Conference Title Storylines

SI Staff | Dec 3, 2007

Conference Title Storylines

Big 12 Title Game

David E. Klutho/SI

CHASE DANIEL'S HEISMAN CAMPAIGN.<br><br>Tim Tebow seems to lead most Heisman polls at this point, but Chase Daniel gained significant ground with his performance against Kansas (40-of-49 for 361 yards and three touchdowns). With Tebow idle this weekend, a big game on this national stage would boost Daniel's chances at winning college football's most prestigious award.

Big 12 Title Game

Greg Nelson/SI

CAN BRADFORD STEP UP FROM MEMORIAL STADIUM?<br><br> When it comes to playing at home versus playing on the road, Oklahoma freshman QB Sam Bradford is night and day. In Oklahoma's seven games in the comfy confines of Memorial Stadium, the QB has thrown 25 touchdowns and three picks. In five games on the road, he has seven touchdowns and four picks. How will he fair in the Alamodome?

SEC Title Game

Bob Rosato/SI

LES'S LAST DANCE AT LSU?<br><br>The speculation is that Les Miles will accept the Michigan coaching job after this conference title game. LSU has given Michigan permission to speak to Miles following the game against Tennessee.

SEC Title Game

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

LSU'S NATIONAL TITLE HOPES.<br><br>Although LSU is ranked seventh in the BCS, some think the Tigers could still find themselves in the national title game if they win the SEC. If both Missouri and West Virginia lose Saturday, the next two teams in the BCS standings are Ohio State and Georgia. But how could the Dawgs, who didn't even make the SEC title game, earn a trip to New Orleans over LSU?

SEC Title Game

Brad Mangin/SI

AINGE'S REDEMPTION.<br><br>Tennessee senior QB Erik Ainge has played against LSU just once -- and it wasn't very pretty. In his sophomore season, Ainge went just 7-of-19 for 57 yards and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

ACC Title Game

AP

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE ... AT LEAST FOR THE HOKIES.<br><br>BC does just fine playing with one QB, senior star Matt Ryan. But Virginia Tech opts for a pair of signal-callers: Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. The Hokies offense has flourished since Frank Beamer decided to split time between pocket-passing Glennon and the more mobile Taylor.

ACC Title Game

Simon Bruty/SI

BIG EAST'S BEST.<br><br>Although Miami's move from the Big East to the ACC hasn't worked out as planned, the Hokies and Eagles find themselves playing in their new conference's title game (the second time in three years for Virginia Tech).

ACC Title Game

Simon Bruty/SI

STRENGTH VS. STRENGTH.<br><br>This game pits the ACC's top offense versus the conference's top defense. Led by Matt Ryan, the Eagles average 440.50 yards per game. The Hokies' defense ranks fourth nationally in yards per game (285.33) and second in scoring defense (15.4 points per game).

Conference USA Title Game

AP

GROUND VS. AIR.<br><br>This game features two of the most explosive offensive players in America: UCF RB Kevin Smith and Tulsa QB Paul Smith. Smith leads the nation in rushing (180.33 yards per game), while Smith ranks third in passing efficiency and second in total passing yards (4,327).

MAC Title Game

Icon SMI

POOR MAN'S TIM TEBOW.<br><br>Everyone has heard of dual-threat QB Tim Tebow, but how many folks know Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour. Like Tebow, LeFevour burns teams both through the air (3,175 yards, 22 TDs) and on the ground (838 yards, 15 TDs).