Enjoy a six-pack on Thanksgiving, undefeated football style

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Seeing as Thanksgiving is this week, I'm doing the college football thing a day early. This week features six teams still undefeated and all of which have a chance to remain that way. Let's take a look at all six games, ordered by BCS ranking. I know none of these teams are actually playing on Thanksgiving, but you get the point.

Florida vs. Florida State
We all know about Florida. How could you not with all the media that surrounds them? Florida State's struggles were well documented earlier in the season and Bobby Bowden was in the midst of a coach's nightmare with trustees calling for his job. But the Seminoles rebounded, winning their next two, giving them an outside shot of winning the ACC Atlantic division if they won out and Christian Ponder was garnering a little bit of Heisman attention. They lost to Clemson the following week with Ponder throwing four interceptions as he tried to play through an injury and sustained another one. Behind backup EJ Manuel, they have won their next two. But it hasn't been Florida State's offense that has been in need of help. The offense is 26th overall. The defense, however, is 95th in scoring defense and 104th in total defense. Say what you will about Tim Tebow and I'd probably agree with you if you were telling me he was overrated, but the offense as a unit is pretty spectacular, scoring 50 touchdowns in 11 games, good for 12th in the nation.
Prediction: Florida 38, Florida State 24

Alabama at Auburn
The Iron Bowl might be the most intriguing matchup this week, even though Alabama is clearly the better team. Auburn has a dynamic offense that has scored over 30 points in six of its 11 games. They are 6-0 in those games. But Auburn's weakness plays right into Alabama's strength. Mark Ingram faces the 89th ranked rushing defense this year and if the Tide's offense can keep the ball away from Auburn's balanced attack, they will win. If Auburn can come up with some turnovers they may have a shot. But the offense will have to flow through the passing game maybe more than they'd like. Ben Tate is one of the most underrated running backs in the country, but Alabama has one of the best run stopping defenses in the nation.
Prediction: Alabama 26, Auburn 13

Texas at Texas A&M
As much as ESPN wants to make this game a possible upset, especially since the Aggies beat Colt McCoy at home two years ago, but the teams just don't match up. Texas has dispatched much better teams than the Aggies. Nine of their 11 wins have come by more than three touchdowns, including Oklahoma State. A&M, with one of the worst pass defenses, is getting McCoy at exactly the wrong time. His play left something to be desired earlier in the season, but in Novemeber, he's thrown eight touchdowns and just one interception.
Prediction: Texas 45, Texas A&M 20

TCU vs. New Mexico
One of the best defenses in terms in stats and possibly the best in terms of ability takes on a pretty terrible offense this week. You can pretty much do the math. With all the attention the Horned Frogs' defense has gotten this season, it should be noted the team has put up 38 points or more in each of its last five games and seven of their 11 games overall. They don't have any standout players on offense, but Andy Dalton has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football. In fact, his passer rating is just .42 lower than Jimmy Clausen. He doesn't throw for many yards, but when the defense is giving you great field position, you don't really need to. His 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions speak for itself.
Prediction: TCU 56, New Mexico 9

Cincinnati vs. Illinois
This could be a tough one for the Bearcats. Illinois is 3-7, but has been playing some of its best football. While not a spectacular number, the Illini have averaged about a touchdown more per game offensively in November and have gone 2-1 in their last three games. The two wins came with Juice Williams under center and they scored 38 and 35 points in those games as he put up QB ratings of 196.66 and 255.04, respectively. With him injured against Northwestern, they scored 16. But Williams is expected to start this weekend. But Cincinnati is getting their quarterback back. Sure, Tony Pike did come back against West Virginia, completing two passes, both for touchdowns. But this is the first game he will start since the once Heisman candidate was injured. Not that Zach Collaros did badly.
Prediction: Cincinnati 33, Illinois 21

Boise State vs. Nevada
Not only has Boise State dominated Nevada in the past, but the Broncos have not lost on the blue turf since the MPC Computers Bowl (now the Humanitarian Bowl) in 2005. Still, Nevada has been resurgent since starting the year 0-3, including getting shut out by a Notre Dame unit that has proven to be a pretty awful unit. This is the only game this week with any championship implications, as the Nevada sits at 7-0 in the league, while Boise sitas at 6-0 in the WAC. Should Nevada win, they will win the league, but the WAC would lose any BCS clout. If this game ends up being a close loss for the Wolfpack, it could be extremely scrutinized. But that probably won't happen.
Predition: Boise State 45, Nevada 27