College Football Week 5 Recap

    Week 5 proved to be one of the most exciting weekends of football so far, with upsets and many shoot-outs.

    #8 West Virginia and Baylor combined for 133 points, and West Virginia won 70-63. Mountaineer's quarterback Gino Smith is having an outstanding season, and he burst onto everyone's radar with his performance vs. Baylor. Smith threw for 656 yards, and eight touchdowns. He had more touchdown passes then incompletions, as he went 45/51.

Geno Smith, WVU Quarterback

    Baylor quarterback Nick Florence also had his own spectacular game, throwing for 581 yards, 5 touchdowns, and one interception. He was also 29/47.

    But the real hero was Smith, who now is my Heisman favorite. Smith not only has 1,728 yards thus far, and has 20 touchdowns and not one interception. Jaw-dropping numbers.

    #7 Texas and Oklahoma State also had their own shootout, and it came down to the wire. Texas pulled ahead and won 41-36, and did not fall victim to an upset like I had predicted. 

    Even the SEC got into the action with its own shootout. #6 Georgia beat Tennessee 51-44.

    In other games, #11 Stanford was upset by Washington on Thursday night. #15 Ohio State and #18 Michigan State had a close battle. Both teams were very evenly-matched, and the Buckeyes won 17-16. #5 South Carolina had troubles vs. Kentucky, and #3 LSU had problems verse Towson. 

    The Big 10's troubles continued, and only four teams are ranked this week. That is not what the Big 10 is accustomed to. To get a better sense of how bad the Big 10 is, Northwestern looks like they will be in the Big 10 Championship. Think of that, Northwestern could be the best team in the Big 10.

Top 25:

1. Alabama 5-0

2. Florida State 5-0

3. Oregon 5-0

4. LSU 5-0

5. Georgia 5-0

6. South Carolina 5-0

7. Texas 4-0

8. West Virginia 4-0

9. Notre Dame 4-0

10. USC 3-1

11. Kansas State 4-0

12. Ohio State 5-0

13. TCU 4-0

14. Oklahoma 2-1

15. Clemson 4-1

16. Louisville 5-0

17. Oregon State 3-0

18. Florida 4-0

19. Northwestern 4-0

20. Nebraska 4-1

21. Mississippi State 4-0

22. Stanford 3-1

23. Washington 3-1

24. Michigan State 3-2

25. Cincinnati 3-0

Next 5 In:

Rutgers 4-0

Michigan 2-2

Arizona State 4-1

Ohio 5-0

Texas Tech 4-0

Dropped Out:

Michigan (#23)

N.C. State (#21)

Boise State (#25)

What To Watch:

#10 USC (3-1) @ Utah (2-2)

Thursday, 9:00 pm ET, ESPN

The Trojans should pick up a big conference win here, against a down Utah squad. A win can get them back into the national scene.

Prediction: USC 42 Utah 14

#4 LSU (5-0) @ #18 Florida (4-0)

3:30 pm ET, CBS

I haven't jumped on the Florida bandwagon like most have this season, and this is where they have their first test. LSU has had some close games with Auburn and Towson but should roll here. Florida is not yet back as an SEC-contender, and this is the week LSU exposes the Gators's bluff.

Prediction: LSU 35 Florida 21

#14 Oklahoma (2-1) @ Texas Tech (4-0)

3:30 pm ET, ESPN2

Last year Texas Tech upset Oklahoma, and now they look to do it again. The Red Raiders are 4-0, and Oklahoma is coming off a bye week after a loss to Kansas State. The Sooners have looked overrated this year too, and Texas Tech may give them problems. 

Prediction: OU 34 TTU 14

#8 West Virginia (4-0) @ #7 Texas (4-0)

7:00 pm ET, FOX

Both teams are coming off high scoring games, but Texas's defense should keep Gino Smith from putting up those kind of numbers again. The argument many use against WVU is that they havn't played anyone. I don't think Baylor is nearly as good as some say they are, and Texas will be the first real test. This is where Gino Smith needs to have a huge game to stay in the Heisman race.

Prediction: Texas 40 WVU 33

#5 Georgia (5-0) @ #6 South Carolina (5-0)

7:00 pm ET, ESPN

Georgia and South Carolina are the top teams in the SEC East, and neither have shown anything this season to show they are better then the other. This could be the only way to distinguish who is the better team, and this one is a toss-up.

Prediction: South Car 37 UGA 34

#20 Nebraska (4-1) @ #12 Ohio State (5-0)
8:00 pm ET, ABC

Ohio State looks to get revenge for its meltdown against Nebraska last season. The Cornhuskers look to show they are the best team in the Big 10 with a win here. Ohio State proved they can play with top teams last week by beating Michigan State, and Nebraska took a while to get going vs. Wisconsin. Could go either way, but Ohio State has the revenge factor, and Braxton Miller is one of the top players in the country right now. The Buckeyes should match last years win total this Saturday.

