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Archive: 2008 Week 14 NCAA Football Game Previews
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Western Michigan Broncos (9-2) # 15 Ball State Cardinals (11-0)
Time: 7:00pm ET
Spread: Ball State – 11
Over/Under:
Preview: The Western Michigan Broncos would love to finish the regular season off with a bang; a big bang. The Broncos at 9-2 on the year, and a game behind the Cardinals in the MAC look to hand Ball State their first loss of the season. Western Michigan needs to win on Tuesday and hope for a Central Michigan loss to win the West portion of the MAC. The Broncos were off last weekend, and are coming off a week 12 win over Toledo 27-17. The Broncos two losses on the season came in the season opener at Nebraska, and then in week 8 at Central Michigan. On the year Western Michigan has outscored opponents 336- 241. For Ball State, the Cardinals have a lot on the line; not only the MAC West title, but also an undefeated regular season and an outside chance at a BCS game. Ball State is coming off a tough 31-24 win over Central Michigan. On the year the Cardinals have won all five of their home games; beating Northeastern, Navy, Kent State, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois. On the year the Cardinals have outscored opponents 407-178. Nate Davis, the Cardinal quarterback has thrown for 24 touchdown passes on the season.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Texas A+M Aggies (4-7) @ # 2 Texas Longhorns (10-1)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Texas – 35
Over/Under:
Preview: A Thanksgiving Day game will feature two long time rivals with one playing with a lot to lose, and one playing with nothing to lose. The road team, the Aggies of Texas A+M are going to finish the season on Saturday, with either 4 or 5 wins and fall short of a bowl game. The Aggies are 4-7 with wins over New Mexico, Army, Iowa State and Colorado. The Aggies have lost two straight games; to Oklahoma and Baylor. On the year, the Aggies sit in last place in the Big 12 South, with a 2-5 mark. Texas A+M is allowing 36.4 points per game, while allowing 26.5. For Texas, the Longhorns will try to finish off the regular season, and do it in impressive fashion to hopefully remain at the # 2 position within the BCS rankings. With a Texas win, along with wins for Oklahoma and Texas Tech, the Big 12 South would end in a three-way tie. The tiebreaker to determine who plays in the Big 12 title game is whichever team is ranked higher in the BCS standings. Currently Texas is ahead of Oklahoma and Texas Tech. On the year Texas has scored 478 points and allowed 214. The Longhorns are 6-0 this season when playing at home.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Fresno State Bulldogs (7-4) @ # 9 Boise State Broncos (11-0)
Time: 6:00pm ET
Spread: Boise State – 20.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Fresno State Bulldogs are coming off two straight wins to move to bowl eligible at 7-4 on the year. The two wins have come over New Mexico State and on the road at San Jose State last Thursday. The Bulldogs started the season ranked within the Top 25, but fell after losses to Wisconsin, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech and Nevada. The Bulldogs have outscored opponents just 340-303 on the season. When playing in road games, the Bulldogs are 5-1 with their lone loss coming at Louisiana Tech. The Boise State Broncos are looking to finish the regular season with an unbeaten mark. The Broncos are one of just three teams left in college football undefeated. The Broncos got quite the challenge on Saturday when Nevada gave them all they could handle in a 41-34 decision. On the year Boise State has won five home games, in five tries. Kellen Moore leads the Broncos with 23 passing touchdowns.
West Virginia Mountaineers (7-3) @ # 20 Pittsburgh Panthers (7-3)
Time: 12:00pm ET
Spread: West Virginia – 3.5
Over/Under:
Preview: Ranked within the bank roll sports Top 25, the West Virginia Mountaineers are on the outside looking in within the Associated Press and BCS standings. With two games remaining for both teams this game has huge implications within the Big East. West Virginia comes in 4-1 in conference play and 7-3 overall, while the Panthers are 7-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Mountaineers three losses came at East Carolina, at Colorado, and at home with Cincinnati. Pittsburgh started the season with a 27-17 loss to Bowling Green. The Panthers rolled off five straight before falling to Rutgers, and then again three weeks later to Cincinnati. The Panthers are outscoring West Virginia 299-260 on the year, but the Mountaineers have been much better defensively allowing just 165 while Pittsburgh has allowed 251. West Virginia is 2-2 on the road, while Pittsburgh is 3-2 at home.
