Next to Last Bowl Predictions

* Final bowl destinations for the ten fortunate programs will be announced the evening of Sunday, December 6th. My final predictions will be up by the morning of the same day.

BCS Championship- Florida (13-0) vs Texas (13-0)

Rose- Ohio State (10-2) vs Oregon (10-2)

Fiesta- TCU (12-0) vs Iowa (10-2)

Sugar- Boise State (12-0) vs Alabama (12-1)

Orange- Cincinnati (12-0) vs Georgia Tech (11-2)

These seem pretty set in stone as long as Texas and Cincinnati win this weekend against Nebraska and Pitt. If Florida loses, then put Alabama in the championship game.

The only way that these games would change is if the Orange Bowl decides having undefeated TCU is more glamorous than undefeated Cincinnati. Since the Orange Bowl has contractual obligations to the Big East generally, and TCU isn't a BCS conference team, Cincy will probably travel to Miami for the second year in a row. However, there is the whole thing about having a team play two years in a row at the same venue...hmmm...I wonder if/do you think the Bearcats made a good enough impression on the Orange Bowl committee this past January to be extended another invitation back? My thoughts: probably, but I dislike Cincinnati enough right now to hope that they get stuck playing Alabama/Florida. Seeing them try and defend Florida would be hilarious.

My Final Top Ten

1. Florida (12-0, vs Alabama)
2. Alabama (12-0, vs Florida)
3. Texas (12-0, vs Nebraska)
4. TCU (12-0)
5. Cincinnati (11-0, @ Pitt)
6. Boise State (12-0, vs New Mexico State)
7. Ohio State (10-2)
8. Oregon (9-2, vs Oregon State)
9. Iowa (10-2)
10. Penn State (10-2)

Three Big Ten teams? Two of them can validate their stay in the top ten. Penn State...eh, not so much. PSU probably will not go to a BCS game this season, but will certainly be glad to accept a Capital One Bowl invitation.

Georgia Tech and Pitt were the big names to fall this past week.

Quick Holiday Predictions

Texas will barely beat Texas A&M 49-39 (I'm a genius)

For real...

Cincinnati will hold off Illinois in a GREAT game.

Alabama takes care of Auburn.

Boise State remains unbeaten.

The final straw will be pulled in the Charlie Weis saga after Notre Dame falls to Stanford. Expect his status to be announced this coming week.

Georgia will come close to beating Georgia Tech, but not close enough.

Ohio State will still be 10-2 and the undisputed Big Ten champions.

* Next week will be a championship week preview, including my final bowl predictions (once during the week and the night after the championship games are played).

Chaos Theory

What will happen if Texas loses tomorrow to Texas A&M or in the Big 12 Championship game against Nebraska?

What if that happens, and Cincinnati falls to Illinois or Pitt?

That is what you call absolute, unadulterated chaos.

I've been trying to think of anyway to get around the inevitable with this one, but I just can't seem to figure it out. See, the first thing that would come to mind here is that you simply have Florida and Alabama play all over again. Why not? The SEC is the mega-power conference these days, and the two teams have been at the top of the polls since day one. Who wouldn't want to see that kind of entertainment again? Well, even if you would want to see it, it is doubtful considering you have to be a conference champion (technically) to be in the national championship game. Throw that scenario out the window.

What's next? Hmm... well if Pitt were to win out and beat Cincinnati, why not the Panthers? They would have beaten such teams as Rutgers, South Florida, Notre Dame, West Virginia and Cincy to get to the national championship game. That is somewhat justifiable. To add to that, they are actually from a BCS conference. Only issue? Just about everyone in this country has forgotten about the Big East outside of Cincinnati. There is no way that an 11-1 Pitt team would get into the national championship game. I just can't see the voters doing that.

This doesn't seem to far fetched in my mind,: Georgia Tech playing for all the marbles. They have an intriguing storyline to go with their cruise to what should be an eventual 12-1 mark in regular season play. The Jackets run the triple option to perfection, they play tough defense and have taken care of just about every formidable opponent on their schedule. Then again, they are in the ACC which garners little to no respect these days. I personally wouldn't mind seeing Georgia Tech play for the national championship. The voters/computer polls might. The chances of this happening are slim to none.

Sigh.... I guess it really would happen. It would almost have to.

