Cleveland (0-3) at Baltimore (2-1), Baltimore favored by 13
This game is pretty terrible and I wouldn't be all that inclined to watch it. But then, at the eleventh hour last night, the referees and the NFL came to an agreement and the days of the replacement officials are over. The replacement officials definitely struggled, especially with simple things like rules and game management. That being said, I expect the honeymoon with the returning officials to last about a quarter, and then us fans will quickly remember why we thought those refs sucked too. As for the actual game, the Ravens have a quick turnaround from a Sunday night game to a Thursday night game. Fortunately for them, they are playing the terrible Browns. The Browns have managed to cover double digit spreads in Baltimore the last two years, but I think the third time will be the charm for the Ravens. I don't think the Browns will be able to muster much on offense, and the Ravens offense is vastly improved.
Prediction: Baltimore 31, Cleveland 14
Pretty blah weekend in college football but sometimes the weekends that look underwhelming on paper end up being the craziest. As you will see in my picks below, starting tonight, I think the college football world as we currently know it, will start to see some shake up.
Games That Matter To Me
Wisconsin (3-1, 0-0) at #22 Nebraska (3-1, 0-1)
Before the season began this was one of the games I was looking forward to most. Fast forward a month, and only Nebraska is ranked, and I won't even be watching the game. Instead, I will be in Baltimore taking in some Orioles magic as they play host to the Boston Red Sox. I still will be following this game closely, and the Huskers appear to have every advantage necessary to get revenge for the beatdown Wisconsin put on them last season. Huskers QB Taylor Martinez has great numbers through four games, but when he had to play a good team in UCLA, he struggled. A true barometer of how far he has come as a passer will be seen when he faces the Badgers Saturday night. Martinez has to feel better having his top running back, Rex Burkhead back in the lineup. Burkhead didn't miss a beat in his return, rushing for 119 yards and two touchdowns against Idaho State. He won't find as much open field against Wisconsin but Burkhead has successfully run against the best in the past. The Huskers go three deep at running back now, as Burkhead can be spelled by Ameer Abdullah, and Imani Cross. WR Kenny Bell is an all or nothing kind of guy. He had just 1 catch against Idaho State last week, but that one catch went for 68 yards and a touchdown. So far this season he is averaging an astonishing 24.8 yards per catch. The challenge for the Huskers defense will be to contain Badgers RB Montee Ball. Ball shredded Nebraska in Madison last year, but has gotten off to a bit of slow start this season. He left Wisconsin's game last week with a head injury but is expected to play. The Badgers have already switched quarterbacks, as Maryland transfer Danny O'Brien didn't have nearly the same success that transfer Russell Wilson had last season. Freshman Joel Stave played alright in his first start last week, but he might be shell shocked by the atmosphere at Memorial Stadium. His favorite target appears to be WR Jared Abbrederis, who leads the team in catches, yards, and receiving TDs. This will be a good test for the Huskers defense which has come under scrutiny this season. Wisconsin isn't a dominant offensive team, and should be a team Nebraska can limit. I think they make life hard for the freshman Stave and earn their revenge.
Prediction: Nebraska 28, Wisconsin 17
Top 10
Thursday, September 27
#8 Stanford (3-0, 1-0) at Washington (2-1, 0-0)
This is a pick that I will either look like a genius for or be completely wrong. Stanford is playing their first game in 12 days, since they knocked off USC. I haven't forgotten that this is the same Stanford team that nearly lost to San Jose State at home to open the season. Washington looked terrible in their first real test of the season at LSU, but being at home will make a major difference in this game. For Washington to pull the upset they will have to win the turnover battle, bottle up Stepfan Taylor and QB Keith Price will have to make plays with both his arm and his legs. The Cardinal have been hearing about how great they are the last two weeks, and it will be interesting to see how they come out in this game. Weird things happen on Thursday nights and I think the Huskies will add to that list tonight.
Prediction: Washington 24, Stanford 20
Saturday, September 29
Mississippi (3-1, 0-0) at #1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0)
Alabama continues to put whippings on teams each week and looks more and more unbeatable. It is looking like another season where the Crimson Tide's fortunes will come down to a game against LSU. Ole Miss is 3-1 but that one loss was an embarrassing defeat at home against Texas. Alabama will play around with Ole Miss for the first half, then execute them in the second.
Prediction: Alabama 45, Mississippi 9
#2 Oregon (4-0, 1-0) "at" Washington State (2-2, 0-1) in Seattle, Washington
Oregon showed they had a defense last week, shutting down Rich Rodriguez's powerful Arizona attack and shutting them out in a 49-0 rout. Now the Ducks go on the road for the first time this season, and take on the Cougars. The Cougars are still shell shocked after blowing a lead late at home against terrible Colorado. This game will be played at the Seahawks stadium, and while the Cougars will miss the true homefield advantage its not like it earned them much last weekend. I don't foresee another shutout for the Ducks, but I do believe they will remain unchallenged.
Prediction: Oregon 48, Washington State 20
Towson (2-1) at #3 LSU (4-0)
Never thought I would be writing about Towson in Cram Session but here we are, as the Tigers take on the more powerful LSU Tigers. Towson lost to Kent State by 20 earlier this season so things will get very ugly in Baton Rouge. LSU could use the confidence boost, as they struggled greatly last week at Auburn and were nearly upset.
Prediction: LSU 56, Towson 6
#4 Florida State (4-0) at South Florida (2-2)
Florida State struggled early but ended up whipping Clemson and everyone was happy to proclaim them back. I mostly took away that their supposedly vaunted defense was pushed around all game, but I also don't like the Seminoles so I'm slightly biased. Bulls QB B.J. Daniels has been around forever and was there in 2009 when South Florida shocked the Noles in Tallahassee. Many things have changed since then though and Daniels, who already has six interceptions this season, won't be able to pull off another shocker.
Prediction: Florida State 38, South Florida 17
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1) at #5 Georgia (4-0, 2-0)
It hasn't gotten a ton of attention but the Bulldogs have one of the best offenses in the country, putting up over 40 points in each of their first four games. The quarterback battle will be fun, as Bulldogs QB Aaron Murray takes on Vols QB Tyler Bray. Bray only plays offense and won't be able to help a Tennessee defense that has struggled this season. I expect Murray, RB Todd Gurley, and receivers Tavarres King and Michael Bennett to all have big days.
Prediction: Georgia 41, Tennessee 27
#6 South Carolina (4-0, 2-0) at Kentucky (1-3, 0-1)
The Wildcats shouldn't provide much of a test for South Carolina, who has to be looking ahead to the next two weeks. That is when they will host Georgia and then travel to Baton Rouge to take on LSU. The Gamecocks just want to get out of Lexington with a win and no injuries.
Prediction: South Carolina 35, Kentucky 14
#25 Baylor (3-0, 0-0) at #9 West Virginia (3-0, 0-0)
West Virginia makes their Big 12 debut as they host Baylor. The Bears have adjusted to life without RGIII well so far, as the offense remains powerful. That being said, they haven't faced very tough competition and a true test awaits them in Morgantown. Griffin's replacement Nick Florence has put up lots of yards and TDs but also had his fair share of interceptions. Mountaineer QB Geno Smith might be the front runner for the Heisman at this point as he continues to put up video game like numbers. West Virginia had way more trouble with Maryland than I expected and it had to bring their fans down a bit after they had steamrolled their first two opponents. The Bears don't have the defense to make enough plays to win this game and Florence will make too many mistakes.
Prediction: West Virginia 44, Baylor 30
Last Week: 9-1
Overall: 36-5
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