Winners: Cincinnati, South Florida, West Virginia
Looking back on the season, if you would have told me that neither of the participants in the Big XII championship would be decided until the last week of the season, I would have thought you were crazy.
Then again, if you have been following my picks this season, I might have to say the same thing (9-20-1). Like Guy Morriss, I definitely took my lumps this season.
So, how does the championship picture shake out? In the North, the winner of the Kansas – Missouri game will go to the championship. Simple, yes? The South, not so much.
If Oklahoma and Texas both win Saturday, then Oklahoma will be the South division champion. If only one of the two teams wins, then that team represents the division.
The big mess happens if both teams manage to lose, dropping them into a three-way tie with Oklahoma State. That means having to go to the massive Big XII tiebreaker procedure. And with that, it takes until the fifth criteria before a winner is determined.
That criteria: The team with the best ranking in the BCS standings will go to the championship. It could be late on Sunday before anyone knows who is playing on December 1.
At least we won’t be choosing out of a hat, like my picks this week.
Nebraska (+4.5) at Colorado - Winner goes to a bowl game, maybe. Colorado covers at home.
Kansas State (even) at Fresno State - Seven wins for Fresno is a bigger deal than six for Kansas State. Bulldogs win at home, keeping Kansas State from bowling. Serves them right for being crushed by Nebraska.
Oklahoma State (+11) at Oklahoma - Oklahoma is banged up, slowing their offense. Sooners win, but don’t cover.
Texas (-5.5) at Texas A&M - Dennis Franchione’s last game. Fittingly, it’s a loss. Longhorns win big.
Kansas (-2.5) vs. Missouri in Kansas City - The worst thing for the Big XII in the BCS would be a Missouri win. Of course, that is exactly what will happen. Missouri wins in an upset.
Division championships aren't yet wrapped up, but it's simple enough with one week left.
East: Central Florida is in the driver's seat, and all the Knights (8-3, 6-1) have to do is win at home against an underperforming UTEP team (4-7, 2-5). If they don't, East Carolina (6-5, 5-2) usurps the CUSA East throne with win at home against Tulane (4-7, 3-4), since they hold the tiebreaker over UCF (read; they beat their ass earlier this year). But if they both lose, UCF stumbles home with the division.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd's Assistant
Damn that was a long article dude!
-Glen
2 - RUSS
To: Big 12 Athletic Conference:
The Big 12 athletic conference should add men's soccer as a sport. Soccer has increased in popularity and boys should have the dream of playing for their favorite Big Twelve team.
Sign the Petition. Kids can sign.
3 - Clayton Ross
The Georgia Bulldogs will win over Georgia Tech Saturday 37-12.