College Football - Live Thread - Week Five

ESPN.com Scoreboard ^ | 28 September to 30 September 2006

[MikefromOhio]

Week Five – College Football

wasn’t supposed to be a weekend that gave us great games, yet it gave as many as “Separation Saturday” did. Between the instant classic that was Notre Dame vs. Michigan State(or an epic choke job if you listen to this clip, to the shocking upset of Boston College by NC State, to the near heart attack that Georgia gave it’s fans against Colorado, the weekend was absolutely spectacular. This week features one real marquee matchup. #1 Ohio State visits Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City to play #13 Iowa. This should be an excellent game. Other notable games are #24 Georgia Tech at #11 Virginia Tech and Alabama at #5 Florida.

As always, all rankings are from the ESPN.com Scoreboard page. The betting lines (used sorely for the basis of predictions) are from Yahoo.com. I will list any games of interest (FReepmail me if you want your team included and I will include them from here on out) and any other games listed in my Yahoo league. I have a new feature this week. In each game that I do not have any confidence, or any game that I think a team could have an unexpected struggle, I will post a picture of a landmine for illustration.

GAME of the WEEK

Saturday, September 30th, 2006 – 8:00 PM on ABC

(1) Ohio State (-6.5) at (13) Iowa

Ohio State faces easily it’s biggest in conference challenge until the Michigan game in November. This is a tough game with an Iowa team that dominated Ohio State the last time they played (33-7 in 2004) in Iowa City. That was then and these are both very different teams. Iowa, having escaped Syracuse and played two consecutive uninspired games against Iowa State and Illinois, have a chance to make a lot of noise in the Big Ten and nationally. Ohio State has a chance to keep the dream season going. The key of this game comes down to the battle of the Quarterbacks. If Troy Smith throws 2 interceptions like he did against Penn State, Ohio State will struggle to win this game. Same goes for Iowa and QB Drew Tate. If he struggles or gets rattled like what happened last year against Ohio State, then Iowa will struggle to win this game. In the end I think Ohio State’s defense will continue to play well enough to put this team in position to win the game. Iowa will keep it close, but this Ohio State team went into Austin and won. Iowa can win this game, but I think Ohio State will win this game.

Ohio State 29 – Iowa 17

Thursday September 28th, 2006 (ESPN Thursday Night Game)

(2) Auburn (-14) at South Carolina

Carolina as a 2TD underdog at home on a Thursday night ESPN game (when crazy things tend to happen)? No way. Auburn wins, but it will be closer than expected.

Auburn 23 – South Carolina 16

Saturday September 30th 2006 (in ranking order)

(3) USC (-17) at Washington State

USC 28 – Washington St. 17

(4) West Virginia BYE

Alabama at (5) Florida (-16)

Florida 32 – Alabama 10

(6) Michigan (-9.5) at Minnesota

Michigan 35 – Minnesota 18

Sam Houston St. at (7) Texas (NL)

Texas 56 – Sam Houston St 6

(8) Louisville (-14) BYE

Mississippi St. at (9) LSU (-33)

LSU 48 – Tulane 7

(10) UGA (-18) at Mississippi

UGA 20 – Mississippi 10

(24) Georgia Tech at (11) Virginia Tech (-10.5)

Virginia Tech 26 – GT 18

Purdue at (12) Notre Dame (-14)

Purdue 43 – Notre Dame 33

(14) Oregon at Arizona St (-1.5)

Oregon 33 – Arizona St. 24

(15) Tennessee (-13) at Memphis

Tennessee 35 – Memphis 21

(16) Oklahoma BYE

BYU at (17) TCU (-6.5)

No pick – The game started before I got to this point. Judging from the score so far, I don’t think TCU has gotten to the game yet either.

LA Tech at (18) Clemson (-33.5)

Clemson 52 – LA Tech 13

(19) Florida State BYE

(20) Cal (-9.5) at Oregon St

Cal 42 – Oregon St. 16

Kansas at (21) Nebraska (-23)

Nebraska 38 – Kansas 12

(22) Boise State at Utah (-5.5)

Boise St. 28 – Utah 17

(23) Rutgers (-4) at South Florida

Rutgers 24 – South Florida 19

Colorado at (25) Missouri (-16)

Mizzou 32 – Colorado 15

BY REQUEST

New Mexico at Air Force (-13.5)

Air Force is a good enough team to take Tennessee to the limit. Although New Mexico surprised me last week and kicked UTEP off of the field, I don’t think they will do that to this Air Force team.

