Cram Session - Week 4

It is another pretty lame weekend in college football as far as marquee games. The only game pitting ranked teams against each other is an ACC battle, as #9 Miami travels to Blacksburg to take on #11 Virginia Tech. The Miami bandwagon is filling up fast after their victories over Florida State and Georgia Tech. Not many people are giving the Hokies a chance in this one, except maybe me.

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

Notre Dame (2-1) at Purdue (1-2)

Notre Dame survived by the skin of their teeth against Michigan State and now travel to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers. The big question for Notre Dame will be how much QB Jimmy Clausen's turf toe will affect him, and how much will the offense miss prolific WR Michael Floyd? I think later on they will really miss Floyd but the Boilermakers aren't very good, especially on defense. Purdue, much like Michigan State last week, is coming off an embarrassing home loss to a MAC team. The Boilermakers are led by RB Ralph Bolden and QB Joey Elliott. Elliott has struggled so far this year, with 4 TDs and 5 INTs. I don't think the Irish will blow out Purdue, as their defense is too terrible right now, but they will get the W.

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Purdue 28

Top 25

#1 Florida (3-0, 1-0) at Kentucky (2-0, 0-0)

As I predicted the Gators didn't destroy Tennessee, shocking the media. Kentucky had an exhilarating win against rival Louisville last week, and now hope to give the Gators a scare at home.

Prediction: Florida 37, Kentucky 17

UTEP (1-2) at #2 Texas (3-0)

The Longhorns got more than they expected from Texas Tech last week. That won't be the case here.

Prediction: Texas 52, UTEP 12

Arkansas (1-1, 0-1) at #3 Alabama (3-0, 0-0)

I missed on my Arkansas upset pick last week. The Razorbacks scored plenty, but gave up plenty more. All signs point to a Crimson Tide rout, but I think Arkansas hangs in there.

Prediction: Alabama 49, Arkansas 36

#4 Mississippi (2-0, 0-0) at South Carolina (2-1, 0-1)

My upset special! I think the Rebels are highly overrated, and I think Spurrier has a little bit of coaching magic left.

Prediction: South Carolina 27, Mississippi 24

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

The Nittany Lions will be looking for revenge after the Hawkeyes killed their National championship dreams last season. In fact, the Hawkeyes haven't lost since that game, winning 7 in a row. I think things will come full circle Saturday night.

Prediction: Penn State 20, Iowa 16

#6 California (3-0, 0-0) at Oregon (2-1, 0-0)

Oregon knocked off the Utah Utes at home last week and will be looking for another upset at home against Pac-10 rival Cal. RB Jahvid Best is going to eat up the Ducks defense, and allow the Golden Bears to escape Eugene undefeated.

Prediction: California 33, Oregon 23

#7 LSU (3-0, 1-0) at Mississippi State (2-1, 1-1)

Despite being 3-0, LSU hasn't been very impressive. The Tigers can't look ahead to their game next week against Georgia, or they can be beaten by the Bulldogs. I don't think they will, but the questions will still remain about them after this one.

Prediction: LSU 27, Mississippi State 19

#8 Boise State (3-0) at Bowling Green (1-2)

Boise took Fresno State to the woodshed, hanging 51 on them on the road. Bowling Green played Missouri tough a few weeks ago, but I don't think that same thing will happen against the Broncos.

Prediction: Boise State 41, Bowling Green 17

#9 Miami (2-0, 2-0) at #11 Virginia Tech (2-1, 0-0)

This game will be tough for me to watch as I can't stand both of these teams. However, the rate at which the Hurricanes bandwagon is filling up is disgusting. Yes, Miami beat the crap out of Georgia Tech, but maybe Georgia Tech isn't that good? But they beat Florida State is the next thing the bandwagoners will say. You mean the same Florida State team that barely beat Jacksonville State, but now everyone loves again because they crushed BYU? No one knows for sure how good this Miami team is. The Hokies are atrocious offensively, but with their special teams and defense they still somehow win games. I think their defense will cause Canes QB Jacory Harris fits, and I think the Hokies win this one.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 21, Miami 19

Washington State (1-2, 0-1) at #12 USC (2-1, 0-1)

USC had their annual choke last week against Washington. The Trojans may still be without QB Matt Barkley, but they could have me at QB and they would kill the Cougars.

