Conference Championships up for grabs

Championship Sunday

NFC 

San Francisco @ Atlanta

The NFC title is up for grabs in A-Town with the Falcons looking to finally grab the title this year. But then again, I'm going for my Harbaugh Brothers Super Bowl pick for the second season.I think the 'Niner defense will get them through.

San Fran 31-24

AFC

Baltimore @ New England 

Ray Lewis and crew will be looking to avenge last years heartbreaking loss. Maybe the stars are lined up correctly and we will get our Brother v. Brother Super Bowl.

Baltimore 23-14

Good luck all....

Conference semi finals are on tap...

Divisional Games up in NFL

The NFL Playoffs have reached the Conference semi-final stage with four games over the next two days to determine which teams will play for conference titles.

Here are my picks for the weekend...

Baltimore (10-6) @ Denver (13-3)

Emotions will be running high for the Ravens who will be looking to postpone Ray Lewis' retirement for another week. Terrell Suggs also returns to the defensive unit and together with Lewis may "will" the Ravens through this one.

Baltimore 27-24

Green Bay (11-5) @ San Francisco (11-4-1)

Another rematch. This one sees San Fran looking to hold off the Packers again as they did in Green Bay to start the season...hmm...they just may do it.

San Fran 31-27

Seattle (11-5) @ Atlanta (13-3)

Simply put...this one is Atlanta's to lose. Let's hope they have a chip on their collective shoulders.

Atlanta 24-21

Houston (12-4) @ New England (12-4)

Can the Texans avenge the embarrassment of their previous trip to Foxboro?? Maybe, just maybe...

Houston 34-30

See ya's next weekend...

BCS Title up for grabs

BCS Title on line

Waaaayyy back in September in my NCAA Season Preview, I picked USC vs Wisconsin for the title, oh well....I did at least have Alabama in my Top Ten.My throw away comment on Notre Dame was ..."they should get a bowl bid on reputation alone"!! Yeah I have a lot of friends who are Irish fans prob even more family!! 

Ok...enough of that, here we go...

BCS Title
(www.orangebowl.org)

Notre Dame (1) (12-0) vs Alabama (2) (12-1)

Yep, time to make a pick. Notre managed to get through the year undefeated, more like unscathed but they are in the position any other school would love, facing the defending champions for the BCS title.

Alabama had some close calls also but have several players on this team that have been here before along with my personal fav outside of Miami Hurricane player, Jesse Williams (#54) from right here in Brisbane Australia so for that reason for the first time in my memory, I will be a 'Bama fan for a night. Might as well predict them to win too!!! Notre Dame will put up a fight though.

Alabama for the title by 24-13

Wildcard Sunday

Sunday Wildcard games

Indianapolis (11-5) @ Baltimore (10-6)

The Colts were full of surprises this season but they will need to overcome the emotion and passion of the Raven defense that will be on a mission this week. Andrew may be out of "Luck"!!

Baltimore 20-10

Seattle (11-5) @ Washington (10-6)

A rookie QB will get the win in this one!! RG III might be hurting but he will not miss the chance to shine....meanwhile the "I belong" chip on the shoulder of Russell Wilson plus the defense of the Seahawks should just get by.

Seattle 23-17

GoDaddy.com Bowl

Kent State (25) (11-2) vs Arkansas State (9-3)

The final bowl game before the big one on Monday night should be a good game but the edge goes to Kent State.

Kent 37-30

Playoff Time

Playoff time in the NFL

The 2012 NFL Regular season is now history and the business end of the season is now here. Looking back at my Preseason Preview, I was spot on with some picks and horribly wrong with others!! For instance, my picking the NY Jets to go 6-10 was correct, picking the Miami Dolphins to go 7-9...correct, Jacksonville going 2-14...correct, Green Bay 11-5...correct, and Chicago 10-6...correct.

I was very wrong about the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks.

As for my playoff picks, three out of six made it in each conference.

Looking at my Super Bowl prediction at the time, I picked the 49ers to meet the Ravens for the title.

With the current playoff field, I will alter my pick to Atlanta and Denver in the Super Bowl...hmmm....

Wild Card Saturday

Cincinnati (10-6) @ Houston (12-4)

Rematch of last season's Wild Card game. The Texans are healthier this year but have sputtered a bit lately. Should pass this test though.

