NFL Week 7 Power Rankings

Slowly but surely, the teams that will be competing for playoff spots are starting to separate themselves from the pack. Meanwhile, the teams competing for the services of Sam Bradford and Eric Berry are just staying bad. Seems like the past two weeks, there have been an inordinate amount of games involving good teams against really bad teams, making for a lack of excitement on Sunday. But hopefully we've got the majority of those games out of the way. Let's get to the power rankings.

1. Indianapolis (6-0) - The Colts just keep on truckin. Peyton didn't have his first 300-yard passing game but something tells me he didn't mind one bit. So far, this team looks even better than the one that won the Super Bowl. Yeah, that good. NEXT vs. San Francisco

2. Denver (6-0) - I'm still not sure how this team got this good so fast. What Josh McDaniels and his staff has done is donwright impressive. They somehow resurrecting Kyle Orton's career and proved Denver can have a good defense. NEXT @ Baltimore

3. Cincinnati (5-2) - Maybe that loss to Houston is what this team needed to light a fire. That or Cedric Benson playing his former team. Whatever it was, if the Bengals play like that every week, they'll have no problem winning the AFC North. NEXT: Bye Week

4. Pittsburgh (5-2) - The offense wasn't as dynamic as they had been but when the defense scores two touchdowns, it doesn't have to be. I still think the run game needs to be more prevalent in the offense but you ca't dispute how good the pass offense is. NEXT: Bye Week

5. New England (5-2) - It's been a couple of easy weeks for the Pats, taking on the Titans and Bucs so no need to skyrocket them up the rankings for those wins. And with Miami playing better, the Pats better be ready for a fight to win the AFC East. NEXT: Bye Week

6. Baltimore (3-3) - They have lost three in a row to three tough opponents but they are still the 6th best team in the AFC. They'll get a chance to prove they are with a tough home test against the Broncos. We'll see just how good Joe Flacco is. NEXT: vs. Denver

7. Miami (2-4) - This may seem high for them but they are playing like a team worthy of this ranking. The loss to the Saints stings with the lead they had but most teams don't recover like New Orleans did. They've bounced back from their rough start. NEXT: @ NY Jets

8. Houston (4-3) - Back-to-back wins have bumped them up to contender status. Losing Andre Johnson to injury would really hurt this offense though. And the defense still needs to play better if they plan on winning crucial ballgames down the stretch. NEXT @ Buffalo

9. San Diego (3-3) - The Chargers look re-energized against the Chiefs, putting up 37 points. But again, they were playing the Chiefs so that is to be expected. If they can stay away from the injury bug, they can still fight for a wild-card spot. NEXT vs. Oakland

10. NY Jets (4-3) - Playing the Raiders may have been just what the doctor ordered for Mark Sanchez and the Jets. They were solid on both sides of the ball but that's pretty easy against Oakland. Now, they have to handle the Dolphins. NEXT vs. Miami

11. Buffalo (3-4) - For a little while, it looked like the Bills were just gonna pack it in at 1-4. But they've won 2 in a row, both on the road, and seem to want to compete again. Ryan Fitzpatrick has done an admirable job fillinf in for Trent Edwards at QB. NEXT vs. Houston

12. Jacksonville (3-3) - Through 6 games, the Jags are right where they began at .500. If they're going to make a run at a playoff spot, they need to keep the balance on offense. With a player like Maurice Jones-Drew, there's no reason not to. NEXT @ Tennessee

13. Kansas City (1-6) - The game they played against the Chargers was just absolutely dreadful. Matt Cassel threw 3 INT and the defense gave up 37 pts. And now, Larry Johnson calls out his coach via Twitter. And we're just halfway Chiefs fans. NEXT: Bye Week

14. Cleveland (1-6) - The Browns are probably just waiting for the bye week before they start being competitive. Or maybe not. The switch to Derek Anderson at QB hasn't produced any better offensive numbers. Eric Man-genius is not living up to his nickname. NEXT @ Chicago

