Week 14 - Championship Saturday

Oregon Ducks @ Oregon State Beavers

Gomer: It will take a major miracle for the Beavers to pull this upset. Even in Corvallis the Beavers have little chance of slowing down the Ducks attack. The Ducks have looked sluggish in recent first halves, but guess what, they came on strong to win each of those games. Oregon will have to absolutely shoot themselves in the foot if the Beavers are to have any chance. UO: 48--OSU: 16

Chief: Upsets are usually fun...but this is really, really unlikely. Everyone was big on Oregon State and the sad truth is that they just plain suck. Oregon is a well-oiled machine on offense. The Beavers got beat by WSU (perhaps the worst team ever). This won't be close. The Ducks move on to the title where they have a chance to pick up their first quality win (as long as they don't play TCU)--no, no Stanford doesn't count. They haven't beaten anyone either. UO: 52--OSU: 23


Auburn Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Gomer: While during the regular season the Gamecocks had a chance to pull the upset and fumbled it away late in the game. Steve Spurrier's game-plan with quarterbacks seems to be "mess up as late in the game as possible". If Gamecocks' QB Garcia can avoid the stupid mistakes he's sure to make, the 'Cocks may pull off the upset and lock-in a Sugar Bowl appearance against the Buckeyes. Cam Newton's presence will be enough to help the Tigers lock up a spot in the BCS National Championship and a soon to be redacted Heisman Trophy. AU: 27--USC: 17

Chief: Sticking with what I said immediately after the Iron Bowl: Take it to the bank, South Carolina wins. The Tigers were DESTROYED in the 1st half by the Tide but the Tide in the 2nd half could have been beaten by a Pop Warner squad. This game was all about Auburn taking advantage of stupid Bama play. The Head Ball Coach doesn't mess around. This is the ONLY chance for USC to win the SEC and I think they get it done. I had the Cocks winning in Jordan-Hare and it came down to an epic collapse in the 4th to blow it. Spurrier will stick with Garcia and Lattimore will run away from Fairley to the win. The Cam Newton NCAA ruling joke will remain a cloud over Auburn and it will cost their preparation. AU: 20--USC: 21


Florida State Seminoles vs. Virginia Tech Hokies

Gomer: If the 'Noles win this it will put yet another average team in the BCS.... the worst team coming out of the Big East. After losing the opening two games, the Hokies went on a tear winning 10 straight and helping lock up the divisional title and a spot in the ACC title game. A loss means no BCS, win and a trip to the Orange Bowl awaits. Look for Christian Ponder to give the Hokies the ACC Title. FSU: 22--VT: 31

Chief: My preseason predictions had VT vs. FSU in this game (count it!). I had VT winning in the preseason even over the alma mater, but then they lost to Boise and JMU. Yeah it was in the beginning and they're certainly rolling, but how can I pick against a team that SMOKED the Gaytors last week. Heart over brain! GO NOLES!! FSU: 31--VT: 27


Oklahoma Sooners vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Gomer: Put on your tin foil hats boys and girls, the Sooners and the Big 12 look to send the 'Huskers packing to the Big Ten, and will probably go to any length to make sure it happens that way. Of course, it won't take much conspiring if Taylor Martinez isn't playing 100%. The Sooners offensive prowess should prove too much for Nebraska in this potentially last match-up between Oklahoma and Nebraska. OU: 37--UN: 28

Chief: Let's look into the vault for my preseason predictions again. I had...OU vs. Neb (lock it up!). OU has been sneaking around with no one paying attention after the midseason losses to Mizzou and TAMU. Landry Jones has been playing well and the Sooners seem to be getting better as the season progressed to the end. Nebraska has been dropping off the map. Taylor Martinez has had his issues with the coach and injuries so I'm not seeing the Big Ten getting a third BCS team this year. Boomer..... OU: 41--Neb: 24


Other Games:

Rutgers @ West Virginia: Gomer: WVU Chief: who cares...I mean WVU
Utah State @ Boise State: Gomer: BSU Chief: really?!? WHO CARES!! Boise
Nevada @ Louisiana Tech: Gomer: Nev Chief: stretching for games...Nev
Connecticut @ South Florida: Gomer: UConn Chief: Yikes....USF
USC @ UCLA: Gomer: UCLA Chief: USC

Draper Index Post Week 13 (11/30)

It will be interesting how things work out in the last week. The poll is based on gaining (or losing) points for each game rather than winning percentage so teams with games to come (Oregon, Auburn, OU) will have opportunities to make some movement. I expect if Oregon and Auburn arise victorious, they will jump TCU for 1 and 2 but we'll see.

Draper Index Top 25
1. TCU
2. Oregon
3. Auburn
4. Ohio State
5. Alabama
6. Oklahoma
7. Boise State
8. Wisconsin
9. Stanford
10. Oklahoma State
11. LSU
12. Virginia Tech
13. Nebraska
14. Arkansas
15. Michigan State
16. Utah
17. Florida State
18. Missouri
19. Nevada
20. South Carolina
21. Florida
22. Texas A&M
23. Iowa
24. West Virginia
25. Penn State

For the most part, I agree pretty strongly with the rankings. I don't feel too many teams are significantly underrated (Wisconsin, Ark--maybe, Texas A&M) but some are overrated (Bama, Utah, Florida, Iowa)