Championship Games Review

Overall, I went 4-1 with my predictions, the only loss being East Carolina over Houston. All of my "X-Factors" played huge roles in their respective games. Here's a recap:

SEC Championship:
My Prediction: Alabama 24, Florida 21
Actual Score: Alabama 32, Florida 13
X-Factor Stats: Tim Tebow (QB Florida); 20-35, 247 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Big XII Championship:
My Prediction: Texas 28, Nebraska 10
Actual Score: Texas 13, Nebraska 12
X-Factors Stats: Colt McCoy (QB Texas); 20-36, 184 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT's. Ndamukong Suh (DT Nebraska); 7 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 4.5 sacks

Big East Title Game:
My Prediction: Cincinnati 38, Pittsburgh 35
Actual Score: Cincinnati 45, Pittsburgh 44
X-Factor Stats: Dion Lewis (RB Pittsburgh); 47 carries, 194 yards, 3 TD's

ACC Championship:
My Prediction: Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 21
Actual Score: Georgia Tech 39, Clemson 34
X-Factor Stats: C.J. Spiller (RB Clemson), 20 carries, 233 yards, 4 TD's

Conference USA Championship:
My Prediction: Houston 45, East Carolina 24
Actual Score: Houston 32, East Carolina 38
X-Factor Stats: Case Keenum (QB Houston); 56-75, 527 yards, 5 TD's, 3 INT's

My Picks for Championship Weekend

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP:

#1 Florida (12-0, 8-0)
#2 Alabama (12-0, 8-0)

Prediction: Alabama 24, Florida 21

I actually have had a hard time determining the winner of this game. Both teams are #1 and #2 in total defense. Mark Ingram will have a better time running against Florida since DE Carlos Dunlap is not playing.
X-Factor: Florida QB Tim Tebow.


Big XII CHAMPIONSHIP:

#3 Texas (12-0, 8-0)
#22 Nebraska (9-3, 6-2)

My Prediction: Texas 28, Nebraska 10

The blackshirts are back. Texas will struggle at first against the Cornhuskers, but Nebraska doesn't have an offense that can match Colt McCoy and the Longhorns. It will be close in the first half, then Texas will pull away.
X-Factors: Texas QB Colt McCoy and Nebraska DT Ndamakong Suh.


Big East Title Game:

#5 Cincinnati (11-0, 6-0)
#15 Pittsburgh (9-2, 5-1)

My Prediction: Cincinnati 38, Pittsburgh 35

This is going to be one hell of a game. Part of me thinks Pittsburgh will pull the upset, but I have seen Cincinnati play twice this year, and they are legit. Hopefully, for the Bearcats, Head Coach Brian Kelly is not going to be distracted about Notre Dame talks. Pitt has arguably the best RB in college football, Dion Lewis. The fabulous freshman has rushed for 1,446 yards and 13 TD's.
X Factor: Pitt RB Dion Lewis.


ACC Championship Game:

#10 Georgia Tech (10-2, 7-1)
Clemson (8-4, 6-2)

My Prediction: Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 21

Both teams are coming off of embarrasing losses. Georgia Tech lost to Georgia, giving up nearly 340 yards on the ground, while Clemson, lost to their archrivals South Carolina. It is going to be exactly like the game in early September, Georgia Tech gets up early, and Clemson scratches their way back into it. Specials teams will determine the outcome of this game. Clemson RB C.J. Spiller saw his Heisman hopes go down the drain in Columbia, only racking up 18 yards rushing (he have an 88-yard kickoff return for a TD).
X-Factor: Clemson RB C.J. Spiller.


Conference USA Championship Game:

#21 Houston (10-2, 6-2)
East Carolina (8-4, 7-1)

My Prediction: Houston 45, East Carolina 24

Houston QB Case Keenum is an unbelievable quarterback. If Oklahoma State had trouble stopping him, East Carolina will definitely have trouble.
X-Factor: Houston QB Case Keenum.

South Carolina/Clemson Memorable Moments

In 1961, members of USC's Sigma Nu fraternity pretend to be Clemson's football team.

In 1975, South Carolina QB Jeff Grantz racked up 280 yards and 5 TD's in a 56-20 route of Clemson.

"The Catch." South Carolina battled back from a 24-0 deficit to take the lead 27-24. Clemson QB Steve Fuller threw a TD to Jerry Butler to beat Carolina 31-27 in 1977.

William "The Fridge" Perry (66) barrels towards South Carolina's QB Mike Hold in 1984. South Carolina won 22-21.

In 1992, South Carolina freshman QB Steve Taneyhill autographed the tiger paw at midfield after South Carolina defeated Clemson 24-13. He bowed towards the Clemson fans after the game.

The 2000 game, also known as "The Push," Clemson WR Rod Gardner pushes South Carolina CB Andre Goodman to prevent him from making a play on the ball. Passing interference anybody?

2004 is probably the most infamous meeting between South Carolina and Clemson. As time was running out, a brawl broke out in Clemson Memorial Stadium. It's sad that this is how Lou Holtz ended his Hall of Fame coaching career.

In 2006, Jad Dean missed the game-winning field goal, preserving a 31-28 South Carolina win.

