A brilliant week for the Pine Rider last week, nailing 17 of the 19 games. My two misses were USF’s loss to Pitt and Fresno’s debacle against Hawaii. This weekend there is a whole bucket load of great games, and unless your gonna be dragged out into the beautiful fall weather to do some outdoor activity by your wonderful spouse as I may be, your football lovin’ arse should be planted firmly on your couch because every time slot has some great matchups to watch.
Clemson at #21 Wake Forest
If Clemson’s running game cannot exploit Wake’s D in the same manner Navy did a few weeks back, Tommy Bowden should call up Tommy Tuberville for some “firing a mediocre offensive coordinator” advice. This should be a pick ‘em game, but I’ll give a slight edge to the Tigers since Bowden always finds a way to win one game a year most people think he can’t win.
Clemson 24, Wake Forest 23
#5 Texas vs. #1 Oklahoma
So far this decade, whenever these teams have met with both ranking in the top 5, the Sooners have laid the wood to the Horns. I like Colt McCoy’s ability to scramble, but this ain’t no RIce Owl defense. The Sooners are starting to look like a BCS title team.
Oklahoma 28, Texas 13
Colorado at #16 Kansas
Yikes! The Jayhawks had to rely on a 20 point comeback in the second half to beat Iowa State. They get the Buffs at home, which should give them a slight edge.
Kansas 28, Colorado 24
#14 Utah at Wyoming
Utah still doesn’t feel like a top 15 team, so they may need to win this easily to prove themselves a bit more. Wyoming gives three times as many points as they score, which I’m sure has Utes’ QB Brian Johnson salivating already.
Utah 42, Wyoming 10
#13 Vanderbilt at Mississippi State
The only thing more annoying to Commodore fans than Bobby Johnson and Steve Martin comparisons will be those ridiculously loud cowbells rining down in Starkville. There’s something about this game that has upset writen all over it. Sly Croom will have the thus far in the year underachieving Bulldogs ready to play.
Miss St. 16, Vandy 13
Nebraska at #7 Texas Tech
Only once this year have the Red Raiders been held under 40 points. Don’t even start to think this is the weekend they fall below 40 again. Not to mention this is the Huskers first game away from Lincoln this year. Oh yeah, did I mention two of the top Heisman front runners play for Tech (Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree)?
Texas Tech 48, Nebraska 24
Arizona State at #8 USC
This is one of the most over-hyped games every year. Supposedly the Sun Devils are the team that will give USC a run for their Pac-10 money but every year they fall flat on their face. The only remote chance of that happening is if Mark Sanchez doesn’t play and the Trjoans offense unravels because of it. I don’t see that happening.
USC 38, Arizona St. 17
Tennessee at #10 Georgia
Mark RIcht has had 2 weeks to cure his team’s hangover from the Bama loss. They literally outplay Tennessee in every facet of the game thus far. The Vols started Nick Stephens last week against Northern Illinois, and he lead them to an amazing…er…close win over the Huskies, 13-9. That means UGa wins easy, right? NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS! UT always manages to play well against Georgia, pasting them the last 2 years by 18+ points. The Vols D is still stingy, despite the ineptitude of their offense.
Georgia 22, Tennessee 17
Purdue at #12 Ohio State
The Buckeyes managed a ragged win over Wisconsin last week. Purdue, while looking impressive, still managed a two touchdown defeat to Penn State. OSU hasn’t looked overly strong in the horseshoe yet this year. They win, but it ain’t gonna be pretty.
Ohio State 26, Purdue 16
Notre Dame at #22 North Carolina
This could be the best game of the weekend that nobody is talking about. The Irish have admittedly looked much better so far this year than I thought they would. The Heels came into the season with hopes of a bowl appearance. They’re looking at more than that now. Don’t let the loss of T.J. Yates fool you. Cam Sexton is just as capable to lead UNC’s offense, with potent wideouts and a respectable running game. This will be a good one, folks.
North Carolina 31, Notre Dame 28
#23 Michigan State at Northwestern
Northwestern is a quiet 5-0, and their surprisingly winning with their defense. The WIldcats allow just over 12 points a game. The question is how will they stop Heisman hoepful Javon Ringer, who needs just 12 yards Saturday to break 1000 yards on the year? Northwestern has won 4 of their last 6 against the Spartans.
Michigan St. 24, Northwestern 20
Arkansas at #20 Auburn
If you’ve ever wanted to see a truly low-scoring SEC game, look no further than Fayettville, Arkansas Saturday afternoon. Auburn just fired Tony Franklin, their offensive coordinator of 10 months, and the Hogs have one of the worst offenses in the SEC. Arkansas hasn’t scored more than 14 points since Sept. 6 when they needed all 28 points they got to beat UL-Monroe. It will be interesting to see how the Tigers react to the loss of Franklin. It’ll also be interesting to see how Petrino reacts to the fact the Falcons are even better since he abandoned him than the Razorbacks are now. Karma, karma, karma.
Auburn 20, Arkansas 13
New Mexico at #9 BYU
The Cougs are just downright explosive on offense, but did you know their D has only given up 58 points this year? The Lobos have a respectable running game, but their defense won’t be able to keep up.
BYU 42, New Mexico 21
#25 Ball State at Western Kentucky
David Letterman’s alma mater is ranked for the first time in school history. While the Cardinals don’t have any “wow” wins, they’re playing with heart, thinking of fallen teammate Dante Love, who’s football career is over after a spinal cord injury. WKU should be a cakewalk for the Cards.
Ball St. 41, WKU 13
#17 Oklahoma State at #3 Missouri
Chase Daniel is making more passes than Bill Clinton at an intern luncheon, and it doesn’t hurt that his two targets are future NFL pros Chase Coffman and Jeremy Maclin. None the less, the Cowboys also have a potent offense, with Kendall Hunter already rushing for 700 yards, gaining 7+ a carry. This will be the real shootout in the Big 12 this week.
Missouri 45, Oklahoma St. 35
#4 LSU at #11 Florida
Florida looked exposed a few weeks back against Ole Miss, but don’t count out the Tim Tebow show yet. He’s got the athletes around him to make any game close. LSU on the other hand has knocked off back-to-back SEC teams with stellar defenses. Give the edge to the Swamp in this one.
Florida 31, LSU 30
#6 Penn State at Wisconsin
The Badgers are fresh off a heartbreaking loss to Ohio State, and now play another nationally televised night game, this team without their marching band. If they can get P.J. Hill going, and control the clock, the Badgers have a shot. They just can’t gift-wrap games and give them away like they’ve done the last two weeks.
Penn St 27, Wisconsin 21
#15 Boise State at Southern Miss
Certainly the Broncos proved themselves two weeks ago with a huge win on the road against Oregon. They’re doing it on defense, giving up double-digit points just once this year. Look for another easy W this week.
Boise St. 37, So. Miss 17
