SPORTS COLUMN
While watching hours and hours of SEC football this past weekend, a thought kept running through my mind — Man, I wish these teams were wearing different colors.
This constant thought occurred in the Alabama-Arkansas game (where both teams wore similar red) and the Texas A&M-Mississippi State game (where both teams wore similar maroon).
I know. I know. This will never change. All these programs have worn these colors for countless decades and it’s part of their identities. Asking a Razorback fan to give up his red would be like asking a savvy politician to change his political views.
But, it’s still fun to think about. College football is, after all, pretty much a television show. When I was a kid, I always rooted for the team with the prettiest colors — kind of hard to do when they are both the same.
A game between two teams with great contrasting colors is just better to watch. Think UCLA vs. USC in the Rose Bowl.
Everything else in college football seems to be changing every minute, whether it be paying the players or team’s switching conferences. So why should school colors be so sacrosanct?
If I was the Czar of the SEC, I would come up with 14 (soon to be 16) different uniform patterns and make each school pick one. Naturally, the schools that got to pick first could keep their original colors. I haven’t decided the order of picks yet, which may be a stumbling block.
After each SEC team had its own unique colors, football Saturdays would be even more enjoyable to watch from the comfort of my living room.
As Czar of the SEC, my second order of business would be working on team nicknames. Having half the teams called either the Tigers and the Bulldogs just doesn’t sit right. Who’s with me?
Here are my picks for this week’s football games.
Simmons (5-0) at McEvans (5-1): The Blue Devils beat the Warriors 38-6 last season. This one will be closer, but the boys in blue will still come out on top. Simmons 26, McEvans 16.
Lee (Ark.) (6-1) at Deer Creek (6-1): This Deer Creek team just keeps finding ways to win. They will find another W on Friday night. Deer Creek 27, Lee (Ark.) 21.
St. Joseph (5-1) at Riverfield (La.) (5-2): The way the Irish whooped Winston Academy last week was quite impressive. St. Joseph 31, Riverfield 22.
New Hope (2-3) at Greenville High (0-5): Upset Alert! The Greenville Hornets will sting their way to their first win of the season. Greenville 16, New Hope 13.
Leland (0-5) at O’Bannon (2-4): The Cubs will keep this one a lot closer than some people might think. O’Bannon 13, Leland 8.
Riverside (0-6) at Delta Streets Academy (1-6): Under new coach Will Rodgers, the Bulldogs will pick up their first win of the season. Riverside. Riverside 22, Delta Streets 16.
Greenville Christian (2-4) at Rossville Christian (Tenn.) (0-5): The Saints will get their mojo back Friday night in the Volunteer State. Greenville Christian 48, Rossville 6.
Washington School (1-6) at Kirk Academy (1-6): The Generals will pick up their second win of the season with a fourth quarter comeback in Grenada. Washington School 20, Kirk Academy 16.
Arkansas (3-2) at No. 23 Mississippi State (4-1), Saturday, 11 a.m., SECN: Bulldog leading rusher Dillon Johnson will have his best of the season so far in this big MSU win. Mississippi State 32, Arkansas 20.
No. 9 Ole Miss (5-0) at Vanderbilt (3-2), Saturday, 3 p.m.: Remember when this used to be a good game on Jefferson Pilot at 11 a.m.? Times sure have changed. Ole Miss 48, Vanderbilt 20.
Texas A&M (3-2) at No. 1 Alabama (5-0), Saturday 7 p.m., CBS: It is a lot easier for Ole Jimbo to run his mouth in the summer than in October. Alabama 48, Texas A&M 18.
Dallas Cowboys (3-1) at L.A. Rams (2-2), Sunday, 3:25 p.m., FOX: The boys from Big D may be in a big time quarterback controversy soon, but at least they are winning. Dallas 25, Rams 22.
Last week’s record: 10-2
Overall record: 55-13
David W. Healy is the sports editor of the Delta Democrat-Times. He can be reached at dhealy@ddtonline.com.
