12:00 PM ET ABC: Rutgers 4-7 @ #24 West Virginia 8-3 (-21) - West Virginia has the best overall record in the Big East and is the only team in the conference to be ranked in the BCS top 25, but unless they beat Rugers and UConn loses, they will not win the conference title. The Mountaineers will be going up against a Scarlet Knights team that has lost five games in a row and really has no offense to speak of. QB Chas Dodd was 14/32 for 177 yards, 0 TDs, and 2 INTs last week against Louisville. His 55.4|PERCENT| completion percentage is 93rd in the nation. RB Jordan Thomas had a breakthrough performance in his last game, rushing for 120 yards and 1 TD. They'll be facing a WV defense that ranks 11th against the pass and 2nd against the run. Last week against Pitt, they gave up a season high 284 passing yards, which is concerning. Offensively for the Mountaineers, it's all about QB Geno Smith, who leads the conference in QB passer rating (145.13). When the running game starts to get bogged down, Smith must make accurate throws that will likely come off of play-action. The Mountaineers have won 5 in a row at home in this series.
Scarlet Knights Offense: 303.3 ypg (107th), 4.6 yards/play (111th), & 32.1|PERCENT| 3rd Down (112th)
Pass: 198.9 ypg (75th), 7.2 ypa (48th), 54.1|PERCENT| comp. (101st), 14 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 104.4 ypg (108th), 2.77 yards/carry (117th), & 11 TDs
Mountaineers Defense: 255.7 ypg (3rd), 4.2 yards/play (3rd), & 25.2|PERCENT| 3rd Down (2nd)
Pass: 168.6 ypg (11th), 5.7 ypa (6th), 57.5|PERCENT| comp. (51st), 8 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 87.1 ypg (2nd), 2.78 yards/carry (4th), & 3 TDs
Mountaineers Offense: 363.3 ypg (73rd), 5.2 yards/play (77th), & 43.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (43rd)
Pass: 201.9 ypg (72nd), 7.1 ypa (55th), 63.5|PERCENT| comp. (30th), 22 TDs, & 7 INTs
Run: 161.4 ypg (48th), 3.89 yards/carry (82nd), & 14 TDs
Scarlet Knights Defense: 360.6 ypg (54th), 5.6 yards/play (67th), & 35.4|PERCENT| 3rd Down (24th)
Pass: 205.5 ypg (43rd), 7.3 ypa (75th), 59.7|PERCENT| comp. (69th), 18 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 155.1 ypg (67th), 4.30 yards/carry (69th), & 16 TDs
12:00 PM ET ESPN: Pitt 6-5 @ Cincinnati 4-7 (-2) - The Panthers had been in the conference driver's seat, but then they lost to West Virginia 10-35 last weekend. Now they must defeat Cincinnati and hope that WV & UConn both lose, if they are to win the conference title. Offensively, Pitt must get back to running the ball effectively. Against West Virginia they managed only 78 yards on 27 carries. The teams' leading rusher was QB Tino Sunseri, not RB Ray Graham or RB Dion Lewis, which is a big problem. The Cincinnati run defense has been up and down all season long. Three weeks ago, they allowed 245 yards to West Virginia and last week they gave up 236 yards and 4 TDs to UConn. The Cincinnati offense has played well this season, but turned the ball over far too much. In 5 of their 11 games this season they've had three or more giveaways. Like Pitt, Cincinnati needs to re-establish their run game. Last week against UConn, RB Isaiah Pead had only 23 yards on 11 carries. Cincinnati has won two in a row in this series.
