Rambling's Week 14 CFB Picks (Conf. Champ Wk)

This should be an exciting weekend for college football with conference champions crowned and the National Championship match-up decided. Enjoy three straight days of championship football.

Thursday, November 29th, 2012:
Louisville at Rutgers, 6:30 pm ESPN, This game is simple, Rutgers wins, they are the Big East champ, if Louisville wins they should be the highest ranked in the BCS and will win the three team tie-breaker. Winner: Rutgers ATS: Rutgers -3

Friday, November 30th, 2012:
#21 Northern Illinois at #17 Kent State (Ford Field), 6:00 pm ESPN2, The MAC winner has a chance to crash the BCS but a very small chance at that. I think Northern Illinois behind phenom Jordan Lynch. You should watch this because Dri Archer and Lynch are dynamic and this game should be some classic MACtion. Winner: Northern Illinois ATS: Northern Illinois -5
#16 UCLA at #8 Stanford, 7:00 pm FOX, Stanford won last week, Stanford is the better team, Stanford is at home. Bravo to Jim Mora for one of the more surprising coaching debuts of the season.  Winner: Stanford ATS: Stanford -9.5

Saturday, December 1st, 2012:
#11 Oklahoma at TCU, 11:00 am ESPN, A challenge to finish out the season for Oklahoma and a win here forces Kansas State to win against Texas later in the day to wrap up the conference title. TCU finishes out a season with challenges and growing pains but should be in a position to challenge for a conference crown next year. Winner: Oklahoma ATS: Oklahoma -9.5
#23 Oklahoma State at Baylor, 11:00 am FX, A young Oklahoma State team was expected to take a bigger step back than this after losing some graduating talent last year but a trio of young QBs stepped up to keep this team very competitive in the Big XII. Baylor had it's moment in an upset of Kansas State but took the step back we all penciled in for them with the loss of RGIII to the NFL. Winner: Oklahoma State ATS: Oklahoma State -4.5
UCF at Tulsa, 11:00 am ESPN2,  UCF played well at times this year at times but overall underwhelmed in their games against stronger competition. Tulsa was the best team in Conference USA this season. I think they roll in this game and both teams go to mid-level bowls. Winner: Tulsa ATS: Tulsa Pk
Middle Tennessee at Arkansas State, 2:00 pm ESPN3, The Sun Belt has no title game but this game has the same thing on the line. Both teams have 1 loss and everyone else has at least two in conference. Gus Malzahn has done a great job in his first year as the Wolfpack's head coach and his spread system has taken right up where Hugh Freeze left off last year. Middle Tennessee hasn't been the most publicized Sun Belt team that honor belongs to ULM and WKU but they should provide a test for Arkansas State. Winner: Arkansas State ATS: Middle Tennessee +10
#20 Boise State at Nevada, 2:30 pm ABC, A win here will cause a three way tie for the MWC title and from my reading of the rules we will have 3 co-champs. This is silly but that's what'll happen after Boise takes care of Nevada. Winner: Boise State ATS: Boise State -9
#2 Alabama vs #3 Georgia (Georgia Dome), 3:00 pm CBS, The game of the day comes to us from Atlanta, GA where the Tide meet up with the Dawgs. Georgia has talent and a defense which should be able to keep the Alabama offense in check. The real question is what will Aaron Murray be able to do against a Bama defense that has shown flaws throughout the year but is still immensely talented. Winner: Alabama ATS: Georgia +7.5
#18 Texas at #6 Kansas State, 7:00 pm ABC, No matter what happens at noon in Fort Worth Kansas State holds it's Big XII title hopes in their own hands. Kansas State has been the better team this season, even though Texas has more talent. Kansas State should be able to take care of a Texas defense that has had trouble stopping just about everything at times this year. Texas will have to play smart plays for 60 minutes. Winner: Kansas State ATS: Kansas State -11
#13 Florida State vs Georgia Tech (Bank of America Stadium), 7:00 pm ESPN, Georgia Tech is in the ACC championship game but Florida State is far and away the better team in this game and the most talented team in ACC. Winner: Florida State ATS: Florida State -13.5
#12 Nebraska vs Wisconsin (Lucas Oil Stadium), 7:17 pm FOX, These two teams played a close game at the start of conference season, but that game was a bit misleading as first half turnovers buried Nebraska in the first half. They dominated both lines in the second half. Both teams have matured and gotten better but I don't see too many ways in which Wisconsin wins this game. Winner: Nebraska ATS: Nebraska -3

