When I look at this season's three Heisman Trophy candidates I have trouble picking out a front runner. I know that all the big networks are expecting the first-ever freshman in Johnny Manziel to win it. I can see that but I am still going to break each of the three finalists down and tell you our picks to win it.
Johnny Manziel, Freshman, Quarterback, Texas A&M:
Let's take a look at what could be the first freshman to win the most sought after award in college football. There is no doubt that Manziel has had a spectacular redshirt-freshman season and deserves all the attention he has received. For a freshman to finish the season with a 155.9 quarterback rating is unreal. That qb rating ranked him 17th in the country behind some excellent quarterbacks and was just one place behind the other quarterback finalist Kansas State's Collin Kline. As far a passing yards he was just 81 yards from a 3,500 yard season with 3,419 on the season which was No. 16 in the country. Manziel also threw for 24 touchdowns and just eight interceptions which is a 3-1 ratio, not bad for a freshman. He also completed 68.3 percent of his passes in 2012. Although his passing numbers were outstanding his rushing numbers are what have really put him at the top of this race. He ran for 1,181 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. He averaged an astonishing 6.4 yards per carry which is better than eight of the top 10 rushers in the country this season. With a total of 4,600 offensive yards during the season he set the SEC total offense record. His unreal numbers helped his team to top-15 marks in both passing yards (No. 14, 317.3 ypg) and rushing yards (no. 13, 235.1 ypg). With his 43 total touchdowns he accounted for 258 points this season which was the second-most in the country averaging just over three touchdowns per contest at 21.5 points per game. He also helped his team to the No. 3 scoring offense in the country averaging 44.8 points per game.
Manziel's individual numbers were pretty remarkable, but his effort turning this Aggie team from a 7-6 squad in 2011 to a 10-2 squad in 2012 is another impressive stat about this freshman signal caller. Manziel and the Aggies biggest win of the season came against then No. 1 Alabama in Bryant-Denny. Manziel led his Aggies into one of the toughest places to play in the country and knocked off the undefeated Tide which was cruising its way to its second-consecutive National Championship game. Manziel put a Heisman worthy performance throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-31 passing. He also ran for 92 yards on 18 carries. The Alabama win was huge for his Heisman campaign, but that was the Aggies only major win. Their only other top-25 victory came against Louisiana Tech, 59-57. Louisiana Tech was a pretty solid team this season, but had absolutely no defense and the Aggies won a thriller and Manziel went off. He threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. What was most impressive about his performance is he ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, including a 72 scamper for a touchdown. The Aggies only two losses this season came at the hands of two teams that ended up in the BCS top 10 by a combined eight points. They lost an early season heartbreaker to then No. 24 Florida 20-17 and lost another home game against then No. 6 LSU 24-19. In my book those two losses are excusable, however, I still think when handing out the most prestigious award in college football the players team record also needs to play a factor. No doubt the Aggies had one of the best seasons in the SEC, but the next two finalists led their teams to better records.
Prior to Saturday's Heisman selection Manziel won the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback award.
Manti Te'o, Senior, Linebacker, Notre Dame:
Te'o will leave Notre Dame as one of the most decorated players in its history and that is saying something. If Te'o wins the Heisman Trophy on Saturday he will be the most decorated in NCAA history. There is no doubt that he deserves the award. Te'o is a the key contributor on arguably the best defense in the country for the Irish. I have no problem saying without their defense playing at such a high level the Irish would not have made their way to the National Championship. Te'o led the Irish defense in total tackles with 103 including 52 unassisted. His 100-tackle performance in 2012 is his third-consecutive season with 100 or more tackles. He also recorded 1.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. His most impressive stat for a linebacker is his seven interceptions which tied for No. 2 in the country this season. It is very rare to see such a great tackling linebacker able to cover so well and be in the right place to make picks like that. Te'o had an exceptional individual season, but he helped the Irish defense to a top 25 ranking in seven separate categories. The Notre Dame defense's most impressive stats were the No. 1 scoring defense that allowed just 10.33 points per game followed by its No. 3 ranked redzone defense that allowed just 95 redzone points. The Irish allowed just two redzone rushing touchdowns and six passing touchdowns. The two redzone rushing touchdowns was the best mark in the country this season. It helps when you have a tank like Te'o clogging the middle stopping opposing rushers from crossing the goal line.The Irish scoring defense is really what has helped them make the National Championship but it also helps having the No. 6 total defense in the country allowing 286.83 yards per game, along with the No. 4 rushing defense (92.42 ypg) and the No. 21 pass defense (194.40).
Te'o like Manziel helped lead the resurgence of his team to national prominence. He helped an 8-5 Irish team in 2011 to a undefeated 12-0 record in 2012. He helped lead the Irish to their first-ever BCS National Title appearance and a chance at their first National Championship since 1988. The Irish are looking for their 10th undefeated season in school history and their first BCS National Championship. There is no doubt this team has had some scares along the way but has beat some tough teams and has done it with defense. The Irish beat five teams ranked in the top 25 at the beginning of the season. Notre Dame had two huge wins against teams that finished in the top 12 of the final BCS rankings. The biggest of which came in an overtime thriller against then No. 17 Stanford, when Te'o recorded 11 tackles. His biggest play of the season came in Norman against Oklahoma when he intercepted a Landry Jones pass in the fourth quarter that helped open the door for a 20 point Irish quarter to win 30-13. The Irish also defeated No. 10 Michigan State, No. 18 Michigan and won their final game of the season at preseason No. 1 USC, 22-13 (that was a joke, but that is for another time). No doubt Te'o was the leader on and off the field for the undefeated Irish and if this team wins the National Championship it will be because he makes some big plays in the title game. As I said above, when the Heisman race is so close with no real frontrunner I think you have to look at the players team's record. Te'o unlike Manziel and Kline led his team to an undefeated season and did it from the defensive side of the ball.
Prior to the Heisman selection on Saturday Te'o cleaned up the postseason awards and is looking to become the most decorated player in NCAA history. He won the Maxwell, Walter Camp, Vince Lombardi/Rotary, Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski and Dick Butkus awards. If he wins the Heisman on Saturday there is no doubt he will be the most decorated player in NCAA history and even Notre Dame history, which is one hell of a feat.
Collin Klein, Senior, Quarterback, Kansas State:
Another player that has really led his team back to the promise land. This team looked like it was going to meet the Irish in the National Championship game until a very inexplicable loss to Baylor. That being said, Collin Kline proved himself as one of the best players in the game this season. Kline finished the season with a better quarterback rating than Manziel of 156.1. He threw for less yards, tossing for 2,490 while completing 66.2 percent of his passes. He threw 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions for just over a 2-1 ratio. Not quite as good as Manziel, but his team did not only rely on him like Manziel's did. Klein had a great season on the ground accounting for 890 yards and 22 touchdowns and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Klein put up 3,380 total yards this season and accounted for 37 touchdowns. He was No. 11 in the country in points responsible for with 222 total averaging 18.50 per game. Klein may not have had the amazing individual numbers Manziel had, but like I said before Klein had other players on his team Manziel was the only thing Texas A&M had. Klein led the Wildcat offense to the No. 10 scoring offense in the country averaging 40.7 points per game. K-State also had the No. 33 ranked rushing attack in the game averaging nearly 200 yards per contest at 198.3 ypg. The Wildcats redzone offense was very stout finishing 26th in the country scoring on 87 percent (59-of-68) of their redzone trips.
