By: Rob Thompson

If it's the end of November and conference championships are on the line then it must be rivalry season. All the usual "big" games are going to be played but the shine is certainly off the apple. Now it's just about the battle for local bragging rights and that's about it. Good news is we get a chance to actually pay attention to a huge game in BYU v Utah and a budding Texas Tech v Oklahoma border war. The best rivalry game performance of all time was Notre Dame @ USC at the Coliseum. On December 2, 1972, Anthony Davis scored six touchdowns, two of them kick off returns of over 98 yards. It was the single greatest performance I ever saw on College Football field. We definetley need some heroics this week. Most likely candidate Javon Ringer of Michigan State, that kid can tote the mail.

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Prediction - Texas Tech 35 - Oklahoma 38

This actually is "The game of the year" almost. We've waited all season and here it is. Who'd of thought Texas Tech would be playing? While the SEC title game is set, Florida v Alabama, the winner almost certainly to go to the BCS Title Game. Tech v OU will settle the Big XII South. The winner should move on to the Big XII title game and face an overmatched Missouri team. But lets not forget Oklahoma State, nothing would make T. Boone Pickens happier than watching the Cowboys knock OU out of the hunt. Now that's wind power! Welcome to the new Big XII.

Mike likes this game to be played much like both teams have played all season. Throw early, often, and only run when you want to trip the defense up a little. We think the key will be how the Tech defensive front four plays. Over the past several games they've been as quick to the ball as anybody in the country. If they can maintain their stellar play then Tech can pull a few DB's off the line of scrimmage and make things a little more difficult for Sooner QB Sam Bradford's extraordinary passing game. Tech' offense has to continue what they've been doing, get the ball in their playmakers hands. We all know about Michael Crabtree but RB Baron Batch will have to be a key in the play-action pass game. If he is then he'll get plenty of carries off of the famous Mike Leach deep draw. While the Oklahoma's passing numbers are sick, they can also run the ball when they want to. Running backs Demarco Murray and Chris Brown are a tough one two punch. The one OU concern is the injury to defensive end Austin English. All Graham Harrell needs is more time to throw. We think the SIM is pretty solid on this one. The home team usually gets 3 points and OU did. But we can't shake that feeling of Red Raider destiny.

Prediction Michigan 10 - Ohio State 41

Remember when this game meant something outside the mid-west, now it doesn't. Jim Tressel has put together another solid season. If not for the poor Big X and refusal to schedule teams other than Troy, the Buckeyes might be in BCS contention. It's funny the abuse a coach takes when his star player goes down. Once Beanie Wells was lost from the Buckeye backfield the wheels fell off. Now that Beanie is healthy and can take some pressure off freshman QB Terrelle Pryor their offense is actually moving the ball. Now, Michigan may very well implode. Or should I say Rich Rodriguez is about to explode. He better get a life if he's comparing the OSU game to the economy. The reason we root so much for our teams is so we don't have to think about the economy you putz! He should have known the pressure of Michigan is a far cry from West Virginia hope. Everybody knew it would take some time for Rodriguez to get the players to fit his system but we didn't think it would be this bad. Come on now, a loss to Northwestern, that one will sting for years. The Wildcats are smarter than you and now they play football better than you, ouch! To make things worse, Coach Rodriguez is going into the game without starting QB Steven Threat (shoulder). Sophomore Rick Sheridon will probably get his second start, this time at the Horse Shoe, fun! Do you get the feeling this is going to get ugly fast? We do. The Buckeyes roll over the worst Michigan team in 44 years.

Prediction Penn State 31 - Michigan State 28

Penn State returned to form last week with an impressive win over Indiana. While the Nittany Lions don't have a BCS birth to play for. A trip to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl would be lovely parting gift. Jopa doesn't have to look to far to find a way to beat State. STOP Javon Ringer. He's carried 353 times for 1548 yards and 20 touchdowns. Spartan Coach Mark Dantonio's defense has got to repeat last week's performance and get to the QB five times than hold Penn State under 200 hundred yards of total offense. That's not going to happen. Penn State is just to strong at home, don't expect a Spartan upset.

Prediction BYU 40 - Utah 31

BYU won't need Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall to fire them up for Utah. With a win they will secure at least of a piece of the Mountain West Title. Utah is a win away from the BCS and a big money New Years day bowl. The Cougars will be after there third straight win over a Utah team that, could or should. have taken all three. Ten of the last eleven games have been decided by seven points or less. For Utah to remain undefeated they must rely on Running Back Matt Asiatta. He's a work horse back that can help keep the ball out of BYU's high powered offense. The Cougars have to keep QB Max Hall comfortable. Keep the third longs minimal by letting RB Harvey Unga get his 55 yards to break a thousand for the season. Playing Utah is never easy, Ricce-Eckles Stadium will be ready but in the end BYU dominates the passing game with 4 touchdowns to win a shoot out.

Rob Thompson (aka "Mamboking") is one of EA's Radio/Television Broadcasters and one of the voices along with his brother of the popular EA Sports World. Rob and Jason were nationally syndicated Sports Radio hosts before coming to EA. When Rob's not talking sports he's talking politics. He can be seen regularly on FOX News' "Americas Voices".