This is Alabama’s final home game for 26 seniors, as they haven’t lost a game in Tuscaloosa since ULM in 2007. Chattanooga is getting $400,000 to play this game. Alabama is 10-0 all-time in this series with the last meeting a 42-13 Bama win in 1994. Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy has come off a mid-season slump and averaged 234 yards per game (61.5%) with a 4-1 ratio in his last two games. Running back Mark Ingram continued his Heisman-caliber season with 149 yards (7.8) and two touchdowns in the 31-3 win last week vs Mississippi St.  Meanwhile, Chattanooga is off a 31-25 win that guaranteed them just their 2^nd winning season in the last 12 years, the week after only trailing Appalachian St St 21-20 in the 4^th quarter. Last year the Mocs were outscored by a combined 103-9 against Oklahoma and Florida St. Their last game vs an SEC team was a 34-15 loss to Arkansas in 2007. Chattanooga is led by former Tennessee transfer BJ Coleman (PS#65) who is averaging 231 yards per game (58.5%) with a 17-7 ratio. The Crimson Tide have archrival Auburn on deck and will look to rest some starters late but they can name their score in this one.

After a 3-point loss in 2007, TCU rebounded with a 54-7 win over the Pokes last year. TCU is 3-1 in MWC play in the series with their 3 wins by an average of 36-8 (+188 yards per game) but they did lose their last trip here 24-21 in a game Wyoming led 24-6. This is Wyoming’s home finale. The Pokes were down 21 points vs San Diego St last week entering the 4^th quarter. They rallied for 21 unanswered points, then recovered a fumbled short kickoff and drove 18 yards for the game-winning 43 yard field goal with :23 left, 30-27. After slumping the last weeks, Wyoming put together their best offensive output of the season (446 yards). TCU dominated once again beating Utah 55-28 with 32-11 first down and 549-284 yard edges with Utah getting a late garbage TD drive. The Frogs topped 500 total yards for the 3rd straight week. The run game (342 yards, 6.7 ypc) was led by Freshman Ed Wesley (137 yards), who became the 1st TCU freshman to top 100 yards in a game since 2005. The Frogs have outscored opponents 47-11 the last five and the defense has allowed just 6 touchdowns in that span. TCU continues to pile up style points to impress the BCS.

Michigan is now 1-7 vs Tressel in the “Big Game”. Last year Michigan only trailed 14-7 at halftime but the Bucks finished with 3 scoring plays of 49+ yards in the 42-7 win for OSU’s school record 5th straight win over the Wolverines. OSU clinched their 5th straight Big 10 title and their 1st Rose Bowl bid since 1996 with a 27-24 OT win over Iowa as the Hawks rallied from 14 down with 11:11 left, but OSU’s defense stepped up in OT with an interception and the Bucks hit a 39 yard field goal for the win. With quarterback Terrelle Pryor (ankle) banged up, OSU’s run game has averaged 259 yards per game (5.2 yards per carry) since the loss to Purdue. OSU is #4 in NCAA rush defense (84 yards, 2.7 ypc). Michigan lost their 6th straight Big 10 game 45-24 to Wisconsin last week as the Badgers led just 28-24 in the 3^rd quarter before grinding out 17 straight points behind running back John Clay who had 109 2^nd half yards. Michigan has allowed 444 total yards including 197 rush yards per game (4.7 ypc) and 35 points per game in Big 10 play. Before Wisconsin, Michigan players said beating OSU will redeem their season as they’re in danger of back 2 back losing years for the 1st time since 1962-1963.        

It’s been 8 years since someone other than USC has claimed the Pac 10 Title. Oregon is 13-5 in this series and laid the lumber to Arizona St last week in Eugene outgaining the Sun Devils 388-211 led by running back LaMichael James who rushed for 149 yards (6.8 ypc, highest individual rush total vs ASU this year). Arizona’s offense couldn’t find consistency last week in Berkeley as they totaled their worst yardage output in conference play this year with just 273 yards while being sacked 3 times (had allowed just 4). Last year the Wildcats stormed back from a 45-17 half time deficit and got to within 3 points in a game that featured 1,031 total yards. In their last meeting in Tucson, however, Arizona ended the Ducks’ BCS dreams by knocking them off 34-24 as Oregon lost their Heisman frontrunner quarterback Dennis Dixon to injury in the 1^st quarter while up 7-0 and going in for more. Judging by the shootout that these 2 endured last year, it’s almost certain to be another duel in the desert here with these 2 high-octane offenses. Arizona has outgained teams 497-278 at home and Oregon is awesome in Autzen but is being outgained 360-368 on the road.

This marks the 103rd edition of the “Big Game” with Cal winning 6 of the last 7 meetings. After a disappointing loss to Oregon St a few weeks back which saw Cal lose their best player in running back Jahvid Best (120 total yards per game, 16 total touchdowns), the Bears rebounded with a solid defensive effort holding high-flying Arizona to just 273 total yards in the 8-point victory. Stanford is now 10-1 at home after their 51-42 upset of #8 Oregon 2 weeks ago and repeated that in even greater fashion last week putting up the most points ever vs USC in the 55-21 demolition of the Trojans at the Coliseum. Last year Cal rolled 37-16 at home ending the game at the Cardinal 3 but in their last meeting on the Farm (Harbaugh’s 1st year), Cal was held to 3 points and 103 yards in the 2^nd half of the 20-13 upset loss. The #14 Cardinal are ranked the highest they’ve been since 2001 led by Heisman hopeful running back Toby Gerhart (122 yards per game, 5.2 yards per carry, 16 touchdowns), Red-shirt freshman quarterback Andrew Luck (208 yards per game, 58%, 11-3 ratio) and our #5 rated offense, but Tedford knows how to beat his rival. Stanford beat two teams this year that were coming off upsets of USC and now it is their turn to be in a letdown spot.

