The end of the season is rapidly approaching. The SBC football season comes to a close and the race to the BCS National Championship Game will be decided this weekend. Here are my Fearless Predictions.

12/04 Florida International vs. Middle Tennessee

The Panthers of FIU look to notch their first winning season, first SBC title, and first bowl appearance in the program's history. At 6-5 with a 6-1 SBC record the Panthers are in the drivers seat in the SBC. They will close out the season with a conference title and it looks like coach Mario Cristobal will continue to guide the Panthers. MTSU looks to finish strong, improve to 6-6, and get some attention by bowl selection committees. FIU has won 6 of 7 while MTSU has only won 3 in as many games. However, MTSU comes off a strong showing against FAU and the Blue Raiders are looking to salvage a season that has been marred by off the field issues and inconsistent play. With a conference title and bowl appearance secured FIU could have a let down this game. However, I think they close strong against visiting MTSU.

Fearless Prediction:
Florida International 31
Middle Tennessee 27

12/04 Florida Atlantic vs. Troy

FAU has struggled this season and the Owls desperately want to end on a positive note. Troy can finish at 7-5 with a win over FAU. The Trojans have demonstrated strong play on offense, but the Trojan defense has been inconsistent. Expect FAU to go for broke on offense as they face the 100th ranked scoring defense in the country. FAU ranks 115th nationally in rushing with only 96 yards per game. The Owls need to get RB Alfred Morris going in order to slow down the Troy offense and open up the play action passing game for the FAU offense. My heart is with FAU in this one. However, I don't think the Owls have what it takes to upset Troy.

Fearless Prediction:
Troy 31
Florida Atlantic 20

Championship weekend picks include Florida State vs. Virginia Tech for the ACC title and Oklahoma vs. Nebraska for the BIG12 title. I like VT and Nebraska to get it done on Saturday.

Games with BCS Championship implications include Oregon @ Oregon State and Auburn vs. South Carolina. Oregon is white hot and they will outclass the Beavers in this one in order to win a trip to the BCS National Championship Game in January.

In what I can only explain as a desperate attempt to avoid having a non-BCS team (TCU) in the National Championship Game, the NCAA has reversed a decision to suspend Auburn QB Cameron Newton from the SEC Championship Game. Newton has been a one-man machine for Auburn and the Old Ball Coach Steve Spurrier will have to pull all of the tricks out of his hat to get his South Carolina Gamecocks past Auburn and into a BCS game. I like the coach's chances in this one. The South Carolina defense will come up big in a Fearless Prediction upset for the ages.

Sit back and enjoy as the season comes to a close.