Klein was the reason this team was able to put up a 11-1 record and win the Big 12 this season. This team had some huge wins with just one bad loss, which is why it is not playing in the National Title against the Irish. Klein led the Wildcats to their biggest victory of the season against No. 6 Oklahoma in Norman. The 24-19 victory was Klein's least effective game against a top-25 school but he still threw for 149 yards and rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown. I understand those numbers are not spectacular, but it was his fourth quarter touchdown rush that put the Wildcats ahead for good. The Cats took down Kansas and Iowa State, before traveling to Morgantown for what then was a major matchup against No. 13 West Virginia. Klein and the Wildcats had their official coming out party on the (overrated) Mountaineers. No matter it being overrated for not, WVU did not even show up for this game and allowed Klein to go off accounting for 364 total yards and seven touchdowns. He passed for three touchdowns and 323 yards as well as rushing for 41 yards and four touchdowns. I know the WVU defense was horrible this season, but still to give up seven touchdowns to one player is pretty bad. The following week Klein and the Wildcats returned home to take on No. 14 Texas Tech and put up 55 points for the second-straight week. Klein passed for 233 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 83 yards and another two touchdowns. It was at this point he was all by himself at the top of the Heisman rankings. Playing their third-consecutive top-25 team in Oklahoma State the next week Klein and the Wildcats beat the Cowboys 44-40. The game that I think lost Klein the Heisman was the 52-24 loss to Baylor in Waco, Texas. Although he accounted for the Wildcats three touchdowns he also threw a season-worst three interceptions in the defeat. K-State rallied to win the final game of the season against No. 18 Texas but could not move up the ranking far enough to make the National Championship and thus I think losing Klein the Heisman. Kansas State still won the Big 12 and is on its way to one of the most intriguing matchups of the BCS bowls against Oregon.
Prior to the Heisman presentation on Saturday, Klein won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for the best senior quarterback in the country.
Our picks for the Heisman Trophy:
After breaking down the three finalists for the Heisman trophy it is still very difficult to pick a winner, but I know I have to. I am going with Manti T'eo from Notre Dame. I chose him because he led the Irish to their first BCS Championship game and their first undefeated season since 1988. Let me get one thing out before I start getting hate mail from A&M fans. Manziel is more than deserving of the award, but there has never been a pure defensive player win the Heisman and this is the year for it. Manziel had an amazing freshman season and I am sure will have three more chances to win the Heisman. My only problem with a freshman winning the award, and I have been saying this since Manziel took the lead in the race, is it took a lot for everyone to give Tim Tebow the Heisman as a sophomore after he scored 56 touchdowns! Also my feeling is that if this trophy is awarded to another offensive player it should become an offensive award. This award is supposed to go to the most outstanding player in the country not just the most outstanding offensive player. Eight times out of 10 this award will go to the best player on the best team and right now T'eo is the best player on the best team. Our Heisman voting went as follows:
Nick:
1-T'eo
2-Manziel
3-Klein
Jeremy:
1-Manziel
2-T'eo
3-Klein
Thanks for reading! Make sure to check us out on twitter @kinneybrozcfb
Friday, December 7, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
2nd Down: Top 25
Top 25
BCS-(AP)
1-(1) Notre Dame 12-0
2-(2) Alabama 12-1
3-(4) Florida 11-1
4-(5) Oregon 11-1
5-(6) Kansas State 11-1
6-(8) Stanford 11-2
7-(3) Georgia 11-2
8-(7) LSU 10-2
9-(9) Texas A&M 10-2
10-(10) South Carolina 10-2
11-(11) Oklahoma 10-2
12-(13) Florida State 11-2
13-(15) Oregon State 9-3
14-(14) Clemson 10-2
15-(21) Northern Illinois 12-1
16-(12) Nebraska 10-3
17-(16) UCLA 9-4
18-(19) Michigan 8-4
19-(20) Boise State 10-2
20-(21) Northwestern 9-3
21-(22) Louisville 10-2
22-(18) Utah State
23-(NR) Texas
24-(24) San Jose State
25-(25) Kent State 11-2
*Ohio State is ranked #4 in the AP but ineligible for the BCS
Overrated
Come on... How can you justify Nebraska at 16? This team just got ripped apart by a five loss Wisconsin team. If that had been a regular season game, the Huskers would have fallen a heck of a lot farther than four friggin spots.
Pretty much every other team from the B1G.
Underrated
Northern Illinois- The Huskies put together a great season and after dropping their first game of the season by one point to Iowa, NIU won their final 12 games by an average of 19 points. Led by dynamic quarterback Jordan Lynch, the Huskies go for just over 250 rushing yards per game and boast the nations 18th ranked scoring defense.
Jeremy's Top 25
1-(1) Notre Dame 12-0
The Irish finish as the only undefeated team in the nation and I think they've got a good shot against Alabama in the title game.
2-(2) Alabama 12-1
Alabama took perhaps the best shot Georgia had and lived to tell about it. This running game will be fun to watch against a physical, athletic front seven for Notre Dame.
3-(4) Florida 11-1
This might just be the best team in the SEC- with the schedule they had, they earned it. I would have liked to see them get a better draw in the BCS.
4-(5) Oregon 11-1
The Ducks had a great season and will get one of the better bowl matchups this season against Collin Klein and the Kansas State Wildcats.
5-(6) Kansas State 11-1
Kansas State finished the season strong and locked up the Big-12 with their win over Texas.
6-(9) Stanford 11-2
Nick has it right- this program is turning into a power in the Pac-12 and with the emergence of Kevin Hogan they'll be right back in the race next season.
7-(3) Georgia 11-2
Tough loss for the Dawgs who played, arguably their best game of the season.
8-(7) LSU 10-2
Given the offensive woes they had for most of the season, 10 wins looks pretty impressive for this squad.
9-(8) Texas A&M 10-2
Definitely one of the most exciting teams to watch all season. Great matchup against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.
10-(11) Oklahoma 10-2
The Sooners had a great season yet again and had a shot at the Big-12 going into the weekend.
11-(12) Florida State 11-2
Good luck putting a finger on these guys. At times the Seminoles look like they could be the best team in the country. Other times... they're getting shut out in the second half by Georgia Tech.
12-(10) South Carolina 10-2
Spurrier has done a great job at South Carolina and there's enough youth on this team to be right back in the mix next season. Should be interesting to see them against Michigan in the Outback Bowl.
13-(14) Clemson 10-2
Good year for Dabo's boys, whose only losses were to top 12 teams, FSU and South Carolina. Their matchup with LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl will be one to circle on the schedule.
14-(19) Northern Illinois 12-1
Great season for the Huskies and hat's off for crashing the big boy party. They'll have a chance against an unpredictable FSU team.
15-(18) Oregon State 9-3
What a turn around from last seasons and a 3-9 record.
16-(20) Boise State 10-2
There are a lot of teams that would like 10-2 to be a down year.
