Nick’s Picks: Week 12

     After taking three weeks off, I’m back to make more picks.  So far this year, pretty much every team I have picked has been cursed, but I’m looking to start a turnaround with this week.  The Big Ten season is over.  The bottom dropped out on Michigan’s season and Ohio State once again won the conference.  Michigan State disappointed again versus Penn State.  Iowa and PSU are fighting for an at-large BCS bowl bid.  It was an interesting conference season, one that I will have thoughts on within the next few days. 
     The week brings some historical rivalries that appear to be one sided.  Alabama-Auburn, Florida-Florida State, Georgia-Georgia Tech and Texas-Texas A&M headline the matchups.  It should be an interesting week.  On to the picks.

(#3) Texas at Texas A&M:  This rivalry game will be played Thanksgiving night this year instead of the Friday after.  A&M has won two of the past three in the series.  Texas QB Colt McCoy just set an NCAA career record for most wins.  He can smell the national championship game.  Going in to College Station and emerging from Kyle Field as a winner won’t be an easy task for the Longhorns.  I expect McCoy to hook up with WR Jordan Shipley at least seven times for a few scores, as he has been his favorite receiver all year, and Shipley may make an impact play on special teams as well.  Texas will win it, but I think it will be close.
(#2) Alabama at Auburn: Alabama broke their six game losing streak in this rivalry with a resounding 36-0 win at home last year.  If they win this game they will take on Florida in the SEC title game with the winner going to the BCS title game.  Crimson Tide RB Mark Ingram has been unstoppable lately and Auburn’s defense is not the best.  The Tigers are coming off a tough 31-24 loss at Georgia where they gave away an early 14-0 lead.  QB Chris Todd was efficient against the ‘Dawgs, completing 20 of 28 passes, but his two interceptions were costly.  In order for Auburn to win, Todd will have to match that efficiency and eliminate the turnovers.  Even if that were to happen, I’m still not sure Auburn could pull the upset.  Their new, amped up offense is going to meet the best defense they have played all season this weekend.  I don’t see it being close.  ‘Bama dominates.
(#9) Pittsburgh at West Virginia: The Backyard Brawl is normally a great game.  Two years ago the Panthers went in to Morgantown and knocked off the #2 Mountaineers, thus taking them out of the title game.  Pittsburgh is playing for a conference championship and with it a BCS bowl, and WVU is at home.  RB Noel Devine is going to be the x-factor.  If he can use his speed and stretch the Pitt defense to open up the pass for QB Jarrett Brown then the Mountaineers have a great shot.  They also need to slow down star freshman RD Dion Lewis of the Panthers.  I think the home field advantage tilts the edge in WVU’s favor in a close game, which I fully expect it to be.  Upset special.  The Mountaineers take it. 
(#18) Clemson at South Carolina: Steve Spurrier is only 1-3 against his cross-state rivals.  A win here would help salvage what was once a promising season.  Sure, they are going to a bowl game, but they were thinking more than that after knocking off then #4 Mississippi early in the season.  Clemson RB C.J. Spiller has emerged as a legit Heisman candidate in recent weeks and he sports 894 rushing yards, 421 receiving yards and 11 offensive TD’s on the year.  The Gamecock defense will need to slow him down, but the way he has been running in the past few weeks, I don’t think it happens.  The Tigers win.
(#12) Oklahoma State at Oklahoma: The roles have reversed for this season.  OK State is in line for the BCS bowl, and Oklahoma is looking to be the spoiler.  It’s only fitting that the Cowboys have to get through the Sooners before moving on to the big stage.  If OKSU QB Zac Robinson plays, I think they have the edge.  If he doesnt, OU’s QB Landry Jones could lead them to an upset.  The Cowboys haven’t really missed a beat since losing star WR Dez Bryant for the year because of eligibility issues.  I want to take the Cowboys in this one, but the reports so far this week on Robinson haven’t been promising.  Another upset: the Sooners ruin OK State’s season in Norman. 
Florida State at (#1) Florida: If I have to hear one more thing about Gator QB Tim Tebow’s senior day I might throw up.  Urban Meyer’s ”emotional” press conference about Tebow leaving was disgusting.  I would love seeing the Seminoles win it.  If they do, Bobby Bowden should leave because it would be on a positive note.  But they aren’t going to.  Florida has been coming on strong in recent weeks and may be peaking at the right time.  They will win it at home and get ready to take on Alabama in Atlanta Dec. 5.
(#21) Utah at (#19) Brigham Young: The rivals bump helmets in Provo, where BYU tends to be very strong.  Utah may still be seething after the pounding TCU put on them two weeks ago.  If Cougar QB Max Hall can avoid the turnovers that plague him when BYU loses, they should win.  RB Eddie Wide will be a big part of the Utes game plan, as will 1,000-yard WR David Reed.  I think Hall turns the ball over a couple times and Utah gets the victory. 
Georgia at (#7) Georgia Tech: ABC’s prime time game features another historic rivalry from the deep south.  Georgia has been diasppointing all year, coming in to the game with a 6-5 record and a loss in their previous game to Kentucky.  Georgia Tech, on the other hand, is on a roll.  QB Joe Cox has played first halves well recently for the ‘Dawgs and then fallen apart in the second half.  UGA could somewhat salvage their season if they knock off a Top 10 Yellow Jackets squad.  If WR A.J. Green plays, Georgia has a shot.  I’d love to say Georgia is going to win, but I don’t think they will.  GT rushed for 409 yards in last year’s upset and the Georgia defense hasn’t improved at all.  Tech will take it.

More picks (bolded team is predicted winner)…
(#5) Cincinnati at Illinois: Can Bearcat QB Tony Pike play as well as he was before his injury now that he has returned or will the Illini somehow ruin Cincy’s dream season?
Nebraska at Colorado: The Huskers are gearing up for the conference championship game against Texas.  They don’t want to overlook a desperate Colorado team that is fighting to possibly save coach Dan Hawkins’ job.
Nevada at Boise State: Nevada has been on absolute fire lately, winning their last eight games after starting 0-3.  Unfortunately for them, BSU doesn’t lose on the blue turf.
(#24) North Carolina at North Carolina State: Two programs headed in drastically different directions.  This shouldn’t be close. 
(#25) Mississippi at Mississippi State: Ole Miss is peaking at the right time, but Mississippi State may be dangerous next year.
Missouri vs. Kansas: The Jayhawks have lost six straight and are dealing with turmoil over coach Mark Mangino.  They need this win to become bowl eligible, and QB Todd Reesing gets it done.
Arkansas at (#15) LSU: Think LSU coach Les Miles will review his clock management before this game?  After last week’s debacle, the Tigers will be even more upset after they get shredded by ‘Razorbacks QB Ryan Mallett.
Tennessee at Kentucky: A Wildcat win here should give coach Rich Brooks the SEC Coach of the Year award.
UCLA at USC: USC will not be going to a BCS bowl game for the first time in recent memory, but a win over the cross-town rival Bruins always feels good.