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| TUNE THE TUBE!...THE WEEK'S TOP GAMES | |
| Week of November 29 - December 5, 2004 | |
| Jonathan, SCS.com Editor | Contact Jonathan |
(8) Virginia Tech at (12) Miami
Sure, the conference championship games are this week, but the game with the best matchup takes place in south Florida. Virginia Tech and Miami get together in a battle for ACC supremacy, which is ironic since both are newcomers to the ACC after many years together in the Big East.
QB Brock Berlin leads his 'Canes into battle and is the ACC's best at his position. The Louisiana native has thrown for nearly 2400 yards and 21 TDs this season with only 4 interceptions. His 237 passing yards per game is also a league-best. Berlin's favorite target is the always-dangerous Roscoe Parish. The junior WR leads the conference with 8 touchdown receptions this year, which is even more impressive considering he has only played in nine games this season. RB Frank Gore is making a bid for 1000 yards this season. The Coral Gables junior has scored 8 rushing TDs this season and has run for 819 yards. As you might expect, the Hurricane offense leads the ACC with over 34 points a game, while the defense allows less than 18 points a contest.
QB Bryan Randall has stepped up his play this season to lead the Hokies. Randall has thrown for over 1800 yards and has thrown for 17 TDs. One improvement for Randall has been his TD to interception ratio, which currently sits at 5:2. RB Mike Imoh, a junior, has emerged as a star in the conference. Imoh has run for over 700 yards this year and has scored 6 TDs. Imoh averages 88 rushing yards a contest, which is actually seven more than Miami's Gore. Josh Hyman and Eddie Royal have combined for over 800 yards receiving this season. Hyman leads the way with five TD catches, while Royal has two on the season. The Tech offense averages just under 34 points a contest, just a fraction of a point less than that of Miami. Frank Beamer's defense is the ACC's best, allowing less than 13 points a contest.
Both teams have weapons on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but this contest is likely to be decided on special teams. Both teams rely on big plays in kicking situations. VT loves to block kicks, while Miami loves to return those kicks. Roscoe Parish and Devin Hester have run back a total of four punts this season, and each averages nearly 20 yards a return.
A BCS bid is on the line, and no one is more familiar with the BCS than the Hurricanes. Miami has played in each of the four different BCS bowl games in the last four years. The home field along with the special teams help Miami squeak past Virginia Tech and into the BCS.
The Editor Says: Miami
THE WEEK'S OTHER TOP MATCHUPS...
MAC Championship Game - Toledo vs Miami (Ohio)
These teams have met once already earlier this month with the Hawks coming away with a seven point win in Oxford. This game will be played in neutral Detroit, and with the Rockets rolling after huge wins at NIU and against BGSU, look for Toledo to capture the conference crown.
The Editor Says: Toledo
(1) Southern Cal at UCLA
After hammering Notre Dame last weekend, this is the last obstacle for the Trojans. A win at cross-town rival UCLA would give USC a berth into the Orange Bowl and give Pete Carroll's team a chance to play for the national title against either Oklahoma or Auburn.
The Editor Says: Southern Cal
SEC Championship Game - (3) Auburn vs (15) Tennessee
The Volunteers have been anything but impressive in recent weeks, knocking off Vanderbilt by five two weeks ago before sliding past Kentucky by just six points last week. Auburn, meanwhile, has been perfect all season and will continue that trend in Atlanta. Will an Orange Bowl berth follow?
The Editor Says: Auburn
(5) California at Southern Miss
This is a game delayed due to a hurricane earlier in the season. A win here would almost surely give California a BCS berth into the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. A loss opens the door for teams like Texas and Boise State to jump into the BCS, but expect the Bears to hold their ground.
The Editor Says: California
Big XII Championship Game - (2) Oklahoma vs Colorado
Colorado, just 4-4 in league play, slipped into this championship game thanks to Iowa State's home loss to Missouri last Saturday. The Buffaloes have come a long way since last year's offseason off-the-field troubles, but the Sooners know a shot at the national title is on the line.
The Editor Says: Oklahoma
COULD BE INTERESTING...
Pittsburgh at South Florida
Another postponed game from earlier this year, this matchup could vault Pittsburgh into the BCS if the Panthers are victorious.
