A Football Fan’s Four-Pack - Week 12

By JOHN GARRETT

California @ Oregon St. (November 15, 3:30, ABC): Over the past four seasons the road team has come out victorious in this series. The Beavers are currently one-half game behind USC for the lead in the Pac-10, while the Bears are tied for fourth. The winner of this contest will look to have an inside track for an appearance in one of the top-tier bowl games in the conference. Cal comes in ranked sixth in the country in pass efficiency defense and tied for second in interceptions with 17. Three Cal players have earned Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week honors this fall: linebacker Zack Follett - one of the 15 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award as best defensive player, defensive end Cameron Jordan and linebacker Mike Mohamed.

Super Senior: Zack Follett, LB, California

Star of Tomorrow: Jacquizz Rogers, RB, OSU

Minnesota @ Wisconsin (November 15, 3:30, ABC): Get ready for the most-played rivalry in FBS football, as the Golden Gophers (7-3, 3-3) will travel to Camp Randall. Awaiting them, are the Badgers (5-5, 2-5) who hope to take the 118th meeting – and the Paul Bunyan axe – in what should be an entertaining Big Ten match-up. Despite a four-game losing streak midway through the season, Wisconsin is one win away from bowl eligibility, so look for them to throw caution-to-the-wind in an already heated rivalry. Minnesota, who is currently the No. 3 team in the nation in turnover margin, is a ball-hawking unit that will look to take advantage.

Super Senior: DeAndre Levy, LB, Wisconsin

Star of Tomorrow: Kyle Theret, DB, Minnesota

Oklahoma St. @ Colorado (November 15, 8:00, ABC): The Buffaloes (5-5, 2-4) look to close out their last home game of the season on a positive note, but the No. 9 Cowboys (8-2, 4-2) ride into town with something to say about that. OSU, who is 6-14 all-time at Boulder, should look to put Colorado away early, and not let them hang around. In their past three conference games against ranked teams, the Buffs have lost by a combined margin of 126-28, so home-field advantage may not be enough this time...

Super Senior: Ryan Walters, FS, Colorado

Star of Tomorrow: Kendall Hunter, RB, OSU

Boston College @ Florida St. (November 15, 8:00, ABC): No. 21 Florida State (7-2, 4-2) will try and keep its title hopes alive when the Eagles (6-3, 2-3) head into Tallahassee. But don’t think for a minute that Boston College forgot about last year’s meeting, in which the Seminoles came into Chestnut Hill and upset the then No. 2 ranked Eagles. This year, BC’s defense has helped the cause by holding three opponents scoreless and leading the nation in interceptions with 18. If Boston College can run the table – the Eagles will represent the Atlantic Division in the ACC Championship Game for the second-straight season.

Super Senior: Paul Anderson, SS, Boston College

Star of Tomorrow: Everette Brown, DE, FSU

Photo Credit: University of Minnesota Athletic Communications