I'm not sure what's more exciting; the fact that we're only 2.5-point underdogs to Miami Saturday or that the gametime is noon, leaving us all ample time to get home and catch the Ohio State-Michigan game.
Considering all that has happened in Miami this year, the small line is not entirely unexpected. But it also speaks to some degree to the improvement of the Virginia football team that we cut the line from 14 points earlier this fall to under a field goal.
I'm hopeful that Brent Musberger will be bringing us the Buckeyes-Wolverines tilt -- the biggest game of the season deserves the biggest name in the business. And say what you will about now-retired Keith Jackson, but I'd prefer Brent for the big games.
This brings me to the next part: the bowl season and specifically the Bowl Championship Series games. FOX has the contract for four of the five BCS games -- but they do not broadcast college football during the regular season. Rather, their subsidiary, Fox Sports Net, broadcasts games quite extensively.
FSN has dozens of broadcasting teams that serve different regions of the country, but there is no national broadcasting presence like the one ABC and CBS have.
So then who is going to do the BCS games for FOX?
We already know that Thom Brennamen will be the lead voice for play-by-play (FOX announced it in January). But who will be paired with him? Will FOX pull from its NFL ranks and bring in guys like Troy Aikman or Moose Johnston? Will they bring up lesser-known but possibly more qualified commentators from the FSN networks?
There doesn't seem to be any clear answer yet, but hopefully FOX will not try to do too much with a set of four games that pretty much sell themselves (ABC still has the Rose Bowl).
The fear that comes to mind with the situation was magnified on a grand scale in this summer's World Cup broadcasts. ESPN and ABC had exclusive broadcasting rights for American telecasts but did not have a dedicated team of soccer broadcasters going into the torunament. Instead, they pulled baseball play-by-play man Dave O'Brien, who knew little about the game of soccer or the teams involved. His performance can safely be called a disaster and his poor calls of the games worsened the viewing experience.
If FOX decides on Aikman and other NFL cronies, it will be taking a risk on their ability to speak informatively on the teams involved. Conversely, if they choose broadcast teams from FSN affiliates, they will lose national viewer recognition of the teams bringing them the game. It's a tough call.
Hold on, folks, here are the picks.
Ohio State -6.5 vs. Michigan
It may be the biggest game of the season, but that doesn't mean it's going to be close. Bucks pull away in the third, win 34-20.
Northwestern +2.5 vs. Illinois
After everything that happened this season for the Wildcats, I really don't see them dropping their final game of the season, especially one that is at home.
Duke +27 at Georgia Tech
Has anyone ever taken Duke on the road? I'm going for it. Georgia Tech is clearly mailing it in until the Georgia bout and ACC Championship game -- Duke can stay within four touchdowns.
Boise State -37.5 vs. Utah State
The Broncos had a close call last week, so look for one of those 69-3 wins where Boise State amasses more total yards in one game than Utah State will in the entire month of November.
Maryland +7.5 at Boston College
At this point in the season, Maryland has too much to play for to lose by more than a touchdown. Plus, how good does Sam Hollenbach look these days? Terps can win outright, even in Chestnut Hill, so I'll take the points.
Last week: 3-2
Season: 31-15-4
Read More
Volleyball holds off Boston College in tight five-set win
By Lauren Halak | 14 hours agoSenior outside hitter Elayna Duprey led the team throughout the match with 22 points and 18 kills.
Virginia annihilated 41-14 in a must-win contest versus North Carolina
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayJust about everything that could have gone wrong for Virginia football went wrong.
No. 24 women’s soccer not to be denied in late win over Clemson
By Sam Chun | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers topped Clemson 1-0 in front of a packed out Klöckner Stadium.
