FanNation - The Republic of Sport

     You can tell the season is winding down, more and more people are getting more sensitive about their teams.

    Plenty of big games coming up this weekend. Alabama and LSU play what looked like the game of the season a few weeks ago, then the Tigers started losing. It's still a major game for 'Bama especially on the road. LSU would love to play spoiler after getting crushed by Florida and Georgia. They have a small advantage in their passing attack but the Tide's rushing game and defense are statistically superior. LSU has thrown twice as many INTs as Alabama as well.  Much of this game might come down to who dictates the pace. I think Alabama has the advantage and LSU needs a year to iron some things out.  If the game goes that way the Tide should cruise to the SEC title game.

     Texas Tech gets their first shot at defending the #2 position against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys gave Texas all they could handle and Tech could be distracted by the big win last week. The game is in Lubbock however and the Red Raiders specialize in winning the turnover battle. I'll take Tech but this could be a wild one.

    Penn State and Florida play unranked teams who could be a little dangerous. PSU faces Iowa who plays at a different level every week it seems. The Hawkeyes are at home and just lost a close game to Illinois. Penn State got the week off to rest for this one and should show that they're the better team. More likely that they could have trouble against Michigan State in their last game of the year.

    Florida would have to have an amazing emotional let down to lose to Vanderbilt this week but Vandy has been no pushover this year (although losing to Duke last week didn't earn them any swagger). With Tebow at the controls the Gators should keep composure and roll. Still I think they'd better 'respect' the Commodores when they hit the field Saturday.

     Oklahoma visits Texas A&M with the Aggies enjoying a 2 game winning streak. I doubt this will be a spoiler year for A&M as they've done in the past against OU. The Sooners might look ahead to the final stretch against Texas Tech and Ok. State but I think Stoops will have the troops ready to roll.

      USC is home to California and they're stinging from dropping in polls while soundly beating Washington. Cal might be in for a real crushing. They did beat Oregon last week by 10, and they're ranked nationally and second in the Pac 10,  but USC seems to have settled into a groove and wants to prove a point. I'll take the Trojans by a lot.

    Utah and TCU play to find out who will truly get no respect... and who will just get very little respect in a higher ranking. If the Frogs win they only have to get by Air Force ( who has quietly had a pretty good season themselves) next week to finish 11-1. Utah will still have to play BYU, win or lose this one. The Utes nearly let their season slip away against New Mexico last week and unless they have the perfect ambush ready I think TCU will win this week on the road.

      Georgia Tech and North Carolina are playing this week to see who takes the driver's seat in the ACC Coastal. If Tech wins they play Miami mext week to most likely settle first place, if the Tar Heels win they're already a game up on the Hurricanes but will play Maryland next week who is in front of the Atlantic division. Strangely this ACC mess is starting to interest me. Carolina is at home and I've got a hunch they'll win this week.

   The weekend is full of interesting matchups from Louisville /Pittsburgh to Maryland/ Va Tech... enjoy, I know I will...               Bones