COLLEGE SELECTION OF THE WEEK: RUTGERS + 2 ½ over West Virginia - This series has been one of the most one sided in college football over the past two decades with West Virginia winning 14 in a row since Rutgers' last win in 1994! But for virtually this entire span WVU has clearly been the better team and have been favored in every meeting. Rutgers has improved greatly over the past few seasons and talentwise is now on a par with WVU. This is actually the smallest amount by which WVU has been favored since that last Rutgers win. The Mountaineers are off of their dramatic last second win over arch rival Pitt last week while Rutgers rebounded from their shocking loss at Syracuse with a solid 20 point win at Louisville. WVU has the better offense while Rutgers has a slight edge on defense. Rutgers has excelled at avoiding turnovers all season and creating them on defense. The emotional and intangible edges lay with the host as they seek to end a decade and a half of frustration. Both teams are 8-3 and headed to Bowls. Rutgers wins 23-16.

Other Featured College Selections

ILLINOIS - 3 over Fresno State - This was supposed to be a tuneup for Illinois following an early end to the Big 10 season and keeping them fresher for their upcoming Bowl game. Only problem is that the Illini underachieved this season and at 3-8 this game ends their season and there will be no Bowl. To be fair, Illinois did play better down the stretch, going 2-2 and putting forth a solid effort in last week's loss at unbeaten Cincinnati. Fresno is 7-4 and will be headed to a Bowl. Their level of interest here is questionable although they did travel well earlier this season, losing close games at the aforementioned Cincinnati as well as at Wisconsin in OT. Illinois plays in the much tougher Big 10 and although Fresno was 6-2 in WAC play both losses came in one sided losses to the WAC's top two teams, Boise State and Nevada. Normally this would be a spot to play Fresno but usually they'd be the underdog. Given Illinois' better play down the stretch and a desire to send their seniors out on a winning note, the Illini should play to their potential. Illinois wins 31-23.

Alabama + 6 over Florida (SEC Championship Game at Atlanta, GA) - This is the matchup that's been expected since last season's meeting when Florida beat 'Bama 31-20 to end Alabama's unbeaten season and advance to the BCS Title game. The stakes are the same this season only now BOTH teams are 12-0. Each team had close calls this season with Florida nearly losing at home to Arkansas in mid season and Alabama needing a late comeback last week to edge arch rival Auburn. Both teams feasted on non-SEC foes with Alabama's best outside win being their opening day demolition of Virginia Tech while Florida's best non-SEC win was last week over beleaguered Florida State. Both teams are outstanding on defense, ranking #1 and #3 nationally. Florida has been slightly better on offense with record setting QB Tebow but the Gator offense is down from last season. Alabama performed slightly better versus expectations in conference play with a 5-3 ATS mark. Florida was just 2-5-1 ATS vs SEC foes. Both teams are talented, deep and well coached. There's really very little difference between them. Alabama does have the revenge motive and underdog mentality on its side. Prior to last season's SEC Title game Alabama had covered 5 straight vs Florida dating back to 1998 (3-2 straight up). The points are attractive with an upset quite possible. Alabama wins 20-17.