17-(23) Louisville 10-2
Despite a few tough losses, the Cardinals are headed to a BCS game. Too bad it's against Florida and they're going to get smoked!
18-(21) Utah State 10-2
The Aggies closed the door on the WAC with a conference championship in their final season.
19-(15) UCLA 9-4
It was a good season for UCLA who was 9-2 until two weeks ago but back to back losses to Stanford tell us that they're not quite ready for the big-time.
20-(24) Northwestern 9-3
It was a great season for Northwestern who was in the hunt for the B1G until late in the season. Pat Fitzgerald has done a great job here.
21-(16) Kent State 11-2
Kent State was on the brink of a BCS birth, but a heartbreaking loss to NIU ended the dream.
22-(NR) Michigan 8-4
I'm not sure Michigan is a top 25 team but there really no one else out there that I like ahead of them.
23-(13) Nebraska 10-3
It's hard to excuse the ass-whipping the took at the hands of five loss Wisconsin. They stay in the top 25 because, unlike Wisconsin, Nebraska was the top team on their side of the conference and lost in the conference championship... (look at me making excuses for the B1G).
24-(25) San Jose State 10-2
The team has improved by leaps and bounds over the past few years, from 1-12 in '09 to 5-7 last season and now, 10-2 and a top 25 finish.
25-(17) Texas 8-4
See Nebraska. Except for the winning the conference thing.
Nick's Top 25
1-(1)-Notre Dame 12-0
The Irish were idle, but are looking to the National Championship game against Alabama.
2-(2)-Alabama 12-1
The Bama-Georgia game was an instant classic. Both teams knew that they were playing for a chance at the Irish in the National Championship and the Tide wanted it a little more. Huge performances from Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon carried the Tide to victory in that one. Now Bama will be the Irish in the title game.
3-(4)-Florida 11-1
Great season for Florida. Its too bad they did not get a better draw in the Sugar Bowl, not sure if Louisville can hang with the Gators.
4-(8)-Kansas State 11-1
This team came out of now where but with a quarterback like Collin Kline it showed it was one of the best teams in the country this season. The Wildcats got a tough draw in the Fiesta Bowl but it is one of the most intriguing BCS games other than the NC.
5-(6)-Stanford 11-2
This team is becoming a Pac 12 power. The Cardinal beat UCLA two weeks in a row to earn the Rose Bowl bid, but yet again another bad draw getting a five loss Wisconsin team. Too bad. I would have loved to see Flordia-Stanford in a BCS game.
6-(5)-Texas A&M 10-2
Here is another team that really came out of no where. Wow, Johnny Manziel, a Heisman finalist, put this team on his back and won 10 games including probably one of the biggest wins in program history at Alabama. The Aggies have one of the better non-BCS bowl matchups this season with Oklahoma.
7-(7)-Oregon 11-1
Solid season for the Ducks but the late loss to a very good Stanford team knocked them out of the BCS title race, but they have a great matchup with K-State in the Fiesta Bowl.
8-(3)-Georgia 11-2
Tough loss for the Dawgs in the SEC Championship, but Bama just would not be stopped. Interesting draw getting Nebraska, who just gave up 70 points to a five-loss Wisconsin team, in the Capital One Bowl.
9-(9)-LSU 10-2
The Mad Hatter puts another 10-win season together in Baton Rouge. This team has a great defense but could not get over average offensive play.
10-(10)-South Carolina 10-2
The Gamecocks finished the season strong after losing star tailback Marcus Lattimore and 10-wins in the SEC is nothing to sneeze at. Spurrier was also rewarded with a pretty large extension.
11-(11)-Florida State 11-2
Tough finish for a team that was a dark horse for the National Championship this season. Still an ACC Championship is a great start for a still fairly young Nole squad. This team is not going anywhere for a while.
12-(12)-Oklahoma 10-2
Stoops and the Sonners were "snubbed" out of the BCS but they did not take care of business like they needed to, to impress the voters enough to bump the Huskies out of that No. 15 spot. Still great season, but one loss for the Sooners gets them in a BCS game and a Big 12 title.
13-(15)-Clemson 10-2
This Tiger team is improving, Sweeny has them playing at a very high level and this team is headed in the right direction.
14-(19)-Oregon State 9-3
Another come from no where team. I in now way would have expected the Beavers to get to nine possibly 10 wins this season, but here they are finishing in my top 15.
15-(17)-Northern Illinois 12-1
The Huskies won a thriller in the MAC title game and the voters rewarded them for a 12-win season with a BCS game. I like the pick and I love them crashing the BCS party and making talking heads like Kirk Herbstreit try and say what a travesty it is when the little boys get a chance to play with the big boys.
16-(18)-Utah State 10-2
This is a tough team and nothing better to leave with a share of the WAC Championship in its final season in the league.
17-(21)-Boise State 10-2
Boise is in the same boat as Utah State. This is not a Bronco team of old but 10-2 is a great season and a share of the MW Championship in its final season.
18-(14)-UCLA 9-4
Tough to keep UCLA in the top 25 with four losses, but two of the four came against Stanford in consecutive weeks. This team overachieved this season and the future looks bright in LA.
19-(16)-Kent State 11-2
Heartbreaking loss for the Golden Flashes in the MAC Championship and now they lost their coach, but still a great season winning 11 games.
20-(23)-Louisville 10-2
Charlie Strong is one of the hottest coaches in the country but he decided to stay at Louisville long term thanks to its move to the ACC. Strong did a great job taking this team to a BCS game- problem for them is they have one of the toughest draws against Florida.
21-(22)-Northwestern 9-3
Great season in Evanston and this team looks like it could contend for a B1G Championship in years to come.
22-(13)-Nebraska 10-3
This team is lucky to stay in the top 25 after giving up 70 points to a five-loss Wisconsin team, but they stay because of lack of teams behind them. The Huskers have a tough draw with Georiga in the Capital One Bowl.
23-(24)-San Jose State 10-2
I would have never guessed the Spartans would win 10 games in my life time but they finished off a great season before the move to the MW.
24-(NR)-Rutgers 9-3
Tough loss for the Scarlet Knights to Louisville but still a solid season in the first year without Greg Schiano.
25-(20)-Texas 8-4
After it looked like Texas was on its way to another five or six loss season the Longhorns pulled it together and managed eight wins. Still not back to where it was or should be but Texas will be back as long as Mack Brown is its head coach.
BCS-(AP)
1-(1) Notre Dame 12-0
2-(2) Alabama 12-1
3-(4) Florida 11-1
4-(5) Oregon 11-1
5-(6) Kansas State 11-1
6-(8) Stanford 11-2
7-(3) Georgia 11-2
8-(7) LSU 10-2
9-(9) Texas A&M 10-2
10-(10) South Carolina 10-2
11-(11) Oklahoma 10-2
12-(13) Florida State 11-2
13-(15) Oregon State 9-3
14-(14) Clemson 10-2
15-(21) Northern Illinois 12-1
16-(12) Nebraska 10-3
17-(16) UCLA 9-4
18-(19) Michigan 8-4
19-(20) Boise State 10-2
20-(21) Northwestern 9-3
21-(22) Louisville 10-2
22-(18) Utah State
23-(NR) Texas
24-(24) San Jose State
25-(25) Kent State 11-2
*Ohio State is ranked #4 in the AP but ineligible for the BCS
Overrated
Come on... How can you justify Nebraska at 16? This team just got ripped apart by a five loss Wisconsin team. If that had been a regular season game, the Huskers would have fallen a heck of a lot farther than four friggin spots.