Saturday, November
29, 2008
Auburn Tigers (5-6) @ # 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Alabama – 14.5
Over/Under:
Preview: In a huge state rivalry, the Auburn Tigers will look to finish the regular season and become bowl eligible on Saturday against the number one team in the nation. The Tigers, who have faced their share of hard times on the year, are coming off a 17-13 tough loss to Georgia on Saturday. After starting the season with a 3-0 mark, including a 3-2 win over Mississippi State, Auburn has dropped six of eight games. The Tigers are 2-5 in the SEC West – the division in which their opponent Alabama won. The Crimson Tide are coming in 11-0, number 1 in the nation, and two wins away from playing in the national title game. With wins over Auburn and the SEC title game over Florida, Alabama would get their shot at the title game. Alabama was off last week, but in weeks 11 and 12, the Crimson Tide knocked off LSU on the road in overtime, and at home over Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide are scoring 31.7 points per game, and allowing just 12.5 on the season.
# 3 Oklahoma Sooners (10-1) @ #12 Oklahoma St. Cowboys (9-2)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Oklahoma -7
Over/Under:
Preview: The bedlam rivalry may reach an all time high this weekend. With both teams having outstanding 2008 seasons; the Sooners and Cowboys will meet with National Championship and Big 12 Championship implications. The Sooners, who are 10-1 on the year have won five straight games, including their 65-21 dismantling over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. In the last five games, the Sooners have scored 45, 58, 62, 66, and 65. Oklahoma is averaging 52.6 points per game on offense, while allowing 23.4 on defense, which is very strong in the Big 12 with all the high powered offenses and Heisman hopeful quarterbacks. Sam Bradford, the Sooners quarterback, has thrown for 3710 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2008, and remains as one of the final three or four for the 2008 Heisman Trophy award. The Cowboys come in with a 9-2 record, with both of their losses coming to Top 10, National Championship contending teams – Texas and Texas Tech. Oklahoma State has an explosive offense as well, scoring 41.6 points per game in 2008. Quarterback Zach Robinson and receiver Dez Bryant lead that high powered offense. Robinson has completed 160 of 238 passes for 2481 yards and 21 touchdowns. Bryant has caught 68 passes for 1222 yards and 16 touchdowns. An exciting game with massive implications.
# 4 Florida Gators (10-1) @ # 20 Florida State Seminoles (8-3)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Florida -16
Over/Under:
Preview: In the week of rivalries, one of college football’s finest comes into play this weekend. The Florida Gators, in search of their eighth straight win will travel to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles. The Gators are coming off a 70-19 win over The Citadel, which came after 42-14 and 56-6 wins over Vanderbilt and South Carolina. Florida is scoring 46.5 points per game, while their defense is allowing just 12 per game for the 2008 college football season. Tim Tebow, the Gators quarterback has completed 148 of 225 passes for 2114 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 11 more is his second strong Heisman Trophy campaign. The Seminoles finished atop the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division with a 5-3 record. With a Maryland win over Boston College, the Seminoles would take the division title and play in the ACC title game. Florida State’s three losses on the season have come to Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Boston College. Florida State is scoring 34.3 points per game on offense and allowing 18.5 on defense.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-5) @ # 4 USC Trojans (9-1)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: USC – 29.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are coming off an embarrassing home loss to the Syracuse Orange, who are 3-8 on the year. Fortunately for Notre Dame, their six wins make them bowl eligible, because getting the 7th win will not be easy. Notre Dame will take the road and play at the red hot USC Trojans. USC has won seven straight games, after their loss on the road to Oregon State. That loss definitely hurt the Trojans shot at a national title, and will possibly cost them a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. USC, in their last seven games; all wins have allowed just 46 points, with half of those (23) coming in their 45-23 win on Saturday over Stanford. The Trojans offense is averaging over 450 yards per game.
Baylor Bears (4-7) @ # 7 Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-1)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Texas Tech – 20
Over/Under:
Preview: The Baylor Bears have won just four games on the year, but have played arguably one of the toughest schedules in college football. The Bears played non conference games with Wake Forest and Connecticut, two bowl bound teams, and then played conference games against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Texas; all top 15 teams. The Bears four wins have come over Northwestern State, Washington State, Iowa State and Texas A+M. Baylor is coming off their week 13 win over Texas A+M by a 41-21 score. For Texas Tech, the Red Raiders are coming off a 65-21 beat down at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners. Heisman hopeful candidate Graham Harrell leads Texas Tech on the offensive side of the ball. On the year, Harrell has thrown for 4438 yards and completed 39 touchdowns. Harrell’s top receiver Michael Crabtree has caught 18 touchdown passes to help lead the team. The Red Raiders are averaging 45.5 points per game.
