Buckeyes, You're Now Huge Penn State Fans

After the hard-fought battle last night that ended up being decided just as the pundits predicted, with a mistake by an inexperienced freshman quarterback, everyone in Columbus and around the nation that roots for the Scarlet and Gray should now be rooting for Penn State White.

The reason is simple: If Penn State misses a chance at the National Championship and instead goes to the Rose Bowl, Ohio State will be looking at a Capital One bid...not exactly where Buckeye fans were hoping to be when Laurinaitis, Jenkins, and Robiskie decided to forego the pros to finish their last year in college.

Here's how it could play out:

• Penn State wins out the remainder of the season, goes to the National Championship to face mighty Texas, and Ohio State gets a rematch against USC in the Rose Bowl.

OR

• Penn State wins out, voters don't want to see a Big Ten team get demolished in the National Championship for a third straight year, and a one loss Florida faces Texas in the big game (with two Heisman trophy quarterbacks facing each other). Penn State goes to the Rose Bowl and Ohio State gets the Capitol One.

OR

• Penn State loses to Michigan State, God knows how, and the Nation breaths a collective sigh of relief as the top of the BCS polls are clear of Big Ten teams. In this case, Michigan State is the likely Big Ten Champion and the Rose Bowl committee chooses two non-Big Ten teams. This is worst-case scenario for any Big Ten fan, but especially for the Buckeyes.

Buckeyes, Penn State, Lose-Lose Situation Tonight?

Every college football fan in the country has heard the rumblings: the Big Ten is weak.

Whether you are an SEC fan, a Big 12 fan, or just a college football fan in general, you have seen some of the better teams, possibly your team, get shut out of the national championship because of an undefeated or one-loss Big Ten team. Most fans outside of the Big Ten feel that because their conferences are stronger and their schedules tougher, weaker and less deserving teams are showing up to do battle in the Big Game, and to a point, I can't argue against those feelings.

Which brings me to the question many people are asking before tonight's football action: What will become of the BCS situation after the Penn State-Ohio State game?

My answer will delight SEC, Big 12, Pac-10, WAC, MWC, ACC, and Big East fans country-wide. Penn State and Ohio State will BOTH lose tonight, and here's why...

Result #1: Penn State defeats Ohio State BIG (more than 15 points)
Effect: Ohio State still can't win big games and Penn State just beat an overrated Ohio State team, giving Penn State exactly zero quality wins on the year. Penn State stays at #3, but drops when strength of schedule really starts to come into play at the end of the season. USC has the same problem, so they're in trouble, but Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Georgia, LSU, and Oklahoma State all have a shot of jumping Penn State if any of them can stay at one-loss or less. In this scenario, Penn State could make it to the National Championship, putting a Big Ten team there for a third straight year, but even in best-case situation for the Big Ten, which this is, I predict the National Championship will be SEC vs. Big 12. Penn State goes to the Rose Bowl and Ohio State finally feels the effects of losing big to two SEC teams in two National Championships in a row.

Result #2: Penn State defeats Ohio State CLOSE (less than 15 points)
Effect: Ohio State still can't win big games and Penn State just beat a mediocre Ohio State team who got beat down by USC and is strugling behind a freshman quarterback who has potential, but a lot of growth to come. Penn State stays at #3, and on down the line, even going undefeated, voters trump the computers and vote a one-loss USC, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, or Oklahoma State above them. Penn State goes to the Rose Bowl and Ohio State finally feels the effects of losing big to two SEC teams in two National Championships in a row.

Result #3: Ohio State defeats Penn State CLOSE (less than 15 points)
Effect: Penn State was overrated and Ohio State plays a schedule full of cupcakes. Everyone references the USC game on Sept. 13th to prove that no matter what, Ohio State can not be ranked above USC, and since USC has a bad loss to Oregon State and also plays in a currently-weak conference, voters keep USC capped at #2 or #3 and Ohio State never goes above #4 (even if the computers have them #2). Ohio State goes to the Rose Bowl where they get a rematch with USC or play a two-loss SEC or Big 12 team and have a chance to start to rebuild their reputation with a win. The next year, they are ranked between 10 and 20 in the polls.

