NCAA Week 14 picks

Most of the games are conference championship ones (including the Big East and Pac-10), so let's look at those by conference.  There are a couple of other games, which I'll list after those.

Thursday - Pac-10 Title game:  Oregon State Beavers at #7 Oregon Ducks:  The Beavers can be dangerous on the road, and these state rivalry games can be murder to the favored team, but with a Rose Bowl bid on the line, I think the Ducks will pull this one out.  OREGON

Friday - MAC Championship Game:  Ohio Bobcats at #14 Central Michigan Chippewas:  Ohio may have found the strength to surprise Temple in order to reach this game, but I don't think they'll overcome Central Michigan.  The Chippewas have dominated the conference all season, and they want this championship.  CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Top 25 and Conference Championships
#25 West Virginia Mountaineers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  The Big East title isn't on the line, but West Virginia still wants a good bowl game.  They know they need to beat Rutgers, and win big.  They'll do the former, but I'm not sure about the latter; this game might be close.  WEST VIRGINIA

Big East title game - #6 Cincinnati Bearcats at #13 Pittsburgh Panthers:  Cincy might have wished that Pitt won last week's game.  The loss will make them even more determined to win this game, and might make the coordinators change their game plans.  That means Cincy has less to go on.  Cincy's advantage - QB Tony Pike.  I think Pike will lead them back from a fourth quarter deficit and maintain the unbeaten season, but this might turn out to be an upset.  CINCINNATI

Conference USA Championship Game - East Carolina Pirates v #15 Houston Cougars:  The Pirates have a fierce defense, but Houston is simply too balanced a team to lose this game.  HOUSTON

New Mexico State Aggies at #5 Boise State Broncos:  The Broncos play a 13th game, but should maintain their unbeaten status.  That will mean only three teams might be 13-0 going into the bowls; still an astounding number.  BOISE STATE

Arizona Wildcats at #21 USC Trojans:  The Trojans will drop from the Top 25 with a loss.  I'm not sure they'll lose, but Arizona won't make it easy on them.  USC had a great home record, so I'll favor them, but Arizona is pretty good on the road, so watch for an upset.  USC

SEC Championship Game - #2 Florida Gators v #3 Alabama Crimson Tide:  Buckle up, because this one should be a dandy!  Florida may be favored, but I like the balance of offense, defense, and special teams incorporated in Alabama.  Florida's offense hasn't been as stellar this year, and they've relied a bit too much on their defense.  They've gotten by, but they face an even better defense in Alabama.  This game will be close, and a defensive battle, which gives the edge to Bama.  ALABAMA

ACC Championship Game - #12 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets v #23 Clemson Tigers:  They both lost last week, which is not a good way to enter the conference title game.  I think Georgia Tech is the stronger team, but watch out for Clemson's offense.  GEORGIA TECH

Big XII Championship Game - #1 Texas Longhorns v Nebraska Cornhuskers:  Nebraska is a good team, and this conference has suffered more upsets in Championship Games than any other, so this won't be an easy win for Texas, but I think they'll win nevertheless.  The BCS title game will be Texas against the SEC Champion.  TEXAS

Big Ten
The Big Ten gets in a couple of late games (unusual, as they are usually the conference that finishes first).  Wisconsin often does that, but now Illinois adds a game, too.

Fresno State Bulldogs at Illinois Fighting Illini:  The Bulldogs have had a pitiful year.  Illini's offense has come alive recently; they were even impressive against Cincinnati.  I have to like Illinois' chances.  ILLINOIS

Wisconsin Badgers at Hawaii Warriors:  Hawaii can be a tough team to play at home, but that's mostly the time difference; the Wariors aren't a dangerous offensive threat this season.  The Badgers will be in Hawaii a couple of days early in order to get used to the time zone, so I don't predict a problem here.  WISCONSIN