Weekend Watch: Kentucky Survives, Murray State Still Undefeated, Michigan State's Streak Snapped, FSU blows out UNC

Well this was an interesting Saturday. Kentucky came into the day ranked number two in the nation and heavy favorites over the Tennessee Volunteers. Though Cuonzo Martins team played hard and kept in the game until the last few minutes. A Skylar McBee breathed hope into the Volunteers but it was too little too late. Domination inside by the 'Cats was the storyline as a pair of freshman (Anthony Davis and Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist) combined for 35 points and 20 boards. From the beginning Martin wanted to push the pyschicality on Kentucky but Davis' size and talent helped him put together a great afternoon. East Carolina transfer was the top player on the day for the Vols with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kentucky improves to 17-1 and still flawless in the SEC while Tennessee needs to pick it up at 8-9.
The Murray State Racers were 17-0 as they went into a matchup with Tennessee Tech. Headed by guards Donte Poole and Isaiah Canaan who pushed the pacce constantly. Though the backcourt of the Golden Eagles wasn't too shabby either as two guards had 19 in Jud Dilliard and Kevin Murphy. Even though the Racers hit almost every shot they took the Golden Eagles wouldn't go away as they were down just three at half. But Murray State ends Saturday 18-0 and 6-0 in the Ohio Valley. The Golden Eagles are dead as they're 11-7 overall and 3-2 in the Valley.
After starting off 0-2 with losses against UNC and Duke few teams were better then the Spartans the next 15 games as Tom Izzo's team won 15 straight. Though that streak ended on the road today against Northwestern as the Wildcats defeated MSU, 81-74. Draymond Green had yet another double-double putting in 14 points and snatching up 14 rebounds. Keith Appling also had a strong day with 17 points and 3 assists. Though Michigan State couldn't stop the lethal combo of John Shurna and Drew Crawford. Shurna put in 22 points and 5 rebounds and Crwaford had 20. This will help Northwestern get into their first tournament in school history. Or its a fluke.
UNC losing to Florida State? Surprising. UNC getting blown out by the 'Noles by 33? Unpredictable. The Seminoles Deividas Dulkys helped his team pull off the upset as he had 32 points and 4 steals and played mad down low snatching 9 boards and sinking 8 points. Harrison Barnes nor John Henson or Kendall Marshall were themselves as Barnes was the leading scorer at just 15. Marshall had 6 points but the mere four assists was the real problem. Those three struggling helped them lose by this embarassing margain. FSU hopes this is the win that puts them on the fast track towards a successful finish.

Final College Football Rankings

1. Alabama
2. Oklahoma State
3. LSU
4. Oregon
5. Arkansas
6. USC
7. Boise State
8. Stanford
9. South Carolina
10. Michigan
11. Michigan State
12. Baylor
13. Wisconsin
14. TCU
15. Kansas State
16. Houston
17. Oklahoma
18. West Virginia
19. Virginia Tech
20. Southern Mississippi
21. Georgia
22. Cincinnati
23. Clemson
24. Florida State
25. Nebraska

