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Posted on 11/22/2006 7:09:01 PM PST by MikefromOhio
Weekend Twelve showcased what is, in my opinion, the best rivalry in college football and one of the best rivalries in all sports. Ohio State vs. Michigan seemed to actually live up to the hype, with an Ohio State victory over Michigan 42-39. The game was dampened a bit by the passing of a legend, Bo Schembechler, the day before the game. Needless to say, Bo (and Woody for that matter) would not have liked the game given the nearly 900 yards of offense and over 80 points scored. This weekend gives us several match-ups that are key to the BCS equation. Notre Dame travels to LA to take on USC while LSU can seriously hinder Arkansas’ (and by extension Florida’s) chances to get to the game.
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(9) LSU at (5) Arkansas (PICK)
This game has several implications for the BCS. If LSU wins, it has an outside shot at a BCS At-Large bid if the cards fall right. IF Arkansas wins impressively, it still has an outside shot at the BCS national title game with a win against Florida in the SEC championship game. Arkansas is on a roll. LSU’s quarterback tends to try to force things when playing in a big game like this. Will he make another big mistake? I think so.
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Here is yet another game pitting 2 teams with BCS hopes. USC and Notre Dame can both make a statement and put their teams into a good spot for the BCS title game. USC needs to win this game impressively enough to switch 3 or 4 coaches poll voters to vote them over Michigan as #2 OR defeat Notre Dame impressively enough to drop them in the polls to hurt Michigan’s computer ranking. Notre Dame, conversely, needs to win this game and hope that people have forgotten how badly they were beaten by Michigan in week 3 of this season. USC is by far the better team. That didn’t stop Notre Dame from making it a GREAT game last year. I think USC is better on defense this year and still has enough offense to get past Notre Dame.
,br> USC 33 – Notre Dame 17
(18) Boston College (-4) at Miami (FL)
This will be the 22nd anniversary of the miracle throw by Doug Flutie. Now that might sometimes motivate some teams, Miami is pretty lethargic about everything it seems. They need to win to be bowl eligible.
BC 31 – Miami 15
(1) Ohio State BYE
(2) Michigan BYE
(4) Florida (-9.5) at Florida State
Florida 27 – FSU 7
South Florida at (7) West Virginia (-20.5)
WVU 36 – South Florida 14
(8) Louisville (-11.5) at Pittsburgh
Louisville 27 – Pitt 19
(10) Wisconsin BYE
(12) Boise St. (-3) at Nevada
Boise St. 21 – Nevada 20 ****UPSET ALERT****
(13) Oklahoma (-6) at Oklahoma St.
Oklahoma 33 – Oklahoma St. 10
(14) Auburn BYE
Syracuse at (15) Rutgers (NL)
Rutgers 20 – Syracuse 3
(16) Georgia Tech at Georgia (-2)
Georgia 23 – Georgia Tech 18
Virginia at (17) Virginia Tech (-17)
Virginia Tech 38 – Virginia 10
Kentucky at (19) Tennessee (-19)
Tennessee 38 – Kentucky 24
(20) Virginia Tech at Maryland (-1.5)
Maryland 22 – Wake 18
(21) BYU (-10.5) at Utah
BYU 32 – Utah 17
(22) California BYE
South Carolina at (24) Clemson (-5.5)
South Carolina 23 – Clemson 20 ****UPSET ALERT****
Purdue at (25) Hawaii (-17)
Purdue 48 – Hawaii 45 ****UPSET ALERT****
New Mexico 27 – San Diego St. 20
Texas A&M at Texas (-13)
Texas isn’t anywhere near the team it was at this point last season, but if Colt McCoy is healthy, they should win this game. If A&M has a good day throwing the ball, they could make this game interesting for at least 3 quarters.
Texas 38 – Texas A&M 20
(4) Florida (-9.5) at Florida State
You have to score points to win. FSU could ruin Florida’s chances at the BCS National Title game here. Unfortunately a long year will only get longer. FSU won’t really ever be in this one I don’t think.
,br>
Florida 27 – FSU 7
BYU 32 – Utah 17
HA! 4 in a row for my Utes, soon to make it 5.
well my picks haven't exactly been the greatest the past couple weeks, so you may well be correct :)
Don't feel too bad, I won't rub it in to you should we win, that's what Cougars are for. :)
It's ok :)
I don't pick for or against teams because I like them or hate them. You know that...
San Diego State sucks. And I'm not just saying that in a "I'm immature and drunk, you suck we rule!" kind of way (I was thinking more along the lines of a 2-8 overall record kind of way). UNM has to win this game to get bowl eligible--which in this case they'll stay home and play in the inagural New Mexico Bowl.
I also am certain that folks in the Cowboy State are going to be pretty big Aztec fans come Saturday also, since a UNM loss would guarantee Wyoming a bowl bid.
But anyway, I agree, the Lobos pull this one out.
Yeah I think so...
San Diego State hasn't found a way to replace Marshall Faulk yet.
FWIW, Arkansas is 20-1 in Little Rock under Houston Nutt (where the LSU game will be played), including 3-1 against LSU. Arkansas is almost always an underdog to LSU (it's pick-em this year, with Arkansas at home, and with the higher ranking).
Do you know what the line is on Nebraska and Colorado?
You'll have to give me some of your insight into this one. Hawai'i is playing very well over the past month and a half and I haven't seen Purdue at all this year. Colt Brennan and the 'Bows O along with the game being on the islands seems like it would be an easier W for them than people think.
A Utah man, sir!
Nebraska by 14
Sure but while Purdue hasn't exactly stopped anyone with a pulse, they did hold Notre Dame under 50.
I think they will hang with Hawaii, being that Purdue will be the more physical team for a change.
That and there's nothing wrong with Purdue's offense.
Thanks.
GO BIG RED!
I think they have a good chance of covering that one.
Oh, is this going to be a barn burner. There are so many subplots and backstories to this game, I don't know where to begin. So I'll start with BSU's running back Ian Johnson being cleared to play in this one despite the fact he was in a San Jose hospital after the San Jose State game with a partially collapsed lung.
Johnson is going to have a big game because Nevada's defense (which they use a 3-4 as a base D) isn't really geared to stopping the run. Nevada won't roll over for BSU though. If Chris Ault can keep his players from running their mouths--like they did last year before the BSU game--I think Nevada stands a very good chance to win this game.
Unfortunately, this is Boise State's year IMO and I think they'll win this game, though it will come down to the final seconds.
Sure hope you are correct about Boise State.
I don't know how effective Ian Johnson will be...
He's a stud though, for playing just after a collapsed freaking lung.
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