10 Best Football Games-Week 12!

This week's slate in both college and the NFL is pretty bad to be quite honest, as there are a lot of mismatches. You've got teams playing well against teams which have been faltering lately in the NFL, i.e. Chargers at Bears. Then, in college, you've only got two games between ranked teams, and those don't even impact conference or national championship races. So, therefore, this is going to be a fairly short post, just because of how little there is to dissect.

College

USC at #4 Oregon, 8, ESPN3.com or ABC, check local listings.

USC isn't ranked despite being 8-2 because they are on NCAA probation, and can't win the abysmal PAC-12 south for the exact same reason. But, they are a really good team. They've got the speed and athleticism to compete with Oregon and derail Oregon's chances of a national title for good. But, they don't have the depth to be able to rotate players in and out to compete with Oregon's speed and SC will wear down over the course of the game. So, in the fourth quarter, expect Oregon to pull away with this one.

Pick: Oregon 48, USC 31

#21 Penn State at Ohio State, 3:30, ABC

Ohio State has one of their best receivers from last season, DeVier Posey coming back from a 10 games suspension for this game. So, that will help Braxton Miller in the passing game. Penn State played a truly inspired game last weekend on senior day and for Joe Paterno. Plus, that was a better team they played and lost to in Nebraska. This week, the Nittany Lions head into the "shoe", where they've historically had a bad performance. But, I think that Penn State will pull it out and head into their game next week against Wisconsin with everything on the line.

Pick: Penn State 14, Ohio State 12

#5 Oklahoma at #22 Baylor, 8, ESPN3.com or ABC

Oklahoma has rebounded thoroughly from their embarrassing loss at home against Texas Tech a few weeks ago. Since that loss, they've outscored their next two opponents 99-42, and one of those was a top ten team at the time in Kansas State. So, can't say blame it on the competition, because the competition was good. Oklahoma also had a bye week last week to prepare for Robert Griffin III and Baylor. Baylor has had a penchant for turnovers, and Oklahoma should be capitalizing on it.

Pick: Oklahoma 51, Baylor 27

#2 Oklahoma State at Iowa State, Friday, 8, ESPN

Iowa State has had a few surprising performances this season, beating in-state rival Iowa in overtime as well as beating Texas Tech the week after their victory against Oklahoma. Iowa State will also try to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2009 with a win this week. But, it's not going to happen. Oklahoma State has just been too good, they've got two weeks then to prepare for "Bedlam" with Oklahoma, so they can't look past Iowa State. Oklahoma State just seems like it's on a mission and will continue with it until the national title game.

Pick: Oklahoma State 59, Iowa State 27

Southern Methodist at #11 Houston, 3:30

Allow me to rant on Houston in this game. Houston is undefeated, and yet still ranked outside the top 10. They are not being discussed for the national title game at all. But, if they go and beat down SMU, Tulsa, and then a previously ranked Southern Miss team in the Conference USA title game, they would still be undefeated and probably not gain an ounce of traction in the national title game. But, last I checked, zero losses are less than one loss. So, Houston should play in the national title game then if either Oklahoma State or LSU loses in any of their next few games. Granted, Houston does play in a bad conference, which I understand, BUT, if Houston does go undefeated and does not get a chance at the national title game, then this whole "every game counts" slogan the BCS uses should be thrown out the window, as clearly, every game did not count with Houston. Houston has a Heisman candidate in Case Keenum, who has broken every single passing record there is to break in NCAA history, but won't be considered because he comes from a weak conference. But, he's still good and has allowed Houston to succeed.
Now, on to the game itself. ESPN's college gameday will be in Houston, so that alone should be enough to help propel Houston past SMU.

Pick: Houston 70, SMU 52

NFL

Cincinnati at Baltimore, 1, CBS

This game is the best game on the schedule believe it or not. Both teams are 6-3, both coming off losses. Baltimore to Seattle, in Seattle, which makes it a little bit more acceptable. However, Cincinnati held in there against Pittsburgh last week at home. Cincy isn't the best team, but hangs in there in games. Baltimore is coming back home and will want to establish themselves as contenders again after their horrific loss to Seattle.

Pick: Baltimore 27, Cincy 21

Tennessee at Atlanta, 4:15, CBS

Atlanta lost last week at home against New Orleans, when they made a stupid decision to go for the first down at their own 29 in overtime against New Orleans. So, they'll be looking to rebound against a fairly weak Tennessee team. Granted, Tennessee just whooped Carolina, but then again, Carolina is no good outside of Cam Newton. Tennessee is good, and wanting to improve their record and try to get back into the AFC South race, but it's just not going to happen.

Pick: Atlanta 31, Tennessee 20

San Diego at Chicago, 4:15, CBS

San Diego has lost four consecutive games since their uncharacteristc hot start. Luckily for them, they play in a pretty weak division. But, they're 1-3 on the road, and playing a fairly good Bears team. Chicago is playing great defense and also using Matt Forte to the best of their ability and he's been racking up the yards from scrimmage the entire year. I don't expect that to stop in this game.

Pick: Chicago 27, San Diego 21

Philadelphia at New York Giants, 8:30, NBC

Now, can the Eagles win seven straight after the way they've played in their first seven games? I don't think so. Some of their players have been playing up to their potential, like Jason Babin and LeSean McCoy, but the rest of the team hasn't been gelling together as a team. New York on the other hand just lost a close game to a great San Francisco team in San Fran. New York will just pound the ball with Ahmad Bradshaw because the Eagles run defense is just that bad.

Pick: New York 41, Philadelphia 17

Kansas City at New England, 8:30, ESPN

New England woke up last week and handily beat the Jets in New York. Kansas City has fallen back to earth after winning four straight games. Kansas City isn't good without Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry. New England will exploit that with their amazing tight ends in Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski along with their small receivers. Tom Brady will just carve up the Kansas City defense like a great turkey.

Pick: New England 38, Kansas City 24