College Football: Week 7

This is gonna be a good college football weekend. Why? Because teams in the Top 15 are going to lose. Teams are going to have to prove they are worthy of BCS talk now. And some Heisman candidates will have to finally prove themselves against some quality competition. And if all that doesn't excite you, how about having great football starting at noon and going on until midnight. Again, this is gonna be good.

I went a very respectable 11-4 last week but yet again, my APPY pick was off. I was hoping that one of the Big 12 teams would go down but alas, I was wrong. The Big 5 in the Big 12 stayed undefeated bu that's about to change for two of them. And it all starts with...

TOP 15 GAMES (Last week 11-4, Season Total 58-32)

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #1 Oklahoma vs. #5 Texas (in Dallas) - The 'Ol Red River Rivalry. In recent years, this game has not been close. None of the games in the past 7 years have been decided by 7 points. But this one could and should be. Both teams have cruised so far and for good reason. They have played like top-tier teams should when they face inferior foes. And their quarterbacks have been the leaders of their strong starts. It's unfortunate that these two teams have to face each other so early because the loser pretty much loses all hope of a conference and BCS title after this game. But such is life. In a close game for a change, I'm gonna choose OKLAHOMA.

REST OF THE BEST
2. #4 LSU @ #11 Florida - The SEC season starts picking up now and here's one of those games that means a lot to both teams in just Week 7. Florida has already dropped a game so if they want any chance to stay in the BCS race, Tebow and Co. have to win. Meanwhile, LSU is trying to defend its title with a completely new team and so far, hasn't disappointed. Only thing is that they haven't really played a great team. Their biggest win is a 26-21 Auburn and we've all seen how bad their offense is. Florida is a better offense and it's in the Swamp. I'm picking FLORIDA and hoping the game finishes in good time cause I don't go on-air until it's over.

3. #17 Oklahoma State @ #3 Missouri - Another huge Big 12 game. For the Cowboys, it's a chance to really shake up the conference race and the BCS title race. Not to mention also pull off one of their bigger victories in recent years. And they have a team to do it. Problem is the team in the other side is playing amazingly right now. Their offense has yet to have a 3-and-out and Chase Daniel has been next to perfect all season. And as much as I want to think Mizzou is looking ahead to their tussle with Texas next week, they should be more than ready for this one. MISSOURI wins in a good game til the end.

4. #6 Penn State @ Wisconsin - Been a rough two weeks for the Badgers. First, they blow a 19-0 lead to an unranked and mediocre Michigan team. Then last week, they lose a thriller to Ohio State led by a true freshman quarterback. It could be a rough three weeks though if they lose to Penn State. From BCS contender to Big Ten basement. There's a lot on the line for the Nittany Lions. They are in the midst of a huge 3-week stretch that includes this game, at home vs. Michigan and then a trip to Columbus. And while I think Penn State is for real, the loss to OSU last week is gonna fuel 'Sconsin. There's no way Bret Bielema's Badgers lose 3 in a row. They're too good for that. So in my APPY pick, I'm taking WISCONSIN to give Penn State their first loss of the year.

5. Clemson @ #21 Wake Forest (THU) - In the ACC, this is a battle of the two best. Sad thing is that, these are the two best. Clemson has just been terrible this season. and Wake Forest hasn't exactly been lights out either. I mean, they lost to Navy. Both teams have talent and when playing their best, are definitely in the top 25 in the nation. But this Thursday, I'm going with Jim Grobe's WAKE FOREST team to tame the Tigers.

6. Arizona State @ #8 USC - This game was a huge deal at the beginning of the season. But since then, USC lost a joke of a game to Oregon State and Arizona State has falen from the ranks of the Top 25 like a rock. Now, this game is just another Pac-10 game and in all honesty, will be overlooked. But this has upset written all over it. USC is beat up. Malauga is playing hurt and Mark Sanchez is questionable. And Arizona State is looking for a signature win to add a spark to their season. If the Sun Devils play like they are capable, they have a shot against the injured Trojans. But to be safe, I'll go with USC.