Pretty much every other team from the B1G.
Underrated
Northern Illinois- The Huskies put together a great season and after dropping their first game of the season by one point to Iowa, NIU won their final 12 games by an average of 19 points. Led by dynamic quarterback Jordan Lynch, the Huskies go for just over 250 rushing yards per game and boast the nations 18th ranked scoring defense.
Jeremy's Top 25
1-(1) Notre Dame 12-0
The Irish finish as the only undefeated team in the nation and I think they've got a good shot against Alabama in the title game.
2-(2) Alabama 12-1
Alabama took perhaps the best shot Georgia had and lived to tell about it. This running game will be fun to watch against a physical, athletic front seven for Notre Dame.
3-(4) Florida 11-1
This might just be the best team in the SEC- with the schedule they had, they earned it. I would have liked to see them get a better draw in the BCS.
4-(5) Oregon 11-1
The Ducks had a great season and will get one of the better bowl matchups this season against Collin Klein and the Kansas State Wildcats.
5-(6) Kansas State 11-1
Kansas State finished the season strong and locked up the Big-12 with their win over Texas.
6-(9) Stanford 11-2
Nick has it right- this program is turning into a power in the Pac-12 and with the emergence of Kevin Hogan they'll be right back in the race next season.
7-(3) Georgia 11-2
Tough loss for the Dawgs who played, arguably their best game of the season.
8-(7) LSU 10-2
Given the offensive woes they had for most of the season, 10 wins looks pretty impressive for this squad.
9-(8) Texas A&M 10-2
Definitely one of the most exciting teams to watch all season. Great matchup against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.
10-(11) Oklahoma 10-2
The Sooners had a great season yet again and had a shot at the Big-12 going into the weekend.
11-(12) Florida State 11-2
Good luck putting a finger on these guys. At times the Seminoles look like they could be the best team in the country. Other times... they're getting shut out in the second half by Georgia Tech.
12-(10) South Carolina 10-2
Spurrier has done a great job at South Carolina and there's enough youth on this team to be right back in the mix next season. Should be interesting to see them against Michigan in the Outback Bowl.
13-(14) Clemson 10-2
Good year for Dabo's boys, whose only losses were to top 12 teams, FSU and South Carolina. Their matchup with LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl will be one to circle on the schedule.
14-(19) Northern Illinois 12-1
Great season for the Huskies and hat's off for crashing the big boy party. They'll have a chance against an unpredictable FSU team.
15-(18) Oregon State 9-3
What a turn around from last seasons and a 3-9 record.
16-(20) Boise State 10-2
There are a lot of teams that would like 10-2 to be a down year.
17-(23) Louisville 10-2
Despite a few tough losses, the Cardinals are headed to a BCS game. Too bad it's against Florida and they're going to get smoked!
18-(21) Utah State 10-2
The Aggies closed the door on the WAC with a conference championship in their final season.
19-(15) UCLA 9-4
It was a good season for UCLA who was 9-2 until two weeks ago but back to back losses to Stanford tell us that they're not quite ready for the big-time.
20-(24) Northwestern 9-3
It was a great season for Northwestern who was in the hunt for the B1G until late in the season. Pat Fitzgerald has done a great job here.
21-(16) Kent State 11-2
Kent State was on the brink of a BCS birth, but a heartbreaking loss to NIU ended the dream.
22-(NR) Michigan 8-4
I'm not sure Michigan is a top 25 team but there really no one else out there that I like ahead of them.
23-(13) Nebraska 10-3
It's hard to excuse the ass-whipping the took at the hands of five loss Wisconsin. They stay in the top 25 because, unlike Wisconsin, Nebraska was the top team on their side of the conference and lost in the conference championship... (look at me making excuses for the B1G).
24-(25) San Jose State 10-2
The team has improved by leaps and bounds over the past few years, from 1-12 in '09 to 5-7 last season and now, 10-2 and a top 25 finish.
25-(17) Texas 8-4
See Nebraska. Except for the winning the conference thing.
Nick's Top 25
1-(1)-Notre Dame 12-0
The Irish were idle, but are looking to the National Championship game against Alabama.
2-(2)-Alabama 12-1
The Bama-Georgia game was an instant classic. Both teams knew that they were playing for a chance at the Irish in the National Championship and the Tide wanted it a little more. Huge performances from Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon carried the Tide to victory in that one. Now Bama will be the Irish in the title game.
3-(4)-Florida 11-1
Great season for Florida. Its too bad they did not get a better draw in the Sugar Bowl, not sure if Louisville can hang with the Gators.
4-(8)-Kansas State 11-1
This team came out of now where but with a quarterback like Collin Kline it showed it was one of the best teams in the country this season. The Wildcats got a tough draw in the Fiesta Bowl but it is one of the most intriguing BCS games other than the NC.
5-(6)-Stanford 11-2
This team is becoming a Pac 12 power. The Cardinal beat UCLA two weeks in a row to earn the Rose Bowl bid, but yet again another bad draw getting a five loss Wisconsin team. Too bad. I would have loved to see Flordia-Stanford in a BCS game.
6-(5)-Texas A&M 10-2
Here is another team that really came out of no where. Wow, Johnny Manziel, a Heisman finalist, put this team on his back and won 10 games including probably one of the biggest wins in program history at Alabama. The Aggies have one of the better non-BCS bowl matchups this season with Oklahoma.
7-(7)-Oregon 11-1
Solid season for the Ducks but the late loss to a very good Stanford team knocked them out of the BCS title race, but they have a great matchup with K-State in the Fiesta Bowl.
8-(3)-Georgia 11-2
Tough loss for the Dawgs in the SEC Championship, but Bama just would not be stopped. Interesting draw getting Nebraska, who just gave up 70 points to a five-loss Wisconsin team, in the Capital One Bowl.
9-(9)-LSU 10-2
The Mad Hatter puts another 10-win season together in Baton Rouge. This team has a great defense but could not get over average offensive play.
10-(10)-South Carolina 10-2
The Gamecocks finished the season strong after losing star tailback Marcus Lattimore and 10-wins in the SEC is nothing to sneeze at. Spurrier was also rewarded with a pretty large extension.
11-(11)-Florida State 11-2
Tough finish for a team that was a dark horse for the National Championship this season. Still an ACC Championship is a great start for a still fairly young Nole squad. This team is not going anywhere for a while.
12-(12)-Oklahoma 10-2
Stoops and the Sonners were "snubbed" out of the BCS but they did not take care of business like they needed to, to impress the voters enough to bump the Huskies out of that No. 15 spot. Still great season, but one loss for the Sooners gets them in a BCS game and a Big 12 title.
13-(15)-Clemson 10-2
This Tiger team is improving, Sweeny has them playing at a very high level and this team is headed in the right direction.