Panthers Offense: 360.7 ypg (75th), 5.7 yards/play (46th), & 40.1|PERCENT| 3rd Down (58th)
Pass: 213.4 ypg (66th), 7.4 ypa (42nd), 65.1|PERCENT| comp. (18th), 15 TDs, & 9 INTs
Run: 147.4 ypg (72nd), 4.30 yards/carry (55th), & 18 TDs
Bearcats Defense: 363.9 ypg (59th), 5.2 yards/play (46th), & 40.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (74th)
Pass: 240.9 ypg (95th), 7.6 ypa (90th), 65.1|PERCENT| comp. (111th), 25 TDs, & 7 INTs
Run: 123.0 ypg (21st), 3.24 yards/carry (9th), & 15 TDs
Bearcats Offense: 431.2 ypg (28th), 6.1 yards/play (29th), & 44.7|PERCENT| 3rd Down (31st)
Pass: 274.5 ypg (22nd), 7.3 ypa (46th), 58.2|PERCENT| comp. (68th), 26 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 156.7 ypg (55th), 4.71 yards/carry (33rd), & 15 TDs
Panthers Defense: 307.8 ypg (13th), 4.8 yards/play (16th), & 39.2|PERCENT| 3rd Down (59th)
Pass: 189.6 ypg (23rd), 6.2 ypa (20th), 57.2|PERCENT| comp. (46th), 14 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 118.2 ypg (16th), 3.47 yards/carry (20th), & 11 TDs
|STAR|C-USA Championship|STAR|
12:00 PM ET ESPN2: SMU 7-5 @ Central Florida 9-3 (-9) - SMU is starting to hit its offensive stride at the right time. RB Zach Line leads the conference in rushing (108.1 ypg), while QB Kyle Padron has averaged 292.5 passing yards with a 7/2 TD/INT ratio over the last four games. Line should have a much tougher match-up than Padron as the UCF defense is much better against the run than against the pass. The UCF pass defense has allowed 274.4 ypg over the last five games, while the run defense ranks 11th nationally. Like Padron, UCF's QB Jeff Godfrey should also have a good game. He has a 10/2 TD/INT ratio over the last five games. RB Latavius Murray has started to see more carries lately and he has produced to the tune of 221 yards and 3 TDs in the last two games. The SMU defense isn't nearly as good as the Central Florida defense, but they have held teams to just 102 rushing yards in their last three games. UCF has won two in a row against SMU.
Mustangs Offense: 422.8 ypg (32nd), 6.4 yards/play (18th), & 44.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (36th)
Pass: 278.3 ypg (20th), 7.5 ypa(40th), 58.8|PERCENT| comp. (64th), 28 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 144.6 ypg (74th), 4.99 yards/carry (21st), & 14 TDs
Knights Defense: 318.2 ypg (18th), 4.8 yards/play (16th), & 45.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (105th)
Pass: 206.7 ypg (45th), 6.2 ypa (20th), 54.5|PERCENT| comp. (19th), 20 TDs, & 13 INTs
Run: 111.5 ypg (11th), 3.44 yards/carry (18th), & 9 TDs
Knights Offense: 390.3 ypg (53rd), 6.0 yards/play (33rd), & 52.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (6th)
Pass: 193.8 ypg (80th), 9.4 ypa (6th), 64.8|PERCENT| comp. (19th), 15 TDs, & 9 INTs
Run: 196.5 ypg (25th), 4.47 yards/carry (47th), & 34 TDs
Mustangs Defense: 366.7 ypg (60th), 5.1 yards/play (35th), & 43.5|PERCENT| 3rd Down (96th)
Pass: 226.3 ypg (78th), 6.7 ypa (45th), 58.9|PERCENT| comp. (61st), 17 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 140.3 ypg (48th), 3.69 yards/carry (38th), & 22 TDs
3:30 PM ET ABC: #2 Oregon 11-0 (-16.5) @ Oregon State 5-6 - A win in the Civil War is the only thing holding the Oregon Ducks back from playing for the national championship. They come into the game undefeated with the #1 ranked offense, which is led by the nation's leading rusher, RB LaMichael James (154.8 ypg). Their two closest wins were both on the road as this game will be, but those two teams (Arizona State & Cal) both had something Oregon State does not, good run defenses. The Beavers rank 77th against the run and have only held two teams below 160 rushing yards this season. Offensively, the Beavers are led by QB Ryan Katz, who has played well this season, outside of games against Washington and Stanford, where he threw 3 INTs each. The Ducks defense is weakest against the pass (allowed 448 yards & 3 TDs to Arizona last week), so look for Katz to play a big role in the Beavers success or lack thereof. RB Jacquizz Rodgers is their main rushing threat, but he has only 1 TD in his last four games. He should find little room to run against the Ducks 18th ranked run defense that has allowed just 1 rushing TD in the last 3 games. Oregon State has won 5 of their last 6 homes games against Oregon.
