The National Championship picture is starting to get a little more clear as we hit the near-end of the regular season. Or is it getting clear? Maybe instead it's getting a bit more fuzzy, since now teams are in must-win situations and the possibilities of looking too far ahead may catch up to them. As always, there will be some pivotal matchups this week, some still with National Championship implications and some that are great rivalries, and others that are, well, snoozers. Let's see how well I do this week.
Thursday
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Virginia Cavaliers (7:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
Pick: North Carolina
Friday
Florida International Panthers vs. Florida Atlantic Owls (8:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Florida Atlantic
Hawaii Warriors vs. Air Force Falcons (9:30 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Pick: Air Force
Saturday
#10 Florida State Seminoles vs. Maryland Terrapins (12:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Florida State
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. #21 Michigan Wolverines (12:00 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN3D, WatchESPN)
Pick: Michigan
#22 Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (12:00 PM ET, Big East Network, ESPN3)
Pick: Rutgers
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans (12:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Pick: Michigan State
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Bowling Green Falcons (12:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Kent State
UCF Golden Knights vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (12:00 PM ET)
In a matchup that features two undefeated Conference USA teams, I'm taking the home team here. Prior to their loss to Arkansas, Tulsa was scoring 39.5 PPG. Last week against Houston? They scored 41. I'm going with the hot hand here.
Pick: Tulsa
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (12:00 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Thank goodness that the Hoosier Rose Bowl garbage is over. Was not happening to begin with. Anyways, Penn State rolls to victory here, I think. Boy, what a great job Bill O'Brien's done given the circumstances.
Pick: Penn State
Houston Cougars vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (12:00 PM ET)
Pick: Houston
Temple Owls vs. Army Knights (12:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Temple
Western Carolina Catamounts vs. #4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12:21 PM ET, SEC Network, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Tide rolls, rather easily, to try and stomach the bad loss in Tuscaloosa last week to TAMU.
Pick: Alabama
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (12:21 PM ET, SEC Network, ESPN3, Gameplan)
John L. Smith's time isn't going to be getting any easier. While I think they will compete, the Razorbacks will most likely take a loss in Starkville to a pretty decent Mississippi State team.
Pick: Mississippi State
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Boston College Eagles (12:30 PM ET, ACC Network, ESPN3)
Va Tech put up a valiant effort against the Florida State Seminoles last Thursday, but it wasn't quite enough. Lesser challenge in this game against B.C., and I think they come out victorious in Chestnut HIll. Like Logan Thomas to look good in this one, at the very least.
Pick: Virginia Tech
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. #6 Florida Gators (1:00 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
What the heck is with Florida undermining their competition? Hopefully they blow by Jacksonville State here otherwise I might get a bit weary of them.
Pick: Florida
Wofford Terriers vs. #9 South Carolina Gamecocks (1:00 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: South Carolina
Miami (OH) Red Hawks vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Miami (OH)
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. #5 Georgia Bulldogs (1:30 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Georgia
#25 Washington Huskies vs. Colorado Buffaloes (1:30 PM ET, FX)
Pick: Washington
Alabama A&M Bulldogs vs. Auburn Tigers (2:00 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Can you imagine if Alabama A&M beat Auburn? Wouldn't that be fun?
Pick: Auburn
Memphis Tigers vs. UAB Blazers (2:00 PM ET)
The question is, is Memphis going to put up as many points as they get viewers this weekend? Who knows.
Pick: UAB
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Western Michigan Broncos (2:00 PM ET)
Pick: Western Michigan
Washington State Cougars vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (3:00 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Pick: Arizona State
Buffalo Bulls vs. Massachusetts Minutemen (3:00 PM ET)
Pick: Buffalo
South Florida Bulls vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (3:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Miami (FL)
#18 USC Trojans vs. #17 UCLA Bruins (3:05 PM ET, FOX)
Last year, despite the fact that USC were banned from postseason play, and despite the fact that UCLA was going to the Pac-12 Championship Game, the Trojans hung 50 on the Bruins in a horrific beatdown in the Coliseum. Now the scene shifts to the Rose Bowl and things seem to be a little different. While USC has a loaded offense, they are nowhere near as good of a team that people were making them out to be. Meanwhile, under the direction of Jim Mora, the Bruins have been much better than people thought and, most likely, this game is for the Pac-12 South Division Championship. Despite their deficiencies, I think the Trojans will win this game, but the chance of a Bruins "upset" is possible, too.
Pick: USC
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3:30 PM ET, NBC)
Is there any doubt? The Fighting Irish will certainly make haste of the Demon Deacons and look forward to their meeting with Southern Cal next week in L.A. Boy is that going to be a good one.
