By Aaron M Smith
After 13 weeks, college football comes down to this weekend – Conference Championship Weekend. What’s on the line? Oh, a potential right to the BCS National Championship. A chance to play in a BCS Bowl Game. So there is plenty to play for – let’s not waste any time and take at this week’s games.
UCLA vs. Oregon (#7 PSCFP):
The only reason UCLA is in this game is because USC is sitting this one out due to a postseason ban. Thanks for this one Reggie Bush! Instead of a re-match worth watching, we have a team in turmoil playing in the PAC-12 Championship game. Not going to spend anymore time on this one, other then to thank Reggie Bush for this game. Oregon wins 56-6.
Virginia Tech (#6 PSCFP) vs. Clemson:
A game that features two teams heading in opposite directions. The Hokies haven’t lost since early October and Clemson has lost 3 of its last 4 games. Many experts point to the emergence of sophomore QB Logan Thomas as a major reason for the Hokies’ resurgence. On the opposite side, sophomore QB Tajh Boyd has struggled for the Tigers. Last week Virginia Tech throttled Virginia, 38-0. Can they maintain the momentum? Which Clemson team shows up – the 8-0 team or the 1-3 team? Virginia Tech wins 27-10.
Wisconsin (#14 PSCFP) vs. Michigan State:
A rematch that may have a hard time duplicating the magic from its earlier meeting. With a Rose Bowl berth on the line, both teams hope this doesn’t come down to a Hail Mary – again. Both teams enter the game with a 4 game winning streak. Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson has thrown just 3 INTS all season – 2 of them were against the Spartans. Montee Ball ran for 115 yards in the first meeting. Can he duplicate the effort? Kirk Cousins is 21-3 as the starting QB for the Spartans – pretty sure he wants to make 22-3. Spartan defensive end, William Gholston was suspended for the first game. Wisconsin gets revenge, 38-28.
Oklahoma (#10 PSCFP) vs. Oklahoma State (#5 PSCFP):
The game most people thought would help decide part of the BCS National Championship equation. It still could with a decisive victory by Oklahoma State. The Sooners’ offense has struggled since star wide receiver, Ryan Broyles went down with a season-ending knee injury. If the Cowboys are looking to fix what ailed them in their only loss this season – they only look at their defense. Against Iowa State, the Cowboys’ defense gave up 568 yards in total offense. They also coughed the ball up 5 times during the Iowa State game. They have had 2 weeks to address both issues. If the Cowboys want a chance at the Naional Championship, both categories need to improve. Will Brandon Weeden and Co. be sluggish after the extra week of rest? I expect the Cowboys to start slow, but ultimately win this game. Oklahoma State wins, 41-24.
Georgia (#9 PSCFP) vs. LSU (#1 PSCFP):
LSU looks to cap a perfect season with a victory over another ranked team. Heading into the game, the Tigers have already beaten 7 ranked teams this year. A victory on Saturday would make it 8, but the Bulldogs have other ideas. Riding a 10 game winning streak, the Bulldogs will try to cap a season that started 0-2 with a victory over top ranked LSU. During the streak Georgia hasn’t climbed the polls. A main reason? Only 2 wins over ranked teams (Auburn and Georigia Tech) during that stretch. LSU will have it hands full with a red- hot Aaron Murray who has thrown 14 TDs in his last 4 games. Bulldog’s running back, Isaiah Crowell returns after sitting out last week with an ankle injury. LSU’s stingy defense only allows 86 rushing yards per game. Something will give on Saturday. Which one? LSU wins a tight one, 24-23.
Have a prediction? Have a game you wish to discuss? Let’s hear it on the Pine.
Great rundown as always. I don’t think LSU-GA will be all that tight. Good point about only playing two ranked teams through this win streak. Mark Richt will remind fans why he should have remained on hot seat from start of season. Conversely, I don’t know if I can have OK State Oklahoma that far apart in score. I think it could go either way, but I just see the Cowboys somehow blowing it. No evidence other than 500+ yards against Iowa State does not sound like a good precursor to what Oklahoma’s offense will do to them.
Where would a UCLA victory over Oregon fall on the list of all-time upsets?
Casey – it wouldn’t be in the USA/ USSR category, but it would have to be in the Patriots kicking off their dynasty with a Super Bowl victory over the Rams category.
Rey – I do think the Georgia’s defense is underrated. If Crowell can run the ball and Murray continues to play well – I think this will be a close game. But there is no doubt that this game will be a benchmark for Mark Richt and his program. A win for them – a huge step. A close loss – Bulldog fans will probably be happy where things are. A blowout loss – Richt could be in trouble.
