Welcome to post 601...Coming off an 8-0 (7-1 ATS and no love from Rose) weekend of picks, I am a little apprehensive about my luck this weekend. I won't be around to see them and Mike will hold down the fort next week as I head out of the country to China. I will try to file picks to Mike from the Far East, but I can't make any guarantees. Someone find me over there if Charlie Weis gets the ax, or something crazy like that. -Abramson
West Virginia at No. 25 Pittsburgh, noon Friday
Abramson: The Backyard Brawl. Expect everyone on the West Virginia sideline to keep an eye on the Heinz Field scoreboard. If Cincinnati beats lowly Syracuse, the Mountaineers are not BCS bowling. A Cincinnati loss and the Mountaineers are in if they take care of business against Pitt and UConn next week. Beside the head coach, the big difference in this year's Mountaineers team is the defense. Last year, WVU had a top 10 unit and through 13 weeks, the unit is 33rd. However, Pittsburgh's offense isn't exactly a juggernaut. Limit LeSean McCoy and you have a very good chance of winning the game, as Cincy did last week. I see WVU bottling him up and hitting a few home runs on offense for a 33-23 win. But I don't see Cincy losing.
Rose: The Backyard Brawl again has significance beyond he rivalry this year. As Adam explained above, the Big East title and BCS bid is still up for grabs. Cincinnati will determine it all on Saturday. I agree with Adam. Star running back LeSean McCoy makes the Panthers go. If he has a huge game Pittsburgh could be in good shape. But I think Pittsburgh's defense will need to win this game. West Virginia quarterback Pat White is a threat to run or throw the ball effectively. White went for over 200 yards on the ground last week. Plus, the Mountaineers have players like running back Noel Devine, who Pittsburgh must keep an eye on. Ultimately, West Virginia has too many options on offense. And don't think West Virginia hasn't forgotten about last year. The Panthers upset West Virginia last season and prevented the Mountaineers from playing for the national title. I'm taking West Virginia, 31-23.
Virginia at Virginia Tech (-8.5), noon
Abramson: Battle for the Commonwealth Cup. I only include this game because Virginia Tech goes to the ACC title game with a win here. It says a lot about the ACC when an offense like Virginia Tech's -- one of the worst in the country -- is still in the title hunt. Clearly, it's because of the school's defense, which has been a rock much of this decade. Part of me feels Virginia Tech won't win this game, but it is at home and I don't think Virginia has the offense to make the Hokies bend that much. I'll go 16-10, Tech.
Rose: Huge game for Virginia Tech. The Hokies head to the ACC title game with a win here. Virginia was rolling along with a 5-3 record after an awful start to the season. But the Cavs have lost three straight and are playing for a .500 record -- and possible bowl bid. I just think Virginia Tech's defense will be too tough in this one. And the Hokies will be right at home in Lane Stadium. However, I don't think the Hokies will muster much offense. Go with Virginia Tech, 13-7.
No. 22 Georgia Tech at No. 11 Georgia, noon
Abramson: Georgia has been a disappointment this year, considering its potential four months ago. Georgia Tech is the third best team the Dawgs will play this year, and they're 0-2 against the two better programs (Alabama, Florida). The Yellow Jackets have been hot/cold the last month, but are coming off a dominant win over Miami and would love to pick up a win, see Virginia Tech lose and play for the ACC title. Paul Johnson has found success in his first year because he has the ability to control a football game. By running the football and playing tough defense, opponents are forced to go at the speed of the Jackets. The problem the Yellow Jackets will have is the quality of offense they will see in Georgia. When the Dawgs are clicking, they move the ball at will. If Georgia can protect Matthew Stafford from Georgia Tech's mean defensive line, I will take the Dawgs, 32-24.
Rose: Interesting game. Georgia was supposed to be playing for a trip to the national title game this weekend. Instead, the Bulldogs are playing for the Capital One Bowl. Georgia's Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno have played well this season, behind a young offensive line. The real problem has been the defense. Look for that to be a problem against Georgia Tech. Paul Johnson's triple option rushing attack has wreaked havoc on opponents all season. Miami's young, but talented defense recently got a good dose of what the Yellow Jackets are capable of. I think the Yellow Jackets will pound away at the Bulldogs' defense and Georgia Tech's defense pressures Stafford all game. I like Tech, 24-20.
Auburn at No. 1 Alabama, 3:30 p.m.
Abramson: The Iron Bowl. We all want this to be a good game, but this isn't your normal Auburn. Remember that the Tigers have won six Iron Bowls in a row, and seven of eight this decade. This offense is pretty poor and I can't see it moving the ball at all against Alabama's outstanding and speedy defense. The Tigers have gone with Kodi Burns at quarterback the second half of the season, and it's clear he's got a lot of growing up to do as a QB. The Tide is going to have a field day with Burns and Co. and take out years of frustration in Tuscaloosa. I will take Alabama 36-10 in a final tune up for Florida next week.
Rose: The Iron Bowl will be a bit closer than people think. Why? I can't believe Alabama isn't looking past this game toward the SEC title game against Florida. So the Crimson Tide will be in a tight game for about a half. After that, the power running game takes over and John Parker Wilson starts extending the Auburn defense. Auburn's offense is too one-dimensional to pull the upset. Alabama will stuff running back Ben Tate and Kodi Burns will be running away from Alabama pass rushers all day. Auburn has owned this game recently, but not this year. Alabama rolls, 30-6.
