Category Archives: College Football

Well, the college football season is finally over and there is a national champion. The Auburn Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks 22-19 in a tightly contested matchup. The margin of victory left many people happy and many angry, as the Tigers just barely covered the 2.5 point spread given them in the college football odds.

It was far from certain that Auburn Tigers would win this one, with both defenses playing surprisingly well. Considering these were two of the best offenses in the nation, it was a shock to everyone to see a scoreless first quarter. The second quarter saw 27 combined points scored, with two touchdowns from Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton.

The only two undefeated BCS teams will finally square off on Jan. 10th to determine this year’s national champion. The top ranked Auburn Tigers (13-0) take on the Oregon Ducks (12-0) in a game that features two teams that started the season outside of the top 10. Offense should rule the day, as both teams rank in the top ten in total yards and scoring. The Tigers are a 2.5 point favorite in the college football lines.

The Texas A&M Aggies made some changes during the season that have had major results. After starting the season 3-3, a new quarterback and running back combination led the Aggies to six straight wins and a number 17 ranking. They earned a spot in the Cotton Bowl against the 11th ranked LSU Tigers (10-2). The Tigers are a one point favorite in the college football odds.

The Texas A&M Aggies started the year with quarterback Jerrod Johnson and running back Christine Michael. Halfway through the year though, Johnson was replaced by Ryan Tannehill because of his lack of productivity. Cyrus Gray replaced Michael after he broke his leg and the team has been perfect since.

The 6th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes look for their first ever bowl win over a team from the SEC as the take on the 8th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. The Buckeyes’ lone loss this year came at the hands of Wisconsin, whom they tied with atop the Big Ten standings. Arkansas finished 10-2, with losses to Alabama and Auburn. The Razorbacks are a three point underdog in the college football odds.

Ohio State is led by their 14th ranked rushing attack. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is the ultimate dual threat, combining for 3,190 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions passing and rushing.

After a dismal start to the season, the 13th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies have won 11 games in a row to reach the Orange Bowl for the third time in four years. Their opponent this year, the 4th ranked Stanford Cardinal, finished 11-1 with their only defeat coming against the unbeaten Oregon Ducks. The Hokies are a 3.5 point underdog in the college football lines.

The Virginia Tech Hokies struggled early on but emerged as ACC champions because of the conference player of the year Tyrod Taylor. The quarterback was dangerous with both his arm and legs, combining for over 3,150 yards, 28 touchdowns and four interceptions.

The third ranked TCU Horned Frogs are one win away from completing a perfect season. Unfortunately for them, that game is not the national championship. The Frogs were left on the outside looking in after a second consecutive perfect regular season. Their consolation prize is a date with the 5th ranked Wisconsin Badgers (11-1). TCU is a three point favorite in the college football odds.

Both of these offenses finished in the top 20 in rushing yards, total yards and scoring. The Wisconsin Badgers have three tremendous running backs: James White, John Clay and Montee Ball. The three combined for almost 2,900 yards and 44 touchdowns this season. They run behind one of the best offensive lines in the country.

Two of college football’s best teams not in a BCS bowl will square off in the Capital One Bowl as the 9th ranked Michigan State Spartans take on the 16th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in Orlando. The Spartans finished 11-1 with a share of the Big Ten title. Alabama (9-3) couldn’t repeat as national champions, but still had a strong year. The Spartans are a 10 point underdog in the college bowl odds.

Michigan State Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins had a solid season, throwing for 2,705 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He will be without top pass catcher B.J. Cunningham who broke his foot in practice, but he will still have receiving yards leader (761) Mark Dell.

High powered passing attacks will be on display as the 14th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the Arizona Wildcats. The Cowboys are seeking a record 11th win, while the Wildcats are looking to salvage a season that has fallen apart. After starting 7-1 and ranking 9th in the standings, they lost four straight. The Wildcats are a 5 point underdog in the college bowl lines.

The Arizona Wildcats have a very strong passing game that ranked 8th in nation. Quarterback Nick Foles led the PAC-10 with 291.1 yards per game and finished with 19 scores and seven interceptions. Juron Criner, the top receiver in the conference, caught 73 passes for 1,186 yards and 10 touchdowns. The running game was not great, ranking 85th nationally with 135.2 yards per game.

The West Virginia Mountaineers, ranked 22nd, finished with the best overall record in the Big East. However, they were left out of a BCS Bowl, with UConn taking their place. Instead, they take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Champs Sports Bowl.

The Wolfpack (8-4) were ranked in the top 25 at one point this season, but a disappointing second half of their season knocked them out. The Mountaineers are a 3 point favorite in the football bowl game odds.

The top two rushing attacks, and two of the worst passing games, in the country square off in this year’s Independence Bowl. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-6) and Air Force Falcons (8-4) finished 1st and 2nd in the country, each gaining at least 317 yards on the ground per game.

Air Force had some close losses this season to top 20 teams Oklahoma and Utah, while Georgia Tech had a disappointing season. The Falcons are a three point favorite in the bowl game odds.