2012 College Football Week 13!

Commentary: Alright, its rivalry week.  Throw out the records, forget what's happened before, and get ready for heartache from one side and joy from the other.  Bragging rights are on the line.

Cheering for:
-The underdogs: Its great when the little school comes up with the victory against the bigger ones during rivalry week.  We've already seen Vanderbilt smash Tennessee this season and it has sent shockwaves through Knoxville.

Laughing at:
-Miami: All that work just to give it away.  Oh well, I'll take the trip to Charlotte, thanks Miami!

Feeling sorry for:
-Southern Miss: a one point loss to UTEP last week keeps them winless.  There is one chance left: this week at 3-8 Memphis.

Top 25:
1 Notre Dame
2 Ohio State
3 Florida
4 Clemson
5 Rutgers
6 Alabama
7 Georgia
8 Oregon
9 Oklahoma
10 LSU
11 Nebraska
12 South Carolina
13 Texas A&M
14 Florida State
15 Kansas State
16 Louisville
17 Stanford
18 Louisiana Tech
19 San Jose State
20 Michigan
21 Ball State
22 Northern Illinois
23 Oregon State
24 Mississippi State
25 Cincinnati

The picks:
-TCU at Texas: Now that A&M is gone off to the SEC, this will have to do for Thanksgiving night.  Both teams have had disappointing seasons.  Both are bowl eligible but that's about it.  Texas is the better team here, should win at home tonight.  Texas by 10.
-LSU at Arkansas: Both teams had great expectations this season.  LSU fell slightly short after losing to Florida and Alabama.  Arkansas came nowhere close.  A big "what if" can be asked about Petrino if he hadn't been sent packing and stayed for the entire year, but we'll never know.  LSU finishes off the season with a big win, wins by 14.
-Washington at Washington State: Mike Leach's first year at Washington State definitely hasn't gone as planned.  There have been a few highlights but quite a few disppointing Saturday's in Pullman.  Washington comes in needing to finish off a good year, not a great year as had hoped.  Washington wins by 15.
-Arizona State at Arizona: A four game losing streak brough Arizona State's season to a resounding thud.  Thankfully for them the streak ended with a win over Washington State last week.  Arizona has been more consistent throughout the year however.  I think that makes the difference here in a battle between first year coaches.  Arizona by 4.
-Georgia Tech at Georgia: I'd love to see it happen.  I'd love to have bragging rights for the year.  I'd love to see all hopes for the DWAGS slim national championship chance vanish this Saturday in Athens.  I just don't see how it could happen.  GT's best hope is to outscore the DWAGS in a shootout, but UGA's defense will probably prevent that.  GT has never beaten a top 10 UGA team when coming into the game unranked.  For the most part, GT has not done well against a ranked UGA team at all when unranked themselves (2-22 all time).  Tech's defense relies on the other team making mistakes, instead of forcing them to make mistakes.  That won't happen much this Saturday.  UGA by 10.
-Michigan at Ohio State: It is sad that Ohio State isn't eligible for the postseason this year, but it is their own fault for it.  Last season could have been handled much better than it was.  Urban Meyer has the team rolling and rolling well.  Urban Meyer simply does not lose to rivals often.  At Florida he never lost to Tennessee, lost to UGA once in six years, and lost to Florida State only once as well.  It doesn't get any bigger than this on a national stage either.  Michigan comes in playing well, not a pushover at all.  Ohio State seems to have it together more than Michigan though.  Ohio State by 7.
-Virginia at Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech owns the series as of late, and needs the win to be bowl eligible.  UVA is done after this.  I get the feeling that VT will be playing this tougher than usual out of necessity.  VT by 10.
-Indiana at Purdue: Indiana had a better season that most expected, Purdue did not.  That being said Indiana is done after this game, Purdue needs the win for bowl eligibility. Purdue should win this game out of necessity, Indiana just wants the bragging rights for once.  Purdue by 3.
-Baylor at Texas Tech: How does Baylor follow up after last week?  Texas Tech has been on a free fall losing three of the last four, with the victory being an overtime win against Kansas.  Baylor is in line for a letdown, and this is not a team to do that against.  Texas Tech by 10.
-Oregon at Oregon State: And it all came crashing down for Oregon last week.  The Ducks were in line for the national championship game, the offense was humming along with little issue, they just had two tough games left before the PAC 12 Championship.  Stanford stuffed them, quite literally stuffed Oregon's offense.  Now the Ducks aren't even in control of their PAC 12 destiny.  And now we have the Civil War coming.  Oregon State has had quite a nice year, for awhile I had them ranked #1!  Two losses have left them with little to fight for, but this is one of them.  Bragging rights are on the line and Oregon comes into Corvalis limping a bit.  Oregon State will take advantage of that.  Oregon State by 6.
-Florida at Florida State: This might be the best game of the weekend.  Both teams come in with one loss each.  This almost reminds me of the 90s when these teams were always near the top of the rankings.  Due to the bad loss on FSU's resume I don't have them ranked as high as the BCS does, but I think that tells me something as well.  There was no reason for FSU to lose at NC State.  Florida's loss was to a much better team in UGA.  That will be the difference.  Florida by 4.
-Oklahoma State at Oklahoma: Both teams have had good years, both wanted great years.  There will be a lot on the line in Norman when this game kicks off.  Oklahoma owns the series as of late.  The Cowboys' win last year was nice, but only once.  Oklahoma by 10.
-Auburn at Alabama: I have to put the Iron Bowl on this list just due to the intensity of the rivalry.  Auburn flat out stinks this year.  Alabama is still in control of its own destiny.  Alabama by 25.
-Stanford at UCLA: Stanford can win the PAC 12 by winning this game and winning the 2nd PAC 12 Championship.  UCLA can win the PAC 12 by winning next week.  That's right, if Stanford wins this week the Cardinal will play UCLA again next week for the PAC 12 title.  I'm guessing the conference heads didn't see this coming.  Stanford is playing well, but is due for a letdown after last week.  UCLA by 3.
-Mississippi State at Ole Miss: This should be quite a good game.  Ole Miss can win this and go to a bowl game, a loss ends the Rebels season.  Mississippi State has had no issues beating Ole Miss lately, and that streak should continue this year.  Mississippi State by 10.
-South Carolina at Clemson: Both schools have had wonderful years.  A combined three losses coming in between the two teams makes this game bigger than it has ever been.  Clemson's offense against South Carolina's defense should be fun to watch.  The other side of that won't be too shabby either.  South Carolina is a bit tougher here and has three wins in a row against the Tigers.  South Carolina by 7.
-Notre Dame at USC: USC has been disappointing lately with little to cheer for. Notre Dame just needs this win to play in the BCS Championship Game.  Notre Dame has faced tougher challenges this season and won, so I doubt there will be too much to worry about for the Irish here.  Notre Dame by 14.