BCS Bowl Picks Jan 2. to Jan.8

Rose Bowl: (11-2) Wisconsin vs. Oregon (11-2)
Wisconsin once more find its self in a Rose Bowl against another tough team. Both of these teams rely heavily on their ground games as the Badgers feature Montee Ball while the Ducks present LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. Wisconsin has a passing game led by Russell Wilson. Wilson has had great flashes and some bad moments but he'll give anyone a chance to win. Darron Thomas is agile but his arm is still a weapon too. The Badgers have an edge on defense but not by much. Their line hasn't been able to apply enough pressure without star end J.J. Watt and the secondary has had some issues. Oregon doesn't have anything too great on defense but John Boyett is okay and Cliff Harris is a factor in the return game. Overall it may be a shootout so which every team gets their offense going faster will win. I think the Badgers will.
Wisconsin, 42 Oregon, 41
Fiseta Bowl: (11-1) Stanford vs. Oklahoma State (11-1)
Two great and NFL ready quarterbacks will go head to head in this one. Brandon Weeden leads the Cowboys up against Andrew Luck and the Cardinal. Assuming its Luck's last game Stanford will pass a lot but they don't have a slouch in the backfield either. Stepfan Taylor can hang with an interesting mix of speed and power. Weeden has better receivers to throw to in dominant Justin Blackmon and effective Josh Cooper. He also has a good back to hand it off too if needed in Joseph Randle. As in the Rose Bowl both offenses will carry the teams while the defenses will just be, well, there. Shayne Skov and Delano Howell are the standouts on the Cardinal defense while the Cowboys have a ball hawk in the secondary with Markelle Martin.
Oklahoma State, 45 Stanford, 38
Sugar Bowl: (10-2) Michigan vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Brady Hoke has transformed the Wolverines. We knew Denard Robinson was good but they're running the ball well now and playing defense. With Robinson Michigan has a speedy option who can pass the ball effectively. Fitzgerald Toussaint is a powerful back who rushed for over 1,000 yards this year. Junior Hemingway turned into a good option for Robinson to pass too but it never hurts when somebody else steps up. The defense is led by a huge tackle in the middle in Mike Martin. Virginia Tech only lost 2 games this year but I didn't ever think they were in serious contention for a National Championship. Logan Thomas has had some moments in his first year as starter and has gained confidence. Though the Hokies don't rely much on their passing attack as they like to hand it off to ACC Player of the Year David Wilson. He is powerful with some good speed mixed in and is hard to bring down.
Michigan, 35 Virginia Tech, 27
Orange Bowl: (10-3) Clemson vs. West Virginia (9-3)
Clemson looked as good as any team in the nation through the first eight weeks of the season. But like most surprises they had a fall losing 3 of their last five but winning when it mattered in the ACC Championship. Tajh Boyd faltered at the end of last season but hopes to get back to the way he was playing at the beginning of the year. It does help that he has Sammy Watkins. Watkins has gone crazy in his freshman season running wild. Boyd also has a good back with Andre Ellington who has some nice moves. The Mountaineers have had some bad stretches but a BCS bowl was ultimately their goal. Geno Smith passed all over the place which was expected considering he has a passing coach in Dana Holgorsen. He has a lot of options to pass too which include Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. This one should be a thriller with Clemson ending up on top.
Clemson, 28 West Virginia, 24

Bowl Preview Quick Picks: Jan 2. to Jan. 9 (Excludes BCS bowls)

Ticketcity Bowl: (12-1) Houston vs. Penn State (9-3) Dreadful year for Penn State continues with loss to Cougars as Case Keenum goes wild. Houston, 38 Penn State, 27
Outback Bowl: (10-3) Michigan State vs. Georgia (10-3) Kirk Cousins and the rest of the Spartans avenge last year's embarassment to Alabama with dominant victory. Michigan State, 31 Georgia, 17
Capital One Bowl: (9-3) Nebraska vs. South Carolina (10-2) Taylor Martinez and a huge Cornhuskers defense stuffs up an overrated Gamecocks team full of injuries. Nebraska, 27 South Carolina, 21
Gator Bowl: (6-6) Florida vs. Ohio State (6-6) Ohio State vs. Florida in the Gator Bowl? Speedy backfield helps Gators recover from disappointing year. Florida, 34 Ohio State, 24
Cotton Bowl: (10-2) Kansas State vs. Arkansas (10-2) The Wildcats came out of nowhere to claim 10 wins and will use unorthodox quarterback Collin Klein to beat Razorbacks. Kansas State, 24 Arkansas, 16
Compass Bowl: (7-5) SMU vs. Pittsburgh (6-6) The Mustangs are starting to recover from Death Penalty. SMU, 35 Pittsburgh, 20
GoDaddy.com Bowl: (10-2) Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois (10-3) In a battle if elite teams from weak conferences Huskies handle Arkansas State. Northern Illinois, 24 Arkansas State, 21