Cram Session - Week 3

No real marquee games headline the schedule this weekend, but as a Huskers and Fighting Irish fan, Saturday will be a huge day. Nebraska tries to win on the road against a ranked team for the first time since the Tom Osborne era ended. Notre Dame is trying to avoid their season from becoming another disappointing one, and also trying to beat Michigan State at home for the first time since 1993.

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

Michigan State (1-1) at Notre Dame (1-1)

Unfortunately, I have had to bring this section back after the Irish's heartbreaking loss at Michigan last weekend dropped them out of the Top 25. Even before last week's loss this was a huge game for Notre Dame. The Spartans have owned them at Notre Dame Stadium, and the Irish have to be desperate to end their home losing streak to them. Hopefully, the Irish players don't take this game for granted, despite the Spartans embarrassing home loss to Central Michigan last weekend. The Spartans biggest offensive weapon seems to be WR Blair White, who already has 16 receptions and 2 TDs this year. The Notre Dame defense was eaten alive last weekend, so hopefully they play much better this week. They only really need to play marginally because the Notre Dame offense has been on a tear. I think the Spartans keep this game close, but Clausen leads a game winning drive late.

Prediction:Notre Dame 35, Michigan State 28

Top 25

Tennessee (1-1) at #1 Florida (2-0)

Florida fans, as well as coach Urban Meyer had this marked on their calendars as soon as Vols coach Lane Kiffin incorrectly tried to rat on Florida for recruiting violations. People are expecting Meyer to run up the score as much as possible. I think this game ends up being closer than people think, but the Gators still win by a healthy margin.

Prediction: Florida 34, Tennessee 17

Texas Tech (2-0) at #2 Texas (2-0)

Last year the Red Raiders beat Texas on a last second TD by WR Michael Crabtree and ended the Longhorns National Championship hopes. The Longhorns will be looking for revenge this year. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, they will be in Austin this year, and without QB Graham Harrell and Crabtree.

Prediction: Texas 48, Texas Tech 24

#3 USC (2-0) at Washington (1-1)

Yippee! Washington won a game! The only problem was that it came against Idaho. They face quite the leap in competition this week from the Trojans. The Trojans knocked off Ohio State, due to the heroics of freshman QB Matt Barkley and RB Joe McKnight. I think the Huskies keep this close for a bit, then the Trojans put the petal to the metal.

Prediction: USC 31, Washington 14

North Texas (1-1) at #4 Alabama (2-0)

Alabama is just biding their time until their SEC schedule kicks off.

Prediction: Alabama 42, North Texas 13

Temple (0-1) at #5 Penn State (2-0)

Penn State is just biding their team until the Big 10 schedule kicks off.

Prediction: Penn State 40, Temple 7

Southeastern Louisiana (2-0) at #5 Mississippi (1-0)

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Some real boring games in the Top 10 this weekend.

Prediction: Mississippi 52, Southeastern Louisiana 9

Florida State (1-1) at #7 BYU (2-0)

The Seminoles barely beat Jacksonville State at home last weekend and now have to travel to Provo and face a hot BYU team. Things are going to get ugly for Bobby Bowden, dagumitt.

Prediction: BYU 35, Florida State 21

#8 California (2-0) at Minnesota (2-0)

A 12 PM start time proved problematic for Cal last year, and they get one again this year as they travel to Minnesota. I think this game will be closer than the experts think, but I am not confident enough in the Golden Gophers to pick an upset.

Prediction: California 30, Minnesota 27

Louisiana-Lafayette (2-0) at #9 LSU (2-0)

Louisiana-Lafayette knocked off Kansas State at home last weekend. Unfortunately, beating Kansas State would have been impressive about 6 years ago. LSU hasn't looked that great through the first two weeks, and probably won't look that great here either. However, LSU fans won't be able to be too upset, 3-0 is all you can ask for at this point.

Prediction: LSU 38, Louisiana Lafayette 15

#10 Boise State (2-0) at Fresno State (1-1)

The Broncos will have the hands full at Fresno State. They will have their hands so full that I am calling for the upset.