Ducks Offense: 541.7 ypg (1st), 6.8 yards/play (9th), & 46.6|PERCENT| 3rd Down (22nd)
Pass: 240.1 ypg (42nd), 8.0 ypa (26th), 62.3|PERCENT| comp. (38th), 27 TDs, & 7 INTs
Run: 301.6 ypg (4th), 6.04 yards/carry (4th), & 39 TDs
Beavers Defense: 400.1 ypg (84th), 5.6 yards/play (67th), & 47.3|PERCENT| 3rd Down (111th)
Pass: 235.7 ypg (87th), 7.8 ypa (96th), 62.7|PERCENT| comp. (94th), 21 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 164.4 ypg (77th), 3.96 yards/carry (48th), & 16 TDs
Beavers Offense: 327.2 ypg (95th), 5.2 yards/play (77th), & 35.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (89th)
Pass: 203.3 ypg (70th), 6.8 ypa (75th), 59.1|PERCENT| comp. (60th), 17 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 123.9 ypg (95th), 3.82 yards/carry (85th), & 18 TDs
Ducks Defense: 332.7 ypg (27th), 4.5 yards/play (9th), & 32.6|PERCENT| 3rd Down (9th)
Pass: 212.6 ypg (56th), 5.7 ypa (6th), 53.3|PERCENT| comp. (10th), 11 TDs, & 16 INTs
Run: 120.1 ypg (18th), 3.34 yards/carry (16th), & 11 TDs
|STAR|SEC Championship|STAR|
4:00 PM ET CBS: #1 Auburn 12-0 (-5.5) vs #19 South Carolina 9-3 - This is round 2 for these two teams that met earlier this season at Auburn. In the first game, Auburn was down 21-27 in the 4th quarter, before scoring on two Cam Newton TD passes to win 35-27. Gamecocks QB Stephen Garcia was pulled in the 4th quarter because he had fumbled the ball away a couple of times. Frosh Connor Shaw came in and threw two picks to help seal South Carolina's fate. Outside of those fumbles though, Garcia was playing well with 235 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. Also impressive was WR Alshon Jeffery, who had 8 catches for 192 yards and 2 TDs. He'll be priority #1 for a Tigers pass defense that has continued to bleed out yards this season. One redeeming quality about Auburn's pass defense is that they've been able to make adjustments at half-time. In the second half of games, they've held opposing QBs to the 36th ranked passer rating (114.59) and 58th ranked completion percentage (57.4|PERCENT|). Those numbers might not sound great, but you have to consider they allow the 100th ranked passer rating (149.01) and 113th completion percentage (67.4|PERCENT|) in the first half of games. On the ground, RB Marcus Lattimore will look to improve upon his 33 rushing yards from the first game, but he'll be met with the same stifling Tigers run defense. Last week against Alabama they held the Tide to just 69 rushing yards and 1 TD. Offensively for Auburn, it's all about Cam Newton, who had 176 yards rushing, 158 yards passing, and 5 total TDs in their last meeting. The South Carolina defense can't fully commit to stopping him from running because he's just as good a passer as he is a runner. He showed that last week against 'Bama with 216 yards passing and 3 TDs. Auburn has won 5 in a row against South Carolina.
