College Football Weekend Preview

GAME of the WEEK:

#2 Texas (-15.5) vs. #10 Texas Tech

Tech is looking for respect. Texas is looking to keep the dream season going. I think
that this game will be closer than the line or the final score may indicate.

Texas 45 – Texas Tech 24

Big Ten:

Northwestern at #22 Michigan State (-11.5)

Michigan State is still bent that they blew it in the Horseshoe against my Buckeyes. They
REALLY blew the opportunity, not only starting with the blocked FG, but when the
Buckeyes fumbled deep in their own territory in the 4th QTR but didn’t come away with
any points. That said, Northwestern has a MUCH better offense than anything OSU has.
Look for tons of fireworks, nearly 1000 yards of total offense, and NO defense here.

Michigan State 52 – Northwestern 46

Purdue at #19 Wisconsin (-8)

Purdue has really nothing going for it. As a preseason Big Ten title contender, they
SHOULD be better than their 2-4 record indicates. But that’s why they play the
game. Wisconsin will run the ball. And run the ball, and run the ball and…well
you get the picture.

Wisconsin 43 – Purdue 17

#14 Ohio State (-15.5) at Indiana

Indiana is a much improved team this year. They are utilizing their talent much better
this year than they have in the past. Unfortunately they are playing probably the
most talented team in the Big Ten this week. It will be closer than it should be, but
the Buckeyes never seem to blow anyone out. And don’t be surprised if this game
is kind of close for a half or so.

Ohio State 42 – Indiana 7

#12 Penn State (-16.5) at Illinois

Can a relatively young team in Penn State bounce back after back to back emotionally
draining weeks to beat something they SHOULD beat? WE will see. I think they
take a step back here, but I don’t think they will lose. But they will make it closer
than it should be. Gotta love those 2+ TD home ‘dogs too….

Penn State 26 – Illinois 17

BIG TEN Game of the Week:

Michigan at Iowa (-3)

This game will go a long way to determining the pecking order in the Big Ten. Can
Michigan build off of last week’s big win over PSU? Can Iowa do their yearly run
for the title after losing a couple games early? WE shall see. Michigan can run the
ball. Iowa gave up nearly 300 yards rushing to Ohio State (a team with NO rushing
game).

Michigan 24 – Iowa 16

SEC:

Arkansas at #4 Georgia (-19)

Georgia has been rolling so far this year. I think they keep it going. Arkansas is a
shadow of it’s former self. DJ Shockley has a big day and becomes THE dark horse
candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Georgia 35 – Arkansas 13

#16 Auburn at #7 LSU (-6.5)

Most weeks, this would be the game of the week, but this game will be overshadowed by
Alabama v Tennessee. LSU can assume control of the SEC West with a win here.
Auburn can prove that last year wasn’t a fluke and put itself into the driver’s seat for
a position in the SEC championship game. I think LSU gets it done and looks good
doing so, but Auburn will fight for every yard.

LSU 17 – Auburn 13

SEC Game of the Week:

#17 Tennessee at #5 Alabama (-3)

Poor Phil Fulmer. He has to go to Tuscaloosa for the first time since he reported Bama to
the NCAA authorities: allegations that nearly sent ‘Bama to the realm of SMU.
Now, 2 coaches later and a probation later, Bama is back in a big big way. And you
know ‘Bama fan is waiting to get a piece of Phil Fulmer too. Without Tyrone
Prothro, Alabama had a tough time scoring against Ole Miss last week. Tennessee
is a team that is light years ahead of Ole Miss. Yeah I know UT lost to Florida and
Alabama blew Florida out, but both are different teams now.

Tennessee 27 – Alabama 10

Big XII: (The Big XII game of the week is Texas v. Texas Tech)

Nebraska at Missouri (-2.5)

Brad Smith seems to play very well against horrible teams, yet seems to disappear in the
big game (Texas aside this year). The Black shirts are back for Nebraska. This is a
National Championship caliber Defense with a High School caliber offense. But
needless to say Nebraska IS improving on offense every week. I think that streak
continues, and I think that Brad Smith will find it very hard to keep it going this
week against a very good Nebraska Defense.

Nebraska 28 – Mizzou 13

Baylor at Oklahoma (-14)

When was the last time Baylor went to Norman with more wins than Oklahoma has? I
couldn’t tell you. It’s been a long time that is for sure. After six games, Oklahoma
is still searching for an identity. They got steamrolled by Texas. They MUST win
this game to even hope for a bowl berth. Baylor, on the other hand, has a program
defining win within their grasp. If Adrian Peterson plays, Oklahoma wins. If he
doesn’t, look for a dogfight of immense proportions. I think he will play.

Oklahoma 35 – Baylor 20

ACC:

#3 VT at Maryland – Thursday (maybe I should do this on Wednesdays?). VT keeps
turning the ball over too. But in the end, it didn’t matter, VT 28 – Maryland 9

Georgia Tech at #6 Miami – Rescheduled to November 19th because of Hurricane Wilma.
This was going to be my ACC game of the week….

#23 Virginia at North Carolina (-1)

Virginia beat a possibly overrated Florida State team last week. I think this week’s line
shows that. But I think that if Hagans, their QB, is healthy, they will end up
coasting in this game. But if he isn’t or if they come out flat, I can see them losing
this game. I think they will come out a bit flat.

