Due to a stomach flu that kept me in bed or in the bathroom the past couple of days, this column is a bit late. As such, I won't post my prediction for tonight's (Tues) game, to prevent claims that I am influenced by the score through 3 quarters. I had previously picked Toledo, which is holding.
Upsets were prominent last week, as anyone who follows NCAA football is aware. The two biggest upsets toppled the top two teams, as Kansas State's defense couldn't slow Baylor and Stanford's defense found ways to stifle Oregon's high-powered offense. The MAC continued their recent streak of upsets, as Central Michigan shocked Miami Ohio and doormat Eastern Michigan beat Western Michigan. In the ACC, Duke's good season was tilted by a shocking loss to Georgia Tech, who were apparently warming up for their bout against Georgia. A marginal upset was delivered by West Virginia, who nearly beat Oklahoma State.
Thanksgiving Night: TCU Horned Frogs at #22 Texas Longhorns: After enjoying the NFL, sit down to enjoy Texas. The Thanksgiving game has frequently been Texas-Texas A&M, but with the Aggies' departure to the SEC Texas is apparently installing a new Big XII rival in this slot. Enter TCU, who is not likely to exit Austin with a victory. TEXAS by 13
Friday games:
Lots of action on the day after Thanksgiving. The MAC features prominently, but the afternoon sees other conferences get involved.
#11 LSU Tigers at Arkansas Razorbacks: LSU should have a strong finish, unless struggling Arkansas suddenly wakes up. LSU by 20
#17 Northern Illinois Huskies at Eastern Michigan Eagles: Northern Illinois has already won their division, and so may relax a bit so they don't injury key players. Even relaxed, the Huskies should beat the Eagles. NORTHERN ILLINOIS by nine
Ohio Bobcats at #23 Kent State Golden Flashes: This could get to be an interesting game. Will the Golden Flashes rest their key players to keep them healthy for the MAC Championship Game? If so, Ohio is likely to win. If Kent State wants to complete their first eleven-win season, though, they have the strength to do so. I'm going to bet that Kent State plays conservatively, and thus allows for another MAC upset. OHIO by six
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Iowa Hawkeyes: Iowa has nothing to play for except pride, as they cannot go to a bowl game now. Nebraska wins their chance at the Big Ten Championship Game. That's too much incentive for Nebraska to blow this one. NEBRASKA by twelve
West Virginia Mountaineers at Iowa State Cyclones: This game could go either way. The Cyclones offense is not quick enough to keep up with West Virginia if the defense can't slow them down. West Virginia wants a win to be bowl eligible, while Iowa State already is. I'm not sure the Cyclones defense can hold back the Mountaineers enough. The Cyclones might lead going into the fourth, but I think West Virginia comes out on top. WEST VIRGINIA by eight
Saturday - Top 25:
Michigan Wolverines at #2 Ohio State Buckeyes: Records go right out the window when this rivalry plays. However, the possibility of Denard Robinson on the sidelines increases the likelihood of a Buckeye win. Even if he plays, I don't think he'll be 100%. OHIO STATE by eight
Auburn Tigers at #3 Alabama Crimson Tide: Auburn will go winless in conference play and Alabama will seal their bid to the SEC Championship Game, since the Tide once again have a shot at the BCS title game. ALABAMA by 23
#4 Oregon Ducks at #21 Oregon State Beavers: Another rivalry game where records don't matter, the Civil War explodes this year. Oregon needs the victory to have any chance of reaching the Pac-12 title game, and they'd still need help from UCLA. The Beavers would love to play spoiler against their in-state rivals. Stanford showed the Beavers defense how to beat the Ducks offense; the question is whether Oregon State's defense can do it. There is a big difference between knowing how to do something and actually doing it. Worse, Oregon has too much incentive to win this game. It'll be close, but I favor the Ducks. OREGON by six