Tigers Offense: 490.1 ypg (8th), 7.4 yards/play (3rd), & 51.1|PERCENT| 3rd Down (9th)
Pass: 198.8 ypg (76th), 10.3 ypa (1st), 67.2|PERCENT| comp. (9th), 25 TDs, & 6 INTs
Run: 291.3 ypg (6th), 6.24 yards/carry (3rd), & 38 TDs
Gamecocks Defense: 338.7 ypg (34th), 5.1 yards/play (35th), & 37.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (44th)
Pass: 245.5 ypg (100th), 7.1 ypa (67th), 63.2|PERCENT| comp. (102nd), 18 TDs, & 9 INTs
Run: 93.2 ypg (5th), 2.94 yards/carry (5th), & 9 TDs
Gamecocks Offense: 394.7 ypg (48th), 6.1 yards/play (29th), & 49.7|PERCENT| 3rd Down (12th)
Pass: 239.2 ypg (43rd), 9.0 ypa (10th), 65.9|PERCENT| comp. (13th), 20 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 155.5 ypg (58th), 4.06 yards/carry (74th), & 25 TDs
Tigers Defense: 363.3 ypg (58th), 5.3 yards/play (53rd), & 36.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (37th)
Pass: 255.3 ypg (106th), 6.9 ypa (56th), 62.8|PERCENT| comp. (96th), 21 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 108.0 ypg (10th), 3.36 yards/carry (17th), & 16 TDs
7:00 PM ET Versus: Washington 5-6 (-6) @ Washington State 2-9 - If Washington can win the Apple Cup they'll gain bowl eligibility. They've won two games in a row, while Washington State has lost 9 of their 11 games this season. Huskies QB Jake Locker has battled through injuries this season to put up less than stellar numbers. He's 8th in the Pac-10 in QB passer rating (124.18) and completion percentage (56.1|PERCENT|). The Cougars 99th ranked pass defense has performed better lately, with a 2/3 TD/INT ratio and 167.5 ypg allowed over the last two games. Their run defense however, has been flat out awful all season long. Expect Huskies RB Chris Polk to have a big day. Offensively, the Cougars aren't much better as they are terrible running the ball and average passing it. Over the last three games, QB Jeff Tuel has completed 54.5|PERCENT| of his passes with 1 TD. He's unlikely to find much success against a Huskies pass defense that has averaged 145.5 ypg allowed and a 2/5 TD/INT ratio over the last four games. Washington has won 5 of their last 7 road games against Washington State.
Huskies Offense: 345.6 ypg (83rd), 5.3 yards/play (71st), & 31.4|PERCENT| 3rd Down (113th)
Pass: 195.2 ypg (79th), 6.4 ypa (95th), 55.1|PERCENT| comp. (97th), 17 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 150.5 ypg (65th), 4.28 yards/carry (56th), & 10 TDs
Cougars Defense: 457.5 ypg (115th), 6.6 yards/play (115th), & 43.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (101st)
Pass: 244.3 ypg (99th), 8.0 ypa (102nd), 66.3|PERCENT| comp. (117th), 23 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 213.3 ypg (115th), 5.43 yards/carry (117th), & 27 TDs
Cougars Offense: 323.1 ypg (96th), 4.9 yards/play (97th), & 39.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (64th)
Pass: 233.8 ypg (48th), 7.4 ypa (42nd), 58.0|PERCENT| comp. (71st), 16 TDs, & 11 INTs
Run: 89.3 ypg (117th), 2.56 yards/carry (119th), & 10 TDs
Huskies Defense: 400.5 ypg (85th), 5.8 yards/play (77th), & 42.5|PERCENT| 3rd Down (85th)
Pass: 193.7 ypg (31st), 7.1 ypa (63rd), 59.9|PERCENT| comp. (71st), 11 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 206.8 ypg (108th), 5.00 yards/carry (103rd), & 31 TDs
|STAR|ACC Championship|STAR|
7:45 PM ET ESPN: #21 Florida State 9-3 vs. #15 Virginia Tech 10-2 (-4) - The Hokies come into this game winners of ten in a row and looking for redemption to a season that started with a loss to Boise State, followed up by a painful loss to FCS school James Madison. QB Tyrod Taylor has been excellent this season as a passer with a 20/4 TD/INT ratio and ACC high 156.90 QB rating. While the FSU defense leads the nation in sacks (43), forcing Taylor to run might not be the best strategy as he is a talented runner that can make plays with his legs. The rest of the Hokies run game consists of a three-headed attack led by RB Darren Evans, who averages 62.0 ypg with 10 TDs. Over the last three games, the Seminoles run defense has allowed 175.7 ypg, so don't be surprised to see VT run the ball till FSU proves they can stop it. Offensively for Florida State, they need QB Christian Ponder to play just like he did last week against Florida. In that game he was 16/24 for 221 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. That won't be easy as the VT pass defense owns a 3/12 TD/INT ratio over their last 6 games with 151.3 ypg allowed. Their run game is by committee with RBs Chris Thompson, Ty Jones, and Jermaine Thomas all averaging between 7 and 9 carries a game. Expect a close game that should have a fantastic finish. Florida State has won 4 of the last 5 games against Virginia Tech.