Rambling's Week 13 CFB Pics Review

Thursday, November 22nd, 2012:

TCU at #16 Texas, 6:30 pm ESPN, Winner: 0-1 ATS: 0-1

Friday, November 23rd, 2012:

Ohio at #23 Kent State, 10:00 am ESPNU,  Winner: 1-1 ATS: 0-2

#14 Nebraska at Iowa, 11:00 am ABC,  Winner: 2-1 ATS: 0-3

Marshall at East Carolina, 12:00 pm CBS Sports Net,  Winner: 3-1 ATS: 1-3

#7 LSU at Arkansas, 1:30 pm CBS,  Winner: 4-1 ATS: 1-4

#25 Washington at Washington State, 2:30 pm FOX,  Winner: 4-2 ATS: 1-5

Arizona State at #24 Arizona, 9:00 pm ESPN,  Winner: 4-3 ATS: 1-6

Saturday, November 24th, 2012:

Georgia Tech at #3 Georgia, 11:00 am ESPN, Clean,  Winner: 5-3 ATS: 2-6

#18 Rutgers at Pittsburgh, 11:00 am ESPN2,  Winner: 5-4 ATS: 2-7

#19 Michigan at Ohio State, 11:00 am ABC,  Winner: 5-5 ATS: 2-8

Connecticut at #20 Louisville, 11:00 am Big East Network,  Winner: 5-6 ATS: 2-9

UAB at UCF, 11:00 am,  Winner: 5-7 ATS: 2-10

#5 Oregon at #15 Oregon State, 2:00 pm Pac-12 Network,  Winner: 6-7 ATS: 2-11

Auburn at #2 Alabama, 2:30 pm CBS,  Winner: 7-7 ATS: 2-12

#4 Florida at #10 Florida State, 2:30 pm ABC,  Winner: 8-7 ATS: 2-13

#21 Oklahoma State at #13 Oklahoma, 2:30 pm ESPN,  Winner: 9-7 ATS: 2-14

Air Force at Fresno State, 2:30 pm NBC Sports Net,  Winner: 10-7 ATS: 2-15

San Diego State at Wyoming, 2:30 pm, Winner: 11-7 ATS: 3-15

#8 Stanford at #17 UCLA, 5:30 pm FOX,  Winner: 12-7 ATS: 4-15

Missouri at #9 Texas A&M, 6:00 pm ESPN2,  Winner: 13-7 ATS: 4-16

#12 South Carolina at #11 Clemson, 6:00 ESPN,  Winner: 14-7 ATS: 5-16

#1 Notre Dame at USC, 7:00 pm ABC,  Winner: 15-7 ATS: 5-17

Rough week in both regards, but we now turn our attention to conference championship games and I'm going to take a little extra time to try and nail down these teams and games and get a head start on the bowl season and a season wrap up blog.