2012 College Football Week 12!

2012 College Football Week 12!

Sorry just picks today, don't have time to make an actual post:

-UCF at Tulsa: Quick, name the leaders of Conference USA's two divisions?  Yeah, these two.  I have no idea who will win this one, so the coin flip says UCF.  UCF by 3.
-Rutgers at Cincinnati: Rutgers is the last undefeated team in conference play in the Big East, but Cincinnati and Louisville only have one loss themselves.  Rutgers is the stronger team here, but Cincinnati won't lose at home.  Cincy by 4.
-South Florida at Miami: The Big East would love nothing more than to beat the ACC Coastal leader, but South Florida isn't the team to do it.  Miami will score a lot and USF can't quite keep up.  Miami by 10.
-USC at UCLA: USC turned the ship around last week with a big win against Arizona State.  UCLA is riding a four game winning streak.  Don't be fooled, USC is much better here.  USC by 10.
-Duke at Georgia Tech: Alright Jackets, beat Duke and continue to bowl streak.  You may want to find a defense first though.  Giving up 50 to UNC sucked, thank goodness the offense was unstoppable.  Duke will slow down GT enough to keep it under 50, but Duke's offense won't score that much either.  Jackets win a wild one by 2.
-Minnesota at Nebraska: in 1983 Nebraska played Minnesota and won 84-13, scoring 21 in each quarter.  Minnesota hasn't beaten Nebraska since 1960, losing 15 in a row.  That goes to 16 today.  Nebraska by 14.
-Texas Tech at Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State is playing well, Texas Tech has had issues lately, on the field and on the sideline.  That spells trouble against the Cowboys.  Oklahoma State by 14.
-NC State at Clemson: The Textile Bowl is here, and NC State is struggling after a great start.  A Big win over Wake Forest last week helps, but Clemson won't let NC State surprise them this year.  Clemson by 10.
-Ohio State at Wisconsin: Ohio State is down to two games left for a perfect season, damn shame there will be no postseason for the Buckeyes.  They'd be in the BCS Championship discussion if it wasn't for that.  Madison, Wisconsin is usually not pleasant for visitors.  Wisconsin is good, but not that good.  I see a tough game here but Ohio State wins it late.  Ohio State by 2.
-Utah State at Louisiana Tech: Both teams are undefeated in conference play and it comes down to this for Utah State.  A win here gives them the last WAC title.  Louisiana Tech plays San Jose State next week for the title if they win here (SJSU lost to Utah State earlier, but that's it).  From what I've seen Louisiana Tech is the better team here plus the fact it is a home game gives the edge to the Bulldogs.  La Tech by 10.
-Tennessee at Vanderbilt: How bad are things at Tennessee?  They've won 28 of the past 29 games with Vanderbilt, but they're not favored today.  How messed up is that?  Vandy is playing well, Tennessee poorly.  We've heard this before and the results are always the same.  Tennessee by 3.
-Stanford at Oregon: The Ducks are in position to play for the BCS Championship, but three tough games remain.  Today against Stanford, next week against Oregon State, and either USC or UCLA in the PAC 12 Championship game.  Stanford is built to beat the big teams, but not Oregon.  Oregon will put up the points and Stanford won't be able to keep up.  Oregon by 14.

