By Taylor McGillis, Online Editor
The BCS works itself out in the end. Entering week 11 of the college football season, there were three remaining unbeaten teams—Kansas State, Oregon, and Notre Dame—and all of the stars were aligning towards BCS chaos. Notre Dame, the beloved Notre Dame, was going to finish the season undefeated and be left out of the national championship. And the SEC, the best conference in college football, was not going to have a team in it, either.
The BCS lucked out again this year when, on Saturday, Nov. 17, both Kansas State and Oregon unexpectedly lost within an hour of each other. Kansas State got waxed by an average Baylor squad, and the Ducks fell in overtime to then-No. 13 Stanford, putting an end to both of their national championship dreams.
Suddenly, the once bleak outlook for Notre Dame and [insert an SEC team of your choice]had completely reversed.
Notre Dame cleared their final obstacle of the season after beating USC at the Coliseum, and Alabama throttled Auburn in the Iron Bowl to advance to the SEC championship. Somehow, things look like they are going to work themselves out: The SEC champion is going to play the only undefeated team in the country, exactly the way it should be. An SEC team has won the last six BCS National Championships, and will have a chance at a seventh when the winner of Alabama and Georgia faces off against Notre Dame on Jan. 7 in Miami.
For my predictions on Championship Week, visit www.pride-online.net
SEC Championship
No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Georgia | Atlanta, Ga.
Saturday, Dec. 1 | 4 p.m.
Outlook: Alabama and Georgia square off in a very evenly matched game at the Georgia Dome for a trip to the BCS National Championship. Alabama’s lone loss on the season was to Texas A&M and, most recently, the Crimson Tide embarrassed Auburn in the Iron Bowl this past week. Georgia also comes into the game after crushing their rival opponent, Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs’ only time being tripped up this season came back on Oct. 6 when South Carolina had their way with them. Defense will be the factor in this game with both teams in the top 20 nationally in points allowed. Alabama (1st) has allowed just 9.3 points per game, while Georgia (16th) has given up just 17.7 points per game. Georgia probably has a little bit of an edge at the quarterback position. Aaron Murray has proven himself to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, and has thrown for three or more touchdowns in six games this season. Alabama has a leg up in the running game though, as the Crimson Tide are averaging more than 214 yards per game on the ground. With so much at stake in this game, expect both teams to come out sharp and aggressive. Alabama wins by a field goal.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Georgia 24
Pac-12 Championship
No. 16 UCLA at No. 8 Stanford | Palo Alto, Ca.
Friday, Nov. 30 | 8 p.m.
Outlook: The Pac-12 Championship is unique this year in the fact that the two participants, Stanford and UCLA, played each other this past week in Pasadena. Stanford won the game convincingly, 35-17, so one would think that Stanford would have no problem with them next week, right? Maybe – maybe not. UCLA, who had won five in a row going into their first contest against Stanford, did not have a lot to play for, having already clinched the Pac-12 South and locked themselves into the Pac-12 Championship. I know what you’re thinking: “Come on, every team tries to win every game.” But do they try to win when a win over Stanford would match them up with Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game? Going through Oregon to get to the Rose Bowl is a lot tougher than going through Stanford, and, losing to Stanford last Saturday, the Bruins actually gave themselves a much better chance of a Rose Bowl berth. Something worth considering. Nonetheless, the two teams will face each other again tomorrow, although this time it will be played at Stanford. I think this time around, with a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line, UCLA gives a much better effort. UCLA puts together a good game, but the Cardinal win by a touchdown.
Prediction: Stanford 28, UCLA 21
Big Ten Championship
No. 12 Nebraska vs. Wisconsin | Indianapolis, Ind.
Saturday, Dec. 1 | 8:17 p.m.
Outlook: In the inaugural Big Ten Championship game, Legends Division winner Nebraska will play the Leaders Division winner Wisconsin. Wisconsin actually finished third in their division, but with Ohio State and Penn State ineligible for postseason play, the Badgers squeaked into the game. Nebraska comes into the game having won six games in a row, with their most recent coming against Iowa on the road. Although the Cornhuskers have flown under the radar for much of this year, they’re a solid bunch with their only two losses coming against Pac-12 Championship participant UCLA and undefeated Ohio State. Wisconsin, on the other hand, has lost three of their past four (all in overtime) and have a total of five losses on the season. The Badgers have been one of the most underachieving teams in the country this year, and one-time Heisman hopeful Monte Ball has rushed for just 18 touchdowns this year compared to last year’s 33. Nebraska’s dual-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez should lead Nebraska to their first Big Ten Championship. Nebraska wins, but in a fairly close game.
Prediction: Nebraska 33, Wisconsin 27
ACC Championship
No. 13 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech | Charlotte, N.C.
Saturday, Dec. 1 | 8 p.m.
Outlook: Florida State, winner of the Atlantic Division, will face off against Georgia Tech, who actually finished third in the Coastal Division. Georgia Tech got the nod because North Carolina is ineligible for any postseason play, and Miami self-imposed a postseason ban on themselves for the second straight year. However, all three teams were 5-3 in conference, but Georgia Tech is hardly bowl eligible at 6-6 overall. Prior to getting spanked this past weekend by Georgia, the Yellow Jackets had won three in a row with wins over Maryland, UNC, and Duke. For Florida State, this has to be the least exciting championship game possible. Having lost to Florida this past week, the Seminoles dropped to No. 13 in this week’s polls and must beat Georgia Tech to receive the conference’s automatic BCS berth. I think some disappointment from the Florida game will carry over into this week, but playing for a BCS game should be enough to at least somewhat excite the team. Georgia Tech will be entirely overmatched in this game, but will hang with FSU for the first two and a half quarters. Florida State pulls away late and wins by 10.
