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Michigan at Ohio State
t's rare that this rivalry is played where one squad is not even in bowl contention, but with Michigan suffering through the worst season in program history, that is what we are facing for this Saturday. But if you ask me, Michigan-Ohio State is the best thing going in terms of college football rivalries, and thus deserves your attention if both teams are 11-0 (as was the case in '06) or 0-11.
The Wolverines and Rich Rodriguez can atone for their first ever 8-loss campaign with a win at the Horseshoe, which would end the Buckeyes' chances at the Rose Bowl before Penn State ever had the opportunity to do so against Michigan State later in the day.
Michigan State at Penn State
It's quite simple for JoePa and the Nittany Lions: win this game, and you are Big 10 champions with a likely destination of the Rose Bowl. Lose, and things get interesting. Michigan State would then take the conference crown if Michigan upset Ohio State, while if Ohio State managed to win that game, the Buckeyes would head to Pasadena.
Obviously, a lot is on the line in the Big 10's final weekend of competition in 2008 (I can't wait until this league starts playing on Thanksgiving weekend in 2010). Penn State will focus on stopping Javon Ringer, and when teams, such as Ohio State, have been able to do that, Michigan State is clearly beatable. Nothing against Brian Hoyer, because he has done a fantastic job as well, but the Spartans live and die by #23.
BYU at Utah
I've been raving about the Mountain West all year, but they screwed up big time in putting one of their biggest games of the year on The Mtn., a network you cannot get nationally except on DirecTV. Therefore, most of us are going to miss out on a great, under appreciated rivalry and Utah's effort to lock up an undefeated season and a likely trip to the BCS. The Utes have a playmaker in QB Brian Johnson, but they live and die by a staunch defense. BYU has one of the nation's most prolific offenses, but remember what TCU did to Max Hall and company? They held them to 7 points. If Utah can repeat that feat, they will have no problem finishing 12-0.
I've been raving about the Mountain West all year, but they screwed up big time in putting one of their biggest games of the year on The Mtn., a network you cannot get nationally except on DirecTV. Therefore, most of us are going to miss out on a great, under appreciated rivalry and Utah's effort to lock up an undefeated season and a likely trip to the BCS. The Utes have a playmaker in QB Brian Johnson, but they live and die by a staunch defense. BYU has one of the nation's most prolific offenses, but remember what TCU did to Max Hall and company? They held them to 7 points. If Utah can repeat that feat, they will have no problem finishing 12-0.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Lost in the ACC insanity is the fact that the Big East is wide open as well. These two and West Virginia all have one loss, with Rutgers and UConn not far behind. A lot will be decided these next two weeks based on the outcome of Pitt-Cincy and the Backyard Brawl on Black Friday.
You still have to like the Pat White-led Mountaineers, but both the Panthers and Bearcats are tough teams to defeat. Dave Wannstedt's first few years on the job have been less than what was expected, and I think it is crucial for him to at least have Pitt in a position to win the conference championship at the end of next Friday. They have been hot, and I look for the #20 Panthers to narrowly defeat the #19 Bearcats.
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