Jarvis Benjamin Variety Hour

Welcome back folks. Rivalry Week and Feast Week are upon us; and we are dangerously close to the best time of the year. I am unthinkably excited for multiple games Saturday, specifically the big one (obviously).

Won again. 3-1 last wek. 47-32-1 on the year. Yes, I am getting very close to my 60% line where I want to be! As this is the last (real) week of the regular season, I am not sure the frequency of the cards going forward. Here and on X (@JBV60SHOW) remain the best places to stay in tune.

The 25ish best teams in the country: 

1. Michigan Wolverines (11-0) This Week: -3 vs. Ohio State (11-0): Judgement Day is here. Its time to see if I was right all year to claim that this was the best team in the country. Its time for the interim Michigan Coach (who’s name I am choosing not to look up) to continue his journey towards internet immortality. In my eyes: the entire body of work for each of these teams has given enough (obvious) reasons why Michigan will win this game. Its time to play THE game! No Saturday oblos (ALL DAY!!) for young Jarv; and I cannot wait. Go Blue.        

2. Georgia Bulldogs (11-0) This Week: -24 @ Georgia Tech (6-5): As I will mention below: Georgia (like Alabama) has already clinched their spot in the SEC Championship Game. If you have visited jarvisbenjamin.com this week, you’ll know that I am backing the Yellow Jackets this week. Quite frankly, the Bulldogs have come to life in the last few weeks. They have looked like absolute world-beaters. The craziest part is: I think the offense may be better than the defense. I know that is a bit of a hot take, but it really may be true. I’d imagine that Georgia is preparing for the Tide already, and has to travel for a non-conference game this week. Georgia Tech has been in some tight games against good teams this year (they beat Miami and UNC!). I’m not sure they’ll beat the ‘Dogs; but I like them to stay in the game.   

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0) This Week: +3 @ Michigan (11-0): To sit here and say I expect the Buckeyes to lose this game by 40 points would be a lie. To sit here and say that I expect Michigan to bully them? That would not be a lie. Unfortunately for my friend Coach Day and his team, I think that this NCAA investigation nonsense has done nothing but inspire Michigan. Sure, Ohio State is the plucky underdog here who everyone doubted; which will be great motivation for them. I just don’t think these teams are on the same level right now. I expect Michigan to cover. This should be a tight game into the second half though.     

4. Washington Huskies (11-0) This Week: -16.5 vs. Washington State (5-6): I ranked the teams on Monday and had Washington moving up one spot! To say that I was glad to see the other rankings follow suit, would be an understatement. The Huskies moving up has less to do with Jordan Travis getting injured than many people will think. Washington looked like a complete team last week in a win in Corvallis. The offense got them out to a lead, and then the defense was able to keep DJ U. and his team on the mat. All Pac-12 rankings before the Championship Game (rematch) won’t matter much. But if the season ended today: the Huskies are your #4 seed. 

5. Oregon Ducks (10-1) This Week: -13.5 vs. Oregon State (8-3) FRIDAY: As mentioned above: all Pac-12 rankings before Oregon and Washington’s rematch are all but moot. Yeah, I probably still like the Ducks to beat Washington when it gets to that point, but the Huskies win over Oregon State was enough for me to bump them. As for this week? Certainly an interesting game. This will be the last edition of this in-state rivalry for some time, as the Ducks are fleeing for the B10. I really wish the Beavs had won last week to give this game a little bit more juice. Regardless; both teams will be up for this game (which should be a ton of fun). 

6. Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1) This Week: -14.5 @ Auburn (6-5): I am someone who has been on the Tide bandwagon since just about the beginning of the year. I am also someone who considers themselves knowledgeable about college football. With that being said; hold onto your hats Alabama fans. The Tide have already clinched their rematch with Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and I PROMISE you, Nick Saban does not want to lose to Kirby again. Standing in the way? One of the Tide’s fiercest rivals, that lost to a far inferior New Mexico State last week. An Auburn win would probably knock the Tide out of the Playoff conversation (even if they beat Georgia); surely they will be motivated. Let’s see how far ahead Coach Saban is really looking.  

