CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY
Today brings us 4 conference championship games & another contest, Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, that will determine the Big-East Champion. Here's the way I see these games;
Houston(-2 1/2) at East Carolina in Conference USA Championship
This could be a shootout, both teams capable of scoring a lot of points & scoring them in a hurry, the posted total of 68 1/2 points to that possibility. Both coaches, Houston's Kevin Sumlin & ECU's Skip Holtz, are in the discussion regarding the vacancy at Kansas. Houston has won 5 times for me this season & beaten me once by 1/2 point. This should be a very close game & I can't see an edge on either side with the posted line. This 11AM telecast on ESPN is worth watching for Houston's QB Case Keenum & their WR/KR Tyron Carrier, both explosive, impact players. Keenum leads the nation in passing yards by nearly a thousand yards, yes, a thousand yards. Fun team to watch. Rain could affect the game. & with the distraction of both coaches being considered for other jobs, I'll take a pass on this game.
Florida(-5 1/2) vs. Alabama in SEC Championship
Rematch of last season's title game, won by the Gators 31-20. The Gators lost DE Carlos Dunlap, last year's MVP of the BCS Championship Game, with a DUI this past Monday. What a selfish, stupid act. I still think Florida will win & cover, the reason is the hip injury to 'Bama RB Mark Ingram, How long & how strong Ingram can go will determine the Tide's chances. The one guy who could swing this game in 'Bama's favor is CB/PR Javier Arenas, who could break this game open with a big return or a pick six. Look for a lower scoring game today, one I can't play. 3PM CT CBS
Georgia Tech(-1) vs. Clemson in ACC Championship
Rematch of week 2 game won by Tech, 30-27. Tech runs the triple option with QB Josh Nesbitt, the triggerman. RB Jonathan Dwyer is also a monster in this very difficult to defense scheme. Clemson counters with their own game breakers, RB/KR C.J. Spilller & WR Jacoby Ford. Spiller set the NCAA record with 7 kickoff return touchdowns. I like Tech in the rematch because of one reason, every time I've played Clemson in a big game, they've laid an egg. This qualifies as a big game in my book. 7PM CT ESPN
Texas(-14) vs. Nebraska
The biggest spread of all the title games & for good reason. The Huskers don't have enough offense to keep up with the Longhorns if they get cranked up. The only chance I see Nebraska having is jamming every receiver for Texas & hope their front four can get to Texas QB Colt McCoy. Husker DT's, Jared Crick & Ndamakong Suh, are the best pair in the country, Suh could very well finish in the top-5 for the Heisman Trophy. The interior of the Longhorn O-line is formidable as well, 2 All-Big-12 performers, so they might be up to the task of slowing down this pair for Big Red. The Longhorns scored 11 non-offensive touchdowns, something that will kill Nebraska's chances in this game. I expect the Cornhuskers to stay close for a while, but their QB, Zac Lee, is no match for the Texas defense. I expect him to turn the ball over at least twice, which may be all the 'Horns need to win & cover this game. 7PM CT ABC
Cincinnati(-2) at Pittsburgh
This game will determine the Big-East's BCS bowl bid. The winner will get the Sugar or Orange Bowl, a huge prize. Cincinnati is working towards an undefeated season & they have a monster offense led by QB Tony Pike & WR/KR Mardy Gilyard. Backup QB Zach Collaros filled in for Pike when he missed 3 1/2 games at mid-season. Had Pike not been injured, he would be a top-3 Heisman contender in my opinion. Cincy's O-line does a great job of protecting their QB, only surrendering 6 sacks in 11 games. Pittsburgh counters with a great pass rush & freshman sensation, RB Dion Lewis. The weather forecast isn't good for a throwing team, snow, heavy at times. Cincy coach Brian Kelly has been rumored as the successor at Notre Dame too, is that a distraction? I like Cincinnati here, but only for a small play. 11AM CT ABC
Houston(-2 1/2) at East Carolina in Conference USA Championship
This could be a shootout, both teams capable of scoring a lot of points & scoring them in a hurry, the posted total of 68 1/2 points to that possibility. Both coaches, Houston's Kevin Sumlin & ECU's Skip Holtz, are in the discussion regarding the vacancy at Kansas. Houston has won 5 times for me this season & beaten me once by 1/2 point. This should be a very close game & I can't see an edge on either side with the posted line. This 11AM telecast on ESPN is worth watching for Houston's QB Case Keenum & their WR/KR Tyron Carrier, both explosive, impact players. Keenum leads the nation in passing yards by nearly a thousand yards, yes, a thousand yards. Fun team to watch. Rain could affect the game. & with the distraction of both coaches being considered for other jobs, I'll take a pass on this game.
Florida(-5 1/2) vs. Alabama in SEC Championship
Rematch of last season's title game, won by the Gators 31-20. The Gators lost DE Carlos Dunlap, last year's MVP of the BCS Championship Game, with a DUI this past Monday. What a selfish, stupid act. I still think Florida will win & cover, the reason is the hip injury to 'Bama RB Mark Ingram, How long & how strong Ingram can go will determine the Tide's chances. The one guy who could swing this game in 'Bama's favor is CB/PR Javier Arenas, who could break this game open with a big return or a pick six. Look for a lower scoring game today, one I can't play. 3PM CT CBS
Georgia Tech(-1) vs. Clemson in ACC Championship
Rematch of week 2 game won by Tech, 30-27. Tech runs the triple option with QB Josh Nesbitt, the triggerman. RB Jonathan Dwyer is also a monster in this very difficult to defense scheme. Clemson counters with their own game breakers, RB/KR C.J. Spilller & WR Jacoby Ford. Spiller set the NCAA record with 7 kickoff return touchdowns. I like Tech in the rematch because of one reason, every time I've played Clemson in a big game, they've laid an egg. This qualifies as a big game in my book. 7PM CT ESPN
Texas(-14) vs. Nebraska
The biggest spread of all the title games & for good reason. The Huskers don't have enough offense to keep up with the Longhorns if they get cranked up. The only chance I see Nebraska having is jamming every receiver for Texas & hope their front four can get to Texas QB Colt McCoy. Husker DT's, Jared Crick & Ndamakong Suh, are the best pair in the country, Suh could very well finish in the top-5 for the Heisman Trophy. The interior of the Longhorn O-line is formidable as well, 2 All-Big-12 performers, so they might be up to the task of slowing down this pair for Big Red. The Longhorns scored 11 non-offensive touchdowns, something that will kill Nebraska's chances in this game. I expect the Cornhuskers to stay close for a while, but their QB, Zac Lee, is no match for the Texas defense. I expect him to turn the ball over at least twice, which may be all the 'Horns need to win & cover this game. 7PM CT ABC
Cincinnati(-2) at Pittsburgh
This game will determine the Big-East's BCS bowl bid. The winner will get the Sugar or Orange Bowl, a huge prize. Cincinnati is working towards an undefeated season & they have a monster offense led by QB Tony Pike & WR/KR Mardy Gilyard. Backup QB Zach Collaros filled in for Pike when he missed 3 1/2 games at mid-season. Had Pike not been injured, he would be a top-3 Heisman contender in my opinion. Cincy's O-line does a great job of protecting their QB, only surrendering 6 sacks in 11 games. Pittsburgh counters with a great pass rush & freshman sensation, RB Dion Lewis. The weather forecast isn't good for a throwing team, snow, heavy at times. Cincy coach Brian Kelly has been rumored as the successor at Notre Dame too, is that a distraction? I like Cincinnati here, but only for a small play. 11AM CT ABC
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