College Rivalry Game Previews

Jonathan Lee AccuScore Analyst
View Blog

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State
The Big 12 South is still a mess. A win by Oklahoma and presumed wins by Texas and Texas Tech would keep the division locked in a three way tie. The Sooners have the best chance to boost their resume by playing the Cowboys. A win would probably be enough to boost their computer numbers past the Longhorns in the BCS standings even with a head-to-head loss. That would mean Oklahoma would reach the Big 12 title game to face Missouri with a shot at the national title game.

This Bedlam Series has been dominated by Oklahoma in recent years. The Cowboys have not won this rivalry since 2002 when Les Miles was still the coach in Stillwater. Oklahoma is a very solid favorite according to our simulations with a 72 percent chance of victory and an average margin of nearly 9 points. Sam Bradford projects to be his Heisman-caliber self with 300 yards and 3 touchdowns passing. Cowboy receiver Dez Bryant is forecasted for a fantastic day (7 catches, 100 yards) but he will need teammate running back Kendall Hunter to be healthy, and able to control possession to have a chance against the streaking Sooners.

Texas vs. Texas A&M
The Longhorns need to win this final game in order to force a potential three-way tie atop the Big 12 South. After that, their BCS fate is out of their hands so this game will be the final impression Texas will get to make on the voters.

Luckily for Texas, the Aggies just aren't very good. AccuScore simulations forecast a huge blowout with the Longhorns winning over 99 percent of simulations by an average margin of 38 points. This will look less like a rivalry and more like big brother beating up on little brother. The Aggies have shown very little this season so fans and alums have to hope Mike Sherman isn’t another NFL coach that washes out in the Big 12 a la Bill Callahan.

Florida vs. Florida State
The Gators are playing some of the best football in the country, and are surging towards the SEC title game and a potential BCS championship bid. They will face off against an improving Seminole team that doesn’t look quite ready to rejoin the ranks of the elite.

Florida is projected to win nearly 90 percent of the time by over 20 points on average in our simulations. That is with quarterback Tim Tebow not even having a monster game either with average projections of 225 yards of total offense and 2.4 touchdowns. A big game by the defending Heisman winner and Florida State has little chance of a win.

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
Urban Meyer has proven the spread can work in the SEC. Now Paul Johnson will get to see if the option can beat an SEC defense as well. His team will try to earn state bragging rights for the first time in eight seasons, but their attention may be focused a bit farther to the north as Virginia Tech controls their ACC title game hopes.

Virginia vs. Virginia Tech
While this game isn’t exactly in the forefront of everybody’s mind this weekend it is very important regardless. If Virginia Tech wins, it will represent the Coastal Division in the ACC title game. If Virginia wins, it would send Georgia Tech to the conference championship. The Hokies are terrible throwing the ball, but they should be good enough every else to beat the Cavaliers and clinch the division.

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry