Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Cram Session - Week 6


College football became much more interesting last week. Top 25 teams were upset all over the place, the balance of power in the SEC completely shifted, and a new No.1 was crowned. Week 5 showed that not much has changed from last year and that another crazy year should be expected.

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

Stanford (3-2) at Notre Dame (3-1)

Notre Dame looked very impressive in the second half last week as they pulled away from Purdue. The offense is starting to gel and the defense is doing a good job of creating turnovers. Stanford has won two in a row, including defeating Ty Willingham's pathetic Washington Huskies team. I think a Notre Dame win here should earn them a place in the Top 25. That is what will happen, a relatively easy victory.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Stanford 17

Top 25

#1 Oklahoma (4-0, 0-0) at Baylor (2-2, 0-0)

USC's shocking loss last week while #1 to an unranked home team may make some people think twice about this one. No need to, QB Sam Bradford will make sure of it.

Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Baylor 17

Kentucky (4-0, 0-0) at #2 Alabama (5-0, 2-0)

Alabama absolutely destroyed Georgia. The final score indicated it was a slightly close game but it was really quite the mismatch. It catapulted the Crimson Tide all the to #2. Kentucky has beaten mostly cupcakes to get to a fraudulent 4-0. Roll Tide.

Prediction: Alabama 27, Kentucky 16

#4 Missouri (4-0, 0-0) at Nebraska (3-1, 0-0)

Nebraska plays its 5th straight home game as the high powered Missouri Tigers come into Lincoln. As I touched on Monday, Nebraska had a very disappointing effort Saturday night against Virginia Tech. The Nebraska defense allowed what had so far in the season been a useless unit, run and pass all over them. The defense has a ways to go and it doesn't get any easier Saturday. Missouri has torched its first four opponents and looks primed to put 50+ on Nebraska's defense. Nebraska's streak of 15 straight home wins against the Tigers will end here.

Prediction: Missouri 50, Nebraska 37

#5 Texas (4-0, 0-0) at Colorado (3-1, 0-0)

This game could surprise some people. Most will be expecting a Texas rout but this game will come right down to the wire. Texas luckily gets out of Boulder with a win.

Prediction: Texas 21, Colorado 20

#6 Penn State (5-0, 1-0) at Purdue (2-2, 0-0)

This is another game I believe will be closer than the experts think...for three quarters. Penn State rolls in the 4th.

Prediction: Penn State 31, Purdue 13

#7 Texas Tech (4-0, 0-0) at Kansas State (3-1, 0-0)

This is where the upset will happen, Manhattan, Kansas. I don't buy Texas Tech, always offense, never defense, can't win when it truly get's tough. Until they prove otherwise to me I will continue to expect them to choke in the face of pressure.

Prediction: Kansas State 38, Texas Tech 34

#8 BYU (4-0) at Utah State (1-3)

BYU is the favorite to be the BCS buster this year and Utah State won't stand in the way of that goal.

Prediction: BYU 51, Utah State 14

#23 Oregon (4-1, 2-0) at #9 USC (2-1, 0-1)

Things don't get any easier for USC this week as Oregon comes to the Coliseum. Oregon has been decimated by injuries at the QB position but they remain undefeated in the Pac-10. Pete Carroll won't allow his Trojans a second straight slip up.

Prediction: USC 27, Oregon 14

Pittsburgh (3-1, 1-0) at #10 South Florida (5-0, 0-0)

South Florida crushed NC State on the road last weekend in impressive fashion while Pittsburgh struggled to defeat an awful Syracuse team. This could get ugly.

Prediction: South Florida 35, Pittsburgh 17

#12 Florida (3-1, 1-1) at Arkansas (2-2, 0-1)

Florida was hit by the upset bug as Ole Miss shocked them at the Swamp. Poor Arkansas, they are going through a brutal stretch of ranked teams and now they catch an angry Gators team.

Prediction: Florida 41, Arkansas 10

#13 Auburn (4-1, 2-1) at #19 Vanderbilt (4-0, 2-0)

They are all giddy in Nashville as ESPN's College GameDay is making its first appearance there. They will be even happier after they defeat Auburn.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 14, Auburn 13

#14 Ohio State (4-1, 1-0) at #18 Wisconsin (3-1, 0-1)

I want to pick the upset here and go with Wisconsin but despite Ohio State's struggles outside of the Big Ten, they play their best football inside of the Big Ten. A healthy Beanie means victory.

Prediction: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 20

#16 Kansas (3-1, 0-0) at Iowa State (2-2, 0-0)

Kansas wins.

Prediction: Kansas 38, Iowa State 21

Western Kentucky (2-3) at #20 Virginia Tech (4-1)

I don't believe Virginia Tech's offense is as good as they showed against Nebraska. It could be downright awful and they would still beat Western Kentucky.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Western Kentucky 7

Texas A & M (2-2, 0-0) at #21 Oklahoma State (4-0, 0-0)

Despite what their insane fans may think, Texas A & M is terrible this year. They won't be winning a national championship (duh), they probably won't even make a bowl.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 35, Texas A & M 16

Hawaii (1-3, 0-1) at #22 Fresno State (3-1, 0-0)

It is last year's WAC darling against this year's WAC darling. June Jones and Colt Brennan won't be walking through the door for Hawaii.

Prediction: Fresno State 38, Hawaii 6

#24 Connecticut (5-0) at North Carolina (3-1)

Connecticut is a team on the rise but they are without their starting QB for the next 6-8 weeks. Butch Davis is beginning to resurrect the Tar Heels and with a win here will likely have the Tar Heels in the Top 25.

Prediction: North Carolina 24, Connecticut 13

Last Week: 11-7



1 comment:

DCUK said...

Another FYI, you should check the Vegas spread for the Hawaii game. That is a 90% safe bet that Hawaii will make the spread. I think your prediction is a bit wacko.