The Editor Says: Pittsburgh
Army vs Navy
There games means more than football to both teams, and it's a good thing because Navy should easily take the win in Philadelphia.
The Editor Says: Navy
Michigan State at Hawaii
Hawaii knocked off one Big Ten team (Northwestern) last week and will try to do the same this week. MSU needs a win to reach .500 on the season.
The Editor Says: Hawaii
GAME OF THE WEEK...
(1) Wake Forest at (2) Illinois - Wednesday
SCS.com's top two ranked teams in the latest Fab 15 get together as part of the ACC / Big Ten Challenge. Illinois is coming off a huge win over Gonzaga this past weekend, while the Deacons took home the Preseason NIT trophy. Tight game, but home court does the trick.
The Editor Says: Illinois
THE WEEK'S OTHER TOP MATCHUPS...
Michigan State at Duke - Tuesday
Another ACC / Big Ten showdown, this one should be interesting. Both teams have things to prove coming into the season.
The Editor Says: Duke
(7) Washington at Gonzaga - Wednesday
The Huskies looked dominant in the Alaska Tourney, while the Zags have work to do after a thumping at Illinois.
The Editor Says: Washington
(10) Kentucky at (3) North Carolina - Saturday
The Tar Heels stumbled early but rebounded by winning the Maui event. UK has young talent but will be tested big time.
The Editor Says: North Carolina
(2) Illinois vs Arkansas (North Little Rock, AR) - Saturday
The Illini's second big game of the week could be tough. Stan Heath's team needs to make the NCAA's this season.
The Editor Says: Illinois
(12) Mississippi State vs (15) Arizona (Los Angeles, CA) - Sunday
The Bulldogs couldn't get the job done against Syracuse, while Arizona has also stumbled twice (VA, WF) early this season.
The Editor Says: Arizona
COULD BE INTERESTING...
Purdue at NC State - Monday
The Editor Says: NC State
Nevada at (11) Kansas - Monday
The Editor Says: Kansas
Michigan at (4) Georgia Tech - Tuesday
The Editor Says: Georgia Tech
Arizona State at Temple - Tuesday
The Editor Says: Arizona State
Creighton at Xavier - Tuesday
The Editor Says: Creighton
Maryland at Wisconsin - Tuesday
The Editor Says: Maryland
East Tennessee State at (13) Alabama - Wednesday
The Editor Says: Alabama
(3) North Carolina at Indiana - Wednesday
The Editor Says: North Carolina
Virginia at Northwestern - Wednesday
The Editor Says: Virginia
Auburn at Virginia - Friday
The Editor Says: Virginia
Memphis at Purdue - Friday
The Editor Says: Memphis
Indiana vs (9) Connecticut (Hartford, CT) - Saturday
The Editor Says: Connecticut
Notre Dame at Michigan - Saturday
The Editor Says: Michigan
Florida State at Mississippi - Saturday
The Editor Says: Mississippi
Richmond at (1) Wake Forest - Saturday
The Editor Says: Wake Forest
(14) Texas at Seton Hall - Saturday
The Editor Says: Texas
Pacific at (11) Kansas - Saturday
The Editor Says: Kansas
Michigan St. vs George Washington (Washington D.C.) - Saturday
The Editor Says: Michigan State
Cincinnati at Dayton - Saturday
The Editor Says: Cincinnati
(13) Alabama at Charlotte - Saturday
The Editor Says: Alabama
Vanderbilt at Oregon - Saturday
The Editor Says: Oregon
Wisconsin at Rutgers - Saturday
The Editor Says: Rutgers
Clemson at South Carolina - Saturday
The Editor Says: South Carolina
Boston College at UCLA - Sunday
The Editor Says: UCLA
Georgia at (4) Georgia Tech - Sunday
The Editor Says: Georgia Tech
The Editor's CFB Records:
Last Week: 8 - 11 (.421)
To Date: 208 - 100 (.675)
Game of the Week: 10 - 2 (.833)
The Editor's CBB Records:
Last Week: 10 - 8 (.556)
To Date: 10 - 8 (.556)
Game of the Week: 1 - 0 (1.000)
