I went 5-1 last week and am now 63-33 on the year.
Georgia Tech at No. 3 Georgia, Noon ESPN, "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate"
The Yellow Jackets got a lift when Miami announced this week it is taking itself out of the running for the ACC Coastal Division title and again banning itself from a bowl as it awaits NCAA punishment. This means the Jackets will be in the ACC title game vs. Florida State. They already have six wins and motivation is low for this game. The Bulldogs have a lot more to play for -- a chance at the national title. But they must win out. I like Tech to hang tough in this one, but it won't be able to get it done "Between the Hedges."
Georgia 45, Georgia Tech 28
No. 19 Michigan at Ohio State, Noon ABC, "The Game"
Oh, how the Buckeyes must feel. They are undefeated but ineligible for the national championship or any bowl game this year. And they'd probably be in the national title game since they are one of just two FBS teams remaining that are still undefeated. Some people think Ohio State could have been eligible this year if it had turned down its bowl as a 6-6 team last year. Alas, the Buckeyes will have to settle for trying to beat their rivals, a year after Michigan won this game for the first time since 2003. I think the Buckeyes get back on the winning track in the rivalry.
Ohio State 38, Michigan 31
No. 5 Oregon at No. 15 Oregon State, 3 p.m. Pac-12 Network, "Civil War"
The Ducks fell out of the national title picture with a loss last week to the Cardinal but their is still hope, as long as they beat the Beavers. Oregon State has had a great year, only losing two games by three and four points to Washington and Stanford, respectively. But I like the Ducks in this one. They'll be angry and desperate for a win.
Oregon 34, Oregon State 24
No. 4 Florida at No. 10 Florida State, 3:30 p.m. ABC, "Battle for the Sunshine State"
Very interesting game. The Gators are No. 4 but have struggled a lot recently. Since beat South Carolina 44-11, the Gators have beaten Missouri 14-7, Louisiana-Lafayette 27-20, and Jacksonville State 23-0. But they come from the big, bad SEC and are surely more battle-tested than Florida State, which hails from the ACC, right? On top of that, the Seminoles have not had a good non-conference schedule, playing FCS foes Murray State and Savannah State, and a weak South Florida team. The ACC can take a step forward here with a win over an SEC opponent and I think the Seminoles will because they are playing a little better than the Gators right now and because the game is in Tallahassee.
Florida State 20, Florida 16
No. 21 Oklahoma State at No. 13 Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m. ESPN, "Bedlam"
The Cowboys seem to be in and out of the polls this year and the Sooners have had another ho-hum season, gathering eight wins, but they probably won't win the Big 12, as long as Kansas State beats Texas next week. The Sooners will be looking for some revenge after getting waxed last season by the Cowboys. I think they get it at home.
Oklahoma 35, Oklahoma State 32
No. 8 Stanford at No. 17 UCLA, 6:30 p.m. FOX
I've been very impressed with Stanford. So far, the Cardinal hasn't missed a beat after Jim Harbaugh left to become head coach of the NFL's 49ers. Coach David Shaw has done a great job. It will be interesting to see what happens in a couple years once the program is more removed from Harbaugh, but for now, Shaw gets an exceptional grade. The Cardinal won at Oregon last week in one of the best wins in recent memory for the program. Jim Mora has also done a phenomenal job in his first year with the Bruins. They beat USC last week and have nine wins. This game could actually be a preview of next week's Pac-12 championship, but only if the Cardinal win. UCLA won the South Division, but Stanford needs to win to wrap up the North Division. Otherwise, Oregon can still win the division if it beats Oregon State. I like the Cardinal in this one. The defense will find a way.
Stanford 24, UCLA 17
Mississippi State at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. ESPNU, "Egg Bowl"
The Bulldogs have a great year, winning eight games. They've also had an easy schedule, though, losing only their thre toughest games to Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M. Meanwhile, the Rebels have five wins and need a sixth to get a bowl bid. They've had a tougher schedule than their rivals, having to play Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Texas in addition to the Big Three previously mentioned. Ole Miss has lost three of their fix games this year by a combined 10 points. I like the Rebels at home to get a big win over their rivals and go bowling.