Result #4: Ohio State defeats Penn State BIG (more than 15 points)
Effect: Penn State was overrated and Ohio State plays a schedule full of cupcakes. Everyone references the USC game on Sept. 13th to prove that no matter what, Ohio State can not be ranked above USC, and since USC has a bad loss to Oregon State and also plays in a currently-weak conference, voters keep USC capped at #2 or #3 and Ohio State never goes above #4 (even if the computers have them #2). Here's where Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" makes all the difference. Win close and you've done nothing to redeem yourself...Win big and you have started on the road less traveled - the road to winning big in big games - the road to redemption. Instead of starting their reputation-rebuild in the Rose Bowl, Ohio State gets its second big win against a good SEC or Big 12 team and the turn-around occurs. The next year, they are again ranked in the top 10, and possibly top 5, in the preseason polls and some of the national noise dies down.

Final Results: There is very little chance of a Big Ten team arriving in Miami and even if they do, if Penn State loses, the national rally cry against the Big Ten will only get louder. The Big Ten will continue to suffer from a negative image perception across the country. The only hope if you're a Big Ten fan are quality wins against good bowl teams across the board, which means Minnesota and Northwestern have never been more important to the Big Ten's reputation.

Here's how I see it playing out:

• Penn State or Ohio State in the Rose Bowl
• The other of Penn State/Ohio State in the Capital One Bowl
• Minnesota and Northwestern both in decent bowl games

The perceptual upswing begins if all four of these teams win their bowl games. I realize that this is an extreme statement, but anything less just gives the rest of the country more fuel for the fire.

If you're a Big Ten fan, pray that whoever wins this game wins it BIG and that the rest of the Big Ten continues to win. Anything short isn't the road less traveled by.

#3 Penn State at #9 Ohio State - Game Summary Breakdown

Okay, so here's my first ever official Game Summary Breakdown. All of my GSB's will be broken down into Offense (both teams), Defense (both teams), Special Teams, Key Matchups, and the Ksquared Prediction.

ESPN Gameday will be in Columbus, OH before the game and it will be the feature game Saturday night at 8:00 pm ET.

Offense - Penn State:
Penn State ranks 11th in Yards/gm and 7th in Points/gm, making them one of the toughest offenses to stop in the nation. Granted, they haven't played too many stout defenses, but in any league, the numbers they are putting up is still impressive. What I like most about this offense is the many different ways they gain their yardage, as they use everything from the I-Formation to a deep shotgun spread in order to move the ball. This makes it difficult to scheme against them. That all said, the Nittany Lions have not faced a defense of Ohio State's caliber and this will be a huge test for Daryll Clark (QB), Evan Royster (RB), and the explosive Derrick Williams (WR). Williams, though not the top receiver catch-wise for Penn State, has big play ability, and Joe Pa uses him in a multitude of ways, including run plays and screens. The wide-receiver screen play has burned Ohio State many times this year and I expect Penn State to try this one early and often. Look for some nifty plays with Williams and a hefty running attack with Royster to keep the superb Ohio State linebackers pulled tight in order to open up deep passing plays. If the Lions connect on a couple of these deep balls, it could be a long day for the defense and could put some major pressure on Ohio State's sometimes sputtering offense.

Offense - Ohio State:
At the beginning of the season, everyone thought we would be talking about Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB) for Heisman and the Boeckman to "Brians" connection at this point in the season. Instead, everyone's talking about Wells' health and Terrelle Pryor's (QB) amazing talent and composure as a true Freshman starter. Not exactly where the Buckeyes thought they'd be, but not at all a bad spot to be in. Wells is looking better than ever and with Pryor's run-threat addition to the backfield, the Ohio State offense looks like a different kind of dangerous. What makes this combination so dangerous is the threat itself, keeping everyone on the defensive side on their heels until they know who has the ball. This opens huge holes for both Pryor and Wells and these are two VERY good open-field runners. When everything's clicking, just like Penn State's offense, the linebackers get frozen watching the backfield and it creates easy passing lanes for the inexperienced Pryor to loft balls into. And this MUST happen for the Buckeyes to be successful against a stout Penn State defense. If Wells and Pryor get stopped early and Pryor is forced to throw downfield, he is liable to make mistakes, which could turn into interceptions and some game-changing plays. Brian Robiskie (WR) and Brian Hartline (WR) can both be huge playmakers if Pryor has the time and the space to get them the ball, but the Buckeyes gameplan will definitely be feet-first, air-second.

