Cram Session - Week 10

The so called "little guys" take center stage in college football this weekend. #3 TCU travels to take on #5 Utah in a BCS buster elimination game. The top two teams in the country, Oregon and Auburn should have no problem remaining undefeated with easy home games this weekend.

Top 10

Washington (3-5, 2-3) at #1 Oregon (8-0, 5-0)

The Huskies are terrible with QB Jake Locker, who some fools talked about being a possible #1 draft pick in April, so how bad will they be without him? The Ducks fought off a road challenge from USC and continued to prove that their offense is almost impossible to stop. This is Oregon's last cakewalk of the season, as their last three games could prove to be challenging.

Prediction: Oregon 62, Washington 7

Chattanooga (5-3) at #2 Auburn (9-0)

One week ago Chattanooga was playing at home against tiny little Elon. This week they get huge payday and the pleasure of getting their tails kicked in Auburn. Auburn somehow dropped in the BCS ranking despite spanking Ole Miss on the road. QB Cam Newton continues to amaze, as he added a touchdown catch to his already gaudy, Heisman ready stats.

Prediction: Auburn 53, Chattanooga 7

#3 TCU (9-0, 5-0) at #5 Utah (8-0, 5-0)

Both of these teams have been biding their time, waiting for this inevitable clash. The Utes have a very balanced offensive attack led by QB Jordan Wynn and a two headed monster at RB with Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata. WR DeVonte Christopher is their deep threat averaging 19.2 yards per catch. For the Horned Frogs QB Andy Dalton has been playing lights out the last month, and has 16 TDs and 5 INTs on the season. The Horned Frogs have the 9th ranked rushing offense in the NCAA, and Ed Wesley averages 6.8 yards per carry and has 10 touchdowns this season. Both teams are in the top 10 in scoring defense. The TCU defense has only allowed 1 touchdown in their last 5 games. While homefield advantage gives the Utes a shot, I think it is clear that the Horned Frogs are the better team. Their defense is almost impossible to score on and I don't think the Utes offense has the horses necessary to penetrate TCU's defense.

Prediction: TCU 24, Utah 13

Hawaii (7-2, 5-0) at #4 Boise State (7-0, 3-0)

They aren't getting much attention but Hawaii has been very impressive in the last month. They knocked off the ranked Nevada Wolfpack and have blown away the rest of their WAC competition. No one is really giving them a shot at Boise and while I don't expect them to win they could end up giving the Broncos a scare. The Warriors lead the country in passing offense and QB Bryant Moniz has put up gaudy numbers. The Broncos will be the toughest defense Moniz has faced this year and I expect it to be a rude awakening.

Prediction: Boise State 38, Hawaii 24

#6 Alabama (7-1, 4-1) at #10 LSU (7-1, 4-1)

The Crimson Tide bandwagon is starting to fill up again. With a bunch of unbeatens falling, people are saying that if a one-loss team is to make the BCS Championship this season, it will be the Crimson Tide. First, they have to go into Tigers Stadium and knock off the luckiest team in the country, LSU. Each team has had a week off to get ready for this game so expect both teams to come out guns blazing. The Tigers will need to create turnovers on defense if they want to pull off the upset. If this were a night game I might be more inclined to pick LSU, but I think Saban is a far superior coach to Miles and that will be a huge factor in the Alabama win.

Prediction: Alabama 20, LSU 13

#7 Nebraska (7-1, 3-1) at Iowa State (5-4, 3-2)

Where the heck was that performance against Texas? The Huskers punched Missouri in the mouth from the opening kickoff and never had a doubt in their thrashing of the Tigers. They even were able to afford being without T-Magic for the second half. RB Roy Helu Jr. rushed for over 300 yards, setting a Nebraska school record. Pretty amazing considering the long list of talented rushers to go through Nebraska. The Cornhuskers now have the inside track to the Big 12 North and a spot in the Big 12 Championship. However, that could all be derailed if they don't focus on this weekend's game at Iowa State. After getting destroyed for 2 straight weeks, the Cyclones beat Texas on the road, and then defeated a sorry Kansas team at home. The Cyclones are a pretty middling team both offensively and defensively. Hopefully, the Huskers remember their embarrassing home loss to the Cyclones last season, when they turned the ball over 8 times. The Huskers have been fantastic on the road all season and I expect that to continue this weekend.

Prediction: Nebraska 48, Iowa State 17

#8 Oklahoma (7-1, 3-1) at Texas A&M (5-3, 2-2)

The 12th Man will be jacked up for the arrival of the Sooners. Aggies coach Mike Sherman is on the hot seat and if he can pull off this upset and make the Aggies bowl eligible it might calm things down considerably. The Aggies really aren't that bad of a team. They have one of the most potent passing offenses in the country, and are decent defensively. However, they will be missing their leading RB Christine Michael who is out for the year, and QB Ryan Tannehill will be making just his second start. Those factors will conspire to give Choklahoma a close victory.

Prediction: Oklahoma 30, Texas A&M 26

#9 Wisconsin (7-1, 3-1) at Purdue (4-4, 2-2)

The Badgers have been on fire since a tough loss at Michigan State, defeating two Top 20 teams in Ohio State and Iowa. The win over Iowa was on the road, proving that the Badgers can win in a tough environment. Purdue lost their last two games by a combined score of 93-10. That will only get worse this weekend.

Prediction: Wisconsin 38, Purdue 21

Last Week: 4-4
Overall: 56-11