Auburn and Oregon face their final hurdles this weekend before a potential clash in the BCS National Championship Game. The Ducks travel to Corvallis for the Civil War while the Tigers will be in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.
Tigers must hold the line against Gamecocks South Carolina are rolling or, more accurately, Sandstorming through the tail-end of their schedule. Wins over Florida, Troy, and Clemson have the Gamecocks in perfect form entering the SEC Championship Game this Saturday. That’s bad news for the Auburn Tigers, who are banking on victory to send them to the BCS title game.
Cam Newton’s heroics proved the difference when these teams met at Jordan-Hare Stadium in September but this week all College Football betting eyes should be focussed on Auburn’s defensive line. While the Tigers’ have suffered in pass-defense, Auburn have enjoyed much more success in stopping the run. They held Marcus Lattimore to 33 yards on 14 carries last time out and will need a similar effort again to avoid an upset in Atlanta. When Lattimore dominates, it enables Stephen Garcia to play a patient and error-free game at quarterback. Steve Spurrier will have a few tricks behind his visor to try and make the running back a factor but I don’t think it will be enough to overcome this Auburn team. Bet on the Auburn Tigers to claim the SEC Championship and finish the regular season as the #1 ranked team in the nation.
Ducks will follow the script Firstly, I must offer an apology to Oregon fans. The Ducks’ supporters were enraged by my prediction of a so-so season for Chip Kelly’s program at the start of the year. They were even more incensed that I had Oregon State down to beat them to the Pac-10 title. Suffice to say I was wrong on both counts.
This year’s Civil War will, for the third time in as many years, be the biggest game in the state of Oregon’s history. The Ducks won in 2008 to deny the Beavers a place in the Rose Bowl. Last year the Ducks beat Oregon State at Autzen Stadium to secure their own trip to Pasadena. Now, in 2010 and with ESPN College Gameday in Corvallis, the match-up sees the Ducks just one win away from playing for the National Championship. As with so many games this season, I expect Oregon to start slowly and struggle to overcome Oregon State in the first half. After the interval normal service should resume with the Ducks flying to victory and a trip to Glendale. Bet on the Oregon Ducks as -16.5 favorites with Sports Interaction.