Miami and Florida will face each other for the BCS national
championship in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 3.
Nothing is signed, sealed and delivered but all the
credible evidence points in that direction. Both the Hurricanes and Gators have
other games to win before going to Pasadena, but are substantial favorites to
prevail.
The Hurricanes head into Blacksburg this Saturday to take
on Virginia Tech, one week after the Canes blew out the Washington Huskies,
65-7. You can look for another blowout here.
Florida’s task is more daunting, but still is easily
attainable. The Gators must beat Tennessee in Gainesville this Saturday and then
win the SEC championship game in Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl would seem to be a perfect setting for a
championship game involving two Florida-based teams in that it’s the perfect
neutral site. Each school will take home $13.5 million.
The Big 12 title game will take place Saturday at Texas
Stadium in Irving. Until last weekend, the two teams considered locked in were
Oklahoma and Nebraska. But two gigantic upsets turned everything around.
The Sooners were bushwhacked by Oklahoma State, thereby
moving Texas into the stop spot in the South. But it was in the North that the
most astonishing game of the season was played when Colorado ripped the
Cornhuskers, 63-36.
Colorado coach Gary Barnett had pointed his team for that
game and Nebraska, the No. 1 team in the BCS computer rankings, was not prepared
for the blitzkrieg the Buffaloes unleashed.
Texas and Colorado met earlier in the season with the Horns
winning, 41-7. But this is a different Colorado team.
And the winner of the Big Ten championship is”¦the
envelope please”¦Illinois. This is one of the great surprises of the season.
By winning over Northwestern on Thanksgiving Day and
Michigan losing to Ohio State two days later, the Illini became sole possessors
of the championship. They’ll go to a BCS bowl, probably the Fiesta, where they
will play Oregon.
Meanwhile, joy ran rampant in Columbus after the Buckeyes
posted their first victory at Ann Arbor since 1984.
Saturday, Dec. 1
Navy vs. Army: Always a great spectacle, frequently
an exciting contest, this game in Philadelphia holds a special place in college
football. It’s even more special this year. Tough game to pick, but when in
doubt, take the points Take Navy (+2½).
Penn State at Virginia: It would have been better
for the Cavaliers if this game was played
earlier in the year when Penn State was going bad. The Nittany Lions are
rolling. A win gets them a bowl bid. Take Penn State (—5).
Miami at Virginia Tech: Even though the Hurricanes
are better at home than on the road, in their current form they are positively
dazzling. Take ÂÂÂMiami (+11½).
Notre Dame at Purdue: It will be hard for the Irish
players to stay focused as the media will go heavy on the future of Irish coach
Bob Davie. Take Purdue (—1½).
Oregon State at Oregon: The Ducks are headed for a
BCS bowl, while the Beavers have been a disappointment.
Oregon State did show life in upsetting Washington. Take ÂÂÂOregon
State (+10).