15. Oakland (2-5) - It's hard for me not to put them in the 16th spot because despite their two wins, they're terrible. It's mainly QB JaMarcus Russell, who despite nearly a season and a half of game experience, looks confused in and out of the pocket. NEXT @ San Diego

16. Tennessee (0-6) - I don't know if things will get any better in Tennessee after the bye week. What I do know is that I respect Jeff Fisher even more for the whole Peyton Manning jersey event. Any coach with a sense of humor at 0-6 is a classy coach. NEXT vs. Tennessee


1. New Orleans (6-0) - Is there any doubt just how good this team is now? They get down 24-3 and then come back to win by 12. The defense showed some chinks in the armor but with an offense like they have, they can sometimes afford to have a bag game. NEXT MON vs. Atlanta

2. Minnesota (6-1) - The Vikings did finally lose but they didn't play that bad. The turnovers are what did them in against the Steelers but they played a solid game other than that. But now all eyes are on this week's game. Cue ESPN's annoying coverage. NEXT @ Green Bay

3. Arizona (4-2) - Great quality win for the Cards in New York. It was a team effort too with the offense and defense coming through. Before this win, they've kinda flown under the radar despite the fact that they were NFC champs just a season ago. NEXT vs. Carolina

4. NY Giants (5-2) - Just that quick, the Giants have lost two in a row against two of the NFC's best. It's still the regular season though so no need to freak out. Still waiting to see a game in which Brandon Jacobs takes over so Eli doesn't have to. NEXT @ Philadelphia

5. Philadelphia (4-2) - Beating Washington isn't anything special but Desean Jackson sure is. Between he and Maclin, that pass attack of Philly is no joke. That's good to know too with Brian Westbrook probably out for a couple weeks with that concussion. NEXT vs. NY Giants

6. Dallas (4-2) - There's not a lot of confidence in Tony Romo these days but there should be after the performance he put in against the Falcons. That and the defense played a great game, proving that maybe, just maybe, the Cowboys are a contender. NEXT vs. Seattle

7. Atlanta (4-2) - This is a big fall for a team that I think will be near the top all year but they deserve it after the performance they put in against Dallas. All 3 phases were terrible and with a trip to NO next, falling to 4-3 is a real possibility. NEXT MON @ New Orleans

8. Green Bay (4-2) - Good solid victory over the Browns. Aaron Rodgers had yet another solid game and Ryan Grant and the running game was there to help him out. Now, all attention should be focused in on the Vikings. NFC North division on the line. NEXT vs. Minnesota

9. Chicago (3-3) - Ever since the bye week, they haven't looked the team that went into it with 3 straight wins. Jay Cutler has reverted back to his erratic play and the defense was extinct in the loss to the Benglas. Better turn it around soon. NEXT vs. Cleveland

10. San Francisco (3-3) - I figured it would be a good bet that the Niners would come out of the bye week firing on all cylinders, especially after the embarassment from the Falcons. That obviously wasn't the case and now, they're switching QBs. Yikes. NEXT @ Indianapolis

11. Seattle (2-4) - Having Matt Hasselbeck back was supposed to be enough to keep this team in the NFC West race but is hasn't been so far. This is a big game this week on the road as they try to stay in the race, because Arizona isn't slowing down. NEXT @ Dallas

12. Carolina (2-4) - John Fox needs to make a big coaching decision. Bench Jake Delhomme or hope he turns his play around sooner rather than later. I say bench him. 13 INT in 6 games is not assuring, especially against the teams they've played. NEXT @ Arizona

13. Washington (2-5) - The Jim Zorn saga continues. They didn't play all that bad against the Eagles but two things are for sure. Zorn isn't coming back as head coach next year and Jason Campbell's future is not as an NFL quarterback. NEXT: Bye Week

14. Detroit (1-5) - The bye week may have done the Lions some good. Matthew Stafford (the better QB) is back practicing, which should spark the offense. Plus, they come back and get to play a team worse than they are in the Rams. NEXT vs. St. Louis