2012 College Football Week 11!

Commentary:
-As we get into November most of the conference races are over, or are at least down to two teams.  Means there's a lot of games that almost nobody cares about going on, but still plenty of interesting matchups.
-The SEC is nearly wrapped up, at least for who's playing in the championship game in Atlanta.  Barring upsets from Texas A&M and Auburn, Alabama will represent the West.  If Georgia beats Auburn today the dwags will represent the East.  If UGA loses, Florida goes in the game instead.
-Kansas State nearly has the Big 12 set, but there are still three conference games to go and the status of Quarterback Colin Klein is questionable for today's game.  Oklahoma has the outside shot to get in.
-The ACC is nearly set.  With Florida State's win on Thursday against Virginia Tech, it would take an upset by Maryland to keep them out of Charlotte.  Clemson needs that upset plus a win today and next week.  The dumpster fire that we call the Coastal Division is led by Miami with Duke still having a chance to go to the game.  UNC is up in the standings but is ineligible.
-The Big East still has a lot to play for, there is no championship game here though.  Louisville and Rutgers are undefeated in conference play, Cincinnati has one loss (to Louisville).
-Nebraska's win over Michigan gives the Huskers a leg up in the Legends division of the Big Ten, but it is far from over.  Ohio State is cruising right along in the Leaders division but is ineligible for the championship game, as well is Penn State at #2.  The winner of today's Indiana at Wisconsin game is likely to go to the Big Ten Championship game, yes Indiana.
-The PAC12 north will be decided among Oregon, Oregon State and Stanford.  The three teams have yet to play one-another.  The PAC12 south will be decided among USC, UCLA and Arizona State.  UCLA has already beaten Arizona State and USC plays them today.  UCLA and USC meet at the end of the year as usual.

Laughing at:
-Colorado: Never seen a team more pitiful than this, and I saw Georgia Tech in 1994.

Cheering for:
-Army: The Black Knights broke a six year losing streak to Air Force last week!  The Army-Navy game at the end of the year will decide the Commander-in-Chief's trophy.

Feeling sorry for:
-Southern Miss: Still winless, lost a tough one at home to UAB last week.  None of the Golden Eagles' remaining games are against teams with winning records so there is still a chance for at least one victory.
-UMass: A blowout loss to Northern Illinois wasn't terribly surprising last week.  The remaining games against Akron, Buffalo, and central Michigan may provide a win with a good game on the field.

