Hard to believe, but it's Championship Week. Whoever is at the top of the integrated standings when the final whistle sounds will be the proud recipient of a $50.00 gift certificate, courtesy of Gameday Depot.

Integrated standings, what's that, you ask? Admittedly, I've been a bit lax announcing winners and updating the leaderboard on the site for the past month, but fortuantely, the fine servers at Yahoo! are not so easily distracted. Here's a look at the current Top 13:

1. downfall (236-50)

2. El Niche (235-51)

3 Boilerman31's Picks (234-52)

T-4 HoyaGoon (231-55)

T-4 Goldy Appreciation Society (231-55)

T-4 CatsArgentina (231-55)

T-4 Clint Barton (231-55)

T-8 Go Hawks (230-56)

T-8 Bama Hawkeye (230-56)

T-8 buckyor (230-56)

T-11 In The Deed The Glory (229-57)

T-11 GCS (229-57)

T-13 josephacampbell (228-58)

T-13 John Veldhuis (228-58)

T-13 cbrett42 (228-58)

T-13 PaternosGranddaughter (228-58)

Use this list to see how you measure up, then log onto Yahoo! to weigh in.


1. No. 22 TEXAS @ No. 17 BAYLOR, 3:30 p.m. EST (12/3)

GRAHAM predicts BAYLOR

Don’t pick against the Horns (oh, my bad TAMU, the horns) this year or they’ll break your heart. Lots of talent, per usual, and lots of defensive ability make them scary. Baylor with RG3, who is playing, is even scarier though. Baylah (like Tom Wolfe would write it) wins.

JON predicts BAYLOR

I watched the Oklahoma game. That's all you need to know.


2. THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP, No. 14 GEORGIA vs. No. 1 LSU, 4:00 p.m. EST (12/3)



GRAHAM predicts LSU

Meaningless game apparently? Should be semi-entertaining, really no one’s made a run at LSU this year, so if Georgia even keeps it close, I’ll be watching. Even though it’s meaningless. LSU wins.

JON predicts LSU

LSU has nothing to lose. So why do they win? Defense. It's always the defense.

Continue reading this post »

OHIO STATE vs. No. 17 MICHIGAN (11/16) 12:00 p.m. ABC

GRAHAM predicts MICHIGAN

I picked Michigan over Michigan State. Big mistake. MSU was stronger, angrier, more aggressive. I feel the same way against OSU, but you can't discount the momentum that Michigan has picked up. UM at home in front of an ape-shit crowd.

JON predicts OHIO STATE

Graham and I met on a cloudy Saturday in November in 2003, when I hosted an Ohio State/Michigan party on campus at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and he showed up decked out in the maize and blue, instantly endearing himself as persona non grata.  No. 5 Michigan beat No. 4 Ohio State that day in Ann Arbor.  In the eight years (and two days) we've been friends it's the only time he's been able to celebrate the outcome of The Game.  Meanwhile, I've had my fair share of opportunities to gloat.  It's been an incredible ride, but all good things eventually have to end.

On paper this looks like a clear win for TSUN.  Michigan is rightfully ranked and coming off of its best win of the season, a 45-17 blowout of a solid Nebraska squad.  They're playing confident football on both sides of the ball -- especially on defense where first year coordinator Greg Mattison has pulled off a miracle turnaround.  Ohio State meanwhile has weathered back-to-back losses, has a one-dimensional offense, and a defense that's somehow more inconsistent than Oregon's uniforms.

So why am I picking the Buckeyes?  Well, for starters, I'd rather eat the point than pick the maize and blue.  And, for those of you who demand logic, Ohio State has shown that when it brings its "A Game" it's still pretty formidable (see Wisconsin.)  Plus the pressure is on the Wolverines to win. The Buckeyes have everything to gain.

Of course, they also have a lot to lose.  We'll probably never see a streak like this again in our lifetimes.  Unless, that is, a certain Urban Meyer ends up in Columbus.  I kid, I kid.

Go Bucks!

I am thrilled out of my damn socks for three specific games this week, because as far as predictions go, I don't what the hell is going to happen. You think I know which Ohio State offensive line will show up, the one that knocked Wisconsin all around or the one that got manhandled by Purdue? You think I have any idea if Michigan can slow a power running attack like Nebraska? And even though your mind gives some cognitive dissonance about picking Purdue over Iowa, that game is inching closer to a tossup in my mind.

Enjoy some prognosticating and then log onto Yahoo! to weigh in. OH AND HOW IN GODS NAME CAN I WATCH FIVE B1G GAMES AT ONE TIME? Even my DVR can't do that.

Continue reading this post »

 

Two weeks ago I complained to my wife that this was a squeaky clean year in college football where favorites rolled and challengers collapsed.  That same day, Michigan State dealt Wisconsin the first of back-to-back heartbreaks, and Texas Tech abominated the Sooners at home.  So what if the national picture still feels a bit static.  The B1G race is shaping up to be one for the ages.  If you haven't already, take a look at KennardHusker's excellent Mid Season Division Arguments.  Then log onto Yahoo! to weigh in.