Prediction: USC 45, Washington State 7

Illinois (1-1, 0-0) at #13 Ohio State (2-1, 0-0)

Juice Williams returns to Columbus, two years after he won there and seemingly put Illinois back on the college football map. However, the Illini didn't make a bowl game last year and were pounded by Missouri in the opener this year. The Buckeyes and QB Terrelle Pryor will enjoy the beat down they give Illinois this weekend.

Prediction: Ohio State 43, Illinois 20

Fresno State (1-2) at #14 Cincinnati (3-0)

The Bearcats are looking legit, especially after winning at Oregon State, a tough place to win. Fresno State screwed my record with their loss at home to Boise, so I am picking them to lose by a lot to show them my wrath.

Prediction: Cincinnati 47, Fresno State 24

#15 TCU (2-0) at Clemson (2-1)

Sometimes talent doesn't win games in college football, atmosphere does. That is the only reason I think Clemson upsets TCU this weekend.

Prediction: Clemson 34, TCU 33

Grambling State (2-1) at #16 Oklahoma State (2-1)

Cowboys win, and then they finally go on the road for their first road game next week.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 38, Grambling State 16

Texas Tech (2-1) at #17 Houston (2-0)

The Cougars will try to knock off another Big 12 team but this time they will be favored and at home. Texas Tech played Texas much better than I expected last weekend. I think they break through and get the win against Houston.

Prediction: Texas Tech 48, Houston 41

South Florida (3-0) at #18 Florida State (2-1)

I have no clue what to make of Florida State. They beat the ever living crap out of BYU on the road last weekend, a week after barely surviving Jacksonville State at home. South Florida just lost senior QB Matt Grothe for the year. If they had Grothe I might pick the upset, however, can't see their new QB (too lazy to look up his name) winning in Tallahassee.

Prediction: Florida State 26, South Florida 23

Colorado State (3-0, 0-0) at #19 BYU (2-1, 0-0)

BYU saw their BCS hopes disappear last weekend and now have to get their minds ready for Mountain West Conference action. They face the undefeated Rams, not the kind of team you want to see a week after being shell shocked. I think the Cougars will come out flat to start but turn things around just in time to get the win.

Prediction: BYU 31, Colorado State 26

Southern Miss (3-0) at #20 Kansas (3-0)

Southern Miss barely beat Virginia last weekend, having to come from behind to get the victory. The Kansas Jayhawks football team has been busy fighting with the Kansas basketball team, which makes me wonder how much they have been concentrating on this game. They can get away with overlooking Southern Miss but they better have their minds straight come November 14.

Prediction: Kansas 47, Southern Miss 30

Arizona State (2-0) at #21 Georgia (2-1)

In recent weeks Georgia has discovered they have an offense but have also discovered that they don't have a defense. Arizona State really has no idea what they have since they played cupcakes in their first two games. After this one, they will know they aren't very good.

Prediction: Georgia 31, Arizona State 19

#22 North Carolina (3-0, 0-0) at Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-1)

Georgia Tech ate some humble pie after their embarrassing loss at Miami. Despite the Heels being 3-0, I am still not sold on them.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 28, North Carolina 21

Indiana (3-0, 0-0) at #23 Michigan (3-0, 0-0)

Michigan will surpass their win total from last season with a victory here.

Prediction: Michigan 34, Indiana 20

#24 Washington (2-1, 1-0) at Stanford (2-1, 1-0)

Amazing what the Huskies can do when they actually have a good coach! However, this game screams let down and when something screams, you should listen.

Prediction: Stanford 24, Washington 14

Louisiana-Lafayette (2-1) at #25 Nebraska (2-1)

The October 8th showdown at Missouri looms but first the Cornhuskers need to get the taste of their bitter loss to Virginia Tech out of their mouths. Lousiana-Lafayette should be the perfect tonic.

Prediction: Nebraska 38, Louisiana-Lafayette 14

Last Week: 17-6
Overall: 52-12