College Football: Week 9

Well, after a week of status quo on the college football field, this week's slate of games really looks appealing. A lot of great matchups in every conference and could be some shakeups in the polls and BCS standings after this week. But more importantly, a great Saturday to just kick back and enjoy the action that is college football.

Before I go into this week's preview, let me just say how disappointed I was to see my alma mater, Ohio University lose last night to Temple. Did I expect it? Kind of but I tried to stay positive. But the turnover bug bit the Bobcats once again and we lost 14-10 and are now 2-6. Shame too, considering this is a really good team if they hold onto the ball. Now on to Week 9...

TOP 15 GAMES (Last week: 11-4, Season 77-43)

1. #3 Penn State vs. #9 Ohio State - No doubt this is the biggest game of the week, considering the easy schedule the Nittany Lions have after it. And with no conference championship unlike Texas and Alabama, this is the big one for PSU. Had a little scare versus Michigan but they disposed of the Wolverines the right way by the end of the game. Meanwhile, OSU jumped all over MSU and cruised to a 45-7 victory. But the best sign for the Bucks was that it seemed like the offense woke up after sleeping through the Purdue game. No doubt, Penn State has an offense that will test the OSU defense just like USC did. But this game is in Columbus, and that's a big deal for this OSU team that wants this win badly. I'm taking OHIO STATE in a game no closer than 10 points. Buckeyes 34-21

REST OF THE BEST

2. #7 Oklahoma State @ #1 Texas - This game is right behind the PSU-OSU game as the best. Texas has gone 2 for 2 so far in their brutal 4-game stretch and looked good doing it. Meanwhile, OK State continues to roll through their opponents and impress those who think they aren't that good. They beat Missouri handily on the road so the trip to Austin probably doesn't phase this team. The key is which QB plays better. Zach Robinson of OKST or Colt McCoy of UT. I'll take McCoy and go with TEXAS.

3. #9 Georgia @ #11 LSU - Give props to UGA's defense for rebounding from that loss to Alabama. After giving up 41 points to Bama, the Bulldog D has not given up more than 14 points to an opponent since. But this game will provide a bigger challenge as the Dawgs take to the road for 4 straight. LSU does not impress me at all. Their offense sputtered against South Carolina and isn't really consistent. The game is in Baton Rouge though so that might give them a bit more juice. In the end though, I like Knowshon Moreno and GEORGIA to pick up a big road victory.

4. #8 Texas Tech @ #19 Kansas - Yet another Top 25 matchup and a chance to see to an undefeated go down. Texas Tech was not impressive versus Texas A&M and had to go to OT to beat Nebraska. But they are still 7-0 and that's because of the arm of Graham Harrell. The guy's arm just must not get tired. Meanwhile, KU had a tough loss to Oklahoma but stuck with the Sooners for most of the game. They are a darn good two-loss team whose two losses just happen to be against USF and OU. But I don't see them losing a third game this week. In my APPY pick of the week, I'll take KANSAS over the Red Raiders.

5. #6 USC @ Arizona - Well, the time is ticking for the Pac-10 if they want to supplant the Trojans as the conference champs. Oregon State got them early but it'll take a second loss to put them away. The Wildcats are more than capable of pulling this off and the Trojans are more than capable of losing this game. But will it happen? I don't think so. The Trojans have already had their wake-up call. USC wins in a romp, but not like the Washington State 69-0 romp.

6. Virginia Tech @ #24 Florida State - Well, after VT lost to BC, they fell from the Top 25, making room for a team like FSU to jump in. But the ACC is so tight this year that the fact that FSU is ranked doesn't really matter. The three ranked teams are #21, #23 and #24 and the three that fell from the Top 25 are still getting votes. This is not a good league but one where home field means nothing and showing up ready to play means everything. I'm taking Frank Beamer and VIRGINIA TECH to pull off this slight upset.

