Cram Session - Week 7

I know we have The Red River Shootout, and Virginia Tech has a pretty big game at Georgia Tech, but the game of the weekend is USC traveling to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. If Charlie Weis wants to keep his job, a win in this game would go a long way towards ensuring that.

Top 25

Arkansas (3-2, 1-2) at #1 Florida (5-0, 3-0)

Some are calling this a potential trap game for the Gators following their win over LSU. Arkansas will have the best offense that Florida has faced all season, but on the flip the Razorbacks will be facing the Gators dominant defense. Alabama had little problem with Arkansas, I expect Florida to have even less.

Prediction: Florida 35, Arkansas 14

#22 South Carolina (5-1, 2-1) at #2 Alabama (6-0, 3-0)

Alabama has rightfully moved past Texas into the number 2 spot in the polls. South Carolina is off to a good start having won four straight. However, this is their first road game in over a month and the Crimson Tide are by far the toughest competition they will have faced. I think the Gamecocks keep it relatively close but Bama is too good.

Prediction: Alabama 31, South Carolina 17

#20 Oklahoma (3-2, 1-0) at #3 Texas (5-0, 2-0)

This game has lost a bit of its luster with the Sooners already having lost twice. That being said, the Big 12 South is still very much up for grabs and Oklahoma has QB Sam Bradford back. Texas is undefeated but hasn't been overly impressive, including struggling with Colorado for way too long. However, the Sooners are weaker than they were a year ago and I think Texas is just plain better.

Prediction: Texas 28, Oklahoma 21

#4 Virginia Tech (5-1, 3-0) at #19 Georgia Tech (5-1, 3-1)

This game appears to be the Hokies toughest remaining game of the season. There is a long way to go but if they can this one they will have the inside track to being in the mix for a national title. This will be a good offense versus defense battle with the high powered Yellow Jacket offense taking on the stout Hokies defense. I am not a big believer in Georgia Tech this year and I think the recent uprising of the Hokies offense will get them the win.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 34, Georgia Tech 31

#6 USC (4-1) at #25 Notre Dame (4-1)

Remember how I said how hyped I was for Nebraska at Missouri last week? Times that excitement by about 100 and you get my excitement for this game. I believe that Notre Dame can finally beat USC for the first time since 2001. The law of averages says USC can't beat Notre Dame forever and this is the best Irish team USC would have faced since their amazing game in 2005. The Irish have one of the best offenses in all of college football. They will face a very good Trojans defense, which hasn't allowed more than 16 points in a game this season. However, the Trojans haven't seen the kind of skill players that the Irish have. It is a shame that WR Michael Floyd is going to miss this game, but WR Golden Tate and TE Kyle Rudolph have stepped up in his place. Where the big question mark comes for Notre Dame is on defense. Ever since an impressive opening game performance against Nevada the defense has struggled. The defense doesn't have to pitch a shut out but they need to cause turnovers and not let the Trojans march down the field effortlessly. USC QB Matt Barkley is a freshman and while he has played well, he is still very young and can be made to make mistakes. The Irish will also have to contain USC RB Joe McKnight, if they can do that they have a great chance because the Trojans passing attack isn't scary at all. I could turn out to be completely wrong but the Irish will get the win and Charlie Weis will get a 100-year extension.

Prediction: Notre Dame 29, USC 28

#7 Ohio State (5-1, 3-0) at Purdue (1-5, 0-2)

Ohio State will have smooth sailing for the next three weeks until they play Penn State and Iowa back to back.

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Purdue 13

#8 Cincinnati (5-0, 1-0) at #21 South Florida (5-0, 1-0)

Huge Big East battle on Thursday night. Cincinnati has been very impressive so far while South Florida has been able to keep winning despite losing senior QB Matt Grothe to a season ending injury. I really like this Bearcats team, especially their QB Tony Pike. However, Pike will have his work cut out for him against a very good Bulls defense.

Prediction: Cincinnati 21, South Florida 20

#9 Miami (4-1) at Central Florida (3-2)

This will be quite the leap in competition for Central Florida as they have played a bunch of nobodies up until this Saturday. I think the atmosphere could give Hurricanes QB Jacory Harris some problems early but then the Canes pull away.

Prediction: Miami 34, Central Florida 16

#11 Iowa (6-0, 2-0) at Wisconsin (5-1, 2-1)

Despite being 6-0 I still consider the Hawkeyes flukefrauds of the highest order. A trip to Madison will prove that.

Prediction: Wisconsin 27, Iowa 24

Colorado State (3-3, 0-2) at #12 TCU (5-0, 1-0)

TCU might get caught looking ahead to their showdown at BYU next week and could give the Rams some life in this one.

Prediction: TCU 27, Colorado State 17

Minnesota (4-2, 2-1) at #14 Penn State (5-1, 1-1)

The Golden Gophers could give the Nittany Lions a test, especially since Penn State lost to the only good team they have played this year. If this was at Minnesota I would pick the upset but I think Happy Valley makes the difference.

Prediction: Penn State 31, Minnesota 23

Texas Tech (4-2, 1-1) at #15 Nebraska (4-1, 1-0)

I hope the Cornhuskers aren't overlooking Texas Tech. They may not have Graham Harrell or Michael Crabtree anymore but led by coach Mike Leach they are always dangerous offensively. I believe that the Blackshirts are back for Nebraska and if they can manhandle the Red Raiders I will be fully convinced. Texas Tech has the best passing offense in the country heading into this game. It is unknown whether Taylor Potts or Steven Sheffield will start the game at quarterback for the Red Raiders. The Huskers do know they will have to contend with WRs Alexander Torres and Detron Lewis. I think the Huskers offense can move down the field against the weak defense of the Red Raiders. This will be close but I like the Huskers. Suh for Heisman!

Prediction: Nebraska 34, Texas Tech 24

Missouri (4-1, 0-1) at #16 Oklahoma State (4-1, 1-0)

I saw how overrated Missouri was against Nebraska. Their defense played well but their offense looked atrocious, especially QB Blaine Gabbert. The Cowboys aren't as good defensively as the Huskers but good enough to pull out a win.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 28, Missouri 17

#17 Kansas (5-0, 1-0) at Colorado (1-4, 0-1)

Kansas proved themselves to be tremendous frauds by barely beating an awful Iowa State team at home. Colorado keeps on losing but they have been fighting pretty hard. I am calling the upset.

Prediction: Colorado 28, Kansas 27

#18 BYU (5-1, 2-0) at San Diego State (2-3, 0-1)

The Aztecs are awful, Cougars roll.

Prediction: BYU 42, San Diego State 17

#23 Houston (4-1, 0-1) at Tulane (2-3, 0-2)

Somehow a win at Mississippi State vaulted the Cougars back into the Top 25. They try to get their first conference win of the season, after being embarrassed at UTEP a few weeks ago. They will do the embarrassing this time.

Prediction: Houston 37, Tulane 10

#24 Utah (4-1, 1-0) at UNLV (2-4, 0-2)

UNLV has been horrendous the last two weeks, losing by scores of 63-28 and 59-21. The Utes are not an offensive juggernaut but with the way the Runnin Rebels have been playing defense, I wouldn't be surprised if they put up at least 40.

Prediction: Utah 40, UNLV 24

Last Week: 14-4
Overall: 98-27