Cram Session - Week 11

Before the season began it was expected that this weekend's game between Nebraska and Kansas would be one of the top games of the weekend. Instead it is two underachieving and unranked teams fighting just to get a win. Nebraska needs to win to keep pace with Big 12 North division leader Kansas State. The Jayhawks just need a win period, as they have dropped four in a row since starting the season 5-0.

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

Nebraska (6-3, 3-2) at Kansas (5-4, 1-4)

As with any game recently, if the Cornhuskers are to win it will be on the strength of their Blackshirts defense. The defense forced Oklahoma QB Landry Jones to throw 5 INTs and only allowed a field goal, in a 10-3 win. The Huskers have a good chance to contain a Kansas offense that has been sputtering its last three games. Kansas QB Todd Reesing's numbers are way down this season, 17 TDs to 8 INTs. During the four game losing streak he has thrown 4 TDs and 5 INTs. RB Toben Oporum has also struggled during the slide, and will need to try to generate something to take some of the pressure off Reesing. Kansas' poor defense is really irrelevant as the Huskers have shown they can't really score on any Big 12 team. QB Zac Lee looks like he might have gotten his job back. One promising note from the game against Oklahoma was RB Roy Helu Jr. getting back to his normal workload. The offense has really suffered since he was hurt. I think the Nebraska defense will cause Reesing to turn the ball over and the Huskers will win this game, setting up a season defining game against Kansas State next weekend.

Prediction: Nebraska 21, Kansas 16

Top 25

#1 Florida (9-0, 7-0) at South Carolina (6-4, 3-4)

Some are predicting this could be an upset but the Gamecocks play the last two weeks suggests otherwise. Florida hasn't looked impressive in weeks but they won't need to as long as they keep winning. South Carolina's defense has struggled mightily in recent weeks, and I could see Gators QB Tim Tebow having an impressive game.

Prediction: Florida 34, South Carolina 20

#2 Alabama (9-0, 6-0) at Mississippi State (4-5, 2-3)

Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen has given them some spark, as they are much more competitive than they have been in previous years. They will hang around in this game for a bit, but Alabama's suffocating defense will shut the door.

Prediction: Alabama 27, Mississippi State 13

#3 Texas (9-0, 5-0) at Baylor (4-5, 1-4)

This game would have been far more intriguing had Baylor not lost starting QB Robert Griffin III to a season ending injury a few months back. Texas in a romp.

Prediction: Texas 38, Baylor 14

#16 Utah (8-1, 5-0) at #4 TCU (9-0, 5-0)

Hopefully this Mountain West showdown is far more entertaining than TCU's blowout of BYU was a few weeks ago. The Utes have won 7 in a row since losing at Oregon in Week 3. For them to win this game they will have to get a big game from RB Eddie Wide. Wide has run for over 100 yards in his last 6 games. I have picked against TCU a couple times this year and it has blown up in my face. TCU knows that a win in this game and they likely have stamped their ticket to a BCS bowl.

Prediction: TCU 27, Utah 20

#25 West Virginia (7-2, 3-1) at #5 Cincinnati (9-0, 5-0)

This is the Bearcats last Big East test before what would be the conference deciding game against Pittsburgh to close the season. West Virginia looked listless on the road against South Florida two weeks ago, and can't have the same effort if they are going to have chance in this one. Star RB Noel Devine has struggled the last two weeks, so he will be one of the key players to watch. The Bearcats are sticking with QB Zach Collaros in this one, although coach Brian Kelly has said usual starter Tony Pike might see some playing time. Not a big fan of rotating QB's but I don't think it will have an adverse effect in this game.

Prediction: Cincinnati 31, West Virginia 20

Idaho (7-3, 4-2) at #6 Boise State (9-0, 4-0)

The Broncos have looked vulnerable in recent weeks, including last week when they nearly blew a huge lead against Louisiana Tech. They also saw their shot at a BCS bowl take a hit with Oregon's loss to Stanford. I'd give the Vandals of Idaho more of a chance in this one if they were hosting it, rather than playing on the blue turf of Boise.

Prediction: Boise State 35, Idaho 20

#7 Georgia Tech (9-1, 6-1) at Duke (5-4, 3-2)

This is probably the biggest game that Blue Devils have hosted in 15 years. The Yellow Jackets barely survived a scare from Wake Forest, and have been a tough team to figure out. They win consistently but some weeks they look unbeatable, while others they look vulnerable. Basically the story of almost every highly ranked team this year. The Blue Devils will play hard but Tech is another team I have learned to stop picking against.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 30, Duke 19

Louisiana Tech (3-6) at #8 LSU (7-2)

LSU in a rout.

