We've finally arrived at the most anticipated weekend on the college football calendar...Championship Weekend! We know all about the national semifinal in the SEC, but what other BCS berths are at stake? More importantly, who's going to follow in Oregon's shoes and seize the moment? Find out at RSS!
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - #1 Florida (12-0) vs. #2 Alabama (12-0)
- All season long this has been the game circled on every football fan's calendar. Two of the most dominant defenses in the country suggest this will be a low-scoring struggle for the ages. Similar to last year's game, this one will come down to who can make the most plays in the 4th quarter. However, there are two key differences from last year's SEC Championship. The first is the suspension this week of Florida's stud DE Carlos Dunlap. This situation deserves its own mini-analysis. First, Dunbar deserves to be on the list of dumbest athletes of the year. Can you imagine a starting PG getting arrested for DUI the week of the Final Four? Of course not. His selfish act takes Florida's defense down a notch. But also, don't give Florida HC Urban Meyer too much credit for suspending Dunlap. He really had no other options, or else risk looking like a total dirtbag. Sitting out Dunlap was the easiest decision of the week by far for Meyer.
Now, back to the game. The second difference from last year is which team has the explosive, big play threats. Last year, Florida had a bevy of playmakers who could break the game open, this year the impact players are on Alabama. The Tide's Javier Arenas, the man who now holds the record for most return TDs in SEC history or So WR Julio Jones will make something out of nothing at some point in this game to change the momentum. Regardless of the health of Mark Ingram, the play of Tim Tebow, this year, it's Alabama's turn. We've liked them more since the start of the season, no need to change now. PICK - Alabama
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - #3 Texas (12-0) vs. #23 Nebraska (9-3)
Many around the country rooting for BCS chaos, especially those in Fort Worth, will be pulling hard for Nebraska to pull the upset. But, even in a conference championship with a history of upsets, we don't see one this year. Colt McCoy's virtuoso performance last week against Texas A&M was an eye-opener; he's ready to put this team on his back to go to his first National Championship as the Texas starting QB. Though Nebraska DT Ndmaukong Suh will be his usual disruptive self, one man can't win a game on defense. And, as we saw in Texas's last game, they're more vulnerable to an athletic dual-threat QB, not Nebraska's forte. Texas should run out comfortable winners.- PICK-Texas
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - #5 Cincinnati (11-0) @ #14 Pitt (9-2)
-Our spicy friend travels to Pittsburgh for our upset of the week. Cincinnati is still undefeated, and has an outside chance at a national championship berth with a win and a lot of help. But, in recent weeks their stock has started to slip. While they're still undefeated, their defense seems to be regressing weekly, even giving up 36 to hapless Illinois last week. The worst part, they've yet to face a duo as talented as Pitt RB Dion Lewis and WR Jonathan Baldwin. Oh, and all of that speculation of UC Head Coach Brian Kelly going to Notre Dame can't help the Bearcats focus on the task at hand. It should be exciting and compelling, and it will be an upset. PICK-Pitt
Andouille's Under the Radar Game - #12 Georgia Tech (10-2) vs. #25 Clemson (8-4)
-Unfortunately all too often, the ACC Title Game turns into the game NOBODY watches. This year is no different with neither team a threat to crack the top BCS bowls. It's even worse this year as ESPN has scheduled this game to go head-to-head with the Big 12 Title Game. Yikes, I think the NHL might be getting a better tv deal than that...on second thought, maybe not. Nevertheless, this will be a good game for those who tune in to watch it. The triple option of Ga. Tech versus the one man gang, C.J. Spiller and Clemson. While Clemson played Tech tough the first time around, Ga. Tech just has too many weapons. PICK-Ga. Tech
Hot Dog Of The Week - Army and Navy
-Ok, so it's not this week exactly, but there aren't really any other college football games after tomorrow, so forgive us. When these two play, it's always about more than football, it's a reminder of the power of sport to bring people together and of the sacrifice made by the young men and women in our armed forces. Sure, these two teams aren't in the national spotlight the way they were in the early days, but the game is about more than records. It's a chance for all of us, as college football fans, to be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Especially during this time of war and uncertainty, take a few minutes to watch these two play next week. It's a guarantee there won't be a more emotional, harder played game in college football this season.
Extra Toppings -
-What an entertaining game last night between Oregon and Oregon St. We told you the difference would be the dual threat of Jeramiah Masoli, and his 4th down conversion with his legs sealed the deal late. You can bet Jim Tressel is already starting to lose sleep over stopping Masoli and freshman sensation LaMichael James.
-If Texas does lose, the question becomes who plays in the National Championship? Well, a Cincinnati loss would make matters moot, the choice is TCU by a mile. But even if UC stays undefeated, our bet is on TCU edging out the Bearcats by the slimmest of margins.
-Don't just take our word that this is the biggest college football weekend ever, visit our friends at Rumors & Rants for even more coverage.
-Also, a shameless plug, but you may have noticed our new Twitter feed at the top-right of the blog. If you're hip with social media (or at least pretending to be hip like we are), follow us. It's the best way to get our instant quick takes on the world of sports.
-So Notre Dame is going to decline their invite to a bowl game, I think I'll wet my pants. A normal program would take any bowl game invite, especially at 6-6. Apparently, Notre Dame feels as if it's too good for the GMAC or PapaJohns.com Bowl...or they just want to save the embarrassment of losing in one of those two bowls.
-Unfortunate to see Mark Mangino forced to resign at Kansas. It's amazing how quickly things can change over some key losses and accusations. Still, you wonder if Kansas will regret firing a man who brought them more success this decade than in the previous 100 years combined.
-How much you want to bet on Brent Musberger treating the Big 12 Championship like it's the national semifinal instead of the SEC game?
-Apparently there are other conferences which will hold title games as well this weekend, who knew? If things keep up, maybe someday the MAC and C-USA Championships will have as much impact as the SEC and Big 12, but don't hold your breath.
-USC hosts Arizona this week in a game people could care less about. Wait, a game in December with USC that isn't important? I shudder to think what Pete Carroll will come up with to draw attention to himself this week.
Randall's Got His Eye On You... Heisman Voters
-While the participants in the BCS National Championship will be decided this weekend, the underlying storyline is of course the Heisman Trophy. Toby Gerhart sits in the clubhouse waiting to see if Colt McCoy, Mark Ingram, or God forbid Tim Tebow can steal the spotlight this weekend. So, the question is, how will the Heisman voters react to the performances of the three contenders playing this weekend? If voters have already made up their mind, Gerhart might stand an outside chance. But, from the way some prominent national voices are talking, the Tebow movement may be gaining late steam. How lazy will the Heisman voters be? Can these voters actually turn this once prestigious award in to a lifetime achievement award? Please Heisman voters, watch these games with an open mind. If McCoy or Ingram outdoes Tebow, then he deserves the award. Don't take the easy way out again.
That's it for our Hot off the Grill Preview. Stay tuned for our NFL Preview coming tomorrow and the continuation of our ever popular Decade Series, up next will be our Top 10 D'Oh Moments of the Decade, which you know will be fun. Until then, it's bye for now!
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