For the first time in the BCS era of major college football, a non-BCS affiliated school would play for the national championship. The TCU Horned Frogs, in this scenario, would inflict chaos from sea to shining sea.

Simple solution for Texas and/or Cincinnati: DON'T LOSE!

BCS Bowl Predictions (Thanksgiving Week)

BCS Title- Florida (13-0) vs Texas (13-0)

Rose- Oregon (10-2) vs Ohio State (10-2)

Fiesta- Boise State (12-0) vs Iowa (10-2)

Sugar- Alabama (12-1) vs Cincinnati (12-0)

Orange- Georgia Tech (11-2) vs TCU (12-0)

I have a strange feeling, as of right now, that the Orange Bowl will utilize its power to select the best available at-large team this season to take undefeated TCU over Big East champion Cincinnati. I have no idea why. It would make perfect sense to have two conference champs play each other, while Bama could play TCU in the Sugar Bowl. To be honest, that is what will probably happen. But I have a gut feeling that G Tech will face the Horned Frogs in Miami while the Sugar Bowl will feature Alabama and Cincinnati. Boise State vs Iowa in the Fiesta Bowl seems inevitable at this point in time.

My Top 10- Thanksgiving Week

1. Florida (11-0, vs Florida State)

2. Alabama (11-0, @ Auburn)

3. Texas (11-0, @ Texas A&M)

4. TCU (11-0, vs New Mexico)

5. Cincinnati (10-0, vs Illinois)

6. Boise State (11-0, vs Nevada)

7. Georgia Tech (10-1, vs Georgia)

8. Pitt (9-1, @ West Virginia)

9. Ohio State (10-2, end of regular season)

10. Oregon (9-2, bye week)

Note: The conference championship games (in the BCS affiliated conferences) have all been set. They will all take place on December 5th, the day before the bowl game match ups are released.

ACC Championship-

Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Big 12 Championship-

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Texas Longhorns

SEC Championship-

Alabama Crimson Tide vs Florida Gators

SIX IN A ROW!!!! OSU- 21, UM- 10

Will January 1st, 2010 be a repeat of January 1st, 1997? We will find out in a month and eleven days, but in the mean time....

Congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes for winning their fifth straight Big Ten championship (third outright since 2006) and going into the Rose Bowl with yet another victory over Michigan.

If Oregon wins tonight, don't book them as OSU's opponent just yet. They still have to play against the feisty Oregon State Beavers and Stanford is still sneaking around. Arizona has a shot if they beat Oregon tonight and win out as well.

The Rose Bowl watch is in official overdrive starting tonight.

THE GAME- #10 Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) @ Michigan (5-6, 1-6)

Where: The Big House (Ann Arbor, MI)

When: Noon EST

TV: ABC National

Don't be fooled.

Do not for a second think that this rivalry is going down hill.

Webster's dictionary defines a rivalry as (ahem) "the act of being a rival"... wow, that's an awful definition.

I define a rivalry as... ummm.... yeah, i guess the previous definition kind of sums it up, but there has to be a better way to define it. So what is a true rivalry? I will attempt to come up with something along the way.

Ohio State will travel to Ann Arbor tomorrow having already wrapped up at least a share of the Big Ten championship (their fifth straight), while in the process clinching a trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1996 season. Michigan will host the game having almost suffered a total and complete meltdown since starting 4-0 on the year. Remember when people were praising Rich Rod's name? I remember. It was a slight blip on the radar. The pace at which this team has collapsed into sub-mediocre realms can only be matched by watching Obama's weekly approval ratings (and to be fair, Bush's approval ratings would probably at 9.5% right now). Mediocrity has become a far too familiar word floating around the city of Ann Arbor these days. A recent Detroit newspaper wrote that if Rich Rod returns, he needs to win at least 7 games in 2010 and win their bowl game. THAT'S IT!!!!!!! Are you serious?? That is NOT Michigan football. And it is only going to get worse unless Michigan improves really really fast (hint: fire Dick Rod).

