Games of The Weekend: Every Game Has a Meaning

How would it feel to know that one weekend could change the entire foundation of the college postseason? On one side of the fence, you got the fate of the entire Big XII South resting in the hands of two teams vying for BCS Championship contention. On another side, we got several games with conference championship possibilities on the line.

Sounds like a good weekend? I thought you would. Here's the rundown.

Miami (FL) vs. Georgia Tech

With the conference championships just a few weeks away, the ACC is looking like a dangerous place to play this season. There are four teams at the top with five other teams battling for the right to contend for the ACC Championship as well. So many stories. So little sidesteps.

For the first time in a long time, Miami is back in the Top 25, and they intend on staying there for as long as possible. But the Canes have a bigger piece of the pie to worry about: The ACC Coastal Division. The Jackets are a half game back on Miami, and already have a victory over Miami's rival Florida State. How would it feel to know that Ga Tech stunned both Sunshine State powerhouses in their conference?

If they play with the same intensity and fire that saw them stop Florida State on the goal line, they just might be able to do that. And they might even be able to win the Coastal Division crown and play for the ACC Championship. It's pretty simple for both teams: Win and you have a chance to be in. But they will have to hope that someone else loses as well...

Final Score: Georgia Tech 30, Miami 27

NC State vs. North Carolina

The smashmouth formula of Butch Davis is working for him this season. Not only are his Tar Heels bowl bound once again, but they're also eyeing a possible appearance in the ACC Championship. At 7-3, they're in a three way tie with Miami and Georgia Tech for the ACC Coastal Division lead. A win on Saturday will put them in the running for a possible ACC Championship appearance. And with the Jackets and Canes fighting it out this weekend, they might have a chance to do just that.

Standing in their way is a team with nothing left to lose. The Wolfpack are 4-6 this season and have a minimal chance of going bowling this season. But just because they're not eyeing a postseason berth doesn't mean they won't play spoiler to anybody. In all honesty, they might be the ultimate spoiler in the ACC if they beat Davis's Tar Heels this weekend. But after a shocking loss to Maryland, the Tar Heels are not going down without a fight. And when the smoke clears, they may do enough to "fix" the Wolfpack in Chapel Hill.

Final Score: North Carolina 34, NC State 20

Florida State vs. Maryland

Poor FSU. They had such high hopes for themselves this season. But after losing to Georgia Tech and dropping one last weekend, the Seminoles are in trouble. At this moment, Maryland sits atop the ACC Atlantic Division and will win it outright with a victory this weekend. The Noles need this win for a series of reasons:

The first and foremost is the chance to win the ACC Championship against one of three potential upset giants. The second is the rumor mill will continue to swirl until told otherwise in regards to the future of Bobby Bowden. Now Seminoles Fans will say that he'll be back next season, but even they have to be skeptical with the actions that have taken place in Tallahassee this season.  And the third reason: The Annual Governor's Cup Game between them and Florida. The Noles need this win not just for their division, but to have enough motivation to defeat the Gators next weekend in Tallahassee.

Final Score: Maryland 20, Florida State 14

Michigan State vs. Penn State

The Big Ten is on the line this weekend as the three major players will be in action this weekend. In The Valley, everything has been Happy...except for that Iowa shocker. But Penn State still has a chance to win the Big Ten Conference with a victory over Michigan State.

The Spartans can play spoiler with a win this weekend over the Lions. PSU is eyeing a Big Ten title and a BCS Bowl appearance. With Ohio State playing a beyond mediocre Michigan team, it's obvious that depending on these two games, the Big Ten Conference could either have a three-peat offender or a new king to the Big Ten Throne. This game should be good regardless. If you're looking for an alternative to the ratings crash known as Michigan-Ohio State, look no further than this game in Happy Valley.

Final Score: Penn State 37, Michigan State 24

Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma

And now, from Norman, Oklahoma...IT'S TIME!!!! This is the main event of the evening. This is a battle between two Big XII goliaths for the Big XII South Championship! Introducing the contender on my left, from Lubbock, Texas, The Ultimate Underdogs of the Big XII, The Red Raiders of Texas Tech University!

And their opponents, standing in the corner to my right, the Powerhouses of the Big XII, the Nightmares of Norman. Led by Bob Stoops and Sam Bradford, the Undisputed, defending Big XII Champions, the University of Oklahoma "Boomer" Sooners!

You want a fight? You want a war? You want a slugfest? This is the game that is guaranteed to deliver! With the Big XII South on the line, all Oklahoma has to do is stun the Raiders and stop their dream of the perfect season. For the Raiders, they have to go into Norman, handle the crowd and survive the trip with a win. But a loss, and well...you remember all those fights that everyone has been dishing out over the past three weeks?

Guess what? Someone's feelings are going to get hurt this weekend. A Tech win guarantees that Texas and Oklahoma are out of the running for the Big XII South. But does that guarantee that neither of them will play for the BCS Championship. In any event, I did say that I smelled an upset on the horizon this weekend...and I think I found it.

Final Score: Oklahoma 37, Texas Tech 34

Honorable Mentions

Ole Miss vs. LSU (A Game of Respect vs. A Chance at Postseason Play)

Pitt vs. Cincinnati (The Big East Championship Awaits The Winner)

Oregon State vs. Arizona (Can The Beavers Smell Roses After This Weekend?)

BYU vs. Utah (Can Someone Smell An Upset Brewing in God's Country?)

Air Force vs. TCU (Third Place in the Mountain West Awaits the Winner)

Michigan vs. Ohio State (Yawn...Was this trip really necessary?)

Florida vs. Citadel (Treat every game like it's the BCS Championship, right?)

Best of luck boys.