Pick: Notre Dame
Ole Miss Rebels vs. #7 LSU Tigers (3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Pick: LSU
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. #8 Texas A&M Aggies (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Texas A&M
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. #11 Clemson Tigers (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
This game definitely looked a lot better in the preseason. Now, it's a matchup of one team that's done a lot better than I thought they would (Clemson) against another team that hasn't lived up to expectations (NC State). I think Clemson runs away with this one and, unfortunately for them, will still remain out of the ACC Championship. BCS potential is still there, though.
Pick: Clemson
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. #14 Nebraska Cornhuskers (3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Nebraska continues to make their appearance in the Big Ten Conference Championship Game more apparent. Think the Cornhuskers smoke the Gophers here, it won't be close.
Pick: Nebraska
#23 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. #24 Oklahoma State Cowboys (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Texas Tech
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders vs. South Alabama Jaguars (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Middle Tennessee State
Duke Blue Devils vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3:30 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Duke
Colorado State Rams vs. Boise State Broncos (3:30 PM ET, NBC Sports Network)
Pick: Boise State
Nevada Wolf Pack vs. New Mexico Lobos (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Nevada
Southern Methodist Mustangs vs. Rice Owls (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: SMU
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
These two teams have had some great matchups in the last few years, especially the last two. Wisconsin won when Ohio State was #1 in the country two seasons ago, and a deft blow by a Braxton Miller Hail Mary in Columbus ended any shot that Wisconsin had at a National Championship last season. This year, the implications are... well, not really existent. Being that OSU is ineligible, as is Penn State, a loss won't necessarily hurt the Badgers chances. However, if they want to be taken seriously, they're going to need this win badly. And frankly, I think they can do it. This OSU team, even though they're undefeated, has never really blown me away. I like Montee Ball to have a huge day on the ground in what will be his last game in Camp Randall Stadium as a Badger.
Pick: Wisconsin
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Pick: Purdue
Texas State Bobcats vs. Navy Midshipmen (3:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Navy
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Troy Trojans (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Arkansas State
East Carolina Pirates vs. Tulane Green Wave (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: East Carolina
Utah State Aggies vs. #20 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (4:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Louisiana Tech
=North Texas Mean Green vs. Louisiana-Monroe War Hawks (4:00 PM ET)
Pick: Louisiana-Monroe
Yowming Cowboys vs. UNLV Rebels (4:00 PM ET)
At least the good folks in Las Vegas now have basketball to watch.
Pick: Wyoming
UTSA Roadrunners vs. Idaho Vandals (5:00 PM ET)
Pick: UTSA
#12 Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (7:00 PM ET, FOX)
Originally thought WVU was going to smoke Oklahoma when this game came around. Now? I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell of that happening. Landry Jones and the Oklahoma offense is going to tear up this anemic defense and Geno Smith is going to have a very, very tough go-around.
Pick: Oklahoma
Syracuse Orange vs. Missouri Tigers (7:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Gimme the Tigers in the Journalism Bowl II.
Pick: Missouri
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (7:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Yeah, give me the Commodores. Derek Dooley es el tostado, and James Franklin's bunch is going bowling again. What a terrific job he's done at that program.
Pick: Vanderbilt
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (7:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Western Kentucky
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas Jayhawks (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Iowa State
Samford Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats (7:30 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Kentucky
#1 Kansas State Wildcats vs. Baylor Bears (8:00 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
You figure that Kansas State should probably take care of business against Baylor. Right? Well I am inclined to agree with that. I am just curious as to how Kansas State handles the No. 1 ranking. They're not really used to being ranked so highly in their program's far from stellar history, and usually when these newbies have the No. 1 spot, it doesn't last long. Bill Snyder will have to keep his players controlled and I think he'll do that and I think that K-State is going to continue to hang onto this No. 1 ranking. For now at least.
Pick: Kansas State
#13 Stanford Cardinal vs. #2 Oregon Ducks (8:00 PM ET, ABC)
You know what? I'm not even gonna hold my breath on this one. The Oregon Ducks have owned the Stanford Cardinal for the last few years and that was with Andrew Luck at QB. I don't see a reason that this changes. The Ducks will win, and the Ducks will win big.
Pick: Oregon
UTEP Miners vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (8:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: UTEP
Arizona Wildcats vs. Utah Utes (10:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Arizona
California Golden Bears vs. #16 Oregon State Beavers (10:30 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Pick: Oregon State
Brigham Young Cougars vs. San Jose State Spartans (10:30 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Pick: San Jose State
Pick: USC
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3:30 PM ET, NBC)
Is there any doubt? The Fighting Irish will certainly make haste of the Demon Deacons and look forward to their meeting with Southern Cal next week in L.A. Boy is that going to be a good one.
