Venturing into college football circles across the country these days, there’s one issue of football philosophy that you often hear debated.

To spread, or not to spread? That is the question.

Michigan jumped on the spread-offense bandwagon this past season but to little avail.

Florida coach Urban Meyer, however, is one of the NCAA's mad geniuses of the spread offense and has perfectly recruited players for his innovative playbook, which makes junior quarterback and defending Heisman-winner Tim Tebow look like a bonafide superstar. Having only lost in a slip-up to underrated Ole Miss, Meyer's team has clear BCS aspirations and is looking for their second trip to the championship game in the last three years.

Enter Nick Saban and the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.

The epitome of the conventional offense, Alabama lives and dies by the running game, led by enormous left tackle and Outland Trophy finalist Andre Smith. Following Saban's classic between-the-tackles running philosophy, tandem running backs Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram have dominated, with a combined 1,900 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns on the season.

The Crimson Tide haven’t won the SEC crown in nine years. Over that same period, Saban has won it twice, but with a different team (Louisiana State).

So in a battle of old versus new, speed versus strength, and brains versus brawn, the winner won’t be fighting for a SEC title.

Instead, they’ll be fighting for a spot in the BCS Championship, making this game a “can’t miss.”

Guaranteed: On a pregame diet of only large game and small children, ‘Bama left tackle Andre Smith will clear the way for the old-school Tide running game as Glen Coffee runs for 150 yards and two scores.

Guaranteed: Tim Tebow blows his chance for a second straight Heisman throwing two interceptions in a losing effort to the Tide. Tebow decides to return for his senior season because one Heisman "just isn't enough."

Rating: 5 out of 5 footballs

No. 20 Missouri vs. No. 2 Oklahoma

In another episode of “What’s Wrong With the BCS?,” Texas Longhorn fans are furious with the choice of the Sooners to represent the Big 12 South, especially because the Longhorns beat the Sooners in the Red River Shootout earlier this season.

But despite the lack of a marquee Sooners-Longhorns matchup in this game, many people are overlooking Gary Pinkel’s Missouri Tigers.

Led by one-time Heisman front-runner quarterback Chase Daniel, the Tigers were embarrassed last week by Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing in a 40-37 loss. So don’t underestimate the redemption factor for the Tigers.

On the other hand, it’s hard to overlook Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford’s Heisman campaign credentials and the Sooners’ 61-41 rout of their in-state rival Oklahoma State last weekend.

And you can’t underestimate the dual running attack of Sooner running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, which have combined for almost 2,000 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns.

Or the fact that they haven’t scored less than 35 points all season.

Sorry, Longhorn fans. Looks like the Sooners will be sending you a postcard from Miami when they arrive for the BCS Championship.

Guaranteed: Sooner quarterback Sam Bradford finishes his Heisman trophy campaign with a 300-yard, three-touchdown effort, exciting Detroit Lions’ scouts who are watching in the stands, holding a likely No. 1 overall pick for the next two years.

Rating: 3 out of 5 footballs

Army vs. Navy

I’m a sucker for the classic matchup, considering how the ACC has played this year, it’s pretty much a guarantee that Saturday’s Boston College-Virginia Tech matchup won’t be much to watch.

These teams may not be anything special on paper, but it’s hard to ignore the history that this matchup holds.

The rivalry was first contested in 1890, and the teams have met 107 times since, not to mention the interservice bragging rights on the line.

So you may not care about who wins or loses, and most don’t. But as a football fan, everyone should take time to watch this battle of the academies at least once.

Guaranteed: With barely over 1,000 yards passing this season from both teams combined, this game will be won in the trenches, just like it has been for over 100 years.

Rating: 2 out of 5 footballs