Cram Session - Week 11

The Big 12 once again takes center stage in college football this weekend. The newest darling of the Big 12, #2 Texas Tech hosts #9 Oklahoma State. Also, #1 Alabama travels to LSU and is on Upset Alert.

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

Kansas (6-3, 3-2) at Nebraska (5-4, 2-3)

Nebraska was destroyed by Oklahoma last week and reaffirmed just how far they have to climb to get back to being a relevant national program again. Kansas has been up and down in the Big 12, but is definitely not the team from last year that only suffered one loss. I think Nebraska coach Bo Pelini will have his team ready to play at home and Nebraska finally breaks through and beats a team they aren't expected to beat.

Prediction: Nebraska 37, Kansas 34

Notre Dame (5-3) at Boston College (5-3)

Notre Dame suffers from the same problem as Nebraska. They can win the games they are supposed to win but so far this year they have been unable to break through and beat a top tier team. Boston College isn't top tier but a win at Boston College would be impressive and would further the development of the Irish. Much like Nebraska I think the Irish will finally break through this weekend.

Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Boston College 23

Top 25

#1 Alabama (9-0, 5-0) at #16 LSU (6-2, 3-2)

Alabama head coach Nick Saban returns to Baton Rouge, where he led LSU to a national championship in 2003. I believe Alabama's stay at #1 will be a short one. They have looked shaky in recent weeks and this is the type of environment where shaky won't get a win.

Prediction: LSU 24, Alabama 16

#9 Oklahoma State (8-1, 4-1) at #2 Texas Tech (9-0, 5-0)

Texas Tech rose all the way to #2 with their win over Texas. They will have a few more weeks to enjoy it, but a trip to Norman on November 22nd will end their storybook season.

Prediction: Texas Tech 38, Oklahoma State 28

#3 Penn State (9-0, 5-0) at Iowa (5-4, 2-3)

Don't panic Nittany Lions fans, if you go undefeated you will play in the BCS Championship.

Prediction: Penn State 41, Iowa 20

Baylor (3-6, 1-4) at #4 Texas (8-1, 4-1)

Poor Baylor.

Prediction: Texas 45, Baylor 17

#5 Florida (7-1, 5-1) at Vanderbilt (5-3, 3-2)

Seems like it was long ago that Vanderbilt was in the Top 25, no offense means huge loss to Florida.

Prediction: Florida 34, Vanderbilt 10

#6 Oklahoma (8-1, 4-1) at Texas A & M (4-5, 2-3)

College Station usually is one of the toughest places to win. This year, not so much.

Prediction: Oklahoma 52, Texas A & M 21

#21 California (6-2, 4-1) at #7 USC (7-1, 5-1)

USC coach Pete Carroll needs to stop his whining. The BCS isn't the greatest thing ever but if your team hadn't lost at Oregon State you would be in the driver's seat for the BCS title game. Maybe you should whine about how lousy the Pac-10 is.

Prediction: USC 55, California 17

#12 TCU (9-1, 6-0) at #8 Utah (9-0, 5-0)

Two heavyweights in the Mountain West Conference do battle on Thursday night. This one will come right down to the wire but the home field advantage will carry the Utes.

Prediction: Utah 27, TCU 24

Utah State (2-7, 2-3) at #10 Boise State (8-0, 4-0)

Boise State RB Ian Johnson will have a good pro career.

Prediction: Boise State 51, Utah State 13

#11 Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) at #24 Northwestern (7-2, 3-2)

Ohio State could still get an at large berth to a BCS game.

Prediction: Ohio State 28, Northwestern 16

#13 Georgia (7-2, 4-2) at Kentucky (6-3, 2-3)

Both these schools were embarrassed by Florida, Georgia is fraudulent but much better than the Wildcats.

Prediction: Georgia 27, Kentucky 19

Kansas State (4-5, 1-4) at #14 Missouri (7-2, 3-2)

Another team for Missouri to score tons of points on.

Prediction: Missouri 58, Kansas State 28

San Diego State (1-8, 0-5) at #15 BYU (8-1, 4-1)

BYU has looked terrible the last few weeks. Looking at San Diego State's record it makes the fact that Notre Dame almost lost at home to them in Week 2 that much more sickening.

Prediction: BYU 38, San Diego State 15

Northern Illinois (5-3, 4-1) at #17 Ball State (8-0, 4-0)

I don't care what their record is, Ball State has no business in the Top 25.

Prediction: Ball State 27, Northern Illinois 23

Purdue (3-6, 1-4) at #18 Michigan State (8-2, 5-1)

Michigan State looked ready to begin their second half swoon as they trailed late against Wisconsin. Thankfully for them Wisconsin's coach is a moron and called timeout at the end of the game to actually allow the Spartans to line up for the game winning field goal, rather than have to rush the kick. Michigan State won't need idiocy from Joe Tiller to win this week.

Prediction: Michigan State 27, Purdue 15

#20 Georgia Tech (7-2, 4-2) at #19 North Carolina (6-2, 2-2)

The Tar Heels need this win to keep alive any hope of reaching the ACC title game. I think they get it done.

Prediction: North Carolina 31, Georgia Tech 24

Clemson (4-4, 2-3) at #22 Florida State (6-2, 3-2)

Maybe if Tommy Bowden was still coaching Clemson they would win this one, he owned his father.

Prediction: Florida State 28, Clemson 14

#23 Maryland (6-2, 3-1) at Virginia Tech (5-3, 2-2)

I don't care if the Hokies have to start their 3rd string QB in this one, no way Maryland wins on a Thursday night in Blacksburg.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Maryland 10

Cincinnati (6-2, 2-1) at #25 West Virginia (6-2, 3-0)

West Virginia will be the Big East team to earn the right to prove the Big East doesn't belong in the BCS come January.

Prediction: West Virginia 31, Cincinnati 14

Last Week: 13-7
Overall: 84-32