[NU Sports] PIGSKIN PICKS - Week 14

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Standings out in a sec, but wanted to get the slate out first ...

Well, we’ve reached the end of the road. It’s been a fantastic college football season as usual – especially in the Big Ten and Pac 10, which have enjoyed strong years of depth and quality … along with some great games. The Big Ten should wind up with three top 10 teams and the Pac 10 race is as wild as ever. It’s also been an unusually strong year for my two teams – hopefully that continues tomorrow night in New Orleans! Now we just wait for the B(C)S to come in and screw it all up!

Championship Weekend is bigger than usual this year, as the Pac 10 and Big East try and build on the Big Ten’s example (Iowa-OSU thriller) to show that you can have a TRUE championship game that is every bit as good or better than these made-for-TV games. The hype is all around the SEC game, of course, but we could see some good games in the ACC and Big XII as well.

Picks are due by THURSDAY NIGHT’S kickoff in Eugene as the Civil War decides whether it will be Bucks and Ducks or a battle of the OSUs in Pasadena. Enjoy a great weekend of pigskin!

PIGSKIN PICKS – WEEK 14
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Name: 

BIG TEN
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GAME 1: Fresno State @ Illinois
WINNER: 

GAME 2: Wisconsin@ Hawaii
WINNER: 

NATIONAL
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GAME 3: Oregon State @ Oregon
WINNER: 

GAME 4: Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
WINNER: 

GAME 5: California @ Washington
WINNER: 

GAME 6: Central Michigan vs. Ohio (MAC Championship)
WINNER: 

GAME 7: East Carolina vs. Houston (CUSA Championship)
WINNER: 

GAME 8: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech (ACC Championship)
WINNER: 

GAME 9: Alabama vs. Florida (SEC Championship)
WINNER: 

GAME 10: Nebraska vs. Texas (Big XII Championship)
WINNER: 

MY PICKS
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* FRESNO STATE 31, Illinois 21 – The Illini had the game against Cincy in their grasp – literally – and blew it. Fresno played Cincy and Wisky tougher than the Zookers did and they won’t quit on their coach. Bye Bye, Zook.

* WISCONSIN 35, Hawaii 21 – The Warriors are on a roll and had a nice win over Navy, but the Badgers come in angry after the loss to NU and won’t blow it.

* OREGON 41, Oregon State 33 – Should be a heck of a Civil War and I know the Beavers would love to get some payback, but the Ducks win at home.

* PITTSBURGH 28, Cincinnati 24 – A rematch of the AFC North slugfest in Heinz Field a few weeks ago but with different results. The Panthers come in bruised off the brawl loss, but the Bearcats’ D looked awful against Illinois and the coaching rumors will be a distraction. Pitt slows the game down and runs over Cincy.

* WASHINGTON 38, California 31 – The most intriguing non-title match of the day could be a wild shootout in Seattle. The Huskies cap off a good first year under a new coach with a big win over the Bears, who aren’t quite ready for the big bowl game they could get with a win.

* CENTRAL MICHIGAN 49, Ohio 24 – Too bad Temple’s not here, it would have made a good story … but either way, CMU rolls to the MAC title.

* EAST CAROLINA 35, Houston 33 – The Cougars are the Cincinnati of the south – lots of flash on offense, but horrible defense. The Pirates save us from the overrated Cougars whining about their bowl bid when they give up 50 to UTEP!

* CLEMSON 27, Georgia Tech 23 – I like the upset here, as both were exposed as merely mediocre last week and the Tigers have had time to adjust to the Jackets’ offense since their earlier meeting. Plus Clemson will have more fans (but there will be more empty seats than fans overall).

* TEXAS 45, Nebraska 10 – The Huskers might keep it close for awhile, but once the Horns get up two scores on the punchless cornheads, it’s over.

* FLORIDA 31, Alabama 21 – Yadda yadda yadda … all the hype and it will be pretty much the same game we saw a year ago. Back and forth for three quarters. Then it’s Tebow Time with some help from the SEC officials and the Gators pull away while we get to listen to endless Tebow Talk from the CBS crew, endless odes of adoration from Gator fans and endless pompous sanctimony from St. Urban. Ugh. Seriously, they should just erect a bronze statue of Tebow at the stadium in Gainesville and let the media, fans and officials all stand in line to pucker up. He seems to be a nice guy and all, but I think everyone outside of Gator Nation wanted to gag with the Tebow farewell tour two years ago.

Picks due by Thursday’s kickoff in Oregon.
Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.
GO CATS!!!
GEAUX SAINTS!!!
-SjT

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STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!