No. 4 Florida at No. 20 Florida State, 3:30 p.m.
Abramson: I've made it no secret that I feel the Gators are the best team in the country. There's not much I can say that I've already said about UF. The Seminoles would love to win this game, but they're walking into a buzz saw that's gearing up for a chance to make the national title game, again. I have liked what I've seen from the 'Noles this year, but nothing is going to stop Florida on either side of the ball. I see this game getting out of hand, but it won't indicate how good or bad FSU is...we'll have to wait to see if the 'Noles play next weekend to make that determination. I will take the Gators 49-20.
Rose: Florida State's athletic, fast defense could cause big problems for Florida. But I expect Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and the rest of a very talented offense to eventually put this game sometime in the fourth quarter. Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder will be good, but he's not there just yet. Florida has a lot to play for -- a trip to the national title game. Florida State is still alive in the ACC title game race. The stakes are high. Even though the game is in Tallahassee, I like Florida -- 33-20.
Maryland at No. 21 Boston College, 3:30 p.m.
Abramson: This is the toughest game to pick of the afternoon. On one hand is Boston College, who might be the best team in the conference when it runs the football. However, quarterback Chris Crane is out until the bowl game. On the other hand is Maryland, who has notched wins against North Carolina, Wake Forest, Clemson and Cal. But this is the same team that is coming off of a 37-3 loss to Florida State, and the same team that lost to Middle Tennessee State earlier this year. Boston College again features Dominique Davis at quarterback. The redshirt freshman led the Eagles on a game-winning drive against Wake Forest last week in his first real action as a college quarterback. Davis said it started to slow down for him in the fourth quarter last week -- and that was against a good Deacs' defense. Maryland has been very pedestrian on defense all season and I can't see it doing enough to stop the Eagles from heading to Tampa next weekend.
Rose: Maryland looked awful last week, losing 37-3 to Florida State. Boston College, however, can book its trip to Tampa for the ACC title game if it can win this week. Regular quarterback Chris Crane is out, but Boston College can have plenty of success running the ball, as it did a few weeks back against Florida State. Plus, Boston College's defense has certainly stepped up and been lights out in games this season. I think Boston College chews up the clock and grinds out a win, something like 26-16.
No. 23 Oregon at No. 17 Oregon State, 7 p.m.
Abramson: The Civil War (once known as the State Championship Game). There's a lot of people out there cheering for Oregon in this one. Anyone not affiliated with the Pac 10 surely is, but the conferenece would love to see a Beavers win and two teams representing the conference in the BCS. I did feel OSU would falter before this game, but the Beavers proved me wrong by ripping off six straight wins. The Ducks have a trio that averages over 50 rushing yards per game, including quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Oregon's offense ranks 10th in the country and has flown under the radar much of the year, no pun intended. The Beavers, however, have been very dam-like, stopping most opponents in their tracks, pun intended. I really can't believe I'm going to pick Oregon State, but the game is in Corvallis and I can't forget that this is a team that stopped Southern Cal in its tracks. Beavers go to the BCS with a 24-16 win.
Rose: Yes, Oregon State star running back Jacquizz Rodgers will miss this game with a shoulder injury. And Oregon can control the game on the ground with quarterback Jeremiah Masoli leading the way. But the Beavers are playing in Corvallis for the Pac-10 title and their first trip to the Rose Bowl in over 40 years. Oregon State just seems like a team of destiny. The Beavers were done last week at Arizona, but found a way to win. They'll find a way this week. Oregon State takes the Civil War, the Pac-10 title and the Rose Bowl bid with a 21-17 win.
No. 11 Oklahoma State at No. 2 Oklahoma, 8 p.m.
Abramson: Normally, the cynic in my picks the Cowboys here because I like to see chaos at the end of the year. However, I can't do that because Oklahoma is playing some of the best football in the country. We could have another game where we approach 100 total points. Just a bettors tip, the over/under is 72.5 -- Oklahoma's last six games have eclipsed that total. The Sooners are averaging about 63 points per game in their last four. I'm just sayin'...I still like what Oklahoma State has to offer -- a respectable defense and a great offense, but OU has an inside track to the national title game and I don't see it wavering. I will take the Sooners 45-35.
Rose: You know there's going to be an upset this week. I don't think it will be Florida or Alabama. How about Oklahoma? Well, the Sooners looked unstoppable last week in shredding Texas Tech, 65-21. Oklahoma State has plenty of weapons on offense -- quarterback Zac Robinson, running back Kendall Hunter and wide receiver Dez Bryant. Plus, Oklahoma State can play some defense. The Cowboys really did a nice job limiting Texas and Colt McCoy earlier this season. But the same Cowboys defense gave up over 50 points to Texas Tech. That, in my opinion, will be the key to this game. If Sam Bradford and the Oklahoma offense can score at will, this will be a blowout. But I think this game is close, with Oklahoma winning, something in the neighborhood of 44-30. Also, due to some season ticket mess, there could be as many as 10,000 empty seats in the stadium. Bad news for the Cowboys, who will need every possible advantage here.
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