Rivalry Week Pt I

            

OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN 

This should be quite a battle.  This is the biggest game in the Big Ten sked...but maybe not the most important of the day.  Of course, fans of both schools will keep an eye out for the Penn State-Michigan State game.  If Penn State loses, the winner of this game will be Big Ten champs [OSU would have the best record....Michigan would force a 3-way tie, and they've beaten the other two teams].  The key will be if the Wolverines can run the football.  I don't think they will be able to.  I think the Buckeye LBs will be up to the challenge and hold down the run game.  Ohio State 17-13

 

ALABAMA AT AUBURN

Iron Bowl.  The loser of this game is out of the SEC West race [with the winner needing an LSU slip up].  Bama's offense has really stunk the last month...and that's not a good thing against a tough Tigers' defense.  But Auburn really isn't lighting up either.  But Auburn is the home team and has won 3 in a row in this matchup.  Auburn 13-6

CLEMSON AT SOUTH CAROLINA

Lastyear, this game ended in a melee that ended both team's seasons prematurely.  So emotions need to be check a bit during this game.  Both these teams are coming off huge wins [Clemson over FSU;  USC over Florida].  To me, the Gamecocks are just so tough in Columbia...and Clemson hasn't looked that well away from Death Valley.  South Carolina 20-17

                             

VIRGINIA TECH AT VIRGINIA

Commonwealth Cup.  This was already a nice rivalry...and now both schools play in the same conference.  The last time V-Tech played, they were embarrassed at home against Miami.  Tech has owned this series of late [5 of 6] and should do it again.  Virginia Tech 34-20

OREGON STATE AT OREGON

Sure, it won't get much pub on Saturday, but the "Civil War" will be heated.  Oregon State needs a win to be bowl eligible.  A loss knocks them out.  Oregon is looking for an outside shot at a BCS berth, but at worst they want a New Year's bowl game.  Both teams will sling the ball around on each other...but the Quack Attack will be the more lethal force.  Oregon 35-17

             

MINNESOTA AT IOWA

The Floyd Of Rosedale....aka The Brass Pig.  Both teams are bowl eligible....and 4-3 in the Big Ten.  A win plus some unfortunate happenings elsewhere could up someone's bowl outlook.  Iowa 17-16

                              

DUKE AT NORTH CAROLINA

Okay...it isn't as heated as the hoops rivalry, but the Victory Bell is on the line, as well as a possible Carlyle Cup [a award given the the better program in all sports;  UNC won the 2004 and 2005 Cup].  Carolina blew it's shot at a bowl game by getting dumped by Maryland...so this is essentially the Heels' time to vent.  North Carolina 34-13

OTHERS:

Cal at Stanford.  Cal 31-21
Northwestern at Illinois.  Northwestern 44-27
Vanderbilt at Tennesssee.  Tennessee 23-16
Purdue at Indiana.  Purdue 20-14
Idaho at Boise State.  Boise State 41-20
Utah at BYU.  BYU 26-20
Washington State at Washington.  Wash State 24-20