CFB - Championship Week Pic

Well, here we go, last semi-real week before the bowls. Let's get to it.

South Carolina +4.5 vs Auburn. I know, everyone loves Cam Newton; and for good reason, but I think the Gamecocks make a game of this one. I'll start with the obvious, when backing S. Carolina you always run the risk at Garcia lays an egg, but he has been pretty careful with the ball this year and at times has looked very good. S. Carolina has tremendous offensive weapons at all of the skill positions and Auburn's D is not very good (again, stating the obvious) so I think S. Carolina will be able to put some points on the board. Now the real question, can they stop Newton and the Tigers, which has been next to impossible. Well, I'm not sure anyone can truly stop him, but they did pretty well earlier this year and never want to count out the old ball Coach to pull something like this off. I predict a war and although I realize the NCAA will be working hard to make sure Auburn is in the BCS game, I think they win a close one. Best of luck Joker and Walter on this one. 3 units. Ouch; dead wrong here.

Nevada -8 @ La. Tech. Confused by this line a little, unless everyone thinks Nevada will have a letdown, but I am expecting the opposite - a continuation of their momentum from the second half of the BSU game. The Wolfpack have a veteran team that wants to finish strong and I expect them to roll La. Tech, as they have done nearly everyone else this year. 3.5 units. Win.

Oregon -16.5 @ Oregon State. Civil war is a great game, and historically is very close, often regardless of talent, but not this year. Oregon is too close to the BCS game and has very superior talent so even though it is a rivalry game and the Ducks have struggled outside of Eugene, they will roll the Beavers as they just have way too much firepower. See the Zona game from last week, looked like a war early, but Cats just couldn't keep up (reminds me of the Stanford game earlier as well). Ducks roll into the BCS game. 2.5 units. Win - gotta love it by a hook.

Va. Tech -3 vs Florida St. I know FSU is playing well, and that makes me a little nervous, but the Hokies continue to get it done, sometimes ugly, but still success. Taylor has been outstanding all season and is truly a play-maker. The 3 headed monster they have at RB also wears down defenses. They have struggled against the run, something I never like to watch; but Bud Foster's teams typically seem to come up with enough big plays to get it done. Not to mention the Hokies have dominated recent ACC championship games, a trend I like to continue. 2 units. Win.

USC -6.5 vs. UCLA. Not sure this game means much outside of LA; and within LA probably only a little bit to some alums, but USC is just much better - despite losing to ND last week. Will be surprised to see UCLA be able to keep it close, but honestly, if we had a full slate of games this week, I doubt I would be involved in this game. 1 unit. Win.

There we have it, need a big week to finish the season with a respectable record but feel pretty good about the chances. Good luck!

CK