Well everyone is obviously going to be tuned in to Michigan Ohio State this weekend and I will break that game down all by its lonesome, but this weekend also consists of a few classic rivalry matchups as well as some very important games in settling Conference Title Races.
5. Maryland Terrapins vs. Boston College at Chestnut Hill
This is BC's last hurrah chance for the ACC title game. If they lose this they kiss it goodbye with losses to the Terps and Demon Decons, if they can win this matchup then they can focus their attention later in the evening and cheer for VaTech. With that being said the Terps have been on a good roll since their beatdown at the hands of WVU. Their QB Hollenbach has played very well especially in the comeback drive against Clemson. The Pick: BC at home by a few points, I expect Matt Ryan to eliminate the mistakes that cost BC a victory in Winston-Salem.
4. Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem
Is the ACC really down this year? Everyone says yes, but I think its simply because the typical powerhouses are struggling. Wake Forest has been overlooked all season long despite some solid wins. In fact the ACC does have 6 ranked teams, so if they are that bad then why is every voter continuing to throw their conference into the rankings. By the way 6 = half of the teams in the ACC. Well Wake Forest continues their 5 game test this week at home versus the Hokies who have actually been pretty consistent this season. Constistently bad on offense. Glennon can't read blitz packages, and neither can his O-line and if I was Wake I would bring tons of pressure and force VaTech's inevitable mistakes. The Pick: Wake Forest by 10, like my buddy Joe big time Hokie fan/alumn I have Zero faith in Glennon.
3. The Backyard Brawl: West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers in Ketchup Stadium
West Virginia still has an outside chance of the national title game, but they do control their destiny to get back to the BCS. Pittsburgh on the other hand sure looked like they would have had a bowl game locked up by now but instead they lose to Connecticut on a ballsy converted 2-point conversion in overtime, and now they sit at 6-4 with only WVU and Louisville on their schedule so if they don't want to finish the season without a bowl trip and 5 straight losses they better get their asses in gear tonight. The Pick: Ya that isn't going to happen WVU is going to roll Pitt. And then we can make fun of Mark May.
2. The Iron Bowl: Auburn Tigers vs. Alabam Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa
The Iron Bowl lacks national luster this year with the poor play by both clubs in SEC play. While expectation of Alabama were not high a loss to Miss St. certainly wasn't expected. For Auburn on the other hand their were title hopes which were smashed by poor performances at home. Neither have much to play for other than bragging rights during this game, but I would expect Cox to bounce back from his miserable performance against Georgia. The Pick: Auburn takes the Iron Bowl by a handful of points.
1. California Golden Bears vs. Southern California Trojans in LA
Obviously the most important other game of the weekend. The Trojans rolled through Oregon but was that really a surprise to anyone? Now the Bears who were probably on that win streak cause they played a bunch of bottom feeders stroll into town after losing to the wrong Stoops brother. Cal controls their destiny to the Rose bowl and USC really controls their destiny to the title game. This game is pretty big. The Bears have Desean Jackson and Marshawn Lynch and that gives them a shot to run and gun with the Torjans. The Pick: I picked the Trojans to play in the championship game and I'm going to stick with them.
5. Maryland Terrapins vs. Boston College at Chestnut Hill
This is BC's last hurrah chance for the ACC title game. If they lose this they kiss it goodbye with losses to the Terps and Demon Decons, if they can win this matchup then they can focus their attention later in the evening and cheer for VaTech. With that being said the Terps have been on a good roll since their beatdown at the hands of WVU. Their QB Hollenbach has played very well especially in the comeback drive against Clemson. The Pick: BC at home by a few points, I expect Matt Ryan to eliminate the mistakes that cost BC a victory in Winston-Salem.
4. Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem
Is the ACC really down this year? Everyone says yes, but I think its simply because the typical powerhouses are struggling. Wake Forest has been overlooked all season long despite some solid wins. In fact the ACC does have 6 ranked teams, so if they are that bad then why is every voter continuing to throw their conference into the rankings. By the way 6 = half of the teams in the ACC. Well Wake Forest continues their 5 game test this week at home versus the Hokies who have actually been pretty consistent this season. Constistently bad on offense. Glennon can't read blitz packages, and neither can his O-line and if I was Wake I would bring tons of pressure and force VaTech's inevitable mistakes. The Pick: Wake Forest by 10, like my buddy Joe big time Hokie fan/alumn I have Zero faith in Glennon.
3. The Backyard Brawl: West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers in Ketchup Stadium
West Virginia still has an outside chance of the national title game, but they do control their destiny to get back to the BCS. Pittsburgh on the other hand sure looked like they would have had a bowl game locked up by now but instead they lose to Connecticut on a ballsy converted 2-point conversion in overtime, and now they sit at 6-4 with only WVU and Louisville on their schedule so if they don't want to finish the season without a bowl trip and 5 straight losses they better get their asses in gear tonight. The Pick: Ya that isn't going to happen WVU is going to roll Pitt. And then we can make fun of Mark May.
2. The Iron Bowl: Auburn Tigers vs. Alabam Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa
The Iron Bowl lacks national luster this year with the poor play by both clubs in SEC play. While expectation of Alabama were not high a loss to Miss St. certainly wasn't expected. For Auburn on the other hand their were title hopes which were smashed by poor performances at home. Neither have much to play for other than bragging rights during this game, but I would expect Cox to bounce back from his miserable performance against Georgia. The Pick: Auburn takes the Iron Bowl by a handful of points.
1. California Golden Bears vs. Southern California Trojans in LA
Obviously the most important other game of the weekend. The Trojans rolled through Oregon but was that really a surprise to anyone? Now the Bears who were probably on that win streak cause they played a bunch of bottom feeders stroll into town after losing to the wrong Stoops brother. Cal controls their destiny to the Rose bowl and USC really controls their destiny to the title game. This game is pretty big. The Bears have Desean Jackson and Marshawn Lynch and that gives them a shot to run and gun with the Torjans. The Pick: I picked the Trojans to play in the championship game and I'm going to stick with them.
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