# 22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-3) @ # 11 Georgia Bulldogs (9-2)
Time: 12:00pm ET
Spread: Georgia – 8
Over/Under:
Preview: The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are coming off a huge 41-23 win over the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday night. The Yellow Jackets are 8-3 on the year and finished 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast – Coastal Division. Virginia Tech and Miami are 4-3 with the Hokies taking on Virginia on Saturday, while the Hurricanes battle with North Carolina State. A three-way tie could be a possibility to see who gets to play in the ACC title game. The Yellow Jackets are outscoring opponents 343 – 262 on the year. Georgia Tech is 2-2 on the year when playing on the road. The Georgia Bulldogs are 9-2 on the year and finished 6-2 in the SEC East. Their 6-2 mark placed them second behind the Florida Gators. The Bulldogs have won two straight games, at Kentucky and at Auburn. Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno are leading the offense with Stafford picking up 17 passing touchdowns, and Moreno picking up 15 rushing touchdowns.
Kansas Jay Hawks (6-5) @ # 13 Missouri Tigers (9-2)
Time: 12:30pm ET
Spread: Missouri – 14
Over/Under:
Preview: The Kansas Jay Hawks losers of two straight games, and four of five will finish the regular season heading to Columbia Missouri to take on the Tigers. Kansas’ five losses have come to South Florida, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Nebraska and Texas. Kansas is 3-4 within the Big 12 North, sitting in third place behind Nebraska and leader Missouri. Todd Reesing has completed 265 of 409 for 4000 yards and 24 touchdowns. On the year, Kansas is averaging 32 points per game, and allowing 28.8. The Jay Hawks are 1-3 in road games this season, with their lone road win coming at Iowa State. For Missouri, after two early losses, the Tigers have righted the ship and look to move their way into a possible BCS bowl with four straight wins. After starting 5-0, the Tigers fell in back to back weeks to Oklahoma State and Texas. The Tigers blanked Colorado, barely knocked off Baylor, and defeated Kansas State and Iowa State. Quarterback Chase Daniel has thrown for 3592 yards and 30 touchdowns on the year. Missouri will represent the Big 12 North the following week against Texas, Texas Tech or Oklahoma.
Syracuse Orange (3-8) @ # 19 Cincinnati Bearcats (9-2)
Time: 12:00pm ET
Spread: Cincinnati – 22
Over/Under:
Preview: The Syracuse Orange found a reason to celebrate mightily on Saturday. Going into South Bend and knocking off the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on senior day is never easy; the Orange and head coach Greg Robinson did it. Syracuse’s other two wins this season has come over Northeastern and Louisville. The Orange have been much more competitive as the season moves on. Early in the season, Syracuse was blown out by Penn State and South Florida. For Cincinnati, a win would seal the Big East title for the first time since 1964, which at that time was a Missouri Valley Conference title. The Bearcats have won four straight; wins over South Florida, West Virginia, Louisville and Pittsburgh. Cincinnati is scoring an average of 26.9 points per game, while their defense is allowing 20.7. Bearcat quarterback Tony Pike has completed 142 of 226 passes for 1788 yards and 15 touchdowns.
# 23 Oregon Ducks (8-3) @ # 17 Oregon State Beavers (8-3)
Time: 7:00pm ET
Spread: Oregon State – 3.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The in state rivalry has a ton of Pac Ten implications on the line. With both teams coming in at 8-3 overall, both teams will see a bowl game in 2008. Which game will depend a lot on this game. If the Oregon State Beavers win, they win the Pac Ten title, in a tiebreaker over USC and will head to Pasadena to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. With an Oregon win, the Ducks would tie the Beavers at 7-2, and hope for a UCLA win over USC to force a three-way tie in the Pac Ten. Oregon has won two straight games; 35-28 over Stanford and 55-45 over Arizona. The Ducks are scoring close to 40 points a game on the season. Oregon State got off to a rough start, losing their first two games of the year, including a 66-3 loss at the hands of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Ironically, the Beavers would love a shot at a rematch with Penn State on New Years Day. The Beavers lone conference loss was the first game of the season at Stanford 36-28.
Maryland Terrapins (7-4) @ # 21 Boston College Eagles (8-3)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Boston College – 7
Over/Under:
Preview: The Atlantic Coast Conference – Atlantic Division title is on the line with this ball game. With the Florida State Seminoles cashing in with a 5-3 mark, the Terps and Eagles will play their final game of the year both coming in with 4-3 conference marks. With a Maryland win; Florida State would win the conference title with the tiebreaker over the Terps; beating them 37-3 on Saturday. If Boston College wins, they will take the title; with their head to head win over Florida State November 15th 27-17. Maryland although winning 7 of 11 has been outscored 220 – 229. The Eagles are outscoring teams 292 –190. Maryland is 1-3 in road games, while Boston College checks in with a 4-2 home mark.
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