Dr. Norris Camacho
GAME 1
Memphis @ Temple| Friday 6:30 PM | ESPNU
WHY
I like Memphis. Did you know the movie The Firm was filmed there? It is probably the only movie to feature both Hal Holbrook and Gary Busey, but you can prove me wrong if you like. I also once did the loneliest liveblog ever of a Memphis-Duke game back in September of 2013 before Duke was a hot team [/pushes up hipster glasses]. Germain Ifedi's older brother Martin is a standout defensive end for Memphis, but he missed much of the season after injuring his knee in the opener. He's been back in the rotation lately and got his first sack of the year last week.
THE ESSENTIALS
RIBS. ROCK N' ROLL. JOHNNY EFFING CASH. (edited for Facebook)
(the game is at Temple; don't care)
GAME 2
Kansas State @ TCU | Saturday 6:00 PM | Fox
WHY
Gary Patterson's a former K-State linebacker from the '80s who had his first GA coaching gig there before Bill Snyder took over late in the decade. There's a ton of respect there, but also a clash of mentalities. This game will either finish 13-10 or 55-52.
THE ESSENTIALS
After the Auburn game, probably some Beethoven and ice cream, I don't know. A large throw pillow and a security blanket. #BAS #BAS #BAS
doug.keegan
GAME 1
Baylor @ Oklahoma | Saturday 11:00 AM | Fox Sports 1
WHY
It's a de facto College Football Playoff (such creative naming!) elimination game in the conference that probably shouldn't receive a bid no matter what happens. Guaranteed to deliver points and sidelines shots of Art Briles wearing long sleeves. This is the US of A, Coach. You have the right to bare arms.
THE ESSENTIALS
Mimosas, matches, and all the Toby Keith albums you can safely light on fire without attracting unwanted attention from your neighbors. Unless the neighbors wanna join in. Because the fewer Toby Keith albums in America, the stronger we are as a nation.
GAME 2
Notre Dame @ Arizona State | Saturday 2:30 PM | ABC
WHY
Let's be frank: You're going to want something to distract you from what Auburn is doing to the Ags over on CBS, and this is yet another contest where the loser is effectively out of contention for the College Football Playoff. Grit your teeth and root for Todd Graham before he decides that Michiga.. er... Flori... er... How much are you offering again, Kansas? is his dream job.
THE ESSENTIALS
Your Sun Devils hand sign, which in no way should prompt you to think of anything other than rooting for Arizona State.
GAME 3
Oregon @ Utah | Saturday 9:00 PM | ESPN
WHY
Because we needed to complete the trifecta of a green-ish colored team playing on the road against a red-ish colored team. And because Utah has a pretty damn good defense that tends to play even better at home. And because it's Oregon's final legitimate test prior to the PAC 12 Championship game. And because WHAT IN THE HELL ELSE ARE YOU GONNA WATCH AFTER YOUVE EMPTIED EVERY BOTTLE IN THE HOUSE AND STILL CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT THE HORROR OF THE AUBURN GAME?!?!
THE ESSENTIALS
Pillows. Lots of pillows. Just surround yourself in comfort as best as you can while avoiding any surfaces or objects that could cut or bruise.
oscarwildecat
GAME 1
West Virginia @ Texas | Saturday 2:30 PM | FS1
WHY
Let's all sit down and be really honest with ourselves: Saturday at 2:30 on CBS is going to hurt. Real bad. Gus Malzahn is a ninja assassin cloaked as a pastor wearing Mike Ditka's wardrobe, and he will show Mark Snyder no mercy. So, when schadenfreude is all that life has left to give, feel free to flip over with me to FS1 to see if our mulleted hero of the hills has anything left after that painful loss to TCU. Bottoms up Holgo. Godspeed my friend.
THE ESSENTIALS
GAME 2
Virginia @ Florida St. | Saturday 5:30 PM | ESPN
WHY
A "friend" told me I would be "wise" if i placed a "friendly wager" on this contest. Thus begins my lifelong Virginia fandom, and C'MON WAHOOS PLEASE DEAR GOD LOSE BY LESS THAN 20.5.
THE ESSENTIALS
More bourbon. Turning my cell phone off. Most likely locking the apartment door.
GAME 3
Alabama @ LSU | Saturday 7:00 PM | CBS
WHY
No reason, just the #4 team in the country strolling into Death Valley at night. LSU is outflanked in a tactically inferior position, has sustained heavy losses, and - sorry, you lose, because that's just where General Les Miles wants you. Also, if you happen to be a heavily recruited football player in America, you're most likely in attendance at this game, and yes I'm looking at you Daylon Mack and Malik Jefferson, and no, the Tigers don't really offer degrees in 'French Quarter Carousing' and NO that girl doesn't really love you, and just come back home to a state with real live infrastructure and job opportunities after football please thank you.
THE ESSENTIALS
Delivered pizza. That sixer of Anchor Steam Christmas that we were going to save for a Thanksgiving gift but, hell, we'll probably find more next week. Probably a second lock on the door after Florida State wins by 21.