Cram Session - Week 9

After a few weeks of hiatus, Cram Session is back! I know how excited all four of you are about this. Some good games featuring Top 10 teams this week, as we move closer and closer to finding out who will be playing for the BCS Championship in January.

Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You

Tulsa (4-3) at Notre Dame (4-4)

I can accept first year bumps in the road for new coach Brian Kelly, but getting thrashed 35-17 by Navy goes beyond a bump. I understand the Irish have been besieged by injuries but for a team that was supposedly game planning against Navy's triple option all off-season, to get demolished like they did was inexcusable. It appears another 6-6 finish is on the horizon. However, that assumes that Notre Dame will beat Tulsa, something the Irish definitely shouldn't do. This should be a high scoring game as neither team plays much defense, but can score points in bunches. Tulsa QB G.J. Kinne hasn't thrown an interception in three games and has 15 TDs on the season. The other offensive weapon to watch out for is WR Damaris Johnson. Johnson not only catches the ball, but is a rushing threat as well, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. Irish QB Dayne Crist had a rough go of it last week, and will hopefully have WR Michael Floyd at his disposal this week. I can't pick Notre Dame to lose at home to Tulsa, but I won't be shocked if it happens.

Prediction: Notre Dame 43, Tulsa 28

Top 10

#1 Auburn (8-0, 5-0) at Mississippi (3-4, 1-3)

This should be an interesting QB battle. Heisman front runner Cam Newton for Auburn against a guy that was considered a Heisman candidate last season, Jeremiah Masoli. After a slow start to the season Masoli has put up 9 TDs and 2 INTs in his last four games. Newton proved any skeptics wrong last week, as he destroyed a talented LSU defense. It will be interesting to see how the Tigers react to being the number one team, as that has been a curse for the last three weeks. I think the Tigers will stabilize things at the top this weekend.

Prediction: Auburn 45, Mississippi 31

#2 Oregon (7-0, 4-0) at USC (5-2, 2-2)

The Ducks are number one in the polls but number two in the BCS. The Trojans ended a two game losing streak two weeks ago by demolishing Cal. Some people are calling for the upset in this one, especially with how well Trojans QB Matt Barkley has played this season. However, to beat Oregon you have to be able to play defense and the Trojans haven't proven they can. Ducks RB LaMichael James is going to run all over the Trojans and keep the Ducks unbeaten.

Prediction: Oregon 40, USC 33

#4 TCU (8-0, 4-0) at UNLV (1-6, 1-2)

TCU plays tougher competition than Boise State and has been dominant, yet can't seem to get nearly the same amount of attention. Their biggest game of the season is next weekend at Utah, but the Horned Frogs are too good to allow UNLV to be a trap game.

Prediction: TCU 38, UNLV 6

#5 Michigan State (8-0, 4-0) at #18 Iowa (5-2, 2-1)

The Spartans kept their shocking unbeaten season going with a come from behind win against Northwestern. They are starting to resemble the Iowa Hawkeyes of last season. Creeping up the polls, finding ways to win, but everyone waiting for their eventual downfall. Most have picked this as the only possible game left for the Spartans to lose. However, I think the Spartans will win this one, but then shockingly lose to either Purdue or Penn State.

Prediction: Michigan State 24, Iowa 21

#6 Missouri (7-0, 3-0) at #14 Nebraska (6-1, 2-1)

A third straight marquee game for the Huskers in the Big 12. I almost wish this game was on the road as the Huskers have been dominant away from home, yet somehow lost to a sorry Texas team at home. The Huskers and the Tigers had a somewhat memorable game last season in Columbia. The Tigers dominated the Huskers for three quarters and Nebraska could get nothing going on offense. Then in the fourth quarter the defense created turnovers and the Huskers rolled to a win. The defense was able to force Tigers QB Blaine Gabbert into mistakes last season and I think they can do the same this year. It is all about QB Taylor Martinez for Nebraska. If he plays well they win, if he struggles they lose. Martinez proved he could throw the ball last week against Oklahoma State, but some of that had to do with the ineptness of the Cowboys defense. Missouri's defense has been excellent and is fourth in the nation in points allowed at 13.1 points per game. The winner of this game will have the inside track to earning the Big 12 North's spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. As much as I would like it to be the Huskers, I don't think it will be.

Prediction: Missouri 23, Nebraska 16

#8 Utah (7-0, 4-0) at Air Force (5-3, 3-2)

TCU is fortunate to face a patsy the week before their game against Utah. The Utes aren't so fortunate, as they have to travel to take on a tough Air Force team. I was way off the last time I picked the Utes to lose a game so maybe I am crazy for doing it again, but I think the Utes will suffer a letdown ahead of their game against TCU.

Prediction: Air Force 27, Utah 24

Colorado (3-4, 0-3) at #9 Oklahoma (6-1, 2-1)

The curse of being number one hit the Sooners in a big way at Missouri last weekend. I think the Sooners pretty much became number one by default and no one truly believed they were the best team in the country. Poor Colorado will get to face the Sooners frustration this weekend and it won't be pretty.

Prediction: Oklahoma 37, Colorado 17

Overall: 52-7