I've spent since Wednesday sitting next to an individual in my day job (sorry to destroy the illusion; SBN has all that venture capital, they don't just flush it down the commode) who was dealing with some awful cold/flu variant/bug. This individual just relocated from our California office, so naturally I assumed whatever he was afflicted with was something I'd long since developed antibodies for.
FALSE. Beginning with muscle soreness, then fatigue, then a headache I've slowly come down with (albeit so far a lighter version) the very same illness and I seem resigned to a weekend of the coach. Granted, this only slightly differs from my usual 11 am til 9 pm Saturday/Sunday in the fall affairs in that I'm drinking Emergen-C in lieu of beer/liquor.
Garlic
6. Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Wolverines -- 11 AM, ESPN -- SEE WHAT I DID THERE?!??!? Muhahaha. You Big XII/CUSA partisans will have no choice but to tune into a clash between traditional Big Ten powers as a contrast of style s plays out in the Big House in Ann Arbor. Denard Robinson will do things that makes your jaw drop, then promptly sustain a soft injury and miss the meaningful portion of the game. Michigan's defense, coordinated by former Longhorns defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, will assume the position early and often. John Clay misses this one for the Badgers, but tailback James White should be more than capable to run this offense at a high level. Tune in and enjoy the whacky Midwest shenanigans.
Zinc
Illinois Fighting Illini at Northwestern Wildcats -- 2:30 PM, ESPNU -- A game played in the comfy confines of the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field will see as little offense as per usual but this time in a bizarre fashion: Due to concerns about the safety of the east end zone (which literally lined against the storied Ivy of Wrigley's outfield), both teams' offenses will be realigned to play westward (remember Stabbing Westward?). The freak show/novelty factor is string in this one, y'all.
9. Ohio St. Buckeyes at 20. Iowa Hawkeyes -- 2:30 PM, ABC -- ALL BIG TEN, ALL THE TIME. The crown jewel (I'm in no way biased) of Saturday's slate, an on life support Iowa team plays for pride and bowl posturing while Ohio State seeks to keep their co-conference championship aspirations (and BCS hopes) alive and well. Daniel "Boom" Herron goes against Adam Robinson in a battle of top 25% Big Ten running backs. Ricky Stanzi also looks to be all patriotic and what not and likely attempt to have Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor arrested for treason.
Ginger
Houston Cougars at Southern Miss. Golden Eagles -- 7 PM, CBS College Sports -- The hometown Cougars head east to part of the deep south that time forgot to take on former Florida coordinator Larry Fedora and the USM Golden Eagles. David Piland looks to bounce back from a 5 turnover week a week prior while USM looks to keep bleak CUSA East divisional hopes alive.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers at 19. Texas A&M Aggies -- 7 PM, ABC -- Texas A&M looks continue to ride the momentum of the Ryan Tannehill-era as Nebraska seeks to continue their march to JerryWorld. Nebraska's Taylor Martinez hasn't quite been the same since an ankle injury slowed him at the end of October, but Nebraska will need him at as close to full strength as possible to get past a red hot Aggies side.