Cram Session - Week 12

This weekend's college football action would be a cure for insomnia. Considering I haven't been sleeping well lately, I wish I could just try watch college football all day Saturday so I could get some rest. There is only one game between teams in the Top 25, and all of the undefeated teams are playing against teams they should have no problem with. Pretty much just counting down to December 5th when Alabama will play Florida, and Texas will play in the Big 12 Championship.

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

Kansas State (6-5, 4-3) at Nebraska (7-3, 4-2)

This is a de facto semi-final game to determine who will represent the Big 12 North in the Big 12 Championship. Both of these teams are probably just playing for the right to get beat by Texas. Interestingly, if the Wildcats lose this game they not only won't go to the Big 12 Championship, they won't even go to a bowl! Kansas State has earned back some respectability with the return of Bruce Snyder as coach. However, they have been a pretty mystifying team as some of their losses have been awful. Losing to Louisiana-Lafayette, losing 66-14 at Texas Tech, and then losing at home last week to Missouri 38-12. The Wildcats prefer to run the ball and are led by RB Daniel Thomas and his 1,166 rushing yards, and 11 TDs. When the Wildcats do decide to throw most of the passes go to WR Brandon Banks. Nebraska saw some encouraging signs from their offense in the win over Kansas last week. RB Roy Helu has returned to form, scoring 3 TDs and rushing for over 100 yards against KU, and QB Zac Lee has been avoiding mistakes. Nebraska will be at home and really shouldn't struggle to win this game. I think they will struggle but still win and reach their goal before the season started, of reaching the Big 12 Championship.

Prediction: Nebraska 27, Kansas State 20

Connecticut (4-5) at Notre Dame (6-4)

Some people still don't believe the Irish will have a new coach next season due to the enormous buyout required to fire Charlie Weis. I think he is gone no matter what, but he could make a slight case for himself if Notre Dame wins out. That has been said for weeks though and the Irish have proven that them winning out is highly unlikely. However, this is a game they should win. Last year's Senior Day was disastrous as the Irish blew a 4th quarter lead to pathetic Syracuse. Connecticut comes into this game losers of four of their last five. They rely on a dual RB committee of Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon. The problem as it has been all year is the Notre Dame defense and whether the Irish win or not will depend on them. The Irish also need to start getting touchdowns in the red zone, which has been a problem all year.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Connecticut 28

Top 25

Florida International (3-7) at #1 Florida (10-0)

Florida's schedule is such a joke.

Prediction: Florida 38, Florida International 10

Chattanooga (6-4) at #2 Alabama (10-0)

Alabama's isn't been much better.

Prediction: Alabama 41, Chattanooga 14

Kansas (5-5, 1-5) at #3 Texas (10-0, 6-0)

Kansas has completely fallen apart, losing five in a row after a 5-0 start. There is also talk that head coach Mark Mangino might have assaulted one of his players! What a mess and not the recipe to compete with Texas at Texas.

Prediction: Texas 41, Kansas 13

#4 TCU (10-0, 6-0) at Wyoming (5-5, 3-3)

TCU has been doing what the other undefeateds can't seem to do, blow good teams out. BYU and Utah caused little trouble for the Horned Frogs, and I doubt Wyoming will either.

Prediction: TCU 47, Wyoming 17

#6 Boise State (10-0, 5-0) at Utah State (3-7, 2-4)

Boise State seems poised to go undefeated a second straight regular season, but they will probably have to win big in their last two games to make their case for a BCS berth.

Prediction: Boise State 34, Utah State 17

#8 LSU (8-2, 4-2) at Mississippi (7-3, 3-3)

People seem to think LSU is really good despite them not beating a ranked team all season. Mississippi fell off the national radar pretty quickly but has slightly turned around their season. This is a tough game to call, but with QB Jordan Jefferson likely to play, I think the Tigers get the road win.

Prediction: LSU 23, Mississippi 20

#10 Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) at Michigan (5-6, 1-6)

Another awful year for the Wolverines and it will be made worse when their hated rivals, the Buckeyes, make them miss a bowl game for the second straight season.

Prediction: Ohio State 27, Michigan 21

#11 Oregon (8-2, 6-1) at Arizona (6-3, 4-2)

This game has Rose Bowl implications. A win by the Ducks will put them one win away from going to face Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Arizona will have something to say about that, as they have their own slim Rose Bowl hopes. Oregon has struggled at Arizona in the past but I think this is a better, more talented team and they will get the job done.

Prediction: Oregon 34, Arizona 31

Colorado (3-7, 2-4) at #12 Oklahoma State (8-2, 5-1)

Colorado gets to be embarrassed on a national Thursday night stage yet again.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 33, Colorado 20

Minnesota (6-5, 3-4) at #13 Iowa (9-2, 5-2)

Iowa saw their national championship and Rose Bowl hopes die in consecutive weeks. This week they will be playing for a BCS at large berth. They put up a good fight at Ohio State without QB Ricky Stanzi and I believe they will play well against the Golden Gophers.

Prediction: Iowa 27, Minnesota 14

#14 Penn State (9-2, 5-2) at Michigan State (6-5, 4-3)

Penn State will finish the season as the most underwhelming 10-2 team EVAR. They might even be rewarded with a BCS berth.

Prediction: Penn State 21, Michigan State 20

North Carolina State (4-6, 1-5) at #15 Virginia Tech (7-3, 4-2)

I wonder if NC State coach Tom O;Brien regrets leaving Boston College yet?

Prediction: Virginia Tech 38, North Carolina State 21

#16 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-2) at Northwestern (7-4, 4-3)

Northwestern is better than people give them credit for and I feel like picking an upset.

Prediction: Northwestern 25, Wisconsin 23

#25 California (7-3, 4-3) at #17 Stanford (7-3, 6-2)

Stanford is one of the hottest teams in football after winning at home against Oregon and then killing USC at the Coliseum last weekend. Cal surprisingly won against Arizona without RB Jahvid Best, and will likely be without him again this week. I am afraid of what Stanford might do to Notre Dame next week.

Prediction: Stanford 41, California 27

#19 Oregon State (7-3, 5-2) at Washington State (1-9, 0-7)

Next.

Prediction: Oregon State 41, Washington State 10

Duke (5-5, 3-3) at #20 Miami (7-3, 4-3)

I love that Miami was just a pretty good team and not this amazing team everyone wanted to anoint them as at the start of the season. Duke will need to win its last game to become bowl eligible.

Prediction: Miami 34, Duke 14

San Diego State (4-6, 2-4) at #21 Utah (8-2, 5-1)

Utah will still be licking their rounds from the beating at the hands of TCU. San Diego State will be the cure for their ills.

Prediction: Utah 28, San Diego State 13

Air Force (7-4, 5-2) at #22 BYU (8-2, 5-1)

Air Force has proven to be a pretty tough team and should give the Cougars some problems. I like BYU to win on a last second field goal.

Prediction: BYU 19, Air Force 16

Virginia (3-7, 2-4) at #23 Clemson (7-3, 5-2)

Virginia coach Al Groh is just playing out the string. Clemson can clinch a berth in the ACC championship against Georgia Tech with a win. Clemson RB C.J. Spiller continues to find new ways to score touchdowns and would be a Heisman candidate on a better team.

Prediction: Clemson 35, Virginia 17

Memphis (2-8, 1-5) at #24 Houston (8-2, 4-2)

Houston QB Case Keenum might have lost his chance to be invited to New York for the Heisman presentation with the Cougars loss to UCF last week. Houston is the only ranked Conference USA team but could miss out on the conference championship if SMU wins out.

Prediction: Houston 51, Memphis 17

Last Week: 20-3
Overall: 182-50