7. Tennessee @ #10 Georgia - The season isn't over yet for the Dawgs. Get through the rest of the SEC season and they'll be in great shape. And while Tennessee has been struggling, this is an SEC game and two teams that know each other very well. UGA is coming off a bye week and had some injuries against Alabama so it was a welcome bye week. The Dawgs need this win much more than the Vols so I'm picking GEORGIA to win easily. Bulldogs 34-16

8. #23 Michigan State @ Northwestern - It's kind of weird that in the AP poll, MSU is 23rd and NU is unranked (30th) while in the coaches poll, this is a top 25 matchup between MSU (19th) and NU (22nd). No matter what the polls say, this is a good matchup of teams looking to become the team to challenge PSU and OSU for the Big Ten title. MSU has responded well from their first week loss to Cal while NU has started the season with a fairly easy schedule, hence their 5-0 record. This game is in Evanston but that makes no difference. I've seen the stadium. Gimme MICHIGAN STATE by a touchdown.

9. #13 Vanderbilt @ Mississippi State - Shouldn't be a close one but Vandy shouldn't overlook Croom's crew. That's because this is a good Bulldog team at home. They played Auburn tight until they lost 3-2. And they have good enough players to hang with nay team in the SEC. It's just a matter of if they will. Vandy is flying high after their win over Auburn and may be looking ahead to their big matchup with Georgia. I'm still going with VANDERBILT but this could be that "trap game".

10. Notre Dame @ #22 North Carolina - It's now time for Notre Dame to show just how good they are. They are on the road again. The first time against MSU was less than stellar. And UNC is a similar opponent so this will be a good test for the Irish, who are hoping to crack the Top 25 with a win. Meanwhile, props to UNC for their top 25 ranking. Doing it without their usual starting QB TJ Yates and their only loss is a 3-point loss to VT. This is not an ACC game though so the Tar Heels may not be as excited for this one but Notre Dame isn't good enough to win a game like this yet. Soon but not now. NORTH CAROLINA wins handily.

11. Western Michigan @ Buffalo - In the MAC, this is a matchup of two of the best teams. In other words, could be a preview of the MAC championship if Ball State should fall. WMU is 5-1 and hasn't showed any sign of slowing down their 5-game win streak. Meanwhile, Buffalo is a hard-luck 2-3 but may the best team in the East. And since all MAC games count in the division, this game is a biggie in the tight division races. In a slight upset, I'll pick BUFFALO to win at home.

12. Colorado @ #16 Kansas - I gotta say, KU is nto getting a lot of love from the pollsters. The teams does have one loss but it was to a good South Floirda team in a great game. And last week, they narrowly beat Iowa State but that furious comeback deserves some credit. Now this week, they need to really set the record straight that they are for real. Beat the Buffs badly and they should be be moving up at a nice clip. A loss to the reeling Buffs though...would not be good. KANSAS should win by a ton.

13. Purdue @ #12 Ohio State - The Terrelle Pryor test in the Big Ten continues and it's back in Columbus. The Buckeyes are hoping Pryor learned from his mistakes at Camp Randall while the Boilers are just hoping their offense shows up to play. Considering this game is in Columbus and that the Buckeyes are coming off a huge road victory, I really like OHIO STATE to win this one with ease, which is unlike this OSU team this season. Buckeyes 34-14

14. South Carolina @ Kentucky - No, they aren't ranked but these are two good teams hoping to become relevant in the SEC and nation again. South Carolina has won 3 in a row and while there are plenty of question about this team still, they have the talent to really shake up the SEC. And the same goes for UK, which played Florida tough last week and proved they aren't gonna be an easy team to beat. In the end, UK has looked more solid than SC has so far so i'll take KENTUCKY

15. Toledo @ Michigan - This one makes the list only because I wanna see if Michigan can really go 2-2 or 1-3 in their non-conference matchups this season. If they go 1-3, that's just a reflection of their season. Teams with the tradition of Michigan don't lose 3 non-conference games but that could happen with a loss to Toledo. The Rockets almost beat Fresno State at home so they can play with the big boys. And while I would love to see the MAC pick up one more upset, I gotta go with MICHIGAN.