Cram Session - Week 10

Two big games this weekend see the SEC and Big Ten pit Top 25 teams against each other. Alabama tries to remain unbeaten at home against LSU, while Penn State and Ohio State try to stay in the Big 10 race when they meet at Happy Valley. I will be more interested in Nebraska hosting Oklahoma. What was once the greatest rivalry in college football is now infrequent and has lost the luster it once had as both teams already have three losses. Oklahoma doesn't have more than pride to play for, while the Huskers still have a chance to win the Big 12 North.

Top 25

Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5) at #1 Florida (8-0, 6-0)

Florida should lose their #1 ranking if they win this game by less than 30.

Prediction: Florida 38, Vanderbilt 9

UCF (5-3) at #2 Texas (8-0)

The only potential pitfall I see in the Longhorns last four games is their regular season finale at Texas A & M, and even that is a stretch.

Prediction: Texas 45, UCF 13

#9 LSU (7-1, 4-1) at #3 Alabama (8-0, 5-0)

LSU is a popular upset pick in this one. People jumped off the Crimson Tide bandwagon quickly after they barely defeated Tennessee. I don't think the Vols are as bad as everyone has made them out to be, so that close win didn't really faze me. This will be a defensive struggle but the Crimson Tide, led by RB Mark Ingram will remain unbeaten.

Prediction: Alabama 19, LSU 16

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

Iowa looked atrocious for three quarters at home against Indiana and then woke up and blew past the Hoosiers. I expect they will come more prepared to play this week and will avoid looking ahead to their game against Ohio State next weekend.

Prediction: Iowa 31, Northwestern 17

Connecticut (4-4, 1-3) at #5 Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0)

The Huskies have suffered back to back demoralizing, late game losses, while the Bearcats continue to be overlooked by many. I think Cincinnati is better than Iowa and could compete with Florida, Alabama, and Texas. Doesn't matter if its Tony Pike or Zach Collaros at QB, the Bearcats just win.

Prediction: Cincinnati 34, Connecticut 23

#6 TCU (8-0, 4-0) at San Diego State (4-4, 2-2)

TCU might be caught looking ahead to their game with Utah next weekend, and that will allow the Aztecs to gain hope. Not enough hope for a win.

Prediction: TCU 35, San Diego State 17

#7 Boise State (8-0, 3-0) at Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-3)

Pollsters are looking for any reason to drop Boise State behind Oregon, despite the Broncos dominating the Ducks in Week 1. The Broncos need to keep winning big but I don't think they will this weekend.

Prediction: Boise State 30, Louisiana Tech 16

#8 Oregon (7-1, 5-0) at Stanford (5-3, 4-2)

This has trap game written all over it. Stanford is unbeaten at home and the Ducks are feeling pretty good about themselves after destroying USC. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Stanford upset but I don't think their defense can hang with the Ducks potent offense.

Prediction: Oregon 30, Stanford 27

Wake Forest (4-5, 2-3) at #10 Georgia Tech (8-1, 5-1)

Wake Forest left fraudy Miami off the hook last week. For that I predict they get blown out by the Yellow Jackets.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 42, Wake Forest 21

#16 Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) at #11 Penn State (8-1, 4-1)

Neither of these teams is really that great but the winner will not only have a chance to still contend for the Big 10 title but most likely will have earned themselves a BCS bowl bid. Both teams are led by their defenses and the game will come down to which QB makes fewer mistakes. I trust Daryll Clark of Penn State way more than I trust Terrelle Pryor.

Prediction: Penn State 14, Ohio State 13

#12 USC (6-2, 2-2) at Arizona State (4-4, 2-3)

Having a true freshman at quarterback finally caught up to USC. Besides that, their defense has turned out to be fraudalicious. Arizona State got killed by Stanford a couple weeks ago, they suck.

Prediction: USC 35, Arizona State 21

Syracuse (3-5, 0-3) at #13 Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0)

Been a rough week for the Orangeman. Their best player, WR Mike Williams mysteriously quit the team. Then in basketball they lost to something called Le Moyne. The Panthers have Notre Dame at home in a week and could be caught looking ahead. No worries though, Greg Pauls is the Orangeman's QB.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 34, Syracuse 14

New Mexico (0-8, 0-4) at #14 Utah (7-1, 4-0)

It will be TCU vs. Utah next weekend for all the Mountain West Conference marbles.

Prediction: Utah 37, New Mexico 17

#15 Houston (7-1, 3-1) at Tulsa (4-4, 2-2)

Tulsa has dropped three in a row, Houston has won four in a row. Pretty easy game to pick.

Prediction: Houston 47, Tulsa 24

Virgina (3-5, 2-2) at #17 Miami (6-2, 3-2)

Even Miami isn't fraudy enough to lose to sorry Virginia.

Prediction: Miami 31, Virginia 14

Washington State (1-7, 0-5) at #18 Arizona (5-2, 3-1)

Still not really buying into Arizona being a Top 20 team.

Prediction: Arizona 35, Washington State 13

#19 Oklahoma State (6-2, 3-1) at Iowa State (5-4, 2-3)

Still can't believe the Huskers lost to sorry Iowa State.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 28, Iowa State 21

Oregon State (5-3, 3-2) at #20 California (6-2, 3-2)

The battle of talented running backs in Jacquizz Rodgers for the Beavers and Jahvid Best of Cal will be a nail biter.

Prediction: California 33, Oregon State 31

#21 Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2) at Indiana (4-5, 1-4)

The Hoosiers have blown huge leads the last two weeks. They won't get the chance this week.

Prediction: Wisconsin 34, Indiana 21

Navy (6-3) at #22 Notre Dame (6-2)

On paper this is a game Notre Dame should win rather easily, but games against Navy are never won easily. The Irish should have no trouble moving the ball, especially with the return of stud WR Malcolm Floyd. Putting together the defensive game plan this week shouldn't be hard either. Navy will run the ball constantly. In fact, their QB Ricky Dobbs has 66 passes through 9 games! The Midshipmen's rushing attack is led by Dobbs and FB Vince Murray. The Irish can't let Navy run the ball consistently because then Navy can control the clock. The Irish's defense will have to play well to slam the door on Navy. I don't think the defense will play great but will play well enough.

Prediction: Notre Dame 42, Navy 28

#23 Virginia Tech (5-3) at East Carolina (5-3)

Virgina Tech has gone from national championship aspirations to likely a December bowl game in two weeks. They will be looking to avenge their opening season loss to East Carolina from last season. I think they do.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 30, East Carolina 23

#24 Oklahoma (5-3, 3-1) at Nebraska (5-3, 2-2)

For Nebraska to have any chance in this game their defense will have to create turnovers and score points. Freshman QB Cody Green will be making just his second start and will see a ton more pressure from the Sooners defense than he did Baylor's. The Sooners are led on offense by QB Landry Jones, who has performed quite admirably since taking over for Sam Bradford. WR Ryan Broyles is their big play man, accounting for 44 catches and 10 TDs so far this season. It is hard to imagine Nebraska losing three in a row at home, but they are not nearly as good as the Sooners. The goal should be to not be embarrassed at home for a third week in a row.

Prediction: Oklahoma 27, Nebraska 17

Last Week: 17-4
Overall: 146-41