The progsters had a tough time last weekend, both going 1-2. Uncle Joey dropped to a still impressive 18-11 and Crone sits even at 14.5 and 14.5. This week, they disagree on the Spartans fate, but like the favorites in a couple top tier battles across the country.
MSU (4-5 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (9-0, 6-0)
Crone - Well fans, this is it - either the Spartans win and keep their bowl hopes alive with two games to play or they get beat and are home for the holidays.
It's not far-fetched that MSU could win this game. In 2000, then-freshman quarterback Jeff Smoker led the Green and White to a 30-10 upset over No. 9 Purdue. That kept the Spartans' bowl hopes alive, only to lose at Penn State the next week. So, what will it be this season?
Just like it has all season long, close but no cigar. I picked MSU to go 6-6 at the beginning of the season and they will win at Penn State and Hawaii to finish .500.
Wisconsin 31, MSU 30
Uncle Joey - Drew Stanton will play in this game. That is no doubt a bold statement; in actuality, it's more of a hunch. Head coach John L. Smith has already opened the door for Stanton to play later this season, so why not now? Smith said MSU's game against Penn State on Nov. 20 could be when Stanton returns this season, if at all.
Smith has been hard to read this whole season regarding his quarterbacks. He didn't reveal the starting quarterback for the opening game at Rutgers at all. Everyone had to wait until MSU's first offensive snap. He obviously values keeping the opponent off guard. Does Wisconsin realize this? Maybe Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez will devote his game preparation to stopping a Damon Dowdell-led MSU offense after hearing Smith's comments this week about Stanton.
I bet Stanton, with the last two losses, is itching to get back on the field and prove to other Big Ten teams MSU should be playing for the Rose Bowl, instead of fighting for a winning season and a bowl berth. What better way to send that message than by beating the No. 4 Badgers?
MSU 27, Wisconsin 20 (I don't care if Stanton doesn't play, I'm sticking to this one.)
No. 3 Auburn (9-0, 6-0) vs. No. 8 Georgia (8-1, 6-1)
Crone - Georgia is a very good team and should be undefeated right now, except they lost to Tennessee. Now, with a loss, the Bulldogs will miss the Southeastern Conference Championship game.
Speaking of championship games, what about Auburn and its bid to play for the National Championship at the Orange Bowl? Right now, all signs point to a Southern Cal versus Oklahoma game, with Auburn being left out, even if they are undefeated. A big win against Georgia, to me, puts Auburn over the top of Oklahoma, especially after the Sooners had to pull Houdini-like moves to get wins over Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. I like the Tigers at home, even though Georgia plays well on the road.
Auburn 31, Georgia 13
Uncle Joey - ESPN's "College GameDay" is at this game. I can see the sickening image now, an attention-starved Lee Corso reaching down to grab a big Tigers mascot-type head to put over his head, sending the Auburn crowd into a frenzy. Maybe Corso will pick Georgia, but if not, I'd have to agree with the pencil-obsessed analyst. Auburn's undefeated season will be put to a serious test against Georgia, but Auburn's balanced offense should get the job done at home.
Auburn 37, Georgia 27
No. 13 West Virginia (8-1, 4-0) vs. No. 21 Boston College (6-2, 2-1)
Crone - I think the Mountaineers are the real deal. Everyone is saying they didn't play any good teams and that they play in the Big East - which apparently is a crappy conference. I got news for everyone who is hating on the players from West Virginia - stop! They have only lost one game, against Virginia Tech - who might win the Atlantic Coast Conference - and have won every other game and will win out, making a BCS bowl game. Boston College is tough, but on the road in Mountaineer-country they're not that tough.
West Virginia 31, Boston College 21
Uncle Joey - Besides Boston College's fourth straight win against Notre Dame in October, it has been an up-and-down season for the Eagles. Losses to Wake Forest (4-4) and Pittsburgh (5-3) have stained an otherwise decent year. But decent doesn't mean the Eagles should be ranked. Boston College impressed everyone with its win against the Irish, but I can't really figure out why the Eagles are No. 21 in the nation. Their second-best win is against the mighty UConn Huskies. Ouch.
West Virginia has been coasting all season through the depleted Big East. The Mountaineers will be on cruise control in this one.
West Virginia 26, Boston College 13
