College Football Picks, Week 14: Conference Championships and Rivalry Games
The turn of the calendar to December is always bittersweet in the world of college football.
On the one hand, the end of the regular season draws night, signaling that a long break before bowl season is on the horizon.
On the other hand, there will be no shortage of exciting and meaningful games to be played. Some with postseason implications and others simply with regional pride on the line.
So, with conference titles and rivalry bragging rights hanging in the balance, who will emerge victorious from this final full Saturday of the college football season?
Big East Battle: No. 24 West Virginia vs. Rutgers, 12:00 PM ET
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Championship Saturday kicks off with a game that may turn out to have some serious BCS implications.
24th-ranked West Virginia will play host to Rutgers. Hopes and dreams of a Big East title are on the line.
The Mountaineers need UConn to lose at South Florida to have a shot. But they'll have to take care of their own business against the Scarlet Knights first.
With Rutgers (4-7, 1-5 in the Big East) playing the role of conference doormat, expect Noel Devine and WVU (8-3, 4-2 in the Big East) to run away with a win.
Prediction: WVU 35, Rutgers 21
Conference USA Championship: Southern Methodist at Central Florida, 12:00 PM ET
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Meanwhile, Southern Methodist and Central Florida will settle the score for Conference USA at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando.
Former Hawaii coach June Jones has revived a once-proud SMU football program by bringing his run-and-shoot offense to Dallas.
On the other sideline will be George O'Leary, the man once disgraced for fudging his Notre Dame coaching resume. He now has a chance to lead the Knights to their second conference title on his watch.
While the Mustangs sport a prolific passing offense, the Knights hold the edge in this one thanks to a solid ground attack and the nation's 18th-ranked defense.
Prediction: UCF 28, SMU 21
Bounce Back for Broncos: No. 11 Boise State vs. Utah State, 3:00 PM ET
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The day continues as 11th-ranked Boise State looks to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Nevada at home against Utah State.
With the Aggies (4-7 overall, 2-5 in the WAC) in the role of conference bottomfeeder and Kellen Moore and the Broncos at the top of the food chain, this one should be over soon after it begins.
Assuming it's not over already.
Prediction: Boise State 45, Utah State 17
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Wolfpack Party: No. 17 Nevada at Louisiana Tech, 3:00 PM ET
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While that's going on, 17th-ranked Nevada—the team that snapped Boise State's 24-game win streak—will pay a visit to Ruston, La., to take on Louisiana Tech.
Should Colin Kaepernick and the Wolfpack come away with a victory, they'll claim at least a share of the WAC title. Along with Boise State and Hawaii.
However, should the Warriors falter against UNLV, Nevada would win the honor outright.
With so much on the line, it's hard to imagine Nevada not to take care of business against middling LA Tech.
Prediction: Nevada 35, Louisiana Tech 24
Civil War: No. 2 Oregon at Oregon State, 3:30 PM ET
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No offense to the WAC, the Big East and Conference USA.
But the big games of the day don't get underway until second-ranked Oregon takes the field against Oregon State in the 114th edition of the Civil War Game.
The Beavers will have home-field advantage, with the game taking place at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. But the Ducks will have the edge in just about every other category: talent, coaching, speed, scheme.
And, most importantly, motivation.
A win for Chip Kelly's Ducks puts them into the BCS National Championship Game.
Hence, don't expect Oregon to take this one lightly.
Prediction: Oregon 51, Oregon State 27
SEC Championship: No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 19 South Carolina, 4:00 PM ET
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The other favorite to reach the BCS National Championship Game—top-ranked Auburn—will take the field at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game at mid-day.
In its way will stand 19th-ranked South Carolina, winners of the SEC East.
The Tigers will be the favorites, with Cam Newton eligible and the momentum of a thrilling 28-27 comeback win over Alabama propelling them forward.
However, don't discount the Gamecocks, who played Auburn tough this season in a 35-27 loss. And who hold the clear coaching advantage with Steve Spurrier at the helm.
In what will be a close game, the Ol' Ball Coach's experience (count 'em: six SEC championships) will be the difference in a monumental upset in the South.
Prediction: South Carolina 24, Auburn 21
Bowling for Locker: Washington at Washington State, 7:00 PM ET
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Washington and Washington State will keep the day moving along, as they battle for the Apple Cup in Pullman.
Neither team has been particularly good this season. The Huskies currently sit at 5-6 and the Cougars at 2-9.
U-Dub, though, has at least some motivation outside of bragging rights in this one.
Specifically, this will be star quarterback Jake Locker's last shot to play in a bowl game before he graduates and takes his talents to the NFL.
That, and the sheer mediocrity of Wazzu's football team this year, should be enough to push Steve Sarkisian's squad over the top.
Prediction: Washington 31, Washington State 17.
ACC Championship: No. 21 Florida State vs. No. 15 Virginia Tech, 7:45 PM ET
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Championship Saturday will continue in earnest when 21st-ranked Florida State and 15th-ranked Virginia Tech meet for the ACC title in Charlotte, N.C.
The Hokies bring an undefeated record in conference into the game, giving Frank Beamer and company the edge on paper, while the Seminoles have a 6-2 record in the ACC.
However, the game should be close. Both sport middling passing attacks, decent ground games and prominent defensive units.
This one will likely come down to the final minutes, with quarterback Christian Ponder leading the 'Noles to an upset win and an Orange Bowl berth.
Prediction: Florida State 21, Virginia Tech 17
Big 12 Championship: No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Nebraska, 8:00 PM ET
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If the legendary Keith Jackson were still in the broadcasting booth, he'd likely have two words to describe Saturday's Big 12 Championship Game between ninth-ranked Oklahoma and 13th-ranked Nebraska.
Whoa nelly!
The conference's last title game (for now) will feature a classic matchup between two old-time, Big 8 rivals: the Sooners and the Huskers.
With Bo Pelini's boys on the way out for the Big Ten, expect Bob Stoops' Sooners, led by All-Big 12 quarterback Landry Jones, to give Nebraska a rude send-off in pursuit of a Fiesta Bowl berth.
Prediction: Oklahoma 35, Nebraska 28
Big East Title on the Line: Connecticut at South Florida, 8:00 PM ET
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Who would've thought before the season that a BCS bowl berth would be at stake during Saturday's tilt between Connecticut and South Florida?
Perhaps Huskies coach Randy Edsall and his players. But that's about it.
UConn will have the opportunity to extend its athletic prominence to the world of college football. A win over the Bulls will all but guarantee the Huskies a berth in the Fiesta Bowl by virtue of nabbing the Big East crown.
Look for UConn to come through when it counts the most.
Prediction: UConn 28, South Florida 24
The Gauntlet: UCLA vs. USC, 10:30 PM ET
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Saturday's nightcap will have absolutely no postseason implications whatsoever.
But it will mean everything to the schools involved.
UCLA and USC will take to the field to duke it out for ownership of the Victory Bell for the 80th time.
And with neither team at the Rose Bowl on Saturday having a shot at a bowl game this year—due to UCLA's poor record and USC's NCAA sanctions—this game becomes the be-all, end-all for these crosstown rivals.
The big question mark for both teams is at quarterback. The Bruins will trot out inconsistent sophomore Richard Brehaut opposite Matt Barkley, who sat out the Trojans' loss to Notre Dame due to injury.
Throw in the residual testiness from last year's controversial finish, and this one should be a doosy.
Watch for coach Rick Neuheisel's crew to welcome Lane Kiffin back to the rivalry with a close loss.
Prediction: UCLA 21, USC 20
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