Prediction: OSU 27 Neb 22

#23 Washington (3-1) @ #3 Oregon (5-0)

10:30 pm ET, ESPN

Washington shocked Stanford last week, but Oregon is the second best team in the Pac-12 and is head and shoulders above the Huskies. A lot of points will be scored, but the Ducks will still win by three touchdowns. Will look like Oregon's win last week vs. Washington State.

Prediction: ORE 54 UW 28

Other Predictions:

BYU 28 Utah State 14

#17 Oregon State 31 Washington State 19

Air Force 36 Navy 3

Auburn 35 Arkansas 27

#21 Mississippi State 42 Kentucky 14

Boise State 22 Southern Miss 15

#11 Kansas State 45 Kansas 17

#19 Northwestern 21 Penn State 20

Virginia Tech 28 North Carolina 27

#22 Stanford 37 Arizona 34

Wisconsin 42 Illinois 10

#15 Clemson 41 Georgia Tech 28

Michigan 25 Purdue 18

Vanderbilt 25 Missouri 22

Texas AM 37 Ole Miss 21

#25 Cincinnati 34 Miami (OH) 14

#9 Notre Dame 28 Miami (FL) 20

#2 Florida State 21 NC State 10

UCLA 45 California 17

BCS Bowls Right Now:

Championship: #1 Alabama vs #2 Florida State

Rose: #19 Northwestern vs #3 Oregon

Orange: #16 Louisville vs #8 West Virginia

Fiesta: #7 Texas vs #10 USC

Sugar: #4 LSU vs #9 Notre Dame

College Football Week 4 Recap

    Week 4 was filled with some big games, and almost all of them came down to the wire.

    The Big 10's woes continued. This week, many teams struggled vs non-BCS opponents. #14 Ohio State had some bumps vs UAB, #18 Michigan State only pulled away at the end vs Eastern Michigan, and Wisconsin continued their trend of problems vs small schools with an 11-point win vs lowly UTEP.

Ohio St. running back Jordan Hall vs UAB

    And the upsets of Big 10 teams persisted. Iowa lost to Central Michigan at home, and Illinois lost to Louisiana Tech by 28 points at home. It didn't help either that #16 Michigan lost to #13 Notre Dame.

    Penn State was able to pick up another win vs Temple, and Minnesota quietly is 4-0 after a win against Syracuse. Right now, the best team in the Big 10 may be #21 Northwestern. The Wildcats are 4-0, with wins vs Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Boston College and South Dakota.

    #3 LSU survived a potential major upset vs Auburn, #6 South Carolina pounded Missouri, and Arkansas is quickly becoming the biggest disappointment of the season after a loss to Rutgers.

    #19 Kansas State looks like they are legit this year, and #4 Oklahoma looks a bit overrated, as the Wildcats beat the Sooners 24-19 in Oklahoma's first test.

   #2 Florida State also proved that they are back as one of the nation's best in their win over #9 Clemson 49-37.


 Top 25:

1. Alabama 4-0
2. Florida State 4-0
3. LSU 4-0
4. Oregon 4-0
5. South Carolina 4-0
6. Georgia 4-0
7. Texas 3-0
8. West Virginia 3-0
9. Notre Dame 4-0
10. USC 3-1
11. Stanford 3-0
12. Kansas State 4-0
13. Oklahoma 2-1
14. TCU 3-0
15. Ohio State 4-0
16. Clemson 3-1
17. Louisville 4-0
18. Michigan State 3-1
19. Florida 4-0
20. Oregon State 2-0
21. N.C. State 3-1
22. Northwestern 3-0
23. Michigan 2-2
24. Mississippi State 4-0
25. Boise State 2-1

Next 5 In: Virginia Tech 3-1, Nebraska 3-1, Rutgers 4-0, Cincinnati 2-0, Ohio 4-0


What To Watch:

#11 Stanford (3-0) @ Washington (2-1)
9:00 pm ET, ESPN

This is a must-win for the Huskies. They have now become an afterthought to the rest of the PAC 12, and if they can win this one, they can get back into the picture. They do have a chance, but Stanford might just be too much for Washington.

Prediction: Stan 37 UW 24   

Arkansas (1-3) @ Texas A & M (2-1)
12:20 pm ET, SEC Network

It's now or never for Arkansas. A fourth loss to anyone but Alabama or LSU will already make this season a disappointment. TAMU is in a prime position to win a big game vs an SEC-foe.

