Cooper-Young Fest, Big East Changes, Football

One of the better festivals in the Memphis-area returns tomorrow when the Cooper-Young Festival kicks off at 9am. As usual there will be vendors, live music and great people watching. Admission is free.

Earlier this week, the Big East took another blow when Notre Dame announced in was moving all sports but football and hockey to the ACC. This was a big hit for TV negotiations, but something the Big East can survive. Over the next several months, everyone will have a close eye on the stability of the conference. Already rumored to be ready to bolt to greener pastures are Louisville to the Big 12 and the basketball only teams onto another conference or forming their own league. With marquee names gone (and more possibly leaving) and the football AQ bid  no longer existing after this season, Memphis fans find their Tigers in a glorified version of Conference USA.

Early on, CBS scored the big game of week 3 when the network selected the Alabama vs Arkansas game for the network's weekly SEC game. Their hearts, and those of Razborbacks fans, were broken last week when the Hogs lost to the Warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe. (There is something fun about watching John L. Smith lose). The game will still be solid match up, but it appears the Florida vs Tennessee-Knoxville game may be the best SEC game of the weekend. What are the "Fire Dooley" fans going to do if the Vols keep winning?

Here's the picks for this week.

Last Week: 4-2
Season: 8-4 (66%)

Rhodes over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges
Alabama over Arkansas
Florida over Tennessee-Knoxville
Middle Tennessee State over Memphis
New Orleans Saints over Carolina Panthers
San Diego Chargers over Tennessee Titans

Weekly Liberty Bowl Projection: Southern Miss vs Auburn
 
Central Florida may be the best team in Conference USA, but since the Knights are serving a post season ban, the Golden Eagles get the nod. Auburn's struggles continue and Memphis may be more likely during bowl season. If the Tigers lose to Louisiana-Monroe this weekend, Auburn its way to the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham.