Alabama vs LSU

Crimson Tide vs Bayou Bengals (11/5 at 8:00 pm ET, on CBS) - Game of the Year

Being pressed for time (having missed last week entirely), I'm just going with one game this week.  And, sorry to fans of other teams that are playing in big games, this is the one that truly matters.  This colossal match-up will almost certainly determine who plays for and wins the 2011/2012 national title.  This is The Game of the Century (until next year when we have another game of the century, but let's just ignore this annual trend...).

Anyway, a quick run-down of the game.  It's going to be a slobber-knocker.  The two most physical teams in the NCAA.  Two of the biggest, most athletic teams.  And two disciplined teams that know how to win and will fight until the bitter end.  Alabama has the most high-powered rushing attack in college football, led by Heisman frontrunner Trent Richardson (in turn led by a powerful OL).  But LSU loves to stack the box, and their front seven is nothing to sneeze at.  If there's one team in the country that can stop Alabama's crushing assault, it's LSU.  Why?  Because they can stack the box without to much worry of their opponent's passing attack.  Their secondary is arguably the best in the country, and even though Bama has some burners at the WR position (Marquis Maze comes to mind), AJ McCarron isn't good enough to pick apart these Tiger DBs, led by phenomenal play-maker Tyrann Mathieu.  But we know Bama is going to grind and grind, and if LSU can't muster up some offense, then even the greatest defensive effort won't do them any good. LSU's offense is a lot more fancy than the "pound the rock" style of Bama, but Jarrett Lee still isn't the QB to lead them back to the promised land.  That's unfortunate, because if there's a chink in Alabama's defensive armor, then it's in their secondary.  Their front seven is the best in NCAAF, will shut LSU's rushers down, and put huge pressure on Lee and other QB Jordan Jefferson.  It's going to be a long day to be a QB for the Bayou Bengals.  But it's going to be a great day to be a fan of college football.

Prediction: Alabama is at home, and I think that decides it.  In the best football game of the year, Alabama wins by 6.

Week 8

Oklahoma State @ Missouri (10/22 at 12:00 pm ET, on FX)

Okie State continues to roll after their handy victory against Texas and is now up in rank to #4 in the country.  Mizzou holds a 3-3 record, but all three losses have been close games against great teams.  And this game is at home for the Tigers, which means a great deal considering all three of their losses were on the road.  But either way, get ready for a high-scoring affair, and if you're a fan of big-time offenses, then this is you game of the week.

Prediction: Upset special of the week: Missouri stuns Okie State by 2.

Auburn @ LSU (10/22 at 3:30 pm ET, on CBS)

Auburn continues to have offensive woes, but is winning regardless.  As they showed against Florida last week, they certainly can wins games with their defense.  Their defense better show up again, because they're going to have to have their best outing of the year if they want to stick with the #1 ranked LSU Tigers.  Working in their favor is multiple suspensions LSU has to work through, including one to their big-time defensive play-maker Mathieu.  Either way, Gus Malzahn and his Auburn offense have their work cut out for them.  This is your SEC game of the week.

Prediction: LSU is way too much even with suspensions; they take this game by 16.

USC @ Notre Dame (10/22 at 7:30 pm ET, on NBC)

Ok, this rivalry doesn't really have the appeal it did several years ago.  Neither team is back in the national title picture, but at least both are somewhat on the same level.  Regardless of how they're doing, this is one of the fiercest rivalries in the land.  You know both teams are going to put it all on the line, and that alone makes this game a must-watch.  I expect to see some scoring in this one, with the winner getting at least 35.  So if you're up for a high-scoring rivalry, here you go.

Prediction: USC continues to move in the right direction by taking one in South Bend by 8.