Prediction: TAMU 31 Ark 28

#15 Ohio State (4-0) @ #18 Michigan State (3-1)
3:30 pm ET, ABC

Both these teams can take controll of the Big 10 with a win. Ohio State has not looked good, and has been slow to start vs all opponents this year. Michigan State was feeling hungover after a loss to Notre Dame, and had problems vs Eastern Michigan last week. Should be intresting.

Prediction: MSU 27 OSU 21  

#7 Texas (3-0) @ Oklahoma State (2-1)
7:50 pm ET, FOX

Oklahoma State is out to prove they are still one of the best teams in the Big 12, and that the Arizona loss was a fluke. After Oklahoma's loss to Kansas State, this game could be a battle for the top of the Big 12 South. Oklahoma State's offense has been explosive, and I am calling the upset here.

Prediction: OSU 48 Texas 41

#17 Lousiville (4-0) @ Southern Miss (0-3)
8:00 pm ET, CSTV

Louisville is on a hot start, and despite USM's struggles, they are a talented team. The Eagles could put up a fight here, but Louisville should pick up their fourth win. 

Prediction: UL 30 South Miss 17  

  

College Football Week 3 Recap

    The College Football season rolls on, and week 3 just wrapped up last weekend.

    We saw #1 USC fall to #21 Stanford, in the second huge upset this season (UL Monroe beating Arkansas was the first). USC will fall in the rankings, but they still can take the PAC 12 crown. The loss was early in the season, and their title hopes are still strong.

Stanford after their upset of #1 USC

    #2 Alabama shut out Arkansas by a score of 52-0. Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson did miss the game, but that is not an excuse to loose by 52 at home. If Arkansas was truly worthy of a #9 preseason ranking, they should be able to compete with Alabama, even with Wilson out. A top 10 team doesn't loose like that at home when only the starting QB is out. Right now, it looks like Arkansas is far from taking down Alabama and LSU in the SEC West.


    #3 Florida State made a statement with a 52-0 beat down over Wake Forest, Utah was able to rebound and beat BYU, and Florida proved they are more powerful than Tennessee in the SEC East. It remains to be seen if they are as good as #8 Georgia and #7 South Carolina, and can reclaim the top of the SEC East.

    #20 Notre Dame visited #9 Michigan State, and embarrassed Sparty in East Lansing. Michigan State was shut down on offense, and there has been a big drop off at QB from Kirk Cousins to Andrew Maxwell. When Le'Veon Bell is unable to run the ball like he was vs Notre Dame, Maxwell is not a reliable option to take the reigns and lead the offense. Having poor WR play doesn't help much either though.

    A very surprising upset was Pittsburgh beating #10 Virginia Tech. Pitt was 0-2, with a bad loss to FCS Youngstown State during week 1, 31-17. During week 2, they lost to Cincinnati 34-10 on Thursday night. Most people had given up on Pitt, but with this upset over VT, the Panthers appear to be back.


Top 25:

1. Alabama 3-0
2. Florida State 3-0
3. LSU 3-0
4. Oklahoma 2-0
5. Oregon 3-0
6. South Carolina 3-0
7. Georgia 3-0
8. Texas 2-0
9. Clemson 3-0
10. West Virginia 2-0
11. USC 2-1
12. Stanford 3-0
13. Notre Dame 3-0
14. Ohio State 3-0
15. TCU 2-0
16. Michigan 2-1
17. Louisville 3-0
18. Michigan State 2-1
19. Kansas State 3-0
20. N.C. State 2-1
21. Northwestern 3-0
22. Florida 3-0
23. Mississippi State 3-0
24. UCLA 3-0
25. Boise State 1-1

Next 5 In: Virginia Tech 2-1, Nebraska 2-1, Utah 2-1, Arizona 3-0, Cincinnati 2-0



What To Watch:

BYU (2-1) @ #25 Boise State (1-1)
9:00pm ET, ESPN 

This will be Boise State's chance to redeem itself after the loss to Michigan State. If they cannot win this game, the Broncos will only prove they are not the same power they were in the past.

Prediction: BYU 28 Boise 16

Missouri (2-1) @ #6 South Carolina (3-0)
3:30pm ET, CBS

Missouri has another chance to show it can hang with the SEC heavy weights. South Carolina can show they deserve a top 10 ranking with a win.

Prediction: South Car 37 Mizz 20

Oregon State (1-0) @ #24 UCLA (3-0)
3:30pm ET, ABC/ESPN2

Both are two teams from the PAC 12 that emerged with multiple week 2 upsets. Oregon State has only played one game, and UCLA has played three. The Beavers may have gotten lucky vs a Wisconsin team that is nowhere near as good as we thought, but Oregon State is still not a very good team. UCLA should roll.

