After this week, we will be just about halfway through the college football season. So far, it's been full of great action but not a ton of upsets. But that could change this week with the great lineup of games. 5 games this week involved two ranked teams and plenty of other ranked teams who should get a good challenge from unranked foes.
Thanks to a lackluster 9-6 record, my season record moves to 57-33. My gut led me wrong too many times last week. Let's hope it doesn't do that this week. It's homecoming weekend in Athens and I want nothing but good vibes from start to finish.
GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #20 Oklahoma vs. #3 Texas (in Dallas) - This game has lost a bit of its preseason luster with the Sooners having already lost two games. But this is a rivalry game and as they say, the records can be thrown out. Sam Bradford may not be 100% but he'll give it a go, which should help Oklahoma psychologically believe they can take down the Longhorns. The thing is the Sooners are playing one of the best, if not the best college football team in the nation. Colt McCoy has been solid all year but expect him to take his game to another level for this one. I think TEXAS wins easily.
BEST OF THE REST
2. #8 Cincinnati @ #21 South Florida (THURS) - You may not believe it but this is definitely a game with national title implications. The Bearcats are already ranked in the top 10, have a Heisman Trophy contender in QB Tony Pike and have a pretty good shot of finishing undefeated in the conference. Meanwhile, USF is trying to prove they are the best in the conference, despite playing with their backup QB B.J. Daniels, who has all the talents of a starter. Cincy's offense will be the best the Bulls have seen all year but they do have one of the better pass rush attacks in the nation. That'll be the matchup to watch all game. I'm a big fan of both teams and hope one of them can crash the BCS title game somehow. But since I have to pick one, I'll go with CINCINNATI and their high-powered offense.
3. #4 Virginia Tech @ #19 Georgia Tech - This is do or die for the Hokies. If they win, they all but clinch the ACC Coastal and are definitely still in the running. A loss though eliminates them and all the sudden creates quite the conundrum in the ACC with 3 one-loss teams. VT is coming off a convincing win over a BC team that tends to give them trouble. Meanwhile, GT had to score 49 points to hold off a motivated FSU team. Last year, GT brought their rushing attack into Blacksburg but lost a close one 20-17. But that was in week 3 when the team was still learning the system. Now with 19 games of experience, they've got it down. Bud Foster is one heck of a D-coordinator but I don't know if hell be able to keep this Tech offense to 17 points again. GEORGIA TECH wins this one and crushes title hopes for Hokie fans.
4. #6 USC @ #25 Notre Dame - The rivalry has been a little lopsided as of late but this year's game could be one of the best yet. USC has been good this year but their #6 ranking still seems high to me. They'll be put to the test this week against a ND offense that knows how to put points up. Thing is though, the Irish haven't learned how to play defense. The Irish had to beat Washington in overtime in a game the Huskies could have won if they didn't come away with FGs in the red zone so many times. ND may be inspired and have had 2 weeks to prepare for the Trojans but USC is too good on offense and defense to lose to the Irish this season.
5. #22 South Carolina @ #2 Alabama - With each and every game, Bama is making me believe they are the best team in the nation. The way they shut down Ole Miss and forced turnover after turnover was downright impressive. But now, the Tide must focus on a South Carolina team that is starting to click. Yes, the Gamecocks narrowly beat UK 28-26 last week but the way their offense played is promising. The defense took a Saturday off but you can bet playing the #2 team in the nation on the road will be plenty of motivation for this team to play their best ball. The Gamecocks will be a formidable opponent and I expect this one to come down to the 4th quarter. But with it being in Tuscaloosa, I think anyone would have to be crazy to not choose ALABAMA to win.
6. #11 Iowa @ Wisconsin - The Hawkeyes are still perfect. Wow. I mean, this team has talent but I don't see how they are ranked this high and still undefeated. Meanwhile, Wisconsin lost their first game last week at OSU in a game they never were really competitive in. But the Badgers have always played well at Camp Randall, especially against teams that are supposedly better. I said last week that the Badgers weren't good and would be exposed at OSU and they were. But also last week, I incorrectly picked Michigan to take down Iowa, saying that the Hawkeyes would be exposed. So what's the pick this week? Going with WISCONSIN in my APPY pick of the week.
7. Arkansas @ #1 Florida - After beating LSU, there's no way the Gators fall to Arkansas right? Well, we'll see. The Razorbacks have a great pass offense, something LSU did not bring to the table. Arkansas is also coming off an impressive win over Auburn, a team that had been scoring points as easily as Florida has been. Meanwhile, the Gators last week had to work hard just to score 13 points against LSU and Tim Tebow didn't play like himself. Now, the question is will the old Tebow be back or will the conservative, game-managing Tebow be playing again? If so, this game could be closer than most UF fans. But whether it's close or not so close, FLORIDA should win.