#9 Florida Gators at #5 Florida State Seminoles: I don't tend to like Florida State, as I don't think they are clean program at all, and they stay off probation because the NCAA turns a blind eye to what they do. However, in this case, I want to see the Seminoles win, mainly because I am tired of hearing Florida whine that they deserve a shot at the BCS title game. The Gators have not looked that good this season. Aside from the surprise against South Carolina, the Gators best performances have been against Tennessee, Kentucky, and FCS Jacksonville State. I can't believe the AP voters have them in the top five! I want the Seminoles to mop up the floor with them, just to shut them up. FLORIDA STATE by 16
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at #6 Georgia Bulldogs: The Yellow Jackets pulled off an upset last week, seemingly to prepare for this game. I don't think it'll help them. Georgia Tech's main advantage is their low tackles, so it's hard for players to break tackles for extra yardage. The Bulldogs are strong and quick, though, and could hop above those tackles. GEORGIA by 20
#13 South Carolina Gamecocks at #8 Clemson Tigers: Another long-standing rivalry game, Clemson has the momentum for this game, as the Gamecocks' best performances were earlier in the season. They have not been truly impressive since their win over Georgia. Clemson, on the other hand, has been putting on a showcase in recent weeks. I have to think that will continue. CLEMSON by twelve
Missouri Tigers at #10 Texas A&M Aggies: The Aggies will already know by kickoff if they have a shot at the SEC title game. I doubt it, but that won't stop them from drilling the Tigers. With Kansas State's bye, Johnny Mansell want to gain Heisman votes over Collin Klein. TEXAS A&M by 27
#15 Stanford Cardinal at #12 UCLA Bruins: Oh, the drama! The Bruins have already won the Pac-12 South. If they don't want to face to face this same Cardinal team next week in the Pac-12 title game, they need to beat them and root for Oregon State to beat Oregon. The Civil War should be nearly over when this game kicks off, so the Bruins will know if they have the chance to knock off Stanford. If Oregon loses the Civil War, I don't think the Bruins will play as hard, preferring to watch Stanford and devise a strategy for next week's Pac-12 Championship Game. If Oregon wins, as I predict, the Bruins are capable of surprising the Cardinal and pulling off the win. UCLA by four
Oklahoma State Cowboys at #14 Oklahoma Sooners: Another rivalry game where records almost don't matter. There is a potential conference title at stake here. If the Sooners win, they remove Texas from title contention and continue to chase Kansas State for the title. The Cowboys will play this one tough, but I think they'll come up short. OKLAHOMA by six
Idaho Vandals at #19 Utah State Aggies: The Aggies have the WAC title already, but even if they play relaxed, they'll beat the poor Vandals. UTAH STATE by 23
#20 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at San Jose State Spartans: This game is for the runner-up in the WAC. It would also give Tech their first ten-win season since moving up to the WAC and give them a strong bowl berth. The Spartans will be a tough opponent, but I think Tech has the strength to win this one. LOUISIANA TECH by nine
#24 Wisconsin Badgers at Penn State Nittany Lions: The Badgers would like a win entering into the Big Ten title game, but their consistency has been off. Their offense has been playing better, but the Lions defense is pretty strong. This will be a close game, and the Badgers might win, but I actually like Penn State to close out their season on a win. PENN STATE by four
UConn Huskies at #25 Louisville Cardinals: Louisville needs to win this one to have a shot at the Big East title, otherwise they give the title to Rutgers (unless Pitt does the unthinkable and wins). UConn is struggling in conference play, so I like that chance. LOUISVILLE by 16
Big Ten:
Illinois Fighting Illini at Northwestern Wildcats: Illinois' best chance to win a conference game has already passed them by. They won't win this game, as Northwestern places themselves in contention for a New Years Day bowl. NORTHWESTERN by 17
Indiana Hoosiers at Purdue Boilermakers: Purdue has won two in a row, jumping over Indiana in the Leaders standings. Moreover, they can become bowl eligible with this win, while Indy has already lost their chances. Indy has played spoiler in the past, and could do so again, but I have to give Purdue a chance to let their momentum carry them to a bowl. Besides, it would be nice for the Big Ten to come a bit closer in fulfilling their bowl obligations. PURDUE by four
