Where to watch the 2010 SEC, ACC and Big 12 Championship games
College football championship weekend is a weird time -- all the games are "championships," but only a few really matter in the broad scheme of things -- but this much is clear: It's a good time to go out. In fact, I'm fairly certain that I, the author of this post, has over-indulged each of the last two (read: six) championship weekends.
We'll do this post like this: we're going to ignore Oregon-Oregon State. First off, it's not really that good a game (Oregon State lost to Washington State this year, which was Wazzu's first win in the Pac-10 since 2008), and second of all, it's on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. (same time as the SEC Championship, roughly). If you are in a bar with two televisions, ask them to tune one to ESPN; chances are it's already there. The game will be non-competitive fairly quickly (read: we're idiots and Oregon State will stun 'em).
Here's the other three main championship games and quick takes from our world. Click on the team name for bars associated with that team; if we're missing some, e-mail us, will ya?
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Auburn Tigers:
The main thing you'll hear going into this one is simple -- SC dominated Auburn off the bat when they met in the regular season (had a 21-7 lead) and Alshon Jeffrey went nuts (eight catches, 192 yards, 2 TD), showing how soft Auburn's pass D is (just like Julio Jones did last week in the Iron Bowl). Then you'll hear about Cam Newton, and more Cam Newton. Cam Newton Cam Newton Cam Newton. Yea. Here's what you need to know: Marcus Lattimore had 33 yards rushing the first time they met; if he goes over 100, Carolina could win. Also, Spurrier is zany in big games. He'll have something. If they can keep it close, it could be fun late ... and although Oregon vs. TCU as the national title wouldn't be the most TV-friendly matchup of all-time, well, it would help the whole "THIS SPORT IS TOTALLY MESSED UP" argument.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Florida State Seminoles:
Conventional wisdom says VT all the way; they're rolling. To quote Corso: "Not so fast, my friend." FSU just shellacked UF. Ponder is looking good; defense may be looking better. This is neutral site. It'll be a tight one. For the haters: FSU is back. For those in need of a funny story: couple of weekends ago, I'm in rural Virginia. Go into a bar. Bar doesn't have a TV with cable. (Augh.) We watch Miami vs. VT on a computer screen, streamed off ESPN3.Com. There's about eight people there watching it. Dude walks in with two books under the arm and a backpack (ostensibly a student; one book was Proust, oddly enough). He sees the eight people watching ESPN3, walks over to the comp, logs off the game (we start booing) and immediately opens up his Facebook. Who are people? Who raises these individuals? He eventually put the game back on, which is good.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers:
Those who think slow starts don't matter: Texas A&M beat both these teams ... and isn't in this game. Fun subplot here: Nebraska going to the Big Ten next year. Absolutely no Big 12 official wants to see them win this game; the calls will be rigged as if the mob were involved. Stoops is playing with house money out there -- throw the damn ball up to Ryan Broyles nine plays out of ten, because you're going to get pass interference on most of those calls, even if no CB is near him. Just watch. Also watch Bo Pelini tirades. Those happen often, and are very fun.
Join the Discussion