Defense - Penn State:
A candidate for "Linebacker U," Penn State consistently puts tough defensive players on the field and this year is no different. Their front seven top-to-bottom is stronger than Ohio State's and they have held offenses to 263 Yards/gm, good for 8th in the country. This is good, but it is relative as they have not truly faced an intimidating offense yet this year. What worries we most in this game, and what I think might be the difference in winning or losing, is their inability to stop the one running quarterback they faced this year in Juice Williams from Illinois. Penn State gave up 189 rushing yards in that game (almost 100 more than their average) and at times, it looked like Illinois was moving the ball with ease. If the Lions allow that kind of movement down the field against the Buckeyes, they'll never get out from between the lines and could tire by the 3rd and 4th quarters. The key for Penn State on Saturday is assignments...Everyone from the safeties to the defensive linemen need to stay home and do their job. If players consistently miss their mark, Pryor and Wells will run circles around them and could put up a lot of points like they did against Michigan State. If this happens, expect the very stout Buckeye defense to stay strong (both because they are experienced and because they won't be on the field as long) and hold the Lions. However, if Penn State can fill the gaps and make some early stops, watch out. Keep an eye on Aaron Maybin (DE), as he has an incredible 10 sacks already this year.

Defense - Ohio State:
Ohio State's defense got torched against a very skilled USC offense, but hopefully they've learned a thing or two since that game. The key for Ohio State comes down to what has been a weakness throughout the season, including against USC: the defensive front four. Getting pressure on Clark is going to be imperative in order for the Buckeyes to force Penn State into mistakes and create turnovers. If Clark has time behind a suspect Penn State offensive line, he will make the Buckeyes pay for it all day long with his skilled receivers (reference Sept. 13th against USC). If, however, Heyward (DL), Abdallah (DL), and Worthington (DL) can create some pressure in the pocket, Laurinaitis (LB), Freeman (LB), and Jenkins (CB) should have a field-day hawking balls. Look for a possible surprise game from Kurt Coleman (CB) as well, as he has shown flashes of brilliance at times but has yet to have a true breakout game. Pressure, forced throws, and three-and-outs - That is the key to a Buckeye victory. I have no worries about Ohio State stopping the run, so if they can do the above consistently, Penn State's offense will stay off the field.

Special Teams:
On every side of the ball except punting, Penn State gets the nod here. The Nittany Lions' Kevin Kelly (K) is perfect in extra points and has made 12 of 14 field goals, with his long being from 52. There's no doubt that if this game gets close, he could be a huge factor. Also impressive on Penn State's side is their kick return game. Derrick Williams averages 32 yards every time he returns the ball, so if I were Ohio State, I simply would not kick it to him. On punt returns, he is averaging just over 10 yards per return, but he is still a threat to go all the way every time he touches the ball. Punting is where Ohio State may have the upper-hand, which could be important knowing this is a game of two very good defenses and that field position could be at a premium. Ohio State, don't kick it to Williams...Penn State, kick it to Ray Small as much as you can. Small has butter fingers, which is why you may see Lamaar Thomas, a true freshman, returning kicks for some or all of the game.

Key Matchups:
Ohio State defensive line vs. Penn State offensive line
This is going to be an important battle, and one that I don't think anyone can predict. The Penn State O-line has been shaky at times, with linemen being pushed into Clark in the pocket, while the Ohio State D-line has been mediocre at best, with only one game so far where we have seen them get pressure on the quarterback.

Derrick Williams vs. Malcolm Jenkins
I expect Jenkins to be Williams' shadow the entire game. Penn State has other good wide receivers, but if early on, Jenkins can prove that he can cover Williams man-to-man, it opens up a world of possibilities for the Buckeye defense. Conversely, if Jenkins can't run with Williams early, Ohio State will have to double-cover and play zone which could open up some gaping holes. Watch this match-up closely at the beginning of the game.

