Cap clash: Rutgers at West Virginia

Most likely, three months worth of matchups are all going to come down to a single 60-minute game on Saturday. Coach Woody is expected to win his final two games during the day, leaving Coach Bando with one last game to escape the dreaded hat. West Virginia (9-2) hosts Rutgers (10-1) in a game that is tough to call, especially in a pretty WAC-ky Big East.

West Virginia has seen a season of high expectations fade in the wake of losses to a stout Louisville squad and an upstart South Florida team this month. Saturday's game isn't likely to alter the Mountaineers' bowl destination unless Louisville stumbles against UConn, and the 'Neers will know that result well before kickoff. Will they mail it in if they have no hope of landing in the BCS?

Rutgers, the Vandy of the Big East before there ever was a Big East, has had a miracle season and has its hopes on a BCS berth with a win against West Virginia. An upset loss to Cincinnati has diminished the enthusiasm in New Jersey of late, but no one's doubting that the Knights are a talented team. Ray Rice is a force at tailback, and he will have to carry the load on offense for a team with a big question mark at QB. On the offensive and defensive lines, Rutgers is a smash mouth physical team, one that should give the Mountaineers plenty to worry about.

This battle will likely come down to whether West Virginia's powerful run defense can stop Rice and company. It won't help Woody's cause that Morgantown is a tough place to play.

West Virginia is an eight-point favorite heading into the game. On paper, the 'Neers should win this one, but it's hard to bet against the Knights after the year they've had. Here's hoping for six OTs and plenty of thrills as the FP basement brouhaha goes down to and past the wire.

Good luck coaches! May the best man (or Bando) win! :-)