Rambling's Week 13 CFB Picks

Thursday, November 22nd, 2012:
TCU at #16 Texas, 6:30 pm ESPN, TCU travels to Texas on rivalry weekend and will try to replace Texas A&M on the schedule and Texas has solidified that with a hex rally. I mean can we talk about the hilarity of that, TCU, a team that Texas wouldn't have even scoffed at last year needing its own hex rally. Winner: Texas ATS: Texas -7

Friday, November 23rd, 2012:
Ohio at #23 Kent State, 10:00 am ESPNU, Ohio goes on the road this week and tries to stop the slide of their season that seems to have lost it's promise. They're going to have to stop Dri Archer if they are going to have any chance of leaving the season without a sour taste in his mouth. Winner: Kent State ATS: Ohio +10
#14 Nebraska at Iowa, 11:00 am ABC, Nebraska travels to Iowa where they should wrap up the 2012 Legends division crown. Iowa continues to pay unbelievable sums of money per win to Kirk Ferentz but they dug their own grave. Winner: Nebraska ATS: Nebraska -14.5
Marshall at East Carolina, 12:00 pm CBS Sports Net, If East Carolina is going to have a chance to win a conference championship they must beat Marshall this week. Marshall is a solid team but if East Carolina is what they think they are they should be able to win this game and put the pressure on UCF. Winner: East Carolina ATS: East Carolina -5.5
#7 LSU at Arkansas, 1:30 pm CBS, LSU travels to Arkansas where they can solidify their BCS resume. Arkansas can end the season long nightmare in college football. Winner: LSU ATS: LSU -12
#25 Washington at Washington State, 2:30 pm FOX, Washington State's season has gone from bad to worse and that was with tempered expectations. Washington has been one of the most eclectic teams in the country this season but that shouldn't hold them back in this season. Winner: Washington ATS: Washington -11.5
Arizona State at #24 Arizona, 9:00 pm ESPN, Arizona is the better team this year but next year should be a more interesting case study. Winner: Arizona ATS: Arizona -3
Rest to come soon
Saturday, November 24th, 2012:
Georgia Tech at #3 Georgia, 11:00 am ESPN, Clean, Old Fashioned Hate is the moniker for this game between the Bulldogs and the Yellow Jackets but I can't shake the sneaking suspicion that this one will be a clean old fashioned butt-whooping. Winner: Georgia ATS: Georgia -14
#18 Rutgers at Pittsburgh, 11:00 am ESPN2, Rutgers visits Pittsburgh in a meaningless game for both teams as the only thing that matters for the Scarlet Knights is next weeks game with Louisville. I think Rutgers is by far the better team but this one looks like a trap. Winner: Rutgers ATS: Rutgers +2
#19 Michigan at Ohio State, 11:00 am ABC, This game will more than likely mean nothing for the Wolverines if Nebraska hangs on to their current lead over Iowa but that will just leave us with the usual hatred between these teams. Winner: Michigan ATS: Michigan +4
Connecticut at #20 Louisville, 11:00 am Big East Network, Louisville needs this game to have a win next week win the conference otherwise they've handed the golden egg to Rutgers. Winner: Louisville ATS: Louisville -10.5
UAB at UCF, 11:00 am, UCF will know by Friday night whether they must win to go to the conference championship game, either way UCF should win easily. Winner: UCF ATS: UAB +22
#5 Oregon at #15 Oregon State, 2:00 pm Pac-12 Network, We won't know what this game means until well after it has finished but Oregon must win this game to have any shot at the Rose Bowl or the BCS title game. A convincing win should allow them to pick up an at large berth but Oregon State is no slouch and should provide a challenge. Winner: Oregon ATS: Oregon State +10
Auburn at #2 Alabama, 2:30 pm CBS, I know it's the Iron Bowl but no, just no. Winner: Alabama ATS: Auburn +33
#4 Florida at #10 Florida State, 2:30 pm ABC, This one could, I state could, have national title implications but it will take a lot for that to happen. This should however be an entertaining game that teaches about where both team stand. Watch the line battle in this game, it should be a doozy. Winner: Florida ATS: Florida +7.5
#21 Oklahoma State at #13 Oklahoma, 2:30 pm ESPN, Bedlam goes back to Norman this year and Oklahoma must win to keep the pressure on Kansas State heading into the last game of the year in the Big XII. Oklahoma State has had growing pains on a young team but should be a stiff test at least for the Sooner defense. Winner: Oklahoma ATS: Oklahoma -6.5
Air Force at Fresno State, 2:30 pm NBC Sports Net, A win for Fresno and San Diego State in these game and a win for Boise next week makes  for a convoluted situation in the MWC. I think it happens. Winner: Fresno State ATS: Air Force +17
San Diego State at Wyoming, 2:30 pm, Winner: San Diego State ATS: San Diego State -7
#8 Stanford at #17 UCLA, 5:30 pm FOX, UCLA welcomes the Cardinal to the Rose Bowl in what could be the first of two games between these teams or a match-up that allows Oregon to slip into the Pac-12 Title game. It hink it should be an interesting contest and a game Stanford needs to win. Winner: Stanford ATS: Stanford -2
Missouri at #9 Texas A&M, 6:00 pm ESPN2, The battle of the new guys will assuredly go to Texas A&M and Johnny Football. Winner: Texas A&M ATS: Missouri +22
#12 South Carolina at #11 Clemson, 6:00 ESPN, The battle for South Cacalaca (no idea how to spell that) should be interesting and exciting but I'm not sure Clemson has faced a defense quite like South Carolina's outside of FSU, but with the 'Cocks injuries I'm not sure it's going to matter. Winner: South Carolina ATS: South Carolina +4
#1 Notre Dame at USC, 7:00 pm ABC, Notre Dame heads to the Coliseum with Crystal in their eyes. When they arrive they will find a USC team that has been a letdown and is showing that depth shouldn't have been something to scoff at, at the start of the season. Winner: Notre Dame ATS: USC +6

