College football report --Trying to make some sense

By Stephen Baker CPKSports.com Senior Writer

Last week I tried to make sense of the college football landscape by reviewing each of the rivalry games. I couldn't do it. Upon close analysis, the college football landscape was complete chaos. And then came the wildest Thanksgiving weekend we've had in a while. If you can figure this season out, you're a better man than I.

THE UNDEFEATED: BYU and Miami. Remember when Miami looked shaky, needing a last minute INT to beat Boston College? The Canes went on an absolute tear in their homestand, humiliating both Syracuse and Washington. Larry Coker showed no mercy, keeping in his regulars until midway through the fourth quarter in a 65-7 game. The players left the field carrying roses, but they better be careful. Virginia Tech isn't as good as they were in the last few seasons, but they still have one of the stoutest defenses in the country and Blacksburg is still a tough place to get a win. And the Canes shouldn't overlook a team that has beaten them five of the last six meetings. BYU has no Rose Bowl shot, but they do travel to Starkville to take on a resurgent Mississippi State team.

A LOOK BACK: Remember when the Big XII title game was going to be Oklahoma-Nebraska II? There is really no way to describe Colorado's pasting of Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have never, in their entire history, allowed 62 points until last weekend. 376 rushing yards? 6 touchdowns for Chris Brown? Wasn't this game supposed to be close? At least Nebraska lost to a good team; Oklahoma got ambushed by their cross-state rivals, Oklahoma State. Okie State, going into the game, had victories against Louisiana Tech, Northwestern state, and Baylor. Hardly murderer's row. Actually, the Cowboys played OU tough last year at home, but a last second drive comes up short. This year, they completed the pass and the OU offense couldn't respond with even a first down.

Illinois won the Big Ten by outlasting Northwestern and then sitting back and watching Ohio State stun Michigan. I'm a big believer in Jim Tressel, I actually picked Ohio State to win the Big Ten title this year, but he won a lot of converts this weekend. It's going to take a little bit longer than I may have thought, but Buckeye football looks like it is back. Not even Woody Hayes beat Michigan in his first try. And a brutal season for the Big Ten continued as Iowa lost to Iowa State, leaving the conference with just two wins against bowl-eligible teams (Illinois over Louisville and Penn State over Southern Miss).

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Bwaah?

No, it doesn't make any sense. Yes, the BCS is still stupid. Miami and Florida are the current front-runners, but I wouldn't book hotels just yet.

A LOOK AHEAD: The SEC playoffs begin this weekend. Technically, it's not a playoff, but the winners of UF-UT and LSU-Auburn will play in Atlanta for the conference crown. Florida is a huge favorite because they are playing at home, the UT secondary hasn't stopped anyone from scoring, and they are just plain good. Auburn's leading rusher, Carnell Williams, is out with a broken shoulder and the entire team still has the hangover of losing to Bama. However, while LSU has one of the most prolific offenses in the country, their defense is a sieve.

Also, we normally don't get into the rest of the Division I, but it should be noted the Division 1-AA playoffs start next weekend. The Montana Grizzlies earned the #1 seed in their unprecedented ninth consecutive playoff appearance. Georgia Southern, the defending champ, has the two seed.

THE PICKS

FLORIDA 38, TENNESSEE 17

The Gators average a bit more than 150 yards passing per game than the Vols, who hold a slight edge in rushing. Their defenses are both stout, but Tennessee has had problems with its secondary, not a good place to have problems when facing Spurrier. Throw in the Swamp and it looks like a blowout win.

TEXAS 33, COLORADO 28

The Buffaloes are a Craig Ochs' interception away from 10-1. That one, however, was an absolute drubbing at the hands of the Longhorns. Both teams have great offenses, but Colorado was able to beat Nebraska because Eric Crouch isn't much of a passer (sorry, Husker fans). Texas has a pretty good QB you may have heard of, and they should be able to exploit the weakness in Colorado's pass defense. The Buffs will be sky-high for this one, but Texas is still in the national title hunt. It's also put up or shut up time for Mack Brown.

LSU 38, AUBURN 34

Last team with the ball wins. LSU has a cornucopia of offensive playmakers, and it's shameful a team with an offense this good is 7-3. Auburn has to throw the ball to win, and they haven't been able to do that consistently all year, though the LSU secondary seems to have a way of curing what ails your passing game. The big story is that Williams is hurt and Toefield is finally healthy, giving LSU a huge edge in the running game, which should be the difference in Baton Rouge.

OREGON 45, OREGON STATE 21

I'm happy the Beavers have gotten their season back on track, but they are running into a very angry, very talented Ducks squad. The only reason I think it'll be a blowout win is because so many people think it will be close, a sure sign of a blowout waiting to happen.

MISSISSIPPI STATE 22, BYU 21

The miracle season comes to an end. The Bulldogs are finally playing like the team most of us thought they were going to be going into the year.

Article courtesy of CPKSports.com