College Football: Week 5

It's the last weekend of football in September and that means for most teams, this is the last week on non-conference games. In some ways, it's a bit depressing but in another, it'll be nice to get to some conference showdowns. The SEC and Big Ten are in conference mode and I couldn't be more excited. The conference I love and the best conference in the nation (and I kind of have to love).

Unfortunately though, the entire slate of games this week is really weak besides a select few. And when I say weak, I mean WEAK. Only 2 matchups with two ranked teams playing each other, and both are at 7:45 or later. So if you happen to have something to do Saturday afternoon, don't worry. You won't be missing much at all. Or if happen to be at OU's homecoming, just forget about college football and be good patrons at the establishments.

I did pretty good last week, going 10-5 and my APPY pick worked out with Colorado, making my overall APPY total to 2-2. Let's see what happens this week.

TOP 15 GAMES

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #8 Alabama vs. #3 Georgia - There's no debate that this is the biggest game of the year. Tow undefeated SEC teams and for one, national title hopes go down the tube and not to mention the hopes of winning even the SEC title. Alabama has been a surprise to many. They were thought to be a year away from this kind of season but the future is now. Give Nick Saban credit. He is a college coach and knows what he is doing. He's got a offense with talent and showing it off. But it may be his defense that is so strong, holding a good Clemson offense to 10 points to start the season. That defense will have to be strong to slow down the Bulldog attack. Matthew Stafford continues to perform well as a junior and Knowshown Moreno continues his Heisman-like season as a sophomore. And this defense is getting stronger with each game as well. The difference in this game in my mind is the home crowd advantage that the Dawgs have. They're doing a "blackout" and a night game in Athens, GA is very rare, meaning UGA fans will be louder than usual. I'm taking GEORGIA and hope this game lives up to its hype. Bulldogs 34-23

REST OF THE BEST
2. #22 Illinois vs. #12 Penn State - This is the other Top 25 matchup and for a Big Ten guy like me, this is a big one. Illinois hasn't looked as good as last year so far but looking back at last year, the Illini got better every week so maybe Week 4 is the time they really come to play. Meanwhile, Penn State has played next to no one in their first 4 games so there are still questions of just how good this team is. But if I had to take an educated guess, I'd say they're pretty darn good. Their offense just looks unstoppable right now and despite the fact they haven't played anyone good, I think they'll be more than ready for the Illini. PENN STATE is my pick.

3. #1 USC @ Oregon State (THU) - This week's Thursday nighter looks good on paper but I have a bad feeling it will turn out being a blowout. Why? Well, USC spanked Ohio State 35-3 and they are a pretty good team. Penn State spanked Oregon State 45-14. So looking at that, I just don't think the Beavers have much of a shot. But this is a Thursday night game and Oregon St. had plenty of time to prepare for the Trojans. Not to mention also the Corvallis crowd will be louder than usual, hoping to pull off the HUGE upset. As much as I want to see this upset, I'd be crazy to actually pick it. Gimme USC to beat their second straight OSU.

4. Purdue @ Notre Dame - In the whole scheme of things, this game doesn't mean too much but this is true test for the Fighting Irish and it is games like these that they need to win to keep their hopes of a winning season alive in my mind. Yes, their schedule is light but they need to get some confidence going into those games. They looked flat against MSU and Javon Ringer just ran all over them. Purdue played a good Central Michigan team and looked solid after losing a heart breaker to Oregon. I am not one to give an advantage to Notre Dame for the crowd because it's not big there so I'll take the better team, which in this case is PURDUE.

5. Tennessee vs. #15 Auburn - Well, these are two SEC teams that are fuming after their recent conference losses. The Vols lost handily to the Florida Gators while Auburn lost a nail biter to the LSU Tigers. There's no doubt that Auburn is the better team but in the SEC, sometimes that doesn't matter. Tennessee has the talent to stay in this game and Auburn is shaky enough to let the Vols win it. I'm going with AUBURN but this is the SEC. Wouldn't be surprised to see Tennessee pull out a win.

6. Florida State @ Colorado - Well, good to see FSU out of the Top 25. They didn't deserve to be there. However, they are still a good team and will be playing the role of spoiler all season in the ACC. Meanwhile, Colorado did their best to audition for a Top 25 spot after their upset of West Virginia. And they looked good doing it. And though Erin Andrews said over and over that the altitude was not a problem for West Virginia, I disagree. I think it is just enough to slow players down or tire out those linemen a little bit more than usual. I think that will be a problem for FSU this Saturday so I'm taking COLORADO to win yet another non-conference game.

7. #13 South Florida vs. NC State - On paper, this game shouldn't be close. South Florida is easily the better team and NC State has struggled to score offensive touchdowns in every one of their games. Oh wait, that was before NC State beat East Carolina last week and showed the country that they do have an offense. And now, with that win over ECU, maybe some confidence. And for USF, that may not be good news considering they are a fresh off a disappointing 17-9 win over Florida Intl. that was overshadowed by the terrible-looking injury to Brouce Mompremier. With that behind them though, I think the Bulls rebound and rebound big. SOUTH FLORIDA rolls.

