A conference-by-conference look at the biggest games in Week 11 of the college football season...

 

SEC: Auburn at Georgia

In the only matchup between Top 25 teams, the Tigers venture between the hedges for a game that's a must-win on both sidelines.

If Georgia wins out and Tennessee loses one of its last three, the Dawgs will clinch the East Division crown. Auburn is in a more desperate situation, needing LSU to lose its last two conference games to have a shot at a trip to Atlanta.

Georgia sports stud rookie running back Knowshon Moreno and a powerful passing attack led by Matt Stafford. The Bulldogs defense is suspect, however, having surrendered 34 points to Troy last week, and 30 to Florida the week before.

Auburn, a polar opposite to Georgia, will rely on a solid defense to disguise an offense that has been extremely inconsistent.

This will be a classic SEC showdown, and a close game will turn in the Bulldogs' favor late as Moreno wears down the Tigers defense.

Prediction: Georgia 28, Auburn 24

 

Big Ten: Michigan at Wisconsin

Anybody who wrote off Michigan after Week Two is probably feeling pretty silly right now.

The Wolverines have won eight straight and sit atop the Big Ten along with undefeated Ohio State.

After clawing their way to a 5-0 start, the Badgers has lost three of five, and are proving to be no better than a middle-of-the-pack team. On Saturday, Wisconsin will try to play spoiler for Lloyd Carr's crew—and increase its dwindling bowl appeal in the process.

Odds aren't in the Badgers' favor.

After giving up 36.5 points per game in its first two contests, the Michigan defense has only allowed 14.9 PPG since, and poses a big test for Tyler Donovan and P.J. Hill. The Badgers offense has looked good against weaker opponents, but has struggled mightily in big games against Ohio State and Penn State.

Henne, Hart, and Co. will be looking ahead to the Ohio State game—but they won't play like it.

Prediction: Michigan 35, Wisconsin 17

 

Pac-10: USC at California

What would once have seemed like a titanic showdown on the West Coast is now a game some college football fans wouldn't even notice.

USC has two losses to their name, including an inexplicable defeat at home against Stanford. Cal was sitting pretty at No. 2 four weeks ago, but has suffered three consecutive conference losses.

This is a tough game to call, because it's hard to tell which team, if either, will bring its A-game.

Cal quarterback Nate Longshore hasn't measured up to last year's success, but he does have a nice backfield option in Justin Forsett. John David Booty was impressive in his return last week for the Trojans—as was the Trojans defense, which gave up only a field goal to Oregon State.

This game could come down to nothing more than who wants to win—and since USC still has an outside shot at the conference title, it seems they'll be more motivated.

Prediction: USC 31, Cal 21

 

Big 12: Kansas at Oklahoma State

The Jayhawks take their undefeated record to Stillwater on Saturday to face Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys blew a chance to vault to the top of the South Division when they gave up a two-score fourth quarter lead and fell to Texas last week. OSU isn't out of it yet, though, and desperately needs a win against Mark Mangino's surprising squad.

Kansas has come from nowhere to begin the season 9-0 thanks to a powerhouse offense led by Heisman sleeper Todd Reesing. Brandon McAnderson and Jake Sharp have shouldered the load on the ground, with more than 1,400 yards between them.

OSU has been slightly disappointing but has played reasonably well of late, and quarterback Zac Robinson is quietly putting together a solid campaign. That said, defense is too big of an issue for Mike Gundy's team, which will have real trouble against Reesing and his weapons.

Prediction: Kansas 35, Oklahoma State 21

 

ACC: Wake Forest at Clemson

Boston College's surprising loss to FSU gives both of these teams new life in the division race.

Clemson controls its own destiny by virtue of a date with the Eagles next week. But Tommy Bowden's boys will have to get by defending ACC champion Wake Forest, a team that has given Clemson trouble in recent years.

Clemson owns a clear talent edge over the Deacs, but Jim Grobe is one of the best coaches in the nation, and has learned how to overcome such disadvantages.

Clemson has gotten its running game on track lately, which serves as a nice complement to quarterback Cullen Harper, who has had an incredible season in his first as a starter.

Wake suffered a heartbreaking loss last week to Virginia after missing a last-second field goal, and is hoping to bounce back in Death Valley. Sophomore quarterback Riley Skinner hasn't been as impressive as he was last year, but has been adequate  for the most part.

The Deacs' run defense has been solid, and they'll need to shut down James Davis if they want to win. But they have struggled against the pass—and even if they hold Clemson on the ground, Harper and WR Aaron Kelly may be too much for Wake to overcome.

Prediction: Clemson 28, Wake Forest 20

 

Big East: West Virginia at Louisville

If we've learned one thing about the Big East, it's that nobody knows what's going to happen in any given week.

Louisville is one of the nation's most disappointing teams at 5-4, and now lack a realistic chance at the conference title. One-loss West Virginia is hoping to continue to move back into the National Championship picture.

Both teams have spectacular offenses, but West Virginia's defense has been a big surprise this year, allowing just 14.9 points per contest. Louisville's defense, on the other hand, has been atrocious—and is mostly to blame for the Cards' mediocre record.

While a shootout is likely, and an upset is possible, there's too much at stake for West Virginia to stumble.

Prediction: West Virginia 42, Louisville 31