Rambling's Week 12 CFB Picks Review

Wednesday, October 14th, 2012:

Toledo at Northern Illinois, 8:00 pm ESPN2, With this win Northern Illinois solidified their bid to the MAC Championship on December 1. Winner: 1-0 ATS: 1-0

Saturday, October 17th, 2012:

#10 Florida State at Maryland, 11:00 am ESPNU, Florida State runs Maryland out of the building much like we thought which punches their ticket to the ACC Championship game. They should win that one and punch their ticket to the Orange Bowl. Winner: 2-0 ATS: 2-0

Iowa at #21 Michigan, 11:00 am ESPN, Iowa is really bad and Kirk Ferentz gets paid a ton. Michigan needs some help from Nebraska next weekend to have a shot to be in the Big Ten Championship game. Winner: 3-0 ATS: 2-0

Kent State at Bowling Green, 11:00 am ESPN3, Kent State also punched thier ticket this weekend which means we get extra Dri Archer. And that makes us all winners.Winner: 4-0 ATS: 3-0

UCF at Tulsa, 11:00 am, Tulsa punched their ticket to the C-USA Championship Game where they will play UCF or East Carolina. Tulsa is the best team in the conference and should be an interesting team to watch in bowl season. Winner: 5-0 ATS: 3-1

#22 Rutgers at Cincinnati, 11:00 am Big East Network, Cincinnati drops out of the Big East race with this loss and leaves Rutgers in the drivers seat for the conference crown with an upcoming match-up with Louisville to decide the conference. Rutgers also is believed to approve a move to the Big Ten tomorrow. Winner: 6-0 ATS: 4-1

#25 Washington at Colorado, 12:30 pm FX, It's Colorado. Nothing to glean here. Winner: 7-0 ATS: 5-1

#18 USC at #17 UCLA, 2:05 pm FOX, Good win for UCLA but what happened to USC this year, lack of depth certainly hurt but this defense should have improved and the offensive line has had injuries in the worst places. UCLA needs to win this week to visit the North champ in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Winner: 7-1 ATS: 5-2

Wake Forest at #3 Notre Dame, 2:30 pm NBC, Good for Notre Dame and being the #1 ranked team in the nation. Cool your jets it's Wake F*#$ing Forest. Winner: 8-1 ATS: 5-3