Ole Miss 28, Mississippi State 24
No. 12 South Carolina at No. 11 Clemson, 7 p.m. ESPN, "Battle for the Palmetto State"
Clemson came in riding high to this game last season but was humbled by its SEC counterpart and I expect the same to happen this season, even in Death Valley. The Tigers offense has looked amazing all year but the Gamecocks have held opponents to just 17.5 points per game, 13th in the country. I think South Carolina does enough to win, though it will be a more competitive game than in 2011.
South Carolina 31, Clemson 28
No. 1 Notre Dame at USC, 8 p.m. ABC, "Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh"
The luck of the Irish has been on Notre Dame's side recently and it will be again in this rivalry as Trojans starting quarterback Matt Barkley went down with an injury last week against UCLA. Notre Dame just needs to win to go to the BCS national championship and I doubt that stout defense is going to let a true freshman quarterback, Max Wittek, stand in its way.
Notre Dame 31, USC 17
Virginia at Virginia Tech, Noon ESPNU, "Battle for the Commonwealth Cup"
Well the big day is here but I don't think Virginia fans are very excited. Most are expecting another loss to their hated rivals from Blacksburg, even though Tech has had a sub-par year. But the Hokies always seem to have something to play for, whether it is the division crown like last year or 2007 or this year, when it just to get to a bowl game. And even when they don't they always seem to get more amped up for this game that the 'Hoos. They just have a psychological edge in recent games in the rivalry for some reason. Virginia Tech is trying to stretch a streak of eight wins in the series to nine and by winning, would stretch a bowl appearance streak to 20 straight years. A UVa win would give the Cavaliers the satisfaction of snapping those streaks, plus Virginia would finish ahead of Virginia Tech in the ACC standings, for what would be I would have to guess, the first time ever (Tech entered the conference in 2004). The last UVa win was a 35-21 triumph in 2003. The last time the Wahoos won in Blacksburg was 1998 when they had the best comeback in school history, winning 36-32 after being down 29-7 at the half. The Hokies lead the all-time series 51-37-5.
Virginia scored 33 and 41 points in back-to-back wins over N.C. State and Miami in early November but faltered last week in a 37-13 loss to another rival, North Carolina. Virginia is going to have to bring its A-game on offense to win this game. The Tech offense has not been very good this year, either, so the UVa defense won't be seeing one of its most dynamic offenses of the year. The line has been shoddy and Tech has been unable to find a great running back this year, whereas in recent seasons they have just reloaded with David Wilson, Ryan Williams, and Darren Evans. The 'Hoos will likely see a combination of J.C. Coleman (450 yards, 2 TDs) and Tony Gregory (296 yards, 1 TD) in the backfield. They still do have Logan Thomas at quarterback, though he has slipped in his production this season. The big 6-foot-6 kid was reputed to be a Heisman candidate and potential top pick in the NFL but that talk has faded throughout the season. The Lynchburg native has thrown 16 TDs this season and 14 INTs while completing 53.1 percent of his passes. The Tech defense has been solid, but not spectacular, for sure, giving up 24.8 points per game, 48th in the country. It has had some good games, but most of those were against weaker opponents. The Hokies gave up 48 points to North Carolina, 35 to Pittsburgh, 27 to Cincinnati, 38 to Clemson, and 30 to Miami.
UVa and Tech have played four common opponents this season: Georgia Tech (Hokies won 20-17 in OT, UVa lost 56-20), North Carolina (Tech lost 48-34, Virginia lost 37-13), Duke (Tech won 41-20, 'Hoos lost 42-17), and Miami (Tech lost 30-12, UVa won 41-40). So, only one of those games went in favor of the 'Hoos that didn't go in favor of the Hokies. To me, Virginia has a shot in this game, but it has to play one of its better games of the year, if not its best. Virginia Tech is down, yes, but it always brings it in this game. The Hokies will play one of their best games, if not the best game, of the year. Also, the game is in Lane Stadium. Tech has struggled away from home this season, but has only one loss in Blacksburg, to Florida State 28-22, and the Hokies really should have won that game.
