BCS National Championship Preview: #2 Auburn vs #1 Florida State

This is the end of the BCS era and it looks to be a great finale to what was a controversial 16 years of the BCS. Next year college football is moving to a 4-team playoff and many people are excited about it. However, there is one more game to play. Tonight, for maybe once in a few years, the two best teams in college football will play for the National Championship. There is no doubt that Auburn and Florida State are the best teams in the land. Auburn is a dynamic running team, while Florida State is probably more balanced on offense. They are lead by Freshman sensation and Heisman winner Jameis Winston. Winston is a beast and can make plays happen at any time. He is a great leader and is the heart of this FSU team. He has a great set of WR in Kelvin Benjamin, Kenny Shaw, Rashad Greene, and Nick O'Leary at Tight End. All the talk is on Jameis Winston, but there is another QB in this game that doesn't get a lot of press. Nick Marshall has done what he has needed to do and has made plays using his feet. He is a very solid Dual-Threat QB. He also has help with the best RB in the country in Tre Mason. Mason has been a monster this season, but he is going up against a stout defense in Florida State. The key matchup of the game is between the Auburn secondary and FSU's receivers. These two teams have very historic programs. Auburn is looking to win their 2nd National Championship in 4 years and the Seminoles are looking to capture their 3rd National Title. 

My Season Picks Record: 34-20

My National Championship Pick: Auburn 34 Florida State 33

Gus Malzahn has done a terrific job with his team this season and I think it will all pay off tonight as they hoist the Crystal Ball. This game could come down to a few trick plays, and I think Auburn has the edge in that department. No team has been able to slow down the Tigers' rushing attack this season, and I think they will keep rolling tonight in a thriller. 

Wild Card Weekend in the Cold

This Wild Card weekend should be a goody with some great matchups. Mother Nature has come into play in the East, so temperatures should be freezing. I am on a cross-country road trip to get back to New York, so please be patient as everything will be pushed back a little.

Saturday Games

#5 Chiefs vs #4 Colts

Lucas Oil Stadium 

4:35 PM 

These two teams met just a few weeks ago, and Indy got the better of Kansas City.The Chiefs are built around their defense, but have lost 5 of their last 7. Andrew Luck has established a connection with his receivers. None more than TY Hilton. Hilton has had 82 catches this season and 5 of those were TDs. Chiefs QB Alex Smith's last Playoff game was a loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship just two years ago. The Chiefs have lost their last 7 Playoff appearances. The Indy defense should be in great shape if they contain Jamal Charles. Charles has been a beast this year. He leads the team in receiving and rushing yards. 

My Pick: Colts 30 Chiefs 17

#6 Saints vs #3 Eagles

Lincoln Financial Field 

8:10 PM 

This game features two great QBs that might not be able to show their greatness. The conditions in Philly are horrendous and it makes for a sloppy game. Lucky for Eagle's fans, they have the best RB in the league in LeSean McCoy. He will get a boatload of carries in the snow. The Saints will have their hands full with a rowdy crowd and a determined Eagles team. Not to mention, Drew Brees on the road isn't the same Drew Brees at home. This could be a career defining game for him. He hasn't won a big road game in his NFL career. 

My Pick: Eagles 24 Saints 20

Sunday Games

#6 Chargers vs #3 Bengals

Paul Brown Stadium 

1:05 PM

The Bengals are looking to end a 23-year Playoff win drought. They have to go up against the explosive Chargers that are surging at the exact right time. Phillip Rivers and co. haven't been in the dance in 3 years and are trying to make some noise. Cincy is undefeated at home this year, but they have been very sloppy. The Bengals need to improve if they want to even get past the 1st round of these Playoffs. The player to watch on San Diego is rookie WR Keenan Allen. He has 8 TDs this season on 71 receptions. The Bengals also have a strong rookie RB Giovani Bernard. He has split carries with BenJarvus Green-Ellis. This will be a close game, and should be back and forth.

My Pick: Chargers 31 Bengals 27

#5 49ers vs #4 Packers

Lambeau Field

4:40 PM

Get ready folks, this is going to be a classic. These two teams aren't the best of friends after the 49ers knocked the Packers out of the Playoffs last season. The temperature at game time is supposed to be -23 degrees! It is sort of a bummer these two teams are playing in the 1st Round because I can see both of them going far. Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers back and a newfound rushing game with rookie Eddie Lacy. San Francisco arguablt has the best all-around team in the NFL, but they are running into the wrong team.

My Pick: Packers 20 49ers 16

BCS Bowls: Predictions and Breakdown

Rose Bowl

#5 Michigan State vs #4 Stanford 

5:00 PM

These two teams are very similar and live to pound the ball. The big storyline is that Spartan Senior LB Max Bullough has been suspended for violating team rules. This came as a shock to me because of his MSU family tradition. This could really hurt the Spartans against Stanford's exceptional running game. This game will be won at the line of scrimmage, but don't underestimate the QB on both of these teams. Connor Cook (MSU) and Kevin Hogan (STAN) can both create big plays. Hogan has some great WR, but MSU has a great secondary lead by CB Darqueze "No fly-zone" Dennard. This will be a great game, but I think Stanford will pull it out and RB Tyler Gaffney will win MVP.

My Pick: Stanford 20 Michigan State 17

Fiesta Bowl

#15 Central Florida vs #6 Baylor

8:30 PM

This has been a historic season for both of these teams. This could be considered the best year for UCF and Baylor. They have been lead by great QB play. UCF's Blake Bottles is a top prospect in the draft this year. Baylor's Bryce Petty has had some great help with star RB Lache Seastrunk. UCF has a good one-two punch running the ball with Storm Johnson and Will Stanback. The UCF defense will have a troublesome time trying to stop the Baylor offense. 

My Pick: Baylor 45 UCF 34

Sugar Bowl

#11 Oklahoma vs #3 Alabama

8:30 PM January 2

To be perfectly honest, I don't think Oklahoma should be in this bowl game. I really wanted to see Oregon face off with Alabama. However, you never know when it comes to college football. Oklahoma could come out and shock the world. It is really tough to pick against a Nick Saban coached team with a month to prepare. I think Bama will come out hot and will pound the ball down the Sooners' throats. I don't think the Oklahoma defense will be able to slow down the Tide. 

My Pick: Alabama 38 Oklahoma 13

Orange Bowl

#12 Clemson vs #7 Ohio State

8:30 PM January 3

This matchup features two very explosive QBs in Tajh Boyd and Braxton Miller. Both of these teams are coming off losses and are the 2nd best teams in their respective conferences. This is Boyd's last game as a Tiger. The same goes for star WR Sammy Watkins, as he is entering the NFL Draft. The Clemson defense will have a challenge in trying to stop OSU RB Carlos Hyde. This game has the makings to be a classic. 

My Pick: Clemson 30 Ohio State 27 

Auburn/Florida State Preview to come January 5