Week 12 Locks: Does Anyone Want to be #2?

With Oregon being the 5th #2 team to lose to an unranked foe it reinforces the notion that every game, especially on the road, is going to be a dogfight. There are a few games that match ranked teams this week but other than that this week is somewhat slow. However, as we have seen all year, we should expect the unexpected. With that in mind here are my locks of week 12.

Ohio State 30 - Michigan 24

Jim Tressel absolutely owns Lloyd Carr. Having beaten Michigan like a drum over the last 5 years Tressel has Carr on the verge of retirement. If this was a completely healthy Michigan team I would like the Wolverines but with Hart, Henne and Long all banged up to a certain extent I like the Ohio State defense to win this game in the second half and Tressel will out coach Carr as he always does.

West Virginia 31 - Cincinnati 20

I am going out on a limb here and taking the road team big. Cincinnati has a ball hawking defense but seeing as how WVU doesn't throw the ball very much that should negate some of Cinci's turn overs. Pat White and Steve Slaton should be able to run all over the Bearcats and don't sleep on WVU's defense. While they were lit up last week by Brian Brohm (who isn't?) this has been a solid defense all season long.

Clemson 30 - Boston College 26

There has not been a team in the last 5-10 years that shits the bed in big games more than Tommy Bowden's Clemson Tigers. This is a home game and if the Tigers can pull it out they will be headed for Jacksonville for the ACC title game. Why I am picking them I don't know but I have a feeling that Boston College will continue their downward spiral. James Davis and CJ Spiller should be able to run the ball effectively and look for Cullen Harper to continue his stellar play at QB for the Tigers. Matt Ryan will try to keep his team alive with all of his might but his defense will once again let him down.

Georgia 38 - Kentucky 24

Kentucky brings the best offense they have ever had to Athens on Saturday and should be able to score plenty of points. The only problem is that UK's defense is horrible and Knowshon Moreno should run roughshod all over the Cats. Look for Matt Stafford to hit Bailey and Massaquoi deep a few times and UGA's run should continue with another big win in the SEC.

Oklahoma 48 - Texas Tech 34

A lot of people are calling for an upset in this game. Texas Tech has an explosive offense and is playing a home game at night. Oklahoma has just as good of an offense and has owned the Red Raiders for the better part of, oh, the last 100 years. Look for OU's defense to make at least one stop (which cannot be said for TT's atrocious D) and break out to a big lead only to see Texas Tech put up a half assed comeback which will undoubtedly lead to Mike Leech making some hilarious statement to the press.

South Florida 27 - Louisville 24

Brian Brohm is putting together another freakish season for the Cardinals. Too bad he doesn't play defense. South Florida should be able to put up plenty of points on Louisville and I like the Bulls defense to make a few stops along the way. This should be a close game as Louisville is looking for a bowl birth but South Florida has played very well against the Cardinals over the course of the last few years.

Arkansas 20 - Mississippi State 16

Darren McFadden and Felix Jones should be licking their chops as they look to bounce back from a bad performance against Tennessee (although McFadden's was more due to the idiocy of Houston Nutt). Mississippi State is the feel good story of the year in the SEC as they are bowl eligible and are looking for another win to secure a bowl selection. While the Bulldogs should play well, as the have all year under Croom, Run DMC and Co. should be able to take it to them at get a win in Little Rock.

Missouri 27 - Kansas State 24

On paper this game looks like a blowout. KSU is coming off of a game in which they gave up 73 points and 702 yards to a bad Nebraska team. Missouri has one of the best offenses in the country, led by star QB Chase Daniel and freshman sensation Jeremy Maclin at WR. Missouri may be looking ahead to their match up with Kansas a week from now. Look for Kansas State to play one of their best games of the year at home but Mizzou's offense is simply too good and they should pull this one out in the 4th quarter.