Cupcakes. Everybody plays them. But we don't want to give anybody credit for doing so. That's why we're lumping them all into one small post and giving you a fun fact about any bad midmajors or FCS teams playing SEC teams each week. Call it our silent, and likely futile, protest.
New Mexico State at Georgia, 12:30 p.m. ET, CSS: All schools' mascots probably have some sort of a back story. Most of them are wisely shielded from public view. Not so with New Mexico State's "Pistol Pete." And not only is there a story, but it starts off with a colorful summary of Pete.
What would a great institution be without a signature icon -- a symbol that represents its heritage and dedication to live, learn and thrive. A symbol that after a hard day’s work, can have a great time, get a little crazy and rowdy but still remember that there’s much work to be done the next day.
Really, it gets better from there. Georgia 43, New Mexico State 14
Middle Tennessee at Tennessee, 7 p.m., FSN: You can take your pick on this one, because I'm really not sure if it's more amusing that Middle Tennessee has a Dillard's on its page of photos of "football facilities" or that its the most recent winner of something called the Bubas Cup. Tennessee 35, Middle Tennessee 13
Tennessee-Martin at Mississippi State, 7:30 p.m., CSS: Or maybe New Mexico State isn't the only program that lacks the sound judgment to omit the story of its mascot from its website.
The name, "Captain", was selected because it's a gender-neutral name that fits the concept of a mythical hawk that flies a plane.
Think about that sentence for just a moment, because if you do it for any longer your head will likely explode, but it's worth pondering. Two things that come to mind about "Captain" are:
- S/HE'S A BIRD FLYING A PLANE, which is both frightening and unnecessary; and
- Why was it so important that Captain be gender-neutral?
We suggest watching LSU-Alabama or South Carolina-Arkansas instead of trying to figure it out. Mississippi State 52, Tennessee-Martin 3