There are several divisions and conferences already set, but most of the others will be decided this week. In fact, only the Big XII will not be decided. Next week features many conference title games.
Tues Nov 22
Miami Ohio Redhawks at #25 Ohio Bobcats: The Bobcats already won the division title, but they won't slack off. They want to be ready for the conference title game. OHIO
Thurs Nov 24
Texas Longhorns at Texas A&M Aggies: The traditional Thanksgiving night battle has a rarity -- neither team is ranked. That happened last year, too. This could be a close game; both teams are talented. I like the Longhorns chances, but an Aggie victory would not surprise me. TEXAS
Fri Nov 25
The day after Thanksgiving is dominated with college football. We've got some interesting games, including the Game of the Week. I'll work this one in chronological order, starting with...
Eastern Michigan Eagles at Northern Illinois Huskies: The Huskies know a division title is on the line here, so I think they'll get up for this game. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Louisville Cardinals at South Florida Bulls: The vaulted Bulls defense has been pathetic this season. They might get up for their last home game, but I think the Cardinals will prove a bit too much and capture their first Big East title in years. LOUISVILLE
#5 Houston Cougars at #24 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes: Tulsa should enjoy their first week in the Top 25, because it may be their last. While Tulsa can capture the Conference USA West title with a win, Houston looks too strong to unseat. At least Houston is being an agreeable unbeaten, and not screaming that they deserve a shot at the BCS title. If they win impressively here, and then win the conference game, they might get a shot after all, considering the number of one loss contenders who lost this week and face tough games in the next two weeks. HOUSTON
Iowa Hawkeyes at Nebraska Cornhuskers: Nebraska has handled the minefield of the Big Ten pretty well in their first season; let's see how the basketball team does. By numbers, the Huskers should win this one. However, Iowa is a team that defies numbers sometimes. Iowa will make it tough, and could pull off the upset, but I think Nebraska's grouond game will maintain control late in the fourth, maintaining a slim lead. NEBRASKA
Toledo Rockets at Ball State Cardinals: Toledo will know at game time whether they have a shot at winning the division. Even if they don't, they want to position themselves for a bowl (especially since some of the SEC's reserved slots are up for grabs), so they'll battle the dangerous Cardinals. TOLEDO
Pittsburgh Panthers at West Virginia Mountaineers: West Virginia had an extra week to prepare for this game, so I don't expect an upset. WEST VIRGINIA
California Golden Bears at Arizona State Sun Devils: Cal nearly beat Stanford last week. While that was an intense rivalry game (just ask the "stare-down" participants about the intensity of that rivalry!), I think that'll boost the confidence of the Bears, who showed they have the talent to win. The Sun Devils are questioning themselves. Cal should be dangerous next year, as most of their starters return. CAL
GAME OF THE WEEK: #9 Arkansas Razorbacks at #1 LSU Tigers: This is an exciting game. Not only does it decide the SEC West title, but it could impact the BCS title game. LSU is certainly more used to pressure games like this, but Arkansas has an SEC title under their belt, won when a conference title game existed, so they know this type of pressure game. LSU has been impressive recently, but Arkansas has been consistently tough. I acknowledge LSU for what they have created, but wathc out for the Razorbacks. We had lots of upsets last week, especially affecting BCS contenders, and it could continue into this week. LSU
Sat Nov 26
Let's start with the Top 25 who play...
