(Big XII Championship)
#9 Oklahoma (10-2) vs. #13 Nebraska (10-2)
Vs.
8:00 ET, ABC, Sat. Dec. 4, Cowboy Stadium, Arlington, TX
Well, what do you know, it’s another national stage game at Cowboy Stadium. For a couple weeks it looked as if we would finally see another team besides Oklahoma or Texas representing the Big 12 South, playing for the Big 12 Championship. It’s fitting, however, that we see an Oklahoma vs. Nebraska matchup, in Nebraska’s last Big 12 game before their move to the Big Ten. Nebraska seems to operate better with Taylor Martinez leading the way, but Martinez is playing like a wounded deer, and may miss another game this week. Either way, though, I like the Sooners, which is surprising since Nebraska was my early season National Champion pick. Pick: Oklahoma 27 – Nebraska 22
(Give me a ticket to see…)
#2 Oregon (11-0) vs. Oregon State (5-6)
Vs.
3:30 ET, ABC, Sat. Dec. 4, Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR
The Civil War last season came down to who would be representing the PAC-10 in the Rose Bowl. This year, Oregon State is fighting for just a bowl, while Oregon is fighting for their first ever National Championship. Considering the stakes in this one, things could get ugly in Corvallis. It’s already one of the best rivalries in college football, but with what’s on the line for the Ducks, it might not even be a game. The Beavers are a powerful team, but apart from Quizz Rodgers, they won’t have enough speed to match the Ducks. Pick: Oregon 38 – Oregon State 28
(SEC Championship)
(Game of the week…)
#1Auburn (12-0) vs. #19 South Carolina (9-3)
Vs.
4:00 ET, CBS, Sat. Dec. 4, Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
It feels like Auburn is going down every week. Then Gus Malzahn and Cameron Newton come out in the second half, overwhelming whatever team thought they had the game wrapped up. I’ll be honest, I didn’t think there was any way the Tigers were coming back from 24 down, on the road and against their biggest rival last week. The sexy pick is to go with Auburn. Anyone who watched the first matchup between the two, though, knows the Gamecocks really should have won the game. Four turnovers in the fourth will drown any team. If there’s one thing to know about the Tigers, though, it’s that they’re defense tends to keep teams in games. The Gamecocks will need to pound the ball with Marcus Lattimore, more so than they did in the first matchup. Pick: South Carolina 31 – Auburn 28
(ACC Championship)
#21 Florida State (9-3) vs. #15 Virginia Tech (10-2)
Vs.
7:45 ET, ESPN, Sat. Dec. 4, Bank of America, Charlotte, NC
The ACC finally features a marquee matchup, that most envisioned would take place when the league expanded to 12 team’s years ago. The Hokies have been consistent visitors to the ACC title game, while Florida State makes its first visit to the game. The Seminoles dominated rival Florida last week, something Bowden hadn’t done in quite a while. The Hokies have been here before, though, and are winners of 10 in a row. The rushing game of the Hokies features three home run threats, and although FSU has one of the better defenses in the country, I’ll take Va-Tech’s playmakers over the playmakers of FSU. Pick: Virginia Tech 26 – Florida State 20
Washington (5-6) vs. Washington State (2-9)
Vs.
7:00 ET, Versus, Sat. Dec. 4, Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA
The Apple Cup was once one of the best rivalries in the country, but it hasn’t decided anything on either side in a near decade. Two years ago, the Huskies were fighting for their lone win on the year, while the Cougars were fighting for their first win over an FBS school. The Cougars prevailed. Last year, Washington dominated, holding the Cougars to just 163 total yards. This year in the Crab Apple Cup, the Cougars are fresh off of their first FBS win of the year, snapping an eight game skid. Washington has Jake Locker near healthy, and are fighting for their first bowl berth since 2002. The Cougars feel like the hotter team, though, as a slew of close calls plagued them of more wins this season. This could be the game that brings WSU back. Pick: Washington State 29 – Washington 12
Vs.
8:00 ET, ESPN 2, Sat. Dec. 4, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
At 8-4, it doesn’t seem right that the Huskies can bring in a BCS bowl berth with a win over South Florida. That’s what’s on the line Saturday for Connecticut, though. It’s quite a feat actually. Less than a decade ago, the Huskies were fighting for a I-AA Championship. South Florida is no slouch, however. The Bulls took down Miami on the road last week, which cost Randy Shannon his job. For UConn to move on to a BCS bowl, they’ll need every ounce of effort out of running back Jordan Todman, who should eclipse 1,500 yards on the ground this week. The Bulls have lost to both Pitt and Syracuse at home this year, proving home field isn’t a huge advantage. Pick: Connecticut 23 – South Florida 17
(Upset Pick…)
USC (7-5) vs. UCLA (4-7)
Vs.
10:30 ET, Sat. Dec. 4, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Remember when this one used to mean something? The only bowling these two will be doing following this one will be at whatever bowling alley they want to head to, to celebrate their mediocre seasons. The Trojans will be without a bowl of course for the next few seasons. UCLA’s excuse is nothing more than poor play. Lane Kiffin led the Trojans this season, a lot like he did Tennessee last year, into the ground. USC should have beat Notre Dame last week, and were embarrassed by Oregon State the week before. The Bruins haven’t had much to talk about at all lately, but I like the way quarterback Richard Brehaut played against ASU last week. I think the Bruins play their cross-town rival harder on senior day. Pick: UCLA 32 – USC 27
SMU (7-5) vs. UCF (9-3)
Vs. 
12:00 ET, ESPN 2, Sat. Dec. 4, BH Networks Stadium, Orlando, FL
The Mustangs are a bit lucky to be alive at this point in the year. They survived one in overtime last week against East Carolina, which made the difference in who’s representing the West in the title game. Quarterback Kyle Padron has been phenomenal this season, throwing for over 3,300 yards and 28 scores. UCF continues to ride the arm, and legs, of true freshman quarterback Jeff Godfrey. Godfrey has passed for five multi touchdown games in a row, with just two interceptions in that stretch. He also has four straight games with at least one rushing score. With Godfrey running the offense, and the defense overwhelming opposing offenses, the Knights should be on their way to a 10 win season. Pick: UCF 35 – SMU 18
Last Week: 8-5 – Overall: 107-49 – Upset: 6-6
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