15. St. Louis (0-7) - There were some positive signs in their latest loss to the Colts. The biggest one being the fact that Stephen Jackson ran for 132 yds. But this offense still can't seem to score TDs. This week's game against DET may be their only shot of winning. NEXT @ Detroit

16. Tampa Bay (0-7) - Apparently, playing overseas doesn't make this team better either. One has to wonder if playing Josh Freeman in that game was a short-term or long-term switch. We'll just have to wait and find out after the bye. NEXT: Bye Week

2009 College Football - Week 8 Recap

There are 15 weeks in the college football season. We are now done with 8 of them. That's so depressing. So far, it's been amazing, with upsets abound and near-upsets of the biggest team, every week has been an adventure. But that's how it should be with this system of college football and I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh wait, yes I would. I'd call for a playoff.

THE BIG 10 THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

1. Will #1 please stand up? - Florida, Alabama and Texas all seem to be in control of their own destiny when it comes to the BCS title game. But every week, it looks like one of them is going to screw up their destiny. And while the BCS will designate a #1 team every week, none of these 3 have played like it yet. This past week, Texas played the best but that was the first real dominant performance from the 'Horns in a while. Meanwhile, Bama had been quite impressive but then at home against Tennessee, the Tide had to block a game-winning FG to escape a loss at home. And then Florida. They played an admirable game against LSU but since that game, the offense has been terrible. They probably should have lost to Arkansas at home and then against Miss. State, they continued to turn the ball over, something that is gonna bite them in the butt soon enough. By now, I figured one would rise to the top but that hasn't happened yet.

2. Bradford's decision - Not gonna lie, Sam Bradford's decision to skip his senior season shocked me. Here's why. He had an amazing sophomore season with the Sooners. He had amazing stats, led them to a national title game and won the Heisman trophy. But is he really that good? One year in college as a starter. Is that really enough before making the next step? And obviously, he's not very durable. I honestly think Bradford has more to prove in college but he must not care about that. The other thing I guess to think about is that Oklahoma's season is all but done now. It makes sense for them to move on and start a new dynasty with Landry Jones. Maybe Bradford and Stoops felt this was best for both parties. Again, I think he should come back but eh, so should a lot of players.

3. Iowa is for real...I think - Each and every week, I think Iowa is going to lose. Not because I think they are a bad team but because they are a better tan average team that has just been fortunate in a multitude of games. While those kinds of teams have good records, they always fall apart at some point. But through 8 games including some against tough opponents, Iowa keeps winning. But these close calls are just ridiculous. A one-point win versus N. Iowa. A three-point win against Arkansas State. And then, 2 two-point victories over Big Ten foes. Does this make this team good or does it make this team lucky? The good teams win the close games. But at the same time, the good teams don't play this many close games, especially against the likes of Northern Iowa and Arkansas State.

4. Watch out for Wannstedt - I can't believe this but Dave Wannstedt has a Pitt team that can really play. Yeah, I said it. South Florida is a good team. They beat a good FSU team and played Cicny tough for 4 quarters. But Pitt just dismantled USF from start to finish. Bill Stull played a solid game at QB and RB Dion Lewis scored twice as the Panthers dominated the first half and had a 31-7 lead. And beyond the offensive state, the defense and discipline of this team is commendable too. All along, they have been the biggest threat to Cincy but now, they may be the favorite in that game.

5. GT in control - For a while, it seemed like Miami (FL), GT and VT were well on their way to a 3-way tie for the Coastal division crown. That would set up a 3-way tiebreaker based on BCS standings, which would have probably gone to Miami (FL). But thanks to a great upset by Clemson on the road, GT is in control of the ACC Coastal and with 6 games already in the books, they all but have it locked up. The two teams left for GT are Wake and Duke, two games they should win. And with the ACC Atlantic full of mediocre teams, might as well give GT their Orange Bowl tickets now.

