Colt McCoy, Longhorns win away from BCS
Texas is just a win away from a berth in the BCS Championship, and quarterback Colt McCoy is just a week away from possibly claiming the 2009 Heisman Trophy. Standing in the Longhorns' way are the Nebraska Cornhuskers who enter the Big 12 Championship as two touchdown dogs. Over in the ACC title tilt, it's a rematch from earlier this season as Georgia Tech takes on the Clemson Tigers in Tampa.
Championship Week is here.
This is the best college football there is. Bowl games are more important, but the matchups aren’t always that good. That won’t be the case this week with titles on the line in five of the six BCS conferences. These teams know each other, the competitive juices are flowing, and the winners will play in a high-profile BCS bowl.
Case in point: The Civil War. We’ve already been treated to an instant classic, as the Oregon Ducks advanced to the Rose Bowl Thursday night in a 37-33 win over the Oregon State Beavers (+9.5) for the Pac-10 championship. What will happen on Saturday? Glad you asked.
Big 12: No. 3 Texas vs. No. 22 Nebraska (+14½, 47)
Saturday, Dec 5, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ABC
This wasn’t nearly as impressive a season for the Big 12 as last year, but the Longhorns (12-0 SU, 5-6-1 ATS) will nevertheless earn a place in the BCS Championship Game with a victory at Cowboys Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, ABC). To get there, they have to overcome the Cornhuskers (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS), who are underdogs for just the third time this season after covering against Virginia Tech (-5½) and Oklahoma (-4½).
The betting odds were dancing around the 14-point mark earlier this week, but a Texas flood of money is starting to come in, pushing the line above two touchdowns with the ‘Horns moving from -600 to -700 on the moneyline. And the total is on the rise after opening at 43.5 points. Those of you who waited for the weekend to play the classic underdog-UNDER parlay are being rewarded for your patience.
You’re looking at two of the best defenses in the FBS. Texas is ranked No. 11 in defensive efficiency by Brian Fremeau, with Nebraska close behind at No. 15. The Big 12 is almost entirely bereft of defense otherwise, but if you look at the Oklahoma Sooners (No. 6 in defense) as a comparison, here are two results from the regular season you need to know:
October 17: Texas 16, Oklahoma 13 (Texas –3, UNDER 52)
November 7: Nebraska 10, Oklahoma 3 (Nebraska +4½, UNDER 41)
While Texas is the only gifted team of the three on offense, we saw QB Colt McCoy held to 127 yards passing against the Sooners in his worst performance of the year. The Huskers have Heisman candidate Ndamukong Suh (6-foot-4, 300 pounds) and Jared Crick (6-foot-6, 285 pounds) on the defensive line ready to hit anything that moves. Scoring will not be easy in this one, which gives the underdog value against a sizeable spread.
ACC: No. 10 Georgia Tech vs. Clemson (+1, 55½)
Saturday, Dec 5, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN
While the ‘Horns and ‘Huskers do battle inside the House that Jerry Built, the ACC title will be decided outdoors at Raymond James Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN). The forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of rain at game time, tapering off into the evening, and temperatures around 60 degrees. This plays into Georgia Tech’s favor; both teams have outstanding running games, but the Yellow Jackets (10-2 SU, 7-4 ATS) will be running the triple option all day and have a much superior offensive line.
Put this game indoors, and Clemson (8-4 SU and ATS) would look a lot better. Freshman QB Kyle Parker has improved significantly over the course of the season, throwing 14 touchdown passes and just five interceptions in his last seven games with the Tigers going 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS. Provided the conditions don’t get too bad in Tampa, Parker will get his opportunities against a substandard Georgia Tech secondary.
Clemson’s best chance to win, though, rests on the sore right foot of RB C.J. Spiller (5.0 yards rushing, 32 catches). He’s been bothered by turf toe, but has still managed to earn Heisman consideration with his all-around game, including four kick-off returns for touchdowns. Watch for special teams to play a key role after Scott Blair booted three field goals (including the last-minute winner) in Georgia Tech’s 30-27 victory back in Week 2. The Jackets were favored by five at home.
