For the second time in as many nights, a missed field goal in overtime proved to be the deciding factor in a BCS bowl game. Michigan edged Virginia Tech, 23-20, after Hokies kicker Justin Myer missed a 37-yard field goal in the first overtime, allowing Michigan to kick a field goal of its own for the win moments later.
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DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL: #23 West Virginia (9-3) vs. #15 Clemson (10-3)
West Virginia closed the season on a three-game winning streak to win the Big East championship. While this may or may not be the Mountaineers’ final year in the Big East (depending on the outcome of two pending lawsuits), West Virginia is more than happy to represent the conference one last time in the Orange Bowl. Clemson, meanwhile, beat Virginia Tech twice this season, including 38-10 in the ACC title game, to clinch its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 1991 and first 10-win season since 1990.
It’s the final week of the NFL’s 2011 regular season and only three playoff spots remain: the AFC West and NFC East titles and an AFC wild card berth. The AFC North is Baltimore’s to lose, but both the Ravens and the rival Pittsburgh Steelers have already qualified for the playoffs. Each game this week is a divisional rematch.
Here’s a preview of the week 17 action, with all games slated for Sunday:
The Christmas holiday necessitates a schedule tweak for the NFL. Most games will be held on Saturday, with the exception of the Texans-Colts contest on Thursday, the Bears-Packers game on Sunday night and the Falcons and Saints, who will meet on ‘Monday Night Football.’
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Thursday, Dec. 22
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – 8:20 PM
Houston (10-4) had its seven-game win streak snapped by lowly Carolina last Sunday. Having already clinched the AFC South and a playoff spot, the Texans look to stay in the race for a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage by turning the NFL’s second best rushing attack loose on the Colts, who give up an average of 138.7 rushing yards