All the Big Blue negativity aside, OSU has its own obstacles to overcome. It has been stated over and over and over again how many times the Buckeyes have lost to Michigan after clinching a trip to the Rose Bowl or, in general, how many times they have lost as the favorite versus Michigan. This is a highly focused group of constantly maturing young men and football players that will go to battle for Wolverine-slayer Jim Tressel tomorrow at noon, and they shouldn't disappoint the masses of Buckeye fans throughout the world. Yes, of course I am picking the Buckeyes to win this game. They are the better team talent wise and overall. Their coaching is better. Their program is better. They are so much better than Michigan it is crazy. It takes a lot for me to say that the Bucks are that much better than another team (no, seriously) because of the way Tressel can allow his conservative style of play to dictate the other teams chances of climbing back into a game and, in many cases, forcing OSU to play down to their opponent's talent level. That has never been the case in any Michigan game in Tressel's career. Expect a smart, aggressive game plan for the Wolverines tomorrow in the Big House.

None of this matters. It doesn't matter that OSU is better. It truly doesn't. This is Ohio State vs Michigan for an outright Big Ten championship. Michigan cannot win the Big Ten, but it certainly can go to a bowl game, extend their season, get the several weeks of bowl practice, improve their team and continue to try to establish their identity under Rodriguez. This game is HUGE for both teams still. It means the world to them. Michigan wants to live to see another day in 2009. Ohio State doesn't want a piece of the Big Ten pie, but rather the whole thing. 9 wins versus 5 wins. Rose Bowl vs potentially no bowl game. It still doesn't get better than this, guys. This is what OSU and Michigan fans live for, and tomorrow it is game time. Get ready for the 106th installment of the greatest rivalry in college football.

What best defines the word rivalry? Ohio State Buckeyes. Michigan Wolverines.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 34

Michigan- 13

In Memorium

"You never leave someone behind; you take a part of them with you and leave a part of yourself behind".

I never met Stefanie Spielman. I have no personal affiliation with the Spielman family, and may never know exactly what they have all gone through or what they are suffering through now. Despite this, I have in fact witnessed over the years what the Spielman family (through Stephanie's illness) has done for cancer research in the Columbus area and beyond.

The sad news of Stefanie's passing yesterday evening of cancer affected me in an odd way. What I mean by this is that in today's society tragic deaths and events throughout the world are often dealt upon desensitized minds and eyes. Every single day something awful happens, and the majority of us press on with our lives without a single thought towards what we have just read, seen or heard. I was deeply affected by her passing because although I have never met the family, I have heard how Stefanie lived her life and how much her family, including Chris, loved her.

This was a woman who did not complain and channeled her pain into courage to enhance the hopes and chances of others battling the disease despite her own struggles dating back to 1998. She has done exactly what we all should do and give to help in the fight against breast cancer, and the disease in general.

It is undeniable that she was truly loved. We all know Chris Spielman as the ferocious All-American Ohio State linebacker who went on to a successful career in both the NFL and broadcasting. We all know how passionate he is about the game. That passion clearly doubles when it comes for the love of his wife. When she first went through chemotherapy she obviously was without hair, which is a sign of struggle for many women undergoing breast cancer throughout the world. Chris shared that struggle by shaving his own head, too. He was with her for every second of her bout with her unfortunate situation, and defined what it means to be a true man. Further stories of his selflessness only exist between himself, his wife and his family.

The prayers of the Ohio State community go to the Spielman family, and we appreciate all that has been given from Stefanie throughout her life.

If you wish to donate to the Stefanie Spielman fund, follow the following link at the bottom of this page and get as much information as you can. Such a simple gesture means the world for what will someday be the millions of people who are introduced with the cure for cancer for the first time.

She has left everyone with the promise that if you fight and persevere through any situation, no matter how grave it is, you will ultimately be rewarded with what you rightfully fought for or intended to accomplish.

Maybe in this case, her reward for her daily struggles was being able to finally rest.

http://www.speilmanfund.com

Really?

Tate Forcier said over the weekend, and I quote (clears throat) : "I am going to get my teammates to a bowl game. If it means spending 10 hours in the film this week, then I am going to do it. We are going to get them to a bowl game".

One problem with that, my man. You aren't good. Maybe next year you will be, and trust me next season for you will begin very soon (by about 3:30 on Saturday). You'll have another looooonggggggg off season to think about how you can improve and still be pathetic. Wow... you really had to go and open your mouth.

For what it's worth, inside info tells me that this has been posted all over the locker room already. I hope Michigan wasn't expecting to get away with this one.