14-(19)-Oregon State 9-3
Another come from no where team. I in now way would have expected the Beavers to get to nine possibly 10 wins this season, but here they are finishing in my top 15.
15-(17)-Northern Illinois 12-1
The Huskies won a thriller in the MAC title game and the voters rewarded them for a 12-win season with a BCS game. I like the pick and I love them crashing the BCS party and making talking heads like Kirk Herbstreit try and say what a travesty it is when the little boys get a chance to play with the big boys.
16-(18)-Utah State 10-2
This is a tough team and nothing better to leave with a share of the WAC Championship in its final season in the league.
17-(21)-Boise State 10-2
Boise is in the same boat as Utah State. This is not a Bronco team of old but 10-2 is a great season and a share of the MW Championship in its final season.
18-(14)-UCLA 9-4
Tough to keep UCLA in the top 25 with four losses, but two of the four came against Stanford in consecutive weeks. This team overachieved this season and the future looks bright in LA.
19-(16)-Kent State 11-2
Heartbreaking loss for the Golden Flashes in the MAC Championship and now they lost their coach, but still a great season winning 11 games.
20-(23)-Louisville 10-2
Charlie Strong is one of the hottest coaches in the country but he decided to stay at Louisville long term thanks to its move to the ACC. Strong did a great job taking this team to a BCS game- problem for them is they have one of the toughest draws against Florida.
21-(22)-Northwestern 9-3
Great season in Evanston and this team looks like it could contend for a B1G Championship in years to come.
22-(13)-Nebraska 10-3
This team is lucky to stay in the top 25 after giving up 70 points to a five-loss Wisconsin team, but they stay because of lack of teams behind them. The Huskers have a tough draw with Georiga in the Capital One Bowl.
23-(24)-San Jose State 10-2
I would have never guessed the Spartans would win 10 games in my life time but they finished off a great season before the move to the MW.
24-(NR)-Rutgers 9-3
Tough loss for the Scarlet Knights to Louisville but still a solid season in the first year without Greg Schiano.
25-(20)-Texas 8-4
After it looked like Texas was on its way to another five or six loss season the Longhorns pulled it together and managed eight wins. Still not back to where it was or should be but Texas will be back as long as Mack Brown is its head coach.
Monday, December 3, 2012
1st Down: Championship Week Recap
SEC Championship
#2 Alabama 32 vs. #3 Georgia 28
Instant classic here. All I can say about this one is wow! This game was built up to be such a great match up and it did not disappoint. I thought A.J. McCaron's 45-yard toss to Amari Cooper for the game-winning touchdown was about as clutch of a play as a quarterback can make. Even better came one play before on third and five on the same Tide drive, with T.J. Yeldon carrying Bulldogs for five yards and the first down that sparked the Tide. This game was won by Alabama on the ground the combo of Yeldon and Eddie Lacy was unstoppable when it came down the stretch. The two combined for 334 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Lacy went for 181 on 20 carries and Yeldon 153 on 25 carries. Give Georgia credit in this game though they had a chance to win it at the end and concerning the question of the last few plays, I will never question a coaching call because I am not a head coach and never will be. The fact is the Dawgs had their chances in this game it is just hard to keep the defending national champs away from a chance at defending their title.
I cannot talk any crap on Jeremy's call here. This game could have gone either way, but Nick Saban and the Tide were just too strong in the end.
-Jeremy-Georgia, 34-31
-Nick- Alabama, 27-24
B1G Championship: #12 Nebraska 31 vs. Wisconsin 70
Another wow game, but for another reason. The Blackshirt defense gave up 70 points!!??? Really? The Huskers allowed a program-worst (not just the worst in the last 10 years, but ever!) 539 yards rushing. That is pathetic. Three Badgers ran for 100-plus yards with freshman Melvin Gordon leading the way with 216 yards on nine carries. The NCAA career leader in rushing touchdowns Monte Ball added 202 yards and three touchdowns. Just when you think it couldn't get worse for the Huskers, junior Badger James White had the best scoring day, rushing for four touchdowns and 109 yards on 15 carries. There is not much else to say about this game. The Badgers put the Huskers behind early and forced Taylor Martinez to throw the ball and you can ask anyone who has watched him this season, when he is pressured and hurried he reverts back to the old Taylor Martinez who cannot throw the ball like he was touted to at the beginning of the season. Even worse is for the B1G, it is sending a five-loss Wisconsin team to the Rose Bowl to face one of the best teams in the country in Stanford.
-Nick- Nebraska, 27-17
-Jeremy- Nebraska, 27-24
ACC Championship: #13 Florida State 21 vs. Georgia Tech 15
This is a game both Jeremy and I expected FSU to run away with and with the score 21-6 at halftime I fully expected the ‘Noles to do just that. Just like FSU has all season when leading big at halftime they took their foot off the gas and expected to cruise to the win. The problem was Georgia Tech had nothing to lose and they knew it and came out and made the ‘Noles sweat in the second half. Florida State hung on for the ugly win. None the less a good win for the ‘Noles as they did what everyone expected them to do to start the season, win the ACC. Now looking at the BCS matchups the ‘Noles have another team with nothing to lose against Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl.
-Jeremy- Florida State, 38-24
-Nick- Florida State, 45-17
#6 Kansas State 42 vs. #18 Texas 24
Kansas State and Collin Kline were looking to make a big statement with a improving Texas team. As a team the Wildcats accomplished that, but Kline did not make the statement I think he needed to for a Heisman locking performance. No doubt Kline had a solid performance with 287 total yards and three touchdowns, but he just did not look dominate enough to win him the Heisman. Great win for the Wildcats and now they are looking forward to the Fiesta Bowl in what should be a great game against Oregon.
-Nick- K-State, 38-28
-Jeremy- Kansas State- 44-34
#11 Oklahoma 24 @ TCU 17
This game was a little closer than I thought, but TCU is an improving and young team that looks like it should be a solid contender next season. As for the game, I think the Sooners needed to make a bigger statement for getting itself in a BCS game. I feel like one of the reasons the voters found a way to get NIU in a BCS game is because the Sooners did not step up and show that they really wanted it. I think if Oklahoma would have come out and run over the Horned Frogs voters would have had a tougher time moving NIU to No. 15 because they would have wanted to see OU in a BCS game. None the less, OU is a solid team with 10 wins this season and have one of the better non-BCS bowl matchups against Texas A&M.
-Jeremy- TCU, 24-23
-Nick- Oklahoma, 35-24
#15 Oregon State 77 vs. Nicholls State 3,
Do we even need to talk about this game? Good for Oregon State to put up a school-record 77 points, but against and FCS school. Nothing other than that to really talk about other than OSU racking up 638 yards of total offense. Enough said.
-Nick- OSU, 38-14
-Jeremy- OSU, 41-13
#20 Boise State 27 @ Nevada 21
Boise State did exactly what it has done all season against average teams, jumps out to a big lead and then lets it get whittled down and almost loses. This is not the Broncos teams of old, but 10 wins and a split MW Championship in its last season in the league is a solid season for Peterson and Co.
