2009 College Football - Week 8

It's been a crazy past week for yours truly. Between the amazing weekend that was Homecoming at OU to coming back to Augusta with a 103 degree fever, it's not exactly been conducive to keeping the blog updated. But no worries, I'm feeling better and there aren't any 7.5 hour trips in my near future so the posts should be coming at their regular times.

Wasn't a spectacular week for me last week, getting just 10 games right. That moves my season record to 67-38. I'm not really proud of that but eh, I'll deal. I've also only picked 2 APPYs correctly, despite the fact that there's been a ton of upsets. But it's officially the second half of the season and I'm ready for my second half comeback....or collapse. (Quick note on the rankings: I am using BCS rankings now, not AP. Doing this simply because the BCS rankings are the only ones that really matter now. I know, makes me want to vomit too.)

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #8 TCU @ #16 BYU - There are a ton of good games this week but not one that really stands out as the best of the best. With this being the only game involving two ranked teams and with TCU in the hunt for a BCS game, this one carries a bit of weight. TCU comes in with the 4th ranked total defense but BYU sports the 6th ranked offense. Last year, BYU came into this game undefeated and with hopes of cracking the BCS but TCU dashed those dreams with a 32-7 victory in Texas. Look for the Cougars to get some revenge in Provo. BYU is my pick to bring down the Horned Frogs.

BEST OF THE REST
2. #6 Iowa @ Michigan State - I feel like I've seen this before. An upstart undefeated Big Ten team hoping to escape East Lansing without a loss. Michigan wasn't able to do that a few weeks ago. But what about Iowa? The Hawkeyes have been playing with fire all season so far, winning games by margins that aren't typical of a 6th ranked team. They are also are playing against history, considering Iowa has never started a season 8-0 in their 120-year history. Meanwhile, after an awful start, MSU has rebounded and is still in the thick of the Big Ten race. With just one loss, beating Iowa vaults them into first place and in the driver's seat for a Rose Bowl berth despite their awful start. I've picked Iowa to lose it seems like every week and each week, they've proved me wrong. Call me stubborn but I just don't think the Hawkeyes are that good. So in my APPY pick of the week, gimme MICHIGAN STATE to give Iowa their first loss.

3. #3 Texas @ Missouri - It hasn't been the best season ever for Texas. Yeah, they're undefeated but for a team that many picked to get to the BCS title game, they haven't been the most impressive. And now, Colt McCoy's thumb is a concern. Of course, Colt says it's no problem but we'll just have to see. Mizzou is a formidable opponent for the 'Horns even though the Tigers have lost two in a row. Texas has won the last 5 against Mizzou and their defense has been strong through 6 games. I know this is a night game and screams upset but I'm picking TEXAS.

4. #11 Oregon @ Washington - Who would've thought after that embarrassing loss at Boise State that Oregon would be the front runner in the race for the Pac-10 title? Well, that's the case right now as the Ducks have done a great job of rebounding from that loss. Oregon's starting QB Jeremiah Masoli still isn't 100%, which is a concern, but they've won without him already. But playing at Washington won't be easy. Just ask USC and LSU. The Huskies are just 3-4 but at home, they really seem to turn it up a notch. The key for the Huskies to win this ballgame is all about their defense. They've given up a ton of points this season (195 in 7 games) while Oregon's defense has been fairly stingy (98 in 6 games). Should be a fun one to watch. I'm going with OREGON.

5. #13 Penn State @ Michigan - Seems like since PSU lost to Iowa, people forgot just how good the Nittany Lions are. Well, in case you forgot, PSU has been working hard to prove they're a great team, outscoring their last 3 opponents 107-20. But now comes Michigan, a young and talented team who can't afford to fall to 1-3 in the conference. The game is in Ann Arbor, which is critical when you consider that PSU hasn't won there since 1996. I've been impressed with Michigan QB Tate Forcier all season and his ability to lead a comeback. he may have to do that this week. I think he will and I'll pick MICHIGAN in a mini-upset.

6. South Florida @ #20 Pittsburgh - Good matchup here of two of the three best Big East teams. USF is coming off that tough loss to Cincy, giving them their first loss of the year. Meanwhile, Pitt is hoping to begin the season 7-1 for the first time since 1982. The main reason behind the Panthers great start has been the solid QB play of Bill Stull. The senior has 14 TD and just 3 INT, a vast improvement from his 9 TD, 10 INT performance last season. Add in frosh RB Dion Lewis (third in nation in rushing) and you can see why so many people are starting to think Pitt could finish with 10 wins this season. USF has a great defense though so this one could be a low-scoring affair. PITTSBURGH is my pick.

7. Tennessee @ #2 Alabama - I don't think there's any doubt that Alabama is the best team in the nation right now. While their offense may put you to sleep, their defense is just too good to not vault this team to the top. Tennessee has been much improved under Lane and Monte Kiffin but don't have enough firepower to win this game, though keep in mind that the Vols stuck with the Gators in Gainesville back in September so this one could be close up until the 4th quarter. ALABAMA wins the game though.

