Cram Session - Week 4

Week 4 of the college football season is highlighted by #1 Alabama facing their first road test of the season. No, going to Durham to bitch slap the Dookies doesn't count. They take on Arkansas, led by Heisman hopeful QB Ryan Mallett. This begins a brutal three game stretch for the Crimson Tide, where they play teams all in the Top 15. If Mallett can lead the Razorbacks to a win he will almost certainly put himself at the top of the Heisman list.

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

#16 Stanford (3-0) at Notre Dame (1-2)

Ugh, being a Notre Dame fan just isn't very fun. For two straight weeks I have had to watch the Irish take a lead late and then watch their pathetic, sorry defense give it up. It got even better last Saturday when I got to see the Irish robbed because an official didn't call a delay of game penalty correctly. Things don't get much better Saturday as Jim Harbaugh's Stanford Cardinal roll into town. The Cardinal have decimated their first three opponents by a combined score of 155-41. They are averaging an insane 51 points per game, and are salivating over what they could do to a Notre Dame defense that gives up points in bunches. Junior QB Andrew Luck has thrown 10 TDs and no interceptions thus far. He is also a threat running the ball, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. Irish fans remember what Michigan QB Denard Robinson did to them, and while Luck is not quite the same threat, I can already see him gashing the Irish defense on the ground. Luck's favorite targets are senior wide receivers Ryan Whalen and Doug Baldwin. Not much has changed in early stages of the Brian Kelly era, from what we saw at the end of the Charlie Weis era. The Irish can still play offense and score points with the best of them, but they can't stop anyone. Kelly has never been known as a defensive coach, so it is a little scary to think that in the future the defense will never get better. The Irish will be able to put up points but they won't be able to stop or slow down the Cardinal's potent attack.

Prediction: Stanford 52, Notre Dame 31

Top 10

Friday, September 24

#4 TCU (3-0) at SMU (2-1)

Prediction: TCU 38, SMU 21

Saturday, September 25

#1 Alabama (3-0, 0-0) at #10 Arkansas (3-0, 1-0)

The Razorbacks earned a hard fought road win at Georgia last weekend. Leading by 14 late in the second half, the Razorbacks coughed up the lead, before Mallett calmly led them down the field to the winning score. I think the Crimson Tide are clearly the better team, and the only reason the Razorbacks will have any chance in this game is the homefield advantage. The Crimson Tide are just absolutely loaded in every facet of the game and I think it is inevitable that they are playing for the BCS Championship in January. Arkansas looks improved on defense from last season but their competition has been less than stellar through the first three games. The Crimson Tide are excellent on defense and I expect them to frustrate Mallett and force him into turnovers. The Razorbacks will hang around for most of the game but it won't be enough.

Prediction: Alabama 27, Arkansas 17

Eastern Michigan (0-3) at #2 Ohio State (3-0)

Why is this game on ABC? This has Big Ten Network written all over it. Game will be over within the first 10 minutes.

Prediction: Ohio State 48, Eastern Michigan 6

#24 Oregon State (1-1) at #3 Boise State (3-0)

This game seemed like it would be a lot more important when the Broncos win over sorry Virginia Tech actually meant something. If the Broncos win this game, and even are impressive it will really do nothing to help them, as it will just cause the Beavers to drop out of the polls. I am not overly impressed with Oregon State and don't look at this game as much of a challenge for the Broncos. It is the last possible game they could lose this year, so in that sense it is big, but no matter what the Broncos will be on the outside looking in when it comes to playing for the national title.

Prediction: Boise State 45, Oregon State 17

#5 Oregon (3-0, 0-0) at Arizona State (2-1, 0-0)

It is hard to argue than any team has been more impressive through the first three weeks of the season than the Oregon Ducks. They shut out New Mexico 72-0, and Portland State 69-0, and sandwiched between that a 48-13 whipping of Tennessee on the road. The Sun Devils played valiantly at Wisconsin, and may have pulled off the upset, if not for their game tying extra point being blocked. The Sun Devils have a pretty potent passing attack, currently ranked 12th in the nation, but it is hard to imagine the red hot Ducks losing right now.

Prediction: Oregon 42, Arizona State 21

South Dakota State (0-2) at #6 Nebraska (3-0)

Not much to say about this joke of a game for the Huskers so let me focus on last week's impressive blowout of Washington. The Huskers exposed Huskies QB Jake Locker for the fraud that he is, and continued to show that with Taylor Martinez at QB they now have a competent, perhaps even potent offense. The Huskers pass defense was outstanding, and the defense as a whole, while not as good as last season, continues to show that they are worthy of the Blackshirts. The Huskers only face one ranked team this season, and that is at home against an inexperienced Texas team. Trying not to get too excited just yet.

Prediction: Nebraska 54, South Dakota State 10

UCLA (1-2) at #7 Texas (3-0)

Boy how things can change in 13 years. The last time these two schools met in Texas, the Bruins embarrassed the Longhorns, beating them 66-3. Now, the Bruins are rebuilding, while the Longhorns have become an annual Top 10 team under Mack Brown. Some Texas fans complain about Brown, but hey, they could always go back to losing by 63 at home. The Longhorns are coming off a hard fought road victory against Texas Tech. QB Garrett Gilbert was shaky at times but the defense held the Red Raiders scoreless in the second half, securing the victory. The Longhorns have the Red River Shootout with Choklahoma next week, but they have to stay focused on the Bruins. Shouldn't be a problem.

Prediction: Texas 31, UCLA 10

#8 Oklahoma (3-0) at Cincinnati (1-2)

The Bearcats clearly miss Brian Kelly, while the Sooners seem to fluctuate between looking average and awesome. This is Choklahoma's first road game of the season and if it had been last season they might have reason to worry. QB Landry Jones has recovered nicely his last two games, after a sub par performance to open the season against Utah State. The Sooners should rout the Bearcats, but based on their unpredictability this season, they probably won't.

Prediction: Oklahoma 35, Cincinnati 20

Kentucky (3-0, 0-0) at #9 Florida (3-0, 1-0)

The Gators continue to do just enough to win each week, but continue to look underwhelming. The offense is still not clicking, and John Brantley is doing nothing to make anyone forget Tim Tebow. Kentucky is 3-0 but its a 3-0 that really means nothing as they haven't played anybody. The Gators will make it 24 straight wins against the Wildcats.

Prediction: Florida 30, Kentucky 16

Last Week: 11-0
Overall: 28-3