Conference Championships

Championship Sunday is Here!!!!

Well, looking back at my first NFL post for the year: NFL Kicks Off , I had New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, and San Diego as Division winners in the AFC. For wildcard teams I had Pittsburgh and Tennessee. Overall I picked the Tennessee Titans as AFC champs…oh well.

In the NFC, I had Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans and Arizona as Division champs with wildcards going to the NY Giants and Atlanta. I was torn between Green Bay and New Orleans as NFC champs and went with the Saints. Well there go my predictions!!

But I am looking to redeem myself with Sunday’s blockbusters.

First up we have Green Bay visiting Chicago in the NFC Championship match. These teams split two games in the regular season with each winning at home. This time around, all of the X-Factors will come into play. Can Jay Cutler produce on the big stage for Chicago? Will the Packers dare to kick the ball anywhere near Devin Hester? Can the Packers score enough points to win against a fired up Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher and Lance Biggs? Can Green bay establish a running game? The questions go on!!

Ok, here goes:

Green Bay @ Chicago

I think the Packers may do just enough to get by in this one. Jay Cutler may be too erratic for the big stage just yet, so I will go with the Packers by 24-14.

As much as I hate to admit, the Jets have backed up all of the lip service put out by Coach Rex Ryan so here they are in another AFC Championship game. Pittsburgh returns again to centre stage and looks to make another Super Bowl trip. This one will be another bruiser but will come down to the effectiveness of Troy Polamalu who is battling injury. Mark Sanchez needs to continue being effective for the Jets also.

For the AFC:

NY Jets @ Pittsburgh

Three road wins in a row may just be a bit too much for the Jets. But the NY crew come in full of bravado and with a Week 15 win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Anything goes in this one so I’ll go against my gut instinct and pick the Jets by 28-20.

NFL Picks.....

NFL Divisional Weekend

After a Wildcard Weekend that lived up to its name, the AFC and NFC enter the divisional games this weekend. There will be a new champion this year after New Orleans was surprised by Seattle last weekend. Matter of fact, there will be two new participants in the Super Bowl since Indianapolis was also eliminated by the NY Jets.

In the AFC this week, the games will be the third meeting this season for New England/NY Jets and Baltimore/Pittsburgh.

The NFC has two rematches also with Green Bay looking to avenge a narrow loss to Atlanta and Seattle looking to beat Chicago for the second time this season.

Predictions:

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

This rubber match will be a “slobber knocker” as John Madden would say. The ravens had the sweep in hand before Troy Polamalu imposed his will in the December game, allowing the Steelers to pull off an improbable win. This one could again come down to the final possession; I will take the Ravens by a whisker 2017.

Green Bay @ Atlanta

The Falcons pulled out a last second win earlier this season. Green Bay comes in after a big win in Philly but Atlanta in the “Dome” will be too tough an ask…..good season Packers. Falcons win 31-21.

NY Jets @ New England

The Jets have had a good run but will find it tough in Foxboro. The Pats are taking notes of all the “explanations” for their earlier blow out by the Jets’ staff and don’t be surprised if the game isn’t similar. Patriots 34-17.

Seattle @ Chicago

The Seahawks proved the were a playoff calibre team last week and could be a roadblock for a Chicago team whom the beat in the regular season. In the end, look for the Bears defense to get them through. Chicago 30-20.

BCS Title Tilt....

BCS Title Game

After such a long wait, we have finally reached the BCS version of the NCAA Division 1 Championship. I would still prefer an actual playoff for the title but I will not go into a diatribe about it today. Stay tuned though.

The Auburn Tigers (13-0) face off against Oregon’s Ducks (12-0) for all the marbles in the Arizona desert Tuesday morning (1130 AEST).

Both teams come in capable of scoring points in bunches with Auburn also being the “cardiac kids” at times during the season. The only major scare for Oregon this season was their 15-13 win over a plucky California side while Auburn had scares at every turn in their undefeated season including nail biters over Clemson 27-24, Mississippi State 17-14, Kentucky 37-34, and Alabama 28-27.

BCS Championship

Oregon (2) vs. Auburn (1)

Can the Ducks’ fast break offence get them through the title game? Can the Tigers match them point for point? Questions abound but answers are on the way. I think this time; Auburn may fall into too big of a hole to charge back. Oregon wins the title 34-28.

One more 'til the big one!!!

Fight Hunger Bowl Prediction

Yes, there is a Fight Hunger Bowl this season. The game features Nevada (12-1) against Boston College (7-5).

The Nevada Wolfpack comes in as heavy favourites in this one with a lone loss to Hawaii keeping them from perfection for the regular season. Among their wins were victories over Boise St. and FCS champions Eastern Washington.

An early season five game losing streak accounted for all of Boston College’s losses on the season. They finished strongly with a five game winning streak including a season ending win over Syracuse.

Fight Hunger Bowl

Nevada (13) vs. Boston College

May be close for a while but look for Nevada to get on a roll and win by 38-20.

Saturday Football...NCAA/NFL....

NCAA BBVA Compass Bowl/NFL Wildcard Weekend

The action will be heavy on Saturday with Pittsburgh meeting Kentucky in the NCAA’s BBVA Compass Bowl preceding the first two of four NFL Wildcard games.

Firstly in the BBVA Compass Bowl, Pitt (7-5) comes in following a somewhat disappointing season looking to finish on a positive note against Kentucky (6-6) who had a break even season in the tough SEC.

BBVA Compass Bowl

Pitt vs. Kentucky

Both teams can score but will go with the pedigree of Pitt in this one. Pitt 30-22.

NFL Wild Card Games

New Orleans @ Seattle

Saints 34-14.

NY Jets @ Indianapolis

Hmm…will take the Colts at home by 24-20.