7. Texas Longhorns (10-1) This Week: -12.5 vs. Texas Tech (6-5) FRIDAY: To be totally honest? I’m not sure what to write here. The more I think about it: the more I think that Texas is the odd-man out. Their one loss, came to Oklahoma, who stinks. The one thing I know about the committee? They don’t love bad losses. I’d imagine they get in over Alabama if Georgia wins the SEC; but I am not really sure. Sark and co. need to impress in the B12 Championship Game, if it were up to me. I just feel like I know what Texas in the College Football Playoff results in. #Think about it.    

8. Florida State Seminoles (11-0) This Week: -6.5 @ Florida (5-6): How far down can you move a team that lost their star QB for the year? Asking for a friend. It’s hard to believe that an undefeated Seminole team could end up being the odd man out; but it’s certainly a possibility. Jordan Travis or no Jordan Travis, the Gators shouldn’t be much of a threat sans Graham Mertz. Crazier shit has certainly happened during rivalry week! 

9. Louisville Cardinals (10-1) This Week: -7 vs. Kentucky (6-5): If Louisville takes care of business this week (which I expect them to); they will have an unbelievable opportunity in the ACC Championship Game. The (probably) 11-1 Cardinals would face off against an (probably) unbeaten Florida State team, minus Jordan Travis. 👀. If that’s the case; I’ll most likely be saying #Fuck the points. 

10. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2) This Week: -21 @ Michigan State (4-7) FRIDAY: Here is where the Playoff cut-line starts. Penn State (and every team below) will not be competing in the last year of the four team Playoff. I can’t really sit here and argue that Penn State deserves to be. For about the first 6 weeks of the season it sure looked like they might though. I’d imagine that James Franklin and his bunch will start next season ranked in the Top 10. 

11. Missouri Tigers (9-2) This Week: -7.5 @ Arkansas (4-7) FRIDAY: I will not lie; I was rather impressed by the drive at the end of the game from Brady Cook. The QB led his team practically the length of the entire field, to set up the Thicker Kicker in range to sink the Gators. I like Mizzou to win this game relatively easily this week. Arkansas has had a bad season, there’s no way around it. To make matters worse: they have already stated that Sam Pittman (who legitimately can’t stop his players from watching The Polar Express during halftime (yup.)) will be coming back next year. At some point, you have to ask yourself: why?

12. Ole Miss Rebels (9-2) This Week: -10 @ Mississippi State (5-6) THURSDAY: This line STINKS. To be totally honest: the Jarvis line before this game opened had Lane Train around (at least) a two touchdown favorite. I get that it’ll be Thanksgiving. I also get that the Egg Bowl is one of the more heated rivalries in the country. I just don’t think it will matter much. Given what I know about Joey P, I can’t endorse backing Ole Miss in this spot. Given what I know about ball, I can’t really endorse backing Mississippi State either.  

13. Oregon State Beavers (8-3) This Week: +13.5 @ Oregon (10-1) FRIDAY: The Beavs gave Washington just about EVERYTHING they could handle on Saturday night in Corvallis. This is obviously another incredibly emotional spot; so I am a little bit skeptical of how Oregon State will come out. I don’t expect them to get embarrassed, but I’m not sure it will be close. If that makes any sense? This season ending with four losses is going to feel very dirty. 

14. Oklahoma Sooners (9-2) This Week: -10 vs. TCU (5-6) FRIDAY: All that Oklahoma, and many teams below, have left is the spoiler opportunity. Theoretically; they can spoil TCU’s chances at a bowl this week. They can then spoil Texas’ CFP chances in the following weeks during the Big 12 Championship Game. I’d venture to guess that Brett Venables likes that role, but we will cross that bridge when we get there. A Black Friday beat down is coming for the Frogs. 

15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3) This Week: -26 @ Stanford (3-8): From what I have heard in insider circles, Notre Dame is building a monster. Marcus Freeman can recruit with the best of them; fact. Low-level Irish Boosters are attempting to woo Cam Rising into the portal, but his morals are far too strong. I’d imagine there is a graduate QB on the way. I’ll have a guess for you net week. *Cough* Michael Pratt?

