As the regular college football season comes to a conclusion, there's still one more weekend with seven conference championships to be decided. Some of which are designated conference games, but others will be fatefully decided by some well-timed scheduling. WGR's Joe Buscaglia and Brian Koziol runs down all of the fun for you.
Mid-American Conference - (Brian Koziol) Central Michigan vs. Ohio
- Central Michigan will meet Ohio in the MAC championship game on Friday in what will be a rematch of the 2006 game that the Chippewas won 31-10. The game highlights an NFL prospect in Central QB Dan LeFevour. He’s the conference’s all-time leader in passing yards and he’s one touchdown away from being the nation’s all-time leader in touchdowns scored. Central Michigan finished the regular season 10-2, including an 8-0 run through MAC play. Ohio comes into the title game with a big win over Temple last week which clinched them the East division. Bobcat QB Theo Scott had a great game last week in the win over the Owls, who have gotten by with some tight MAC wins including a late win over UB a few weeks ago. Prediction I like Central to win this game with an explosive offense and the leadership of LeFevour. The Chips have played in Ford Field numerous times in the title games and in the Motor City Bowl in recent years and have the big game experience. I'd love the Bills to take a look at LeFevour on draft day next year.
Conference-USA Championship (Joe Buscaglia) #21 Houston @ East Carolina
- Can anyone in the country put a stop to Houston's offense? The Cougars and quarterback Case Keenum routinely throws for over 400 yards per game, and he's closing in on the 5,000 yard mark for the season. We all saw that this team was legit when they went in to Stillwater and beat Oklahoma State, then came back the very next week and took out Texas Tech. East Carolina struggled a little out of the gate but then got it going by winning five of their final six games. Skip Holtz's crew only has one conference loss, and that was to SMU. Prediction
When analyzing this game, I looked at the point differential between the two teams. Houston has scored a whopping 539 points this year. That's 44.9 points per game, by the way. On the other hand, East Carolina has scored only 323 points this season. So while I don't think the Pirates are a bad team, I just don't think they have the offensive arsenal to go punch for punch with Houston.
Big East Championship (Brian Koziol) #5 Cincinnati @ #15 Pittsburgh
What a season its been for Cincinnati(11-0) and if they had been undefeated in previous years, the Bearcats might've found themselves in the BCS title game. But, this is 2009 and with a handful of undefeated teams, Cincy is playing for an undefeated regular season, a Big East crown and a berth in a BCS bowl. The buzz around the Bearcats though has nothing to with their impressive play on the field. Coach Brian Kelly is making national headlines for his possible move to South Bend to take over for Charlie Weis. QB Tony Pike is back playing well after his injury, he threw for 399 yards and 6 TD's last week over Illinois. Pittsburgh comes off of a loss to West Virginia and are hoping to land a spot in a BCS game with a win at home at Heinz Field. The Panthers have a great running game behind freshman RB Dion Lewis, who's fourth in the nation in rushing yards. Prediction
Cincinnati. The Bearcats can score points with anyone and I don't think Pitt can keep up. Bad weather could help Pitt and their ground attack but I think Cincinnati's passing game is just too good to hold down for 4 quarters. Plus, the outside chance of landing in the BCS Championship could be there for Cincy if Texas loses in the Big 12 title game.
ACC Championship (Joe Buscaglia) #10 Georgia Tech vs. Clemson -- Tampa, FL
-With both teams locking up a spot in this game before last weekend, it appeared as though both were looking ahead a little bit and past their rivals. Both teams enter in to this game on a loss, with Georgia Tech's being a bit more surprising. The Yellow Jackets were rolling on an eight game win streak before they slipped up against Georgia last weekend. The story is and always will be the running game as long as Paul Johnson runs the show. The triple option offense is tremendously hard not only to game plan for, but its also a royal pain to make adjustments on the fly against it. Clemson has one of the best overall offensively gifted players in the nation in C.J. Spiller. If there's a way he can put pressure on the Yellow Jackets, it's through breaking a big play or two very early in the game, forcing them to rely on the pass a bit more. Prediction
For my money, Georgia Tech was the best ACC team last season and lost on a tiebreaker to Virginia Tech. They know how valuable a chance this is, and I expect Josh Nesbitt and Jonathan Dwyer to tear up the Tigers defense. Clemson always knows how to blow a golden opportunity, that's been their reputation for years.