(PS- Is it worse for Michigan players/fans to talk trash during two straight bad seasons or for Notre Dame fans to still live in an alternate reality dating back to pre-1990 when they were nationally relevant? I really don't know the answer.)

This is a good article by the way if you want to check it out...

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2009/11/17/1_WHAT_RIVALRY.ART_ART_11-17-09_D1_3RFLIJ4.html?sid=101

Games of the Week/ Big Ten Rundown 12

#8 LSU @ Ole Miss-

This is a rivalry that most people fail to mention when it comes to the most heated and passionate in all of college football. Simply put, these teams hate each other, and when they get together it is certainly fun to watch. Not too many monumental upsets have occured in this series, but I think one will happen on Saturday. LSU is playing with a quarterback who cannot make the big play, and the Rebel defense will thrive off of that. I see the defense holding LSU to under 20 points and Ole Miss RB McCluster will run for over 125 yards and two touchdowns en route to a big upset over LSU.

Ole Miss- 24

LSU- 17

ROSE BOWL WATCH

#25 Cal @ #17 Stanford-

Will Stanford really go to the Rose Bowl? Hey, don't look at me...I had no idea they were this good. Their offense puts most in the nation to shame. They have a running back named Toby Gerhart who is near the top of every Heisman list at this point. They are for real. But not only is the offense playing out of its mind, but the defense looks very solid as well. Both teams enter this game at 7-3, with the only difference being that Stanford will clinch at least a share of the Pac 10 championship with a win over Cal (if they beat Notre Dame, and Oregon loses another game in conference play to either Arizona or Oregon State, then Stanford goes to the Rose Bowl). RB Jahvid Best of Cal, who was once a Heisman candidate, will return after suffering a concussion two weeks ago, but it won't be enough as the Cardinal take care of business and get a nice victory to clinch a share of the Pac 10 pie. Will they end up playing the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl? If so it would be the first time since 1980.

Stanford- 23

Cal- 13

#11 Oregon @ Arizona-

It will be loud. Very loud. Arizona will be pumped. Extremely pumped. It won't matter. Oregon is too fast and too talented for the Wildcats, which will lead to a pretty convincing victory in Tuscon for the Ducks. Next up on Oregon's plate after their upcoming bye week: a date with the Oregon State Beavers on Thursday, December 3rd. Why is that relevent? With a win, Oregon solidifies its spot in the Rose Bowl to take on the Buckeyes.

Oregon- 42

Arizona- 20

Big Ten Rundown-

#13 Iowa over Minnesota: Hawkeyes roll in this one

#14 Penn State over Michigan State: What rivalry? PSU owns MSU.

Purdue over Indiana: Both are playing well, but I like the Boilers.

Northwestern over #16 Wisconsin: Upset as Kafka leads the Cats to victory.

Look, the conference is bad. The top teams are fairly competitive and have the potential to be really good, but the rest of the Big Ten is boo boo (thats slang for awful). So I am glad that this is the last full week of Big Ten football. I will say that it makes me sick to my stomach that Minnesota has actually qualified for a bowl game. That is an AWFUL team. Good bunch of guys though, I'm sure.

BCS Bowl Predictions (Before Michigan)

BCS Champ- Florida (13-0) vs Texas (13-0)

Rose- Ohio State (10-2) vs Oregon (10-2)

Fiesta- TCU (12-0) vs Boise State (12-0)

Sugar- Cincinnati (11-1) vs Alabama (12-1)

Orange- Iowa (10-2) vs Georgia Tech (11-2)

I don't like Iowa at this point to even be able to go to a BCS game, but what other options are there outside of two Big East teams going? There aren't any. I would LOVE to see Boise State and TCU play each other at the end of the season. Let the first two non-BCS conference teams to go to BCS bowls in the same season take on each other. Boise State has proven they can beat the big boys in the post season. TCU hasn't. Let them duke it out in Tempe!

Tressel: GIMME THOSE ROSES!!!!!!

It's about time.

Congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes on making their first Rose Bowl appearance since January of 1997 (when I was 8 years old).

I just wanted to say how proud I am to be an OSU fan this season. This has been a classic example of how a young team puts it all together, despite the bumps they encounter along the way, and finishes the season strong. It doesn't get much sweeter than having the smell of roses in the air in Columbus once again.

The season isn't over yet, though. As of midnight last night, it's Michigan week....