8. Clemson @ #10 Miami (FL) - If Clemson wants to gain any respect this year, this is the kind of game they need to win. As unlikely as that is, they have the talent to do it. They've lost tight ballgames to GT and TCU and then a stinker of a game to Maryland. But if the Tigers play a perfect game, they can beat the 'Canes. Miami (FL) is the better team by far though but if they overlook Clemson in any way, they could be surprised. I expect this game to be close but MIAMI (FL) to ultimately win.

9. Oregon State @ #7 USC - Revenge is no doubt on the minds of the Trojans, after ORST ruined their chances of making it to the BCS title game. But that game was in Corvallis. This time, it's in L.A. ORST had a rough start to the year but are now 4-2 and now a win over USC would keep them right in the thick of the Pac-10 race. RB Jacquizz Rodgers will be the go-to guy for the Beavers. He already has 13 TD but USC's rush defense is one of the best against the rush. As much as I would love to see the Beavers beat USC for the 3rd time in 4 years, USC should win easily.

10. #1 Florida @ Mississippi State - Under normal circumstances, this game wouldn't even be on my radar. But with the way Florida is playing, one has to wonder just when their luck is going to run out. Tim Tebow may have played his worst game ever last week against Arkansas but yet, came away with a victory. But now, he faces his former O-coordinator, who probably knows him and that offense like the back of his hand still. Don't forget, MSU almost beat LSU and with this being a night game, you can beat the Bulldogs will give the Gators their best shot. I don't think it'll be enough though. FLORIDA wins by a healthy margin.

11. Auburn @ #9 LSU - Talk about a fall from grace for Auburn. They've lost two in a row and now, have to avoid a third loss against one of the better defenses in the nation. Thing is, LSU's offense isn't exactly the toughest in the nation to defend. In fcat, they're 112th in the nation, an oddity in a conference like the SEC. LSU hasn't played since their loss to Florida so they've had 2 weeks to recover. While Auburn has an offense that can keep them in any game, I don't like their chances. LSU comes away with the win.

12. UConn @ #23 West Virginia - Been a tough week in Storrs. Losing a player/teammate/friend isn't easy, especially in the middle of the season. But sometimes, the best way to grieve is by playing football again. The Huskies are still in the conference race but will need some help. Meanwhile, WVU is ranked for the first time all season but may not have starting QB Jarrett Brown healthy for this one. The game is in Morgantown but with the tragedy this week, it'll be tough to root against UConn. I'm going with UCONN in an inspired performance.

13. Oklahoma @ #25 Kansas - At the beginning of the season, this was the kind of game Oklahoma had to worry about if they wanted to stay perfect. But now, they're just a .500 team and need this win to not fall below average. Meanwhile, Kansas has some damage control to do after falling hard at home to Texas Tech. Kansas seemed to be on the fast track to the top 10 until that loss. The Sooners played a tough game against Texas but with Sam Bradford out for the year now, it's pretty safe to say you can file this season under "disappointment". KANSAS should win this one.

14. UCLA @ #22 Arizona - Early on, UCLA looked like they would be a team to watch in the Pac-10. You know, a team that could pull off that upset that could shake up the conference. Instead though, they're 0-3 and looking like they were just a mirage. Meanwhile, Arizona may be the surprise of the conference. With a good home win against Stanford, the Wildcats are now 4-2 and 2-1 in the conference. They boast the best offense in the conference and with every win, gain even more confidence for big games to come. ARIZONA is my pick to win.

15. Boston College @ Notre Dame - BC is having a pretty good season at 5-2 but look at the numbers and they don't favor the eagles for this game. They're 0-2 on the road and tend to give up big points to teams that can pass the ball. That's not good. Meanwhile, the close games and Notre Dame continue. Ever since the Nevada game, every game has been within 7 points. They've lost two of those games but I don't think they could possibly lose this one. NOTRE DAME not only wins, but wins by 8 or more.

OTHER GAMES
Minnesota @ #19 Ohio State - Last week, I wrote right here in this space that OSU would beat Purdue handily. Open mouth, insert foot. Right when I thought Terrelle Pryor couldn't play any worse, he did. And now, OSU fans are wondering if Pryor should stay under center. I don't think switching quarterbacks in Week 8 is going to help anything. In fact, I still think TP is the guy. But he needs to take a step forward this week to get the haters off his back. OHIO STATE should win but eh, who knows anymore. Ohio State 34, Minnesota 13

Kent State @ Ohio - It's a good year to be a Bobcat football fan. That's because this team is for real. 3-0 in the conference and the only two losses coming to UConn and Tennessee. The defense has given up just 14 points in the last 2 games. The offense also looked great after a bad performance against Akron. Kent State comes in 2-1 in the conference and should be a good opponent for the 'Cats. But the Golden Flashes aren't the best defensive club in the MAC so this is the time for the OU offense to shine. OHIO moves to 6-2. Ohio 31, Kent State 21