Air Force 32 - UNM 17

71-12 Straight UP
48-33-2 Against the Spread

My straight up picks are doing ok, but I got annihilated by the spread last week.

[Peanut Gallery]

Where can you get one of those house divided flags? I have often described us as a mixed marriage - I'm the aggie, he's the techie.

[aft_lizard]

He went to the hospital and regained use of his arms and legs and so far seems like he will be ok.

[dfwgator]

UGA ain't that impressive, I think Tennessee spanks them next week.

[catholicfreeper]

It hard to tell. It is a away conference game but this on top of that game last week yikes. They dont seem to be team they were last year

[catholicfreeper]

Well it looks like we shall be the big game next week. I heard College gameday is going to the swamp

[dfwgator]

Yep, we'll know a lot more about these teams after the game next week. One thing I know is that the Gators cannot afford another slow start in this one. LSU probably is the most athletic team we face all year.

[catholicfreeper]

Boy the gators just got a lot of love on ESPN. Basically saying if yall win out there is no way yall can be denied number 2. I hope someone recorded that lol. I am sure if that happens there will be some back tracking

[dfwgator]

I watched part of the Nebraska-KU game, and the one thing I thought of, after seeing the Kansas coach is that, one day that guy is going to drop dead of a heart attack in the middle of game. I mean how do you let yourself get that big? He makes Parcells look like Twiggy.

[dfwgator]

I know that if USC and Ohio State/Michigan run the table, that probably the SEC winner will get "Au-Burned" by the BCS.

Maybe Florida has a better non-conference schedule than some of the other SEC schools, but I don't know if it will be enough. I wanted WSU to beat USC so bad, darn they were so close.

[A CA Guy]

USC has been hit with a lot of injuries.

They have new people filling some key spots and Washington had a great game from what I saw.
I look for them to upset some teams along the way this year IMO

[A CA Guy]

USC also played badly in every way tonight as Washington had a great game.

USC still won playing it's worst game all year, which is what you have to do sometimes.

I've played some competitive sports where you are in a tournament, nothing is going your way, you opponent is playing out of their shorts and you are far less than average.
To win under that circumstance is something you just do when overall you are a good team IMO.

[catholicfreeper]

YEah,The only other non conference school we play that thought would be good(Fresno State) is losing. Oh well

[BookmanTheJanitor]

Actually, if you add up all the players who left for the NFL /graduated and add them to the numerous players already injured, I have no problem with the team. I just think some USC fans have unreasonable expectations from the team and that, as of right now, there are some better teams in college football.

My main problem tonight was with some of the guys doing a pregame stomp on the Washington State logo. It's bush league and has never been part of USC. I'm sure Carroll will address this.

[hawkeye101]

Kirk Ferentz either needs to give back 60% of his salary, or resign. He is being paid more than several coaches who have won national championships. Either he gives the Iowa fans a national championship, or he gives back his salary.

[A CA Guy]

I for sure think they are in a rebuilding stage with especially all the injuries.

I think a lot of talent left last year in all of College football and that it's weaker overall anyway this year.

[BookmanTheJanitor]

I for sure think they are in a rebuilding stage with especially all the injuries. I think a lot of talent left last year in all of College football and that it's weaker overall anyway this year.

I agree with all of that. I think USC fans are going to have to get used to a ball-controlling, time consuming offense. The days of Matt & Reggie scoring in 3-4 plays aren't happening.

I thought Booty did fine tonight. Steve Smith was the obvious star. Sorry to see McFoy get hurt...between the number receivers, defensive backs, and fullbacks lost already, a lot of freshman are going to play. Growing pains are going to happen. Like I said, I have no problem w/ the team....I just think that some people (including the media) are expecting last year's offense. It ain't happening...at least, not this year.

[catholicfreeper]

I have to say , and it is not only because I know the Booty family, how impressed I am with that kid. I wish more QB's would follow his example and realize that one can be part of the team and learn instead of demanding they play x amount theior Freshman or Sophmore year or they are hightailing it to another school

[BookmanTheJanitor]

Yep, I am real happy for Booty and he has earned/deserves any of his success. It would have been real easy to transfer. His commitment is admirable, especially in this day and age. I just hope USC can keep enough healthy bodies around to support him (lost another receiver tonight).

PS- BTW...you guys have a helluva team there at LSU ...good luck the rest of the year.