-Nick- Boise State, 35-21
-Jeremy- Boise State, 31-20
#23 Oklahoma State 34 @ Baylor 41
We both whiffed on this game, so give Baylor credit for winning three-consecutive games against ranked or previously ranked opponents. The Bears have relied on offense all season and it did not disappoint on Saturday putting up 41 points. Baylor advanced to 7-5 with the victory and dropped the Cowboys to 7-5 themselves. Great win for Baylor and it closed what looked like a dismal season out with three-straight.
-Jeremy- OK State, 56-51
-Nick- Oklahoma State, 52-45
#2 Alabama 32 vs. #3 Georgia 28
Instant classic here. All I can say about this one is wow! This game was built up to be such a great match up and it did not disappoint. I thought A.J. McCaron's 45-yard toss to Amari Cooper for the game-winning touchdown was about as clutch of a play as a quarterback can make. Even better came one play before on third and five on the same Tide drive, with T.J. Yeldon carrying Bulldogs for five yards and the first down that sparked the Tide. This game was won by Alabama on the ground the combo of Yeldon and Eddie Lacy was unstoppable when it came down the stretch. The two combined for 334 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Lacy went for 181 on 20 carries and Yeldon 153 on 25 carries. Give Georgia credit in this game though they had a chance to win it at the end and concerning the question of the last few plays, I will never question a coaching call because I am not a head coach and never will be. The fact is the Dawgs had their chances in this game it is just hard to keep the defending national champs away from a chance at defending their title.
I cannot talk any crap on Jeremy's call here. This game could have gone either way, but Nick Saban and the Tide were just too strong in the end.
-Jeremy-Georgia, 34-31
-Nick- Alabama, 27-24
B1G Championship: #12 Nebraska 31 vs. Wisconsin 70
Another wow game, but for another reason. The Blackshirt defense gave up 70 points!!??? Really? The Huskers allowed a program-worst (not just the worst in the last 10 years, but ever!) 539 yards rushing. That is pathetic. Three Badgers ran for 100-plus yards with freshman Melvin Gordon leading the way with 216 yards on nine carries. The NCAA career leader in rushing touchdowns Monte Ball added 202 yards and three touchdowns. Just when you think it couldn't get worse for the Huskers, junior Badger James White had the best scoring day, rushing for four touchdowns and 109 yards on 15 carries. There is not much else to say about this game. The Badgers put the Huskers behind early and forced Taylor Martinez to throw the ball and you can ask anyone who has watched him this season, when he is pressured and hurried he reverts back to the old Taylor Martinez who cannot throw the ball like he was touted to at the beginning of the season. Even worse is for the B1G, it is sending a five-loss Wisconsin team to the Rose Bowl to face one of the best teams in the country in Stanford.
-Nick- Nebraska, 27-17
-Jeremy- Nebraska, 27-24
ACC Championship: #13 Florida State 21 vs. Georgia Tech 15
This is a game both Jeremy and I expected FSU to run away with and with the score 21-6 at halftime I fully expected the ‘Noles to do just that. Just like FSU has all season when leading big at halftime they took their foot off the gas and expected to cruise to the win. The problem was Georgia Tech had nothing to lose and they knew it and came out and made the ‘Noles sweat in the second half. Florida State hung on for the ugly win. None the less a good win for the ‘Noles as they did what everyone expected them to do to start the season, win the ACC. Now looking at the BCS matchups the ‘Noles have another team with nothing to lose against Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl.
-Jeremy- Florida State, 38-24
-Nick- Florida State, 45-17
#6 Kansas State 42 vs. #18 Texas 24
Kansas State and Collin Kline were looking to make a big statement with a improving Texas team. As a team the Wildcats accomplished that, but Kline did not make the statement I think he needed to for a Heisman locking performance. No doubt Kline had a solid performance with 287 total yards and three touchdowns, but he just did not look dominate enough to win him the Heisman. Great win for the Wildcats and now they are looking forward to the Fiesta Bowl in what should be a great game against Oregon.
-Nick- K-State, 38-28
-Jeremy- Kansas State- 44-34
#11 Oklahoma 24 @ TCU 17
This game was a little closer than I thought, but TCU is an improving and young team that looks like it should be a solid contender next season. As for the game, I think the Sooners needed to make a bigger statement for getting itself in a BCS game. I feel like one of the reasons the voters found a way to get NIU in a BCS game is because the Sooners did not step up and show that they really wanted it. I think if Oklahoma would have come out and run over the Horned Frogs voters would have had a tougher time moving NIU to No. 15 because they would have wanted to see OU in a BCS game. None the less, OU is a solid team with 10 wins this season and have one of the better non-BCS bowl matchups against Texas A&M.
-Jeremy- TCU, 24-23
-Nick- Oklahoma, 35-24
#15 Oregon State 77 vs. Nicholls State 3,
Do we even need to talk about this game? Good for Oregon State to put up a school-record 77 points, but against and FCS school. Nothing other than that to really talk about other than OSU racking up 638 yards of total offense. Enough said.
-Nick- OSU, 38-14
-Jeremy- OSU, 41-13
#20 Boise State 27 @ Nevada 21
Boise State did exactly what it has done all season against average teams, jumps out to a big lead and then lets it get whittled down and almost loses. This is not the Broncos teams of old, but 10 wins and a split MW Championship in its last season in the league is a solid season for Peterson and Co.
-Nick- Boise State, 35-21
-Jeremy- Boise State, 31-20
#23 Oklahoma State 34 @ Baylor 41
We both whiffed on this game, so give Baylor credit for winning three-consecutive games against ranked or previously ranked opponents. The Bears have relied on offense all season and it did not disappoint on Saturday putting up 41 points. Baylor advanced to 7-5 with the victory and dropped the Cowboys to 7-5 themselves. Great win for Baylor and it closed what looked like a dismal season out with three-straight.
-Jeremy- OK State, 56-51
-Nick- Oklahoma State, 52-45
Saturday, December 1, 2012
4th Down: Conference Championships and Week 14 Finals
This weekend out picks are going to go separate because we would like to talk about each championship game because almost all of them have major implications.
SEC Championship, 4pm ET, CBS
#2 Alabama vs. #3 Georgia
My initial thought is to go with Alabama in this game. The Tide has been much more consistent over the course of the season than the Bulldogs and it seems like you know what you're going to get from week to week. Georgia has largly been a mystery to me this season and is a team with incredible upside, but they've rarely been able to put it all together in a way that gives me much confidence. That said, I think they've got more upside than Alabama and are more than capable of pulling off the upset today. I see this game going one of two ways- Alabama comes in and steamrolls this Georgia team that is not locked in and ready to play, or Georgia is locked in and for the first time this season puts it all together and shows us all what they're capable of. Logic says pick the Tide.
-Jeremy-Georgia, 34-31
-Nick- Alabama, 27-24
B1G Championship, 8:17pm ET, FOX
#12 Nebraska vs. Wisconsin
Good grief... flip a coin. The B1G has been an absolute nightmare to pick this season and just when it seems like you've got it figured out something happens and you're back to square one. Nebraska is the winner of six straight to get into this game and beat Wisconsin 30-27 earlier this season. The Badgers have lost three of four and are only in this game because Ohio State and Penn State are ineligible. The Huskers have one of the best rushing attacks in the nation and I think they'll be able to ware down Wisconsin. This one is close, but I think Nebraska is the better team and will get the win.