Tech has something to play for -- it wants to beat the snot out of the 'Hoos again (last three games haven't even been close with the Hokies winning 42-13, 37-7, 38-0) and they also need the win to get a to a bowl. It won't be a great bowl like the Hokies are used to, but it will be a bowl and I'm sure they have pride in their bowl streak. Virginia better be ready to play. Not getting embarrassed would be a start for the Cavs. That's really what I'm hoping for. UVa has had eight days to get ready for the game since it played on Thursday last week, so maybe it will surprise me. I just don't see it, though. 117-20 over the last three years doesn't exactly breed confidence in fans. And I doubt it does in players. We will see, though. I think the game will be kind of close for awhile but Virginia will never truly threaten to take a lead.
Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 14 (As an aside I am 6-5 on picking just UVa games on the year so here's to me finishing .500 in my picks and Tech not finishing .500 in the regular season.)
Georgia Tech at No. 3 Georgia, Noon ESPN, "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate"
The Yellow Jackets got a lift when Miami announced this week it is taking itself out of the running for the ACC Coastal Division title and again banning itself from a bowl as it awaits NCAA punishment. This means the Jackets will be in the ACC title game vs. Florida State. They already have six wins and motivation is low for this game. The Bulldogs have a lot more to play for -- a chance at the national title. But they must win out. I like Tech to hang tough in this one, but it won't be able to get it done "Between the Hedges."
Georgia 45, Georgia Tech 28
No. 19 Michigan at Ohio State, Noon ABC, "The Game"
Oh, how the Buckeyes must feel. They are undefeated but ineligible for the national championship or any bowl game this year. And they'd probably be in the national title game since they are one of just two FBS teams remaining that are still undefeated. Some people think Ohio State could have been eligible this year if it had turned down its bowl as a 6-6 team last year. Alas, the Buckeyes will have to settle for trying to beat their rivals, a year after Michigan won this game for the first time since 2003. I think the Buckeyes get back on the winning track in the rivalry.
Ohio State 38, Michigan 31
No. 5 Oregon at No. 15 Oregon State, 3 p.m. Pac-12 Network, "Civil War"
The Ducks fell out of the national title picture with a loss last week to the Cardinal but their is still hope, as long as they beat the Beavers. Oregon State has had a great year, only losing two games by three and four points to Washington and Stanford, respectively. But I like the Ducks in this one. They'll be angry and desperate for a win.
Oregon 34, Oregon State 24
No. 4 Florida at No. 10 Florida State, 3:30 p.m. ABC, "Battle for the Sunshine State"
Very interesting game. The Gators are No. 4 but have struggled a lot recently. Since beat South Carolina 44-11, the Gators have beaten Missouri 14-7, Louisiana-Lafayette 27-20, and Jacksonville State 23-0. But they come from the big, bad SEC and are surely more battle-tested than Florida State, which hails from the ACC, right? On top of that, the Seminoles have not had a good non-conference schedule, playing FCS foes Murray State and Savannah State, and a weak South Florida team. The ACC can take a step forward here with a win over an SEC opponent and I think the Seminoles will because they are playing a little better than the Gators right now and because the game is in Tallahassee.
Florida State 20, Florida 16
No. 21 Oklahoma State at No. 13 Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m. ESPN, "Bedlam"
The Cowboys seem to be in and out of the polls this year and the Sooners have had another ho-hum season, gathering eight wins, but they probably won't win the Big 12, as long as Kansas State beats Texas next week. The Sooners will be looking for some revenge after getting waxed last season by the Cowboys. I think they get it at home.
Oklahoma 35, Oklahoma State 32
No. 8 Stanford at No. 17 UCLA, 6:30 p.m. FOX
I've been very impressed with Stanford. So far, the Cardinal hasn't missed a beat after Jim Harbaugh left to become head coach of the NFL's 49ers. Coach David Shaw has done a great job. It will be interesting to see what happens in a couple years once the program is more removed from Harbaugh, but for now, Shaw gets an exceptional grade. The Cardinal won at Oregon last week in one of the best wins in recent memory for the program. Jim Mora has also done a phenomenal job in his first year with the Bruins. They beat USC last week and have nine wins. This game could actually be a preview of next week's Pac-12 championship, but only if the Cardinal win. UCLA won the South Division, but Stanford needs to win to wrap up the North Division. Otherwise, Oregon can still win the division if it beats Oregon State. I like the Cardinal in this one. The defense will find a way.