Washington @ Stanford (10/22 at 8:00 pm ET, on ABC and ESPN3)

This one is intriguing.  Stanford is one of the few remaining unbeatens, and yet they're only ranked #8 in the country, so they're certainly not getting the respect of the other teams with the same record.  Looking at their schedule though, you can see that they haven't exactly faced an elite opponent yet, and they've actually started out fairly slow in most of their games.  Washington only has one blemish so far, a thirteen point loss to Nebraska.  They're a solid team, but give up some points.  This one is so interesting because we're looking at yet another shoot-out.  Andrew Luck should have his way with the Huskie D, while Stanford's D gives up points early on and might dig their team a hole.  If so, we're going to see one hell of a firefight.

Prediction: Stanford is at home and squeaks past the Huskies by 9.

Wisconsin @ Michigan State (10/22 at 8:00 pm ET, on ESPN/ESPN3) - Game of the Week

Another heavyweight Big Ten match-up between two smash-mouth programs.  Wisconsin will come in as the clear favorites, but the game being in East Lansing will even it up a bit.  Both teams are big and tough as nails, and both defenses know they'll have to lay the wood if they want to give their side a chance, and both will be up to the challenge.  You won't see points flying up on the board in this one, but it's hard not to appreciate hard hits and players getting laid out on every down.  State will have to contain Russell Wilson if they want a shot, so get ready to see a huge amount of pressure every time the Badgers take a snap.  This is the Big Ten game of the year.

Prediction: Wisconsin is one of the only true threats to Bama and LSU.  They win by 14.

Week 7

 I'm a bit late this week, but I made sure to get the list up before Saturday.  We're getting deep into the season now, and talk of mega-conferences is once again in full force.  Which brings me to the first game of the week....

Baylor @ Texas A&M (10/15 at 12:00 pm ET, on FX) - Game of the Week

No love lost here.  Big squabble about A&M leaving the Big 12 for the SEC, leaving Baylor in the dust.  With the Baylor program's fate in the air, you can expect one hell of a grudge match this Saturday.  Not that that's the only reason this is the game of the week.  Both of these teams have landed on my lists in the past, and multiple times on top of that (and they've won their share as well).  As I've said previously, these offenses are for real.  And questionable defenses can result in an awesome display of fireworks.  Buckle your seat belts ladies and gentlemen, because I liken this game to the Arkansas/A&M game from two weeks ago that was an instant classic.


Prediction: This time, however, A&M will get theirs.  They win by 9.



Michigan @ Michigan State (10/15 at 12:00 pm ET, on ESPN/ESPN3)

Another bitter in-state rivalry, and one that has been dominated by the "little" brother as of late.  Michigan seems to have gotten back on track this season, starting 6-0 for the first time in several years, but I still find myself questioning their defense.  Well, we'll find out a lot this Saturday.  Michigan State is as "Big 10" as it gets.  They're going to pound the ball on offense, and put big hits on Denard Robinson and the Wolverine play-makers every chance they get.  Michigan hasn't faced a team this physical yet, so they better buckle-up those chin-straps because the Spartans would love nothing more than to extend their winning streak against the Wolverines to four games.  I have a feeling this one's going down to the wire.


Prediction: The Spartans shock Michigan again, exposing their D en route to an 8 point win.



Oklahoma State @ Texas (10/15 at 3:30 pm ET, on ABC or ESPN/ESPN3)

Texas still isn't back in the national title picture, as was shown last week when they were demolished by arch-rival Oklahoma.  Now the other major Oklahoma squad comes to Austin in the form of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.  And these boys are legit too.  So how will Texas respond?  Mack Brown hired an outstanding set of coaches after last season, as I've said before, but you have to think they had the wind knocked out of them after last week.  But Okie State is like Texas A&M in that their defense is a constant question mark.  Which means, with the Longhorns' skilled offense, they have a fighter's chance in this one.  This game might be the second best offensive shootout of the week after A&M and Baylor, and you definitely shouldn't miss this one.


Prediction: But the Cowboys are too much in this win and take it by 13.



