Week 11 Games of the Week: The Conference Crunch

This weekend may not be the biggest in terms of the national championship picture, but it will be a big one in determining some of the conference chases around the country. With battles in the SEC, PAC 10, Big XII, and Big Ten this weekend should be significant in determining who will step at the top at the end of the season. At least as far as the conferences go.

Battle for the SEC East

South Carolina @ Florida
In a match-up of two teams that seem to be going in different directions Florida and South Carolina will battle it out for a spot in the SEC championship game. Florida is starting to look like a team on the rise, and could perhaps bid for another SEC title. South Carolina has now stumbled from SEC East favorite to a team that needs the win in order to keep a special season alive. This truly is the SEC semi-finals and the winner will control their own destiny.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:
The Gamecocks have looked average at best in recent weeks, but Florida has yet to show their true colors as well. In this battle of two teams that have underachieved this season it should be the Gamecocks that prevail. In a game like this you have to look at the more complete football team. Right now that is South Carolina. As long as quarterback Stephen Garcia can limit mistakes, and the Gamecock defense rebounds from being whacked last weekend the Gamecocks should prevail. But this will be another close one in the swamp....

Hanging In There

Kansas State @ Missouri
With the Big XII North pretty much belonging to Nebraska this game may seem on the surface like a match-up of minimal importance. But nothing could be further from the truth. A Missouri loss keeps hope alive, but a Kansas State win could push them closer to a bigger bowl game. Quietly the Wildcats from the "Little Apple" have climbed into the top 25, and are making their mark in the Big XII. Mizzou on the other hand has suffered two straight losses since upsetting Oklahoma. In a battle between two teams going in two different directions this game is important in keeping the momentum going or reversing a season that is slipping away.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:
As hard as it may be to pick Mizzou that's who you have to go with. In terms of talent the Tigers have the Wildcats out matched. Kansas State is a primarily run first offense, and add in a run second mentality what do you have? A Tiger victory. Against a team like Mizzou you need to be balanced, and that is something that Kansas State is not. The Tigers will reverse their losing ways, but this too will be closer than some experts think it will. Tigers by a late touchdown.

Best of the Big Ten

Penn State @ Ohio State
Last week was Joe Paterno's 400th victory, and this week he goes looking for 401. But probably not in the best of places. The Nittany Lions have looked better in recent weeks with quarterback Matt McGloin under center. A week after football in heaven the Nittany Lions will now head into football hell. Facing a solid Ohio State defense will not be easy for the new and improved Penn State offense, and things won't be any easier for their defense. In a big game in the Big Ten it will be Penn State trying to increase their odds of creeping back in the race, and Ohio State staying alive until the battle against Iowa next week.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:
The ride has been good for Joe Paterno and his Nittany Lions since last week's landmark victory, but that ride will hit the wall in Columbus. The Buckeyes are poised to remain part of the Big Ten discussion for at least another week. In a game that should be closer than some may think the Buckeyes will prevail, and pull away in the second half. Setting up a huge game in Iowa City next week. Stay tuned for more....

Best in the West

Nevada @ Fresno State
Stay up late for a game that should have all the bells and whistles. The Wolf Pack have been impressive offensively this season, and a match-up at Fresno State should be a shoot-out. The Wolf Pack defense has been suspect this season to giving up big scores, and banking on their stellar offense. In a place that is hard to play the Wolf Pack will look to keep their conference title hopes alive against a team that has been known to sneak around the chicken coop.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:
As we mentioned earlier the Wolf Pack defense is suspect to giving up big numbers from time to time, but the Bulldogs do that on a regular basis. This game should be ripe for the picking for Nevada quarterback Collin Kaepernick, and the Wolf Pack offense. Expect to see a big score in this one but the more high powered offense will prevail, and that offense resides in Reno during the week. Wolf Pack win in a shoot-out.