7. #23 Boston College @ North Carolina - Might as well stay with the ACC right? UNC dropped out because of their loss to Virginia while BC jumped in after taking down VT. The teams are about even in talent but for the ACC race, it is huge for both. A loss takes UNC right out of it while a loss for BC takes them out of the 4-way tie they are in right now. Because it means more for them, I'll go with NORTH CAROLINA.

8. #14 South Florida @ Louisville - It's funny. USF loses to Pitt at home but they are still ranked higher than the Panthers. Well, for that to stay, they need to win this road game. This is a battle of the top two offenses in the Big East so there will be plenty of scoring. USF has lost to the Cardinals the past two times they face each other in Louisville so history is not on the Bulls' side. But I am. SOUTH FLORIDA wins a big road game.

9. Kentucky @ #5 Florida - If all is right in the college football world, Florida rolls in this game with no problem. But there are a lot of things about this game that screams upset. First off, UK played Alabama very tough in Tuscaloosa. Florida lost to Ole Miss at home because they thought they could cruise over them. And it's got a trap game feel with the huge UGA game after this one that will decide pretty much the winner of the SEC East and who will play Alabama or LSU in the SEC Championship. With all that, I'm still going with FLORIDA but expect UK to make this game tight.

10. #2 Alabama vs. Tennessee - The games are winding down for Bama and despite the fact that they only have one signature win, they are in the driver's seat right now. But this game smells funny. You have a Bama team that has not looked like the #2 team since that UGA blowout and a Tennessee team that has underachieved and calling for Philip Fulmer to be fired. Well, I'm no betting man but I bet Fulmer will have the Vols ready for this one. They may be 3-4 but in the SEC, that means nothing. In another APPY, I'm picking TENNESSEE to knock off another unbeaten.

11. Auburn @ West Virginia (THU) - At the beginning of the season, this was a top 5 non-conference game to watch, especially with it being in the middle of the conference season for both teams. But instead, this is a game of two teams that have disappointed everyone. Auburn was ranked in the top 10 to begin the year. Now, they have an offense that can barely score 14 points and even lost to Arkansas AT HOME last week. And as for WVU, they are 4-2 now but losses to East Carolina and Colorado hurt this team. Not to mention hurt their QB Pat White. White should be ready for this game though so maybe WVU can mount a comeback. As for this contest, I'll take WEST VIRGINIA.

12. Michigan State @ Michigan - It's the 101st Battle for the Mitten in case you were counting. Among some parts of Ann Arbor apparently, this is a bigger rivalry than the OSU one. While I don't buy that, I do buy the fact that if Michigan wants a win over a rival, this is their best shot. MSU is not the caliber of OSU and the Wolverines have to travel to Columbus. I was impressed with Michigan versus Penn State, despite the loss. They play like that against MSU and they'll compete. But MICHIGAN STATE will win.

13. Virginia @ #21 Georgia Tech - It took long enough for the Yellow Jackets to get some respect and get ranked. I mean, they are 6-1, with the only loss coming on the road against VT. But they better not get too excited because Virginia has been playing their best ball as of late, winning their past 3 games (MD, ECU and UNC). Wouldn't surprise me to see the Cavs win another but I'll take GEORGIA TECH to keep this run to the ACC title going.

14. UCLA @ California - It was a quick stay in the Top 25 for Cal, losing last week to the Arizona Wildcats. But this is a big game for them, especially with the USC game looming. With just one loss in the conference, a win over USC would be huge. But they gotta avoid the upset from UCLA, who fought back and beat Stanford last week. But something tells me Cal will be focused for this one. CALIFORNIA wins.

15. #13 Boise State @ San Jose State (FRI) - May not be on your radar but it is definitely on the minds of WAC followers. It's a battle of the two unbeatens in the WAC, with the winner taking the driver's seat. For Boise St., it means more than that, as they try to make a return trip to the BCS. The Spartans will give the Broncos a challenge bin in the end, I think BOISE STATE will prevail.


Enjoy the games everyone. Could be an upset Saturday!