As for Oklahoma State – I am going to give Mike Gundy the benefit of the doubt that he has spent the last 2 weeks working on a defensive scheme that might work. All season the Cowboys have been able to hid their defensive problems by protecting the football on offense and scoring. Against Iowa State they had 5 turnovers and their defense was exposed. I don’t think Oklahoma forces 5 turnovers, and I don’t think Oklahoma’s offense can keep up.
To me, Wisconsin and Oklahoma are two of the biggest disappointments this year. Both of them seriously squandered their chances to be in the national championship discussion. I pretty much rooted for upsets at every turn, but now I wish at least one of these teams was in position to play LSU for the championship, instead of Alabama.
I am soooo with you Chas. But being what it is:
I agree Smiity with the close call on LSU-UGA. I am looking at a bit higher score though, like 33-30 LSU. I think Murray is as hot as anyone in the country (except maybe RG3). UGA’s defense is 5th in the nation, but is probably overrated given the weak schedule. Nevertheless, I think they will hold LSU under 40 and produce some decent points themselves, rather than be an embarrassment like Alabama!
Bedlam – I like your score , but like Rey I wonder if the spread might be too great. Here’s hoping you’re right and here’s hoping the pollsters/computers give it its just due.
Casey, Neuheisel’s players carried him off the field? Maybe that upset isn’t so far-fetched!
Interesting that Stewart Mandel projects Michigan as the second Big10 team in a BCS bowl rather than the loser of the conference championship. Must be who travels better. Tough one for me to call, but Montee Ball and Russell Wilson seem tougher to stop than Cousens and anyone else MSU can throw out there.
Hou – S Miss is an important game for BCS busters. I am surprised Rey didn’t mention it. I don’t think Hou is in LSU’s position, they can’t afford a loss. But it shouldn’t be an issue. Kase Keenum makes a strong case for Heisman votes in the Cougars toughest test yet.
Va Tech is projected to play W Va in a bowl. That seems like a bigger mis-match than the ACC championship. ND is projected to play Clemson. That match-up I like.
Pete, my only contention would be that UCLA just lost to USC last weekend, 50-0.
Considering the game is in Oregon and the offense that the Ducks have – just don’t see this one being a going away gift for Neuheisel. Then again, if you consider a dozen dead roses an acceptable going away gift – this might be perfect.
So UCLA held up a little better then I thought they would. Did anyone see the catch late in the game by the UCLA wide receiver, Nelson Rosario?
Oh my…. You need to check it out..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baOJKHs80hI
Pete – don’t know why I overlooked the Houston game. Watching it now. Their defense is pretty good. Trying to flip back and forth with the UNC-Kentucky game
Whoa..didn’t expect this from Houston. Down 42-21, early in the 4th. Houston is looking for an early Christmas present.
Southern Miss is very good. Little did we know I guess. #7 runs the ball extremely well. Houston just looked flat offensively. Oh well. No controversy.
How about Georgia getting the onside kick after their first drive? That was the best onside kick I’ve ever seen.
A smackdown in Bedlam! 41-3 in the third quarter. How does this influence the final poll?
…So as I was saying, I just don’t see Oklahoma being able to keep up with OK State.
How does all of this affect the BCS? I think LSU-OK State should be the national championship.
I vote for LSU – Ok St also!
And here is my reasoning: the pollsters have to decide that 1 game will not count for somebody. Which game do YOU think shouldn’t count? The one where the home team’s offense tanks in a big game and they lose a game they probably shouldn’t have? Or the one where the road team jumps to a big lead only to suffer an emotional letdown spurred by the tragedy in their university family only days before the game and lose a game they shouldn’t have? The computers will get this one right, but the human pollsters are another question.
I loved what Gundy said in the post-game interview on the field. The pollsters will have to decide what they want to see in the national championship: a 9-6 game or a 39-36 game. Haha! Classic. I only wish the interviewer had the wherewithall to ask him, “Coach – who scores 39 in that game?”
But boy did Gundy make a good point!
I just made my decision; if it’s Alabama I AM NOT WATCHING! Anyone know someone with a ratings box on their TV? I ‘d like to lobby for my cause.
Gotta love it when Gundy calls it the way it is. Count me as one of them that might defer watching the Nationa Championship if it LSU and Alabama.
National championship is on a Monday right? Sounds like a lot of us on the Pine will be reading or watching Family Guy. 🙂