Big XII Championship (Brian Koziol) #3 Texas vs. Nebraska
This game lacks the excitment of some of the other conference title games, but the Longhorns know a win puts them into the BCS title game. These Big 12 title games as of late usually seem to involve a national title contender(Oklahoma or Texas) versus a sub par Big 12-North winner who comes in trying to play spoiler. The last time Texas (12-0, 8-0) played for a Big 12 title, it pounded Colorado 70-3 in 2005 and then the Longhorns went on to upset top-ranked Southern California 41-38 in the BCS title game in Pasadena. Colt McCoy was very impressive in the wild win over Texas A&M last week and seems to be a lock to at least get an invite to New York for the Heisman presentation. McCoy leads the conference's best offense - averaging 43.0 points per game - but could face a stiff challenge versus a Cornhuskers' defense that's allowing a league-low 11.1 points per contest. Nebraska (9-3, 6-2) and Bo Pelini seem to be getting the program back to respectability. Prediction
Texas. The Longhorns have everything to gain and have all the pressure of a trip to the title game at risk. Nebraska's defense should keep this game close, but McCoy and his favorite target Jordan Shipley should make enough plays to get by and head to the title game. Weather has been a factor in the past in this game when it was played in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium, but the passing game of the Longhorns should be fine with the game being moved to the new Cowboys Stadium.
Pac-10 Championship (Joe Buscaglia) #16 Oregon State @ #7 Oregon
- The Civil War has never meant so much. In 2009, a trip to the Rose Bowl is on the line in the conference's unofficial championship game. The Beavers are playing at a level that can compete with any team in the nation right now. They've won six of their past seven games, and Jacquizz Rodgers has quietly rushed for 1,313 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Meanwhile Oregon has had chances throughout the season to take the next big step in to the top tier of teams, but has struggled their way through it. A healthy pre-season ranking was faltered because of a flat performance at Boise State. Then with the team playing at a high level, their defense couldn't hang with Stanford on the road. The question in this one, is what Oregon team will show up? Prediction
Although Oregon State is an incredibly enticing team to think about against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, I just can't see them going in to Eugene and leaving with a victory. Outside of the SEC Championship, this will definitely be the best game of the weekend. A lot of points, a lot of big plays, and a plethora of offensively skilled players. Give me Oregon here.
SEC Championship (Brian Koziol) Florida vs Alabama
The matchup we've all been waiting for, a trip to the BCS title game on the line. Two great programs from the best conference in the country. Sounds good, let's hope it lives up to the hype. Tim Tebow will be apart of the huge pregame hype, but Alabama RB Mark Ingram has had a tremendous season of his own. Ingram's health could be a factor as I think he must play well in order for 'Bama to win. Nick Saban has got to feel some pressure to get by this Florida team that has been in the way of their chance at a National title since he got to the school. Most might say this could be the actual national title game, but Texas will have something to say about that. Like last year, Alabama comes to Atlanta in a similar position, playing Florida in the SEC title game with the Gators favored again. Once again, they could be without a key starter. Last season, it was Percy Harvin, out with a sprained ankle. This time defensive end Carlos Dunlap has been suspended after a DUI arrest. The Tide led last year in the 4th quarter and let the lead slip away. We will see if they learned from that pressure packed experience of a year ago. Prediction
I've voted Florida #1 every week and they never lost so I never moved them. Tim Tebow is one of the most likebale players in college football and he comes through in big games. I know his numbers aren't as impressive as other QB's when you look at passing yards and TD's but wins and leaderships and titles are what made Joe Montana have such a good reputation as a player. Jim Kelly wants Tim Tebow on the Bills and the idea is very intriguing, but I worry about him making NFL throws against NFL defenses. With that being said, any team that has him is better because of how he plays. He won't let them lose and even though I think Alabama is the better team from top to bottom but I'll take Urban Meyer and his playbook and Tebow's execution for a Gators win.
SEC Championship (Joe Buscaglia) #1 Florida vs. #2 Alabama
- This is the one we've all been waiting for. The top two teams in the country along with two of the top defenses in the nation will collide when this one gets underway on Saturday. This one will be less about the skill players and more about the battle in the trenches. Alabama's offensive line might be the best in the country, with Florida not too far behind in that respect. They key for Florida will be getting pressure on 'Bama quarterback Greg McElroy, because he will make mistakes if the pocket collapses. The Florida defensive line took a big hit after Carlos Dunlap, their best end, was arrested this week and charged with a DUI. Dunlap was suspended indefinitely as a result and will not play in this game. On the flip side, the Pouncey brothers of Florida's offensive line will have their hands full with the likes of big defensive tackle Terrance Cody. He'll plug the line of scrimmage all day, making Tim Tebow's day that much more difficult. Prediction
It will be a major struggle for points, and I think the difference will be leadership. Something tells me Tim Tebow is going to will this Florida squad to victory. I expect a field position battle, with the Gators winning somewhere along the lines of 13-10.
To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 1 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 2 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; tournament; WGR; Jeremy White; Golf; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 3 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 4 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 5 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 6 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 7 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 8 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala;
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