Judgment Day Picks

It's been since the first weekend of College Football since I last blogged, but better late than never. Fresh off Central Michigan's MAC West clinching throttling of Western last Friday, the Chippewas (who got a vote in the USA Today top 25 poll) won't settle for just that. This team wants to run the table in the Mid-American Conference. Anyway, lots of big games this week that will decide a couple of the BCS conferences. Here we go:

• #21 Maryland at #20 Boston College: One of only three teams to beat the Chippewas this season (shameless I know), Boston College finds themselves in a position to jump into 2nd place in the ACC Atlantic Division. Both teams are 8-2 but Maryland has won five straight and are tied with surprising Wake Forest atop the division. Boston College is 6-0 at home but have faced their fair share of close calls. As talented as that offense is, this team is still a botched play by Central and a made extra point of possibly having four losses. Maryland hasn't been stellar in their games either, but they've got something that's working for them. I'll take the Terps on the road in a close one where special teams may be the difference. Maryland 24 Boston College 20
• #17 California at #3 USC: Cal was in the driver's seat of the PAC-10 race after USC's loss to Oregon State, but the Golden Bears dropped a shocking game at Arizona last week, 24-20. Nate Longshore threw 3 interceptions as Cal blew a 17-3 halftime lead and killed whatever was left of their national title hopes. USC has benefited from the field losing ahead of them to propel them to the #3 position in the BCS, well positioned to overtake the winner of Ohio State/Michigan (more on that later). Now, the Trojans have a chance at redemption, haven't lost in the Colliseum in what seems like an eternity, and have won four of the last five meetings against Cal. With all of these factors working in the Trojans favor, it's hard not to see them winning this game. However, I think this Cal team will rebound and Marshawn Lynch is the best offensive player on either team, so the Golden Bears have that going for them. They were their own worst enemies against Arizona, with three turnovers. If they take care of the ball, I think they have a great chance. I'll take Cal in a huge road upset that will throw the BCS world off it's axis and put Cal in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1958. California 35 USC 31
• #19 Virginia Tech at #14 Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons managed to just enough to win games in the ACC going into their showdown with Florida State in Tallahassee. The result, a 30-0 rout that proved Wake Forest's mettle. This team is incredibly well coached and that's been the biggest difference in making one of the most surprising jumps to prominence in the nation this season. That said, Virginia Tech could throw a wrench into Wake Forest's dreams of a BCS bowl game if the Deacons aren't careful. The Hokies have been pretty inconsistent this season but have boasted a couple impressive wins this season, most notably ruining Clemson's season on October 26th. Wake Forest has passed every test but must be vigilant here to stay ahead of Maryland and get to the ACC title game. This will be an epic showdown but I expect the Deacons to keep that magic going. This team is for real. Wake Forest 24 Virginia Tech 10
• #2 Michigan at #1 Ohio State: ABC has been drooling over the importance of this matchup for about a month and a half now. The biggest rivalry in all of college football means more than it ever has before. Both teams are 11-0 and the winner will be the unquestioned favorite in the BCS National Title game. Michigan is on a roll, and they're healthy. Go to receiver Mario Manningham caught his first pass since he was injured against Michigan State in their last game against Indiana, Adrian Arrington has emerged as a solid number two receiver, and Steve Breaston (remember him?) has actually played well the last two weeks. The bread and butter, however, will be Mike Hart and that offensive line creating holes for him to run through. Therein lies the key to this game, Michigan has been able to run the football in every game they've played this season. They need the running game to win, no offense to quarterback Chad Henne who has had a very good season in his own right. Ohio State was supposed to be in trouble, having lost 9 starter on last season's outstanding defense, but have gotten better each week. Meanwhile, this is the most explosive Buckeye offense I have ever seen, led by Heisman favorite Troy Smith and a slew of weapons on that side of the ball. Ohio State has not faced a defense as dominant as Michigan's but Michigan has faced an offense that's about as explosive in Notre Dame. This is the game of the year folks, expect a physical contest that won't be decided until late in the fourth quarter. Michigan's season has been great, but on the road against this type of team, you have to like Ohio State's chances. This game could go either way, but I'm taking the Buckeyes to get to the BCS title game with Michigan hoping enough BCS dominoes fall in place for them to get a rematch. Ohio State 21 Michigan 17