It's down to this- the last week of regular season College Football,
and the stakes are high. This week has been nicknamed "Rival Week",
and there's a good reason for it! Some of the NCAA's biggest
rivalries are being continued this week- and they all have a pretty big impact
on the BCS landscape.
#1 Notre Dame vs. USC
This rivalry has been around since 1926, and these perennial
football powers always put on a show. With 22 titles and
14 Heisman trophies between the two of them, this match up has always
been important- but even more this year! This year USC came in as the #1 and
Notre Dame was unranked- and now it’s been reversed, as the Fighting Irish had
some luck last week. They won, but there outlook looked bleak because they were
ranked #3, behind two teams that looked invincible. However, when Oregon and Kansas
State were both shocked- South Bend came alive as they are ranked #1 for the
first time since 1988.They come into this game as the only undefeated bowl
eligible team-while there longtime rival USC is 7-4. USC hasn't met
expectations this year- under performing against teams like UCLA and Arizona.
Last week they were beat by UCLA- an unranked team. Also during there 38-28
loss, they lost there star senior quarterback Matt Barkley- a loss that will
greatly affect there chances against Notre Dame.. I think that without Barkley,
USC coach Lane Kiffin is going to have to alter his game plan a lot, as they will
be starting red shirt freshman Matt Wittek. He‘s 19 years old, and has talent-
Kiffin has even said that he has more arm strength and speed than Barkley. That doesn't mean he’s the next big thing, though- he’s inconsistent and you can
tell that he’s young based on the way he plays. For me, the key for USC to win
is to get there run game going and take some of the pressure off Wittek- but
Manti Te’o and the Fighting Irish will keep that from happening. Notre Dame is
hard to score on- there first in the nation because they only give up 10 points
a game- and that’s even though they've played teams like Oklahoma, Michigan,
Michigan State and Stanford. I think that there killer defense will force
Wittek into problems early, Kiffin won’t be able to get his run game going, and
Manti Te’o and Notre Dame will be off towards the BCS Championship with a win. Notre Dame 30, USC 21
#2 Alabama vs.
Auburn
The Iron Bowl is one of the best and most hard fought rivalries in
all of sports. Started in 1893, there have been over 75 games between the two
biggest universities in Alabama. The last three years, the winner of this game
has gone and won the BCS Championship- Alabama twice and Auburn once. For the
fifth straight year, the Iron Bowl features a team in the national title hunt-
the 10-1 Crimson Tide, who control there own fate now. A victory over the 3-8
Tigers would put the Tide in the SEC Championship game against the team right
behind them in the rankings- #3 Georgia. That game would be one of the most
exciting of the year because it would basically be a semi-final, with the winner
inevitably going to the title game. Ever since Alabama fell to Texas A&M and
Johnny Manziel, they have been crossing there fingers for something big to
happen. There wishes came true, as the top two teams fell, leading to a
midnight celebration in Tuscaloosa, as they flew up to #2 in the rankings. Now,
they’re on the verge of getting to the top for the third time in four years-
and there opposition looks easy. Auburn head coach Gene Chizik, the mastermind
who in 2010 led them to a BCS Championship is on the verge of being fired- his
Tigers are winless in SEC play, and only have 3 wins this year. However,
Alabama is not going to be caught off guard, as Nick Saban was talking to the
press about the fact that this is a rivalry game, and all previous games get
thrown out the window. I don’t think he should be worrying about much- with a
top ranked defense and a offense that’s scoring 36 points a game will lead
Alabama to a easy win- remember, there’s no holding back in rivalry games! Alabama 45, Auburn 10
#13 Oklahoma vs.
#21 Oklahoma State
The Bedlam Game- the inter-state rivalry between Oklahoma and
Oklahoma State, a rivalry game that dates back all the way to 1904! Oklahoma
leads the 108-year old rivalry game with 82 wins to Oklahoma States 17. The
Bedlam is continued after last years crazy game, when Oklahoma collapsed and
was rolled over by Oklahoma State, 44-10. Now, with both of them in the top 25
again and looking for bowl games, this match up should be interesting. An
outright Big 12 title is in play for Oklahoma after Kansas State fell last week,
and even Oklahoma State could earn a share of the title. This game is going to
be very intriguing with the changes that both teams have been making. First of
all, Oklahoma State is borrowing a page out of the Sooners playbook- they
unveiled a new game plan- a short-yardage scheme with an alternate quarterback.
This will make the game interesting, as neither of these teams can play defense
well- and the Cowboys offense has a new attack which will turn this game into a
shootout. I think that even though the Cowboys changed there dynamic and it’s a
good plan, Oklahoma has more experience at the short-yardage scheme and last
week’s Capital One Impact Player of the Week Landry Jones will lift the Sooners
to avenge there meltdown last year. Oklahoma 41, Oklahoma State 36
#4 Florida vs.
#10 Florida State
This rivalry was ignited in 1958, and it has been going
on ever since between the two oldest public universities in the Sunshine State.