Texas is just a win away from a berth in the BCS Championship, and quarterback Colt McCoy is just a week away from possibly claiming the 2009 Heisman Trophy. Standing in the Longhorns' way are the Nebraska Cornhuskers who enter the Big 12 Championship as two touchdown dogs. Over in the ACC title tilt, it's a rematch from earlier this season as Georgia Tech takes on the Clemson Tigers in Tampa.
Championship Week is here.
This is the best college football there is. Bowl games are more important, but the matchups aren’t always that good. That won’t be the case this week with titles on the line in five of the six BCS conferences. These teams know each other, the competitive juices are flowing, and the winners will play in a high-profile BCS bowl.
Case in point: The Civil War. We’ve already been treated to an instant classic, as the Oregon Ducks advanced to the Rose Bowl Thursday night in a 37-33 win over the Oregon State Beavers (+9.5) for the Pac-10 championship. What will happen on Saturday? Glad you asked.
Big 12: No. 3 Texas vs. No. 22 Nebraska (+14½, 47)
Saturday, Dec 5, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ABC
This wasn’t nearly as impressive a season for the Big 12 as last year, but the Longhorns (12-0 SU, 5-6-1 ATS) will nevertheless earn a place in the BCS Championship Game with a victory at Cowboys Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, ABC). To get there, they have to overcome the Cornhuskers (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS), who are underdogs for just the third time this season after covering against Virginia Tech (-5½) and Oklahoma (-4½).
The betting odds were dancing around the 14-point mark earlier this week, but a Texas flood of money is starting to come in, pushing the line above two touchdowns with the ‘Horns moving from -600 to -700 on the moneyline. And the total is on the rise after opening at 43.5 points. Those of you who waited for the weekend to play the classic underdog-UNDER parlay are being rewarded for your patience.
You’re looking at two of the best defenses in the FBS. Texas is ranked No. 11 in defensive efficiency by Brian Fremeau, with Nebraska close behind at No. 15. The Big 12 is almost entirely bereft of defense otherwise, but if you look at the Oklahoma Sooners (No. 6 in defense) as a comparison, here are two results from the regular season you need to know:
October 17: Texas 16, Oklahoma 13 (Texas –3, UNDER 52)
November 7: Nebraska 10, Oklahoma 3 (Nebraska +4½, UNDER 41)
While Texas is the only gifted team of the three on offense, we saw QB Colt McCoy held to 127 yards passing against the Sooners in his worst performance of the year. The Huskers have Heisman candidate Ndamukong Suh (6-foot-4, 300 pounds) and Jared Crick (6-foot-6, 285 pounds) on the defensive line ready to hit anything that moves. Scoring will not be easy in this one, which gives the underdog value against a sizeable spread.
ACC: No. 10 Georgia Tech vs. Clemson (+1, 55½)
Saturday, Dec 5, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN
While the ‘Horns and ‘Huskers do battle inside the House that Jerry Built, the ACC title will be decided outdoors at Raymond James Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN). The forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of rain at game time, tapering off into the evening, and temperatures around 60 degrees. This plays into Georgia Tech’s favor; both teams have outstanding running games, but the Yellow Jackets (10-2 SU, 7-4 ATS) will be running the triple option all day and have a much superior offensive line.
Put this game indoors, and Clemson (8-4 SU and ATS) would look a lot better. Freshman QB Kyle Parker has improved significantly over the course of the season, throwing 14 touchdown passes and just five interceptions in his last seven games with the Tigers going 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS. Provided the conditions don’t get too bad in Tampa, Parker will get his opportunities against a substandard Georgia Tech secondary.
Clemson’s best chance to win, though, rests on the sore right foot of RB C.J. Spiller (5.0 yards rushing, 32 catches). He’s been bothered by turf toe, but has still managed to earn Heisman consideration with his all-around game, including four kick-off returns for touchdowns. Watch for special teams to play a key role after Scott Blair booted three field goals (including the last-minute winner) in Georgia Tech’s 30-27 victory back in Week 2. The Jackets were favored by five at home.
