Auburn’s miracles propel college football world into uncertainty, general craziness.
“It’s got, no, does not have the leg. Chris Davis will take it out of the back of the end zone. He’ll run it out to the 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,45, THERE GOES DAVIS, DAVIS IS GONNA RUN IT ALL THE WAY BACK, AUBURN’S GONNA WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME! AUBURN’S GONNA WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME! HE RAN THE MISSED FIELD GOAL BACK! HE RAN IT BACK 109 YARDS!” This radio call by Auburn’s Rod Bramblett will forever be remembered as one of the most memorable, not only in Auburn football history, but college football history. November 30th, 2013 will be enshrined as the day that the BCS officially went down in flames. This is after all, the last season that the BCS system will be effective in college football with the playoffs coming in 2014. Why not go out with a huge bang? Well, that’s exactly what happened when then 4th-ranked Auburn beat then-number 1 Alabama at Jordan Hare Stadium in the most improbable way, by returning a missed field goal for a touchdown. Not only did Alabama lose the annual Iron Bowl, they lost their shot at a third straight national championship. Auburn ruined everything for the Crimson Tide. Now, Auburn is headed to Atlanta to play the Missouri Tigers for the SEC Championship, and possibly a shot at a BCS Title. However, for Auburn to make it to Pasadena, two very important things must happen. Here’s a look at the two most important matchups of Conference Championship Week.
(1) Florida State (12-0) vs (20) Duke (10-2): Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles have absolutely wrecked their so called “weak” schedule. Compared to an SEC team, who has to play top teams from all around the country week after week, an ACC schedule certainly does look favorable. But the ‘Noles have absolutely dominated in the 2013 campaign, and without a doubt will be playing in Pasadena on January 6th for the title. Expect Florida State to roll the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Championship Game. Congratulations to Duke on having a great season and making it this far, but Florida State is far too strong for the Blue Devils, who will find themselves way overmatched in this one.
(2) Ohio State vs (10) Michigan State: Here we go. Here’s important game number one of the conference championship weekend. The Big Ten Championship Game. Sparty is 4th in the nation in points against their team, averaging giving up only 12 points per game. Twelve. Ohio State will have a very tall order this weekend against perhaps the best defense they have faced all season. Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde will have to bring their A game in order to defeat the Spartans. However, the Buckeyes have the third best offense in the nation when it comes to scoring points, averaging 48 points per game. It’s an explosive offense, versus an immovable defense. It should make for interesting matchup, and the upset card could be pulled on Saturday.
Prediction: Michigan State 24 Ohio State 23.
(3) Auburn vs (5) Missouri: After Auburn’s thrilling finish against both Georgia and Alabama to end the season, these Tigers, along with the Tigers from Missouri, will be playing for the SEC Championship. This is perhaps the most unthinkable situation in major college football. After all, everyone thought that it would be a repeat of last year, with Georgia and Alabama battling it out for the SEC crown. Not so fast. Auburn and head coach Gus Malzahn have shocked the college football world, as have Gary Pinkel and his Missouri Tigers. Auburn finished the 2012 season with a dismal 3-9 record and going winless in the conference, while Missouri finished with a 5-7 record, having just two wins in the conference. For both teams to have come back just a year later and make waves this big is extraordinary, and both deserve credit no matter what happens on Saturday in the SEC Championship Game. Auburn will feature junior quarterback Nick Marshall along with junior running back Tre Mason, who have been a deadly combination for Auburn all year long. Auburn has dominated opposing teams with their ground game, averaging 318 yards on the ground in each game. Missouri brings another tough offense to the table with quarterback James Franklin. Missouri’s defense, who averages giving up an impressive 19 points per game, will also pose problems for Auburn. There is just so much to say about this particular game. It will be perhaps one of the most intriguing matchups all year, as both teams seem to be even on paper. This game will feature some impressive defense, despite both explosive offenses. But, it will take some explosive plays to win this game. The winner will emerge late in the 4th quarter. Up to that point, this game will be a heavyweight fight between two tigers who have their eyes on two things. That SEC trophy, and the Big Ten Championship game to see if Ohio State loses to Sparty. If this were to happen, the winner of the SEC will be heading to Pasadena to face Florida State and their juggernaut team. One can only hope, but these two teams need to take care of business if they want a shot at a national title.
Prediction: Auburn 31 Missouri 28
