NCAA Football Week 13 Preview - Page 4

Part of: BC Tailgate

As stated before, CMU will face Miami in Ford Field for the MAC crown. Miami has a game left, though, against underachieving Ohio University. They're going to want this game, because if they lose against OU and CMU, they'll be 6-7 and still headed to a bowl game. On the other side, the OU Bobcats probably no shot at a bowl, but a win makes them eligible at 6-6.

Ball State has a slim chance of getting that International Bowl bid. If they look impressive against Northern Illinois tomorrow, they'll end at 7-5.

Closing out Saturday afternoon are two mostly unwatchable games: Temple/Western Michigan (both 4-7) and Buffalo/Kent State. If UB wins it (and they should) then the Bulls finish at 5-7, which is way better than anyone would have given them credit. Golf clap for coach Turner Gill if you see him on the street.

--Matt Sussman

As one embroiled in the Toledo-Bowling Green rivalry, I can appreciate a similar annual game — more historic, even — such as the Utah-BYU game. "The Holy War" spans from Salt Lake City to Provo, Utah, which is only an hour drive between the two stadiums.

And the Utes-Cougars game could be considered one of the best rivalries, in terms of pure football, of the last decade. The most recent eight installments of the rivalry have been decided by a touchdown or fewer. Last year's game, a BYU 33-31 win over Utah, came down to a zero-second touchdown from John Beck (now startin' for the Dolphins) to Jonny Harline (pictured right, kneeling) to complete the "Answered Prayer." This year, BYU (8-2, 6-0) is looking to stay perfect in MWC play, while Utah (8-3, 5-2) has a slight, slight dream of grabbing a share of the MWC championship.

Also, both teams are on a seven-game winning streak. If'n you aren't doing anything Saturday at 2 eastern (noon mountain), you might wanna tune into Versus for this one.

An appetizer to Utah-BYU on Friday afternoon is Wyoming (5-6, 2-5) traveling to Colorado State (2-9, 1-6) for the annual Border War. Know what would make this one more interesting? If whoever wins the game gets to legally push the shared border one-quarter mile.

Rounding out the Mountain West action is New Mexico (7-4, 4-3) playing host to UNLV (2-9, 1-6) and TCU (6-5, 3-4) heading to San Diego State (4-6).

Air Force's season is over at 9-3, and are projected to accept a bid in the New Mexico Bowl against a team from the WAC.

--Matt Sussman

Despite the Oregon Ducks losing last week, the Pac 10 race still has some compelling storylines left for these final weeks. Today #11 USC is visiting #7 Arizona St. in a Game which may decide who goes to the Rose Bowl this year. The #9 Ducks are taking on a UCLA team that was a preseason ranked team, but has struggled all year. Also on the schedule is what I would like to officially dub "The Toilet Bowl"; Notre Dame vs Stanford.

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Article Author: Matthew T. Sussman

Sussman is the founder and former editor of Blogcritics Sports. Twitter: @suss2hyphens

Visit Matthew T. Sussman's author pageMatthew T. Sussman's Blog

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Article comments

  • 1 - Glen Boyd's Assistant

    Nov 22, 2007 at 10:49 pm

    Damn that was a long article dude!

    -Glen

  • 2 - RUSS

    Nov 23, 2007 at 5:37 am

    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

    Nov 23, 2007 at 9:24 am

    The Georgia Bulldogs will win over Georgia Tech Saturday 37-12.

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