The game was dominated by powerhouse Florida, who won the first 19 games- but
in the last 40 years, it has evened out, with both teams winning 20 games. This
year is the first year since 2000 that both teams are in the top 10, and it
makes the game very interesting. The Gators, sitting at #4 in the rankings –
suddenly have a shot at the title game after winning 3 straight since there
loss to Georgia. It won’t make a difference if they can’t find a way to beat
the tough #10 Seminoles. The Gators have a chance at getting to the game, they
just need to win and put there fate in the opponents of Notre Dame, Alabama and
Georgia. However, it will be tough with the Gators struggling offense (only
scoring 18 points per game recently) against the Seminoles #1 ranked defense. The
Seminoles defense is led by defensive ends Bjoern Warner and Cornellius
Carradine, who've combined for 20 sacks. The imposing forces the Seminoles have
allow only 236.6 yards a game, tops in the nation, and rank fifth in scoring
defense. Florida also has a top defense, ranked third in scoring defense- but
they have a tough test in Seminoles quarterback EJ Manuel. He has thrown for
2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns this year, and is a multi-purpose threat. I think
that Manuel will help push Florida State over the top- as there defense will
shut down Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel and kill the Gators title game
hopes. Florida State 28, Florida 21
#5 Oregon vs. #15
Oregon State
The historic Civil War-a game, ranked seventh on the list of most
played rivalry games in college football, first originated in 1894.Since the
start of the series, Oregon has 59 victories to Oregon States 46 and they've
tied 10 times. The last four games have gone to the Ducks high flying offense
that took them to two Rose Bowls and a BCS Championship game. This year, the
Ducks have just fallen back to earth after being upset by Stanford last week in
overtime. They were #1 and just had to win two more games to make it to the BCS
championship- and they were shocked by a field goal. Now, they stagger in to
face an 8-2 Beavers team who still has a lot to play for. If the Beavers win,
they can probably earn an at-large bid in a BCS Bowl Game. Oregon, also have a
lot to play for- they still have a outside chance at getting to the BCS
Championship- with a whole lot of help from other teams. With an offense ranked
#1 in the country, averaging an incredible 54 points a game, last week was a fluke.
After spending only 6 days as the #1 team, Oregon is going for more than
bragging rights in the 2012 edition of the Civil War. If they can win, they
need some things to fall in there favor. A USC win would be helpful, but what
they really need is for Florida, Georgia and Alabama to all lose- and then they
would be set to play in there second championship in two years. Oregon State,
on the other side, is coming off a big win against California. They gained 559
yards to win 62-14. This year, the civil war is one of the most exciting
rivalry games because both teams are talented and good. I think that Oregon has
the edge, and there high-flying offense is so effective and devastating that
the Beavers are going to be pushed up and down the field. The Beavers have a
decent offense, led by quarterback Sean Mannion- but I think the Ducks are just
too good for the Beavers. Oregon 40,
Oregon State 28
#19 Michigan vs.
Ohio State
The Game is always a big deal- it dates back to 1935 and ESPN even
rated it as the greatest North American sports rivalry, but this year the
stakes are as high as 2006. In 2006, they were ranked 1-2 and carried 11-0
records, which Ohio State came out on top, 42-39, on there way to a place in
the BCS championship.. This year, the Buckeyes are trying to finish off a 12-0
season, while Michigan frantically needs a win in hopes of catching Nebraska
and keeping there BCS at-large hopes alive. The Buckeye’s have been completely
turned around by Urban Meyer. Head Coach Urban Meyer makes his first appearance
in this intense rivalry, but he knows fierce competition, coming from the
Florida-FSU rivalry he coached in. His team, 11-0 coming into this game, has
ridden the incredible talent of multi-purpose quarterback Braxton Miller.
Miller is one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch in college football- he's
efficient, fast, strong, accurate and can flat out play. He has thrown for 1850
yards and also leads the team in rushing with 1200 yards on the ground this
season. He's also thrown 14 touchdowns and ran for 13- a total of 26 touchdowns
in 11 games. On the other side of things, Michigan comes in with a dilemma. The
past three games, junior Devin Gardner has been starting in place of hurt
senior Denard Robinson. He’s flourished as a starter, throwing for 834 yards
and 7 touchdowns while adding 105 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Michigan
head coach Brady Hoke in a press conference said with a straight face that when
asked if Robinson would start, he said he didn't know. I think that Hoke isn't saying anything because he might be trying to keep there possible game plan
with lining up Robinson as a back or receiver a secret until The Game rolls
around. The Buckeyes Meyer said in a statement that they were playing
conservative against Wisconsin and that they were going to let it out against Michigan
in The Game- and with Braxton Miller as the quarterback that could be big. In
my opinion, both of these teams are very talented but I think that Ohio State
is better because of Millers talent and Meyer’s skill. I think that Ohio State
will win; finishes undefeated and look forward to next year when they are just
as talented and still bowl eligible. Ohio
State 34, Michigan 24
#24 Arizona vs. Arizona State
The Territorial Cup. The Duel in the Desert. Whatever you want to
call it, this match up between Arizona and Arizona State is one of the oldest
rivalry games in NCAA football, and is even recognized by the NCAA as an official
trophy. Started in 1899, Arizona leads the overall series 47-37-1. This
year, there’s not much at stake other than bragging rights because of where the
teams are. Both teams, led by new coaches (Todd Graham and Rich Rodriguez), are
already in the playoffs and neither of them have a shot at the Pac-12 title.
Both teams have strengths and weaknesses, making this game very close. Arizona’s
trump card is Ka’Deem Carey, the nations leading rusher- who has been an
unstoppable force coming from the backfield and should be a mismatch issue for
the Sun Devils. However, ASU also has a way to slow down Carey- one of the best
defensive lineman in the country, Will Sutton. Head coach Todd Graham has confidence
in his defense after holding Washington State to 1 rushing yard, but he says he’s
definitely going to be a tough match up and they've been preparing for him. I
think Graham and Arizona State are decent, but I think with the way Careys been
playing, he will be hard to stop and will lead Arizona to a close victory over
the Sun Devils. Arizona 38, Arizona State
35
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