Cram Session - Week 10

Thursday, November 2

Kansas City (1-6) at San Diego (3-4), 
San Diego favored by 8 1/2

This game fails the stink test as far as gambling is concerned. If a game smells funny you stay away from it, and both of these teams are so bad that trying to get a read on this game is next to impossible. If Norv Turner wants any hope of keeping his job he has to win this game. If the Chiefs want any hope of winning this game, they need to make sure RB Jamaal Charles get's more than 4 or 5 carries. I'll go on the safe side and pick the Chargers to win, but no way can I pick them to cover an 8 1/2 point spread.

Prediction: San Diego 19, Kansas City 12


Games That Matter To Me

#20 Nebraska (6-2, 3-1) at Michigan State (5-4, 2-3)

Before the season this game felt like it would have a little more luster, but it is still a big game for the Huskers who are in contention to play for the Big Ten Championship. Nebraska surprised me last weekend with a strong defensive performance against Michigan. It helped that Denard Robinson didn't play in the second half, but he wasn't doing anything of substance when he played in the first half. Taylor Martinez played mostly smart football and RB Ameer Abdullah once again stepped in admirably for an injured Rex Burkhead. Abduallah will likely have to do that again on Saturday. The Spartans are terrible on offense but like Michigan have one of the better defenses in football. Their QB Andrew Maxwell has been far better on the road than he has been at home, so the Huskers defense should be licking their chops for a shot at him. The player to contain on the Spartans offense is RB Le'Veon Bell, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season. The Spartans rely heavily on him and will ride him no matter how successful he is. I think the Huskers can move the ball on the stout Spartans defense, and with the Huskers defense coming into this game with some confidence, they will force Maxwell into turnovers. I think Nebraska wins and takes an even firmer grip on the Big Ten Legends Division.

Prediction: Nebraska 28, Michigan State 21


Top 10

#1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0) at #5 LSU (7-1, 3-1)

This is the game of the weekend but the hype is far less than we saw when these teams met a year ago. Some of it has to do with LSU having already lost but I think most of it has to do with how boring the games were between these teams last season. This does seem like perhaps the first time the country will get to see Alabama be tested. Unfortunately, the Tigers defense isn't as good as they were last year, while the offense is pretty much just as bad. AJ McCarron is quietly having a pretty amazing season, throwing 18 TDs and 0 INTs. He is also completing almost 70% of his passes and has shown great improvement this year. This game will be interesting for about a half, before Alabama scores to start the second half and coasts to victory.

Prediction: Alabama 27, LSU 13

#24 Oklahoma State (5-2, 3-1) at #2 Kansas State (8-0, 5-0)

This game has the potential to be a shootout as both of these offenses have been clicking as of late. That being said, the defenses might make a statement as well, as those sides of the ball have played strong lately. We are beginning to learn more and more about Wildcats quarterback Colin Klein, including the fact that he didn't kiss his wife until his wedding day. He definitely has more game on the field than he does off of it, and if the Wildcats can win their last four games he may be a lock for the Heisman.

Prediction: Kansas State 41, Oklahoma State 28

Pittsburgh (4-4) at #3 Notre Dame (8-0)

What a sweet victory it was for Notre Dame and their fans last weekend. A win did not surprise me but as I stated last week I never would have expected a blowout victory. Now the challenge becomes navigating through the next three games against Pittsburgh,  Boston College, and Wake Forest, before what could be a major showdown against USC. The Irish have a history of winning big games and then losing to lesser opponents following those wins. The Panthers are just 4-4 but have won two straight in impressive fashion and aren't a team Notre Dame can take lightly. QB Tino Sunseri has put up some impressive numbers, throwing for 13 TDs and just 2 INTs with a 69% completion percentage. Pitt also has some pretty impressive wide receivers in Devin Street and Mike Shanahan, who is not the Redskins coach. You can't always look at records when handicapping games, and the Irish have a tendency to play down to competition. The Panthers also don't have that bad of a defense, so things will be tough as they usually are for the Notre Dame offense. It was good to see Everett Golson handle himself well in Norman. I like that confidence to be enough to carry over to this game and get a hard fought victory.

Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Pittsburgh 13

#4 Oregon (8-0, 5-0) at #17 USC (6-2, 4-2)

This is the other big game of Week 10, although this lost some luster with the Trojans choke job at Arizona. People have been pointing to this game as the time that the Ducks will finally be tested. Incredibly, Oregon has scored over 40 points in a game 11 straight times, with the last time they didn't being their 38-35 loss to USC last season. That Trojans team was brimming with confidence while this one has had theirs shaken. The amount of playmakers in this game is absurd. For Oregon you have QB Marcus Mariota, RB Kenjon Barner, and RB De'Anthony Thomas. USC has QB Matt Barkley, RB Silas Redd, and WRs Marqise Lee, and Robert Woods. Lee had an incredible game against Arizona last weekend, catching 16 passes for 345 yards and 2 TDs. Both these teams are pretty even offensively, the difference will come in defensively. The Trojans defense is susceptible to giving up big plays and Oregon specializes in that. The atmosphere will be electric and the Ducks will be tested, but I don't think the Trojans defense is up to the task, which will allow the Ducks to escape with a win.

Prediction: Oregon 45, USC 42

Mississippi (5-3, 2-2) at #6 Georgia (7-1, 5-1)

The Bulldogs surprised most everyone but themselves when they knocked off Florida in Jacksonville. Their offense looked terrible but the defense made the Gator offense look even worse. Ole Miss comes into this game with some confidence, having won two straight, although those wins came against the dregs of the SEC. Georgia controls their destiny when it comes to the SEC East and is just looking to avoid the upset bug.

Prediction: Georgia 35, Mississippi 21

Missouri (4-4, 1-4) at #7 Florida (7-1, 6-1)

The Gators close out SEC play for the 2012 season when they host newcomer Missouri. With their name recognition if the Gators win out they could still be in the running for a BCS at-large spot. They also still have slim hopes of representing the SEC East in the SEC Championship game if Georgia slips up. Jeff Driskel should play much better this weekend, but if he doesn't the Gators once dream season could turn into a nightmare.

Prediction: Florida 27, Missouri 20

Temple (3-4, 2-2) at #10 Louisville (8-0, 3-0)

The Cardinals have crept into the Top 10 mostly by being the comeback kids. Led by QB Teddy Bridgewater they have had to fight and scratch for pretty much their last six games. Temple may provide a respite as they have been shellacked in their last two games. Coach Charlie Strong and his team could use a breather.

Prediction: Louisville 35, Temple 14

Last Week: 4-4
Overall: 69-15