Prediction: UCLA 37 OSU 17

#16 Michigan (2-1) @ #13 Notre Dame (3-0)
7:30pm ET, NBC

This could be the last chance for Michigan to prove they are a BCS-contender. If they loose, they will be written off for the season and be counted as another very disappointing team from the Big Ten this year. Notre Dame has a chance to prove they are back as one of the top teams in the country.

Prediction: ND 28 Mich 20

#19 Kansas State (3-0) @ #3 Oklahoma (2-0)
7:50pm ET, FOX

Both teams have a lot to prove in this game. The Sooners had a shaky game week 1 vs UTEP. They rolled over Florida A& M in week 2, so we have yet to see this team tested. Kansas State can prove they are a BCS contender and not stuck behind Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas for the Big 12 crown. I could see the upset here, but Oklahoma should get the win.

Prediction: OU 36 KSU 30

#9 Clemson (3-0) @ #2 Florida State (3-0)
8:00pm ET, ABC

The first test for FSU. They will have to show they are a title contender with a win over Clemson. Clemson is out to show they are the kings of the ACC. If Florida State can win this, the Seminoles are back to national prominence. This should be close and already has the feels of a classic.

Prediction: FSU 28 Clem 25

   

Big 10 Preview

    
ACC   Big East   Big 12   Pac 12    SEC   Other Conferences    Bowls and Top 50

   
    The Big 10 took a step down last year and was not as strong as usual. Teams still made bowl games, but Big Ten teams were beaten badly in most of them. 

    This year may not be much different. Wisconsin is the favorite again, with Michigan, Nebraska and Michigan State close behind. These four teams all have a great shot at a BCS appearance this season. 

Montee Ball, Wisconsin

    Ohio State should be better than last year and post a winning record. But it will not be a record the Buckeyes are accustomed to, and they are still not bowl eligible. 

    Northwestern and Iowa figure to be the next best teams. Both the Wildcats and Hawkeyes will make a bowl game, but will hover around seven or eight wins. 

    Purdue, Illinois, and Indiana will not challenge for the Big 10 title, but they still can make lower-tier bowls this year.

    Minnesota is still a couple of years away and will remain in the cellar.

    The biggest disappointment this year will be Penn State. With the heavy sanctions, having no bowl game, people everywhere rooting against them, and this scandal hanging over their program, it will be hard for Penn State to win more then two games, especially with starters leaving. Penn State will have problems this year and for the years to follow.


Projected Standings:

Leaders:

1. Wisconsin 11-1 (7-1)

2. Ohio State 9-3 (5-3)

3. Illinois 6-6 (4-4)

4. Purdue 6-6 (3-5)

T5. Indiana 5-7 (1-7)

T5. Penn State 2-10 (1-7)


Legends:

1. Michigan 10-2 (7-1)

2. Michigan State 10-2 (6-2)

T3. Nebraska 9-3 (5-3)

T3. Northwestern 8-4 (5-3)

5. Iowa 8-4 (4-4)

6. Minnesota 4-8 (1-7)


Big Ten Championship: Wisconsin over Michigan

Pre-Season Top 50, BCS Bowl Projections

ACC   Big East   Big 10   Big 12   Pac 12   SEC   Other Conferences

     
    My preseason rankings are based on team talent, and my projections for the team. I do have some teams ranked that I do not think will be ranked at the end of the season, but because they still have talent I could very well be wrong about them.

1. USC
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Florida State
5. LSU
6. Oregon
7. South Carolina
8. Wisconsin
9. Arkansas
10. Georgia
11. Michigan
12. Michigan State
13. Virginia Tech
14. Texas
15. West Virginia
16. Clemson
17. Nebraska
18. N.C. State
19. Ohio State
20. Oklahoma State
21. TCU
22. Auburn
23. Louisville
24. Utah
25. Boise State
26. Southern Mississippi
27. Kansas State
28. Houston
29. Washington
30. Iowa
31. Georgia Tech
32. Northwestern
33. Stanford
34. North Carolina
35. Notre Dame
36. Cincinnati
37. Missouri
38. BYU
39. South Florida
40. Ohio
41. Texas A & M
42. Florida
43. Tennessee
44. UCLA
45. Illinois
46. Mississippi State
47. Central Florida
48. Texas Tech
49. Florida International
50. Tulsa

BCS Championship: USC over Alabama

Rose: Wisconsin over Oregon

Fiesta: Oklahoma over Virginia Tech

Sugar:  South Carolina over Michigan

Orange: Florida State over Louisville

College Football Week 13 Recap

   We now are entering the last week of college football and it is conference championship week. A time for teams to show why they are worthy of a BCS bid. Each conference championship has a lot riding on it.