These schools last met in 2005 when the #8 Hokies beat the Wolfpack 20-16. The last seven games (1986) have been decided by a touchdown or less. The visitor is 2-0 and in 2005 Virginia Tech won on the road despite being outgained 438-232. The Hokies are 11-5-1 in home finales since 1992. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is averaging 172 yards per game (56%) with a 12-3 ratio. Running back Ryan Williams is #1 in the ACC with 1,235 rush yards (5.8). These two match up evenly on offense, but Virginia Tech has a large defensive edge (#15-87). Quarterback Russell Wilson is averaging 253 yards per game (58%) with a 26-10 ratio. The Wolf Pack have been eliminated from bowl eligibility and are trying to reach .500 while the Hokies’ goal now is to finish with a 10 win season.

Clemson has won 2 of 3 including last year’s 13-3 defensive struggle. The teams totaled 382 yards and 26 first downs and all of Clemson’s points came off turnover. The Tigers are 9-2 in home finales. The Cavaliers’ 3 points last year were the fewest in this series since being shutout 55-0 in 1984. Quarterback Jameel Sewell is averaging 174 yards per game (53%) with a 6-7 ratio. Clemson has the offensive (#23-105) defensive (#7-34) and special team edges (#9-86). Quarterback Kyle Parker is averaging 185 yards per game (54%) with a 16-9 ratio. Running back CJ Spiller is #3 in the NCAA averaging 195 all-purpose yards per game. Clemson needs a win here to move on to the ACC championship game vs Georgia Tech and is outscoring opponents 33-11 at home. The Cavs have lost 4 straight, are assured of a 3rd losing season in 4 years and will probably be without head coach Al Groh next season. Clemson has handled business with 5 straight wins and in that span they’ve scored an average of 42 points. Head coach Dabo Swinney has already commented that this is no longer Bowden’s team and there will be no second half letdown.

Two programs going in different directions. The Beavers continue to impress late in the season (24-6 from October on the last four years) after their big win last week in Corvallis vs the Huskies as the Rodgers brothers combined for 208 total yards and 4 touchdowns in the 48-21 victory. Washington St, on the other hand, had five 1^st half turnovers (backup quarterback Marshall Lobbestael intercepted on 1st 3 drives prior to benching) in their 43-7 loss to UCLA in Pullman (UCLA had 28-7 first down and 556-181 yard edges). The Cougars have allowed an amazing 46 points per game in conference play the last two years including a 66-13 beat down at Reser last year as Washington St scored all of their points on Beaver turnovers. The Beavers have huge edges in all facets of the game vs the Cougars with #30-117 offense, #35-114 defense and #20-114 special teams advantages. Oregon St can name the score here but their primary motivation should be to stay healthy with a bye and Oregon on deck.

Utah is in a huge TCU/BYU sandwich but this is their final home game. The Utes were down from beginning to end last week vs TCU (out first-downed 32-11, outgained 549-284) in a 55-28 loss (and they even got a garbage TD). After 6 consecutive 100-yard outings, running back Eddie Wide was held to 25 yards (1.8 ypc). San Diego St took a 21 point lead over Wyoming into the 4^th quarter last week but allowed 24 unanswered points and lost 30-27. The Aztecs did put up the most rush yards (157, 4.9 ypc) of the season led by running back Brandon Sullivan who finished with 105 yards (5.8). Quarterback Lindley had a streak of 15 consecutive games with a touchdown pass snapped last week. San Diego St closes out with two away games. Utah had their MWC hopes dashed last week and have rival BYU on deck and Aztecs could pull out a surprise.

Syracuse has dropped 4 in a row to Rutgers being outscored by an average of 36-12. The Orange have led the Scarlet Knights 14-0 the last two years only to be outscored 73-3 in the rest of the games. Rutgers has outgained Syracuse the last 3 years by 252 yards per game. Rutgers is off a dominating 31-0 win over #24 USF last Thursday. The Knights forced 4 turnovers, blocked a punt, had 7 sacks and held a USF team averaging 385 yards per game (31 points per game) to just 159 yards. True Freshman quarterback Tom Savage is averaging 171 yards per game (55%) but most importantly has a 10-2 ratio. Last week Syracuse was unable to hold on losing 10-9 to Louisville. With so many injuries and defections (58 on roster) it has been difficult for Syracuse to play 4 quarters. Syracuse’s top weapon is running back Delone Carter, a punishing runner averaging 95 yards per game (4.4 ypc). He now faces our #31 defense allowing just 98 rush yards per game (3.1 ypc). Rutgers leads the NCAA in turnover margin (+21) while Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus has thrown 14 interceptions. The Knights have matured over the course of the season and had they not met Cincinnati in week 1 they would be in the Big East hunt. This is Syracuse’s home finale but Rutgers’ 2^nd half surge makes this an easy choice. Syracuse is a depleted team that had another rash of deletions from the team two weeks ago including their top offensive weapon WR Mike Williams and Rutgers is the fresher and stronger team.