6. Look Out For Zona - I never thought Zona would be the darkhorse in the Pac-10 this year. Not with the likes of Oregon State, Stanford, and UCLA there. But it's Zona who is at the top with Oregon and USC. Their only losses are on the road at Iowa an a 3-point loss to Washington. And with Washington State this week, they're bound to move to 6-2 and just gain more confidence. The Wildcats finish with one of the toughest schedules in the nation though with trips to Cal, USC and rival ASU and a home date with Oregon. But if any of these teams overlook the 'Cats, they may regret it come the final horn.

7. What Happened? - This is aimed at 3 teams. The first is Illinois. Ron Zook has always been one of my favorite coaches. He also is one of the better recruiters in the nation. But right now, he may also be a dead man walking. The Illini have just one win. Yeah, just one win. And it doesn't make sense either, considering they returned their star QB and plenty of others around him. But alas, they have just one win. North Carolina was supposed to be a player in the ACC this year but instead, the Tar Heels are languishing at the bottom of a mediocre ACC Atlantic. Butch Davis and this team have taken a big step backwards and better turn it around if they don't want to call this a wasted year. Finally, Auburn was all smiles at 5-0 and thinking a possible SEC East title. But now, they're 5-3 and that offense that was so dynamic has fallen asleep. There's still time to win the 6th game to qualify for the bowl game but man oh man, what a fall.

8. OU, Oh No - Talk about a punch in the gut. After a three-game win streak in the MAC, including two straight defensive showcases, it was a bad effort by the Bobcats against Kent State. Kent State came in 2-1 in the conference and knew a loss in the game would probably keep from a MAC East title. Well, they played with that urgency while OU just played. QB play was a definite problem has Theo Scott and Tyler Tettleton combined threw for 3 INT. But most importantly, the 'Cats had -9 yds rushing. What a joke. For a team that had looked so good on offense in 2 of the past 3 weeks, -9 yds rushing is an absolute embarassment.

9. BCS Busters - Because of the unimpressive showing by the top 3 teams in the BCS, I think there is a remote chance that a BCS buster could get some real consideration for the title game. Of course, they need some more upsets to happen but as far as Boise State and TCU, they can only do what they can do. Boise State did its thing, traveling all the way to Hawaii and destroying the Warriors 54-9. But TCU's win was better, beating a rankd BYU team at their place and beating them bad, 38-7.

10. Heisman Watch - Numbers wise, Colt McCoy had the biggest day among the contenders, with 269 yds passing and 3 TD. Tim Tebow continued his struggles, though he still may win the award on "leadership" merit (what a joke). Alabama RB Mark Ingram was held to 99 yds and no score. Cincy QB Tony Pike didn't even play, really hurting his chances. Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen was solid once again with 246 yds and 2 TD. For now, these seem to be the only real contenders.

11. Bob being Bob - In case you haven't heard by now, Bob Griese said something this past week that has gotten him into a bit of hot water. When discussing NASCAR during a promo, Chris Spielman said "Where's Juan Montoya?" in regards to the top 5 standings. Griese responded with "Probably eating a taco." I didn't hear it live (though it was the OSU game and it was on) but watching the replay, it was harmless. Was it racist? Absolutely not but was it racially insensitive? Of course. It wasn't the time or venue for a joke like that and while I do think some people overreact to stuff like this, I gotta agree with ESPN's suspension of one game for Griese. He's apologized numerous times already by the way too.

I'm too tired to do the rest of this column now. Yes, I am tired. Get over it. I'm still recovering from OU. NFL Power Rankings will be out soon enough.

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

2009 College Football - Week 7

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

NFL Week 5 Power Rankings

I got a little busy this weekend and never got my picks up but no worries, it'll be back next week. In the meantime, here are the Power Rankings.

