#2 Oklahoma VS South Florida
Nate Hybl returns as the QB for the Sooners, with started Jason White out for the season with a torn ACL. Oklahoma looked strong against UTEP two weeks ago, pummeling them 68-0. With a week to prepare for South Florida, I expect another strong performance from the Sooners. South Florida does have a decent passing attack, but not enough to mount a serious challenge.
Prediction:
Oklahoma 42
South Florida 20
#3 Texas AT Tulane
Statistically, and likely to the chagrin of UT fans, Texas and OU have looked eerily similar in the beginning of the season. Both teams are averaging roughly the same yards through the air and on the ground. Regardless, I almost want to feel sorry for Tulane as they will really struggle with the Horns. Texas should roll, and I doubt they will be challenged until the big UT-OU game in a couple weeks.
Prediction:
Texas 35
Tulane 10
#5 Virginia Tech AT Western Michigan
The Hokies overcame the adversity of a strong defense as they beat Texas A&M last week. This week the offense should have a lot more success as they go up against a defense that is suspect at best. Western Michigan likes to pass the ball. They will throw it a lot, and they will try and beat the Hokie secondary deep. I expect the Virginia D to create a lot of turnovers here.
Prediction:
Virginia Tech 35
Western Michigan 17
#6 Ohio State VS Indiana
The Buckeyes are lucky to have escaped the Bearcats last week. And without RB Maurice Clarett, Ohio State was nothing to brag about. I think Ohio State will hammer out their mistakes from last week and play a near flawless game at home against the Hoosiers. Indiana may get some good plays through the air, but Ohio State will adjust and eventually shut them down.
Prediction:
Ohio State 37
Indiana 13
#7 Florida VS Kentucky
Rex Grossman went into Tennessee and pounded the Vols. He finally looked like the Grossman we are used to seeing. With a tough SEC schedule ahead Florida better not overlook the 4-0 Cats. Kentucky has a good team, but they don?t match up well against Florida. Kentucky will play with heart, but they don?t have enough to upset the Gators.
Prediction:
Florida 35
Kentucky 24
#8 Georgia VS New Mexico State
After two weeks of a disappointing offense, the Bulldogs poured it into NWS last week, destroying my upset pick of the season. Georgia looked impressive and I think they will stay with a strong offensive showing, they just needed a chance to prove to themselves they could do it. The Aggies have a strong running game and have presented problems for USC and last week upset New Mexico. But Georgia?s D will choke up on the run and shut down any hope for NMSU.
Prediction:
Georgia 28
New Mexico State 17
#11 Tennessee VS Rutgers
Tennessee got surprised last week by the Gators, and may have also squandered their National Championship hopes. The Vols have a good team, and a lethal passing attack to go with their running game. This game is going to get ugly as the Vols extract retribution for last week.
Prediction:
Tennessee 46
Rutgers 17
#12 Penn State VS Iowa
After a slow start the Lions poured it on against Louisiana Tech. Penn State has really impressed me this year. They have a strong team, and proved they can win big games, upsetting Nebraska two weeks ago. Iowa will be another tough opponent for the Lions. Iowa has an awesome running game (271.5 YPG) that will keep it close but in the end PSU pulls it out.
Prediction:
Penn State 30
Iowa 29
#13 Washington VS Idaho
Last week, Washington looked good. They had a passing attack that shredded the Cowboy Defense, and they will use a similar game plan against Idaho. QB Cody Pickett could be a sleeper for the Heisman if he continues to put up spectacular numbers. Idaho has been bombed on by the ranked opponents they have play so far, and they know they are lambs for the slaughter at Washington.
Prediction:
Washington 40
Idaho 10
#14 Michigan AT Illinois
Michigan did not look good in their game against the Utes last week, but escaped with a win anyway. I do not expect them to struggle as much against the Illini. Illinois can throw the ball well but its not going to get them past the strong Wolverine D.
