Five College Football Teams that will finish the year strong

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As last Saturday's college football games wrapped up, a handful of schools' 2009 campaigns officially came to an end. Most teams, however, have one remaining regular-season game, some two.

Also, considering the conference championships and the most wonderful time of the year — the bowl games — there is plenty of college football left this season.

There is seemingly always a team or two who runs through its first 11-12 games unscathed only to falter down the stretch.

Last season, for example, Alabama finished the regular season a perfect 12-0, 9-3 ATS, and ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Crimson Tide were promptly defeated in both the SEC Championship Game and Sugar Bowl and didn't cover the spread in both games.  

But for every squad that stumbles towards the end, there is one that is successful.

Based on their remaining schedules, projected bowl games, a perceived determination to finish strongly, past results, and a few intangibles, look for these five schools to end 2009 with a bang, both in the win column and against the spread.   

Ole Miss Rebels

After a thrilling home win over LSU, Ole Miss will play at Mississippi State this Saturday in the annual Egg Bowl. The Rebels are 5-2 straight up and 5-1-1 ATS against its state rival since 2002.

With a victory, Ole Miss will likely wind up in the Capital One Bowl against Penn State, perhaps Iowa. Expect the Rebels, similarly to last year, to be thrilled to be playing on Jan. 1.

There is a reason why some in the media forecasted Ole Miss as a top-10 team this past preseason.

With Jevan Snead at quarterback, newly-found superstar Dexter McCluster and an improving defense, the Rebels will play like a top-10 squad in its final two games.

Texas Christian Horned Frogs

Undefeated and ranked fourth in the BCS, TCU has covered its last six games by an average of nearly two touchdowns because the Frogs are, for one, talented, but also because they're trying to rack up BCS style points.

The number for TCU-New Mexico is high, but the Horned Frogs will continue to pound the opposition while covering the spread.

Although the BCS title game is a remote possibility, TCU will likely face the ACC champ in the Orange Bowl — the Horned Frogs' first major bowl appearance in more than 50 years.

If TCU's bowl opponent is Georgia Tech, LSU showed us last year that Tech's running offense could be stopped if given a month to prepare.

Clemson Tigers

The Tigers have punched their ticket to the ACC title game against Georgia Tech but will first have to face South Carolina on the road. Led by the thrilling C.J. Spiller, Clemson is an impressive 8-3 ATS this year. The Tigers are also 10-2 straight up against the 'Cocks since 1997.

South Carolina, on the other hand, is one of college football's worst ATS teams down the stretch in recent years.

Georgia Tech narrowly escaped a loss to the Tigers when the teams met in September but I feel a second meeting between the two will go in Clemson's favor.

Whether the Orange Bowl, against TCU in a rematch from earlier this year, or the Chick-fil-A Bowl, Clemson's bowl opponent will not only face Spiller but one of the better defensive units in the nation.

Stanford Cardinal

Following a heart-breaking loss to Cal at home where Stanford had won 11 in a row ATS, the Cardinal will host Notre Dame this week and the Fighting Irish's dismal defense and departing head coach.

The Cardinal, guided by the one-two punch of quarterback Andrew Luck and running back Toby Gerhart, have one of football's most potent offenses.

Stanford will be making its first postseason appearance in eight years. Energetic coach Jim Harbaugh will have his team primed to add to its 8-4 straight up and ATS regular-season records, regardless of which bowl game it gets.

Florida Gators

It seems so simple but logical that college football's best team and my pick as the eventual national champion will finish up the season in a strong manner.

Since Urban Meyer came to Florida in 2005, the Gators are 9-1 straight up and 8-2 ATS against Florida State, in SEC title games, and bowl games.