College Football Championship Saturday

Championship Week is a term that media members in the College Basketball world made famous with the week of basketball before Selection Sunday, with Conference Tournaments to decide champions and teams vying for the chance to continue into March Madness and the NCAA Tournament. For the College Football world the first Saturday of December and the final Saturday of the season is Championship Saturday. This season, by luck of the schedule and matchups, there is no better Saturday to be stuck on the couch to watch exciting football that will determine Conference Championships, BCS Bowls and bragging rights for the cold winter ahead.

Originally intended to crown the “Super Conferences”, those that expanded to 12 teams and two divisions so as to play a Conference Championship and receive the sponsorship money that comes with it, this week is special because not only do the ACC, SEC and Big 12 (along with the smaller brethren of super conferences, the MAC and Conference USA) hold their Championship Games, we have been lucky to enjoy de-facto Championship games in the Pac 10, Oregon beating Oregon State last night, Big East (Cincinnati – Pittsburgh on Saturday) and last week Boise State beating Nevada for the WAC Championship. While the Boise State game had great meaning nationally, as the Broncos continued their quest for the BCS, Oregon’s dramatic win last night in the Civil War in Oregon had maybe the most meaning of any sporting event in state history. The Ducks won a close, hard-fought game to win the Pac 10 for the first time since 2001 and go to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1995. The Beavers lost for the second year in a row to the Ducks with a chance for their first Rose Bowl since the Vietnam War was escalating troops as fast as Afghanistan is now. So without further ado here are the Saturday Lox for all the meaningful games on Saturday and all the storylines associated with a great final weekend of college football.

But first let’s take a moment to recap last week’s games and the final moments of Charlie Weis’ coaching career as yours truly witnessed in person.

Rivalry Week definitely lived up to the name as underdogs made the most of their chances to save their seasons with wins over favored and ranked rivals.

There was NC State beating rival UNC in a season in which nothing has gone right for the Wolf Pack as they watched the Tar Heels gain national rankings and exposure. But in this game the Wolf Pack looked like the better team and gave their fans plenty of bragging rights until basketball season at least.

Elsewhere in the Carolinas there was favorite Clemson, which has dominated in-state rival South Carolina, losing 34-17 in a game that Steve Spurrier needed to win to keep the critics off his back. As called on this page in my “Upsets” I thought Clemson might be looking ahead to the ACC Championship while South Carolina was looking at respectability and a better bowl game. The Gamecocks got both with the upset and now can breathe easier no matter what Clemson does on Saturday.

One state to the south the Battle for Georgia went to the underdog as well with the Georgia Bulldogs getting back at Tech for the upset in Athens last year. The Bulldogs needed a win to salvage their season and were playing with revenge while the Yellow Jackets were maybe looking ahead to Clemson in the ACC Championship. Either way the Bulldogs got the win with an interim mascot after their famous Bulldog “UGA” passed away before the Kentucky game the week before (http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga/a-thorough-search-will-208200.html ). Divine intervention from above or not, Georgia pulled off the upset and can now begin the quest for “UGA VIII” to represent the football team for next year. In these two rivalries at least the SEC showed their superiority over the ACC.

In an all SEC rivalry, Miss. State upset ranked and favored Ole Miss to cap a rebuilding year for first year coach Dan Mullen. Ole Miss continued its up and down season, but their fans are sure to be disappointed with several losses this year, most among them this rivalry game.

Finally in the story everyone knew was coming Charlie Weis coached his final game for Notre Dame at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto and I was there to witness it. Despite a great game from Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate the Irish could not stop Stanford and Heisman contender Toby Gerhart in the Cardinal’s comeback, 45-38 win. This game was a microcosm of Weis’ final 3 years as the Irish couldn’t win a close game and their defense was no match for a good offense. Before the Irish get back to respectability they will need to build their team around defense as Toby Gerhart’s 205 rushing yards and four total TDs showed, including a TD pass on 4th down while trailing by 8 in the 4th quarter.

