One of my favorite sports traditions growing up in metro Atlanta was reading Furman Bisher's annual Thanksgiving Day column in which he offered thanks on the blessings in his life. In homage to the ageless Bisher, still going strong in his early 90s, please enjoy these turkey day thoughts (followed by Professor's Picks).
On this beautiful Thanksgiving in north Georgia, among the many thoughts that come to mind ... I am thankful for ...
... a brisk walk on a cold, clear morning.
... a pastor with a sense of humor in the pulpit (and an accurate timepiece).
... a wife who handles all our family financial business.
... a son who loves college football more than I do and knows more about it too.
... my college students; the professor gets older every year but the students stay the same - college professor is the world's best job.
... neighbors that put up Christmas decorations (but not until after Thanksgiving please).
... craftsmen who know how to build things.
... a couple of good lefthanders in the bullpen for the Braves (thanks Venters and O'Flaherty).
... listening to my favorite Bulldog for all those wonderful seasons. Oh, you Larry Munson.
Here's hoping your Thanksgiving was full of family, food, fun, and football!
Professor's Picks
2011 Overall Record: 109-35
Last Week’s Record: 10-6 (ouch again!)
Thursday, November 24
8:00 PM ET No. 25 Texas at Texas A&M ... a great rivalry ends for a while. PP: A&M
Friday, November 25
12:00 PM ET No. 8 Houston at Tulsa ... could the BCS buster get busted? PP: Tulsa
12:00 PM ET Iowa at No. 21 Nebraska ... should be the start of a fine corn-fed rivalry in the B1G. PP: Nebraska
2:30 PM ET No. 3 Arkansas at No. 1 LSU ... Bengal Tigers probably wrap up a BCS CG bid with win. PP: LSU
7:00 PM ET Pittsburgh at West Virginia ... sure hope the backyard brawl survives these teams splitting for different conferences. PP: WVU
Saturday, November 26
12:00 PM ET Iowa State at No. 9 Oklahoma ... Sooners blew a chance to get back in BCS title picture, but should beat tough Cyclones. PP: OK
12:00 PM ET No. 13 Georgia at No. 23 Georgia Tech ... Dogs defense will have its hands full with Tech triple option, so UGA offense better improve. PP: Georgia
12:00 PM ET Ohio State at No. 15 Michigan ... Wolverine fans are counting on turning this rivalry back around in the Big House; better get it done this year because a man named Urban will probably be on the Buckeye sideline next go round. PP: Michigan
12:21 PM ET Tennessee at Kentucky ... Kentucky hasn't beaten Tennessee since I had no gray hairs and was skinny (well, skinnier anyway). PP: UT
3:30 PM ET No. 2 Alabama at No. 24 Auburn ... many expect a Tide rout in the Iron Bowl, but I'm not sure it will be that bad. PP: Alabama
3:30 PM ET No. 5 Virginia Tech at Virginia ... trip to ACC title game on the line in beautiful Charlottesville. Mr. Jefferson's U will be happy. PP: Virginia
3:30 PM ET No. 19 Penn State at No. 16 Wisconsin ... Wisonsin is two fluke plays away from playing for a national title. Bucky in Big Ten's best. PP: Wisconsin
7:00 PM ET Florida State at Florida ... Sunshine State showdown has lost some glamour but athletes still abound. PP: Florida
7:00 PM ET Ole Miss at Mississippi State ... the Egg Bowl should be played Thanksgiving night, but Ole Miss fans just want this season over no matter the day. PP: MSU
7:45 PM ET No. 17 Clemson at No. 12 South Carolina ... the Tigers may have too much offense for the Gamecocks. PP: Clemson
8:00 PM ET No. 22 Notre Dame at No. 6 Stanford ... cannot agree with the way Brian Kelly handled the Irish QB situation this year. No such worries on the Farm. PP: Stanford
See you at kickoff!
