Showdown Week

Game of the Year 

#1 LSU @ #2 Alabama – This is the biggest regular season showdown in years. You have the 1^st and 3^rd scoring defenses and the 12^th and 13^th scoring teams in College Football squaring off to become the undisputed #1 team. We have gone over this game and analyzed every aspect. We like the QB experience of LSU, Lee and Jefferson have been around for a while and know what the pressure of big games is like. McCarron, on the other hand is a freshman and has clearly never played in a game of this magnitude. Trent Richardson is definitely the best running back in the game but don’t sleep on the Ware, Ford combo for the Tigers, they have rushed for almost 1,000 yards. Alabama has averaged 39.4 points a game while LSU has averaged 39.3. That number is slightly misleading as it adds the defensive and special teams’ points, but you can see that both teams know how to score. The defenses are also evenly matched as Bama allows 6.9 points a game while the Tigers give up a whopping 11.5 points. We like the Crimson Tide front seven a little better than that of LSU but they are both very good. Perhaps the biggest factor in this game is the Alabama home field advantage. CBP staff members would be split on this game if it were to be played on a neutral field, however, it is at Alabama and so we have come to a consensus. Pick: Alabama 24 LSU 17

#9 South Carolina @ #7 Arkansas – The Gamecocks have no chance here. They play at Arkansas without Stephen Garcia (kicked off team) and Marcus Lattimore (injury). They still have Alshon Jefferey new QB Coonor Shaw has not proven he can get the ball to the standout WR. The Razorbacks, on the other hand, still have Tyler Wilson. This game shouldn’t even be close. Arkansas 34 South Carolina 13

 #14 Kansas State @ #3 Oklahoma State – The Wildcats are coming off their first loss of the season, a thorough butt whoopin at the hands of Oklahoma. Bruce Snyder will have to use all his experience to get his team over last week’s loss. The Cowboys are trying to stay on their collision course with Oklahoma and a chance to play in the BCS Title Game. The Wildcat defense is good but not quite good enough. Pick: OK State 37 KSU 17

Upset of the Week:

#15 Michigan @ Iowa – We have seen a lot of upsets in the Big 10 this year. This week will be no different. Michigan is a smoke and mirrors team that depends on their defense and a few big plays by Denard Robinson. Iowa is a good offensive team that has under achieved this year. This will be a signature win for James Vandenberg and his Hawkeye teammates. Pick: Iowa 37 Michigan 28