For whatever reason, the Pac-10 decided to have all its rivalry games a week later than usual, and the BE is having their "championship" games this week as well.
Arizona State at No. 23 Arizona
The Territorial Cup is the oldest trophy given in a rivalry game. The Duel In The Desert also gives each team bragging rights. This year, even if ASU wins, their chances at a bowl are more or less dead because they played two FCS teams, which would require 7 wins to be bowl eligible. However, they can potentially knock Arizona down to the Holiday Bowl if they can muster it up. Arizona has lost 3 straight coming into this game.
Rutgers at No. 24 West Virginia
WVU needs to win and hope for a UConn loss to win the BE and get an auto BCS birth.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Pitt needs to win, and have WVU and UConn both lose to with the BE and earn the auto BCS birth.
No. 2 Oregon at Oregon State
The Civil War is a huge deal in Oregon, and lately, both teams are actually playing for more than bragging rights. Last year, a RB was on the line. This year, its the NCG on the line for Oregon, and a bowl game for OSU. IN the grand schemes of things, the Pac-10 would benefit from Oregon losing in that it is short of filling its bowl tie-ins. LaMichael James is also on display for the last time for a visit to NY and the Heisman ceremony.
Washington at Washington State
For the last 5 years or so, this game has been dubbed "The Crapple Cup", becuase the game meant nothing as far as anything outside of bragging rights. Well, UW finally has a chance to go to a bowl for the first time since 2002, and all they have to do is win. BOth teams have improved over the last several weeks, and it looks to be cold and possibly snowy in Pullman. Jake Locker also has a chance to carve out a legacy, as it has been disappointing thus far. UW is mostly likely headed to the Holiday bowl, but the Alamo could be a possibility if ASU beats UA.
Connecticut at South Florida
Simple: UConn wins, they take the BE title and get the auto-BCS birth.
USC at UCLA
The Battle for LA is on and for the first time in a very long time, the outcome means nothing as far as post-season goes for either team. UCLA is not bowl eligible, and USC is on sanctions and cannot go to a bowl game. Rick Neuheisal's job may also be on the line.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
No. 25 Northern Illinois vs. Miami (OH)
MAC Championship. NIU snuck into the top 25 this past week, bringing 2000+ of rushing yards between Harnish and Spann. Miami counters with a farily good defense by MAC standards, and hopes to keep NIU under 50 points, an amount that they have scored 5 times this year. Winner goes to the Pizza/GoDaddy.com Bowl.
Southern Methodist at UCF
C-USA Championship. The only CG matchup with no ranked teams. That doesn't mean this teams are talented, as UCF was in the top 25 a few weeks back. SMU almost made it here last year, but they beat Houston to earn the right this year, and hope that SO Padron can continue to shine, which will happen if Line can help take the pressure off with his 1200+ yards on the season. UCF hopes that Godfrey can do a bit more than manage a game, as he is going to need to step up and throw the ball. Winner goes to the Liberty Bowl.
No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 19 South Carolina
Cam Newton was cleared to play by the NCAA yesterday, which gives Auburn that much more help. Auburn can score, and Cam hhs been the key to the offense. While their run defense is good, their pass defense is suspect, which doesnt favor SC that much, as they go as Lattimore goes. If Garcia can find a consistent pass game, Auburn will have to adjust. If Auburn wins, they go to the NCG. If SC wins, they go to Sugar Bowl most likely.
No. 21 Florida State vs. No. 15 Virginia Tech
FSU got in, but not without help from some other teams. This is there first trip to the ACCCG since 2005, and it is VT's 4th time since joining in 2004. The last time these two played was in 2005, and FSU got the win. Tyrod and Ponder will go head up, while two premiere defenses will try to stop them. FSU leads the nation in sacks, but VT is an opposing team's special teams nightmare under Beamer. Winner is headed to the Orange Bowl.
No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Nebraska
Big XII Championship. This is Nebraska's last year in the B12, and they would like nothing more than to go out with a bang. Oklahoma missed out on the game last year, but are back in it. NU will be without their QB Martinez, which could hinder the offense, as they have not been as efficient on offense since he has been out. Oklahoma is coming off a big win in the Bedlam game, which may have drained them a bit. Winner gets the Fiesta Bowl.
As a side note, Wisconsin is already heading to the Rose Bowl, and most likely will face TCU if both Auburn and Oregon win. If either lose, things could get a bit tricky.
