Week Twelve Crystal Ball: THE Big Game
Published continually since 1994
My friends, THE GURU is ready for the big one and, no, I’m not talking about Dallas visiting My Beloved Commies on Sunday.
Indeed, the biggest game this weekend will take place on the college gridiron. It’s #160 in college football’s oldest AND most-played rivalry: Lehigh-Lafayette.
Saturday’s battle is at blessed Murray H. Goodman Stadium in bucolic Bethlehem, Pa., with the good guys bent on snapping a two-game losing streak vs. the Leopards. On paper, it seems the odds are in our favor with four consecutive conference wins in the books, outscoring opponents to the tune of 131-49. It’s a streak that has Coach Kevin Cahill & Co. sitting in first place and on the precipice of an FCS playoff berth.
That said, this is a dangerous Lafayette team that enters The Rivalry with a 6-5 record and no bad losses. Plus, they’re the defending Patriot League champs and very well coached by John Troxell.
I’ve seen plenty of coaches come and go on both sides as this is my 32nd Lehigh-Lafayette with LU holding a commanding 19-12 lead (.613) over the weaklings from the Easton in GURU-attended events. Also, flexing my parenting skills, THE TRE MAN, age 15, will be attending his 15th LU-LC game, sporting a record of 8-6 (.571).
But, before you pat me on the back, I’ll come clean about the two Lafayette games I’ve missed since matriculating to Lehigh, missed opportunities that haunt me to this day.
I’ve got no excuse for skipping the 2002 tilt as I had tickets but backed out when a then-lady friend couldn’t go i.e., she dumped me. That’s poor form in my estimation, like RIGHT WING MATT shooting a free throw or READE STREET RICH making yet another excuse to skip out on a pint.
In ’03, I made the right call to bail after THE FAIR CLAUDINE aka THE PHILLY FILLY was felled by a Herculean strain of Montezuma’s Revenge, contracted while at the wedding of THE RUNNING MAN and his fair bride in Guatemala. It was a tough weekend, sure, but luckily LU pulled out the win and, two decades later, I can still say, with pride,
“Hey Honey. Remember the time you almost died, and I didn’t go to Lehigh-Lafayette?”
As for the all-time series, yes, Lafayette leads 82-72-5 but many of their victories were piled up when the Lehigh boys were off at war, fighting for our freedom. In fact, since 1950, the Brown & White have owned The Rivalry by a count of 45-27-2. That does a man proud.
I expect this one to come down to the wire - like many games in this series - with special teams a determining factor. Look for LU fifth-year linebacker Mike DeNucci to make a key tackle late and freshman QB Hayden Johnson to pass - and run - our boys to victory. Let’s call it HAWKS, 23-17.
As for the pro game, the Week Eleven record was 8-6 (.571), moving the season mark to 98-66 (.598). Let’s go to the sked with six teams on the bye: the Bengals (4-7), Bills (9-2), Falcons (6-5), Jaguars (2-9), Jets (3-8) and Saints (4-7).
THURSDAY, 8:15 PM - PRIME VIDEO
Steelers (8-2, 4-1 away) at Browns (2-8, 1-4 home). The late Chuck Noll - a Hall of Fame Steelers coach and former Browns “messenger guard” - loved this great rivalry. Current Pittsburgh leader Mike Tomlin probably loves it too, given his 26-8-1 (.743) record vs Cleveland. Let’s go with visitors in a tight contest.
SUNDAY
1 PM, FOX
I love the Vikings (8-2, 4-1 away) at the Bears (4-6, 4-2 home). When these rivals square off, I think of Alan Page, the Hall of Fame defensive end who played for the Vikes (1967-78) and Chicago (1978-81) before becoming a Minnesota State Supreme Court Justice…
…Take the Lions (9-1, 5-0 away) against host Indianapolis (5-6, 3-2 home). Did you know that none other than Bill Belichick started his coaching career with the Colts (1975) and Dee-troit (1976)?…
…the Cowboys (3-6, 3-2 away) fall to Washington (7-4, 4-1 home). This will be closer than many think but, in the end, goodness will prevail. A massive day for the running game.
1 PM, CBS
The Dolphins (4-6, 2-3 home) topple the Patriots (3-8, 2-4 away) in Miami. One man who played for both teams: the electric Irving Fryar - a guy who has been many things in his 62 years - the #1 overall pick, a prisoner and even a man of the cloth…
…I like the Bucs (4-6, 2-2 away) to beat Giants (2-8, 0-5 home) in East Rutherford. Drew Lock, we hardly knew ye…
…take the Chiefs (9-1, 4-1 away) at the Panthers (3-7, 2-3 home) in the Barbecue Battle. Facing Andy Reid after a loss - and with barbecue on his mind - is no picnic, folks…
…Tennessee (2-8, 1-4 away) loses in Houston (6-4, 4-1 home) as the Titans franchise visits the city it called home for 37 seasons (1960-96)…
4:05 PM, CBS
Denver (6-5, 3-3 away) smokes Vegas (2-8, 1-3 home) like a Lehigh-Lafayette brisket. The late Lyle Alzado, a former Bronco (1971-78) and Raider (1982-85, 1990) loved these games.
4:25 PM, CBS
The 49ers (5-5, 2-2 away) lose to the Packers (7-3, 3-2 home) in a meeting of former Western Conference rivals (1953-69) preceding the NFL-AFL merger…
…take the Cardinals (6-4, 2-2 away) at the Seahawks (5-5, 2-4 home) in one of the league’s most bitter - and underrated - rivalries.
8:20 PM, NBC/PEACOCK
The visiting Eagles (8-2, 4-1 away) take down the Rams (5-5, 3-2 home) in a game between teams once coached by Dick Vermeil. The California native took Philly and
LA - ok St. Louis - to the Super Bowl during his illustrious career. I remember those Birds getting crushed by the Raiders like it was yesterday, btw.
MONDAY, 8:15 PM, ESPN
The Ravens (7-4, 3-3 away) best the Chargers (7-3, 4-1 home) in an epic Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh contest. Don’t be surprised if Jim and his surprising troops upset his older brother. Not pictured: third brother Cletus, often frequently by the family as a human footstool.
That’s it for this week, folks. Enjoy your weekend and God bless!