Cram Session - Week 3

On paper, this appears to be the most exciting weekend in college football so far. Plenty of good rivalry games and games featuring ranked teams playing one another. The biggest game of the weekend is #1 Oklahoma traveling to #5 Florida State. The Seminoles are looking to prove that they really deserve a Top 5 ranking. A win against Oklahoma would quiet the doubters that don't believe Florida State is really back.

Games That Matter to Me

#15 Michigan State (2-0) at Notre Dame (0-2)

As a fan I have seen my fair share of heartbreaking losses, but last Saturday might have been the worse. Notre Dame dominated Michigan on both sides of the ball for three quarters. Then the fourth quarter came, and the Irish players remembered that they are averse to success. They choked away the game, allowed Michigan QB Denard Robinson to successfully play 500 against them, and lost in the final seconds. Because of that, the Irish now stand at 0-2 and the season is already lost. They have to win this weekend at home against #15 Michigan State to avoid an 0-3 start. Last season, the Irish suffered an almost as heartbreaking defeat at Michigan State. The question is, can Brian Kelly keep the players heads up. Notre Dame has outplayed their two opponents but have killed themselves with turnovers. Ten turnovers in two games, including five in the red zone is not a formula for success. QB Tommy Rees appeared to be much more comfortable in the offense than Dayne Crist and is obviously the man that should lead the Irish. WR Michael Floyd continues to dominate and make opposing defenders look silly. The defense will have to slow down the Spartans passing game, led by Kirk Cousins. The Spartans have played no one of consequence, so its hard to get a true read on them. I think last season was a fluke for them, and even if they beat the Irish, I won't be convinced they are as good as their ranking would indicate. Right now, I have zero faith in the Irish winning a football game. I do believe they will find some nauseating, heartbreaking way to lose it though.

Prediction: Michigan State 24, Notre Dame 21

Washington (2-0) at #11 Nebraska (2-0)

The players and coaches can downplay it all they want but this is clearly a revenge game for the Huskers. They came out flat in the Holiday Bowl last December and were embarrassed by the Huskies, now they get a shot at revenge at home. It was just one year ago that Nebraska went to Washington and lambasted the Huskies. Washington still hasn't proven they can generate any offense on the Huskers defense. However, the Blackshirts looked very weak in the win last week against Fresno State. Jake Locker is gone so new quarterback Keith Price will see if he can do what Locker couldn't, have success against the Huskers defense. Playing Nebraska will be a step up for the sophomore, who so far has only faced Hawaii and Eastern Washington. For Nebraska, it would be nice to see the passing game get some rhythm so they aren't so reliant on the run. Through two games their leading receiver is Jamal Turner, who has just four catches. QB Taylor Martinez is completing just 48% of his passes and has 1 TD and 2 INTs. The Huskers won't be caught sleep walking their way through this one. I expect them to get their revenge, and I hope the defense steps up their game.

Prediction: Nebraska 41, Washington 27

Top 10 Thursday, September 15

#3 LSU (2-0, 0-0) at #25 Mississippi State (1-1, 0-1)

Very good Thursday night game that lost a bit of its luster with the Bulldogs loss at Auburn on Saturday. That being said, they still will be at home and the atmosphere for Thursday night games is always special. The best offensive player on the Bulldogs is senior RB Vick Ballard. He is averaging an astounding 9 yards a carry through two games. The LSU defense is one of the best in the country and Ballard is the key. If they slow Ballard, the Tigers will win, and probably pretty easily. However, this isn't an Oregon team finding out that the SEC style of play is nothing like their conference. Ballard has been through the battles in the SEC and I think he can be successful tonight. Jarrett Lee has done his job replacing Jordan Jefferson, but playing at home and neutral sites is different than going to Starkville. The timing is right, the Bulldogs have lost 11 straight to LSU, that ends tonight.

Prediction: Mississippi State 28, LSU 25

Friday, September 16

#4 Boise State (1-0) at Toledo (1-1)

This game became much more interesting after the scare Toledo put into Ohio State last weekend. Can the Rockets put together back to back games like that and give the Broncos a challenge? Kellen Moore is far better than the Buckeyes quarterback options and will present problems for Toledo that Ohio State couldn't. I think Toledo can keep this game close but once again will come up agonizingly short.

Prediction: Boise State 35, Toledo 27

Saturday, September 17

#1 Oklahoma (1-0) at #5 Florida State (2-0)

Both teams will be looking to make a statement. Choklahoma wants to avoid choking in a big spot and validate their preseason number one ranking. For Florida State, beating two cupcakes to start the season hasn't proven anything about where they stand. Last season, the Seminoles went to Oklahoma and were destroyed. I really don't think enough has changed in one season that Florida State is suddenly better than the Sooners. The Sooners have had two weeks to prepare for this game. I expect QB Landry Jones, RB Dominique Whaley, and WR Ryan Broyles will all do damage and prove that the Seminoles may be better, but aren't back.

Prediction: Oklahoma 33, Florida State 24

North Texas (0-2) at #2 Alabama (2-0)

Alabama will kill North Texas.

Prediction: Alabama 45, North Texas 10

#6 Stanford (2-0, 0-0) at Arizona (1-1, 0-0)

Stanford and Andrew Luck face their first challenge of the year as they open their conference season at Arizona. The Wildcats were run over by Oklahoma State last week so it remains to be seen how much of a challenge they really are for the Cardinal. Nick Foles has been very good through two games, throwing 6 TDs and no INTs. If he can keep that up against a Stanford defense college football fans everywhere would take notice. The Cardinal are allowing 8 points a game thus far.

Prediction: Stanford 40, Arizona 21

#7 Wisconsin (2-0) at Northern Illinois (1-1)

Wisconsin continues their march to their Big Ten opener against Nebraska. They get to destroy Northern Illinois this week.

Prediction: Wisconsin 47, Northern Illinois 17


#8 Oklahoma State (2-0) at Tulsa (1-1)

The Sooners already got their shots in at Tulsa, so now it is the Cowboys turn. Oklahoma State was at least kind enough to go to Tulsa to do the beating. The only way the Hurricanes keep this close is if the Cowboys are napping, and thinking about playing at Texas A&M next weekend. I doubt that will happen though. Expect more offensive domination from QB Brandon Weeden, and WR Justin Blackmon.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 34, Tulsa 14

Idaho (1-1) at #9 Texas A&M (1-0)

The Aggies are being talked about more for which conference they will end up in then what they might do on the field this season. Idaho coming to College Station won't change that, but the focus will be back on the field next weekend for the visit from the Cowboys.

Prediction: Texas A&M 38, Idaho 10

Navy (2-0) at #10 South Carolina (2-0)

This game should be very good. Navy has proven that they aren't intimidated when they have to go on the road against conference powers. The passing game will take a back seat as both teams love to run the ball. The Gamecocks are led by Marcus Lattimore, who has 4 TDs and 288 yards rushing through the first two games. Navy leads the NCAA with 801 yards rushing. They have their typical dual threat at QB in Kriss Proctor. Proctor has thrown just 14 passes in the first two weeks, but has run for 199 yards. I expect this game to go right down to the wire, especially with Stephen Garcia likely to make some mistakes at quarterback. I am not bold enough to pick the upset, but it wouldn't shock me.

Prediction: South Carolina 28, Navy 24

Last Week: 8-0
Overall: 16-2