This Weekend Means Everything For College Football

In the next 3 days, starting tommorrow, the champions of the Pac-10, MAC, C-USA, ACC, SEC, Big 12 and Big East will be decided. That leaves only 3 conferences in the Bowl Subdivision with champions already in Ohio State (Big 10), TCU (Mt. West), and Boise State (WAC). If you are a college football fan and can't get excited for this weekend, you shouldn't be a college football fan. The madness and this week's preview begins with the Civil War in Autzen Stadium Thursday night.

GAMES TO WATCH:
(16) Oregon State @ (7) Oregon (9:00, Thurs. , ESPN)
This is by far the biggest matchup in this rivalry ever. The Ducks and Beavers are bitter rivals and will fight it out for the outright Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl berth. Both teams have lost to only quality teams like Boise State, Stanford, USC, Arizona, and Cincinnati. This should be a great matchup in the loudest stadium in college football, Autzen Stadium. No matter how much talent the Rodgers brother, James and Jacquizz, have they can't drain out the noise coming from every direction of Autzen. The Ducks' home-field advantage is a major attribute to being the favorite on Thursday but their rushing attack is on the same level, if not better, than the Rodgers brothers in Jeremiah Masoli and LaMichael James. James has stepped right into the void created by LeGarrette Blount after he was suspended by running for 1,310 yards and 11 TD.
PREDICTION:
Autzen Stadium is the loudest stadium in the nation and Oregon State, although well prepared for the crowd noise, will suffer from it and the motivation for Oregon to win this game at home will be too much.
Oregon 34-16

(5) Cincinnati @ (15) Pittsburgh (12:00 Sat. ABC)
This end of the year battle between the Bearcats and Panthers has both teams coming in to the game in different directions. Cincinnati is 11-0 and looking to stay undefeated. The Bearcats are also dealing with the rumors of coach Brian Kelly going to Notre Dame. Pitt is coming off a devastating loss to archrival West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl and what better way to bounce back then to beat Cincinnati at home, win the Big East, and got to a BCS bowl, most likely the Orange Bowl, all in one fowl swoop.
PREDICTION:
Pitt has a slight advantage at home and with Dion Lewis in the running game and could capitalize on a little bit of uncertainty in the Bearcats' camp. But, the Bearcats are on a mission and Coach Kelly will have his team ready to play and go 12-0.
Cincinnati 29-19

(3) Texas v. (22) Nebraska (8:00 Sat, ABC)
Game played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Colt McCoy and the Longhorns are in the BCS National Championship Game with a win and McCoy will win the Heisman with a good performance against the Huskers. Nebraska is on a 5-game Big 12 win streak and the Blackshirt defense led by DT Ndamukong Suh has been very impressive during the streak. Texas' defense did give up 39 points to Texas A&M on Thanksgiving but Nebraska does not possess the offense weapons that the Aggies have.
PREDICTION:
Both teams have the drive and talent to win this game but Texas has more than Nebraska does. Colt McCoy will lead his team to victory and win the Heisman Trophy next weekend in New York.
Texas 38-17

(10) Georgia Tech v. Clemson (8:00, Sat., ESPN)
Game being played in Tampa, FL
The ACC title game boasts two teams that faced crushing defeats to their archrivals last weekend and are looking to get back on track. The Yellow Jackets were stopped by Georgia last week at home, while the Tigers lost in Columbia to South Carolina. This game will be all about running the football. The triple option offense that Paul Johnson has instilled at Georgia Tech is working to perfection this season with 3 players rushing for over 500 yards this season. QB Josh Nesbitt and RBs Jonathan Dwyer and Anthony Allen will look to get the option back on track against the Tiger defense. For Clemson, senior RB C.J. Spiller has had yet another impressive season and has scored touchdowns in almost any way possible, rushing, receiving, kick return, punt return and even one passing touchdown. If the Yellow Jacket defense tightens up and stops Spiller, Georgia Tech will easily march into the BCS with the ACC Championship.
PREDICTION:
Spiller will have a decent game but the triple option will be too much for the Clemson defense.
Georgia Tech 31-14

GAME OF THE WEEK:
(1) Florida v. (2) Alabama (4:00,Sat, CBS)
Game played at Georgia Dome in Atlanta
The matchup college football fans have waited for all year is here. Florida and Alabama have been #1 and #2 virtually all season and both teams are ready to settle the score. Urban Meyer's Gators are used to the SEC Championship and playing in big games, especially QB Tim Tebow. Tebow will be looking to go out with a bang but one Gator will not be able to do that. DE Carlos Dunlap has been suspended for the game due to an arrest earlier in the week. This will give Alabama's offensive line an easier time blocking the Gators defensive, but the Gator D is still very strong. Bama needs a huge game out of RBs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. Ingram is still hurt from his ankle injury and might not be able to play, Richardson has to step up no matter what the case. QB Greg McElroy will face the most pressure and he will have to hit WR Julio Jones in clutch situations if Jones can get away from Gator CB Joe Haden. In the end, the winner gets the spoils, SEC Champions and a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
PREDICTION:
The Gators are too good to lose this game and will set up the marquee matchup in the title game against Texas. Alabama will fight hard but after 60 minutes, the Gators will prevail.
Florida 20-10