This past two years this game has been more like a national semi-final game as the winner would go on and play in the National Championship game, however; this game still is an intriguing match-up, especially since both opponents have already played each other this year. University of South Carolina and Auburn University are both known for their offensives than their defense. I would expect this game to be high in points and low in defensive stops so this could come down to who has the ball last. Cameron Newton has been on a tear of late and thats not just with his legs. Earlier in the year if you stopped Newton's running game the offense would be non existent but later in the year he has gotten better at the passing game. Not only can he throw lasers ten to fifteen yards out but also thirty to forty yards down the field as well. However the key to Auburn's offense will be the offensive line and how they protect Newton and not just when he decides to tuck and run it but also when he drops back to pass. If you look back and notice in some Auburn games their line looks like it will take plays off and thats not a good thing with four senior starters. Auburns defensive key will be if linebackers Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes are able to stop South Carolina's rushing attack. Stephen Garcia can not win games on his own and will need the run support. Auburn stops Lattimore they stop the Gamecock offense. Stephen Garcia has grown into more of a mature quarterback since the last time they met, in other words Spurrier will not pull him with the game on the line. He has been the main reason for South Carolina's offensive success this late of the season. If he can continue to make smart plays then South Carolina should be in good shape in winning. The offensive key would be Marcus Lattimore. He is the best offensive player in the nation that is a freshman. If he is able to rush the ball with great effectiveness then Auburn's defense will be playing on the back of their heels the entire game. South Carolina's defensive key will be to stop or just be able to slow down Newton. Alabama showed how to do that last week for one half. South Carolina's defense must not give up the big plays either, Auburn has not been known to be able to sustain long drives.
Prediction- This game will be tight through the first half with South Carolina winning at halftime, but the Auburn coaches have been great at making halftime adjustments and that will be the difference...Tigers 35 Gamecocks 31
This is a rematch of the first ACC Championship game that was held in 2005. In 2005 Virginia Tech lost to Florida State 27-22. Can the Seminoles repeat what happen in 2005? If they are going to Christina Ponder will need to outplay Tyrod Taylor. Ponder came in this season as the best quarterback in the ACC, depending who you ask, and has not been able to live up to the billing. Of course injuries have played a part in it but usually all great quarterbacks play through the pain. If Ponder has the kind of game he is capable of then Seminoles will win but he will need help from his receiving corps if that is going to happen. Taiwan Easterling and Willie Haulstead both need to have major games to help out Ponder. The defensive key will be to make the Hokies one dimensional. If they are able to stop the rushing attack and make Taylor win the game on his arm Florida State should win the game. Virginia's Tech Tyrod Taylor is the best offensive play maker in the ACC. He can run and pass with effectiveness and if he is on his game Florida States defense will be in trouble. The key though to the offense will be what Tyrod gets from the rest of his backfield. If Ryan Williams and Darren Evans can be the tandem everyone before the season thought they could be then the offense should have no trouble moving the ball. Defensively if the Hokies cand get pressure on the Ponder and rattle his cage then it will make things easier.
Prediciton- Im going with Frank Beamers head coaching experience over Jimbo Fishers in this one but expect Florida State to be back sooner rather than later...Hokies 31 Seminoles 28
This year is a great match-up between old rivals that date back to the Big 8 days, Oklahoma Sooners vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers. How fitting is it that Nebraska is going to the Big 12 championship their last season in the Big 12 before moving on to the Big 10. Nebraska has won a Big 12 championship in every decade except this one so far. If they plan on winning it Taylor Martinez will need to step up BIG. The freshman has been great all year running the football and throwing but nothing is like the lights in Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Taylor will need to get the jitters out early and to help him out will need to be Niles Paul. If he is able to catch a couple of passes early in the game and get the confidence high for Martinez then offense should be clicking. On Defense the secondary is under watch as the Oklahoma passing attack is just as good as any in the nation. If the passing game goes then that will open up holes in the running game so the secondary needs to be able to be on lock-down against the Sooner receivers. Oklahoma's offense has had its up and downs this year but with the experience of Landry Jones there should not be any worries about being in the big time. Landry has proven to be in the nations talk as being a top ten quarterback this year and should show it in the Championship game. Demarco Murray is the key for the offense and the wild-card. If he is able to play the game full speed and not be slowed down by injuries then the offense will not be stopped. On Defense the defensive line will need to get pressure against the line of Nebraska and be able to stop their option running game. If they are able to make Martinez throw instead of run then their blitzes should confuse the Cornhusker offensive line.
Prediction- Nebraska's secondary is one of the best in the big 12 and their defensive front seven is stout and should make it a pain for Oklahoma's Landry Jones all night throwing the ball and they should continue their streak of winning a conference championship in every decade....Nebraska 35 Oklahoma 27.
Other top Games for the weekend
Connecticut @ South Florida- If UConn wins then they go to the BCS bowl as the Big East representative, lose then they do not and West Virginia goes. Watch out for B.J. Daniels the South Florida quarterback. If he has a great game then expect Bulls to upset Huskies...USF 28 UConn 14
SMU @ Central Florida- This is the C-USA conference championship game, the winner gets SEC's 7th best bowl team usually turns out the 8th depending on the BCS....UCF 31 SMU 21
Middle Tennessee @ Florida International- Florida International already has the Sunbelt Championship locked up but Middle Tennessee is playing for a chance to be bowl eligible....MTSU 21 FIU 20.
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