Perhaps the greatest three days for football fans is this upcoming Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with Wild Card weekend and the BCS National Championship game. This weekend has brought at least one of the participants in the big game in five of the past six years. And, there is a good chance it could again, with both Seattle and Washington being on good streaks, Houston, Baltimore and Green Bay being widely considered as three of the best teams coming into the season, and Cincy, Indy, and Minny all looking to shock the world and make it into the big game. Then, on Monday, two of the most storied programs in college football history square off, with two dominant defenses, and programs looking to either cement their place in history with Bama or regain their place with Notre Dame. But, now on to the picks!
Cincy at Houston, 4:30, Saturday, NBC
These same two teams met last year, in the same exact time slot and day. Although, last year, Houston won with their third string quarterback, T.J. Yates. This time, Houston is just coming in on a bit of a skid, losing three of their past four, all to playoff teams though. The biggest thing for Houston is to see if they can get everything back on track to the way it was before their blowout loss to New England on Monday Night Football. Matt Schaub wasn't spectacular down the stretch, as he only had one touchdown pass and three interceptions, compared to his amazing first 12 games. Houston can rely on their strong defense, led by end J.J. Watt, who nearly had the season record for sacks this season, as well as all-pro running back Arian Foster for offense. Cincy, meanwhile, has to force Schaub into the mistakes he has been making with defensive ends Geno Atkins and Michael Johnson with their combined nearly 25 sacks. Andy Dalton, Cincy's quarterback needs to improve over last year's abysmal performance in the game against Houston. This should turn out to be a good game, but go with Houston in a closer game than last year's three touchdown rout.
Pick: Houston 34, Cincy 21
Minnesota at Green Bay, 8, Saturday, NBC
Green Bay's goal: stop Adrian Peterson. That is all they have to do, easier said than done with a 2,000 yard rusher who seems like a man on a mission to get this team to the Super Bowl, only 13 months after tearing his ACL. But, when Minnesota stopped in week 14 against Green Bay, even his 175 yards weren't enough. The biggest thing for Minnesota is that Christian Ponder needs to step up and play better, as well as the defense stopping MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers and the Green Bay offense should continue to do just fine, and the help of a Green Bay cold winter night should help them win at home.
Pick: Green Bay 27, Minnesota 17
Indianapolis at Baltimore, 1, Sunday, CBS
Andrew Luck and Chuck Pagano are making for a great inspirational movie, with Luck leading the Colts back to the playoffs after a 2-14 record in 2011, and Pagano returning to the sidelines after sitting out most of the season with leukemia. But, Luck and Pagano should have many more opportunities after this season. Luck has done mediocre for the most part against teams who are in the playoffs, throwing for 11 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions. Baltimore's first ballot hall of fame linebacker, Ray Lewis is returning for the playoffs and has announced his retirement effective at the end of this season. So, Blatimore will be playing its heart out for Lewis and trying to get him his second ring.
Pick: Baltimore 36, Indy 13
Seattle at Washington, 4:30, Sunday, Fox
This is definitely the most intriguing game of the weekend, as it has two spectacular rookie quarterbacks squaring off against one another, as they led their teams back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 for the Seahawks, and since 2006 for the Skins. Washington has won seven straight since RG3, their star quarterback was named a team captain. Seattle, meanwhile has been on a five game winning streak, where they scored 40 or more in three of those games. This game looks to be a shootout, where the last team who has the ball wins, and it should just be a fun game to watch.
Pick: Washington 49, Seattle 46
BCS National Championship
Notre Dame vs. Alabama, 8:30, Monday, ESPN
This game has all the makings to be an epic one. Both teams have defenses which are in the top 10 of total defense. Both teams have very strong running games, Alabama with Eddy Lacy, Notre Dame has a combined running game with Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood. Both teams have steady quarterbacks in A.J. McCarron with Bama and Everett Golson of Notre Dame. Personally, I'm just looking forward to a great, hard fought defensive battle.
Pick: Notre Dame 16, Bama 14
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