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.