College Football Week Twelve Preview: Cheerleader Edition

The college football season is nearing its end.  Conference titles are being handed out, bowl game combatants are becoming clear, and emo Senior cheerleaders are beginning to go ‘all out’ five to six nights a week.  This week features The Game as an underachieving Michigan hosts Ohio State, and a tough gear up game for Pitt before they square off against Cincinnati.  Get out your beads and pocket your favorite pint as its getting cold in the stadiums across the nation on gameday.

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No. 1 Florida (10-0) vs. Florida International (3-7)

With the SEC title game already planned for a classic No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle on December 5, Florida has a chance to rest its players a bit while their third stringers can pummel the Golden Panthers of FIU into the ground.

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No. 2 Alabama (10-0) vs. Chattanooga (6-4)

On the flip side of the impending SEC title game, the Crimson Tide host the Mocs of Chattanooga this week in another heavyweight slaughterfest.   Mark Ingram continues to build his Heisman resume with another 19 carries and 149 yards last week in a rout of Mississippi State.  He is three yards shy of 1300 on the season.

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No. 3 Texas (10-0) vs. Kansas (5-5)

Saturday night is going to be off the hook as the Longhorns host Kansas in their final home game of the season.  They are on a free path to the title game, so long as they hold up their end of the bargain and continue to destroy the competition while they wait for the Bama/Florida game to determine their BCS title game opponent.

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No. 4 TCU (10-0) at Wyoming (5-5)

If the season plays out and the Horned Frogs are kept out of the BCS title game, it will be a real shame for college football – and yet another reason for a playoff system to be adopted.  Perhaps TCU will follow in Utah’s footsteps and shatter the loser of the SEC title game, and strengthen the argument for a playoff.  Either way, it’s becoming really fun to watch the Frogs this season.

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No. 5 Cincinnati (10-0) vs. Illinois (3-7)

Another tight-rope walk win for the Bearcats last week over the Volunteers and this week they face one of the weaker foes from the Big Ten.  Illinois has looked bad all season, and this will be a tune up game for Cincy as they prepare for their epic showdown with No. 9 Pittsburgh next week.

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No. 6 Boise State (10-0) at Utah State (3-7)

The Broncos of Boise continue to rip the competition to shreds.  Last week they poured 63 points on Idaho and this week they will likely do the same to Utah State.  With their win over Oregon holding up, it looks like they will secure a BCS bowl game if they continue to win and win in violent fashion.

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No. 7 Georgia Tech (10-1) is on bye

A nice break for the Yellow Jackets as they prepare for next week’s massive Georgia game.

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No. 8 LSU (8-2) at Mississippi (7-3)

LSU has held its own this season and this week’s matchup in Mississippi will be a big road test to enhance their ranking and secure a spot in a good New Year’s Day bowl game.  Ole Miss had lofty expectations this season, starting the season ranked in the top 5, but has rebounded nicely to be on pace to potentially win nine games this season.

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No. 9 Pittsburgh (9-1) at West Virginia (7-3)

Pitt put together a solid win over Notre Dame last week that helped them creep up into this week’s top 10.  This week they face a tough road test as they travel to Morgantown to square off with the Vols who were outlasted by Cincinnati last week.

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No. 10 Ohio State (9-2) at Michigan (5-6)

With a big win over Iowa last week, Ohio State is back in the top 10 and headed back to the Rose Bowl to represent the Big Ten.  It only seems fitting that The Rivalry will consist of at least one top 10 team as Michigan hosts the Buckeyes this weekend in Ann Arbor.  After the Maize and Blue jumped out to a thrilling 5-1 start, they have lost their last five games and are now in jeopardy of missing a bowl game for the second straight season.  A win over the hated Buckeyes will salvage their season, Rich Rod’s career, put them in a bowl game, and cement Tate Forcier in insta-legend status with wins over Ohio State and Notre Dame in his true freshman season behind center.