5. Auburn @ Georgia 6:00 PM CST ESPN
This game is a funny match up. One of the oldest rivalries in major college football which usually goes a long way in determining the SEC standings, despite being an inter-divisional matchup. Both teams are usually in the top 10 or 15, if not top 5 in the rankings, but this season both are un-ranked. Auburn has a better resume on the season so far, but Georgia probably has more overall talent outside of the quarterback position. Good thing for Georgia Auburn's quarterback isn't very good either. Auburn leads Georgia in most every major offensive statistical category, yet UGA comes in the favorites. Auburn's Chis Todd is hitting nearly 60% of his passes and has an amazing 17-3 TD-INT ratio. Joe Cox also has 17 TD, but it goes against 12 INTs. Auburn's Ben Tate is clearly the most experienced back in the game, but Georgia's Washaun Ealey is coming along nicely but hasn't shown he can do it for a full season yet. A.J. Green is the best receiver in college football, but Auburn's Darvin Adams has more TD receptions on the year. Auburn leads on paper, but Georgia will win on the scoreboard in the end. Its at home, and I like the Dawg defense a whole lot more than I like the Auburn defense. 17-13 Georgia.4. #1 Florida @ South Carolina 2:30 PM CBS
If CBS thinks this is the top SEC game of the week, then it must be a good one. And it will be. Steve Spurrier may coach USCe, but his heart is, and always will be, at Florida. His name is on the walls at the stadium. But while he loves them, he wants nothing more than to beat them.. Tebow gets all the publicity, but Stephen Garcia actually has mostly better numbers this season. Garcia has nearly 2500 passing yards to go with 13 touchdowns and 6 picks. Tebow has just 1500 yards, but is hitting on more than 65% of his passes. Neither team has a true leader at running back, and South Carolina has a budding superstar in Alshon Jeffery at receiver. But the SEC almost always comes down to defense, and South Carolina doesn't have the horses to get it done. I don't see a 16 point Florida win like Vegas does, but I"m thinking a good quality 27-17 win.3. #25 West Virginia @ #4 Cincinnati FRIDAY NIGHT 7:00 ESPN
This game only gets as high as it gets because both teams come into the game ranked. This game is a major question mark type of game. Cincinnati comes into the game with BCS and possible national championship dreams. West Virginia comes in two weeks off a surprising loss to South Florida, but still controlling its own destiny in the Big East race. The key difference in these two teams is that West Virginia has been up near the top before, Cincinnati has not. This game marks the first a three game stretch for Cinci that will determine their season as the Bearcats finish the season with West Virginia, Illinios, and Pitt. All three games are winnable, but all are tough. And Cinci will be without starting QB Tony Pike for at least part of the game. Although that may not be horrible since Zach Collaros has more than filled in nicely hitting on more than 75% of his passes and with a 10-1 TD-INT ratio. West Virginia has one of the most talented backs in the nation in Noel Devine. If you haven't checked out his highlights on youtube, do yourself a favor and do it. That kid is electric in the backfield and is likely the next Darren Sproles in the NFL. Cincinnati comes in as 9 point favorites, but mid week ESPN games are famous for upsets and I like West Virginia to pull it off here 35-31.2. #10 Iowa @ #11 Ohio State 2:30 PM ABC
This game is probably the defacto conference title game at this point. Both teams have one conference loss, but both losses comes to teams out of contention for the title. The winner of this game could still stumble, but I think the winner of this game will go to the Rose Bowl. Iowa were the darlings of the nation until last week, the "Cardiac Kids" if you will, but that is over. The 4th quarter was "Stanzi Time," but Stanzi is now out for the year with an ankle injury. He may be back for the Bowl game though. Ohio State has some of the top talent in the nation and do every year. They do have a pair of losses, but one was to USC which is understandable, but the other is Purdue which is less than understandable. And remember, Iowa shouldn't have won probably half the games they did this season. I like Ohio State in a BIG way on Saturday. They are favored by 17 and I find it hard to believe they won't cover that. I like the Buckeyes 35-10.1. #16 Utah @ #4 TCU 7:30 PM (Not listed on ESPN's lineup, but probably on VS.)
Ok, you know how I HATE the mid major teams. And I do. But Gameday has chosen this game, but I'll give it some props. Plus, this is TCU's first home sellout EVER. The Horned Frogs will be ready. I'll admit that I don't know alot about either of these teams. But I do know that TCU is undefeated and their offense is clicking at the right time. I always hate the mid majors for "not playing anybody." And while its not a murders row by any stretch of the imagination, but the Frogs have played two major conference opponents on the road at Virginia and Clemson, and have also gone on the road to defeat BYU. And with their other opponents, they are typically killing them by double digits and haven't really been "in" any game other than Clemson and maybe Air Force all year. I still HATE Utah for what they did against Alabama last season, but this is the last true test for TCU before finishing an undefeated regular season. My two hates have come together in one game, but I will be rooting for TCU in the game. TCU will be favored by 20, but I don't see them covering it. I see a slim victory to the tune of 20-16, but I would not be surprised if they fall to the hype and get tripped up on their undefeated bid here.Those are the games of the week. Too bad I won't get to see any of them since I have to work from 630AM until around 10:00 PM, but everyone else enjoy the weekend and have a drink for me!
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