Top 25:
1 Notre Dame
2 Kansas State
3 Alabama
4 Oregon
5 Ohio State
6 Louisville
7 Clemson
7 Rutgers
7 Florida
7 Oklahoma
11 Georgia
11 Louisiana Tech
11 LSU
14 Cincinnati
14 Nebraska
14 Mississippi State
17 Florida State
17 South Carolina
17 Texas A&M
17 Michigan
17 Oregon State
22 Northern Illinois
22 Stanford
22 San Jose State
22 Ball State

The picks:
-Wisconsin at Indiana: The winner here gets the big upper hand in the division race.  Indiana has been a nice story, but Wisconsin isn't going down here.  Wisconsin by 14.
-Northwestern at Michigan: Denard Robinson won't start for Michigan and that will be a problem.  Michigan's defense is good enough to slow down Northwestern, but the offense won't be able to score enough.  Northwestern by 4.
-Arkansas at South Carolina: In this series, if Arkansas finishes the season with a winning record then the Razorbacks win this game.  Arkansas is 4-5 going into the game, so it very well may decide the fact.  I think South Carolina is much better this year.  South Carolina by 10.
-Georgia Tech at North Carolina: Well Jackets, it is time to decide the post-season fate.  If you want to stay at home, lose this game.  If you want to continue the bowl streak, go out and win this game on the road.  Unfortunately for the Jackets UNC took a bye-week last week, and that spells doom for this offense.  UNC by 10.
-Oregon State at Stanford: Both teams are chasing Oregon but the loser is pretty much eliminated here.  Stanford is the tougher team, especially at home.  Stanford wins by 7.
-Arizona State at USC: USC is facing controversy at the moment and it very well may derail the team.  Arizona State comes in needing a win after three straight defeats.  I don't think the Sun Devils have enough here to win on the road.  USC by 10.
-Penn State at Nebraska: After the first two weeks of the season, I wouldn't have thought this game would have mattered.  Penn State was 0-2 losing to Ohio and Virginia, Nebraska was 1-1 after losing on the road to UCLA.  Since then both teams are 6-1, both losing to Ohio State.  Nebraska has been unstoppable at home and the trend will continue.  Nebraska by 14.
-West Virginia at Oklahoma State: This one should be fun to watch, the offenses here are magnificent.  West Virginia was looking great to start the season but three straight losses have derailed the Mountaineers.  Oklahoma State has enough defense to win this.  Oklahoma State by 7.
-Texas A&M at Alabama: After last week's big win by Alabama at LSU (at night too) you would expect a bit of a letdown.  I could understand a little bit of one at least, but Nick Saban won't.  Texas A&M has been a big surprise in their inaugural year in the SEC, but they don't have enough to win here.  Alabama by 10.
-Georgia at Auburn: The Oldest Rivalry in the South continues, but that's about the only reason to watch this game.  We've seen a few upsets here before, but I don't see Auburn coming anywhere close.  UGA by 20.
-Mississippi State at LSU: LSU has to rebound and rebound in a hurry.  Mississippi State has two losses in row.  LSU is much stronger up front and that will be the difference.  LSU by 10.
-Kansas State at TCU: Collin Klein's status in the game is questionable, TCU hasn't been up to their usual defensive standards this season.  After the overtime win last week, TCU won't have enough in the tank to keep up with Kansas State.  KSU by 7.

2012 College Football Week 10!

Commentary:
-It has been more and more difficult for me to get up for football season this year as the year goes along.  I know most of that stems from the fact that my own team isn't playing well at all.  The situation on the flats just gets worse and worse every week, Athletic Director Dan Radakovich bailed for Clemson this week.  I don't know what to think at this point.  Three years removed from an ACC championship and it feels like it will never happen again.

-The Colorado Curse: Every team (except one) that has played Colorado has lost the following week.  The only one who didn't was FCS Sacramento State.  Oregon played Colorado last week and plays USC this week.  Keep an eye on the game.

Cheering For:
-Air Force and Army: Good luck guys, have a good one on the field today.

Laughing at:
-Will Muschamp, head coach at Florida: You aren't wearing red and black anymore, you're allowed to win the game in Jacksonville.  That makes TWO foul-ups there.

Feeling sorry for:
-Southern Miss: It is time to get off this winless list.  1-7 UAB comes to town.  UAB's lone win was against SE Louisiana.
-UMass: In their first year as an FBS member UMass has six blowout losses, one close loss and one 11-point loss.  Today the Minutemen face off against 8-1 Northern Illinois.  This would be one really large upset for UMass to win, not seeing it happen.