My Top 10- Week Twelve

1. Florida (10-0, vs FIU)

2. Alabama (10-0, vs UT-Chatt)

3. Texas (10-0, vs Kansas)

4. TCU (10-0, @ Wyoming)

5. Cincinnati (10-0, Bye Week)

6. Boise State (10-0, @ Utah State)

7. Georgia Tech (10-1, Bye Week)

8. Ohio State (9-2, @ Michigan)

9. Pitt (9-1, Bye Week)

10. LSU (8-2, @ Ole Miss)

Outside Looking In...

Oregon (8-2)

Penn State (9-2)

Oklahoma State (8-2)

Won't Be Looking In Ever Again...

USC (7-3)

Game 11- #11 Ohio State (8-2, 5-1) vs #10 Iowa (9-1, 5-1)

Where: Ohio Stadium

When: 3:30 EST

TV: ABC Regional

If OSU beats Iowa, they are going to Pasadena, CA.

That sounds amazing considering how the Buckeyes looked in their loss on the road to Purdue back in the beginning of October. The team could have gone one direction, and instead went in the positive on, as most Tressel coached teams do (anyone else want Tress to get fired?). Now that things are going relatively well for the Buckeyes, despite a banged up offensive line and Terrelle Pryor, it is safe to say that they should very well be the favorites when they play Iowa this weekend. This isn't just because when an Ohio State team gets hot they are very tough to beat, but also because Iowa is starting their fourth string running back, their back up quarterback, and lost a key offensive lineman for the year as well. They still have their defense, but the injury bug really hit the Hawkeyes where it hurts on offense.

I think that Iowa is a good team with a physical defense that makes plays, and an offensive line that has been pushing people around all season long. I just don't think that outside of WR McNutt and TE Moeaki that they have a single big time play maker to hang with the Buckeyes. In Columbus right now, Pryor is playing better, Posey is becoming the star that many people thought he would be, the offensive line is improving, and the defense remains one of the nastiest in the country. This is just a side note, but do you notice the correlation between how young this team is on offense (mainly sophomores) and how they are beginning to hit their strides at the end of their second year in school? They may be some of the best recruits in the country, but they are human and maybe needed to be humbled in their road loss to Purdue to focus on how they can continue to improve. By the end of this season, and going into 2010, this team will be scary good.

In the mean time though, OSU still needs to win to secure a trip to the Rose Bowl, and they will do just that. Iowa just can't hang with Ohio State in the points category, and come Saturday it would take a monumental defensive effort out of Kirk Ferentz's to knock off the home favorites.

Considering Iowa has only one loss on the season, I am extremely confident and the team is highly focused. I like that combination. Ohio State struggles a little early but then gets into a flow on their way to Ann Arbor and then to Pasadena as the Big Ten champs with a big win over Iowa.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 31

Iowa- 13

5 straight Big Ten championships. Wow. I can only think of one thing that would make this season even more rosy: BEAT MICHIGAN!

Big Ten Bowl Predictions- Veterans Day

I will have bowl predictions for the Big Ten Conference (which aren't looking so hot) now and then after the Big Ten regular season is completed. Before the official bowl invitations are released, I will have one more set of predictions for the bowl season.

Rose Bowl-

Ohio State (10-2) vs Oregon (10-2)

Capital One Bowl -

Iowa (10-2) vs LSU (10-2)

Outback Bowl-

Penn State (10-2) vs Tennessee (7-5)

Champs Sports Bowl-

Wisconsin (10-2) vs Clemson (8-5)

Alamo Bowl-

Northwestern (7-5) vs Oklahoma (7-5)

Insight Bowl-

Michigan State (6-6) vs Kansas State (7-5)

Motor City Bowl-

Minnesota (6-6) vs Central Michigan (11-2)

Outside of Ohio State and Penn State, I honestly don't know if anyone else would win a game. For the fourth straight year, the Big Ten could be in biggggg trouble.

Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown 11

#25 West Virginia @ #5 Cincinnati-

I....just....can't....do it. I want West Virginia to beat the Bearcats sooo badly. I really do, but I just can't pull the trigger. I think that West Virginia is a good football team with a nice offensive system based around a multi-purpose QB and a RB in Noel Devine that is as fast as any other tailback in the nation. I just don't think that they will be able to hang on to beat Cincinnati on Friday night. They will hang tough until the final few minutes, but I see West Virginia turning the ball over to allow Cincy to stretch their lead just enough to put the game out of reach. The real test for Cincinnati: taking on Pitt.

