Gov. Cooper joins N&O college football rivalry week picks for NC schools, other big games
Like North Carolina, C.L. Brown has very little to play for other than pride this week. He’s sealed at worst a tie for the season title in this esteemed competition going into the final games of the regular season. But like the Tar Heels, he faces a final boss of gargantuan proportions: Instead of a fierce rival looking to play spoiler, it’s the governor.
Gov. Roy Cooper is the 10th and final guest picker of the season, and while he can’t beat C.L. — they’re in lockstep on their picks — no guest picker has gone undefeated this season among our broadcasters and politicians and ex-journalists and basketball coaches and thought leaders and hockey coaches. Radio host Adam Gold of 99.9 is the valedictorian-in-waiting at 6-1, so that’s out there for the taking as well.
At the very least, Cooper didn’t miss a chance to take a shot at Kentucky, so call that a win.
Guest pickers
Rod Brind’amour: 3-4
Mark Armstrong: 4-3
LeVelle Moton: 5-2
Adam Gold: 6-1
Debbie Antonelli: 4-3
Mary-Ann Baldwin: 4-3
Roy Williams: 4-3
Michael Williams: 3-4
Roddy Jones: 2-4
This week’s games
N.C. State at North Carolina: Crazy things happen in this game, annually, whether that’s 13 points in the final 132 seconds or a 2-yard Hail Mary or a fight that wasn’t a fight (just “their team celebrating and our team celebrating”). North Carolina unquestionably has the advantage and the motivation, avenging not only last year’s stunning loss in Raleigh but last week’s shocking loss to Georgia Tech, but who would be surprised by ... anything? N&O consensus: Tar Heels fill their cart on Black Friday
Cooper says: “UNC knows they should have won last week’s heartbreaker, but get used to Drake Maye because he’ll be playing on Sundays for years to come. The N.C. State QB situation is shaky but they’ll be ready to play making this rivalry game close.”
Wake Forest at Duke: Nobody — absolutely nobody — expected Wake Forest and Duke to come into this game with identical 7-4 records, and with Duke with the better ACC record at 4-3 over Wake Forest’s 3-4. So there’s probably more on the line here for Wake than Duke because of that, with a chance to get to eight wins and salvage something from a second half of the season that turned unexpectedly sour. N&O consensus: Demons over Devils
Cooper says: “Coach Elko has Duke playing well in one of the ACC surprises of the year. Wake is better than their record and Hartman is one of the savviest QBs in the country. Should be a fun game.”
East Carolina at Temple: There was a lot of what-might-have-been for the Pirates, at least until last weekend. A one-point loss to N.C. State. A three-point overtime loss to Navy. A two-point loss at Cincinnati. A few plays the other way, and ECU might be playing for the AAC title. Houston disposed of any such notions with a 39-point senior day win in Greenville, so the Pirates need a win in Philadelphia to guarantee finishing above .500. That shouldn’t be an issue. N&O consensus: Purple rain
Cooper says: “ECU is 6-5 with some good wins under coach Mike Houston, already bowl-eligible and ready to hook the Owls.”
Michigan at Ohio State: There’s an alternate universe where UNC beats Georgia Tech, wins out against N.C. State and Clemson, results elsewhere go the Tar Heels’ way and the final CFP spot comes down to UNC and the loser of this game and the selection committee — led by N.C. State athletic director Boo Corrigan — picks them over UNC. Alas, for those who root for chaos, that’s off the table. Could still happen, though, to somebody. N&O consensus: A split decision to the Buckeyes, narrowly
Cooper says: “One of the great college football rivalries has even more intensity with a playoff spot probably on the line. Ohio State has the QB in C.J. Stroud while the guys with the funny helmets have the good ground game.”
Florida at Florida State: That three-game losing streak in the middle of the season — Wake, Clemson, State — knocked the Seminoles off the radar but they haven’t lost otherwise and have quietly put together a remarkable season. A rivalry win over a mediocre SEC opponent could bump FSU up the bowl ladder considerably. N&O consensus: Seminole Win(d)
Cooper says: “FSU is getting hot and may be the second best team in the ACC. QB Jordan Travis excels and that early season LSU win is looking better and better.”
Louisville at Kentucky: It’s almost the time of year when these basketball fans try to talk themselves into this being the best rivalry in sports and so on and so forth but the Cardinals appear to be the worst team in the ACC by far and — the most damning indictment — it’s a better rivalry in football. N&O consensus: Big Blue
Cooper says: “A close one in the second (or third) greatest college basketball state, sorry, commonwealth in the country. Kentucky stumbling a bit after charging out of the gate but coming off a big win at Miss St. while Louisville just had a big ACC win. A pick ‘em, but going with the home team.”
Pittsburgh at Miami: A final word on Miami football, in perpetuity: LOL. N&O consensus: Hail 2 Pitt
Cooper says: “Two teams that expected to be better this year so I’m flipping the channel if this one pops up. Going with the Panthers because Miami just can’t find the formula.”
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