Cram Session - Week 9

A new conference takes center stage this weekend as the Pac-10 might have their title decided when #10 Oregon hosts #5 USC. USC Freshman QB Matt Barkley has already won at Ohio State and Notre Dame. Can he complete the trifecta and keep the Trojans national title hopes alive?

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

Nebraska (4-3, 1-2) at Baylor (3-4, 0-3)

It is hard to believe that just two weeks ago the Huskers won at Missouri. Since that time Missouri has kept losing, taking the shine off the Huskers victory, and the Huskers suffered back to back embarrassing home losses. At the center of both of those losses has been the offense. QB Zac Lee has struggled and he wasn't helped by the embarrassing case of the butter fingers that the entire offense seemed to have. 8 turnovers still boggles my mind. Nebraska should beat a bad Baylor team. The wheels have come off for the Bears since losing star QB Robert Griffin III to injury. They haven't score more than 10 points in three weeks and with the way the Blackshirts have been playing they should be held under that again. I can't imagine the Huskers turning it over 8 times again, the offense just needs to score 2 TDs.

Prediction: Nebraska 17, Baylor 12

Top 25

Georgia (4-3, 3-2) at #1 Florida (7-0, 5-0)

It's the Worlds Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, FL! The Gators have been winning but not with any style for the past month. The Bulldogs have been up and down all season. Last year Florida completely destroyed Georgia but it is obvious the Gators are not that team from 2008. QB Tim Tebow still continues to struggle and it amazes me that despite his uneven, crappy play, he is at the top of some Heisman lists. Florida should crush Georgia but I don't think they will.

Prediction: Florida 30, Georgia 20

#3 Texas (7-0, 4-0) at #15 Oklahoma State (6-1, 3-0)

The second best game of the weekend will take place in Stillwater. The Longhorns keep on winning and much like last year head into a tough road game unbeaten. Last season they fell to Texas Tech on the last play of the game. I think the reverse will happen this year. Texas wins with a last second field goal.

Prediction: Texas 31, Oklahoma State 28

Indiana (4-4, 1-3) at #4 Iowa (8-0, 4-0)

The question for the Hawkeyes now becomes, how do they handle the positive attention they are getting? They had been under the radar most of the season but after winning another tough road game, people are starting to take notice. I think the Hoosiers will compete with the Hawkeyes the whole way, but Iowa will improve to 9-0.

Prediction: Iowa 27, Indiana 20

#5 USC (6-1, 3-1) at #10 Oregon (6-1, 4-0)

The Oregon Ducks could arguably be considered the hottest team in the nation. Six straight wins, including a demolition of Washington at Washington, where USC suffered a loss. USC desperately needs a win or will be eliminated from the Pac-10 race for all intents and purposes. I don't think a Freshman QB like Barkley can win at three tough road venues in one season. I think that Ducks QB Jeremiah Massoli will have a good game, and the Ducks defense, which has been very good this season, will create enough turnovers to win the game.

Prediction: Oregon 31, USC 24

UNLV (3-5, 1-3) at #6 TCU (7-0, 3-0)

TCU crushed BYU but that seems more just like BYU absolutely sucks, then how good TCU actually is. TCU will be favored to run the table and crash the BCS party. UNLV won't put up any objections.

Prediction: TCU 45, UNLV 14

San Jose State (1-5, 0-2) at #7 Boise State (7-0, 2-0)

The Broncos are into their WAC schedule and it could turn out to be a death knell for their BCS chances. San Jose State is a terrible team and an impressive win for Boise will do nothing to impress the ones that matter.

Prediction: Boise State 48, San Jose State 9

#8 Cincinnati (7-0, 3-0) at Syracuse (3-4, 0-2)

The Bearcats are a team that should be getting more respect. They have played well with a backup QB, and have some very impressive road wins. Syracuse already has 3 wins this year, but none in the Big East. QB Greg Paulus had played alright, but his 10 interceptions have been killers. He will throw three in this one.

Prediction: Cincinnati 40, Syracuse 23

Tulane (2-5) at #9 LSU (6-1)

Everyone is in love with LSU again after they crushed Auburn. Nevermind that Auburn is far removed from their 5-0 start and now sucks.