Ole Miss at #7 LSU, 2:30 pm CBS, This one was very close and a wonderful coaching job by Hugh Freeze. This happened from Les Miles and we should all be grateful. Winner: 9-1 ATS: 5-4

Minnesota at #14 Nebraska, 2:30 pm BTN, Nebraska moves one step closer to it's first Big Ten Championship Game in which they should be favored over Wisconsin. This team has progressed nicely over the last two years and you can see the evolution on the field. Minnesota has shown flashes but is still fighting uphill after being abysmal for the past 5 years. Winner: 10-1 ATS: 6-4

NC State at #11 Clemson, 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Clemson controls nothing and will need a big win against South Carolina to have a chance at a BCS game. Winner: 11-1 ATS: 6-5

Ohio State at Wisconsin, 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Hell of a game from both teams but Wisconsin will rue the three red zone trips that they squandered, was nice to see a passing game and this team should challenge the Legends division rep in the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State is going to be a beast next year but only if Braxton Miller matures as a decision maker. Winner: 11-2 ATS: 7-5

Utah State at #20 Louisiana Tech, 3:00 pm ESPN3, Color me surprised and kudos to Utah State for being the penultimate WAC champ. Winner: 11-3 ATS: 7-6 P.S. Utah State is that team you have to pick in bowl challange

#12 Oklahoma at West Virginia, 6:00 pm FOX, Oklahoma made this one as close as they could with a team that they are much better than. A classic Big XII shootout that got covered up by the Baylor whooping of Kansas State and a barn burner in Oregon. Winner: 12-3 ATS: 8-6

#1 Kansas State at Baylor, 7:00 pm ESPN, Wow, just, Wow. Congrats to the Baylor Bears on creating chaos in the BCS and a solid Come on Man to the Wildcats for such an offensive letdown. Winner: 12-4 ATS: 8-7

#13 Stanford at #2 Oregon, 7:00 pm ABC, This was a classic and I am happy to admit that I was wrong about the Oregon blowout. Stanford played a masterful defensive game and Oregon's young play-makers finally showed their youth late in the game. This makes the Pac-12 North a lot of fun to watch next week. Winner: 12-5 ATS: 8-8

Cal at #16 Oregon State, 9:30 pm Pac-12 Network, Yeah uhh Jeff Tedford is currently sending out resumes. Winner: 13-5 ATS: 8-8

Amazing week of games and with just two weeks left and rivalry Saturday coming up we have some fervent action left before everything is settled.

Rambling's Week 12 CFB Picks

Alright enjoy the MACTION tonight and don't forget to enjoy the rest of the football weekend. 

Wednesday, October 14th, 2012:
Toledo at Northern Illinois, 8:00 pm ESPN2, A Northern Illinois victory all but assures them the division title, while a Toledo victory gives them the head to head upper hand but leaves room for both teams to screw up. Northern Illinois was a conference favorite coming into the year but this game should be what we've come to expect from #MACTION. Winner: Northern Illinois ATS: Toledo +11