Virginia 28 – North Carolina 17

# 11 Florida State (-29.5) at Duke

FSU took a huge loss last week. Not in terms of personnel, but in terms of swagger. No
way should that Virginia team beaten an FSU team with this much talent. But that
is why the game is played. BTW, the over/under on the number of dagummits by
Bobby Bowden in this game is 5.5.

FSU 55 – Duke 3

Pac-10:

#15 Oregon (-9.5) at Arizona

Arizona stuck with USC for a half. It would be something to build on for the Wildcats if
they could win this week. I don’t think they will stick with an Oregon team that has
been on a roll of late.

Oregon 42 – Arizona 17

#1 USC (-30) at Washington

USC is a veteran team that would take some NFL teams to the wire. Washington is in the
first year of a new coaching regime after a scandal nearly decapitated the team 3
years ago. USC has too many guns to lose this, but look for Washington to make it
interesting.

USC 51 – Washington 18

Washington State at #25 Cal (-11.5)

Cal needs to have a good game here. Jeff Tedford will have his guys ready to play
against a physically beaten Wazzu team that did take UCLA into overtime last
week. But let’s remember that Wazzu gave up a 17 point lead in that game to
UCLA and lost in devastating fashion.

Cal 43 – WSU 28

Pac-10 Game of the Week:

Oregon State at #8 UCLA (-9)

I think this line is too close. I don’t think Oregon State has the defense to stop UCLA.
And I think UCLA will play something similar to the defense they played in their
first 5 games, not what they played in their 6th game (against Washington State).
UCLA will get past the other OSU and will continue the dream season as well.

UCLA 38 – Oregon State 23

Big East:

#20 West Virginia at South Florida has been reschedule to December 3rd due to Hurricane
Wilma.

Other games:

#24 Fresno State (-28.5) at Idaho

Might Fresno get caught looking ahead to the showdown with USC? WE will see. I don’t think they will.

Fresno State 48 – Idaho 10

BYU at #9 Notre Dame (-19)

19 points?!? For Notre Dame over BYU? This is a team that, until 07 seconds left in the
game of the year (and probably of the past decade), took easily the best team in the
past 25 years to the wire? No way, no how BYU is even in this game by halftime.

Notre Dame 55 – BYU 7

#21 TCU (pick) at Air Force

TCU shocked the world by beating Oklahoma the first week of the season. Then the
World noticed that this isn’t your normal Oklahoma team this year. TCU has a
good defense, but the offense can be shaky sometimes. I think Air Force gives them
a great shot and pulls off the upset.

Air Force 37 – TCU 21

Navy at Rice

The battle of the option offenses is upon us. I think this game will take a total of an hour
and 20 minutes to play. Navy is the superior team here and I think that will play out
as well.

Navy 28 – Rice 13

College Football Ping.

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Tennessee beats Alabama? I will root for Tennessee but Alabama has a better team this year hands down.

They did, but I think their offense is going to struggle against a battle tested Tennessee defense.

I think that what happened with Bama without Tyrone Prothro last week will carry over this week as well.

Just me though.

Hate to say I agree. Defensively Alabama is susceptible right up the middle. Just like Florida should have been. Unfortunately Phil was too smart by half and started tossing the ball around. If Tennessee stays with the ground game they can win. Brodie is one weakside blitz away from disaster again.

If Texas rolls tomorrow, they will run the table from here on.

I think so too.

I don't think anyone coming out of the Big XII North in the Big XII championship game will be good enough to challenge them.

But Nebraska would be an interesting matchup for sure.

Texas will likely win tomorrow. Assuming that, Texas will win out and will be going to Pasadena.

Take BYU and the points....

ya think?

I don't know. I think Weis will get ND rolling....

College kids, college mentality, can't "get up" every week...

possibly...

I just didn't get the impression that BYU is that good.

They don't have to win, just cover...

Yeah but I think Weis will open it up to get the players loosened up....

Nebraska prediction is right on the money, and if there offense clicks on all cylinders it has the potential to be a blowout, they have the players on offense but they are young and relatively sloppy, but they get better every week.

thanks :)

I love doing this stuff.

I wish I could get paid to do it, but since I won't, I'll just do it for fun :)

Brad Smith has great physical tools, but when the defenders have simliar tools, his teammates aren't on his level and his play suffers as well.

Nebraska will put him to the ground at least 6 times in sacks along with about 20 other big hits on him....

Obviously, I applaud your knowledge and in depth reasoning.

Back to Nebraska, I think this will be the game that will cause the pollsters to wake up and realize that they arent the same 5-6 team from last year. It looks like the road to the Big 12 north title will go through Boulder and it will be one heck of a game.

maybe.

I don't think Colorado can keep the Nebraska defense off of their QB either.

I think Nebraska could beat Texas actually, but that offense will need to improve to win and to keep it's defense off of the field.

One thing Colorado has always had over Nebraska and thats pure talent, and they have it this year, whether Nebraska can handle it this year is to be determined.

Of course BC has put together some ,so far on paper anyways, great recruiting classes for 2004, 2005 and so far 2006 so by at least next year the West Coast Offense should be fully ready and without excuse.

yeah...

We will see of course, but I don't think Oklahoma will be horrible forever and I think Texas Tech is an up and comer too.....

But as with all things, the power teams eventually reassert control....