Florida @ Auburn (10/15 at 7:00 pm ET, on ESPN/ESPN3)

This game is mostly here because I don't want too many of my games of the week being at the same time.  So Florida gets a chance to redeem themselves after being placed as a game of the week against Alabama and being embarrassed.  I put UGA on notification last week, so now it's Florida's turn.  The War Eagle finally ran out of luck last week against Arkansas, but this week they get a Florida team that has been creamed not once, but twice over the last two weeks (the latter game against LSU).  Auburn has had a lot of good fortune at home against the Gators in recent years, and some of those wins were against very good Florida teams.  While I believe Will Muschamp is a good fit for the Swamp and will have the Gators firing on all cylinders in the near future, this is not a good Gator squad.  But it'll be a very tough game anyway.  Florida's defense is very strong and arguably the toughest one the Tigers have faced this season.  That'll keep Florida in the game, and if they can get their elite speed rolling, Auburn's in for a brawl.  But they're at home, and that alone is worth a couple of TDs in this series.


Prediction: Home-field is enough for Auburn to squeak it out by 6.



Arizona State @ Oregon (10/15 at 10:15 pm ET, on ESPN/ESPN3)

Very intriguing matchup out west.  Oregon has one high-powered offense, while Arizona State isn't afraid to step up and hit you in the mouth.  ASU will come in believing that this is the game that could win them the Pac-12, and they'll be right about that.  But this game is in the Autzen, and that makes all the difference in the world.  Oregon is also on a roll, though they give up big points.  This one will likely be a shootout, and it'll be a perfect matchup for you folks who like to stay up late on Saturday night.  While I've hinted at the contrary, this likely won't be the biggest Pac-12 regular season game (Stanford/Oregon probably will be), but it'll be one hell of a way to cap off what will certainly be an awesome day of college football.

Prediction: LaMichael James and the Ducks are too much here; they win by 10.

Week 6

 All right.. ya know what.. we're now in week 6, so it's time to spice stuff up.  Less statistics, more getting right to why each game is worth your time.  So let's get to some more college football talk.

Oklahoma vs Texas (10/8 at 12:00 pm ET, on ABC) - Game of the Week

It's the Red River Rivalry, and both teams are ranked.  What more reason do you need.  The winner will be the heands-on favorite to win the Big 12 and play in the BCS national championship.  Everything will be on the line in Dallas this Saturday.  Texas' off-season coaching changes have paid off big time, and now it's safe to say that they're going in the right direction.  Problem is, Oklahoma is already there.  And outside of LSU and Alabama, I don't see anybody standing in their way.  But you can be assured that those Longhorns are coming in with that high-energy defense with a point to prove.  It's gonna be a fun one in Dallas.

Prediction: But damn, Oklahoma is the real deal and they win by 14.

Missouri @ Kansas State (10/8 at 3:30 pm ET, on ABC/ESPN3)

Don't be fooled by Mizzou's 2-2 record.  Those losses were by 10 points @ Oklahoma, and in OT @ Arizona State.   And they managed 58 points in those 2 games combined, against phenomenal defenses.  They're exciting, and they can put up some points.  K-State on the other hand, is undefeated, coming off two emotional victories @ Miami and at home against that high-powered Baylor offense.  This is the best Wildcat team since they blew out Oklahoma in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game.  And this time, it looks like they've got an offense to go along with that always-testy defense.  And this will one hell of a sleeper game this week.

Prediction: Kansas State does it again, winning by 2.

Iowa @ Penn State (10/8 at 3:30 pm ET, on ABC or ESPN/ESPN3)

When somebody mentions utter ownage on one consistently competitive program over another, the series you'll think of depends on where you live.  If you live in the Southeast, then you think Florida over Georgia.  If you live in the Midwest, then you think Iowa over Penn State.  Iowa is 8-1 in their last nine games against Penn State despite Penn State having arguably been the better program in recent years.  Iowa has already lost a tough one to in-state rival Iowa State in OT, but followed it up with an impressive win over Pitt.  PSU's only loss is to powerhouse Alabama.  But you can throw all of that out the window for this one.  Both teams are having their struggles, but one thing's certain: both defenses like to deal big hits.  So if you want a defensive battle this is it.  And after a PSU player's comments about Iowa being just "a wrestling school," well, there's gonna be some licks thrown around.  Expect an all-out brawl in Happy Valley.