Baltimore @ Kansas City

Ravens 27-21.

Green Bay @ Philadelphia

Eagles in a tight one 30-28.

Cotton Bowl, FCS Championship

Cotton Bowl

We have now reached one of the staples of the bowl season, the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. This year’s edition features LSU (10-2) against Texas A&M (9-3).

LSU limps into the game after going 3-2 in their final five games, souring a 7-0 start to the season. A&M charges in on a six game winning streak including wins over Nebraska and Oklahoma along with stifling rivals Texas to end the regular season.

I think this one could come down to who has the ball last.

Also on Saturday Delaware (12-2) will meet Eastern Washington (12-2) in the FCS championship game.

Cotton Bowl

LSU (11) vs. Texas A&M (18)

LSU pulled out a few wild ones during the season but just maybe the Texans will pull this one out 28-26.

FCS Championship

Delaware vs. Eastern Washington

Tough call but the Blue Hens have been rolling lately so I’ll say Delaware by 23-17.

GoDaddy nest....

GoDaddy.Com Bowl

Next in line for our bowling pleasure is the GoDaddy.com Bowl pitting Middle Tennessee State (6-6) against Miami (OH) (9-4).

MTSU used a season ending three game winning streak to get themselves bowl eligible after finishing third in the Sun Belt Conference. Miami (OH) won the MAC championship game to end the regular season.

Mid Tenn St. vs. Miami (OH)

Miami should be a bit stronger in this one. Miami 36-24.

Who gets the sugar??

Sugar Bowl

The 2010-2011 Bowl odyssey passes through New Orleans next with Ohio State meeting Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.

Things have not gone very well for the Big 10 conference in bowl games so far and the Buckeyes will be trying to salvage some pride. The last few weeks have been scandalous for the conference co-champions though.

Arkansas is looking to continue the roll that the SEC has been on for the last few bowl games and hope their high powered attack can get the goods in the heartland of the conference.

Sugar Bowl

Ohio State (6) vs. Arkansas (8)

The Razorbacks are my pick to pull the slight upset in their first BCS experience. Arkansas wins 36-22.

Orange Bowl Prediction

Orange Bowl Next

The Orange Bowl pits the Stanford Cardinal of the PAC 10 against the ACC’s Virginia Tech Hokies. Stanford suffered a lone loss to Oregon and finished #5 at the end of the regular season in the AP Top 25. After an opening loss to Boise State and a surprise loss to James Madison the following week, Tech blasted their way through the ACC schedule and at this time of the season is a dangerous proposition for any team.

Prediction:

Stanford (5) vs. Virginia Tech (12)

Hokies to win a thriller 34-30.

NFL Final Week

NFL Week 17

The final week of the NFL season is here with a couple of playoff spots up for grabs. After a yucky and season worst 7-9 week last week, I am 140-93 and looking to bounce back this week so here we go.

Miami @ New England

Dolphins have been “Road Warriors” this season and the Pats may be resting a few players but I will take the home team by 31-20.

Minnesota @ Detroit

Lions 34-31.

Carolina @ Atlanta

Falcons close out the year with a 40-13 rout.

Oakland @ Kansas City

Chiefs prepare for playoffs with 28-24 win.

Pittsburgh @ Cleveland

Steelers 30-24.

Buffalo @ NY Jets

Jets 30-10.

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans

Saints end Buc’s season with 31-21 win.

Cincinnati @ Baltimore

Ravens 24-7.

Chicago @ Green Bay

Packers need and get win to survive 34-20.

NY Giants @ Washington

Skins in an upset 24-17.

Jacksonville @ Houston

Jags 21-20.

Dallas @ Philadelphia

Eagles 31-17.

Tennessee @ Indianapolis

Colts tune up with 30-14 win.

San Diego @ Denver

Chargers finish year with 38 28 victory.

Arizona @ San Francisco

Cards 30-27.

Saint Louis @ Seattle

Win or go home…Rams win and advance 34-30.

NewYear's Day Bowls

Big Day for Bowling

New Year’s Day brings the veritable feast of college football games with some of the more traditional matches on the menu.

Again it is past midnight here in Australia and only a short time before some of the games kick off so here we go with the picks.

TicketCity Bowl

Northwestern vs. Texas Tech

The first incarnation of this new bowl will see Northwestern slip by Texas Tech 33-28.

Outback Bowl

Florida vs. Penn State

Marquee match up of once prominent programmes. I will have to go with the Gators in this one 24-16.

Capital One Bowl

Alabama (15) vs. Michigan State (7)

The Tide is a dangerous outfit and will be looking for a positive end to a less than expected season. Alabama 31-20.

Gator Bowl

Mississippi State (21) vs. Michigan

Another Big Ten/SEC game, the SEC comes out on top again Mississippi State 27-24.

Rose Bowl

Wisconsin (4) vs. TCU (3)

Could have easily been for all the marbles. Wisconsin’s ground and pound attack will finally give TCU a loss by 21-13.

Fiesta Bowl

UConn (25) vs. Oklahoma (9)

Sooners want to leave a lasting impression to end the season, UConn could surprise. But will by out muscled by 38-17.

Happy New Year all and enjoy the action.

College Bowl Games

Short and Quick tonight….

Early New Year’s Day Aussie time so my picks will be quick before I head off to bed.

Meineke Bowl

South Florida vs. Clemson

Clemson takes it 24-22.

Sun Bowl

Notre Dame vs. Miami

Rivalry revisited…Hurricanes grab it 28-20.

Liberty Bowl

Central Florida vs. Georgia

UCF 31-27.

Chick-fil-A Bowl

South Carolina (19) vs. Florida State (23)

South Carolina 34-31.

Happy New Year all!!!!