2009 College Football - Week 9

Each and every week, I go into the college football week hoping for a lot. Hoping to make the right picks. Hoping my teams win. Hoping the top teams lose so that we create a situation so confusing that a playoff is the only reasonable solution to the problem. But yet, I have yet to get all that I've hoped for. But who knows. Maybe this will be the week everything comes together.

As far as the picks, it was yet another awful week for yours truly. I went 8-7 in my picks and yet again, did not correctly pick the APPY. My season record is up to 75-45, which is really not good at all considering how easy some of the games are to pick. Hopefully, I can turn it around this week. There are quite a few tough games to pick so hopefully, I pick them the right way. A 15-0 week is inevitable for me, right?

GAME OF THE WEEK

1. #3 Texas @ #14 Oklahoma State - No doubt, this is the game of the week. Texas comes in after its best overall performance of the year, trouncing Missouri. But now, they hit the road and play the best team they'll play all year. You see, OKST had a rough start to the year with a loss to Houston bu they've recovered nicely. And they're also doing it without star wideout Dez Bryant, who has been suspended for the season. I'm a big fan of QB Zach Robinson, probably the most underrated QB in the NCAA. The Texas defense hasn't given up more than 14 points in the last 4 games but I'd be shocked if they can replicate that in this game. The Longhorns have won the last 11 meetings and are my choice to win the national title. That means I am taking TEXAS to stay unbeaten and continue their run to the title.

BEST OF THE REST

2. #5 USC @ #10 Oregon - You can pretty much call this the Pac-10 championship if you want. So far, these two have proven they are the best two teams in the conference and while each have plenty more games to play, they will be favored to win them all. USC has played pretty well since the loss to Washington but they have shown signs of weakness, especially on defense. The Trojans have given up 63 pts in the last 2 games. Meanwhile, Oregon is no stranger to putting some points up. Besides their loss to Boise State, they've put up 31 or more points in every game but one. The game is in Eugene too, a place where Oregon is quite formidable. The last USC traveled to Autzen Stadium, they lost. I see the same happening this Saturday. OREGON is my pick to win and take control in the Pac-10.

3. Georgia @ #1 Florida - The nickname for this game is the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party". It'll be quite the party for Georgia if Florida loses this game. UGA won this battle two years ago but last year, were just embarrassed by the Gators 49-10. UGA probably still has that loss on their mind and will be looking for some sweet revenge. The Dawgs are coming off a bye week so they've had 2 weeks to prepare for the Gators. Meanwhile, the Gators are coming off a less than dominating win over Mississippi State, their second such win in two weeks. Not sure what's going on with Tim Tebow and his Gators but they haven't looked like a championship team as of late. The defense has saved them a couple times but the offense has been awful during games. The great thing about any rivalry is that the record of each team doesn't matter when the two teams hook up. And maybe more importantly, this yea, UGA really has nothing to play for, having already lost 3 times this year. I think this one will do down to the wire but I'm gonna pick FLORIDA.

4. Indiana @ #4 Iowa - The quality of games this week really takes a step down starting with this one but this one could be good. You see, Iowa has played just about every team close, including teams that have no business being in a close game with the Hawkeyes. Indiana fits that mold to a T, so you have to assume this one will be close until the end. This is an improved Indiana team. At 4-4, they are knocking on the door of a bowl game. Secondly, they've played well on the road, playing some incredibly close games against a good Michigan and Northwestern team. The key for the victory for Indiana will be their defense. Last week, they blew a 28-3 advantage late. If they grab an early lead against Iowa, they better hold on for dear life because the Hawkeyes seem to like winning in the end. I'm going with IOWA but again, don't be surprised if it ends up close. And yes, I am picking Iowa. Weird, I know.

5. #21 West Virginia @ South Florida - USF's schedule could not have been more brutal to them. They were forced to play the best 3 teams in the Big East back to back to back. So far, it hasn't been good for them. They lost a tough one to Cincy in Tampa and then were blasted on the road at Pittsburgh. This week is their last chance at Big East redemption but it won't be easy. They're taking on a WV team that is really gaining confidence since their 9/19 loss to Auburn. QB Jarrett Brown has really stepped up his play and because of that, the Mountaineers are still in the running for the conference title. Thing is, I think USF is too good to lose 3 in a row so I'm going with SOUTH FLORIDA.

6. #25 Ole Miss @ Auburn - This is a big game for both teams. Ole Miss has been desperate to get back in the respectability column since losses to South Carolina and Alabama that proved this team wasn't among the national elite quite yet. Meanwhile, Auburn is trying to stop their freefall from the top 20. The Tigers have lost 3 in a row and just as quick as Auburn fans were praising Gene Chizik, they've now turned on him, discouraged by the team's recent performance. A win would do wonders for both and their fan bases. While I think Auburn's offense will rebound with a good game, OLE MISS will come away the victor.