LSU QB Jarrett Lee

    In the SEC, #1 LSU will take on #14 Georgia. LSU has been the best team all season. There is no question about it. The SEC East is weak this year, especially if Georgia will be representing them in the title game. Don't let Georgia's record (10-2) fool you, the three teams from the SEC West they did not end up playing are the three best in #1 LSU, #2 Alabama, and #5 Arkansas. The only other teams they played that even are even ranked are #6 Boise State and #13 South Carolina, both losses. LSU wins by a huge margin on their way to the title game.

    In the Big 10, it is a rematch between #10 Michigan State and #16 Wisconsin. Last time, MSU won on a 54-yard Hail Mary as time expired to win 37-31. The winner this time will go to the Rose bowl, and the loser possibly could get into the Fiesta Bowl to play the loser of Oklahoma-Oklahoma State, or the winner of that game, if Alabama gets into the title game. Either way, it will be a great game and hopefully be down to the wire once again.

    In the Pac 12, the North featured arguably the best four teams in the Pac-12 (minus bowl-banned USC), and will send Oregon to take on 6-6 UCLA in the title game. UCLA, the team people said may be the worst team in the Pac 12 in the pre-season, managed to go 6-6, but by no means can compete with Oregon. The Ducks will tromp the Bruins.

    The ACC has #9 Virginia Tech which has been on a tear lately, playing #23 Clemson who started undefeated but has dropped two straight games and has fallen mightily - winner will go to Orange Bowl.

    The Conference USA will feature undefeated #6 Houston and #22 Southern Miss. Houston is a team all about offense, and has one of the best in the history of the NCAA. But they have played a very easy schedule, and out of all non-BCS teams to go undefeated in the past few years, they may be the least talented one to date. Two teams come to mind if you think of "all offense" teams in BCS conferences this year. Both in the Pac 12, and they are Arizona and Washington State. Both went 4-8 playing average schedules. This would most likely be Houston's fate if they played in a BCS conference, and they will most likely not put up a fight for any team in a BCS bowl. But for this game, Houston will win and cap off a 13-0 season heading into a bowl game.


Top 25

1. LSU 12-0
2. Alabama 11-1
3. Oklahoma State 10-1
4. Stanford 11-1
5. Arkansas 10-2
6. Boise State 10-1
7. Oregon 10-2
8. Houston 12-0
9. Virginia Tech 11-1
10. Michigan State 10-2
11. Oklahoma 9-2
12. USC 10-2
13. South Carolina 10-2
14. Georgia 10-2
15. Kansas State 9-2
16. Wisconsin 10-2
17. Michigan 10-2
18. Baylor 8-3
19. TCU 9-2
20. West Virginia 8-3
21. Nebraska 9-3
22. Southern Miss 10-2
23. Clemson 9-3
24. Ohio 9-3
25. Texas 7-4

Next 5 In: Penn State 9-3, Florida State 8-4, Cincinnati 8-3, Arkansas 9-2, Virginia 8-4

What To Watch:


Conference Championships (* Neutral Site)

*#24 Ohio @ Northern Illinois, Fri, 7:00pm ET, ESPN2, Prediction: OHIO 66 NIU 59

UCLA @ #7 Oregon, Fri, 8:00pm ET, FOX, Prediction: ORE 45 UCLA 7

#22 Southern Miss @ #6 Houston, Sat, 12:00pm ET, ABC, Prediction: HOU 55 USM 40

*#14 Georgia @ #1 LSU, Sat, 4:00pm ET, CBS, Prediction: LSU 37 UGA 14

*#9 Virginia Tech @ #23 Clemson, 8:00pm ET, ESPN, Prediction: VT 38 CLEM 30

*#16 Wisconsin @ #10 Michigan State, 8:00pm ET, FOX, Prediction: WIS 35 MSU 34

OSU QB Brandon Weeden

Regular Games:

UConn @ Cincinnati, 12:00pm ET, ESPN,
Prediction: CIN 27 UCONN 21

Iowa State @ #15 Kansas State, 12:30pm ET,
Prediction: KSU 20 ISU 10

#25 Texas @ #18 Baylor, 3:30pm ET, ABC,
Prediction: BAY 31 TEX 20



Game Of Week:

#11 Oklahoma @ #3 Oklahoma State, 8:00pm ET, ABC, Prediction: OKL 45 OSU 42

College Football Week 8 Recap

    We passed the half way point in College Football this weekend and it might have been the most exiting weekend this season.