8. #9 Wisconsin vs. Michigan - Seems like for the past 10 years or maybe longer, this game was huge. Both teams in the Top 25 with the winning getting a huge conference win going into a later matchup with the Bucks, Illini or Nittany Lions. Well, not the case this season as Michigan has not held up their end of the bargain. But this has all the signs of a trap game for 'Sconsin. On the road at a huge stadium. Taking on a team with a losing record. A big game next week against defending Big Ten champs Ohio State. Uh oh. I have no doubt Bret Bielema is keeping his team focused on the Michigan but let's be serious, those guys are looking forward to having the Bucks at home at Camp Randall. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have nothing to lose in this game. They are expected to lose this game. All the pressure is on the Badgers. And both teams have had two weeks to think about this game and to me, that favors Michigan. I'm still picking WISCONSIN but man, this one could go down to the wire.

9. UConn @ Louisville (FRI) - So who is gonna win the Big East? Most people will say South Florida (as they should) but it is a game like this that will show who may give the Bulls a run for their money. UConn is fresh off a win over Baylor while Louisville is coming off a victory over Kansas State. Both teams have good offenses led by good quarterbacks but the big difference is the defense. Yeah, UConn gave up 28 to Baylor but in the end, their defense is better than Louisville's and that why I'll pick the UCONN Huskies to move to 5-0.

10. Buffalo @ Central Michigan - Outside of the MAC, this is not a big game but within the MAC, this is a goodie. That's because Buffalo has been playing well this year and look more than capable of making a run at the MAC East title. They've won nail biters like the one against Temple, played very well against Missouri for three quarters, and played Pitt tough too. Meanwhile, Central Michigan has been through the ringer too, losing against Georgia and Purdue and sneaking out a win against OU. This is a big game for both. I'll pick CENTRAL MICHIGAN by 7 points or less.

11. Ole Miss @ #4 Florida - Yeah, the quality of games is down so this makes the top 15. I'm putting in here because while Florida is the better team and playing at home, Ole Miss has played every ranked team tough this year. They lost to #16 Wake Forest 30-28 and #21 Vandy 23-17 and fumbled away their chance to win. So instead of just saying this game will just be another Gator blowout, you have to consider that Ole Miss will keep this game tight. I'm still picking FLORIDA to win but this could be a good game.

12. North Carolina @ Miami (FL) - Again, kind of makes the list by default. Butch Davis' crew took their first L last week versus VT but lost more than just a game. Their starting QB TJ Yates is out for 6 weeks with an ankle injury. That's not good for a team that already isn't that great. Miami (FL) isn't good either but with every win, they gain confidence that could do a long way to getting them back to where they were just 5 years ago with Ken Dorsey and company. Because of the Yates injury, I'm taking MIAMI (FL).

13. #25 Fresno State @ UCLA - Alright, UCLA is back home and remember what they did last time at home? Knocked off a ranked Tennessee team in front of a national TV audience. Well, another ranked team is invading the Rose Bowl but something tells me, Fresno will be ready. Not to mention also the UCLA upset of Tennessee doesn't look that big anymore as the Vols continue to falter. Fresno barely left with a win in Toledo. But all things considered, FRESNO STATE is better and should beat the Bruins badly.

14. #24 TCU vs. #2 Oklahoma - (UPDATE 9/25 8:18pm - I had no idea TCU was ranked) This is the kind of game that screams upset...if you're an idiot. LT ain't playing for TCU anymore and Oklahoma is damn good. If TCU plays their best game, they may be able to stay in this game but I don't see any way Oklahoma loses. This only makes the top 15 because you get to see Sam Bradford pad his stats against yet another team that has no business playing the Sooners. OKLAHOMA rolls.

15. Virginia Tech @ Nebraska - Again, neither team is ranked but this should be a good non-conference matchup. The Hokies have turned the ship around after the ECU loss in the first week and seem to playing well. Tyrod Taylor has been the major reason behind the better play, bringing the running element back to the QB position. And with 3 wins in a row, they're just 3 spots away from being ranked again. Meanwhile, Nebraska is 3-0 and playing some great football under new head coach Bo Pelini. The Huskers get great QB play from Joe Ganz and the defense has only given up 43 points in 3 games. This may be a stretch but in my APPY pick of the week, I'm taking NEBRASKA over VT. Not the biggest upset but considering VT is practically ranked, it counts.

TEAMS I LOVE (OR ACT LIKE I LOVE)
Minnesota @ Ohio State - I'd like to go in-depth about this game but why? The only two things that I am wondering about this game is how much each QB will play and how good Beanie will look in this game (if he plays). Kind of important he looks good and plays well with Wisconsin on the horizon. The outcome of this game is without question. But those two things are what I'll be watching for. OHIO STATE wind easily. Buckeyes 42-13

VMI @ Ohio - Thank God for VMI because it means the Bobcats will get a win. Yeah, it may come against a team that is terrible but it is what the team needs right now. They are 0-4 but playing very well (when they don't turn the ball over). Plus, it is homecoming and there will be more fans, though they could care less the result of the game probably. VMI was the first opponent I saw OU play as a student so it is fitting it is the homecoming opponent. No doubt, I'm taking OHIO and here's hoping they (the football team, not the band) give the fans a show. Bobcats 38-10

UAB @ South Carolina - I enjoyed my first Williams-Brice Stadium experience. The stadium is huge, the people are friendly and the food was really good, despite me only having 10 minutes to chow it down. This week, I should get there with plenty of time to really enjoy the place and get seconds from the buffet line. Oh, there's a game going on? Completely forgot. South Carolina's offense is bad but let's be serious, they're playing UAB. SOUTH CAROLINA wins despite another sloppy offensive show. Gamecocks 31-10.

Alright, enjoy the games everyone (if you can) and for all you OU peeps, have fun with all the Homecoming festivities. Wish I could be there.