8. #5 Boise State @ Tulsa - This is probably the last game on Boise State's schedule that will give them some respect. Tulsa has been a quality team for years now and playing them on the road will not be easy. But alas, it is just Tulsa so this game doesn't do a ton for the Broncos. As long as they stay away from mistakes and play like they've been playing, they should be able to escape with a victory. But don;t be surprised if Tulsa make it close, knowing top 5 opponents don't come to Tulsa very often. BOISE STATE still is my pick.
9. Texas Tech @ #15 Nebraska - You have to be impressed by what Bo Pelini has been able to do with the Nebraska program. The Huskers have really become an elite team. I mean, they could be undefeated of not for a great comeback by VT. Texas Tech was the talk of the town last year in the Big 12, scoring points at will and trying to become the Big 12 champ. This year though, all they do is score points. As usual, they give up a lot of points. With this game in Lincoln, I don;t expect the Huskers to have to score 27 points in the 4th quarter to win. NEBRASKA wins by a healthy margin, if the defense plays all 4 quarters.
10. Missouri @ #16 Oklahoma State - Pretty much the same matchup is taking place in Stillwater. Mizzou is hoping to put last Thursday's 4th quarter performance behind them and get back to their winning ways. Meanwhile, OKST is trying to stay in the Big 12 South race and cannot afford a loss like this at home. Obviously, losing a weapon like Dez Bryant is not ideal coming into Big 12 play but that's the hand they've been dealt. The Cowboys offense though should be able to handle a Missouri defense that doesn't really scare anyone on paper or on the field. OKLAHOMA STATE should come away the victor.
11. Pittsburgh @ Rutgers - So far, Pitt has done just enough to stay in the conversation as a team that can compete with Cincy and USF. But remember, this team is coached by Dave Wannstedt and that means they are going to be inconsistent. Despite having more talent than maybe any other Pitt team in the Wannstedt era, the Panthers are still struggling. Rutgers though has rebounded nicely since being pounded by Cincy in the first game of the year. At 4-1, they have enough firepower to possibly shake up the Big East race for second place. While I expect Pitt to stay in the game until the end, I'll go with RUTGERS.
12. Wake Forest @ Clemson - I know, this isn't the best game in the world but this game and #13 are two games that should go a long way in determining the ACC Atlantic. Wake Forest isn't sporting one of their better teams but in the ACC, just playing a great game is what matters. Meanwhile, Clemson is probably the better team but after losing to Maryland two weeks ago, one has to wonder just how good this team can be. The Tigers have all kinds of weapons, mainly C.J. Spiller but it'll be up to the defense to carry them to the victory. CLEMSON is my pick.
13. NC State @ Boston College - Again, it is a close race for the ACC Atlantic and while NC State probably is not regarded as a team that will contend for the top spot, BC surely is. They were smoked by VT last week in Blacksburg. But the Eagles have already taken down Florida State at home so maybe it's being at home that makes this team better. NC State cold win this game though. The Wolfpack have already beaten Pitt in what can be called an upset. I'll going with BOSTON COLLEGE to win though.
14. Calfornia @ UCLA - After starting the season in the top 10, the Bears now find themselves out of the top 25 after two lopsided losses in Pac-10 play. The road doesn't get too much easier for Cal, who now must take on an upstart UCLA team on the road. Jahvid Best is the key to this offense and unless he gets going, expect another stagnant offensive performance. Meanwhile, UCLA is also on a 2-game losing streak, after falling to Stanford and then Oregon. The Bruins didn't play bad against the Ducks except for 4 minutes in the 2nd quarter when Oregon scored 21 of their 24 points. They still have one of the better defenses in the Pac-10 and I think that is what will carry UCLA to the win.
15. Washington @ Arizona State - Both are middle of the road Pac-10 teams but every win and loss is big as both try to qualify for bowl games. Washington is coming off a controversial 36-33 win over Arizona while ASU is fresh off a closer than expected win over Washington State. So far this year, ASU hasn't played to its potential, which may or may not come this week. Washington is playing great under new coach Steve Sarkisian but they've been inconsistent too. ASU probably needs this game more , so I'll pick ARIZONA STATE to win a tight one.
OTHER GAMES
#7 Ohio State @ Purdue - So far this season, Purdue has played just about every team tough. The only problem is that they've lost 5 of those games. Purdue has been giving up a ton of points on defense, which should music to the ears of an OSU offense that hasn't played particularly well on offense this season. Also not a good stat is that Purdue has lost to 19 straight ranked opponents. OHIO STATE should win this one handily. Ohio State 42, Purdue 7.
Miami (OH) @ Ohio - It's the Battle of the Bricks in Athens and for the first time in a while, it's not the final game for both. That's too bad for Miami, who probably would love to see their season end now. The Redhawks may be one of the worst teams in the nation and now get to face an OU team brimming with confidence after two MAC road wins. OU has some injury problems but that shouldn't be a big deal for the 'Cats. OHIO wins easily in what will make for a great victory on homecoming weekend. OHIO 38, Miami (OH) 13
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