Conference Championships

Conference Championship Week

    Bowl Season is on deck, but we have to get through Conference Championship Week first. If we have learned anything in the month of November, it was that ANYTHING can happen. Nothing is guaranteed.... The BCS stage is not set just yet.... In fact there is a real chance for another shake up in the BCS. Here is what we are looking at this weekend....

 

 

 

    Oklahoma at Oklahoma State

This is an interesting game. An Oklahoma State loss would shake things up in the BIG12 quite a bit. There are three teams with a conference record of 7-1, Oklahoma State, Baylor, and Texas. The Sooners have nothing to lose, and they could play spoiler to Oklahoma State. The Cowboys, however, control their own destiny. A win would put them at the top of the BIG12 and give them an outside shot at the BCS Title..... Yes, there are scenarios that have Oklahoma State in the mix...... Anyways....

My Pick: Oklahoma State.

 

 

 

 

 

     Texas at Baylor

Mac Brown has turned the season around..... Or at least salvaged the season, thus far. Texas still has a shot at the BIG12 Title. An Oklahoma State loss, and a win over Baylor would make this season one of the most bizarre seasons for Texas. Baylor, on the other hand, started out on fire, but have struggled recently. So much is at stake in this game..... Of course, most of that depends on Oklahoma State. A Cowboy loss opens the door for both of these teams. Baylor has struggled against bigger teams, and I think that trend continues this Saturday.

My Pick: Texas

 

    Speaking of Texas, what about all the rumors of Saban heading to Texas? Hmmmmm, an Alabama loss last week sure makes you wonder.... McCarron is headed to the NFL..... Does Nick want to start over with new QB at BAMA? He has admitted it, and so has his wife for that matter..... BAMA fans are spoiled. And believe me.... Coaches can't stand spoiled fans, bandwagon fans, etc.... And there have been a few of those over the last five years across the SEC footprint. Maybe it's time Nick Saban goes for that third National Title at a different school. He has one with LSU, he has multiple from Alabama, and now he may have a chance to immortalize his impact on college football by winning a Title at THREE DIFFERENT programs. Yeah, I don't care how many times Saban denies the rumors.... I won't believe he is returning to Alabama until I see him on Alabama's sidelines the first week of the 2014 season. Okay, back to the football games.....

 

    Missouri vs Auburn

Anybody see this matchup coming? I mean really, don't lie. This game has BCS implications. An Ohio State loss would put the winner of this game in the BCS Title game.  I want to know what the SEC homers think of Missouri. A team that hasn't even been in the conference long enough for it to impact recruiting, is playing for the conference championship in what is said to be the best conference in all of college football. A team that came from the weak, no defense, BIG 12...... They have a chance to be crowned the best team out of the SEC. Let me try to make this NOT all about Missouri, even though I think that's a big storyline here..... Auburn is playing with the mentality that if they dominate Missouri, they might have a chance at jumping Ohio State and playing for the BCS Title. This will be a fun game to watch. Both teams will have a lot of fight in them. But I think one team has a little more in them than the other..... And that team is Missouri.

 My Pick: Missouri

 

    Stanford at Arizona State

Nope, no Oregon in the PAC12 Championship. So many fans were ready to put Oregon in this game, and guess what? November happened. Stanford has the power run game to win this game. The question for Stanford will be on the defensive side of the ball. Arizona State has shown they can play tough on offense. At the end of the day, however, I really like what Stanford is going to bring in this game. They have their focus back, and they know they can erase their disappointment from earlier in the season with a PAC12 Title. My Pick: Stanford

 

 

     Duke vs Florida State

Yep, we have all heard about Duke by now. They are 10-2 and are playing in the ACC Championship for the first time in school history. David Cutcliffe was named Coach of the Year, AGAIN. It's been a nice ride for Duke this season. Exciting games, close finishes, and TEN WINS. Ahhhh, it was a nice run, no doubt. Well, now they are playing Florida State. A team that they are 0-18 against all time. A team that destroys their opponents. A team that is ranked #1 in the country. The spread in this game is a little ridiculous..... 28 points was the last I saw. Florida State should cover that and may even double that. The Noles are more focused than ever before, and that is a very scary fact. With the news of Jameis Winston being in the clear, I find it hard to believe that they won't come out and play even harder. Let's be clear about this.... Their locker room has known about this incident since spring (and maybe longer). They have been playing lights out even when the dark cloud was over the program. And now you have a team that has refocused and has rallied around Winston. Sorry Duke, but Florida State won't play nice on Saturday.

My Pick: Florida State, I've picked them all season long, why stop now?

 

 Ohio State vs Michigan State

Ahhhh yes, the BIG10 Championship. A bad season for the conference as a whole, but Ohio State seems to be ready to play for the BCS Title. But if I could use the words of Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend."  Michigan State is going to be a big time test for the Buckeyes (mainly because Ohio State still hasn't played anybody). The Spartans have a very good defense. This game has all the ingredients for an upset. One team has everything to lose, and the other has something to prove. This should be a close game down to the wire, but I have to pick one..... And based what I saw last week, I just don't think Ohio State will be able to handle a tougher team in Michigan State. My Pick: Michigan State.

 

    So there you have it SEC fans. I think you will see a one loss team in the BCS Title game.... It may be just a question of who from the SEC gets there.

 

   Enjoy the games this weekend. Even if you aren't a fan of some of the teams playing, watch the games anyway.... The 2013 season is almost over.... So really...... take the time and sit back and watch as much college football as you can..... Sure, Bowl season is still ahead, but this is the final week of the BCS, and so much is riding on these games.... Enjoy it. 

 

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