But before I get to those, please help me out in my goal to raise $1,000 in one month for Habitat For Humanity. Whatever you can give helps, even if it's just $10. I'd really appreciate it, but not as much as that family that benefits from all the great work Habitat does.
1. Indianapolis (5-0, Last Week: 1) - Just another easy win for the Colts last week. It's all just becoming routine for Indy. A 300-yd game for Peyton Manning, a breakout game for someone else, and a solid defensive and special teams performance. NEXT: Bye Week

2. Denver (5-0, LW: 5) - Right when you think this team is going to succumb to the pressure of being an elite team, they keep on winning. Give props to the coaching staff for maximizing the talent on this team, especially on defense. NEXT Mon @ San Diego

3. Cincinnati (4-1, LW: 7) - If not for the miracle tip, the Bengals are 5-0. And these aren't fluke wins. They include road wins against GB and BALT and a home win against the defending champs. The reason: balanced offense and steady defense. NEXT vs. Houston

4. New England (3-2, LW: 2) - The Patriots used to be the kind of team to close out games like the one against Denver. But Denver's defense shut down Tom Brady's game-winning drive. Where's Randy Moss by the way? NEXT vs. Tennessee

5. Pittsburgh (3-2, LW: 4) - The Steelers offense is looking like one of the best in the NFL right now. The defense though just isn't the same without Troy Polamalu patrolling the secondary. They'll be better once he comes back healthy. NEXT vs. Pittsburgh

6. Baltimore (3-2, LW: 3) - 2-game losing streak now for the Ravens. Joe Flacco didn't play his best game against the Bengals. In fact, the offense wasn't great at all. But it would've been enough if the defense could've stayed away from penalties late. NEXT @ Minnesota

7. San Diego (2-2, LW: 8) - If the Chargers are going to make the playoffs, they need to come out of the bye week with some gusto. They're 2.5 games back for the division lead and with the teams ahead playing so well, SD needs to step up their game. NEXT Mon vs. Denver

8. Miami (2-3, LW: 11) - After a slow start, the Dolphins are back on track. Hard to tell if the reason behind the surge is Chad Henne under center. I think it's the run attack, that is tough to stop with two dynamic backs like Brown and Williams. NEXT: Bye Week

9. NY Jets (3-2, LW: 6) - Starting to wonder just how good this team is. The offense played good against the Dolphins but the defense really fell apart. The offense probably won't play that well each week but the Sanchez-Edwards combo sure looked good. NEXT vs. Buffalo

10. Houston (2-3, LW: 9) - Yet again, the Houston defense is what kept this team from getting their third win. The Schaub-Johnson connection is one of the best in the NFL though. Watching them work late in a game is fun to see. NEXT @ Cincinnati

11. Jacksonville (2-3, LW: 10) - The Jags seemed to be on an upward trend. But then they laid a goose egg in Seattle. Not only that, but the defense gave up 44 points to a Seahawks offense that had been awful in the weeks before. NEXT vs. St. Louis

12. Tennessee (0-5, LW: 13) - The Titans didn't move up because of something they did right. I mean, they lost again. The team may say Kerry Collins is the guy but I see no harm now in playing Vince Young. They're all but eliminated from the playoffs. NEXT @ New England

13. Cleveland (1-4, LW: 16) - I don't get this team. Their quarterback completes just two passes, the team doesn't score one touchdown and yet, they get their first win. While the team is happy about the way, that win was in no way impressive. NEXT @ Pittsburgh

14. Buffalo (1-4, LW: 12) - Injuries are ravaging this team. After nearly beating the Pats in week one, it's been injury after injury for the Bills. And now, it's starting to show. The schedule is not kind to the team down the road either. NEXT @ NY Jets

15. Kansas City (0-5, LW: 15) - The loss against Dallas hurts but there was stuff to build on. The offense being able to move the ball and the run defense was pretty stout. But this team needs a run game to help Matt Cassel and the passing game. NEXT @ Washington

16. Oakland (1-4, LW: 16) - I know they were playing the Giants but the Raiders needed to put up a better fight than what they did. They were outplayed in all phases and yet again, JaMarcus Russell looked confused and befuddled by the pace of play. NEXT vs. Philadelphia