Pryor and Wells vs. Penn State linebackers
Navorro Bowman leads the Nittany Lions in tackles (by a long shot), so he is key, but the help around him is pretty solid too with Tyrell Sales and Josh Hull. If Pryor and Wells can make these guys miss or just simply get to the second level and if they can do it often, the Buckeyes will score.

Ksquared Prediction:
This should live up to all the hype and will no doubt be a hard fought Big Ten game. No more "three yards and a cloud of dust," this game will be decided by two very talented quarterbacks from the other team's state. A slight edge goes to the Buckeyes on defense due to the experience in big games, but Penn State gets the nod on offense for athleticism at all three key positions: quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. When a game is this even, sometimes you just have to go with the home team, and in this case, being at home is a huge factor. The Horseshoe is one of the most difficult places to play in the country and more than anyone on the field, this will help Terelle Pryor, who might have had some problems had this game been in Happy Valley. It is not in Happy Valley and the Bucks will be ringing the Victory Bell.

Ohio State 32 - Penn State 27

Week 5 NCAA Football Recap

Week 5 ended up with not a whole lot of shake up. Not that it was boring by any means, but because everything went so smoothly, expect HUGE games and matchups this coming week and a much more exciting football weekend. Oklahoma-Texas and Missouri-Oklahoma State are just two of the GIANT bowl-implication games to be had. Here's how I faired in my predictions...

My Prediction: Oklahoma 45 - Baylor 10
What Happened: Oklahoma 49 - Baylor 17
Bradford was near perfect...again. The game of the season is now going to happen as planned and it is going to be a good one. If you watch any game this next week, watch Oklahoma-Texas. This will be one for the ages.

My Prediction: Alabama 34 - Kentucky 3
What Happened: Alabama 17 - Kentucky 14
After Alabama's HUGE victory over Georgia, it was reported that Nick Saban worked his kids to near exhaustion so they didn't get a big head. They didn't have a big head, but they DID look tired against Kentucky. Saban has been a little easier on them this week so far and if they are well rested, Ole Miss could be in trouble.

My Prediction: Missouri 43 - Nebraska 35
What Happened: Missouri 52 - Nebraska 17
As predicted, the "Blackshirts" are nowhere to be seen. After Pelini ran his mouth about shutting out the Tigers, Nebraska proceeded to give up an ungodly amount of points. But don't worry, Nebraska, you're no worse than the rest of the teams Missouri has played this year. Chase Daniels is staring the Heisman in the face and Missouri looks SCARY good so far. They will be tested against Oklahoma State this weekend, where the score could be 115-98.

My Prediction: Texas 52 - Colorado 10
What Happened: Texas 38 - Colorado 14
McCoy looked good, Texas' defense looked stout, and Colorado looked confused. Hawkins just got a nice extension to his contract and it looks like he's going to need it for Colorado to be a contender. Not this year, Buffs. Next week will make or break the Longhorns' season.

My Prediction: Penn State 42 - Purdue 17
What Happened: Penn State 20 - Purdue 6
How good is this Penn State team? I'm not sure we truly know yet. How good is Curtis Painter? Well, not that good, apparently. The Boilermakers have a big hill to climb and I wouldn't want to be a Purdue fan in the next few coming years...it looks bleak. The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, have their biggest problem on the sidelines as to whether or not Joe Paterno will coach from the field or from the press box...What a great problem to have.

My Prediction: Kansas State 52 - Texas Tech 49
What Happened: Texas Tech 58 - Kansas State 28
My mistake of the week, for sure, and to all the Red Raiders fans (and Harrell), I apologize. Texas Tech held strong against an inferior opponent and looked flawless in the process. Instead of having a horrible game like I was predicting, Harrell came out and had one of his best games of the season. So much for parity in college football...Tech was the better team on the field and they proved it.

My Prediction: Brigham Young 65 - Utah St. 10
What Happened: Brigham Young 34 - Utah St. 14

I'm not sure why Max Hall and the Cougars took two quarters off, but it didn't matter. Brigham Young cruised to an easy win that was not as close as the score indicted. At one point, I remember Utah St. making a sack in the 4th quarter with about 3 minutes left and celebrating as if it was a Pontiac Game Changing Performance play. Unfortunately for the Aggies, it was not.