Cincy- 34

WVU- 24

#16 Utah @ #4 TCU-

It is one of only two non-BCS schools to win a BCS game (over Pitt and Alabama since 2004) taking on a team that is looking to join the elite status of Boise State and Utah as teams who have crashed the BCS party. Automatically you would think that TCU has this game locked up and, well, you are correct. They are by far playing some of the best football in the country right now, and Utah is just a solid Mountain West team. The Utes will play in a nice bowl game and will probably win, but they aren't going to stay on the same field with TCU beyond a half of play -- three quarters at best. The Horned Frogs are legit and will be in a BCS bowl.

TCU- 41

Utah- 28

Stanford @ #9 USC-

Question: how is Southern Cal ranked ahead of Oregon in the latest polls? That doesn't make any sense to me, considering how Oregon is firmly in control of the Pac 10 race, while Arizona even holds a higher position in the conference standings than the Trojans do. Sigh. Moving on, USC has looked lackluster for two straight weeks, including a blowout loss to Oregon and a game in which they barely beat Arizona State. You would think a statement game is coming up. Well, don't look now but the Stanford Cardinal are pumped, motivated and red hot after hanging 50 + points on Oregon this past weekend. If Oregon killed USC, and Stanford beat Oregon, does that = a Stanford victory? Not quite. I think USC will take care of this game in the second half, but it will certainly be entertaining for at least one half of play. I love Jim Harbaugh as a head coach, by the way. Great hire for Stanford.

Southern Cal- 25

Stanford- 13

Big Ten Rundown:

It is as simple as it sounds, guys. If Ohio State beats Iowa, the Buckeyes go to the Rose Bowl and clinch at least a share of the Big Ten championship. If Iowa wins, they do the same. I even figured that out and I placed into remedial math. Figure that one out...

#10 Iowa @ #11 Ohio State- TBA

#20 Wisconsin over Michigan (Badgers = good. Michigan = terrible to watch)

#18 Penn State over Indiana (PSU will rough up Indiana after losing to OSU)

Michigan State over Purdue (Purdue is playing better, but I like the Spartans)

Northwestern over Illinois (I like how Illinois is playing, but the Cats are better)

Minnesota over South Dakota State (Yawn....Minnesota wins)

Current Big Ten Standings (* = clinched bowl berth)

1. Iowa (9-1, 5-1)*

2. Ohio State (8-2, 5-1)*

3. Penn State (8-2, 4-2)*

4. Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2)*

5. Northwestern (6-4, 3-3)*

6. Michigan State (5-5, 3-3)

7. Purdue (4-6, 3-3)

8. Minnesota (5-5, 3-4)

9. Illinois (3-6, 2-5)

10. Michigan (5-5, 1-5)

11. Indiana (4-6, 1-5)

Wow. In a year where the Big Ten was supposed to make a comeback with Ohio State, Illinois, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan State were all going to be good, with Michigan showing many signs of life early on in the season, the conference is just flat out BAD.

I think OSU is hitting their stride, while Iowa's defense can keep them in any game and PSU and Wisconsin can hold their own against most people but other than that, really???? It is baaadddddd right now for this conference.

I'm growing more and more impatient with the state of the Big Ten. Oh, and while it warms my heart that the Wolverines suck, PLEASE get better. You are an embarrassment to the game of football and the concept of playing defense. No, you don't total up the amount of points you score and give up to see who wins the game. It's kind of like golf when it comes to defense: less is more. They'll get the hang of it someday. Hopefully....

Roses

The scent of roses is in the air.... 6 days until Iowa

BCS Bowl Predictions (OSU to Rose)

BCS Champ: Florida (13-0) vs Texas (13-0)

Rose: Oregon (10-2) vs Ohio State (10-2)

Fiesta: Iowa (10-2) vs USC (10-2)

Sugar: TCU (12-0) vs Alabama (12-1)

Orange: Georgia Tech (11-2) vs Cincinnati (11-1)

I hate having Iowa in there now considering they will finish the season 1-2 in their final three games more than likely, especially going up against USC. These are the match ups that the majority of people expect to see, so I tend to agree with them so I won't stray too far away from normalcy. If I could change one game those it would be the Fiesta Bowl (maybe both TCU and Boise State deserve to go? Just saying).

