Saturday, November 11, 2006

The Biggest Games Before The Bowls

#1-MICHIGAN v OHIO STATE [11/18]:  Not only is this college football's biggest rivalry, but the winner of this game [barring something unforseen later today] will be placed in the BCS Championship Game. 

#2-SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME [12/2]:  This game could be a BCS Championship playoff if Arkansas and Florida meet here.  Arkansas still has Tennessee and LSU on their plate;  Florida has a non-con game at Florida State.  So, heading into this game, both teams could be 11-1.  Auburn could be 11-1 heading into this game, too.  They have a high BCS ranking already, but I'm not sure if they'll put a team in the BCS title game that didn't even make their conference championship game.  Auburn needs to win out [just two games] and hope Arkansas loses twice [probably Tennessee and LSU] to get to the SEC Championship. 

#3-TEXAS A&M v TEXAS [11/24]:  Sure, a win here means another game in the Big XII title tilt...but no one there will have as good a shot at beating the Horns as the Aggies do. 

#4-CALIFORNIA v USC [11/18]:  This game is huge for both teams.  Both have one loss, but a win by Cal would put them into a BCS game.  USC needs this win to hold on to hope. 

#5-NOTRE DAME v USC [11/25]:   The very next week, the Trojans get Notre Dame.  If they run the table, I think they have an excellent shot at backing into the BCS Championship Game.  When the computer polls come out, USC would've benefitted by beating Arkansas, Nebraska, Washington State, Arizona State, Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame.  That should move them up to a pretty high ranking.   Notre Dame needs USC to have just beaten Cal so this game has impact on the Irish's BCS resume.  The Irish needs a big win here, as their biggest win thus far has been the opening weekend's win over Georgia Tech. 

#6-RUTGERS v WEST VIRGINIA [12/2]:  Rutgers is one of four remaining unbeaten teams and has an outside shot at the BCS Championship game.  To do so, Rutgers must win this game.  A win here and the win over Louisville in the bank give the Knights two wins over Top 10 teams.  West Virginia could get into the title game with a win here too.  They also have a win over Maryland, who could get into the BCS as well.

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