By Aaron M Smith
After several weeks of highly anticipated college football games, Week 12 brings us an “appetizer” as we get ready for the final march to the National Championship game. So before we fill ourselves with a belly full of turkey and NFL, let’s take a look at the slate of college football games on tap for this Pre-Thanksgiving weekend:
LSU (#1 PSCFP) vs. Ole Miss:
Ole Miss is enduring a season to “misremember.” The team has struggled and it was recently announced that head coach, Houston Nutt will not be back for the 2012 season. After coming out flat against Western Kentucky, the Tigers need to make sure they are not looking ahead for next week’s match-up at Arkansas. I expect Les Miles to have his boys ready. LSU wins 37-10.
Georgia South vs. Alabama (#3 PSCFP):
At first glance, my reaction was, “hey Alabama scheduled a scrimmage during the season.” But upon further review, Georgia South is not a team to take lightly. With their triple-option offense, the Eagles average over 320 rushing yards per game, and have rushed for 37 TDs. Impressively, they have 6 players that have rushed for at least 275 yards this season. On the other hand, Georgia South’s defense gives up about 167 yards on the ground per game. Expect the Crimson Tide to come with a heavy dose of Trent Richardson. Anyone care the venture the over/under is for number of passes thrown in this game? Alabama wins 31-10.
Oklahoma State (#2 PSCFP) vs. Iowa State:
Friday night under the lights for the Cowboys. With a bye week and a season finale match-up with Oklahoma looming, Oklahoma State needs to prevent itself from looking ahead. Iowa State ranks second in the Big 12, allowing only 217 passing yards per game. However the Cyclones will be tested by Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. To make matters worse, they will have to deal with a red-hot Joseph Randle on the ground. Oklahoma State wins 37-14.
USC vs. Oregon (#4 PSCFP):
Another PAC-12 showdown for the Oregon Ducks. This game features arguably the hottest team in college football (Oregon) vs. one of the best quarterbacks in college football (Matt Barkley). To stop the Ducks, the Trojans must contain LaMichael James; something they haven’t done in the last 2 years. In two career games against USC, James has fun for 422 yards and 4 TDs. Expect USC to try to control the game, by keeping the ball on the ground with Curtis McNeal. USC has lost its last 6 games in the state of Oregon and I expect it to continue. Oregon wins 48-38.
Oklahoma (#5 PSCFP) vs. Baylor:
Oklahoma has found itself back in the National Championship picture, and needs to win its last 3 games to remain in the conversation. The Sooners play their first game without star wide receiver, Ryan Broyles who tore his ACL in their win over Texas A&M. To beat Baylor, the Sooners will need to contain QB Robert Griffin III. The Bears have won all 5 of their homes games this season, and have averaged 49.o points at home. The Sooners will want to avoid an offensive shootout with Baylor and if the Bears get going early at home – an upset may be brewing. Baylor wins 35-21.
Boston College vs. Notre Dame:
An old rivalry continues. Notre Dame’s last home game of the season – and yes this game is in South Bend. The Irish will look to continue its winning formula by the running the ball with Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray, allowing Tommy Rees to find Michael Floyd downfield. The Eagles have struggled all season, and expect it to continue on Saturday. Notre Dame wins 33-13.
Have a game you wish to discuss? Have a prediction? Let’s hear it on the Pine.
Over/Under 33 total passes thrown in Alabama/Georgia South game.
Over/Under 18 completions
More points for Georgia Southern or Alabama’s kicker
Does Alabama have a kicker?
Helmet sticker for Casey!
I am now predicting, or at least hoping for, an Oregon v Oklahoma championship game. I do not want the SEC represented. I don’t think Georgia Southern is the team to derail the Tide, but I do believe Auburn will. I also believe that LSU, as much as they have found a way every time so far, will not be able to beat both Ark and UGA. With the tragedy at Ok St I wonder if Iowa St might be their downfall before OU even gets the chance.
ND can never look past BC, but there aren’t too many better bets on this week’s slate.
SMU plays at Houston. Hmmmm…the Mustangs have some ugly losses – 46-14 at A&M, 27-3 at Southern Miss and 38-7 Tulsa. BUT the Mustangs did win at TCU 40-33. You don’t suppose…
Well Iowa State wins. There goes the neighborhood. With an Oregon win over USC – do they jump into the National Championship?
Add to the neighborhood – Clemson is getting rocked. HOuston is holding serve as did Arkansas.
Okay things are getting really messy. Oregon loses, Oklahoma loses and Tiger Woods is playing pretty good golf.
Third one doesn’t matter right now, but what teams are going to sneak in there not named Alabama? Georgia!! 🙂
It’s official for me: let’s see the nation’s best offense in Houston go up against the nation’s second best defense in LSU. No rematches. I’m with Drew that if the one positive for the BCS is that these regular season games actually serve as playoff games anyway, then ‘Bama had its shot. Very sad what has happened to the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. Who wasn’t cheering for them??? I’m ambivalent towards the mantra that “speed kills.” It is true a lot of the times, but not against a well balanced attack on both sides of the ball. Kudos to USC for grinding down the Ducks with a meticulous offensive attack. Keep ’em off the field and you’ve always got a chance. Plus, speed is good but every team needs a true receiver. Oregon receivers are fast, but you’ve got nowhere to run if the ball smacks your cinder block hands and rolls along the turf.
According to the BCS, we’re on our way to a rematch. yipee.