98Bones's Blog
  • 10:27 AM ET  12.05
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Once LSU started losing I had a feeling that Alabama and Florida would end up in the SEC title game. Alabama had beaten Georgia convincingly and had already begun to look like a solid contender. Florida had lost to Mississippi but something told me that was a fluke.

What'll it be this weekend? Will Alabama slow the Gator assault? Will Florida expose some Crimson Tide weaknesses?  Will it be a 'Big 12 style shootout'? Reading down the final scores in the Gator's column one is a little in awe. Nobody other than 'Ol Miss has even come close! OK, not quite... Miami lost by 23 but the game was closer than the score indicates. Still it's a tribute to the Gators that we need to look this closely to find competetive regular season games in the SEC.

Alabama had a more realistic style season. They ended well only getting a test from LSU on Nov 8th, but they did have a few close calls in October. One stat that surprised me a little. Alabama held 7 teams to 10 points or less this season. That's not strange at all. However... so did Florida! Considering the importance of this game I'll expect Florida with Tebow's big game experience to take control. If Alabama can force turnovers the game could slide their way in a hurry. I'd hate to be down by 14 to Bama at the half and have to try to stop their running game to make up the lost ground. However if anyone should be more likely to get flustered it's 'Bama who has players who are all in this spotlight for the first time. 

No team would like to play spoiler more than the Missouri Tigers. They were in position to try for all the marbles last season and were single handedly eliminated by Oklahoma with two losses both to the Sooners. They have a good team again this season, no doubt good enough to pull an upset if things go their way. Missouri lost to the best three teams they faced this season and it looks like the only teams it has defeated who are bowl bound are Nebraska and Nevada. OU probably feels it still has to prove its worth as the Big 12 South representative. Stoops and his staff has done a great job preparing the Sooners for the late season tests against Texas Tech and OK State. This shouldn't be a let down week for Oklahoma. If there are no unforseen problems or changes I'll take the Sooners by 10 or more.

 Elsewhere the best matchup looks like Boston College and Virginia Tech in the ACC Title game. BC won a close one earlier this season and look to have momentum on their side but Va Tech has a way of shining in big games when they are doubted. However I'll give a slight edge to the Eagles who look like the only stable team in the ACC at season's end.

If UCLA defeates USC we'll truly know this is 'Bizarro World'. Apparently the Trojans will get to wear home jerseys along with the Bruins this year. That just may be the best reason to watch the game. I've always enjoyed the contrasting red and blue in this matchup, much like the Michigan/ Ohio State colorfest. USC is going to want to make a statement in case Oklahoma loses to Missouri. Look for them to win by several hundred (if their offense isn't hibernating this week).

That's it for this week. Plenty to be excited about, I can't wait for the games...     Bones

December 5, 2008  10:47 AM ET

The way the Gators are playing, I see them just rolling past the Tide.

 
December 5, 2008  10:53 AM ET

The only other conference championship game that maybe worth watching will be the Big 12, where Missouri should not even be in it. Wish the Tigers would have stepped aside for this game, for the good of the conference and given it to Texas, but we all know that's not going to happen. So I see an Oklahoma stampede over the Tigers.

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