FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Week 12 College Football Predictions:

You're supposed to get stronger as the season goes on, but Week 11 was AT's worst, as he went just 5-5. 

Although this Saturday's schedule is filled with "glamour," games, there are a lot of good one's as 13 of the 18 ranked teams which play are on the road. 

Without any more delay, lets go to the picks:

(Last week's 5-5 record sent AT to 76-34 on the season)

Game of the Week:

No. 25 South Carolina at No. 4 Florida: 3:30 p.m. CBS

It's always the game of the week when the Old Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier returns to Gainesville to play the team he won a National Championship with- the Florida Gators.  Spurrier always has the Gamecocks ready for Florida- he beat them in his first match-up in 2005, and in the Gators 2006 National Championship run, they needed a blocked field goal to hold off South Carolina.  This year they strut into the Swamp with the no. 1 ranked defense in the SEC and have won six of their last seven.  All those numbers won't matter much, because Florida is playing on another planet, and should win this one comfortably.  There is too much talent all over the field for the Gators to lose this one, so expect to see Spurrier's visor flying all afternoon.

The Pick: Florida

Upset Alert:

No. 17 BYU at Air Force: 3:30 p.m.

(** for the record this post was on the website before Kirk Herbstreit also picked Air Force as their upset special.  Don't want to accused of plagurizing)

With all the talk around the Mountain West Conference around BYU, Utah and Texas Christian, people forget that Air Force has won five in a row, with their two losses coming by a combined 13 points.  Asher Clark and Todd Newell are the best pair of running backs you've never heard of, and you have to imagine that BYU is looking forward to its showdown with Utah next week.  Everyone talks about quarterback Max Hall at BYU, but the Cougars defense was exposed in the loss to TCU three weeks ago, and they've given up 35 points in two of their wins since then.  The Falcons can't win the MWC, but they have plenty of pride, and it will be on display Saturday.  Air Force pulls the upset.

The Pick: Air Force

No. 11 Ohio State at Illinois: 12:00 p.m. ESPN

Although everyone remembers Ohio State's season ending with a loss to LSU in the National Championship game in 2007, they almost didn't get there because of a defeat to Illinois at home in November.  These teams are completely different this year however, as Ohio State has added Terrelle Pryor to the mix offensively, while Illinois lost running It's back Rashard Mendenhall to the draft, and is coming off an embarrassing defeat to Western Michigan a week ago.  It was a great story when the Fighting Ron Zook's went into the Horseshoe and won a year ago, but Cinderella's slipper won't fit this year.  Juice Williams is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in college football, but he doesn't have nearly the weapons around him that he did a year ago.  Ohio State wins, as they get ready for a rivalry game against some team from Michigan next week.

The Pick: Ohio State

Notre Dame at Navy: 12:00 p.m. CBS

1963.  That was the last time that Navy had beaten Notre Dame coming into last year's match-up in South Bend.  The Middies pulled the upset, stunning the Irish 46-44 in three overtimes.  While Notre Dame is actually improved this year, few would know it after they laid an egg last weekend in Boston, getting shutout by BC- 17-0.  This game is in Baltimore and Navy has won five of their last six including wins over three very good teams in Rutgers, Wake Forest and Air Force.  Believe it or not, I'm taking Navy- again.  Notre Dame has been putrid on the road this year- their only win at Washington- and are coming off two losses in a row.  The heat is only going to be turned up on Charlie Weis, as Navy shocks the Irish for the second year in a row.

The Pick: Navy

No. 3 Texas at Kansas: 12:30 p.m.

The last time that Texas hit the road, they were shocked in Lubbock by the Texas Tech Red Raiders.  The Longhorns better not sleep on the Jayhawks, who despite losing three of their last four have scored 30 or more points seven times this season.  Add in that Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing grew up in Austin and dreamed of playing for the Longhorns, and the home team may have an upset on their mind.  While Texas' defense isn't playing at a championship level, they'll win.  Win or lose Colt McCoy always puts up phenomenal numbers, and this week will be no different against a Kansas secondary that just hasn't looked the same this season after losing All-American Aquib Talib from a year ago.  Take the Longhorns, as they win again, and wait for next weekend's showdown between Texas Tech and Oklahoma

The Pick: Texas

No. 10 Georgia at Auburn: 12:30 p.m.

It's been a lost season on the Plains, as the Tigers are 5-5, 2-4 in the SEC and Tommy Tubberville may be coaching his last game at Auburn.  Georgia comes in off two unimpressive games- an embarrassing loss to Florida, and a 42-38 nail-biter against Kentucky.  While the Bulldogs offense can score on anyone, the defense has hardly been the championship caliber we expected coming into the season.  Luckily it won't matter much against the Tigers, which may have the worst offense in the SEC.  Georgia concludes its brutal SEC schedule Saturday, and will do so with a win. 

The Pick: Georgia

No. 16 North Carolina at Maryland: 3:30 p.m. ABC Regional

Welcome to the ACC, where any team can first place to forgotten in four quarters.  That was certainly the case a week ago when Maryland was in first place and controlled its own destiny, before going to Lane Stadium and losing to Virginia Tech.  We've seen this Terrapins team rebound every time we're ready to write them off, but this week they are facing arguably the conference's best team in UNC.  While Maryland will be better than they were a week ago, the Tar Heels are playing their best ball of the year, winning last week against Georgia Tech 28-7.  Cameron Sexton continues to play well at quarterback, and Shawn Draughn will run wild against the Maryland front-seven.  Da'Rel Scott was the top running back in this conference, but he will be going against the best defense he's seen to date from the Tar Heels.  UNC wins, as they march toward the ACC title game. 

The Pick: North Carolina

No. 6 USC at Stanford: 7:00 p.m.

In this week in which several teams (Notre Dame, Ohio State) are looking for payback from a season ago, no team suffered a more inexcusable loss than the men of Troy.  At home, as a 40 point favorite, against a Stanford team playing their back-up quarterback, the Trojans were shocked (to be honest shocked isn't the right word, there is no word in the English language to describe how bizarre the loss was) by the Cardinal.  Despite Stanford playing improved football, it won't be upset city in Palo Alto this weekend.  USC is playing on another level defensively from the rest of college football, having given up an unbelievable 23 points in the 24 quarters since the loss to Oregon State.  The Trojans shut down the Cardinal, winning comfortably on the road. 

The Pick: USC

Mississippi State at No. 1 Alabama: 7:45 p.m. ESPN

Thought I forgot about the no. 1 team in the country, huh?  Well much like being a White House correspondent, you always keep your eyes on the top team in the country, especially when they're playing a team which they haven't scored an offensive touchdown against since 2004.  While the Tide may have struggled in the past, this is a different team, and has a championship attitude.  They know they have Florida in the SEC championship game Dec. 6, but have to win this one and Auburn in two weeks to have a shot at a National Championship.  I say it every gmae and I haven't been wrong yet: the Tide continue to roll. 

The Pick: Alabama

Boston College at No. 19 Florida State: 8:00 p.m. ABC Regional

Has anyone noticed a revenge theme in this preview?  Well don't forget about Boston College, which was undefeated and ranked no. 2 in the country last season before losing to the Seminoles at home.  They travel to Tallahassee after their best win of the season, a 17-0 win over Notre Dame last Saturday.  Florida State suspended five players for this game, but have won five of their last six this season.  No matter how I pick FSU I never get it right, but after last weeks dominating win against Clemson, I'll give the nod to the Seminoles.  They're averaging over 200 yards a game rushing this season, and are playing under the lights at Doak.  The Seminoles win. 

The Pick: Florida State