16. Arizona Wildcats (8-3) This Week: -10.5 @ Arizona State (3-8): The ‘Cats stomped on my Utes last week, in another great win for them. Jedd Fisch has really transformed this team in literally one season. Really impressive stuff. I like them to smash their in-state rival this week. Plain and simple. The crazy part? If they had played USC later in the season, they probably beat them (who doesn’t). AND this team somehow lost to Mississippi State. In this season. Proof. 

17. Tulane Green Wave (10-1) This Week: -3.5 vs. UTSA (8-3) FRIDAY: Admittedly: I am not as in tune with my beloved Green Wave as I was last year. That does not mean Tulane isn’t getting the job done. Their only loss this year came to Ole Miss! Yes, that Ole Miss. Pretty impressive. They should be the AAC Champions for the second year in a row, and will play in a relatively good bowl game. Ride the wave or get out of the water. 

18. Iowa Hawkeyes (9-2) This Week: +2.5 @ Nebraska (5-6): On first look: this line is begging you to take Nebraska. After many early season adventures, I won’t be backing Matt Rhule and his squad this week. This game will have an incredibly low total, and it will stay under, if I had to guess. Iowa’s defense is still unbelievable and Nebraska’s offense is too. Just in a different way. The Hawkeyes have already clinched their spot in the B10 Championship game; and that’s about where the aspirations stop this year. They have a defense that is good enough to play spoiler. That’s it. 

19. Liberty Flames (11-0) This Week: -16.5 @ UTEP (3-8): I have previously said that the mighty UTEP Miners would be the team to take down Liberty this year. I will probably stand on that; because I am a man of principle. I don’t really believe it, though. You have to wonder if Liberty will declare themselves National Champions with a win, a la UCF. I’ll even go as far as saying I’d recognize it if they do. #FlameUp(?) 

20. Kansas State Wildcats (8-3) This Week: -9.5 vs. Iowa State (6-5): Shoutout Rico Bosco’s Game of the Year. K-State -10 never had a chance.   

21. Toledo Rockets (10-1) This Week: -10 @ Central Michigan (5-6) FRIDAY: Toledo is coming off a Bye and will definitely be ready for CMU this week. No, I don’t think the Rockets would be ranked that much higher if they had beaten Illinois in Week 1 (lost by 2). It’s definitely fun to think about it though. Unfortunately, the strength of the top non-P5 teams this year is probably the only thing keeping Toledo out of a NY6 game. 

22. Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-3) This Week: -17 vs. BYU (5-6): I honestly think that: if Oklahoma State hadn’t lost to UCF, they’d have played in and won the B12 Championship Game. #Think About it. 

23. UNLV Rebels (9-2) This Week: -3 vs. San Jose State (6-5): My Mountain West Champions. No matter what happens. 

24. North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-3) This Week: +3 vs. North Carolina (8-3): Personal preference here probably. #11 on defense is incredible, and will be living in UNC’s backfield. Pack by a billion (three). 

25. North Carolina Tar Heels (8-3) This Week: -3 @ North Carolina State (8-3): Formal Prediction: Drake Maye won’t play a bowl game. (Not that hot of a take).

26. SMU Mustangs (9-2) This Week: -18 vs. Navy (5-5): Win Total: Over. Offense: Explosive. They probably demolish Navy, and the Midshipmen get bowl-eligible during Army/Navy. #Think about it.  

27. Tennessee Volunteers (7-4) This Week: -27 vs. Vanderbilt (2-9): This spot was very close to being occupied by Clemson. #Analysis

28. Utah Utes (7-4) This Week: -22 vs. Colorado (4-7): Cam Rising is BAAAACK!! Every fiber in my body is rooting for him to not transfer. Coach Prime stays in the game this week. There is no bowl game for the Buffs; I like them to empty the tank. 

29. Appalachian State Mountaineers (7-4) This Week: -9 vs. Georgia Southern (6-5): Giant Killerz! You know what that means!! (Yes. It’s that easy sometimes)

30. James Madison Dukes (10-1) This Week: -9 @ Coastal Carolina (7-4): You should know by now, this is 1000000% how this works. PFT crushed this.  

Enjoy the games folks. We are in for quite a weekend. 

200 years too late. 

Be Well.

JB