The second to last week of the regular season is here and with that brings us a great slate of in-state rivalries. The Civil War up in Oregon, Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate in Georgia, The Battle for the Governor's Cup in Florida, The Iron Bowl in Alabama, and the big one of the weekend, Bedlam in Oklahoma. Last week I went 7-3 to take my season record to 14-9 so lets see if I can wrap up the second to last week of the regular season up in style.


Saturday 12pm CBS: #22 Georgia Tech at #11 Georgia [90% of FanIQ is picking Georgia]

In a rivalry with the name Clean Old-Fashioned Hate, the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets will battle for bragging rights. Georgia is sitting at 9-3 on the season and still has a very remote shot at a BCS bowl while Georgia Tech is still in play for an ACC title game bid. Georgia is going for its first eight-game winning streak against Georgia Tech, a run that would match the Yellow Jackets' streak from 1949-56 as the longest in the series. The Bulldogs do lead the all-time series 59-36-5. Georgia Tech is averaging 24.5 ppg and 372.7 total ypg, relying heavily on the run. Of the 32 offensive touchdowns scored by Tech this season, 27 have come on the ground, and the Yellow Jackets are pounding out 270.8 rushing yards per contest on an average of 5.5 ypc, so the Bulldogs defense will have to be committed to stopping the run. With that said, I see Georgia struggling to stop the run and the Yellow Jackets to pull off the mild upset. Yellow Jackets 24 Georgia 21

Saturday 3:30pm CBS: Auburn at #1 Alabama [92% of FanIQ is picking Alabama]

The Iron Bowl is one of the biggest in-state rivalries in all of College Football. Alabama is playing for a National Title this season and Auburn fans would love nothing more to push their winning streak in the series to seven games, become bowl eligible, and spoil Alabama's shot at the National Title. Auburn has won 4 straight at Alabama and have owned the series this decade with each game during that span has been decided by 10 points or less. Alabama is the only BCS conference team that is still unbeaten but in my opinion hasn't really beat anyone but they have won all their games so they are in a position to play for the Title. Alabama knows whats at stake and ends the 6 game losing streak. Crimson Tide 28 War Eagle 14

Saturday 8pm ESPN: Notre Dame at #5 USC [95% of FanIQ is picking USC]

Threw this one in only because I think Charlie Weis is on his last leg here. If USC covers the 29.5 spread, Weis will get fired Sunday. Trojans 56 Irish 14

Saturday 7:07pm Versus: #23 Oregon at #17 Oregon State [76% of FanIQ is picking Oregon St.]

The Civil War in Oregon is one of the most heated rivalries in college football. Oregon leads this rivalry by a 55-46-10 margin and the Ducks are 21-8-1 versus the Beavers over the last 30 year, but the Beavers have wont the last five meetings in Corvallis. With a win, the Beavers will be headed to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1965, The Beavers might have to do it without freshman running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who leads the Pac-10 in rushing with 1,253 yards, who is listed as doubtful. Oregon is also playing for bowl position in addition to spoiling their in state rivals Rose Bowl dreams. With a win, Oregon would move into second place in the Pac-10 and would move them into a great position for a Holiday Bowl berth. Oregon St. has yet to lose at home and they will finish that way and head to the Rose Bowl. Beavers 28 Ducks 24

Saturday 3:30pm #4 Florida at #20 Florida St. [91% of FanIQ is picking Florida]

The Battle for the Governors Cup takes place Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee as the Gators look to continue their recent dominance of opponents while yet another in-state team looks to spoil their higher ranked foes dream of a big bowl game. Florida controls its own destiny as it pertains to the National Championship, win out and they are there while Florida St. needs a Maryland win over Boston College for them to make it to the ACC title game. Florida owns a 31-19-2 series lead over Florida State, including four straight wins over the Seminoles. Florida St. is 8-3 overall, and the three losses have come by 10 or fewer points but they will need another monster effort from their defense if they want to keep up with the powerful Gators offense. I don't see the Seminoles winning but it will be closer than the 14.5 point spread. Gators 31 'Noels 21

Saturday 8pm ABC: #3 Oklahoma at #12 Oklahoma St. [90% of FanIQ is picking Oklahoma]

Another week, another huge game in the Big 12. The Bedlam rivalry is the one I know the most about since i have lived in Oklahoma for most of my life. Oklahoma loves to flex its muscle over Oklahoma St. and Oklahoma St. can finish 1-11 but if they beat OU, they feel like they have won a National Title. Oklahoma leads the all time series 78-17-7, which is the most lopsided in state rivalry in all of college football and the Sooners have won 5 straight in the rivalry but the last three times they have traveled to Stillwater, it has resulted in a loss in 2002, a win by 3 in 2004, and a win by 6 in 2006. So this game being played in Stillwater gives Oklahoma St. a fighters chance. The Sooners are coming off the drubbing of Texas Tech last week and are just decimal points behind Texas for 2nd place in the BCS standing. As we all know, a three way tie in the Big 12 South would mean that the South's representative will be chosen by the highest BCS rankings come Sunday. An Oklahoma win here would almost sow up that spot in the Big 12 title game and possibly the National Championship. Sam Bradford has the Oklahoma offense clicking on all cylinders but the Cowboys have a very underrated Quarterback of their own in Zach Robinson. Robinson is a duel threat which has given the Sooners fits in the past. With the game being in Stillwater, the Sooners won't blow out the Cowboys but the Sooners will still get the victory and hope the BCS standings has them ahead of Texas come Sunday. Sooners 49 Cowboys 28


Only one "upset" this week as Maryland will take down #21 Boston College. Now it is your turn, share your picks below for this huge in state rivalry games or tell me why I am an idiot for making these picks.