Seminoles Offense: 390.8 ypg (52nd), 6.1 yards/play (29th), & 48.4|PERCENT| 3rd Down (17th)
Pass: 213.3 ypg (67th), 7.5 ypa (40th), 62.4|PERCENT| comp. (36th), 22 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 177.4 ypg (35th), 4.97 yards/carry (23rd), & 23 TDs
Hokies Defense: 348.8 ypg (42nd), 5.4 yards/play (58th), & 33.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (14th)
Pass: 191.9 ypg (27th), 6.2 ypa (20th), 48.9|PERCENT| comp. (3rd), 14 TDs, & 20 INTs
Run: 156.9 ypg (68th), 4.64 yards/carry (92nd), & 13 TDs
Hokies Offense: 408.5 ypg (38th), 6.3 yards/play (23rd), & 41.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (50th)
Pass: 197.1 ypg (77th), 8.4 ypa (20th), 58.9|PERCENT| comp. (62nd), 20 TDs, & 4 INTs
Run: 211.4 ypg (17th), 5.15 yards/carry (16th), & 28 TDs
Seminoles Defense: 341.3 ypg (39th), 4.7 yards/play (11th), & 37.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (46th)
Pass: 217.7 ypg (63rd), 6.3 ypa (26th), 57.9|PERCENT| comp. (55th), 13 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 123.7 ypg (23rd), 3.28 yards/carry (11th), & 9 TDs
|STAR|Big 12 Championship|STAR|
8:00 PM ET ABC: #9 Oklahoma 10-2 (-4.5) vs. #13 Nebraska 10-2 - It's only fitting that Nebraska's last game in the Big 12 is for the conference title, against one of their longtime rivals, Oklahoma. Injuries are a concern for both teams as Cornhuskers QB Taylor Martinez is day-to-day with an ankle injury and Sooners RB DeMarco Murray is dealing with an knee injury. Murray is likely to play, while Martinez will most likely be a game-time decision. If Martinez can not play or is pulled from the game, expect to see sophomore Cody Green take the field. Green has played sparingly over the last 4 weeks with a 2/1 TD/INT ratio and a 63.9|PERCENT| completion rate. He is nowhere near the runner that Martinez is (who is?), thus the Sooners defense will most likely call lots of blitzes and stack the box with defenders in hopes of getting him to throw the ball. RBs Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead will be crucial to the Nebraska offense no matter who the QB is on Saturday. The two have combined to average over 150 yards and 17 total TDs on the ground this season. Offensively for the Sooners, expect to see lots of QB Landry Jones, who is 2nd in the nation in passing attempts per game and 3rd in yards per game (328.9). He'll be going up against a Nebraska pass defense that ranks 2nd in yards per game, ypa, and completion percentage allowed. Only Oklahoma State was able to pass for more than 220 yards against them this season. WR Ryan Broyles match-up against this unit, especially CB Prince Amukamara, will be one to watch all game long. If T-Magic plays, this should be a very competitive game. If he doesn't, Nebraska's last Big 12 memory could be a painful one. Oklahoma has won 4 of the last 5 against Nebraska.