Prediction: LSU 49, Tulane 10

#11 Georgia Tech (7-1) at Vanderbilt (2-6)

The Yellow Jackets continue their run through the doormats of the SEC. First it was Mississippi State, now Vanderbilt. The Yellow Jackets have quietly played very well since being embarrassed by the U. Their remaining schedule is too weak though for them to garner any national championship talk.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 30, Vanderbilt 14

#12 Penn State (7-1, 3-1) at Northwestern (5-3, 2-2)

Penn State had a great road, blowout win at Michigan. However, they should not overlook a dangerous Northwestern team. A win will make the Wildcats bowl eligible so they have plenty to play for.

Prediction: Penn State 31, Northwestern 21

North Carolina (4-3, 0-3) at #13 Virginia Tech (5-2, 3-1)

The Tar Heels blew a 21-point home lead to Florida State last Thursday, dropping them to 0-3 in the ACC. Last time we saw Tech they lost their chance at the BCS Championship and likely the ACC title, with a loss to Georgia Tech. Blacksburg is a tough enough place to play but on Thursday night it is almost impossible for the road team.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 35, North Carolina 17

Wyoming (4-3, 2-1) at #16 Utah (6-1, 3-0)

Wyoming had won three straight before being shut out by Air Force last weekend. The Utes are just biding their time, until two weeks from now, when they try to spoil TCU's season.

Prediction: Utah 27, Wyoming 14

New Mexico State (3-5) at #17 Ohio State (6-2)

New Mexico State will collect a check, then collect a beatdown. Funny how Notre Dame' s schedule is supposedly so easy, but the other big boys schedule cupcakes like this and it's not even talked about.

Prediction: Ohio State 42, New Mexico State 10

Southern Miss (5-3, 3-1) at #18 Houston (6-1, 2-1)

Don't let Southern Miss' record fool you. They have lost on the road and when they have faced good teams. Houston will be at home and is a good team, you do the math.

Prediction: Houston 38, Southern Miss 24

#19 Miami (5-2, 2-2) at Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2)

Miami is not nearly as good as everyone thought, proven by their loss to a mediocre Clemson team at home. They should get a win here though because Wake Forest is garbage.

Prediction: Miami 27, Wake Forest 16

#21 West Virginia (6-1, 2-0) at South Florida (5-2, 1-2)

South Florida seems to have started their annual second half swoon as they were blown out in their last two games. West Virginia is making Pittsburgh and Cincinnati sweat a little as they keep winning. South Florida hasn't really beaten anyone good, and while I think the Moutaineers aren't as good as their record indicates, I expect them to get the road win in this one.

Prediction: West Virginia 27, South Florida 21

#22 South Carolina (6-2, 3-2) at Tennessee (3-4, 1-3)

The record doesn't show it but Lane Kiffin and more specifically his father, defensive coorindator Monte, have improved Tennessee exponentially. The defense is keeping them in games and they were a field goal away from winning at Alabama. The Vols have come close a few times against ranked teams, South Carolina is weak enough on offense where the Vols defense can carry them to a win.

Prediction: Tennessee 17, South Carolina 14

Washington State (1-6) at #23 Notre Dame (5-2)

This is the Irish's last easy game of the season. All the talk has been about Notre Dame's easy schedule but that is bull. Their last 4 opponents have a combined record of 22-9. This game will be played in San Antonio, as the Irish look to expand their recruiting base. This game should be a good showcase as the Cougars are awful. The Irish have been in close games for 6 straight weeks now. Time for a laugher, and a day where Jimmy Clausen will boost his stats and his chances for a Heisman trophy.

Prediction: Notre Dame 42, Washington State 13

#24 California (5-2, 2-2) at Arizona State (4-3, 2-2)

Cal has recovered from their awful Pac-10 start, to win their last 2 games. Unfortunately, those wins came against also-rans UCLA and Washington State. Arizona State is pretty mediocre but will have the homefield advantage. Eh, what the heck, I'll go with the upset.

Prediction: Arizona State 30, California 23

#25 Mississippi (5-2, 2-2) at Auburn (5-3, 2-3)

The Gene Chizik soap opera in Auburn continues. First it was a horrible hire, then they started 5-0 and it was a great hire, now they have lost 3 in a row and played like poo, so its a bad hire. Who knows anymore. Mississippi was exposed quickly as frauds and are finally ranked where they belong. Auburn's losing streak continues, as their offense seems to have been figured out.

Prediction: Mississippi 28, Auburn 20

Last Week: 19-5
Overall: 129-37