7. #22 South Carolina @ Tennessee - Despite their paltry record, it's pretty safe to say this has still been a good season for the Volunteers. The offense has the potential to score big (45 against UGA) and the defense has really improved under defensive genius Monte Kiffin. But they're gonna have their hands full with South Carolina. The Gamecocks don't dominate games but they find ways to win. QB Stephen Garcia continues to make smart decisions and WR Alshon Jeffery continues to impress. But the key to them winning is their defense, which has been good at shutting down every offense they've played, except in the Georgia game. It's never easy playing in Knoxville but I'm going with SOUTH CAROLINA.

8. #19 Miami (FL) @ Wake Forest - Winning the ACC is not much of a possibility for Miami (FL) anymore after their loss to GT. But this is a huge one for Wake, who is in the hunt for the ACC Atlantic. Wake has already lost two games in the conference and Miami (FL) is better than either of those two. The 'Canes are probably going to come into this game motivated so I'm thinking MIAMI (FL) will win easily.

9. North Carolina @ #13 Virginia Tech - Apparently, Butch Davis wants to get fired from this job too. After a solid start, the Tar Heels have lost 3 of its last 4 games and are at the bottom of the ACC Coastal. In fact, unless they have a complete turnaround, they're probably going to finish at the bottom. Meanwhile, VT is just hoping Georgia Tech will make one misstep and jump into the ACC title game. UNC may come into this game with some extra fire and motivation with it being a nationally televised game but VIRGINIA TECH should roll.

10. #8 Cincinnati @ Syracuse - In no way should this game be close but with Cincinnati, every game on the road is going to be a huge game. Syracuse hasn't played that well this season, even at home. But this is the kind of game that could easily be an upset if Cincinnati overlooks the Orange. CINCINNATI is my pick to win though.

11. #24 California@ Arizona State - It's been a long road back to the top 25 for Cal after a couple of blowout losses to the likes of USC and Oregon. The offense and defense took a break during those games but now seemed to have woken up. RB Jahvid Best is back to his old self and should be able to gain some yards on the ASU defense. ASU was supposed to be one of the surprises in the Pac-10 this year but instead has been incredibly mediocre. They get a chance to get a bit of a marquee win this week but they'll have to play a near perfect game. I need an APPYso here we go. I'll choose ARIZONA STATE to win.

12. Central Michigan @ Boston College - CMU is one of the hottest teams in the nation right now, having won 7 in a row since their opening week loss to a good Arizona team. It's kind of odd to have to play a non-conference game this late but CMU should be up to the task. BC isn't the toughest opponent ever and even though it is in Chestnut Hill, better not overlook the talents of CMU. QB Dan LeFevour continues to improve his draft stock with his solid play and don't look now but CMU is carrying the torch for the MAC, having already beaten a Big Ten team this year already in MSU. I may be a bit biased with this pick but I'm picking CENTRAL MICHIGAN to grab a good non-conference road win.

13. #12 Penn State @ Northwestern - Remember last year when an undefeated PSU team invaded Iowa hoping to leave unscathed? Yeah, it didn't work out too well for the Nittany Lions. This game has that same feeling to it. PSU is coming off a big win against Michigan while Northwestern will still be riding the wave of an amazing comeback win over Indiana. PSU is the clearly superior team but the Wildcats always play good against ranked teams in Evanston. I'm going with PENN STATE still but beware the upset here.

14. #11 Georgia Tech @ Vanderbilt - Having already played 6 conference games, you knew GT was due for a non-conference game. This isn't the run of the mill one though, as they face an SEC opponent on the road. Of course, Vandy isn't the toughest SEC team to play but you know when you play the Commodores, you're gonna get a battle. Just ask South Carolina last week who had to play a full 60 minutes to defeat them. GT's offense should be enough to carry them past Vandy but if they come in flat, look out for Vandy to gain some confidence and possibly, pull off an upset. GEORGIA TECH is my pick.

15. UNLV @ #6 TCU - Oh man, wouldn't it stink if TCU laid an egg at home after a big road win over BYU? The thing with TCU now these days is that not only do they need to win but they need to continue to win games big. With a few losses by some of the teams ahead of them, they still have an outside chance of sneaking into the title game. UNLV is not a good team, sitting at 3-5 and having given up more than 30 points per game in almost every game. But this is college football and weird things happen all the time. TCU should win and better win by a big margin.