My Prediction: USC 40 - Oregon 6
What Happened: USC 44 - Oregon 10
One of my best predictions of the week, USC showed everyone that they are still for real. Oregon is a pretty strong team in the PAC-10 and USC beat them almost as bad as they beat Ohio State. Everyone in LA is holding their breath that Sanchez is okay and ready to go this weekend, because Arizona State, though they have looked abominable so far, could give them a run for their money.

My Prediction: South Florida 33 - Pittsburgh 13
What Happened: Pittsburgh 26 - South Florida 21

Myself, and thousands of South Florida fans, were embarrassed. The Bulls killed themselves with penalties, Pitt's defense was stout the entire game, and the Panthers controlled the game clock. With those ingredients, South Florida didn't deserve the win and Pittsburgh may deserve another shot at the Top 25. It sounds weird to say it since Pitt lost to Bowling Green earlier this season, but if the Panthers can beat UCONN the last game of the regular season, they could win the Big East.

My Prediction: Florida 31 - Arkansas 0
What Happened: Florida 38 - Arkansas 7
Again, what used to be Arkansas is no more and Florida laughed at them the entire game. The Razorbacks didn't have a chance all game, won't have a chance all season, and may be looking at a pretty long next few years. I won't be surprised to seem some shake-ups in coaching staff this year and the next.

My Prediction: Vanderbilt 19 - Auburn 10
What Happened: Vanderbilt 14 - Auburn 13
A great game and a defensive battle, as expected. Some thought Vandy's offense would be stifled by Auburn's stout D, but the Commodores shined through once again. Interesting to note that Vanderbilt is last in the SEC in offense and third-to-last in the SEC in defense and yet are atop the standings. Their fairy-tale might be coming to an end with very tough in-conference games, but who knows, maybe THIS is the year.

My Prediction: Ohio State 35 - Wisconsin 10
What Happened: Ohio State 20 - Wisconsin 17
MUCH closer than I thought. Wisconsin did a pretty good job on defense and had Pryor confused at times. But when push came to shove, the young true Freshman did not dissapoint...He made plays when the game was on the line and that is the test of a major talent. The Badgers might actually lose three conference games in a row, which NO ONE predicted at the start of the season. We'll see if they can upset a hot Penn State team this week.

My Prediction: Utah 48 - Oregon State 38
What Happened: Utah 31 - Oregon State 28

Closer than I thought it would be, which made for great football. As I predicted, Moevao needed to have a good game to beat Utah. Too bad for Oregon State that their defense couldn't make a stop when it needed to. Props to Moevao and props to Sakoda, the Utah kicker. The teams were fairly even on the field, but Utah outlasted the Beavers. A great game that could have gone either way.

My Prediction: Kansas 52 - Iowa State 3
What Happened: Kansas 35 - Iowa State 33
I think Kansas has been overestimated all season long and I did it again this week. Their defense had major holes in it and they are not scoring like most people thought they would when the season started. The Big 12 is MUCH too competitive for Kansas this year.

What Happened: Boise State 38 - Louisiana Tech 3
The Bulldogs didn't have a chance. Boise State has looked solid all season and didn't let up at all against Louisiana Tech. The blue turf had some major negative effects on the visitors from Louisiana.

My Prediction: Virginia Tech 21 - Western Kentucky 3
What Happened: Virginia Tech 27 - Western Kentucky 13
This game went pretty much as planned, with neither team really impressing anyone. If I could make my own Top 25 (which I will do in the next couple of days), Virginia Tech would not be in it. They still don't have the kind of chemistry on offense that warrants a high grade for a complete team.

My Prediction: Oklahoma State 45 - Texas A&M 23
What Happened: Oklahoma State 56 - Texas A&M 28
Another game that went as planned. Referencing my above explanation, I have Oklahoma State as the opposite of Virgina Tech...the Cowboys have been underrated all year and are just starting to hit their stride. Next week will be THE ultimate test and if they can pull off the game of their lives, they could be a major factor in the polls and the BCS in the near future.

