#1 Alabama @ #19 South Carolina
I really want to pick South Carolina. I love what they have been able to do this season and how they have finally grown into an offense that can support the defense that has been putting the Gamecocks into bowl games for the past few years. However, in spite of this, Alabama has dropped off very little from last year and their defense should be able to shut down Marcus Lattimore. I wouldn’t trust Stephen Garcia to fare any better than Ryan Mallett did against this team. Alabama wins, sadly.
Indiana @ #2 Ohio State
Man, Indiana is just the whipping boy for the Big Ten this year aren’t they? I am aware that they are having a good year and that they lead the Big Ten in passing yards,but still following their first loss against Michigan by playing the best team in the Big Ten? That’s rough. I doubt their going to pull this game out. Buckeyes win.
#3 Oregon @ Washington State
Oregon has no business being above Boise State. But that’s the AP and BCS, no merit for success just name. Oh yeah, Oregon wins big.
Toledo @ #4 Boise State
Toledo got their big win against Purdue. Boise State is not Purdue. Boise State would beat Purdue by a solid 20 points. Therefore Boise state wins. But Toledo is still better than most people give them credit for. Not top 25 good, but I think you get my point.
Wyoming @ #5 TCU
I really do like where Wyoming is going. They look like their beginning to build their way out of the doldrums of college football. But they aren’t there yet. TCU wins.
#6 Oklahoma: Bye
#7 Nebraska @ Kansas State
Tonight’s game should be a down and dirty running affair. Between the option attack of Nebraska and Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas, this game could see a ton of big, highlight reel runs. But, Nebraska is ranked this high for a reason, that being their talented defense. I’m taking the Cornhuskers.
#8 Auburn @ Kentucky
The Auburn Tigers should continue their winning ways against an average Kentucky team.
Oregon State @ #9 Arizona
Another game I really wanted to pick as game of the week. In spite of Oregon State losing two of their games, they also faced the two best teams in the country (in my opinion). I’m still sticking by my pick of Oregon State to win the Pac-10 so I think they’ll win this game in the upset of the week. However, if Arizona wins I wouldn’t be surprised or saddened. Arizona my final be on the path to their first Rose Bowl.
#10 Utah @ Iowa State
While Iowa State has had a nice start to the season, I don’t think they’ll be able to hold it together against the dominant Utes of Utah.
#11 Arkansas @ Texas A&M
As interception prone as Ryan Mallett looked against Alabama, Jerrod Johnson looked even worse against Oklahoma State. For this reason, I am selecting Arkansas to win, though it will be interesting to watch, since Texas A&M’s defense looked very good last Thursday.
#12 LSU @ #14 Florida
Another tight looking game. In spite of Jordan Jefferson not performing well last week, LSU was able to pull out the victory. On the other side, Florida realized just how far they have fallen when they ran into the buzz saw that is the Alabama defense. While I certainly think LSU can pull out the victory, I’m going to go with Florida. I just got a gut feeling on this one.
#23 Florida State @ #13 Miami (Fl.) *Game of the Week*
Why is this one game of the week? This game is not only laden with history, but these two teams are also closely matched and both are going to be in the hunt for the ACC title until then end. These could even be the two best teams in the ACC. While the opinion of Miami may be lower because they were beat down on national television, they’re no team to underestimate. While Christian Ponder had more build-up going into the season, I’m going to say that Jacory Harris has grown enough to overcome the Florida State defense. Miami wins by a field goal, again.
#15 Iowa: Bye
USC @ #16 Stanford
While Stanford suffered a bad defeat at the hands of the Oregon, USC is no Oregon. Honestly this will be a test for Stanford, mostly to see if they can handle being ranked again. If they choke in this game, then they clearly aren’t quite ready for the big game. That being said I’m picking Stanford since USC is being coached by Monte Kiffin’s son and he is far from a quality head coach.
#17 Michigan State @ #18 Michigan
I know a lot of people would expect this game to be the game of the week, but honestly, there just isn’t as much history here as there is with the Florida State-Miami game. That lack of history is mostly due to the lack of success of Michigan State relative to Michigan’s success. And that trend is likely to continue in this game. Maybe I’m just underestimating Michigan State, but I’m just not ready to pick them over the rolling Michigan Wolverines. ‘Mazing blue win again.
Minnesota @ #20 Wisconsin
Wisconsin suffered a bad loss against Michigan State. I think they won’t suffer a second straight bad defeat. I think they destroy Minnesota.
San Jose State @ #21 Nevada
San Jose State just can’t catch a break can they? Colin Kaepernick gets a chance to further build on his impressive statistics.
#22 Oklahoma State @ Louisiana-Lafayette
Why exactly is this game going to be televised nationally? A middle of the road team in the Sun Belt isn’t going to pose much a challenge to Oklahoma State. Oh well. Okie Doke State wins.
Colorado @ #24 Missouri
Colorado is faring much better than I thought they would, making this game a lot better than most thought it would be looking at it in the preseason. There could be an upset pulled, if this game was in Boulder. But it’s not. So I’m going with Blaine Gabbert and the better team. Missouri wins.
Colorado State @ #25 Air Force
Air Force pulled their big win over Navy last week and clawed their way into the national rankings. Now they get the weak Colorado State Rams, a virtual warm up game. Falcons fly.
Other Games of Note
Syracuse @ South Florida
WOW! I am so surprised that I am finding Syracuse somewhere on my list of notable games. I thought the only reason that they would appear on one of my previews was because they were playing a ranked team. Well, four games into the season, Syracuse has lost only one and now faces South Florida who has also lost only one game. I am picking South Florida to win; mostly on the basis of one stat. South Florida is undefeated at home this season while the one loss that Syracuse has suffered came on the road. I think that trend continues and the Bulls beat the Orangemen.
Baylor @ Texas Tech
I think this game will be a big proving ground game for the Baylor Bears. They are facing a Texas tech team that recovered from the loss of their coach surprisingly quick and have looked like they have not lost a step in the offensive production department. On the other side, Baylor QB Robert Griffith has been sensational and I look for him to continue his run. I’m going with the big upset and picking Baylor to win. Go Bears.
East Carolina @ Southern Mississippi
One of two pivotal games in conference USA this week, we find the surprising Pirates of East Carolina facing the traditional powerhouse of Southern Mississippi. While I like the experience of the Golden Eagles, I think they get way too clever with their offense at times and try to force plays where there aren’t any to be made. I’m picking East Carolina to win.
Tulsa @ SMU
Both teams have suffered difficult losses and both teams like to use an up-tempo spread offense. I look for a lot of points to be put up in this game, but for the experience G.J. Kinne to come out on top. Tulsa wins.
Hawaii @ Fresno State
This game will go a long way to determining who will get bowl berths coming out of the WAC. In spite of Fresno State’s embarrassing loss at the hands of Ole Miss, I think they are still one of the most dangerous teams in college football and they will run Hawaii back to the islands. Fresno Wins.
No comments:
Post a Comment