Stanford 24, UCLA 17
Mississippi State at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. ESPNU, "Egg Bowl"
The Bulldogs have a great year, winning eight games. They've also had an easy schedule, though, losing only their thre toughest games to Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M. Meanwhile, the Rebels have five wins and need a sixth to get a bowl bid. They've had a tougher schedule than their rivals, having to play Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Texas in addition to the Big Three previously mentioned. Ole Miss has lost three of their fix games this year by a combined 10 points. I like the Rebels at home to get a big win over their rivals and go bowling.
Ole Miss 28, Mississippi State 24
No. 12 South Carolina at No. 11 Clemson, 7 p.m. ESPN, "Battle for the Palmetto State"
Clemson came in riding high to this game last season but was humbled by its SEC counterpart and I expect the same to happen this season, even in Death Valley. The Tigers offense has looked amazing all year but the Gamecocks have held opponents to just 17.5 points per game, 13th in the country. I think South Carolina does enough to win, though it will be a more competitive game than in 2011.
South Carolina 31, Clemson 28
No. 1 Notre Dame at USC, 8 p.m. ABC, "Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh"
The luck of the Irish has been on Notre Dame's side recently and it will be again in this rivalry as Trojans starting quarterback Matt Barkley went down with an injury last week against UCLA. Notre Dame just needs to win to go to the BCS national championship and I doubt that stout defense is going to let a true freshman quarterback, Max Wittek, stand in its way.
Notre Dame 31, USC 17
Virginia at Virginia Tech, Noon ESPNU, "Battle for the Commonwealth Cup"
Well the big day is here but I don't think Virginia fans are very excited. Most are expecting another loss to their hated rivals from Blacksburg, even though Tech has had a sub-par year. But the Hokies always seem to have something to play for, whether it is the division crown like last year or 2007 or this year, when it just to get to a bowl game. And even when they don't they always seem to get more amped up for this game that the 'Hoos. They just have a psychological edge in recent games in the rivalry for some reason. Virginia Tech is trying to stretch a streak of eight wins in the series to nine and by winning, would stretch a bowl appearance streak to 20 straight years. A UVa win would give the Cavaliers the satisfaction of snapping those streaks, plus Virginia would finish ahead of Virginia Tech in the ACC standings, for what would be I would have to guess, the first time ever (Tech entered the conference in 2004). The last UVa win was a 35-21 triumph in 2003. The last time the Wahoos won in Blacksburg was 1998 when they had the best comeback in school history, winning 36-32 after being down 29-7 at the half. The Hokies lead the all-time series 51-37-5.
UVa and Tech have played four common opponents this season: Georgia Tech (Hokies won 20-17 in OT, UVa lost 56-20), North Carolina (Tech lost 48-34, Virginia lost 37-13), Duke (Tech won 41-20, 'Hoos lost 42-17), and Miami (Tech lost 30-12, UVa won 41-40). So, only one of those games went in favor of the 'Hoos that didn't go in favor of the Hokies. To me, Virginia has a shot in this game, but it has to play one of its better games of the year, if not its best. Virginia Tech is down, yes, but it always brings it in this game. The Hokies will play one of their best games, if not the best game, of the year. Also, the game is in Lane Stadium. Tech has struggled away from home this season, but has only one loss in Blacksburg, to Florida State 28-22, and the Hokies really should have won that game.
Tech has something to play for -- it wants to beat the snot out of the 'Hoos again (last three games haven't even been close with the Hokies winning 42-13, 37-7, 38-0) and they also need the win to get a to a bowl. It won't be a great bowl like the Hokies are used to, but it will be a bowl and I'm sure they have pride in their bowl streak. Virginia better be ready to play. Not getting embarrassed would be a start for the Cavs. That's really what I'm hoping for. UVa has had eight days to get ready for the game since it played on Thursday last week, so maybe it will surprise me. I just don't see it, though. 117-20 over the last three years doesn't exactly breed confidence in fans. And I doubt it does in players. We will see, though. I think the game will be kind of close for awhile but Virginia will never truly threaten to take a lead.
Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 14 (As an aside I am 6-5 on picking just UVa games on the year so here's to me finishing .500 in my picks and Tech not finishing .500 in the regular season.)
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