Howdy, football fans! The end of the season is almost upon us. Many teams play their final games this weekend. For some teams, the final game is for pride, but many teams are playing for bowl positioning or even a chance at the the BCS Championship. So let’s take a look at this week’s game.
Auburn at Alabama
One of the best SEC West games this season has no bearing on the division. Gene Chizik’s cats have clinched a seat in the SEC championship game, so now they’re playing to keep their likely spot in the BCS Championship game. To do that, they’ll have to hold off the Tide in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tigers have relied on their offense to outscore the opponent, but this game will depend on the defense. Beonard’s loser? In a close one, Alabama.
Arizona at Oregon
Mike Stoops brings his kittens into Autzen Stadium on Friday afternoon with one goal in mind: to pluck the Ducks and ruin their bid for the BCS Championship. Chip Kelly’s flock had only 15 points two weeks ago against, Cal, but they’re still averaging over 50 points per game. This may be the most explosive offense ever, and the Sun Devil defense just won’t be able to contain it. Beonard’s loser? Arizona
Northwestern at Wisconsin
Bret Bielma’s Badger boys have their eyes on the Rose Bowl, but to get there, they’ll need the three-way tie at the top of the Big Ten to continue. Their mission is to dispatch the purple kittens heading north from Evanston. Pat Fitzgerald’s squad is missing their starting quarterback, so they puts them in a tough spot. The cheeseheads have been nearly untouchable in Camp Randall Stadium this year, and it’s unlikely they’ll get cat scratch fever. Beonard’s loser? Northwestern
Michigan State at Penn State
Mark Dantonio’s spear-toters nearly saw their Rose Bowl chances slip away last week against a lousy Purdue squad, and they’ll have to be a little more careful in State College if they want to stay in the race. JoePa has announced that he has at least one more season in Happy Valley, and he’ll need it to end the season on a high note. The Nittany kitties are winless against ranked teams this year, and Sparty will make sure that trend continues. Beonard’s loser? Penn State
Iowa at Minnesota
The gilded rodents stunned the football world with a surprise victory over Illinois two weeks ago. They’ll close the season by hosting the Hawkeyes in TCF Bank Stadium. Iowa needs to snap a two-game slide to get a better bowl berth, and they’ve got an easy opponent to face. But at the Illini learned, the rodents may be down, but they’re still capable of a nasty bite. Beonard’s loser? Minnesota
Michigan at Ohio State
RichRod may have gotten the Wolverines back into the postseason, but there’s still an important goal he has not met. The Columbus sweatervests own a 6-game streak in The Game, and it’s become a sore issue in Ann Arbor. The visitors have the offense to keep up with the nuts, but the defenses couldn’t be further apart. A win today could keep the Bucs in a BCS Bowl, so don’t expect to see an upset in the Horseshoe. Beonard’s loser? Michigan
Notre Dame at USC
Brian Kelly ends his troubled first season on the road Saturday in Troy. The Papal pigskinners will go to a bowl this year, even if they lose this and end up 6-6, but they’d much rather get the win. Both teams have unimpressive resumes, minus a pair of upsets on November 13. In this case, I have to go with the home team. Beonard’s loser? Notre Dame
Indiana at Purdue
Both teams nearly pulled off an upset last week. Instead, they’ll both stay home for Christmas and settle for battling for the Old Oaken Bucket. The boys from Basketballtown have won this trophy twice in the past decade, and not in the West Lafayette switchin’ station since 1996. Strength will be set against strength and weakness against weakness, but the train always has plenty fo steam for this game. Danny Hope’s squad will clear the tracks, and perhaps rid Bill Lynch of the burdens of employment. Beonard’s loser? Indiana
Well, friends, that’s all I have for you this week, come back again next week when we’ll have more losers.