Prediction:
Michigan 27
Illinois 17
#17 N.C. State VS Massachusetts
NC State escaped a squeaker in overtime against Texas Tech. The offense played well, but the defense could barely keep the Red Raiders out of the endzone. I think that UMASS will play NC State close due to their strong passing game, but NC State comes out in the end. Prediction:
NC State 31
UMASS 27
#18 USC VS #23Oregon State
After USC?s upset by Kansas State, I think it is likely that the Trojans will drop another one here to the Beavers. Oregon State is undefeated and has played strongly this season. The one knock on OSU to date is the level of competition. Nevertheless, the Beaver offense is averaging 500 yards a game, and the defense has been stifling. This should be a great game and if Oregon State wins here, they could very well go on to win the Pac-10.
Prediction:
Oregon State 32
USC 20
#19 Iowa State VS #20 Nebraska
Iowa State has truly been impressive this year, and have a chance to continue their dominance if they can steal a win against the Cornhuskers. Iowa Sate has scored easily all season and I think they will find the holes in the Nebraska D and exploit them. Nebraska comes off a bye week after a huge loss to Penn State and hopefully the two week?s preparation is enough to motivate the ?Huskers. I don?t think it is and the Nebraska loss will drop them from the polls for the first time since 1981.
Prediction:
Iowa State 31
Nebraska 25
#22 LSU VS Mississippi State
The Tigers have had a week off to get ready for Mississippi State. LSU is only averaging 345 yards a game, and QB Matt Mauck has looked less then spectacular. For the first time in five years the Tigers are playing a game in the morning, rather then their traditional evening games. It could have an effect on the players, but time of day shouldn?t effect skill level too much. Mississippi State is once again having a disappointing season, and I don?t believe they have what it takes to hold LSU at bay. Prediction:
LSU 28
Miss St 20
#24 Texas A&M VS Louisiana Tech
The Aggies proved that defense alone cannot win ball games. Averaging just 16 points per game does not bode well for a Top 25 team. LaTech played one great half of football against Penn State, but the Aggie D can shut down the aerial assault. My Call: Tech hangs in there but will shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers.
Prediction:
Texas A&M 21
Louisiana Tech 17
#25 Colorado State AT Nevada
The Rams return to the rankings after their idle week. Nevada has proved that they are not a team to be underestimated after they beat Rice and upset then ranked BYU two weeks ago. I expect this to be a good game, but Colorado State should have enough to win.
Prediction:
Colorado State 27
Nevada 25
Nate Hybl returns as the QB for the Sooners, with started Jason White out for the season with a torn ACL. Oklahoma looked strong against UTEP two weeks ago, pummeling them 68-0. With a week to prepare for South Florida, I expect another strong performance from the Sooners. South Florida does have a decent passing attack, but not enough to mount a serious challenge.
Prediction:
Oklahoma 42
South Florida 20
#3 Texas AT Tulane
Statistically, and likely to the chagrin of UT fans, Texas and OU have looked eerily similar in the beginning of the season. Both teams are averaging roughly the same yards through the air and on the ground. Regardless, I almost want to feel sorry for Tulane as they will really struggle with the Horns. Texas should roll, and I doubt they will be challenged until the big UT-OU game in a couple weeks.
Prediction:
Texas 35
Tulane 10
#5 Virginia Tech AT Western Michigan
The Hokies overcame the adversity of a strong defense as they beat Texas A&M last week. This week the offense should have a lot more success as they go up against a defense that is suspect at best. Western Michigan likes to pass the ball. They will throw it a lot, and they will try and beat the Hokie secondary deep. I expect the Virginia D to create a lot of turnovers here.
Prediction:
Virginia Tech 35
Western Michigan 17
#6 Ohio State VS Indiana
The Buckeyes are lucky to have escaped the Bearcats last week. And without RB Maurice Clarett, Ohio State was nothing to brag about. I think Ohio State will hammer out their mistakes from last week and play a near flawless game at home against the Hoosiers. Indiana may get some good plays through the air, but Ohio State will adjust and eventually shut them down.
Prediction:
Ohio State 37
Indiana 13
#7 Florida VS Kentucky
Rex Grossman went into Tennessee and pounded the Vols. He finally looked like the Grossman we are used to seeing. With a tough SEC schedule ahead Florida better not overlook the 4-0 Cats. Kentucky has a good team, but they don?t match up well against Florida. Kentucky will play with heart, but they don?t have enough to upset the Gators.