Jimmy Clausen came into the game with a black eye suffered when he was sucker-punched outside a South Bend pub after the loss to UCONN, but he left the game with a black mark on his reputation. Even though he threw for 5 TDs and had a great game it was Clausen’s nonstop jawing at the Stanford bench and showboating with the ND cheerleaders after scores that got the most attention. For a QB that went 3-9, 6-6 and now 6-6 in his three seasons at ND, Jimmy Clausen sure likes to celebrate and show up opposing teams. Chances are he will not be back for his senior season under a new head coach, and that could be a good thing for Irish fans as he is clearly not a leader as a football player and seemed to care more about his stats than the outcome of a game. One observation from sitting in the stands to watch this game is that Notre Dame fans and alumni may travel well and gobble up a majority of seats in visiting stadiums, but the fans and the players do not represent the school the way Joe Montana or Lou Holtz once did. Fans were cheering when a Stanford player was injured and the way they celebrated in the stands and on the field was amateur at best for a team that was 6-5 and going on 6-6. Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen can high-five cheerleaders and carry the ND flag after TDs all they want, but losing to Stanford, UCONN and Navy will not make those celebrations last long. These players are maybe the only in America that could learn something from the way USC celebrates. At least wait until you win.

A great ending to a magical season on the Farm for Stanford and a fitting end to the career of Charlie Weis and hopefully for college football Jimmy Clausen. As I stood outside the stadium after the game, drinking the last of the cold drinks in the ice chest and soaking in the atmosphere of a great college football game, out walked Jim Harbaugh through the parking lot. In my excitement I quickly strode over and held out my hand to Coach Harbaugh: “Congrats on the win, Jim. A few more years on the Farm!” Without breaking stride he was happy to receive the handshake and praise and seemed to shrug off the suggestion he will leave for greener pastures. The offers will be there after a memorable season for Stanford football, but Jim might find his best opportunity is right in front of him and not in the NFL or at a college football powerhouse. Maybe all he needs to do is give former Stanford coach Tyrone Willingham a call. They can discuss Stanford’s bowl game while they are at it, Willingham was the last coach to lead Stanford to the postseason.

Saturday Lox of Championship Week

SEC Championship Game in Atlanta

Florida (-5) vs. Alabama

The top-ranked teams. Two Heisman Trophy Candidates. National Championship Invitation. The SEC once again will be the center of the college football world for an afternoon from the Georgia Dome as Florida takes on Alabama in a rematch of a classic game from a year ago. Florida may not have the same quick-strike offense as a year ago but they have surgically beaten every team on their schedule with only Arkansas making them sweat with a nail-biting finish. Alabama on the other hand started the year with impressive victories but has run into steep challenges towards the end of their undefeated regular season. Auburn looked like they might pull the upset last week but came up just short while LSU and Tennessee both played with them until the end. Both teams showcase a Heisman trophy candidate with Mark Ingram leading many ballots before his implosion last week with just 30 yards rushing and an injury. Tim Tebow does not have the stats to match last season but that is mostly because of his injury absence and a lack of explosiveness from the entire Florida offense. Both coaches also boast a National Championship or two in the decade with Urban Meyer winning two of the last three and Nick Saban claiming one for LSU in 2003. There is not much that seems to separate these two powerhouse teams. Both have highly ranked defenses with NFL talent at every position. Florida will play without their best lineman Carlos Dunlap, who was suspended after his arrest for DUI last week. The special teams for both also are dangerous with Javier Arenas for the Tide and Brandon James for the Gators. Either or both could make the difference for their team in this game.

I believe the deciding factor will be Florida’s ability to stop WR Julio Jones, who had 124 yards last year and would most likely have been the Player of the Game had the Tide won. Florida has NFL talent at CB with Joe Haden leading the way but he is undersized and the 6’4” Jones will be a handful. If Mark Ingram is healthy the Gators will be forced to bring their safeties up to stop the run and it will be up to Haden to stop Jones in single coverage. For the Gators I believe Tebow’s ability to consistently gain positive yards running the football and once successful finding the big play in the air will be the difference. Aaron Hernandez is the big target that Tebow looks to in clutch situations and this game he will be needed most. Urban Meyer will have enough tricks up his sleeve and Tim Tebow will show once again why he is the best leader in College Football. Florida will get the job done with Alabama staying close all game but not having enough in the fourth quarter. Florida 27 – Alabama 20