1. New Orleans (4-0, LW: 1) - No need to drop the Saints because of the bye week. In order to keep the top spot though, they'll have to take care of business at home against the team nipping on their heels for #1. NEXT vs. NY Giants

2. NY Giants (5-0, LW: 2) - Let's not give too much credit to the Giants for their performance against the Raiders. I mean, they were playing the Raiders. But being to play Eli for less than a half was a big plus with NO next week. NEXT @ New Orleans

3. Minnesota (5-0, LW: 3) - The Vikes didn't get much of a challenge from the Rams so no need to move them either. It was business as usual for the offense and defense. Best thing for this team is that they've been pretty much injury free early on. NEXT vs. Baltimore

4. Atlanta (3-1, LW: 4) - Some teams come out of the bye week a little flat. No worries for that for the Falcons. The team just picked apart the Niners defense, en route to 45 points. The defense continues to improve, shutting down San Fran for 3 quarters. NEXT vs. Chicago

5. Philadelphia (3-1, LW: 5) - With Donovan McNabb back, the Eagles may be the best in the conference. But watching them pound TB doesn't say much. They'll cruise next week too. Still wondering if Michael Vick will become a factor before NFC East play. NEXT @ Oakland

6. Chicago (3-1, LW: 7) - The Bears have been playing great since their Week One loss. Now, they have to hope they didn't lose any momentum in the bye week. They'll need as they face a very good ATL team on the road in what was a classic last season. NEXT @ Atlanta

7. San Francisco (3-2, LW: 5) - Talk about a terrible performance. The offense was anemic. The defense couldn't make one stop. And the special teams couldn't even stay out of trouble. Would love to hear what Mike Singletary will preach during the bye week. NEXT: Bye Week

8. Green Bay (2-2, LW: 8) - The biggest thing the Packers needed to work on was establishing a running game. While Aaron Rodgers is improving, they don't want to count on him to win every game. Easy opponent out of the bye week will help. NEXT vs. Detroit

9. Seattle (2-3, LW: 9) - With Matt Hasselbeck back in the fold, this team becomes dangerous once again. The pass game is a threat again, the run game now opens up and the defense gets some rest, giving them a chance to make some stops. NEXT vs. Arizona

10. Dallas (3-2, LW: 9) - The Cowboys may have a winning record but this is a team in trouble. The offense just isn't very consistent, especially Tony Romo. And the pass defense needs some serious improvement if they want to be a contender. NEXT: Bye Week

11. Arizona (2-2, LW: 10) - While Kurt Warner played well, the Cards really need a run game to really be dangerous. It will help them control the clock more and give a bad defense more time to rest up in hopes of bending and not breaking. NEXT @ Seattle

12. Carolina (1-3, LW: 13) - The Panthers did get their first win but had to fight for it against a Redskins team that doesn't fight much. The run game is still not where it was last year and Jake Delhomme still isn't playing like a former Super Bowl QB. NEXT @ Tampa Bay

13. Washington (2-3, LW: 12) - The clock is ticking on Jim Zorn's time in Washington. His team led 17-2 against a Panthers team whose offense is not good right now. Jason Campbell is incredibly inconsistent and it's hurting this team badly. NEXT vs. Kansas City

14. Detroit (1-4, LW: 14) - The Lions never really had a chance against the Vikings, who are superior in every way. Injuries are hurting this team, especially on offense right now. Wins are gonna be hard to come by too with a less than average defense. NEXT @ Green Bay

15. Tampa Bay (0-5, LW: 15) - Josh Johnson isn't playing terrible at QB but he's nto getting any help from his run game or from his defense that can't seem to stop any offense anymore. Losing Monte Kiffin really set this team back a few years. NEXT vs. Carolina

16. St. Louis (0-5, LW: 16) - They are on the fast track of matching the Lions as the only 0-16 teams in NFL history. They have yet to be competitive in any game and with every team zeroing in on Steven Jackson, it'll be up to the passing game to move the offense. NEXT @ Jacksonville