Houston 28-23

Minnesota (10-6) @ Green Bay (11-5)

Packers may sneak by in this one but will not advance much further this season.

Green Bay 31-27

Back tomorrow with Wildcard Sunday picks....

NCAA Action for Saturday....

FCS Title Game

North Dakota State (13-1) vs Sam Houston State (11-3)

We have a rematch for the title this year as Sam Houston looks to reverse their fortunes of last season and come away with the title.

Though some may think NDSU should be heavily favoured, you have to weigh in the fact that two of the three Bearkat losses were to Texas A&M and Baylor.

Ok, will go with Sam Houston for the title...

Sam Houston 29-17

BBVA Compass Bowl

Pitt (6-6) vs Ole Miss (6-6)

Hmm...will anyone watch this one?? Go with the sEC I guess...

Ole Miss 27-22

Cotton Bowl prediction

AT&T Cotton Bowl

(www.attcottonbowl.com)

Texas A&M (9) (10-2) vs Oklahoma (11) (10-2)

Another one that was a conference game last season, won by Oklahoma actually.

This year Texas A&M comes into the game with a Heisman winner who has been on the banquet circuit and is also a freshman. Oklahoma has former media darling Landry Jones running the offense so this one will be a battle.

Oklahoma usually plays good in Dallas but giving the slight edge to A&M.

Texas A&M 34-31

Fiesta Bowl pick....

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

(www.fiestabowl.org)

Oregon (4) (11-1) vs Kansas State (5) (11-1)

Around two months ago this one was on track to be played in Miami for all of the marbles but on one weekend both the Ducks and the Wildcats were shocked and the BCS turned upside down.

The game will be the ultimate contrast...speedy flashy Oregon against steady methodical Oregon. If K-State can keep the Ducks offense off the field it could be interesting. 

With the sudden interest in Chip Kelly from NFL teams, the Ducks may be slightly distracted so....expect Kansas State to keep it in the 20's.

Kansas State 27-24

Sugar Bowl next up.....

Allstate Sugar Bowl

(www.allstatesugarbowl.org)

Louisville (21) (10-2) vs Florida (3) (11-1)

Interesting game with a former Florida assistant coaching Louisville who also features a former Florida high school quarterback. The Gators defense has carried them this year and will be the key again for this game....look for a Florida win.

Florida 26-17

New Year's Day Bowls...

Bowls Galore

The Bowl season kicks into BCS mode with a few big games on New Year's Day. Some teams will take the games seriously, some will merely "show up"...so here we go with some prediction.

TAXSLAYER.com Gator Bowl

(www.gatorbowl.com)

Mississippi State (8-4) vs Northwestern (20) (9-3)

Before the search for that elusive NCAA March Madness berth hits full swing, Northwestern will look for a bowl win against an opponent from the tough SEC. The New Year may just bring both...this one will kick things off.

Northwestern 27-22

Heart of Dallas Bowl

(theheartofdallas.org)

Purdue (6-6) vs Oklahoma State (7-5)

The former Ticket City Bowl has been re-branded. Should be a decent game..

Oklahoma State 38-30

Capital One Bowl

(capitalonebowl.floridacitrussports.com)

Georgia (7) (11-2) vs Nebraska (16) (10-3)

Could be a danger game for Georgia depending on their mindset after losing out on a shot at the BCS Title Game thus dropping out of the BCS altogether. Nebraska was drubbed the last time we saw them so who knows....on pure talent...I'll go with Georgia.

Georgia 40-20

Outback Bowl

(www.outbackbowl.com)

South Carolina (10) (10-2) vs Michigan (18) (8-4)

South Carolina was close again this year but suffered lots of injuries once again...may just be healthy enough for this one.

South Carolina 31-17

Rose Bowl

(www.tournamentofroses.com/TheRoseBowlGame.aspx)

Wisconsin (8-5) vs Stanford (6) (11-3)

Will be an exciting ball game. Wisconsin underachieved and will be a quality opponent for Stanford but the Cardinal should be ready.

Stanford 31-28

Orange Bowl

(www.orangebowl.org)

Northern Illinois (15) (12-1) vs Florida State (12) (11-2)

There have been some bold predictions out of the N'Ill. camp...maybe they know something?? Na, going with the 'Noles

FSU 23-13

Back with more picks tomorrow...