Prediction: Iowa continues to own their Big Ten foe and wins by 5.

Auburn @ Arkansas (10/8 at 7:00 pm ET, on ESPN/ESPN3)

Down year my ass.  Auburn shocked the SEC last week with their upset win against South Carolina, throwing the SEC East into chaos.  They'll look continue their upward trend in Fayetteville against an Arkansas squad coming off a big comeback win against Texas A&M.  Auburn isn't down, and Arkansas is still at the top of their game; this is gonna be a good ole fashion SEC backyard brawl.  The Hogs are gonna be welcoming this game with open arms after last week, and if they win, they'll still have a puncher's chance in the SEC West.  Auburn's gotta be feeling good about their chances, but we'll see how long that lasts after a few well-timed combos from that Razorback offense.  If the War Eagle can withstand the early flurry of jabs and work inside the Razorback reach advantage, then this fight will go to the bell.  I think a late score decides it.

Prediction: I'll take the home team here, Arkansas by 6.


Georgia @ Tennessee (10/8 at 7:00 pm ET, on ESPN2/ESPN3)

Ok, I'm letting UGA back in here for the third time this season, and they better not let me down again.  When you're constantly picked in my games on the week, you better come through.  Or it'll be your last time.  They'll have their work cut out for them though, as this series has been recently dominated by the home team, and this game will be in Neyland.  UGA's young talent is really starting to shine through, but let's see how they do in a stadium holding 100 thousand hostile fans.  Of course, the Vols were rattled last year by their blow-out loss at UGA, so I'm going to say that if one team jumps up a couple of TDs early, then this game will be over then.  But ultimately, turnovers will be the deciding factor here.  If UGA doesn't spot UT 28 points like they did with South Carolina, then they win.  If not, then it'll be another long day for Mark Richt and Bulldawg Nation.

Prediction: Early turnovers will decide this one, though it'll still be close.  Tennessee by 7.

Week 5

 Once again, I've got the five games you college football fanatics should take in.  Though I'm already starting to wonder, Oklahoma, Alabama, or LSU?  Who is the best team in the country?

Arkansas vs Texas A&M (10/1 at 12:00 pm ET, on ESPN/ESPN3) - Game of the Week

The Hogs got thumped by the Crimson Tide of Bama 38-14 last week, but not many teams are going to make it out of Tuscaloosa unscathed.  They put up a good fight for 2 1/2 quarters, but their defense is going to have to tighten in a hurry if they want a shot at slowing down the Aggies' high-flying offense.  The dual-threat imposed by Aggie QB Ryan Tannehill will be incredibly difficult for the Hogs to overcome, but let's not forget that stable of Razorback WRs.  This match between long-time rivals looks to be a slug-fest, and one of the most dynamic games of the year.  Do not miss.






Prediction: Arkansas wins the most exciting game of the day by 3.

Baylor @ Kansas State (10/1 at 3:30 pm ET, on ABC or ESPN/ESPN3)

Arky and A&M is my game of the week, while Baylor/Kansas State is my surprise pick of the week.   I said in week 1 that if Robert Griffen III isn't stopped, he can do some big-time damage.  TCU, Stephen F Austin, and Rice found out the hard way.  But the Wildcats of KSU won't be fazed a bit after going into Miami and pulling off the unlikely upset.  This time, the Wildcats are at home, and the homefield crowd behind them will give their stifling defense some extra juice.  This will be the biggest challenge of the year so far for Robert Griffen and senior WR Kendall Wright.  Kansas State is loaded with momentum, and won't be giving up half the century mark like most of Baylor's opponents thus far.

Prediction: Give me Kansas State for the upset by 2 with a late field goal.