Big 12 Championship Game in Dallas

Nebraska (+14.5) vs. Texas

This is a rematch of the first Big 12 Championship in 1996. Nebraska came in to that game highly ranked and favored, but were beaten by 10 points in an upset that brought Priest Holmes onto the national scene (They also met in 1999, the last time Nebraska won the Big 12 Title). The roles are reversed this year with Texas assured of a chance at the National Championship game with a win and the Cornhuskers trying to gain national respect with an upset. Nebraska comes in with 3 losses but feel they could easily be 11-1 after self-inflicted losses to Iowa State (8 Turnovers) and Virginia Tech (defensive mistakes in final seconds). Texas has gone through their schedule unblemished but a closer look finds an easy road to this game with their best competition hurt by injury (Oklahoma) and suspension (Oklahoma State). The Longhorns really didn’t click on offense until after the Sooners win with Colt McCoy struggling at the beginning with turnovers, inaccuracy and bad decisions. I said it then that McCoy should not be up for the Heisman, but a month or so later and here he is the leader to many. Their big win besides the Sooner rivalry game was the thrashing of Oklahoma State, but that was tempered by the fact the Cowboys were without their two best weapons, Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter. Now Texas faces possibly the best defense they will see all year. Led by the defensive line and Ndamukong Suh, the Cornhuskers are a force with Bo Pelini calling the shots. They also have a healthy offense for the first time in months with RBs Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead both playing in their win over Colorado last week.

I expect Texas to have more trouble on offense than they have in months, with McCoy throwing a few interceptions and the running game not able to get going. Jordan Shipley will be a tough matchup for the Nebraska secondary, but Texas will need more than him to make plays. Nebraska’s offense will also struggle against a stout Longhorns unit, but with Zac Lee playing confident behind center and the RBs healthy at last I think Nebraska can put up enough points to stay close and have a chance in the fourth quarter. Unlike most media members, I believe the chance at the upset is there and if Nebraska can win the turnover margin, make a few plays on special teams and control the clock with their running game, they have a chance to return to national prominence. Bo Pelini has taken back the Big 12 North this year and now wants to accomplish his ultimate goal of taking back the Big 12. The chance is there in Primetime on Saturday and nothing would be better than to ruin Texas’ shot at a Championship and end Colt McCoy’s dream of a Heisman. Nebraska 29 – Texas 28

ACC Championship Game in Tampa Bay

Georgia Tech (+1) vs. Clemson

These two teams played a great game in September with Georgia Tech prevailing at home by a field goal. Now after both teams were upset last week the Yellow Jackets find themselves as the underdog, by a point. But I like the Yellow Jackets this time even with QB Josh Nesbitt slowed by an ankle injury. The difference for GT will be the passing of Nesbitt with Clemson so focused on stopping the option running that Nesbitt is able to have a big game through the air. CJ Spiller will have a good game for Clemson in his long-shot bid for the Heisman but in the end GT will have enough for the victory. Georgia Tech 31 – Clemson 30

Cincinnati (-1.5) @ Pittsburgh

The Bengals visit the Steelers in a December matchup with the Division on the line. Oops. This is college football and the two cities that are usually fighting over AFC North bragging rights in December this time will be playing for a chance at the Big East Title and the BCS. Pitt was upset in the Backyard Brawl by West Virginia last week, but still can win the Big East by handing the Bearcats their first loss. The home field will be an advantage for the Panthers and the distractions with Cinci Coach Brian Kelly being rumored to Notre Dame can’t help their preparation, but the Bearcats have one goal in mind and I believe they are the better team. QB Tony Pike will start and look for him to throw the ball all over the field as he did last week against Illinois in his return from injury. WR Mardy Gilyard will have another big game for the Bearcats as well. Pitt’s defense is good but it is not the Steel Curtain of Pittsburgh lore, while their offense is led by a freshman RB in Dion Lewis. Both will not be enough to stop the Bearcats perfect season and a second consecutive Big East title. Cincinnati 34 – Pittsburgh 31

Houston (-3.5) vs. East Carolina – Conference USA Championship

Houston comes in with the better record and the national attention after knocking off Oklahoma State and Texas Tech earlier in the year. Skip Holtz has done another tremendous job with East Carolina this season. I believe talent wins out here with Houston behind Case Keenum getting the job done over the Pirates. Houston 38 – East Carolina 31

Washington (+7) vs. California

The Huskies have improved greatly in their first year, but since the USC win in September have not played consistently enough for a bowl game. A win here though would give them a 5-7 record and wins over two ranked teams. Cal will be without Jahvid Best again and is off a huge win over rival Stanford. Kevin Riley and RB Shane Vereen played great in the upset and will now travel to Seattle after a week off for the holidays. Cal has been a mediocre road team this year while the Huskies have brought back the home-field advantage to Husky Stadium. Look for a battle of two good offenses with Cal earning a win in Seattle, but not enough to cover. California 31 – Washington 27