    One game though, will go down in history as one of the best ever. #16 Michigan State hosted #6 Wisconsin in East Lancing, which may be a preview of the Big 10 Championship this December. Wisconsin went up 14-0, but the Spartans came back and at half it was 23-14. Then in the forth the tables turned and Wisconsin had all the momentum. The game was tied at 31-31 with just a few seconds left. Everyone expected overtime when it happened.

    The play will go down as one of the biggest in history, right up with Doug Flutie's hail mary pass to beat Miami, or Colorado's hail mary to upset Michigan. But with four seconds left, Kirk Cousins threw a hail mary pass to the endzone that was tipped, and caught my Michigan State tight end Keith Nichol. Nichol then pulled about four defenders across the goal line before being pulled back. After review, it was determined that the ball crossed the goal line and Michigan State won 37-31.

    Here is a video of the play and reaction from both teams:

    #3 Oklahoma was also taken down by Texas Tech. After a lighting storm that delayed the game ended, Texas Tech just outplayed the Sooners all game and fended off a late comeback to win. #1 LSU and #2 Alabama demolished Auburn and Tennessee, and #7 Clemson, #5 Stanford, and #4 Oklahoma State proved again why they are to be taken seriously.

Top 25


1. LSU 8-0
2. Alabama 8-0
3. Stanford 7-0
4. Oklahoma State 7-0
5. Boise State 7-0
6. Oregon 6-1
7. Clemson 8-0
8. Arkansas 6-1
9. Kansas State 7-0
10. Wisconsin 6-1
11. Michigan State 6-1
12. Oklahoma 6-1
13. South Carolina 6-1
14. Nebraska 6-1
15. Virginia Tech 5-1
16. Texas A &M 5-2
17. Michigan 6-1
18. Houston 7-0
19. USC 5-1
20. Texas Tech 5-2
21. Arizona State 5-2
22. Penn State 7-1
23. Cincinnati 6-1
24. Georgia 5-2
25. Baylor 4-2

Next 5 In: Syracuse (5-2), Iowa (5-2), Southern Miss (6-1), BYU (6-2), TCU (5-2)


What To Watch: 


#11 Michigan State @ #14 Nebraska, 12:00 PM ET, ESPN, Prediction: MSU 24 NEB 17

Purdue @ #17 Michigan, 12:00 PM ET, ESPN2, Prediction: MICH 25 PUR 13

#25 Baylor @ #4 Oklahoma State, 3:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN2, Prediction: OK ST 59 BAY 40

Illinois @ #22 Penn State, 3:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN2, Prediction: PSU 21 ILL 10

#24 Georgia @ Florida, 3:30 PM ET, CBS, Prediction: FLOR 28 UGA 10

#10 Wisconsin @ Ohio State, 8:00 PM ET, ESPN, WIS 24 OSU 10

#7 Clemson @ Georgia Tech, 8:00 PM ET, ABC, CLEM 45 GT 36

#3 Stanford @ #19 USC, 8:00 PM ET, ABC, STAN 50 USC 32

Game Of The Week:


#12 Oklahoma @ #9 Kansas State 


3:30 PM ET, ESPN, Prediction:

Oklahoma 37 Kansas State 24


    Oklahoma will not be rattled much from an upset lost to Texas Tech. They will play at a high level as they have for much of this season and overpower a Kansas State team that may be a bit overrated. Oklahoma wins by about two touchdowns and leads for most of the game.

College Football Week 6 Recap

    College football is well underway and we are about half way through the season already. Not many upsets thus far, and there has not been many exiting games. But this weekend had some very good games though, as will next weekend.

    After beating up on Georgia in week one, Boise State only really had one more test on their schedule, against Fresno State. And on Friday night the Broncos toppled the Bulldogs 57-7. Boise State became 5-0. While I do believe Boise State still could be a title contender even if having a conference schedule like a normal BCS team, they are still in the Mountain West. By playing small teams like this every year, they never will be considered an elite team in my books.

    Oklahoma and Texas played in their annual Red River Rivalry, and Oklahoma proved why they are one of the top teams in the nation, and why Landry Jones should be a Heisman contender up with Andrew Luck. Texas showed us they are not quite where we thought they were in regards to coming back from a 5-7 season last year.

    The same thing really went for LSU, as they destroyed Florida and Jarrett Lee proved why he also is a Heisman contender. Florida, as Texas did, showed why they also are a few years from being back to a BCS team.

    After Nebraska was embarrassed by Wisconsin in their Big 10 debut, they went up against the Buckeyes of Ohio State. Ohio State who is having one of the worst seasons in along time for them, played better then they had all season and to every ones amazement was up 27-6 at half. Braxton Miller was playing more freely, much like Terrelle Pryor would. Carlos Hyde had some great runs for Ohio State, including a 60-yard TD run in the second quarter.