In 2007, Mark Buccholz hits the game-winning kick, unlike Jad Dean, to beat South Carolina 23-21.

Clemson vs. Carolina

I have one question, why does Clemson own South Carolina on the football field? You would think South Carolina would own the advantage, since every game was played in Columbia until 1960. Clemson's record in Columbia is 49-29-4, or roughly a 63% winning percentage. I am the biggest South Carolina supporter out there, but I'm tired of the excuses: "The SEC wore us down," "Clemson isn't an important game for USC because of the tough SEC schedule," and so on. If I think about it, in my 21 years of existence, South Carolina has only beaten Clemson 5 TIMES. Shenanigans. For once, I would like to have bragging rights in the state of South Carolina. I actually think it will be awhile before I can own some bragging rights. Dabo Swinney is one hell of coach, and he has united a Clemson football team. South Carolina needs to find a "Dabo" if they want to compete. Steve Spurrier has put the pieces in place to be contenders, but can he actually win at USC? Hopefully, we will see.

But, with all that said, here are 5 reasons why USC could possibly win the game.

1. Williams-Brice Stadium--Even though its a noon game, Williams-Brice stadium is still a pretty hostile environment to play. The students should be well "oiled-up", even at noon.


2. Stephen Garcia--Stephen Garcia is turning himself into an elite QB in the SEC. You can easily see the improvement from last year, and he is only going to get better. He doesn't turn the ball over.


3. Eric Norwood-- It's Eric Norwood's last game in Williams-Brice Stadium, and to you use his quote, "It's going to be real crazy. I'm pretty fired up to try to take my anger out on everybody." Watch out C.J., Eric is angry.


4. The kicking game-- I'm talking about field goals. Spencer Lanning has been automatic this year. On the other hand, did anyone see the Clemson/Florida State game? I think they started pulling fans out of the stands to try to kick extra points.


5. ACC Championship Game-- This might be the key to a South Carolina victory. Clemson might be looking ahead to their ACC champsionship rematch against the Ramblin' Wreck. Clemson might be thinking about the "phantom holding call" instead of the Gamecocks. We will see.

Week 12 Power Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints (10-0)
2. Indianapolis Colts (10-0)
3. Minnesota Vikings (9-1)
4. New England Patriots (7-3)
5. Arizona Cardinals (7-3)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (7-3)
7. San Diego Chargers (7-3)
8. Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (6-4)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)
11. New York Football Giants (6-4)
12. Green Bay Packers (6-4)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4)
14. Denver Broncos (6-4)
15. Baltimore Ravens (5-5)
16. Atlanta Falcons (5-5)
17. Miami Dolphins (5-5)
18. Tennessee Titans (4-6)
19. Houston Texans (5-5)
20. San Francisco 49ers (4-6)
21. Carolina Panthers (4-6)
22. Chicago Bears (4-6)
23. New York Jets (4-6)
24. Washington Redskins (3-7)
25. Kansas City Chiefs (3-7)
26. Seattle Seahawks (3-7)
27. Buffalo Bills (3-7)
28. Oakland Raiders (3-7)
29. Detroit Lions (2-8)
30. St. Louis Rams (1-9)
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-9)
32. Cleveland Browns (1-9)

South Carolina and Maryland will be wearing special Under Armour jerseys this Saturday. It is for the Wounded Warrior Project and for Veteran's Day. The Wounded Warrior Project provides services and programs for injured military men and women. This effort will honor those who have served or are serving in the military and to promote the Wounded Warrior Project.

I think this a great idea. I want to thank the University of South Carolina and the University of Maryland for taking part in this great cause. As a country, I think we need to do more for our soliders and veterans. I want to thank all the current soldiers and veterans for protecting our freedom. These uniforms are way better than what Nike is trying to do with their "Pro Combat" uniforms (will be in a later post). I think we need to stop comparing football players to "soldiers" are say they are going into "combat" or a "war." I have never been to war, but I have played football, and I just want to say I wasn't stepping on land mines are getting shot at on the football field. Seriously stop it (I'm talking to the media and football players). Our men and women serving in the Armed Forces and our Veterans are the only soldiers.

Here are some pictures of South Carolina's jerseys:

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints (8-0)
2. Indianapolis Colts (8-0)
3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)
5. New England Patriots (6-2)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
7. Denver Broncos (6-2)
8. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)
10. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
11. Arizona Cardinals (5-3)
12. San Diego Chargers (5-3)
13. New York Football Giants (5-4)
14. Houston Texans (5-4)
15. Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
16. New York Jets (4-4)
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4)
18. Miami Dolphins (3-5)
19. Chicago Bears (4-4)
20. Green Bay Packers (4-4)
21. Carolina Panthers (3-5)
22. San Francisco 49ers (3-5)
23. Tennessee Titans (2-6)
24. Seattle Seahawks (3-5)
25. Buffalo Bills (3-5)
26. Washington Redskins (2-6)
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7)
28. Oakland Raiders (2-6)
29. Kansas City Chiefs (1-7)
30. St. Louis Rams (1-7)
31. Detroit Lions (1-7)
32. Cleveland Browns (1-7)