Saturday, October 17th, 2012:
#10 Florida State at Maryland, 11:00 am ESPNU, Same thing as last week with Maryland, until they no longer have a linebacker starting at QB this isn't going to change. Winner: Florida State ATS: Florida State -31
Iowa at #21 Michigan, 11:00 am ESPN, Iowa visits Michigan where the Hawkeyes will have a hell of a time keeping pace with a Michigan offense that should run rough shod over their defense. Winner: Michigan ATS: (No line but, I would give up to three touchdowns)
Kent State at Bowling Green, 11:00 am ESPN3, Kent State visits Bowling Green to decide the other half of the MAC. Kent State comes with athletic dynamo Dri Archer who leads the team in receiving, 2nd in rushing and is a threat to score each time he receives a kick. Bowling Green has an impressive close lose to Florida but was also blown out by Va Tech. I think this one follows a very similar path to Toledo-NIU but with Kent State opening up a gap as the game winds down. Winner: Kent State ATS: Kent State +2.5
UCF at Tulsa, 11:00 am, C-USA's two conference leaders meet in what won't send either to a BCS game but this shouldn't disuade you from enjoy what should be a pretty good and entertaining game. Winner: Tulsa ATS: Tulsa -3
#22 Rutgers at Cincinnati, 11:00 am Big East Network, Rutgers visits Cincy this week and we finally find out if the lone loss on the Rutgers schedule was a fluke or if their record out of the gate as a mirage. I think Rutgers is the superior team here and should leave Cincy with most of us convinced that they will give Louisville a run for the conference crown. Winner: Rutgers ATS: Rutgers +6.5
#25 Washington at Colorado, 12:30 pm FX, Washington wins this one and yeah Colorado may be the worst BCS AQ squad we've seen and that includes some putrid Indiana squads. Winner: Washington ATS: Washington -20.5
#18 USC at #17 UCLA, 2:05 pm FOX, This game will more than likely decide the Pac-12 South this season and the fate of head coach Lane Kiffin of the Trojans. USC has the talent edge but Jim Mora has done wonders for the preparation of UCLA this season. Winner: USC ATS: USC -3
Wake Forest at #3 Notre Dame, 2:30 pm NBC, Notre Dame will surely find a way to make this game oh so much closer than it should be but this game shouldn't really be in doubt. Winner: Notre Dame ATS: Wake Forest +24
Ole Miss at #7 LSU, 2:30 pm CBS, Ole Miss continues to improve but LSU will shut this offense down. Winner: LSU ATS: LSU -18.5
Minnesota at #14 Nebraska, 2:30 pm BTN, Nebraska wins this one and comes one step closer to a division crown in year two of their Big Ten existence. Winner: Nebraska ATS: Nebraska -19.5
#23 Texas Tech at #24 Oklahoma State, 2:30 pm,
NC State at #11 Clemson, 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Clemson continues to roll through it's ACC schedule but will ultimately lament the loss to Florida State that will cost it a shot at the BCS auto bid and may keep them from an at large birth. Winner: Clemson ATS: Clemson -17
Ohio State at Wisconsin, 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, This game perplexes me because I don't know what to think about either team. Wisconsin is dependent on getting a dimension out of the passing game, where as Ohio State has had trouble with lesser competition this season. I think the big match up in this game is the linebacker play on both sides versus Miller and the running game respectively. Winner: Wisconsin ATS: Ohio State +3
Utah State at #20 Louisiana Tech, 3:00 pm ESPN3, Utah State visits La Tech in a game that will decide the WAC in it's last season. I think La Tech walks away with this one but it will be close later than most think. Winner: La Tech ATS: La Tech +3
#12 Oklahoma at West Virginia, 6:00 pm FOX, Shootout in Morgantown as the Sooner make their inaugural trip to play the Mountaineers. This will be a high scoring affair but the Sooner defense has too much of an edge over their WVU counterparts. Winner: Oklahoma ATS: West Virginia +11
#1 Kansas State at Baylor, 7:00 pm ESPN, I get it Baylor can put up points but they have no defense and we haven't seen improvement from that unit this season. Kansas State keeps rolling along, it isn't very flashy but Bill Snyder's team wins and doesn't make the fans sweat too much. Winner: Kansas State ATS: Kansas State -11.5
#13 Stanford at #2 Oregon, 7:00 pm ABC, Stanford visits Autzen Stadium for a rematch of a Oregon beat down of Stanford's national title hopes last season. Oregon's defensive line health will be a major concern coming into this game, but this version of the Oregon Ducks is even more talented than last years which is a scary proposition for everyone involved. Winner: Oregon ATS: Oregon -20.5
Cal at #16 Oregon State, 9:30 pm Pac-12 Network, Cal is horrible and should be the remedy for the Beavers recent slide. Winner: Oregon State ATS: No line because of QB uncertainty on both sides