Prediction: Fresno State 28, Boise State 26

#11 Ohio State (1-1) at Toledo (1-1)

Toledo just crushed Colorado at home, but much like Louisiana-Lafayette's home victory against Kansas State, it would have been more impressive 6 years ago. The Buckeyes are looking to get back on track after last weekend's disappointing loss to USC. The Rockets keep it close for a bit but Terrell Pryor runs the Buckeyes to victory.

Prediction: Ohio State 34, Toledo 19

Tulsa (2-0) at #12 Oklahoma (1-1)

This is another game where some will just assume an Oklahoma win but with the Sooners missing QB Sam Bradford and TE Jermaine Greshman, they could have some problems. Tulsa has a high powered offense and has the firepower to keep up with the Sooners offense, just not enough.

Prediction: Oklahoma 34, Tulsa 24

#19 Nebraska (2-0) at #13 Virginia Tech (1-1)

I was desperate to get tickets to this game as it was a great chance to see the Huskers live and in person for the first time. However, it was not meant to be and instead I will have to watch in the comfort of my Dad's living room on his 60-inch TV. Not bad. I am really torn with this game. The Huskers have been abysmal on the road against good teams over the last decade but I like what Pelini has done with them so far. Virginia Tech's offense still doesn't impress me, even if they put up over 50 on cream puff Marshall. The Huskers defense will have to play as well as they did in the Gator Bowl against Clemson. The Hokies do have two legit RBs in Ryan Williams and David Wilson that the Huskers will have to limit. The other key will be how QB Zac Lee plays in his first big time game. I will be disappointed with a loss but will still feel good if the Huskers stay competitive throughout. I think they do.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Nebraska 24

#14 Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0) at #20 Miami (1-0, 1-0)

These two meet Thursday night in an early ACC battle. Georgia Tech nearly blew a huge lead at home to Clemson last week, while the Canes are two weeks removed from their win at Florida State. I think the Canes will be better this year but Florida State is looking pretty fraudalicious right now. I think the Yellow Jackets make a statement on the road, and limit Miami QB Jacory Harris.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 33, Miami 30

Texas State (1-0) at #15 TCU (2-0)

The game against Angelo State probably didn't get Texas State prepared for this one.

Prediction: TCU 65, Texas State 19

Rice (0-2) at #16 Oklahoma State (1-1)

Oklahoma State proved to be frauds on Saturday, which means they will be in a bad mood for Rice's visit. Rice already got the beat down from Texas Tech, what's another Big 12 beat down?

Prediction: Oklahoma State 40, Rice 13

#17 Cincinnati (2-0) at Oregon State (2-0)

Tough game for the Bearcats. RB Jacquizz Rodgers will lead the Beavers to the upset, despite the valiant effort of Bearcats QB Tony Pike.

Prediction: Oregon State 31, Cincinnati 30

#18 Utah (2-0) at Oregon (1-1)

This will be a good weekend for Oregon schools, as both will earn upsets at home against ranked teams.

Prediction: Oregon 37, Utah 27

Duke (1-1) at #22 Kansas (2-0)

No, this is not March Madness, these two are colliding on the gridiron. Unlike the Huskers who schedule Top 25 teams out of conference, this is the Jayhawks idea of a tough non-conference game.

Prediction: Kansas 45, Duke 20

#23 Georgia (1-1, 1-0) at Arkansas (1-0, 0-0)

Surprisingly, South Carolina vs. Georgia turned into a shootout. I am still very unimpressed with the Bulldogs even though they did manage to beat the Gamecocks. I think Bobby Petrino is starting to improve the Razorbacks and they pull off the mini upset.

Prediction: Arkansas 31, Georgia 28

East Carolina (1-1) at #24 North Carolina (2-0)

I almost hit on my upset call of UCONN beating North Carolina, until the Huskies choked away the game. I thought about calling for another upset here but East Carolina was beaten pretty soundly by a mediocre West Virginia team.

Prediction: North Carolina 21, East Carolina 17

Eastern Michigan (0-2) at #25 Michigan (2-0)

BOOOOOOOOOOO Michigan. Especially QB Tate Forcier.

Prediction: Michigan 34, Eastern Michigan 13

Last Week: 18-3
Overall: 35-6