Prediction:
Florida 35
Kentucky 24
#8 Georgia VS New Mexico State
After two weeks of a disappointing offense, the Bulldogs poured it into NWS last week, destroying my upset pick of the season. Georgia looked impressive and I think they will stay with a strong offensive showing, they just needed a chance to prove to themselves they could do it. The Aggies have a strong running game and have presented problems for USC and last week upset New Mexico. But Georgia?s D will choke up on the run and shut down any hope for NMSU.
Prediction:
Georgia 28
New Mexico State 17
#11 Tennessee VS Rutgers
Tennessee got surprised last week by the Gators, and may have also squandered their National Championship hopes. The Vols have a good team, and a lethal passing attack to go with their running game. This game is going to get ugly as the Vols extract retribution for last week.
Prediction:
Tennessee 46
Rutgers 17
#12 Penn State VS Iowa
After a slow start the Lions poured it on against Louisiana Tech. Penn State has really impressed me this year. They have a strong team, and proved they can win big games, upsetting Nebraska two weeks ago. Iowa will be another tough opponent for the Lions. Iowa has an awesome running game (271.5 YPG) that will keep it close but in the end PSU pulls it out.
Prediction:
Penn State 30
Iowa 29
#13 Washington VS Idaho
Last week, Washington looked good. They had a passing attack that shredded the Cowboy Defense, and they will use a similar game plan against Idaho. QB Cody Pickett could be a sleeper for the Heisman if he continues to put up spectacular numbers. Idaho has been bombed on by the ranked opponents they have play so far, and they know they are lambs for the slaughter at Washington.
Prediction:
Washington 40
Idaho 10
#14 Michigan AT Illinois
Michigan did not look good in their game against the Utes last week, but escaped with a win anyway. I do not expect them to struggle as much against the Illini. Illinois can throw the ball well but its not going to get them past the strong Wolverine D.
Prediction:
Michigan 27
Illinois 17
#17 N.C. State VS Massachusetts
NC State escaped a squeaker in overtime against Texas Tech. The offense played well, but the defense could barely keep the Red Raiders out of the endzone. I think that UMASS will play NC State close due to their strong passing game, but NC State comes out in the end. Prediction:
NC State 31
UMASS 27
#18 USC VS #23Oregon State
After USC?s upset by Kansas State, I think it is likely that the Trojans will drop another one here to the Beavers. Oregon State is undefeated and has played strongly this season. The one knock on OSU to date is the level of competition. Nevertheless, the Beaver offense is averaging 500 yards a game, and the defense has been stifling. This should be a great game and if Oregon State wins here, they could very well go on to win the Pac-10.
Prediction:
Oregon State 32
USC 20
#19 Iowa State VS #20 Nebraska
Iowa State has truly been impressive this year, and have a chance to continue their dominance if they can steal a win against the Cornhuskers. Iowa Sate has scored easily all season and I think they will find the holes in the Nebraska D and exploit them. Nebraska comes off a bye week after a huge loss to Penn State and hopefully the two week?s preparation is enough to motivate the ?Huskers. I don?t think it is and the Nebraska loss will drop them from the polls for the first time since 1981.
Prediction:
Iowa State 31
Nebraska 25
#22 LSU VS Mississippi State
The Tigers have had a week off to get ready for Mississippi State. LSU is only averaging 345 yards a game, and QB Matt Mauck has looked less then spectacular. For the first time in five years the Tigers are playing a game in the morning, rather then their traditional evening games. It could have an effect on the players, but time of day shouldn?t effect skill level too much. Mississippi State is once again having a disappointing season, and I don?t believe they have what it takes to hold LSU at bay. Prediction:
LSU 28
Miss St 20
#24 Texas A&M VS Louisiana Tech
The Aggies proved that defense alone cannot win ball games. Averaging just 16 points per game does not bode well for a Top 25 team. LaTech played one great half of football against Penn State, but the Aggie D can shut down the aerial assault. My Call: Tech hangs in there but will shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers.
Prediction:
Texas A&M 21
Louisiana Tech 17
#25 Colorado State AT Nevada
The Rams return to the rankings after their idle week. Nevada has proved that they are not a team to be underestimated after they beat Rice and upset then ranked BYU two weeks ago. I expect this to be a good game, but Colorado State should have enough to win.
Prediction:
Colorado State 27
Nevada 25
