It’s a day of lounging around and eating leftovers for most college football betting fans, but this year’s edition of Black Friday features a feast of crucial games that make it feel like Thanksgiving all over again. With the arrival of this year’s Iron Bowl, which is probably the most highly anticipated game so far this season, fans not watching No. 1 Oregon battle the final ranked team on their schedule, or No. 4 Boise State make a push to the top three in the BCS rankings will have their full attention set on No. 2 Auburn trying to keep its perfect record intact against No. 11 Alabama. While the Crimson Tide won’t get their shot at defending the national championship they celebrated last season, or the SEC Championship which they appeared in consecutive years, head coach Nick Saban’s squad will have the opportunity to spoil the party for one of their oldest rivals. The focus has been on Tigers’ quarterback Cameron Newton and the controversy surrounding whether or not he received payments to commit to the school. As a nominee for both the online sports betting player of the year and quarterback of the year, Newton has been a force with Auburn but his past indiscretions may end up having major repercussions. Whether or not they get to the big game regardless will be determined this week, as the Tigers are three wins away from achieving a clean sweep in the SEC and national title. While the Tigers battle to keep the second spot for the title game secure, the top-ranked team in the country will be fighting its own battle. Oregon barely survived a close football betting scare in last Saturday’s 15-13 loss to California, and will now have to win consecutive games against the Wildcats and at Oregon State to guarantee its spot in the BCS championship. Darron Thomas and LaMichael James have been exceptional for the Ducks, but it will all be for none if they fail to sweep their final two contests. With the two schools currently holding down title spots both in action, the Boise State game will not get as much attention although it is very significant. The Broncos are on the verge of a third straight undefeated season, and can move ahead of No. 3 TCU this weekend with a big win over No. 19 Nevada. If Boise State can secure that third spot, it would mean a spot in the Rose Bowl, and a possible chance at clinching a spot in the BCS title game if either of the top two falter. The big three games will have major repercussions on the pay per head BCS rankings. A lot will be sorted out this Black Friday, with the Horned Frogs the only top-four team that doesn’t play until Saturday. TCU will play its finale at New Mexico, but the significance of that game may largely be determined before it is even played.