    But coming out of half, Miller sprained his ankle when changing direction, and it was all down hill from there. Joe Bauserman came in for Ohio State and might have played the worst quarter and half I have ever seen. As imaginable, Nebraska came back, and scored 28 unanswered points to win 34-27. The nightmare for Ohio State continues.

Top 25:


1. LSU 6-0
2. Alabama 6-0
3. Oklahoma 5-0
4. Boise State 5-0
5. Wisconsin 5-0
6. Stanford 5-0
7. Oklahoma State 5-0
8. Oregon 4-1
9. Clemson 6-0
10. Arkansas 5-1
11. Georgia Tech 6-0
12. South Carolina 5-1
13. Michigan 6-0
14. Nebraska 5-1
15. West Virginia 5-1
16. Illinois 6-0
17. Baylor 4-1
18. Virginia Tech 5-1
19. Kansas State 5-0
20. Arizona State 5-1
21. Texas A &M 3-2
22. Michigan State 4-1
23. Washington 4-1
24. Texas 4-1
25. Houston 6-0

Next 5 in: Penn State 5-1, Florida 4-2, USC 4-1, North Carolina 5-1, SMU 4-1, Cincinnati 4-1


What To Watch:


#17 Baylor @ #21 Texas A &M, 12:00 PM ET, FX, Prediction: TAM 29 BAY 27

Miami (FL) @ North Carolina, 12:30 PM ET, ESPN3, Prediction: UNC 30 MIA 25

#7 Oklahoma State @ #22 Texas, 3:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN, Prediction: OK ST 37 TEX 33

Ohio State @ #16 Illinois, 3:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN, Prediction: OSU 27 ILL 20

#20 Arizona State @ #9 Oregon, 10:15 PM ET, ESPN, Prediction: ORE 51 ASU 30

Game Of The Week: 


#13 Michigan (6-0) @ #22 Michigan State (4-1)


12:00 PM ET, ESPN

Prediction: MSU 27 MICH 21


    Michigan is overrated. They get by with Denard Robinson running the ball, and they have not played anyone good thus far. This is what happened last year, they started off good by playing terrible teams and Robinson running circles around them, then one the real teams came they lost and Robinson fell off the map. Same thing this year. Once these better teams come in with much more athletic linebackers who can stop the run, like Michigan State, they contain Robinson and make him throw the ball, which he may be the worst at out of all Big 10 quarterbacks. If Michigan State contains Robinson in the running game and the offense can avoid to many turnovers, they win this game with ease and maybe by a lot more then just six.

Ohio State Football Faces More Punishments

    Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel has been suspended by the school two games, and fined $250k, for failing to notify the NCAA that some players were selling merchandise for tattoos more then eight months ago.The NCAA still could make the punishment longer.

"Obviously I'm disappointed that this happened at all. I take my responsibility for what we do at Ohio State tremendously seriously and for the game of football. I plan to grow from this. I'm sincerely saddened by the fact that I let some people down and didn't do things as well as I possibly could have." Tressel said.

Jim Tressel

    In December of 2010, a report came out against five Ohio State players that they had  sold jerseys, championship rings and trophies to a local tattoo parlor in exchange for tattoos. An FBI investigation on the tattoo parlor for other reasons had discovered this, and told the University what it had found. The five players, including star QB Terrelle Pryor are suspended for the first five games of the 2011-12 season. Many people were unhappy that the players were not suspended for the teams Sugar Bowl game in January. Ohio State beat Arkansas 31-26, including a late game interception to seal the win by freshman Soloman Thomas, who was one of the five players.

    Yahoo! Sports then reported that Tressel had been told of this in an email in April of 2010. The email came from a lawyer who was involved in the federal investigation.

    As it just so happens, the lawyer was a former Ohio State football walk on, who played 1 season as a backup in 1983. That was the year Tressel became an assistent coach at Ohio State. Tressel then had a 14-year stint at Youngstown State University that included four FCS national titles. In 2001, Tressel became the head coach at Ohio State. He won a championship with the Buckeyes in 2002 over Miami (FL).

   Ohio State, and especially Tressel, have always had a squeaky clean reputation. This is a new thing for Ohio State and its fans to see this happen. I don't think anyone expected Tressel to have any negative part in this whole ordeal.

    For now though, Tressel will only miss two games against two cupcake opponents in Akron and Toledo. The other five players will miss the next three games against Miami (FL), Colorado, and Michigan State. They will be back just in time for a road game at new Big 10  member Nebraska's home field in Lincoln.

