I went 17-3 last week, putting me at 204-62 for the season. This is last full week of games; enjoy it while it lasts folks.
#21 Arizona @ #1 Oregon
While Arizona has been experiencing a great deal of success this season, they have also has a hard time playing against the best teams in the conference. Oregon’s offense has the ability to score from anywhere on the field but was also stymied by the Cal defense for the majority of the game. Arizona’s defense has been one of the defining characteristics of the Wildcats season; however I’m not sure they’re athletic enough to contain the dominating running game of Oregon. I have to give this win to Oregon, though I am rooting for Arizona.
#2 Auburn @ #11 Alabama
Well, for the first time since 1994, this heated rivalry game is relevant to someone who lives outside of Alabama. This is the last game that Auburn would consider a major challenge on their road to the BCS Title game and they have to be confident coming in seeing how Alabama has had a hard time defending the run. However, in both of Alabama’s losses, Alabama was upset by team they were heavily favored against. This would lead me to believe that they were severely overconfident going into those games. It’s impossible for them to be overconfident here, plus they have the home field advantage. I’m going to give this game to Alabama.
#3 TCU @ New Mexico
New Mexico has won precisely one game this year and they aren’t doubling that win total against TCU. Horned Frogs win, but they will need help to stay in the National title race.
#4 Boise State @ #19 Nevada *Game of the Week*
This is the toughest test that Boise State has faced since downing Virginia Tech at the beginning of the season. Nevada, aside from there hiccup against a very good Hawaii team, has been dominating this season. This domination has been personified by the strength of their running game and the talent of quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Last year, that running game really pushed Boise State to the edge. I expect to much the same this year, with the same result, Boise State’s victory.
#5 LSU @ #12 Arkansas
Ugh, what do I say about this game? LSU has been dominating opponents, with their strong defense and a great running attack. Arkansas has a decent defense, but really survives on the strength of a strong passing game. This comes down to whether or not the LSU defense will be able to contain the LSU passing game, which it should be able to do. LSU’s talent in the defensive backfield is good enough to keep Ryan Mallett under control. LSU should win.
Oregon State @ #6 Stanford
Well, saying Oregon State would win the Pac-10 sounds rather stupid now doesn’t it? At this point, they are trying to become bowl eligible while playing against the two best teams in the conference. I don’t like their chances, however they have been pulling huge upsets out a lot over the past few years so, they could easily surprise a few people in these games. I’m still going with my common sense and saying that Stanford should win this game.
Northwestern @ #7 Wisconsin
This game could have been very good, but Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa went out for the season with a knee injury last week. Without Persa, there is little chance that Northwestern is going to have a chance against Wisconsin. The Badgers should win.
Michigan @ #8 Ohio State
Michigan has cooled off greatly since their start to the season, as has their star Denard Robinson. He still is a dangerous runner, but teams have figured out how to counter him and the Wolverines defense has yet to reach the point where it can compete with strong offenses. That defense is what will cripple their chances against Ohio State. The Buckeyes should win easily.
#13 Oklahoma @ #9 Oklahoma State
This matchup features two of the best offenses in the country facing off. It should be fun to watch Justin Blackmon and DeMarco Murray (two of the most explosive players in the country), do their thing. Ultimately, the team whose defense is able to contain the opposing offense will win this game. While Oklahoma State can turn the ball over, Oklahoma is better at not allowing the other team to score points, leading me to pick the Sooners.
#10 Michigan State @ Penn State
Penn State has had some really quarterbacking issues this year, leading them to a vastly unimpressive season. Michigan State will most likely win, though Penn State will put up a fight.
Kansas @ #14 Missouri
I think my feelings on Kansas are known after the past two weeks. Missouri wins.
Colorado @ #15 Nebraska
This game could be closer than you think, because Taylor Martinez and Niles Paul are both injured (Paul missing the rest of the season) and that could greatly hurt the offensive production. However, Colorado hasn’t been very good for a long time, and they shouldn’t be able to compete with the talent of even the Nebraska backups. Cornhuskers should win, but an upset could be in the works.