Clemson @ Virginia Tech (10/1 at 6:00 pm ET, on ESPN2/ESPN3)

Clemson and coach Dabo Swinney have silenced critics claiming they're the underachieving "Georgia" of the ACC with huge home wins against Auburn and Florida State.  Now it gets even tougher as they travel to perennial ACC power Virginia Tech, making their first appearance in my weekly picks.  We know what Clemson has, but what about the Hokies?  Well, in three words: defense and rushing.  The same thing year in and year out with a Frank Beamer team.  And of course, there's the matter of "Beamer Ball," and their outstanding special teams.  But hard-nosed defense and a smash-mouth rushing attack (David Wilson and Josh Oglesby both have 5 TDs) will wear and tear this Clemson team that has been in close games all year.  And that fatigue may very well be the difference.

Prediction: Props to Dabo Swinney so far, but VT takes this by 9.

Alabama @ Florida (10/1 at 8:00 pm ET, on CBS)

It didn't take long for Will Muschamp to get the Florida Gators back in the national spotlight, and now we get to find out if they really are the real deal.  Trent Richardson has been pounding everyone as Bama continues to cruise through its season, but now he gets his stiffest challenge in the powerful Florida front seven.  Florida's young talent on defense is certainly maturing, but if John Brantley can't get the passing game going, the Gators will have their work cut out for them.  Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey have been breaking off monstrous runs, utilizing their ridiculous speed, but they haven't faced a defense as tough as Alabama's and I'm unsure how they'll react when they start getting popped in the mouth.  Speed alone won't win this game, so watch the battle in the trenches.  This is going to be a physical game, and if UF's big uglies can't hold their own, then they can kiss this perfect season goodbye.

Prediction: Alabama is too much and takes it by 14. 



Nebraska @ Wisconsin (10/1 at 8:00 pm ET, on ABC)

Nebraska's first Big Ten game will be a toughie.  Camp Randall is a tough venue to escape with a win, and Wisconsin sports fans are rough.  Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead are an outstanding duo, but Wisconsin has one of the meanest defenses around.  And Nebraska's offensive weapons have buckled in big games before.  On the other side of the ball, Russell Wilson has been everything the Badgers needed, throwing for 11 TDs to only 1 INT this season.  Mix in their always outstanding rushing attack, which has produced 12 TDs so far, including 9 from Montee Ball, and you've got one formidable team.  Let's not forget about 6'3 WR Nick Toon either, who has been a force in the Badger passing attack.  Nebraska has a tough task ahead of them, but this game will show coach Bo Pelini exactly where his program stands in its new conference.

Prediction: Wisconsin at home by 13. 

Week 4

 As we get deeper into conference play, more and more big games start to show up on the schedule.  Last week had some entertaining games, but this week will be even better.  These are the five games you should watch:

Arkansas @ Alabama (9/24 at 3:30 pm ET, on CBS)

Bobby Petrino will be taking his Hogs into Alabama with a full head of steam after a lethargic win over Troy, the Trojans simply standing in their way as the calm before the storm.  He has his defense hitting harder than in years past, and they're going to need to be on top of their game to stop powerful RB Trent Richardson behind that big, nasty OL.  That said, the line of scrimmage will determine this game on both sides of the ball.  If Arkansas can't stop Richardson and at least keep the pressure on AJ McCarron, then we'll be hearing "TD Richardson" and "TD Marquis Maze" all afternoon long.  If Alabama's hard-nosed D handles Arky's front, which is very probable, making the outstanding Arky WRs like Joe Adams and Cobi Hamilton irrelevant, then we know how this one will play out.  But I believe the Pigs will be ready and able to get the ball to their playmakers, so expect the same all-out brawl we got last year.

Prediction: It's in Tuscaloosa, which is always a formidable venue to escape with a win.  Bama by 9.

Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M (9/24 at 3:30 pm ET, on ABC or ESPN2/ESPN3) - Game of the Week

This battle between the #7 ranked Cowpokes and the #8 ranked Aggies is without a doubt the most promising match-up of the week.  Both teams are undefeated and bring in soaring offenses that have put up eye-opening numbers.  OSU has scored 157 points in 3 games (just over 52 per game on average), while A&M Has put up 83 in two games (41.5 on average).  For Okie State, Brandon Weeden has thrown for 8 TDs, 3 of which were to arguably the nation's best WR in Justin Blackmon, while Joseph Randle has run for 7.  But A&M won't be outdone, with 1 less game, Ryan Tannehill has thrown 4 TDs, 2 to Ryan Swope, with speedy RB Cyrus Gray running for 4 TDs of his own.  This one truly might come down to which team gets the ball last, and definitely which team makes the last mistake. 

Prediction: In a game that will meet the media hype, Okie State wins by 6.

Florida State @ Clemson (9/24 at 3:30 pm ET, on ESPN/ESPN3)

Jimbo Fisher's Seminoles had the wind knocked out of their sails last week with their tough home loss to top-ranked Oklahoma.  But they better get back off the ground in a hurry because they're off to undefeated Clemson, which defeated reigning national champions Auburn last week by a score of 38-24.  Clemson is loaded with speed as always, but it's QB Tajh Boyd who has been opening eyes, having already thrown for 10 TDs on the young season, including 4 last week against Auburn.  Their defense still shows weakness however, and that might be trouble against an FSU team looking for blood.  For the Seminoles, the main problem has been what we expected: the lack of a superstar QB.  Their running game, currently led by QB EJ Manuel who doesn't have a rushing TD, has been less than stellar as well.  But defense will win this game, and FSU is anchored by German behemoth Bjoern Werner, along with excellent athletes like Valdosta, GA native Greg Reid.

Prediction:  FSU comes out angry and cracks Clemson by 12. 

Vanderbilt @ South Carolina (9/24 at 7:00 pm ET, on ESPN2/ESPN3)

 Wait, what?  Vanderbilt?  Why... wait, they're undefeated?

Yeah, Vanderbilt.  I'm not sure if they'll make another appearance on my "Games to Watch" list, but they deserve it for the time being, having come off a close victory against Connecticut and a blowout over Ole Miss.  The fact is, despite QB Larry Smith still not lighting it up (even though he has an underrated WR/TE combo in Chris Boyd and Brandon Barden), Vanderbilt has actually got a decent team, and a lot of credit should be given to head coach James Franklin.  But now they're headed to their strongest opponent yet, The Old Ball Coach's USCe Gamecocks led by the best underclassmen RB in the nation, Marcus Lattimore.  Lattimore has already run for over 500 yards and 7 TDs, and if Vandy's good but thin DL can't hold him, then I might regret choosing this game as one of the top 5.  But I do believe that Franklin's staff will make this much closer than anyone thinks (nobody thought Navy would nearly upset USCe either), though it'll take a career performance from Larry Smith to pull off the win.

Prediction: It stays close early on, but SC gets the win by 10.

USC @ Arizona State (9/24 at 10:15 pm ET, on ESPN/ESPN3)

Arizona State had huge hype coming into the season, and it definitely looked as if they would break through this time after a thrilling OT win over Missouri.  But their big dreams perhaps crashed back to earth after a highly disappointing 17-14 loss at Illinois.  They'll try to bounce back on a tough team to do so on, the USCw Trojans, but fortunately they're at home.  USCw dismantled lowly Syracuse last week after sluggish wins against Utah and Minnesota, but maybe they're finally finding their groove.  Matt Barkley is the real deal at QB with 9 TDs to only 1 INT, but against ASU's ferocious D, they'll need more of a running game than RB Marc Tyler has provided thus far.  6'8 Brock Osweiler continues to lead the ASU attack despite some inconsistencies, but we know it's going to be up to their defense and awesome MLB Vontaze Burfict.  It'll be a great defensive showdown, and we might be in for a surprise.

Prediction: Arizona State pulls off the upset at home by 3.