-Nick- Nebraska, 27-17
-Jeremy- Nebraska, 27-24
ACC Championship, 8pm ET, ESPN/WatchESPN
#13 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
Thank goodness the BCS Title game is going to be at the Orange Bowl this season, because I'm sure the potential ACC-Big East matchup of Georgia Tech-Louisville is making bowl officials nauseous and, wouldn't it be just like the ACC this year to lay an egg and send a team that had to petition for bowl eligibility to the Orange Bowl? This is possible, but not likely. I think Orange Bowl officials will be smiling with the matchup of Florida State-Louisville. I believe the Seminoles are just too talented and too well coached to lay an egg two weeks in a row. They're coming off a bad loss at home to the rival Gators last week, where I think they were exposed a bit, but I think they'll be ready for GT's option attack and take care of the Yellow Jackets.
-Jeremy- Florida State, 38-24
-Nick- Florida State, 45-17
#6 Kansas State vs. #18 Texas, 8pm ET, ABC
Kansas State has had the week off to lick their wounds and heal up after a devastating loss to Baylor that knocked the Wildcats out of the No.1 spot and out of the BCS Title race. I think Bill Snyder will have his team firing on all cylinders this evening and I predict Collin Klein will have a statement game against a shaky Longhorns defense. UT had been playing well and were the winners of five straight before getting beat, at home by a young TCU team last week and now Texas seems to have more questions marks as they head in to this matchup with K-State. With a win, K-State will win the Big-12 and I think they go in and take care of business.
-Nick- K-State, 38-28
-Jeremy- Kansas State- 44-34
#11 Oklahoma @ TCU, 12pm ET, ESPN/WatchESPN
This looks to be a great game, with both teams coming off great wins a week ago. Oklahoma pulled out a come from behind victory in the Bedlam Game, while TCU played one of its best games of the season going to Texas and take care of the Longhorns. Oklahoma looks to be an easy favorite against a very young Horned Frogs team, but like I said, TCU got a statement win last week and grew up a lot last week. I think TCU can pull off the upset if they can keep it close. I'm taking the upset.
-Jeremy- TCU, 24-23
-Nick- Oklahoma, 35-24
#15 Oregon State vs. Nicholls State, 2:30pm ET, Pac-12 Network
No doubt Oregon State would have much rather scratched this game and played in the Pac-12 Title game last night, but this is where they're at. A make-up game from week 1, Oregon State finishes their season against FCS, Nicholls State. Not much to say here. OSU should take care of business and finish their season with a win, going into bowl season.
-Nick- OSU, 38-14
-Jeremy- OSU, 41-13
#20 Boise State @ Nevada, 3:30pm ET, ABC
This Nevada team has been a thorn in the side of the Broncos for a few years now, having knocked them out of a few possible BCS births and a couple would be undefeated seasons. You never know what could happen to the favored Broncos as they travel to Nevada but I don't see another upset on the horizon this week. While this Boise State team isn't playing for a BCS birth, they are looking to lock up a MWC title and I don't see them slipping up this week.
-Nick- Boise State, 35-21
-Jeremy- Boise State, 31-20
#23 Oklahoma State @ Baylor, 12pm ET, FX
On your mark... Get set... GOOOO!!! This looks to be an absolute track meet as both teams have explosive offenses and no interest in playing defense. Both teams have put up big numbers on what were thought to be good defenses- OK State went for 48 on Oklahoma last week, while Baylor drubbed K-State for 52 two weeks ago. Chances are we'll see close to 1500 yards of offense and 100 total points scored. I think OK State wins but not before some serious fireworks.
-Jeremy- OK State, 56-51
-Nick- Oklahoma State, 52-45
MAC Championship: No. 21 Northern Illinois (11-1, 8-0 MAC) vs. No. 17 Kent State (11-1, 8-0 MAC), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
What better way for the MAC to end the season with two 11-1 squads going at it. Both of these teams are very solid with their own strengths. To start with both teams have excellent rushing attacks. NIU has the ninth-best rushing attack in the country averaging 245 yards per contest, Kent State is no slouch either rushing the ball with the 11th-best running game in the country averaging nearly 242 yards per game. Both teams feature 1000-yard rushers, but the Golden Flashes have two. Dri Archer and Trayion Durham have rushed for 1337 and 1176 yards, respectively, and both have14 touchdowns on the season. Northern Illinois has one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country in Jordan Lynch who has 1,611 yards rushing this season and 16 touchdowns. Lynch not only has rushed for 1500-plus yard, but has thrown for 2750 yards and 23 touchdowns. No doubt NIU has the better quarterback with Lynch having 4,361 yards and 39 total touchdowns. What could create a problem for the Huskies is that if Lynch is off or if Kent State really slows him down they do not have much behind him to pick up on the offense. One good thing for the Huskies is they are 12th in the country in points per game at 40.5 and 15th in points against 17.5. NIU is also on an 11-game heater with its only loss of the season coming by one point to Iowa the first week of the season. Kent State statistically is worse allowing 23.5 points per game (37th) and scoring 34.4 (35th), but I think this team is more balanced and should be able to come away with a win. I fully expect this game to be close and be decided by a touchdown or less.
-Nick, Kent State, 35-31
-Jeremy, Kent State, 41-34
Pac-12 Championship: No. 16 UCLA (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) vs. No. 8 Stanford (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12), 8 p.m ET, FOX
This has been a very tough game for me to breakdown because these teams just played last weekend. Stanford looked like the much better team in last weekends match up winning 35-17, but it is always difficult to beat a team twice in a season, especially twice in two weeks. This game, for me, comes down to the defensive fronts, Stanford has one of the best front sevens in the country if not the best and one of the most talanted running backs in the country in Stepfan Taylor. Stanfords numbers aren't goddy or out of this world but their defense allows just 16.9 points per game which is the 11th-best in the country. On offense they do not wow you either but Taylor has quietly had a great season rushing 278 times for 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns. UCLA does not wow you either ranking in the 30s in both passing offense (32, 279.5 yards per game) and rushing offense (34, 196.2 yards per game) but that is a very balanced attack. UCLA has a solid front four but if you get passed the front four the back seven is not as great tacklers. One thing UCLA has going for it is a pretty solid quarterback in Brett Hundley who has thrown for 3,234 yards and 26 touchdowns. That being said I still think Stanford is disipline enough to get it done two weeks in a row and head on to the Rose Bowl. Stanford should win a closer game than last week.
-Nick, Stanford, 31-28
-Jeremy, UCLA, 34-31
SEC Championship, 4pm ET, CBS
#2 Alabama vs. #3 Georgia
My initial thought is to go with Alabama in this game. The Tide has been much more consistent over the course of the season than the Bulldogs and it seems like you know what you're going to get from week to week. Georgia has largly been a mystery to me this season and is a team with incredible upside, but they've rarely been able to put it all together in a way that gives me much confidence. That said, I think they've got more upside than Alabama and are more than capable of pulling off the upset today. I see this game going one of two ways- Alabama comes in and steamrolls this Georgia team that is not locked in and ready to play, or Georgia is locked in and for the first time this season puts it all together and shows us all what they're capable of. Logic says pick the Tide.