Arizona State at No. 23 Arizona
The Territorial Cup is the oldest trophy given in a rivalry game. The Duel In The Desert also gives each team bragging rights. This year, even if ASU wins, their chances at a bowl are more or less dead because they played two FCS teams, which would require 7 wins to be bowl eligible. However, they can potentially knock Arizona down to the Holiday Bowl if they can muster it up. Arizona has lost 3 straight coming into this game.
Rutgers at No. 24 West Virginia
WVU needs to win and hope for a UConn loss to win the BE and get an auto BCS birth.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Pitt needs to win, and have WVU and UConn both lose to with the BE and earn the auto BCS birth.
No. 2 Oregon at Oregon State
The Civil War is a huge deal in Oregon, and lately, both teams are actually playing for more than bragging rights. Last year, a RB was on the line. This year, its the NCG on the line for Oregon, and a bowl game for OSU. IN the grand schemes of things, the Pac-10 would benefit from Oregon losing in that it is short of filling its bowl tie-ins. LaMichael James is also on display for the last time for a visit to NY and the Heisman ceremony.
Washington at Washington State
For the last 5 years or so, this game has been dubbed "The Crapple Cup", becuase the game meant nothing as far as anything outside of bragging rights. Well, UW finally has a chance to go to a bowl for the first time since 2002, and all they have to do is win. BOth teams have improved over the last several weeks, and it looks to be cold and possibly snowy in Pullman. Jake Locker also has a chance to carve out a legacy, as it has been disappointing thus far. UW is mostly likely headed to the Holiday bowl, but the Alamo could be a possibility if ASU beats UA.
Connecticut at South Florida
Simple: UConn wins, they take the BE title and get the auto-BCS birth.
USC at UCLA
The Battle for LA is on and for the first time in a very long time, the outcome means nothing as far as post-season goes for either team. UCLA is not bowl eligible, and USC is on sanctions and cannot go to a bowl game. Rick Neuheisal's job may also be on the line.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
No. 25 Northern Illinois vs. Miami (OH)
MAC Championship. NIU snuck into the top 25 this past week, bringing 2000+ of rushing yards between Harnish and Spann. Miami counters with a farily good defense by MAC standards, and hopes to keep NIU under 50 points, an amount that they have scored 5 times this year. Winner goes to the Pizza/GoDaddy.com Bowl.
Southern Methodist at UCF
C-USA Championship. The only CG matchup with no ranked teams. That doesn't mean this teams are talented, as UCF was in the top 25 a few weeks back. SMU almost made it here last year, but they beat Houston to earn the right this year, and hope that SO Padron can continue to shine, which will happen if Line can help take the pressure off with his 1200+ yards on the season. UCF hopes that Godfrey can do a bit more than manage a game, as he is going to need to step up and throw the ball. Winner goes to the Liberty Bowl.
No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 19 South Carolina
Cam Newton was cleared to play by the NCAA yesterday, which gives Auburn that much more help. Auburn can score, and Cam hhs been the key to the offense. While their run defense is good, their pass defense is suspect, which doesnt favor SC that much, as they go as Lattimore goes. If Garcia can find a consistent pass game, Auburn will have to adjust. If Auburn wins, they go to the NCG. If SC wins, they go to Sugar Bowl most likely.
No. 21 Florida State vs. No. 15 Virginia Tech
FSU got in, but not without help from some other teams. This is there first trip to the ACCCG since 2005, and it is VT's 4th time since joining in 2004. The last time these two played was in 2005, and FSU got the win. Tyrod and Ponder will go head up, while two premiere defenses will try to stop them. FSU leads the nation in sacks, but VT is an opposing team's special teams nightmare under Beamer. Winner is headed to the Orange Bowl.
No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Nebraska
Big XII Championship. This is Nebraska's last year in the B12, and they would like nothing more than to go out with a bang. Oklahoma missed out on the game last year, but are back in it. NU will be without their QB Martinez, which could hinder the offense, as they have not been as efficient on offense since he has been out. Oklahoma is coming off a big win in the Bedlam game, which may have drained them a bit. Winner gets the Fiesta Bowl.
As a side note, Wisconsin is already heading to the Rose Bowl, and most likely will face TCU if both Auburn and Oregon win. If either lose, things could get a bit tricky.