1. No. 15 MICHIGAN @ IOWA, 12:00 p.m. EST (11/5)

GRAHAM predicts MICHIGAN

Michigan, the four point favorites, and yet against a standard Kirk Ferentz team at home, I would typically go with Iowa. I still don't trust Michigan against angry teams on the road, but I'll follow Vegas on this one and go with the Wolverines.

JON predicts MICHIGAN

I've been to Kinnick Stadium.  It's a tough place to play on the road.  But, as Bama Hawkeye lamented earlier this week, this is an uncharacteristically soft Iowa team.  I still think the Wolverine offense is vulnerable to an aggressive defensive front.  But unless the 2009 Iowa defense makes a special guest appearance, I just don't trust the Hawks to make places to shorten drives.  The Wolverines jump out to a double digit lead and hold on on the road.    

2. MINNESOTA @ No. 17 MICHIGAN STATE, 12:00 p.m. EST (11/5)



GRAHAM predicts MICHIGAN STATE

MSU has the perfect defense to slow the Gophers: active blitzers and penetrating linemen. Gray is going to get hit hard and early, just like every other QB MSU's faced not named Taylor Martinez.

JON predicts MICHIGAN STATE

No question, Sparty occasionally turns into a noctambulist on the road.  But now that last week's let down is out of their system I say they get back into form at home.  Make no mistake, a gutsy on-sides kick won't be the difference in this one.

Continue reading this post »

FTC disclosure: This contest is sponsored by Gameday Depot and SB Nation.

Congratulations to RedPoo for winning Week 9 of The Obligatory Predictions Competition and taking home the $10 gift certificate from Gameday Depot. Be on the lookout for a confirmation email with instructions on how to claim your prize.  (On a completely unrelated note, you might want to get that gastro-intestinal condition checked out.  We're always looking out for the health of our readers.)

There's another $10 gift certificate up for grabs this week and a $50 gift certificate for the entire season, so keep at it.

The integrated leaderboard is after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

Will this be another straight laced week in college football?  Log onto Yahoo! to play.

1. ILLINOIS @ PURDUE, 12:00 p.m. EST (10/22)

GRAHAM predicts ILLINOIS

It's got to be Illinois, even on the road. Are they ripe for upset after OSU gave everyone the blueprint? Yup, but OSU also has a Top 10 defense nationally. Illinois on the road, in another close game that Purdue would love to have.

JON predicts ILLINOIS

Sure, OSU outlined a model defensive blueprint in last week's constrictive win over the Illini.  But the 40 mile per hour wind gusts certainly didn't hurt.  Nathan Scheelhaase and A.J. Jenkins get back in rhythm in West Lafayette against the languid Boilermakers.

2. No. 22 GEORGIA TECH @ MIAMI (FL), 3:30 p.m. EST (10/22)



GRAHAM predicts MIAMI

I'm just not sold on Georgia Tech - Miami knocked 'em off last year and the Canes aren't plagued by Jacory Harris TO's this year. Canes get the win at home.

JON predicts GEORGIA TECH

In a week full of phone-in predictions, this toss up match probably carries a lot more weight than it should.  Interesting statistic: Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson is 3-0 in games following his first loss of the season.  Those wins are by an average of 18 points.  Graham isn't sold on the Jackets.  Well, I'm not sold on Jacory Harris.  Say what you want about him turning over a new leaf, I think he's still mistake prone, especially with the opportunistic Rod Sweeting in the Tech secondary.  A shorthanded Cane defensive line can't handle the triple-option and the Jackets escape with another conference win. 

Continue reading this post »

FTC disclosure: This contest is sponsored by Gameday Depot and SB Nation.

Congratulations to cjkanski for winning Week 7 of The Obligatory Predictions Competition and the $10 gift certificate from Gameday Depot. Be on the lookout for a confirmation email with instructions on how to claim your prize.

There's another $10 gift certificate up for grabs this week and a $50 gift certificate for the entire season, so keep playing.

Work interferes once again, so check the standings at Yahoo!.

Something tells me this is one of those deceptively tricky weeks.  Log onto Yahoo! and get in the game.

1. No. 11 MICHIGAN @ No. 23 MICHIGAN STATE, 12:00 p.m. EST (10/15)

GRAHAM predicts MICHIGAN

Everyone's healthy. That's why I say Michigan has a shot. I know Sparty's a FG fav in Vegas, I know MSU plays real tough against Denard. But the suddenly alive Michigan D is healthier and better coached than it has been for so long. Wolverines win on the road.

JON predicts MICHIGAN

This is the game of the week as far as I'm concerned.  I've read a lot about how Michigan State's defense will have no problem containing Denard Robinson.  I respectfully disagree.

2. PURDUE @ PENN STATE, 12:00 p.m. EST (10/15)



GRAHAM predicts PENN STATE

Purdue can score points....against Mini. But against PSU? In Happy Valley? Nah. PSU picks up another win.

JON predicts PENN STATE

Yeah, don't let last week's performance fool you.  Purdue is still a hot mess on both sides of the ball and Penn State's defense is the real deal.

Continue reading this post »