Pick: Notre Dame
Ole Miss Rebels vs. #7 LSU Tigers (3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Pick: LSU
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. #8 Texas A&M Aggies (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Texas A&M
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. #11 Clemson Tigers (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
This game definitely looked a lot better in the preseason. Now, it's a matchup of one team that's done a lot better than I thought they would (Clemson) against another team that hasn't lived up to expectations (NC State). I think Clemson runs away with this one and, unfortunately for them, will still remain out of the ACC Championship. BCS potential is still there, though.
Pick: Clemson
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. #14 Nebraska Cornhuskers (3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Nebraska continues to make their appearance in the Big Ten Conference Championship Game more apparent. Think the Cornhuskers smoke the Gophers here, it won't be close.
Pick: Nebraska
#23 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. #24 Oklahoma State Cowboys (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Texas Tech
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders vs. South Alabama Jaguars (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Middle Tennessee State
Duke Blue Devils vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3:30 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Duke
Colorado State Rams vs. Boise State Broncos (3:30 PM ET, NBC Sports Network)
Pick: Boise State
Nevada Wolf Pack vs. New Mexico Lobos (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Nevada
Southern Methodist Mustangs vs. Rice Owls (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: SMU
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
These two teams have had some great matchups in the last few years, especially the last two. Wisconsin won when Ohio State was #1 in the country two seasons ago, and a deft blow by a Braxton Miller Hail Mary in Columbus ended any shot that Wisconsin had at a National Championship last season. This year, the implications are... well, not really existent. Being that OSU is ineligible, as is Penn State, a loss won't necessarily hurt the Badgers chances. However, if they want to be taken seriously, they're going to need this win badly. And frankly, I think they can do it. This OSU team, even though they're undefeated, has never really blown me away. I like Montee Ball to have a huge day on the ground in what will be his last game in Camp Randall Stadium as a Badger.
Pick: Wisconsin
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Pick: Purdue
Texas State Bobcats vs. Navy Midshipmen (3:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Navy
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Troy Trojans (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Arkansas State
East Carolina Pirates vs. Tulane Green Wave (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: East Carolina
Utah State Aggies vs. #20 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (4:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Louisiana Tech
=North Texas Mean Green vs. Louisiana-Monroe War Hawks (4:00 PM ET)
Pick: Louisiana-Monroe
Yowming Cowboys vs. UNLV Rebels (4:00 PM ET)
At least the good folks in Las Vegas now have basketball to watch.
Pick: Wyoming
UTSA Roadrunners vs. Idaho Vandals (5:00 PM ET)
Pick: UTSA
#12 Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (7:00 PM ET, FOX)
Originally thought WVU was going to smoke Oklahoma when this game came around. Now? I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell of that happening. Landry Jones and the Oklahoma offense is going to tear up this anemic defense and Geno Smith is going to have a very, very tough go-around.
Pick: Oklahoma
Syracuse Orange vs. Missouri Tigers (7:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Gimme the Tigers in the Journalism Bowl II.
Pick: Missouri
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (7:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Yeah, give me the Commodores. Derek Dooley es el tostado, and James Franklin's bunch is going bowling again. What a terrific job he's done at that program.
Pick: Vanderbilt
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (7:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Western Kentucky
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas Jayhawks (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Iowa State
Samford Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats (7:30 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Kentucky
#1 Kansas State Wildcats vs. Baylor Bears (8:00 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
You figure that Kansas State should probably take care of business against Baylor. Right? Well I am inclined to agree with that. I am just curious as to how Kansas State handles the No. 1 ranking. They're not really used to being ranked so highly in their program's far from stellar history, and usually when these newbies have the No. 1 spot, it doesn't last long. Bill Snyder will have to keep his players controlled and I think he'll do that and I think that K-State is going to continue to hang onto this No. 1 ranking. For now at least.
Pick: Kansas State
#13 Stanford Cardinal vs. #2 Oregon Ducks (8:00 PM ET, ABC)
You know what? I'm not even gonna hold my breath on this one. The Oregon Ducks have owned the Stanford Cardinal for the last few years and that was with Andrew Luck at QB. I don't see a reason that this changes. The Ducks will win, and the Ducks will win big.
Pick: Oregon
UTEP Miners vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (8:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: UTEP
Arizona Wildcats vs. Utah Utes (10:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Arizona
California Golden Bears vs. #16 Oregon State Beavers (10:30 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Pick: Oregon State
Brigham Young Cougars vs. San Jose State Spartans (10:30 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Pick: San Jose State
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