   With all these suspensions, this is how I see Ohio State's schedule playing out:

Akron - W
Toledo - W
@ Miami (FL) - W
Colorado - W
Michigan State - L
@ Nebraska - L
@ Illinois - W
Wisconsin - W   
Indiana - W
@ Purdue - W
Penn State - W
@ Michigan - W

     Regardless of the players being gone, Ohio State gets past the first four games with a 4-0 record. Michigan State is returning everyone back from an 11-2 season. However they can choke at times, and did not play Ohio State last season. But Ohio State is missing a lot of talent, and MSU wins a close game. All the players come back in time for a game at Nebraska. Nebraska is a great team and the Buckeyes cant do it and loose. Ohio State then wins out and finishes 10-2. I think they will make a Rose Bowl berth after the season. So it is not all bad for Buckeye fans.

     If the players were eligible for the whole season though, I think that Ohio State would have a great shot at an undefeated season.

    But with the suspensions, that will not happen. Ohio State will keep a six year BCS berth going after this year though.

College Football Week 12 Recap

    As we head into rivalry week, lets take a look back at week 12 where a few teams played their last game of the season, and some last until a bowl.

    Because the top two teams in the country, and the #4 team didn't have a game this weekend because of byes,  the top 25 wont have much shuffling near the top. LSU had a scare against Ole Miss which could have lost the Tigers there national title hopes.

    The best game of Saturday would definitely be #7 Ohio State at #19 Iowa. Iowa was lucky in the penalties, and both of Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's interceptions came from tipped passes that Iowa was lucky to grab. But at the end, Ohio State just played better football and escaped with a 20-17 point win.

    The Big 10's three best teams, which are Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan State, all have one loss and are tied at the top of the conference. If all three teams win this Saturday, Wisconsin and Ohio State will make the BCS while Michigan State will go to the Capital One Bowl. This all because if the three teams are tied, based on the BCS standings the top two will go to BCS bowls.

    Michigan State needs Northwestern to beat Wisconsin, or Michigan to beat rival Ohio State. But they will have there hands full with Penn State who is trying to get that extra win in order to get to a more prestigious bowl.

    However I feel that Penn State ill upset the Spartans, and play spoiler to their chances. After a loss Michigan State would need Wisconsin and Ohio State to both be blown out by Northwestern and Michigan, yet that is a long shot. Regardless of a win or loss, Michigan State should get ready for Orlando, Florida and a match up with either LSU or Alabama.

   I would like to point out that last week i predicted two upsets. The first one was #17 Texas A&M to beat #8 Nebraska by a score of 49-43. A shootout. But while A&M did pull off the upset, it ws a defensive struggle insted that was won by a small score of 9-6.

    The other game i predicted an upset in was #22 Mississippi State to beat #13 Arkansas. And while i was incorrect in the winner, I did come close as Arkansas won 38-31 in double-overtime.

Top 25

1. Oregon 10-0

2. Auburn 11-0

3. Boise State 10-0

4. TCU 11-0

5. Wisconsin 10-1

6. Ohio State 10-1

7. LSU 10-1

8. Stanford 10-1

9. Alabama 9-2

10, Oklahoma State 10-1

11. Michigan State 10-1

12. Arkansas 9-2

13. Oklahoma 9-2

14. Texas A&M 8-3

15. Virginia Tech 9-2

16. Missouri 9-2

17. Nebraska 9-2

18. South Carolina 8-3

19. Florida State 8-3

20. Nevada 10-1

21. Arizona 8-3

22. Iowa 7-4

23. N.C. State 8-3

24. Mississippi State 7-4

25. Northern Illinois 9-2

Next 5 in: Utah (9-2), Tulsa (8-3), West Virginia (7-3), Florida (7-4), Ohio (8-3)

What To Watch:

#2 Auburn @ #9 Alabama (Fri, 2:30pm ET, CBS) Prediction: ALA 30 AUB 28

#21 Arizona @ #1 Oregon (Fri, 7:00pm ET, ESPN) Prediction: ORE 44 ARI 20

#3 Boise State @ #19 Nevada (Fri, 10:15pm ET, ESPN) Prediction: BSU 45 NEV 3

#11 Michigan State @ Penn State (Sat, 12:00pm ET, Big 10 Network) PSU 27 MSU 17

Northwestern @ #5 Wisconsin (Sat, 3:30pm ET, ABC) Prediction: WIS 42 NW 21

Florida @ #19 Florida State (Sat, 3:30pm ET, ABC) Prediction: FSU 20 FLOR 14

#13 Oklahoma @ #10 Oklahoma State (Sat, 8:00pm ET, ABC) Prediction: OSU 39 OKL 37