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Tigers: The Auburn defense isn't what is usually is, and the Tide has supposedly fixed their kicking woes that cost them the game against LSU. There is too much going for Alabama here. ALABAMA
#18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #3 Stanford Cardinal: The Irish might have wished Stanford had an eaiser time against Cal. After fighing hard in that game, a game following a loss to Oregon, will force them to adjust their game plan to shore up exposed weaknesses. That won't help Notre Dame pull off the upset. STANFORD
#21 Penn State Nittany Lions at #6 Wisconsin Badgers: The winner of this game wins the Leaders division and advances to the first ever Big Ten football championship game (not counting all of those years that the Ohio State - Michigan game basically served as that!). Wisconsin was an early favorite, but they lost a couple of tough games. However, that offense is potent, more potent than the Lions can stop. Penn State still has some offensive problems, so they won't be able to keep up. WISCONSIN
Iowa State Cyclones at #7 Oklahoma Sooners: Can the Cyclones pull off two upsets in a row? No, I don't think they're that strong, although they did show moves previously unseen this season. OKLAHOMA
Wyoming Cowboys at #8 Boise State Broncos: This game is not for the Mountain West title, but there are decent bowl slots on the line. Wyoming would love to win this game, but it's tough to win at Boise (only TCU has done that in the last three years). BOISE STATE
Ohio State Buckeyes at #10 Michigan Wolverines: It's been quite a few years since Michigan has been favored in this game, but Ohio State is facing a possible 6-6 season while Michigan wants a New Year's Day bowl. They should get it. MICHIGAN
Oregon State Beavers at #11 Oregon Ducks: This in-state rivalry can be intense, but the Ducks have something to prove after their upset loss this past week. OREGON
#12 Michigan State Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats: The Spartans already won the division, but they have to thinking ahead. Specifically, what if they don't win the Big Ten championship game? They want to win to margin a strong bowl game. MICHIGAN STATE
#13 Virginia Tech Hokies at Virginia Cavaliers: The Cavs have proven to be upset winners this season, so the Hokies have to be concerned. They SHOULD win this, but the Cavs are ALSO playing for the division title, so this will be a major battle. VIRGINIA TECH
UCLA Bruins at #15 USC Trojans: This game is always a major battle, and with the division title on the line, the Bruins will be hot. USC has shown that their postseason probation has not diminished their resolve, and they have plenty of resolve to beat the Bruins. USC
#19 Clemson Tigers at #16 South Carolina Gamecocks: The Gamecocks warned up by beating up on a FCS team. Clemson lost a game but won a division title. Now the question: Since Clemson has won a spot in the ACC title game, will they sit and relax for this game? Against a bitter state rival? Not a chance. This will be a game whose lead changes a few times, but I think Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks will emerge victorious. SOUTH CAROLINA
#17 Georgia Bulldogs at #20 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: This game may not mean much for division titles, but it means a great deal for bragging rights and recruitment in the state of Georgia. Tech has been inconsistent this season, usually winning by "just enough". Georgia surprised people and won their SEC division, so we know they have more toughness than expected. I like that. GEORGIA
Big Ten
Purdue Boilermakers at Indiana Hoosiers: Purdue needs a win to be bowl eligibile. The Hoosiers are the worst team in the conference, so the Boilermakers should make that. PURDUE
Illinois Fighting Illini at Minnesota Golden Gophers: The Illini have lost five games in a row, but this game should redeem their season. ILLINOIS
Best of the rest
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at UConn Huskies: Rutgers doesn't have much of a chance to win the conference, but there are some decent bowl spots open since the SEC won't make all of theirs. I'm not sure the chance of a Big East team claiming many, as they haven't been very impressive this season, but a 9-3 record would help. RUTGERS
Cincinnati Bearcats at Syracuse Orange: Cincy has lost two in a row and basically gave away the Big East title. They want a win to reverse this slide. Syracuse could make that a problem, though. Cincy is the better team, but if they can't stop their mistakes, Syracuse will pull this one out. CINCY
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Baylor Bears: Baylor began the season with an impressive win, and they bookended those last week against Oklahoma. Tech has collapsed, so a win here shouldn't be too hard. BAYLOR
Memphis Tigers at Southern Miss Golden Eagles: Southern Miss gained their division title by backing in; I'm sure they're not happy about that. They want a strong victory to propel them into the Conference USA title game, and Memphis should offer that chance. SOUTHERN MISS
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment