Dang vs Doc vs Jiz
NCAA Week 14
by Brian Davis, Paul Hopkins & James Izzard
2/12/2009
 
We’re into Championship game weekend in the NCAA, where finally some 1v1 knockout football takes place in the SEC, in one of the biggest games for years. The winner goes to the National Championship. Barring a miracle, the loser goes somewhere which, to them will feel like nowhere.
 
Last week, we had rivalry week for Thanksgiving, and it seems all of the predictors were suckered into some ACC hype. All three went with Clemson and Georgia Tech to triumph over South Carolina and Georgia respectively. It didn’t work… likely proving again that the SEC is still the best conference out there.
 
So, with this being the last week of the regular season, the scores on the doors over the last 13 weeks looks like this.
James 52 (5)
Brian 57 (2)
Paul 49 (1)
 
Oregon State @ Oregon
 
DANG – OREGON. There’s nothing like messing with the body clock before the weekend, but Friday might just have to be a write off in terms of a healthy production at work with a 2am kick off here. This game wielded 103 points last season as the Ducks marched out 65-38 winners, Oregon State then went onto the Sun Bowl where 100 points less were scored in possibly the most dull Bowl game of all time as they beat Pitt 3-0. Whilst we won’t see 100 points, I still anticipate a shootout that the Ducks will edge.
 
DOC – OREGON – Despite us having a National Title eliminator, this is the game I am most anticipating this week. These games are always ferocious and this will be even more so with the rewards at stake. A hard-fought, tough battle is an absolute given but Jeremiah Masoli gives the Ducks the edge and the Pac 10.
 
JIZ – OREGON - The second year running Oregon State have a chance to win the Pac-10 on the last weekend of the season, as with last year I predict them to fall short at the final hurdle. Oregon is playing as well as anyone in the nation and will be worthy participants in the Rose Bowl.
 
Georgia Tech v Clemson
 
DANG – Both teams should be fully charged up for this, after both losing to state rivals last week. I fancy this to be another game where we could see fairly high scoring but Clemson’s Offense still only ranks 74th Nationwide, so I’m picking Georgia Tech and their triple threat offense in this one.
 
DOC – GEORGIA TECH – Both teams are coming off losses to SEC teams as that conference reasserted itself over the ACC. That being said this should be a great game with two running teams. I fancy the Yellow Jackets ability to put up some points here; I guess I just don’t think CJ Spiller on his own has enough in him to take Clemson to victory.
 
JIZ – CLEMSON - These two teams were beaten comfortably by mid-tier SEC teams in an embarrassing weekend for the ACC, firmly routed at the bottom of the BCS conferences the ACC is relying on a good game to boost its reputation. Clemson played Georgia Tech close last time with a good second half comeback, I think they can upset the Yellow Jackets here.
 
Cincinnati v Pittsburgh
 
DANG – CINCINNATI. I questioned where Pitt was looking too last week and those doubts seemed rightly so following their rivalry week loss to WV. They’ll be looking to right that wrong this week, but I’m taking the Bear Cats to go unbeaten into their Bowl game.
 
DOC – CINCINNATI – Pittsburgh was probably looking ahead to this match-up last weekend, and came unstuck against West Virginia. The Bearcats are a very strong side and will go back to another BCS Bowl with a fairly comprehensive win by a couple of scores.
 
JIZ – CINCINNATI - Cinci, Cinci, Cinci. I have enjoyed watching the Bearcats this year; both they and Pittsburgh have been good to watch in a very good year for the Big East. I am very much looking forward to watching this game. But Brian Kelly’s team are better coached and have more talent and pick up the division here.
 
Florida v Alabama
 
DANG – FLORIDA. In what could prove to be the game of the season, I’m giving the edge to the Gators, because I’m not convinced that after Ingram, the Crimson Tide have what it takes on offense to beat the Gators defense and whilst ‘Bama has a great defense, I think they may well be on the field too much for them to win this.
 
DOC – FLORIDA – The game that, frankly we have waited the entire season for. As both teams have ran the SEC gauntlet this is what it’s always been coming to. Much against my better judgement and what I’ve thought all year, as well as based on what I’ve seen – I’ll go Gators. I simply can’t go against Tim Tebow.
 
JIZ – ALABAMA - The most anticipated matchup in the SEC since erm well ever. I am predicting Crimson Tide to upset the Gators, Tebow wont be fool this Defense 2 years in a row, I expect Alabama to stop Florida’s run game whilst on the other side of the ball manage the clock and get a run game going themselves. Alabama to win and seal their ticket to Pasadena.
 
Texas v Nebraska
 
DANG – TEXAS. I agree with James below, that College Football could be blown right open if Nebraska pulls off the shock and upsets the Longhorns in this one. However, I think the BCS gets a do over as Texas wins this one. Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley and Sergio Kindle can really up their draft stock if they can really up the ante in their next two games.
 
DOC – TEXAS – The Longhorns got themselves into the National Championship game last Thursday by winning in College Station. They’re too good through the air and in defence. And even on the ground with ‘mini-Nate’ Tre Newton now they’re coming good. Nebraska shouldn’t and won’t have a shot. Texas with ease.
 
JIZ – TEXAS - There can be no argument for the neutral that it would be fantastic if Texas lost this game and test the BCS system to the extreme to see which of TCU, Cincinnati or a 1 loss SEC team will play in the championship game, however I think that is a slim possibility, and although Nebraska have a strong defence I don’t think they have enough offensively to keep up with the scoring of McCoy and Co.