My Prediction: Fresno State 34 - Hawaii 17
What Happened: Hawaii 32 - Fresno State 29 (OT)
Fresno State should be VERY dissapointed with themselves. Everyone has held them on a pedestal only to see the Bulldogs let them down. Nobody loses to Hawaii that's worth a darn this year. And Fresno State has dropped far out of the polls because of it...and deservedly so.

My Prediction: Connecticut 24 - North Carolina 23
What Happened: North Carolina 38 - Connecticut 12
Shouldn't the Tarheels have the Top 25 number in front of their name? These guys are for REAL this year and are proving to everyone that the ACC is not totally dead yet. After a slow start, the conference is starting look like what everyone expected them to be. Props to Carolina for taking this one and doing it handily.

There you have it - My 14-4 week (not counting Boise State's game)...I will post what I think to be the Top 25 shortly, so stay tuned.

College Football Week 6 Top 25 Overview

Here we go, another wild week of college football. How can anyone predict the madness that happens on a weekly basis? The answer is no one can, but I am going to attempt it anyway.

I love college football more than any other conglomeration of sports teams for the simple fact that constant chaos ensues...and the fans that support this chaos are some of the most passionate in the world. Without further ado, here goes nothing...

#1 Oklahoma at Baylor - 12:30 pm ET
Not this time Mr. Non-ranked Team. The target on the back of Sooner Nation can be seen from space, I've been told...and Baylor doesn't have the firepower to hit that target.
Prediction: Sooners 45 - Bears 10

Kentucky at #2 Alabama - 3:30 pm ET
Tide Country is MAD with football-fever right now and I would hate to be the team walking into their house this week...sorry Kentucky (you beat Middle Tennessee by 6 points). Saban will have his kids ready and the fans will be brutal. Tide rolls on.
Prediction: Tide 34 - Wildcats 3

#4 Missouri at Nebraska - 9:00 pm ET
This one could be interesting. Pelini is starting to bring back the old Nebraska ways and though they had a tough week with a close loss to V. Tech, they are looking better every game. Allowing 35 points to Tech is never a good sign (which means the "Blackshirts" are a long way off), but I expect this game to be competitive. Top-5 upset here is a possibility, but not probable.
Prediction: Tigers 43 - Huskers 35

#5 Texas at Colorado - 7:10 pm ET
Another top-5 upset possibility. Notice I said possibility. Last year's Colorado probably had a better shot than this year's Colorado. Especially against this year's Texas. "Baby" McCoy finally looks like a man and is throwing and running like that other Texas quarterback that won a National Championship. Even at #5, Texas may be underrated.
Prediction: Longhorns 52 - Buffaloes 10
note: Texas has won 52-10 three times out of four games - I have to go with the odds here.

#6 Penn State at Purdue - 12:00 pm ET
Big Ten matchups always mean upset alert, but Penn State showed it's true colors against Illinois and they were pretty. Curtis Painter has fully underachieved this year and with Penn State's freak-like defense, it won't get any better this week. Penn State BIG.
Prediction: Lions 42 - Purdue 17

#7 Texas Tech at Kansas St. - 3:30 pm ET
I may be out of mind for saying this, but I think Texas tech is one of the most overrated teams in the country. Sure, their offense is VERY dangerous, but one bad game by Harrell could be curtains for the Red Raiders' title hopes...and I am predicting that bad game here. Crazy, I know, but I think the 'Cats will be up for this game and so will the crowd. The score might end up 532-485, but someone will turn the ball over one too many times and I think that someone is Harrell.
Prediction: Wildcats 52 - Raiders 49

#8 Brigham Young at Utah St. - Friday, 8:00 pm ET
Sorry Utah St...Nothing really needs to be said. The locker room pep talk should be, "Let's not get skunked tonight! Now go run around on the field!" No one on Utah St. will earn their scholarship this Friday, but at least they won't get shutout.
Prediction: Cougars 65 - Aggies 10

#23 Oregon at #9 USC - 8:00 pm ET
This should be a fun game to watch, but there is no doubt USC is going to be PISSED. And if you're the dirt in front of that bulldozer this week, God help you. A fun game, but I don't hink a close one. Oregon will wish they hadn't left Eugene.
Prediction: Trojans 40 - Ducks 6

