The last time that these two teams took the field to conclude the 2008 season, two very different stories were told. Virginia Tech was crowned the Orange Bowl champion and is now considered a national title contender in 2009. Alabama, having been #1 in the polls before blowing a fourth quarter lead over eventual national champ Florida, had a long fall from grace which was capped off by a substantially embarrassing loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Either we see the same story being told with the confidence of V-Tech shining throughout the game en route to a victory, or the dominate Bama team of last season will reemerge and take care of business. I don't see an extreme case of either scenario, however I like Alabama's defense way too much to have them lose this game. Tech QB Tyrod Taylor still has to prove that he can throw the football, and I haven't seen it yet in his first two seasons. Nick Saban's Crimson Tide will prevail.
Alabama- 23
V Tech- 20
#3/3 Oklahoma vs #20/24 BYU (in Dallas)-
On paper this isn't much of a game. Oklahoma was averaging 60 points a game during their dominate final stretch of the season (before running into the freight train that is Florida football), and is looking to pick up the pieces after another disappointing BCS game performance. It shouldn't be hard for them considering they bring back the Heisman Trophy winner in Sam Bradford and the usual suspects on both sides of the ball. BYU won't win this game, but they will put points on the board. I guarantee it. QB Max Hall has an innate ability to pick apart any defense he faces, while the running game featuring Harvey Unga can be ferocious (when Unga is healthy). Good news for BYU: Unga is healthy. It will be somewhat entertaining, but in the end OU is just too damn good.
Oklahoma- 48
BYU- 24
#13/13 Georgia @ #9/11 Oklahoma State-
Oklahoma State has three huge names that will all be in the running for All-Big 12 honors and All-American honors: QB Zac Robinson, WR Dez Bryant and RB Kendall Hunter. Georgia lost everybody. Looks like we are heading for a blowout.....but not so fast. Georgia has one of the most underrated defenses in college football heading into this season. Don't be surprised to see Georgia win the battles on the line of scrimmage and keep the explosive Oklahoma State offense in check. I think the Cowboys win this game, but it will be extremely close. I like Georgia A LOT this season. I want to say that the SEC prevails in this one, but I just can't go against the hyped up Stillwater crowd with the offense they will bring to the table. The Bulldogs keep the score from getting high and lose a nail biter.
Georgia- 24
OSU- 31
Big Ten Rundown:
#8/9 Penn State over Akron
#21/22 Iowa over Northern Iowa
Michigan State over Montana State
Minnesota over Syracuse
Purdue over Toledo
Illinois over Missouri
Wisconsin over Northern Illinois
Michigan over Western Michigan (UPSET ALERT)
Indiana over Eastern Kentucky
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