Prediction: LSU 41, Louisiana Tech 10

Stanford (6-3, 5-2) at #9 USC (7-2, 4-2)

How USC is ranked ahead of an Oregon team that beat the crap out of them I will never understand. Stanford just ran over Oregon and returns to the scene of one of the biggest upsets in college football. Two years Stanford won at USC as 42-point underdogs. People are giving them much more of a chance in this one, especially with the recent unsteady play of USC freshman QB Matt Barkley. The offense has really been scuffling, but Stanford's defense is pretty weak. No upset this time.

Prediction: USC 27, Stanford 17

#10 Iowa (9-1, 5-1) at #11 Ohio State (8-2, 5-1)

This game lost its national appeal with the Hawkeyes loss at home to Northwestern, but a trip to the Rose Bowl is still on the line. Iowa is without starting QB Ricky Stanzi for the remainder of the regular season. Ohio State looked great at Happy Valley, and far removed from the team that was stunned at Purdue. The Buckeyes will have roses in their mouths by the end of this one.

Prediction: Ohio Stat 28, Iowa 14

Notre Dame (6-3) at #12 Pittsburgh (8-1)

I have already said enough about Notre Dame's struggles, I just hope this game doesn't get ugly. The Notre Dame defense gave up over 300 yards rushing to Navy last week, and now has to contend with freshman sensation RB Dion Lewis. Notre Dame has a very porous defense so the offense can't turn the ball over like they did against Navy. Too much Lewis in this one for Notre Dame to win.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 41, Notre Dame 28

Arizona State (4-5, 2-4) at #13 Oregon (7-2, 5-1)

RB LeGarrette Blount returns from his suspension for punching a Boise State player. Not sure how much he will actually contribute but I am sure his teammates will be glad to have him back. Bad week for the Sun Devils to travel to Autzen Stadium, as Oregon is angry after blowing their national title hopes last week.

Prediction: Oregon 45, Arizona State 28

#14 Miami (7-2, 4-2) at North Carolina (6-3, 2-3)

I haven't bought into the Miami hype all season and while the Tar Heels aren't great, I think they pull off the mini upset.

Prediction: North Carolina 24, Miami 21

#15 Houston (8-1, 4-1) at UCF (5-4, 3-2)

Houston needed a miracle finish to defeat Tulsa last weekend. QB Case Keenum with his 28 TDs and 5 INTs is starting to generate some Heisman buzz. For him to get invited to New York, the Cougars will need to keep finding ways to win.

Prediction: Houston 38, UCF 37

#17 Arizona (6-2, 4-1) at California (6-3, 3-3)

The Wildcats quietly keep winning and are right there in the race for the Rose Bowl. They can't look ahead to next week's game against Oregon. Fortunately for them, Cal will be without stud RB Jahvid Best, who suffered a horrifying injury last weekend.

Prediction: Arizona 24, California 17

Indiana (4-6, 1-5) at #18 Penn State (8-2, 4-2)

The Hoosiers have got to be wondering what might have been for their season if they could have just held on to some of the big leads they have had this year. Penn State hasn't beaten anyone good all season, and after this game will be the fraudiest 9-2 team in the history of EVAR.

Prediction: Penn State 33, Indiana 23

Texas Tech (6-3, 3-2) at #19 Oklahoma State (7-2, 4-1)

The Red Raiders were able to get their fat little girlfriends out of their minds long enough to trounce Kansas last week. Oklahoma State will have them wishing they were back with those girlfriends after this game.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 44, Texas Tech 27

Michigan (5-5, 1-5) at #20 Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2)

The wheels have come off for Michigan. I still can't believe Notre Dame lost to this crappy team. Things won't get better in Madison.

Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Michigan 24

#21 Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-2) at Maryland (2-7, 1-4)

Virginia Tech should quit football if they can't beat this sorry Maryland team.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 30, Maryland 16

#22 BYU (7-2, 4-1) at New Mexico (0-9, 0-5)

The less said about this game the better.

Prediction: BYU 48, New Mexico 7

Washington (3-6, 2-4) at #23 Oregon State (6-3, 4-2)

That USC loss to Washington keeps looking worse and worse. Wish the pollsters would notice.

Prediction: Oregon State 37, Washington 24

#24 South Florida (6-2, 2-2) at Rutgers (6-2, 1-2)

Yawn.

Prediction: Rutgers 21, South Florida 14

Last Week: 16-6
Overall: 162-47