Well several good match-ups dot the college football schedule this week with games in the Pac-12, Big Ten and SEC conferences potentially earning conference championship bids. The best game of the day might take place on the West Coast in prime time. Here’s my take on the top ten games to watch today.
Oregon @ Stanford: This is a Pac-12 North divisional showdown in Palo Alto, home of the Stanford Cardinals. These two teams feature Heisman Trophy candidates, Stanford QB Andrew Luck & Oregon RB LaMichael James. Home cooking in this series is the predominant recipe for success as the home team has won the last three meetings. Should Stanford earn a top ten victory over a top ten team then the Cardinals should leapfrog a one-loss Alabama team in the BCS standings.
Prediction: No luck for the Ducks, Stanford 44-40.
Nebraska @ Penn State: Usually a battle of top 20 teams would garner attention to the game on the field, but this is no ordinary game and certainly tragic circumstances surrounding this game leading up to kickoff. We know the headlines off the field but for the first time in less than 62 years former Penn State Head Football Coach will not be on the sidelines or in the press box coaching PSU. Just to put this event in perspective, Jackie Robinson & Ted Williams had just been named AL & NL MVPs respectively, per ESPN.
Prediction: Happy Valley has been anything BUT lately, PSU claws out a win 17-13.
Auburn @ Georgia: Often referred to as the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry”, these two traditional SEC powers began playing one another in 1892 with Auburn winning. UGA has won seven straight games after an 0-2 start. The Bulldogs control the SEC East race if they can defeat Auburn & then Kentucky next week. The home team in this series usually is not a good omen. Auburn is 18-11 all-time in Athens, GA.
Prediction: The 115th meeting in the series bucks the “home” history dilemma, UGA wins 34-27.
Florida @ South Carolina: The last time a new head football coach (Urban Meyer 2005) at the University of Florida made his debut at the cockpit, the Gators lost! Let’s hope history repeats itself and the Gamecocks still breathe hope of returning to Atlanta in early December. Dating back to last year Florida has lost eight straight road games to nationally ranked opponents, per ESPN.
Prediction: Cock-a-doodle-doo Gamecocks win 21-17.
Michigan State @ Iowa: The winner of this contest will emerge as the leader in the clubhouse of the Big Ten Legends Division. Iowa demolished MSU last year at home while the Spartans were humbled at Nebraska the last time on the road. Iowa makes it two in a row over teams from the Great Lakes state.
Prediction: A good ole fashion Big Ten slobber knocker, Iowa nips Sparty 27-23.
Alabama @ Mississippi State: Alabama regroups after a tough overtime loss at home versus LSU last Saturday night. The Crimson Tide is still very much in the BCS picture and cannot afford a slip up in Starkville. BAMA has won three straight in this series.
Prediction: Alabama rights the ship, roll tide 31-13.
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech: The Cowboys are second in the BCS behind LSU. If OSU wins out, the cowpokes will earn the right to face LSU in the BCS title game provided LSU and OSU remain undefeated. This game should be an old Big 12 shootout.
Prediction: Hope the scoreboard batteries are charged, Oklahoma State routs Texas Tech 54-38.
Miami, FL @ Florida State: Remember when this game had national implications regarding the national championship? I didn’t even know these two teams were playing this weekend! My, how far these two legendary programs have fallen in the A-She-She conference!
Prediction: There is no storm warning in Tallahassee today, Chief Osceola avoids the ‘Canes 31-27.
West Virginia @ Cincinnati: West Virginia is two games behind Big East leading Cincinnati, so the Mountaineers cannot drop this crucial road game. UC has won six straight games and will be in the driver’s seat if the Bearcats avoid a letdown at home today versus West Virginia.
Prediction: The farewell WVU Big East tour is not going well; the demise continues today, UC wins 38-20.
Texas @ Missouri: Missouri get one last chance to knock off the big bully from the lone star state before the Tigers jump to the SEC in 2012. The Longhorns are undefeated at Missouri under Mack Brown and would like to leave Mizzou with a nice parting gift---another “L”.
Prediction: Brown leaves the Show Me State unblemished, Hook ‘em Horns 45-34.
My next blog will be Monday afternoon with a review of the USC/UF game and a look ahead to the Citadel game.
Go Gamecocks!
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