Michigan State Spartans at Minnesota Golden Gophers: Believe it or not, despite Ohio State and Penn State being ineligible for postseason play, the Big Ten could fulfill their minimum bowl obligations. They have seven committed bowls, and a Spartan win (along with Purdue above) could give them seven eligible teams. Minnesota's going to want to play spoiler, but the Spartans are feisty in these "do or die" situations. MICHIGAN STATE by three
Other Games of Interest
Miami Hurricanes at Duke Blue Devils: Duke is already bowl bound, so how hard will they play? Miami needs this win to capture the ACC Coastal title. That's a lot of incentive, but Duke also doesn't want to have a two-game losing streak going into the bowls. This game will likely change leaders several times before the Hurricanes pull it out on a last second field goal. MIAMI by two
Maryland Terrapins at North Carolina Tar Heels: The Terrapins are moving to Big Ten play starting in 2014. While I don't like the idea of the Big Ten becoming a "super conference," it will add intrigue to the basketball season. On the football field, however, Maryland will be even more embarrassed than they are in ACC play, an example of which will be this game. NORTH CAROLINA by 26
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Pitt Panthers: A win here maintains Rutgers' unbeaten conference record and propels them one step closer to a Big East title. Pitt has threatened some conference teams, but has closed it out only once. They won't close this one. RUTGERS by nine
Tulsa Golden Hurricane at SMU Mustangs: Tulsa has already won the Conference USA West title, so will they slack off for this game? They might, but the idea of achieving their first eleven-win season might keep them motivated. TULSA by 16
Air Force Falcons at Fresno State Bulldogs: With byes by Boise State and San Diego State, Fresno could take a temporary lead in the Mountain West with a win. FRESNO STATE by twelve
GAME OF THE WEEK: #1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #18 USC Trojans: Everyone is starting to predict a Notre Dame v Alabama BCS title game, but the Trojans may have something to say about that. This Trojan team has definitely not shown themselves to be as strong as former squads, but they have the talent. If they can play a flawless game, they can upset the Irish. The question is, will the receivers prevent dropping so many passes? I think the Irish will win, as USC has not had many flawless games, but the Trojans may come back in the fourth and put a scare into Irish fans. NOTRE DAME by six
FCS Playoffs - First Round:
Eastern Illinois Panthers at South Dakota State Jackrabbits: In a contest of Panthers versus Jackrabbits, the big mammal would have the edge. This is not the animal kingdom, however. Eastern Illinois has been here before, but so has the Jackrabbits, albeit in Division II. Like their namesake, the Jackrabbits are fast on all squads. That speed may prove too much for the Panthers, who will lead at the half but tire under the relentless speed of the Jackrabbits. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE by six
Colgate Raiders at Wagner Seahawks: Geez, this looks like an old AFC West matchup! The further Wagner goes in the playoffs, the better it looks for UAlbany, so of course I favor them. However, you have to watch Colgate. They've been in the playoffs before, and they like the underdog position. Colgate didn't play the level of non-conference opposition that Wagner did, but Colgate had a better non-conference record. This game will be close, but sentiment drives me to favor Wagner. WAGNER by six
Villanova Wildcats at Stony Brook Seawolves: As a loyal member of the SUNY family, I have to favor Stony Brook. Truthfully, I would anyway. While Villanova is more used to the playoffs, Stony Brook has engineered some great victories this season. Talentwise, they are in the top ten among FCS schools, and that talent should propel them to the second round. STONY BROOK by fifteen
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Just what the hell is a "chanticleer" anyway? It looks like a old rooster with eyeglasses. Doesn't sound like it deserves to be on the same playing field as a Wildcat. The Chanticleers had a surprising successful season, but the playoffs are a strange place for them. While BC is not a frequent playoff team either, they know what it takes to win big games. BETHUNE-COOKMAN by 18
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