A Football Fan’s Four-Pack…

By JOHN GARRETT

Army vs. Navy (December 6, 12:00, CBS): In one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports, Army and Navy will battle for the 109th time in front of a sold-out crowd that will include President George W. Bush at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Black Knights (3-8) and Midshipmen (7-4) will feature two of the most prolific rushing offenses in the nation when they fight for the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, which is presented annually to the winner of the football competition among the three major service academies – Army, Navy and Air Force. Navy leads the nation averaging 292 yards per game on the ground, while Army will feature the country’s ninth-best run-attack with an average of 254 yards per contest

Super Senior: Collin Mooney, FB, Army

Star of Tomorrow: Ricky Dobbs, QB, Navy

USC @ UCLA (December 6, 4:30, ABC): For the 37th time, the battle between these Pac-10 rivals will have a Rose Bowl berth on the line. No. 6 USC (10-1, 7-1 in Pac-10 play) is searching for its fourth straight and 33rd overall entrance to the Rose Bowl, while UCLA (4-7, 3-5 in Pac-10 play) would love nothing more than to repeat the stunning performance that upset the Trojans in 2006 – the last time USC traveled to Pasadena for the rivalry – which knocked the Men of Troy out of the BCS Championship Game. But keep in mind that USC has won eight straight games, which has guaranteed them at least a share of the Pac-10 title for the seventh straight time. A win over the Bruins would extend its NCAA record streaks of BCS bowl berths and 11-win seasons to seven consecutive.

Super Senior: Patrick Turner, WR, USC

Star of Tomorrow: Brian Price, DT, UCLA

Arizona St. @ Arizona (December 6, 8:00, FSN): The Wildcats and Sun Devils will meet for the 82nd time in a rivalry that dates back to 1899. Arizona State (5-6, 4-4 in Pac-10 play), which won 20-17 in Tempe last year, has won five of the last six contests although four of the last seven games have been decided by a touchdown or less. Arizona (6-5, 4-4 in Pac-10 play) will have to contend with a Sun Devil defense that tied an NCAA record with four defensive touchdowns last week – its fourth game in a row with a defensive score – and one that hasn’t allowed a touchdown in 10 quarters. At stake in the Duel in the Desert is the Territorial Cup, the oldest rivalry trophy in the NCAA.

Super Senior: Rudy Carpenter, QB, Arizona State

Star of Tomorrow: Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona

Cincinnati @ Hawaii (December 6, 11:30, ESPN2): Coming off of their first Big East championship, the No. 13 Bearcats (10-2, 6-1 in Big East play) are tied for the highest ranking in school history and will make their first appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game. Hawaii (7-5, 5-3 in WAC play) secured a bowl berth for the third straight year and sixth in the last seven years after a 24-10 victory over Washington State last Saturday. The Warriors accepted a bid to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl for the fifth time since 2002. Both teams will be a bit unfamiliar with each other considering the last time Hawaii played a Big East opponent was when they took on Boston College in 1992.

Super Senior: David Veikune, DL, Hawaii

Star of Tomorrow: Mardy Gilyard, WR, UC

Photo Credit: College Press Box (USC)