NOTE* I have officially changed the Fiesta Bowl to Boise State (12-0) taking on USC (10-2) after Fiesta Bowl officials hinted towards wanting the highest caliber team regardless of conference affiliation playing in their bowl game this season. Just like I had originally said, Iowa will probably lose two of their final three games. If that is the case, then there is no way that they make it to a BCS game.

My Top 10- Week Eleven

1. Florida (9-0, @ South Carolina)

2. Alabama (9-0, @ Mississippi State)

3. Texas (9-0, @ Baylor)

4. Cincinnati (9-0, vs West Virginia)

5. TCU (9-0, vs Utah)

6. Boise State (9-0, vs Idaho)

7. Georgia Tech (9-1, @ Duke)

8. Pitt (8-1, vs Notre Dame)

9. Iowa (9-1, @ Ohio State)

10. Ohio State (8-2, vs Iowa)

Outside Looking In...

Oregon (7-2)

LSU (8-2)

USC (7-2)

Houston (8-1)

Miami (7-2)

Game 10- #16 Ohio State (7-2,4-1) @ #11 Penn State (8-1,4-1)

If this scene is what somewhat resembles Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon, then you know this is truly is a big game. And I love it.

Trips to Happy Valley are generally not always what the location would imply (I can attest to that...my trip in 2007 was blatant false advertisement. It was NOT that happy for me before the game began), although OSU has Penn State's number in this series by a count of 10-6 since the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in the early 1990's.

The fans are typically belligerent, highly passionate and always loud for the big games. In other words, if the stereotypical Ohio State fan looks in the mirror, they might as well call themselves a follower of the Joe Pa cult. The two fan bases are highly similar, even though the prospect of having more to do in Columbus is what sets the two groups apart. Drinking in the middle of nowhere isn't exactly always on the to-do list for Buckeyes. But I digress....

The Universities are similar. The stadiums are similar (all can hold 106,000 or more). The coaches are similar in how they represent their programs nation wide. The traditions are somewhat similar (OSU dominates the historical aspect of this rivalry). In short, this is always such a heated contest due to how similar these two programs are and how close in relation to distance they are from one another. Ohio and Pennsylvania just aren't the best of friends.

I guess what happens on the field is all that matters, and it should be a hell of a defensive contest. Both defenses have established a reputation for forcing a good amount of turnovers and being able to get to the quarterback. The only difference between these two defenses is that PSU gives up less points per game, although OSU gets more turnovers. But here is the kicker: Penn State scores more points off of their turnovers. Why??? This is isn't going to come as a shock to you, but the Lions have a better offense than the Buckeyes.

Darryl Clark should have been preseason player of the year, but instead Pryor received the honor (look how that has turned out). The running game is better than the Buckeyes, with RB Evan Royster looking to garner All-Big Ten honors this season with 859 yards and 5 touchdowns. The receivers are tall and athletic, which gives PSU many options in the red zone (oh, and they are one of the best teams in the country in red zone production). All in all, despite a younger offensive line, Penn State seems to have a distinct advantage on offense.

If Ohio State turns the ball over twice in this game, chances are that Penn State is going to score at least one touchdown off of it. Notice I didn't say that the Bucks will definitely lose if two turnovers are committed. The reasoning behind that is simple: OSU has a better defense. Who is to say that if OSU commits two turnovers, the defense doesn't force PSU to commit three? This will more than certainly be a defensively dominate game, and Ohio State has had more roar on that side of the ball than the Nittany Lions have all season long. I am more than banking on a defensive or special teams touchdown in this game for Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes.

If Pryor can keep the chains moving with his legs, the I-formation will been seen more and more as the Buckeyes bread and butter. From there, they can run the ball with a fullback leading the way with either Saine, Boom or Hall getting the carries, or Pryor can roll out and make a play with his feet or, better yet, throw out of the bootleg! Crazy concept...

I have a gut feeling that this game will come down to a field goal or two, and Devin Barclay didn't exactly look appealing in that category this past Saturday against New Mexico State. If it comes down to a field goal, I like the Lions to squeak out a victory. Otherwise, take the Buckeyes to spring the upset in Happy Valley based off of outstanding defensive play and forcing Darryl Clark to throw some ill advised passes to All-Big Ten safety Kurt Coleman. From there, Pryor will orchestrate at least one big touchdown drive and the rest will be history.