Sooners Offense: 480.9 ypg (11th), 5.5 yards/play (60th), & 47.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (20th)
Pass: 336.3 ypg (4th), 7.4 ypa (42nd), 65.9|PERCENT| comp. (13th), 34 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 144.6 ypg (74th), 3.40 yards/carry (105th), & 21 TDs
Cornhuskers Defense: 291.8 ypg (5th), 4.4 yards/play (5th), & 31.3|PERCENT| 3rd Down (5th)
Pass: 144.8 ypg (2nd), 5.3 ypa (2nd), 48.8|PERCENT| comp. (2nd), 12 TDs, & 18 INTs
Run: 147.0 ypg (56th), 3.83 yards/carry (41st), & 10 TDs
Cornhuskers Offense: 424.3 ypg (31st), 6.5 yards/play (15th), & 44.1|PERCENT| 3rd Down (35th)
Pass: 155.2 ypg (108th), 8.0 ypa (26th), 60.1|PERCENT| comp. (54th), 14 TDs, & 6 INTs
Run: 269.2 ypg (8th), 5.87 yards/carry (5th), & 31 TDs
Sooners Defense: 3369.8 ypg (63rd), 5.2 yards/play (46th), & 34.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (21st)
Pass: 217.5 ypg (62nd), 6.1 ypa (13th), 55.7|PERCENT| comp. (27th), 14 TDs, & 16 INTs
Run: 152.3 ypg (63rd), 4.35 yards/carry (73rd), & 13 TDs
8:00 PM ET ESPN2: UConn 7-4 @ South Florida 7-4 (-2) - Depending on what West Virginia and Pitt do earlier in the day, this game could clinch the Big East title for UConn. The Huskies defeated both teams at home earlier this season. Coming into this game they've lost four of their five road games this season and a large reason why is their turnover margin. They have a +15 turnover margin at home, but a -4 turnover margin in road games because of their secondary. The UConn pass defense has 15 INTs at home, but just 1 on the road. They'll get their chances against injured Bulls QB B.J. Daniels (quad), who has the 6th highest QB rating in the Big East (116.67) and a 9/12 TD/INT ratio. If Daniels can not go, expect frosh Bobby Eveld to take the field. Eveld was 8/15 for 120 yards and 1 rushing TD last week in a win over Miami. RB Moise Plancher was given his most carries of the season in that game and he responded with 101 rushing yards, but a below average yards per carry, at least for him. Expect to see Demetris Murray get a fair amount of carries to keep Plancher fresh. For UConn offensively, Jordan Todman continues to carry the team on his back. Todman is 2nd in the nation in rushing yards per game (148.1) and 2nd in carries per game (26.9). In his last two games he has averaged 152.5 rushing yards with 5 TDs. In their last three games, the Bulls rushing defense has given up 165.7 yards per game and 3 total TDs. As long as the Huskies continue to ride Todman and limit QB Zach Frazer's throws (53.9|PERCENT| completion rate), UConn should be effective on offense. The home team has won 6 in a row in this series.
Huskies Offense: 333.5 ypg (92nd), 5.2 yards/play (77th), & 31.2|PERCENT| 3rd Down (114th)
Pass: 148.1 ypg (113th), 5.6 ypa (111th), 54.0|PERCENT| comp. (102nd), 10 TDs, & 6 INTs
Run: 185.4 ypg (27th), 4.83 yards/carry (30th), & 20 TDs
Bulls Defense: 328.2 ypg (25th), 4.9 yards/play (24th), & 36.4|PERCENT| 3rd Down (31st)
Pass: 194.7 ypg (33rd), 6.4 ypa (30th), 60.2|PERCENT| comp. (76th), 16 TDs, 12 INTs
Run: 133.5 ypg (34th), 3.63 yards/carry (30th), & 7 TDs
Bulls Offense: 310.0 ypg (103rd), 5.1 yards/play (86th), & 27.3|PERCENT| 3rd Down (118th)
Pass: 159.5 ypg (103rd), 6.9 ypa (68th), 56.3|PERCENT| comp. (85th), 10 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 150.5 ypg (65th), 3.95 yards/carry (80th), & 17 TDs
Huskies Defense: 355.5 ypg (51st), 5.1 yards/play (35th), & 39.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (68th)
Pass: 207.5 ypg (46th), 6.4 ypa (30th), 57.9|PERCENT| comp. (55th), 12 TDs, & 16 INTs
Run: 148.1 ypg (58th), 3.91 yards/carry (43rd), & 12 TDs