WEEK #12:  SHOWDOWN SATURDAY

The air is starting to get pretty thin for those teams still at the top. And today features several games that will make that air even thinner for those that survive this Showdown Saturday.

We've done fairly well this season  -- sitting at 65% -- but we hope to score a few more biggies as we wind down the 2014 season.

So, take a quick read, sit back, and get ready for a great Saturday of college football.

YOUR GREAT EIGHT™ WINNING PICKS...

Another confused Auburn liberal arts major

#9 Auburn @ #15 Georgia...the Oldest Rivalry in the South takes center stage 'tween the hedges this Saturday in Athens. Georgia desperately needs to win to have a shot at winning the SEC East should Mizzou stumble. The good news for Georgia is that big man Todd Gurley returns which gives Mike Bobo another weapon to throw at the Tigers/Plainsmen/War Eagles/Dying Oaks. Take Georgia and ring that darn Chapel Bell we keep hearing about. Mutts over Malzahn.

#1 Mississippi State @ #5 Alabama...you gotta respect what Dan Mullen has done at Starkville having beaten three top teams in a row: Texas A&M, LSU, and Auburn. And the Bulldogs are more than just a cinderella team as they have put together a pretty stout defense (31 sacks so far) to go with Dak Prescott's offense. But Alabama is tough at Bryant-Denny and their margin of victory has been 40+ points this season. And, Amari Cooper leads the SEC with an unbelievable 1215 receiving yards. This game will be a SHOOTOUT and comes down to what offense has the hot hand. Crimson Tide rolls over the Cow Bells.

Bucky bites the Corn Dogs

#16 Nebraska @ #10 Wisconsin...cue the brats and beer for what will be the Battle of the Backs as the Badger's Melvin Gordon squares up with the Cornhusker's Ameer Abdullah in a game that puts the winner on track for the Big Ten West Division. Key notes to ponder: Pelini struggles on the road especially against Top 25 teams where he has lost four of the last five against top teams. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is third in run defense and is 5-0 at home this season. Today they make it 6-0. Bucky Badger is smiling in Madison.

#8 Ohio State @ #25 Minnesota...if you think it's cold here in Atlanta, how bout the temps for this game which may reach a balmy 19 degrees in Minneapolis. This is what we call a "double bottle game" where your gal pal sneaks in two bottles of hooch to get you through the game. Since losing to Va Tech, the Buckeyes have won seven in a row and TJ Barrett is reaching his peak after running for two TDs and passing for three more over the Spartans last week. If the Buckeyes can keep warm, look for them to heat things up at TCF Bank Stadium. Buckeyes over the Golden Gophers.

#12 Michigan State @ Maryland....the Terps gotta be feeling pretty good after knocking off Penn State and are already bowl-eligible. Meanhwhile Sparty is licking his wounds after losing a close one to Ohio State which removed them from a shot at the Big Ten championship. Dantonio will get his Spartans back on track in College Park. Take Sparty over the Snappers.

Northwestern @ #18 Notre Dame...if the Wildcats can pull off an upset in South Bend, then go ahead and lay money on Northwestern's Pat Fitzpatrick to be the next head coach at Michigan. He's been rumored to be a top candidate although he is an NU man. But money talks and Fitz has built a pretty impressive CV while in Evanston. However...the Irish are smarting after getting spanked by the Sun Devils and they will be hungry to right the ship in South Bend. In an UPSET SPECIAL, take Northwestern and the points (18).

#3 Florida State @ Miami...what a coincidence that Thug Winston's hearing is not until December. Funny how that works. And if the 'Noles get off to another slow start that will be funny too. The game for the Canes hinges on the play of quarterback Brad Kaaya who is playing lights out. In another UPSET SPECIAL, Canes take the Noles.

#19 Clemson @ #22 Georgia Tech...Johnson's Jackets need to win to keep pace with Duke and hope that the Blue Devils stumble twice in the next three weeks. Otherwise, it's the Belk Bowl for the Bees. No thanks. Clemson welcomes back qb Watson who will be the difference at the Flats. Tigers chew the Jackets.

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