Visions of trophies dance in my head!

It is finally here! I am so giddy I can't sleep. I keep getting out of bed and checking my 42 inch HD television to see if it has started yet. It is Championship weekend kiddos! It kicked off with a great one on Thursday. The Oregon and Oregon State showdown was classic with Oregon squeaking out the victory in a barn burner. Tonight Central Michigan won the MAC championship with a win over Ohio. If you haven't seen Dan Lefevour play quarterback, watch him in his bowl game. Lefevour set a record with 148 career touchdowns. That's right not Tim Tebow, not Colt McCoy, Central Michigan Chippewas' quarterback Dan Lefevour. With Saturday approaching we are now down to the nitty gritty!

Cincinnati at Pitt- We start with the Big East Championship game. This is the first time the in it's short history that the Big East has had a single game decide the fate of it's champion. There is a lot on the line in this one, Pitt has a shot at a BCS bowl and Cincinnati has a shot at the National Championship. Pitt has a distinct advantage on defense. The Panthers also have the advantage in the running game. Freshman running back Dion Lewis will have a chance for a big game against this Cinci defense. In their past three wins, the Bearcats have given up and average of 191 yards on the ground per game. But this Cinci defense will be put to the test through the air too. Panther quarterback Brent Stull is surrounded by weapons. The upside is that the Bearcat offense is virtually unstoppable. Tony Pike will be back under center for the Cinci but they will mix in packages for mobile back-up Zach Colaros. Either quarterback will have the security of throwing to Rudy Gilyard, one of the best receivers in the NCAA. If Pitt's defense steps up it could be a long day for the Bearcats. If it turns into a shoot out you had better hold on. Pitt struggles with speedy offenses and that is the reason I am taking Cincinnati. John is tagging along with me but Jess and Lys are taking Pitt.

Florida vs. Alabama- Two of the nation's top defenses will face off for the SEC championship again. Heisman hopeful Mark Ingram will be going up against a very physical defense which has proven to be a problem for the Alabama running back. He had less than stellar performances against Tennessee and Auburn. However the stout Florida defense will be without one of it's best players, Carlos Dunlap. Dunlap was suspended after being arrested for DUI. That is a side note however. Florida's offense has also struggled against physical defenses similar to Alabama's. The conservative style of offense they used to beat Tennessee and LSU may not be the answer against the Tide. Alabama is strong up front and can shut down the quick-hitting running game of Florida. For Florida to win they must shut Ingram down and force quarterback Greg McElroy to beat the Gators' talented defensive secondary. If this becomes a quarterback battle the edge has to go to Tim Tebow and Florida. I am taking Florida along with everyone else.

Texas vs Nebraska- This is the Big 12 championship game. We all know about the drive of Colt McCoy and the athleticism of Jordan Shipley. The Texas offense has an uncanny chemistry. The Longhorn defense is nothing to take lightly either. Nebraska has built a program based on defense and this year is no different. Ndamukong Suh leads the charge on a defense full of passionate kids. What you might not know about Nebraska is that they are ranked 11th in total offense. This is a very complete Cornhusker football team. The offense is lead by two great running backs in Rex Burkhead and Roy Helu. Nebraska quarterback Zack Lee is efficient and smart. This will be a better game than most people expect. I am taking Texas. My supportive teams of experts agree.

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson- The ACC championship game is a rematch of one of the year's wildest match-ups. Heisman hopeful C.J. Spiller has willed this Clemson team to this game. This Clemson team ran all over the place on this YellowJacket defense. Georgia Tech is improving on defense but the opportunities are still there for Clemson to take advantage of mismatches. Both teams are looking to bounce back from losses last week in Rivalry Week. I believe in Josh Nesbitt and Jonathon Dwyer in this triple option of Georgia Tech's. C.J. Spiller will be the X-factor, his play will determine the direction of Clemson. I am taking Georgia Tech. Lys agrees, and Jess took GT even though it ripped her heart out. John is still backing Clemson.

Houston at East Carolina- The Conference USA championship pits a great defense against a great offense. ECU was my favorite underdog last year and Houston is my favorite underdog this year, very convenient right? Cougar quarterback Case Keenum is a heckuva football player. He leads a very high-powered Houston offense into the teeth of arguably on of the best defenses he has faced this year. The Pirates defense has the opportunity to keep this close but I am taking Houston. John and Jess agree but Lys has a weird things for Pirates and took ECU.

We are picking four other games that are not championships games. In the USC at Arizona game I am taking USC. John and Lys agree but Jess took Arizona. In West Virginia at Rutgers, John Jess and I took WVU, Lys took Rutgers. South Florida and UConn square off as well. John and I are taking UConn. Lys and Jess took South Florida. Next up is Cal at Washington. John, Lys, and I are taking Cal, but Jess is picking the upset and taking Washington.

I am super excited about this weekend. If Florida wins and Texas and Cincinnati lose, TCU has a great chance to play for the National Championship. So despite my picks I will be rooting for Pitt and Nebraska! Live like no one is watching and lean toward the outside chance!