Five Intriguing Games This Weekend – From the Bird’s Nest

While the top teams are favored this weekend (most by double digits) this weekend, that doesn't mean there aren't some interesting games this week.  There are quite a few games that have to do with division titles and/or bowl eligibility.  Check it out:

MISSOURI (8-2, 5-1) AT TENNESSEE (5-5, 2-4) (-3)  Saturday 6:30 ESPN  Mostly Cloudy/48--You think everyone in the state of Georgia will be tuned to this one?  The Tigers are a game ahead of Georgia in the standings and will be favored in their finale against Arkansas.  If they get by the Vols, there's a good chance they'll be playing for the SEC chamnpionship for the second straight year.  Tennessee will get bowl eligible in the finale against Vanderbilt, but a win here gives them a seven win season which would be a positive for their program.

MARYLAND (6-4, 3-3) AT MICHIGAN (5-5, 3-3) (-5)--Saturday, 2:30, Big 10 Network-60% chance of rain High 36 Wind chill 27--You know that bowl projection that has Michigan coming to New Orleans to play the Cajuns?  Well, they'd better win this week.  The Wolverines still have to play Ohio State next week and that makes this game an absolute must win.  No one expected Michigan to be a serious contender in the Big 10.  But they didn't expect 5-7 either.

NORTH CAROLINA (5-5, 3-3) AT DUKE (8-2, 4-2) (-6) Saturday 6:30, ESPN, Cloudy 44 Wind chill 39--This game is the whole season for the Blue Devils.  They've got lowly Wake Forest next week and a win over the Tar Heels would almost assure them a spot in the ACC title game, since they own the tiebreaker over Georgia Tech.  North Carolina has NC State next week and needs one of those two to make it to a bowl.  Neither game is a gimme.

WISCONSIN (8-2, 5-1) (-9.5) at IOWA (7-3, 4-2)--Saturday, 2:30 ABC 60% chance of rain, 43 at gametime, wind chilll 38--There's still a lot to be decided in the Big 10 Western Division.  Wisconsin has a one game lead, while Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa are all tied for second.  The Badgers still have Minnesota next week, while Iowa plays Nebraska.  An Iowa win makes the West a huge mess.  A Wisconsin win will put them in the championship game.

STANFORD (5-5, 3-4) (-3.5) AT CALIFORNIA (5-5, 3-5)--Saturday, 3pm Fox Sports 1--40% chance of rain.  59 degrees.--You're playing your arch rival with your season on the line.  While it may not be for a championship, this game could well be to see who goes bowling and who sits home.  Neither team has a guaranteed win next week:  Stanford has to go to UCLA, while Cal entertains BYU.  That gives this game perhaps even more reason to hate the enemy.