August 30, 2012
This is it. It’s the final installment of my ultimate road trip for the 2012 college football season. The Pac 12 has some great games on the schedule. Below you will find my games of the week and bowl projections. Enjoy.
9/2 (Sun) - Colorado vs. Colorado State (bonus game) - This annual clash is played at Invesco Field in Denver. The Buffaloes have won seven of the last nine. It is a always nice to open up the season with an in-state rivalry game.
9/8 - Illinois @ Arizona State - Last year in Champaign, the Illini won 17-14. This will be a good early test for new head coach Todd Graham. The Sun Devils were 6-7 last year and return only eight starters. Throw in road games at Missouri, Cal, Colorado, Oregon State, USC and Arizona and Graham’s first year could be a long one.
9/15 - BYU @ Utah -This will be the 88th meeting of “The Holy War.” Twelve of the last 15 meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less. Last year was an exception as the Utes rolled to a 54-10 victory in Provo.
9/22 - Colorado @ Washington State -The Pirate is back! Mike Leach takes over the Cougars looking for WSU’s first winning season since 2003. He has 14 starters returning from last year’s 4-8 squad. It is Homecoming weekend in Pullman, and this opponent should serve up a Cougar win.
9/29 - UCLA @ Colorado - Although the Buffaloes are not expected to contend in the Pac 12 South, a trip to Boulder is a must. Besides enjoying nice weather in a beautiful area of the country, you get to experience a great college football tradition when Ralphie the Colorado mascot rumbles out onto the field.
10/6 - Washington @ Oregon -The Ducks have their sights set on a fourth consecutive BCS bowl. Autzen Stadium has a reputation for being one of the loudest venues in the country, which is impressive considering it only has a capacity of 54,000. Break out some florescent yellow or neon green, and you will fit right in.
10/13 - USC @ Washington - Two former USC assistants battle here as Lane Kiffin matches wits with Steve Sarkisian. The Huskies have won two of the last three meetings but were throttled last year. In recent years, trips to Seattle have been tense for the Trojans.
10/20 - Stanford @ California - Part of me is annoyed that a great rivalry game like this has been moved to October. These teams are in the same division and could easily play the final week of the regular season. However, the choices in November are tough enough. Now, I get this awesome game midseason. Strike up the bad and prepare for laterals... it’s time for The Big Game.
10/27 - USC @ Arizona - Something about the squad from the desert does not agree with the Trojans. The last five games have all been decided by seven points or less. Now that Rich Rod has taken over in Arizona, this game gets even more interesting.
11/3 - Oregon @ USC -The league’s top program faces the latest challenge to the throne. Come to think of it, you can debate who is who in that last statement. USC has the history, but the Ducks have won three straight Pac 12 crowns. Chances are you can see this game at the Coliseum on Friday, November 29th too.
11/10 -Oregon State @ Stanford - This year we will see what kind of coach David Shaw really is. Now that Andrew Luck is gone, Josh Nunes takes over at QB. Make sure you have a chance to enjoy the legendary Stanford band.
11/17 - USC @ UCLA - This rivalry was supposed to regain its intensity after UCLA knocked the Trojans out of the BCS Final in 2006. Then Rick Neuheisel was expected to pump new life into this city rivalry. To his credit Jim Mora Jr. is doing his part. The new head Bruin went on an LA radio station and said that people don’t get murdered one block from the UCLA campus. Round one of Kiffin versus Mora should be interesting.
11/24 - Oregon @ Oregon State - They call this one “The Civil War.” Like most rivalries, not much here is civil. Twice in the last four years, the Beavers found themselves one win from the Rose Bowl, only to have the Ducks squash their dreams. The Apple Cup was tempting for today, but this game has been bigger in recent years and should be again.
The Pac 12 is the epitome of a two horse race. It’s Oregon and USC. The winner of their game on November 3rd will host the rematch for the league title. The winner of both meetings will be USC. I see them going 13-0.
Games of the Week:
Michigan vs. Alabama - The Cowboys Classic features two storied programs. Michigan had a bit of a rebirth last season. The defending national champs must replace some key people, but they do return QB AJ McCarron. Denard Robinson won’t be able to win this one on his own. I expect Bama to make him throw all night which means trouble for the Maize and Blue. I will take Alabama 30-14.
Tennessee vs. NC State - This game isn’t as sexy as Bama-Michigan on Saturday night, but it is a great one to enjoy Friday night. The Vols are hoping to bust loose this year after multiple mediocre seasons. The Wolfpack have experience and should challenge the Vols. UT Head Coach Derek Dooley is on thin ice. The clock will start ticking toward his firing with an opening week loss. I think the Vols win, but it won’t be a cake walk. I say 34-24.
Boise State @ Michigan State - The Broncos are supposed to come back to reality this year. Kellen Moore is gone after what seemed like seven years as starting QB. Boise brings back seven starters. The Spartans must replace Kirk Cousins. It’s in East Lansing. I think Sparty starts off with a solid win 31-17.
BOWL PICKS:
BCS Championship Game - Oklahoma (Big 12 Champ) over USC (Pac 12 Champ)
Rose Bowl - Wisconsin (Big Ten Champ) vs. Oregon (At-large)
Fiesta Bowl - Texas (At-large) vs. Alabama (At-large)
Sugar Bowl - LSU (At-large) vs. Nebraska (At-large)
Orange Bowl - Florida State (ACC Champ) vs. South Florida (At-large)
Capital One Bowl - Michigan vs. Georgia
Outback Bowl - Iowa vs. Auburn
Cotton Bowl - Arkansas vs. Oklahoma State
Gator Bowl - Northwestern vs. Tennessee
Insight Bowl - Michigan State vs. TCU
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech
Alamo Bowl - Stanford vs. West Virginia
Holiday Bowl - Utah vs. Kansas State
Champs Sports Bowl - Notre Dame vs. Clemson
Belk Bowl - Louisville vs. NC State
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