BIG 12
CHAMPIONSHIP
DALLAS TX - AT
& T STADIUM – 12:30 PM – FOX
OKLAHOMA
(11-1) VS TCU (10-2)
The Oklahoma
Sooners come into the inaugural BIG 12 title game red hot on offense. Heisman
Trophy leading candidate QB Baker Mayfield has had everyone’s attention with
his play on the field and some unnecessary eyes on him with his mannerisms off
the field. One thing about Mayfield, you got to love his passion for the game.
Mayfield enthusiasm has led the Sooners to big wins at Ohio State and versus
TCU, and Oklahoma State. Mayfield has thrown for (4,097 yards with 37
touchdowns to just 5 picks). He brings his up tempo high flying offense with
weapons all across the field. Wide Receiver Marquise Brown and tight end Mark
Andrews both eclipsed (800) receiving yards and 11 touchdowns combined on the
season. TCU started the season fast as head coach Gary Patterson now in his 17th season
had the Horned Frogs locked and loaded for a stellar 2017 season. Patterson
with over 150 wins at TCU has an eager bunch for a rematch with the
Sooners. They lost earlier this season in Norman, (38-28). QB Kenny Hill has
done it all for the Horned Frogs once again on the ground and in the air for.
TCU also has one of the toughest defenses only giving up (15.7 ppg). That
didn’t faze Oklahoma who is putting out almost (600 yards) in total offense per
game. TCU cannot get behind early like they did in their first meeting. Baker
Mayfield took advantage of a good TCU defense early and the rest was history.
The Sooners racked up over 400 yards of offense in the first half of their
first meeting. Defensive end Mat Boesen who had (5.5 sacks) in their last game
has (11.5 sacks) on the season and look to get pressure early on Mayfield. What
doesn’t help is with one of their safeties is out the first half due to a punch
thrown in the second half of TCU victory over Baylor last weekend. Oklahoma
defense has been atrocious to say the least however over the past several weeks
have found ways not to give up the big play. This is basically a home game for
Texas Christian which sits 20 miles or so from Arlington, TX. Even with that
being said, I see Baker Mayfield as the clear favorite to hold that Heisman
trophy in New York later this year, so another breakout performance from the OU
star I can see in the making…
OKLAHOMA 45
TCU 31
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – LUCAS OIL STADIUM - 8:00 PM
- FOX
WISCONSIN (12-0) VS OHIO STATE (11-1)
The Wisconsin
Badgers are now playing in their 5th Big
Ten title game in the 7th seasons they introduced it. Wisconsin
comes in with the nation’s top defense. Their run defense is tops in all the
NCAA. The allowed just (216) total rushing yards throughout the entire month of
November. Wisconsin defense plays hungry and they swarm to the ball. The
Badgers defense has held opponents to under (10 ppg) on six different
occasions. Being said they had a mediocre schedule with their toughest opponent
being Northwestern. Ohio State comes in always filled with drama. Senior QB JT
Barrett is supposed to start this week barring any setback of his knee injury.
Buckeyes head coach and Barrett confirmed a sideline cameraman banged against
Barrett’s knee before the game started a week ago in Ann Arbor vs Michigan.
Hopefully it will not be an issue however backup QB Dwayne Haskins came in and
went (6/7 – 94 yards) for relief of Barrett. Barrett with over (3,300 yards
passing and rushing) and (42) touchdowns (33 pass, 9 rush) carries the load for
the Ohio State offense. Something they will need to get on track is RB JK
Dobbins and RB Mike Weber. The two dynamic backs have over (1800 rushing yards)
and combined with Barrett found the end zone 26 times. This scene is oh so
familiar for the Badgers who watched backup QB then Cardale Jones lead Ohio
State over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game on their way to a National Title
in 2014. This will be the Badgers toughest match-up all season as freshman RB
Jonathan Taylor (1,806 rush yards) must keep Barrett and that Buckeye offense
on the sidelines. Taylor is now 3rd in Wisconsin history for rushing yards by a
freshman. Control the clock and QB Alex Hornibrook must take care of the ball.