Top 25
1 Notre Dame
2 Alabama
3 Kansas State
4 Oregon
5 Ohio State
6 Louisville
7 Mississippi State
8 Clemson
8 Rutgers
8 Florida
8 LSU
8 Oklahoma
13 Georgia
13 Louisiana Tech
13 Cincinnati
16 Florida State
16 Tulsa
16 Toledo
16 Texas Tech
16 West Virginia
16 Nebraska
16 South Carolina
16 Texas A&M
24 Ohio
24 Northern Illinois
24 Boise State
24 Oregon State
24 Michigan

Once again I don't feel like calculating tie-breakers.  Either way, Strength of Schedule matters at the top.  With the win at Oklahoma, Notre Dame SoS went up rather well.  Alabama gets a boost tonight if they win.  Kansas State will keep moving up with the strength of the Big 12.  Oregon has a tough game against USC.

The picks:
-Michigan at Minnesota: The Little Brown Jug is up for grabs again.  Michigan is 20-1 in the past 21 games against Minnesota.  Nothing changes today.  Michigan by 10.
-Texas A&M at Mississippi State: Of the two newcomers to the SEC I had bigger expectations for Missouri than Texas A&M.  I've been proven wrong.  Mississippi State has been strong against a weak schedule.  The SEC West hasn't been as good as everyone thought with Auburn and Arkansas having collapses.  This will be for third place in the division behind LSU and Alabama and will be a fine game to watch.  I think Mississippi State pulls this off at home though.  MSU by 3.
-Air Force at Army: Army is having a miserable year.
-Georgia Tech at Maryland: Maryland is out of quarterbacks.  The Terrapins are starting a linebacker at the QB spot this week.  Last year Maryland nearly pulled the upset in Atlanta.  Maryland does have a good run defense and GT's defense has been non-existent in most games.  Look for Maryland to win in a low scoring affair.  Maryland by 3.
-TCU at West Virginia: TCU has taken a couple of hits in their inaugural Big 12 season.  West Virginia has as well.  TCU's defense has been exposed a bit this year, West Virginia never had one.  TCU will score a bit this week but it won't be enough to overcome WVU after a bye week.  WVU by 7.
-Ole Miss at Georgia: The Dawgs generally play to their opponent's level which is a bad thing.  Ole Miss has had a good season compared to the last two but doesn't quite have it in them to win in Athens yet unless UGA forgets to show up after the big win in Jacksonville last week.  I don't think that will happen.  UGA by 10.
-Nebraska at Michigan State: Michigan State has the defense to win this while Nebraska doesn't play well on the road.  It should be time to turn that around for the Cornhuskers, but I don't see it happening.  Michigan State by 4.
-Texas at Texas Tech: In looking at these two teams this is a pretty even matchup.  The biggest difference between them is that Tech has beaten ranked teams, 2 wins in four tries.  Texas is 0-2.  Both are ranked of course.  With the game being in Lubbock, that will be enough.  Texas Tech wins by 7.
-Oregon at USC: The loss the Ducks had last year at home to USC had to hurt.  The Ducks had been building up from an opening loss to LSU and had sights on a rematch but USC stopped them cold.  It happens, and that was last year.  USC comes in reeling after a loss on the road to Arizona, Oregon just keeps moving right along.  Unless the Colorado curse comes in, Oregon wins this well.  Oregon by 10.
-Clemson at Duke: Historically Clemson has had issues winning at Duke.  Despite the Blue Devils not being that good it can be difficult due to the lack of atmosphere at the stadium.  Duke is much better this year than previous years, but so is Clemson.  Clemson by 10.
-Alabama at LSU: For the third time in a year these two teams meet.  Last year both teams were undefeated at this point, this year LSU has the loss to Florida to add in.  That's it.  Outside of that these two teams have not lost to anyone else.  A night game at LSU usually spells defeat for the visitor but I don't see it.  This will be a good one on the field, but low scoring.  Alabama by 4.
-Oklahoma State at Kansas State: Quick question: How many players on the Kansas State team have beaten Oklahoma State?  The answer is ZERO.  Kansas State is playing well out of this world.  Oklahoma State isn't bad though!  Most people are looking at Kansas State's pass defense as a weakness.  I don't see this as such given how that team went into Morgantown, West Virginia and kept the Mountaineers to 155 yards passing.  Kansas State will be fine at that.  Oklahoma State will score a bit but won't be enough.  Kansas State by 14.