Virginia @ #16 Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech will continue on their hot streak. Virginia just doesn’t have all their ducks in a row yet.
#17 Texas A&M @ Texas
This is so weird to say. But I don’t think that Texas really stands a chance in this game. They have been unusually unprepared for the quarterback change and just haven’t been playing up to the standards they set for themselves over the past few years. Texas A&M should win this game, mostly on the strength of Von Miller’s pass rush.
#18 South Carolina @ Clemson
South Carolina has to be focused on this game and can’t be looking past Clemson to their eventual SEC Championship matchup against Auburn. While Clemson has been up and down this season, thy have still shown the ability to pull upsets against the best teams they face. However, most of those teams have been inconsistent ACC teams, not dominant SEC teams. I’m giving this to South Carolina.
BYU @ #20 Utah
While Utah has struggled some in the past three weeks, their close victory over San Diego State last week has helped them build some momentum going into this game against a mediocre BYU team. The Utes should be able to continue on their current track and secure themselves as a ten win team this year.
Florida @ #22 Florida State
For the first time in a long time, Florida State would seem to be the favorite in this match up. Since losing Tim Tebow, The Gators seem to be leaderless and directionless. They have the ability to be great, but they just haven’t been able to overcome their ranked opponents during the course of this season. I have to give this win to Florida State, who is riding high after two consecutive wins against tough opponents.
#23 North Carolina State @ Maryland
These two teams are very closely matched. Both have good defenses and do a good job scoring when they have the opportunity to so. Ultimately though, I still love Russell Wilson and think he should be able to overcome the challenges that Maryland lays before them. NC State wins.
#24 Iowa @ Minnesota
While Iowa suffered a major disappointment in their loss to Ohio State, they should have little problem beating down on the hapless and directionless Golden Gophers. Iowa wins.
#25 Mississippi State @ Mississippi
In most cases I would probably just give this game to the ranked team, given how poorly Mississippi has played this year. However, Ole Miss has shown the ability to beat teams that overlook them and that could happen here. That being said, I expect that Mississippi State’s stifling defense will dominate the Ole Miss offense. Mississippi State should win.
Other Games of Note
West Virginia @ Pittsburgh
This is the big determining game in the Big East. If West Virginia wins, they’ll hold the tiebreaker over Pittsburgh for the Big East title and both teams will have the same in-conference record. Both teams rely on a strong defense to keep their offenses in the game, though West Virginia has the ability to run the ball with the best of them. If West Virginia can control the clock and contain Johnny Baldwin, then they should win. I’m of the opinion that they’ll be able to do that and I am calling for them to win.
SMU @ East Carolina
This should be a high flying affair, with both teams using spread passing attacks and neither possessing particularly good defenses. However, the thing that gives SMU the edge is the fact that they don’t have one of the worst defenses in the country, like East Carolina does. Due to that fact, I have to say that SMU will out score East Carolina and take control in Conference USA’s west division.
Southern Mississippi @ Tulsa
This matchup could be a shootout, but it’s less guaranteed than the previous matchup. While Tulsa does have the strong offense, Southern Mississippi has shown that they can play with the best of teams and beat opponents that they should have problems facing. Ultimately I think that Southern Mississippi will be able to do that in this game and I’m calling for them to win.
Wow! Honestly Wow! I can’t justifiably move any of these players. Every single one had games that were either in line with what got them here or that was great, with exception of one: Dominique Davis. While he didn’t have nearly I’m going to stand by the others without explanation. You can check out the stats for each of these players here: http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics
1. Kellen Moore
2. Justin Blackmon
3. LaMichael James
4. Cameron Newton
5. Andrew Luck
6. Colin Kaepernick
7. Andy Dalton
8. Vai Taua
9. Bobby Rainey
10. Lance Dunbar
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