I know that the defense will rise to the occasion, but will the offense? Stay tuned for that one, but I have read some things stating that some tricks could be up Jim Tressel's sweater vest tomorrow afternoon....

Prediction:

Ohio State- 17

Penn State- 10

Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown 10

#9 LSU @ #3 Alabama-

Last season held so much more than the breath of Tiger fans waiting to get a crack at Coach Saban, who spurned them for the NFL (then the Crimson Tide, obviously)... after winning a BCS national championship in 2003 and having another successful year in 2004 in Baton Rouge. This season, considering the feeling of the LSU faithful wanting to demolish Saban's reputation diminished just a bit, much more rides on this game in terms of whats at steak after the regular season ends. To be more specific, I am obviously talking about a trip to the national championship game. People are so quick to write off LSU in this game that they don't realize that their offense continues to improve after failing to score a touchdown against Florida last month and controls their SEC championship destiny. This won't be the same Louisiana State team we saw against Florida; I guarantee that. I also guarantee that Alabama wins this game. Yes, I am a victim of the same fault that many people that follow college football have this week in believing that LSU really doesn't have too big of a chance to win this game. They will be improved, but Bama is too good defensively to let this game slip at home. Look for Mark Ingram to have over 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns to increase his Heisman resume en route to a nice victory over LSU. That should just about lock up the match up we all want to see: Alabama vs the Florida Gators in the SEC title game.

Bama- 27

LSU- 16

........ to be honest that is the only game that matters. I'll go in depth about the Big Ten race and the games being played this weekend to make up for the lack of nationally relevant match ups.

Big Ten Rundown-

#16 Ohio State @ #11 Penn State: TBA

#4 Iowa over Northwestern

- The Wildcats will play spirited, especially since QB Mike Kafka will presumably be on the field....but the Hawkeyes have come too far to lose to a team like N'Western. They will enter Columbus on 11/14 10-0 and still ranked #4 in the BCS.

#21 Wisconsin over Indiana

- The Badgers are extremely physical. Indiana is not. That is why the Badgers will win. It's that simple.

Michigan over Purdue

- The game will be closer than the experts think, but I like Michigan to get one last victory in 2009. Yes, they will lose to Wisconsin and OSU to finish 6-6 and will sneak into a bowl game. What a job Rich Rod is doing up there!!

Minnesota over Illinois

- I like how the Fighting Illini looked this past weekend, but I also like Minnesota to get another victory led by senior QB Adam Weber. The Gopher defense will step up to make Illinois look like, well, Illinois again.

Michigan State over Western Michigan

- ...because there's no way that they lose to two directional schools...right?

BCS Bowl Predictions

Not many changes at the moment...but I fail to make a bold prediction about what will be the second Big Ten team to make a BCS bowl. For now, it will be the OSU/PSU combo that will show up on the screen until the outcome of this weekend's game in Happy Valley is finalized. Other than that...sigh...it is pretty boring out there. Except for one thing: USC WON'T WIN THE PAC 10!!!!! I never thought I'd see the day.

BCS National Championship-

Florida Gators (13-0) vs Texas Longhorns (13-0)

Rose Bowl-

Iowa Hawkeyes (11-1) vs Oregon Ducks (10-2)

Fiesta Bowl-

USC Trojans (10-2) vs Ohio State/Penn State (?-?)

Sugar Bowl-

Boise State Broncos (12-0) vs Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1)

Orange Bowl-

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-2) vs Cincinnati Bearcats (11-1)

My Top 10- Week Ten

1. Florida (8-0, vs Vanderbilt)

2. Alabama (8-0, vs LSU)

3. Texas (8-0, vs UCF)

4. Iowa (9-0, vs Northwestern)

5. Cincinnati (8-0, vs UConn)

6. TCU (8-0, @ San Diego State)

7. Boise State (8-0, @ Louisiana Tech)

8. Oregon (7-1, @ Stanford)

9. LSU (7-1, @ Alabama)

10. Penn State (8-1, vs Ohio State)

Outside Looking In...

Georgia Tech

Pittsburgh

Ohio State

USC

Houston