He has just one game all season where he didn’t throw an INT. So do not give
the OSU offense any short fields to work with. I know Wisconsin comes in with
one of the stingiest defenses, a 14 game winning streak, but something about
Urban Meyer pulling something out his sleeve to get his team into contention
for another National title…
OHIO STATE 37 WISCONSIN 24
ACC
CHAMPIONSHIP
CHARLOTTE, NC
– BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM – 8:00 PM – ABC
CLEMSON (11-1)
VS MIAMI (10-1)
In
Charlotte, two (1) loss teams face off in the ACC Championship. Clemson winners
of 5 straight since their loss at Syracuse; has been winning games by (25.0
ppg) and is now sitting at the top once again at #1 in the rankings. Clemson QB
Kelley Bryant has done it all for the Tigers. Bryant has over (3000)
all-purpose yards and (22) total touchdowns through the air and ground. Miami
has never been to the ACC title game since they joined the league in 2004.
However former alum Mark Richt has changed the culture in Coral Gables over the
past 2 seasons. Now Miami has a chance to get back to where most Canes fans are
used to seeing them; competing for championships. Junior QB Malik Rosier has
played pretty good all season. Rosier has thrown for (2,807 pass yards)
alongside (25) touchdowns to (9) interceptions. Wide out Braxton Berrios has
complimented Rosier well. Berrios has come up clutch on the receiving end and
has a knack to find the end zone with (9) touchdowns on the season. Both teams
have great defenses. Miami is a turnover juggernaut. Miami leads all of college
football in creating turnovers. They are relentless on their pursuit and find
ways to get sacks and force opponents into making costly mistakes. Clemson has
a front to be reckoned with. They have a defensive line that has been perennial
all season and have (21.5 sacks) just from that core. This will be a game won
in the trenches between each team’s offensive/defensive lines. Miami does have
big wins this season, "at home." Malik Rosier has been clutch in late
game situations but they had to against a QB-less Florida State, one
dimensional Georgia Tech, and Syracuse. This won't be a (58-0) score like the
last time these teams met in 2015, however; with Clemson experience already
been here and the fact that Miami has seemed to be vulnerable as of late, I
think Clemson pulls a close one out in the end…
CLEMSON 27
MIAMI 24
SEC
CHAMPIONSHIP
ATLANTA, GA –
MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM – 4:00 PM – CBS
AUBRUN (10-2)
VS GEORGIA (11-1)
The
Georgia Bulldogs had everything going for them, newly ranked #1, dynamic duo in
the backfield, straight rude defense and a 9-0 record to back it, and then came
Jordan Hare. UGA suffered its first loss of the season an embarrassing one at
that vs Auburn. True freshman quarterback Jake Fromm didn't throw any picks but
wasn't very consistent with that Auburn defense persistent all game. That rude
Bulldog defense got picked apart, and the duo at running back, turned to what
duo at running back? Seniors Nick Chubb and Sony Michel combined for 46 yards
rushing. For the season UGA's rushing attack alongside Holyfield and Swift
averaged (265.7 rush yards) per game. That Auburn front was too much for
Georgia all game. Georgia offensive line got flat out whooped. Auburn dominated
the offensive line as well including (237 rushing yards) with (132) of those
yards by sensational back Kerryon Johnson. Johnson also was on the other end of
a 55 yard TD reception from QB Jarrett Stindham. Stindham looked poised and was
never really pressured by that tough Georgia defense. Auburn went on to beat
then ranked #1 UGA 40-17 to end up handing then #1 Alabama two weeks later a
beat down to put themselves in the SEC title game with a chance to play for a
National Title. More than likely the winner will play in the College Football
Playoff. Georgia will need to find other ways to get their dynamic duo and
their luxury of backs out in space. Running up the middle and through the 18/19
gap is not going to get it done. Give Fromm some time. Auburn comes in a little
banged up but I think head coach Gus Malzahn has his team motivated at the task
at hand. Ryan Davis poses as a threat in the passing game, alongside Johnson
rushing attack with Kamryn Pettway; the Tigers have weapons on both sides of
the ball I don't see a letdown after a huge win vs Alabama last weekend for the
Tigers. The Bulldogs will play better than the first time but I see the stage
being a bit too big for Jake Fromm this season and a late turnover will propel
the Tigers.
AUBURN
34 GEORGIA 23
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