-Jeremy-Georgia, 34-31
-Nick- Alabama, 27-24
B1G Championship, 8:17pm ET, FOX
#12 Nebraska vs. Wisconsin
Good grief... flip a coin. The B1G has been an absolute nightmare to pick this season and just when it seems like you've got it figured out something happens and you're back to square one. Nebraska is the winner of six straight to get into this game and beat Wisconsin 30-27 earlier this season. The Badgers have lost three of four and are only in this game because Ohio State and Penn State are ineligible. The Huskers have one of the best rushing attacks in the nation and I think they'll be able to ware down Wisconsin. This one is close, but I think Nebraska is the better team and will get the win.
-Nick- Nebraska, 27-17
-Jeremy- Nebraska, 27-24
ACC Championship, 8pm ET, ESPN/WatchESPN
#13 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
Thank goodness the BCS Title game is going to be at the Orange Bowl this season, because I'm sure the potential ACC-Big East matchup of Georgia Tech-Louisville is making bowl officials nauseous and, wouldn't it be just like the ACC this year to lay an egg and send a team that had to petition for bowl eligibility to the Orange Bowl? This is possible, but not likely. I think Orange Bowl officials will be smiling with the matchup of Florida State-Louisville. I believe the Seminoles are just too talented and too well coached to lay an egg two weeks in a row. They're coming off a bad loss at home to the rival Gators last week, where I think they were exposed a bit, but I think they'll be ready for GT's option attack and take care of the Yellow Jackets.
-Jeremy- Florida State, 38-24
-Nick- Florida State, 45-17
#6 Kansas State vs. #18 Texas, 8pm ET, ABC
Kansas State has had the week off to lick their wounds and heal up after a devastating loss to Baylor that knocked the Wildcats out of the No.1 spot and out of the BCS Title race. I think Bill Snyder will have his team firing on all cylinders this evening and I predict Collin Klein will have a statement game against a shaky Longhorns defense. UT had been playing well and were the winners of five straight before getting beat, at home by a young TCU team last week and now Texas seems to have more questions marks as they head in to this matchup with K-State. With a win, K-State will win the Big-12 and I think they go in and take care of business.
-Nick- K-State, 38-28
-Jeremy- Kansas State- 44-34
#11 Oklahoma @ TCU, 12pm ET, ESPN/WatchESPN
This looks to be a great game, with both teams coming off great wins a week ago. Oklahoma pulled out a come from behind victory in the Bedlam Game, while TCU played one of its best games of the season going to Texas and take care of the Longhorns. Oklahoma looks to be an easy favorite against a very young Horned Frogs team, but like I said, TCU got a statement win last week and grew up a lot last week. I think TCU can pull off the upset if they can keep it close. I'm taking the upset.
-Jeremy- TCU, 24-23
-Nick- Oklahoma, 35-24
#15 Oregon State vs. Nicholls State, 2:30pm ET, Pac-12 Network
No doubt Oregon State would have much rather scratched this game and played in the Pac-12 Title game last night, but this is where they're at. A make-up game from week 1, Oregon State finishes their season against FCS, Nicholls State. Not much to say here. OSU should take care of business and finish their season with a win, going into bowl season.
-Nick- OSU, 38-14
-Jeremy- OSU, 41-13
#20 Boise State @ Nevada, 3:30pm ET, ABC
This Nevada team has been a thorn in the side of the Broncos for a few years now, having knocked them out of a few possible BCS births and a couple would be undefeated seasons. You never know what could happen to the favored Broncos as they travel to Nevada but I don't see another upset on the horizon this week. While this Boise State team isn't playing for a BCS birth, they are looking to lock up a MWC title and I don't see them slipping up this week.
-Nick- Boise State, 35-21
-Jeremy- Boise State, 31-20
#23 Oklahoma State @ Baylor, 12pm ET, FX
On your mark... Get set... GOOOO!!! This looks to be an absolute track meet as both teams have explosive offenses and no interest in playing defense. Both teams have put up big numbers on what were thought to be good defenses- OK State went for 48 on Oklahoma last week, while Baylor drubbed K-State for 52 two weeks ago. Chances are we'll see close to 1500 yards of offense and 100 total points scored. I think OK State wins but not before some serious fireworks.
-Jeremy- OK State, 56-51
-Nick- Oklahoma State, 52-45
MAC Championship: No. 21 Northern Illinois (11-1, 8-0 MAC) vs. No. 17 Kent State (11-1, 8-0 MAC), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
What better way for the MAC to end the season with two 11-1 squads going at it. Both of these teams are very solid with their own strengths. To start with both teams have excellent rushing attacks. NIU has the ninth-best rushing attack in the country averaging 245 yards per contest, Kent State is no slouch either rushing the ball with the 11th-best running game in the country averaging nearly 242 yards per game. Both teams feature 1000-yard rushers, but the Golden Flashes have two. Dri Archer and Trayion Durham have rushed for 1337 and 1176 yards, respectively, and both have14 touchdowns on the season. Northern Illinois has one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country in Jordan Lynch who has 1,611 yards rushing this season and 16 touchdowns. Lynch not only has rushed for 1500-plus yard, but has thrown for 2750 yards and 23 touchdowns. No doubt NIU has the better quarterback with Lynch having 4,361 yards and 39 total touchdowns. What could create a problem for the Huskies is that if Lynch is off or if Kent State really slows him down they do not have much behind him to pick up on the offense. One good thing for the Huskies is they are 12th in the country in points per game at 40.5 and 15th in points against 17.5. NIU is also on an 11-game heater with its only loss of the season coming by one point to Iowa the first week of the season. Kent State statistically is worse allowing 23.5 points per game (37th) and scoring 34.4 (35th), but I think this team is more balanced and should be able to come away with a win. I fully expect this game to be close and be decided by a touchdown or less.
-Nick, Kent State, 35-31
-Jeremy, Kent State, 41-34
Pac-12 Championship: No. 16 UCLA (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) vs. No. 8 Stanford (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12), 8 p.m ET, FOX
This has been a very tough game for me to breakdown because these teams just played last weekend. Stanford looked like the much better team in last weekends match up winning 35-17, but it is always difficult to beat a team twice in a season, especially twice in two weeks. This game, for me, comes down to the defensive fronts, Stanford has one of the best front sevens in the country if not the best and one of the most talanted running backs in the country in Stepfan Taylor. Stanfords numbers aren't goddy or out of this world but their defense allows just 16.9 points per game which is the 11th-best in the country. On offense they do not wow you either but Taylor has quietly had a great season rushing 278 times for 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns. UCLA does not wow you either ranking in the 30s in both passing offense (32, 279.5 yards per game) and rushing offense (34, 196.2 yards per game) but that is a very balanced attack. UCLA has a solid front four but if you get passed the front four the back seven is not as great tacklers. One thing UCLA has going for it is a pretty solid quarterback in Brett Hundley who has thrown for 3,234 yards and 26 touchdowns. That being said I still think Stanford is disipline enough to get it done two weeks in a row and head on to the Rose Bowl. Stanford should win a closer game than last week.
-Nick, Stanford, 31-28
-Jeremy, UCLA, 34-31
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