Pittsburgh at #10 South Florida - Thursday, 7:30 pm ET
I've got nothing good to say about Pittsburgh except that everyone liked them before the season started. Too bad the season started. They may be 3-1, but that does not tell the story - loss to Bowling Green, sneaking by lowly Buffalo, and barely beating nothing Syracuse. South Florida has looked great thus far and I expect them to make make the Panthers look silly.
Prediction: Bulls 33 - Panthers 13

#12 Florida at Arkansas - 12:30 pm ET
Urban Meyer will have no mercy and Arkansas will mourn the loss of McFadden and Jones for one more week. If Arkansas even scores a point, I will be surprised...and I am predicting likewise.
Prediction: Gators 31 - Razorbacks 0

#13 Auburn at #19 Vanderbilt - 6:00 pm ET
I am definitely drinking the Vandy Kool-Aid. This may be their best chance in years to be a contender. On the other side of this game, I do not like Auburn's look this year...they've been sloppy and inconsistent. Auburn's defense is Tuberville-classic, but in this game, if the D doesn't score, Auburn might not either. Vanderbilt has had two weeks to prepare, on top of the fact that their win over Ole Miss looks even better now.
Prediction: Commodores 19 - Tigers 10

#14 Ohio State at #18 Wisconsin - 8:00 pm ET
Wells and Pryor in the same backfield is SCARY. What do you defend? Stop Beanie and you open holes for Pryor...Stop Pryor and open holes for Beanie...Stick eight in the box and stop them both and Pryor will beat you deep. I would hate to walk into Camp Randall after their tough loss to Michigan last week, but I don't think the Badgers defense will be able to handle the tandem backfield. If Wisconsin's not careful, they could start the Big Ten season 0-3 (Penn State next week)...I think they will.
Prediction: Buckeyes 35 - Badgers 10

Oregon State at #15 Utah - Friday, 9:00 pm ET
Before last week, this looked like a ho-hum game for Utah. Now, it looks like a major trap game. We all saw Rodgers run through, yes THROUGH, USC's stout defense, including Utah. I fully expect the Utes to take away the running lanes this week, so it will come down to whether or not Moevao can throw the ball downfield with accuracy. Look for Moevao to struggle in the first half, giving Utah even more reason to plug the middle, and then watch him light up the scoreboard in the second half...and still come up short. This is another game that could be a triple-digit combined score.
Prediction: Utes 48 - Beavers 38

#16 Kansas at Iowa State - 12:30 pm ET
Oh, poor cyclones...Let me take this lopsided opportunity to give another reason why I love college football. Even though there isn't a chance of Iowa State winning this game, the stands will be rocking for kickoff. But then again, shortly there-after, they will be silent. Quothe the Cyclones nevermore.
Prediction: Jayhawks 52 - Cyclones 3

Louisiana Tech at #17 Boise State - Wednesday, already happened
I couldn't even type as fast as Boise State killed Tech.
Score: Broncos 38 - Bulldogs 3

Western Kentucky at #20 Virginia Tech - 1:30 pm ET
Virginia Tech has not looked great this year, but Western Kentucky is one of the worst teams in football, in my opinion. Hokies will win and win big...and Beamer's Special Teams won't even be needed.
Prediction: Hokies 21 - Hilltoppers 3

Texas A&M at #21 Oklahoma State - 7:05 pm ET
None of Oklahoma State's wins this year have been over quality opponents, so you would expect them to struggle in their fifth gam eof the season. However, A&M is not a quality opponent. Oklahoma State goes to Missouri next week 5-0.
Prediction: Comboys 45 - Aggies 23

Hawaii at #22 Fresno State - 10:00 pm ET
I think Fresno State is a bit overrated and that a team like Michigan State deserves to be in the top 25 more so than they do, but compared to Hawaii, Fresno looks like the best team in football. They at least will be the best team on the field.
Prediction: Bulldogs 34 - Warriors 17

#24 Connecticut at North Carolina - 7:00 pm ET
Oddly enough, this was the hardest pick for me of any of the games this week. If my Texas Tech upset happens, I'll feel pretty confident about the rest. This one, however, should be close. These are two up-and-coming programs and two fanbases that are expecting a lot out of their teams. If it was in Connecticut, I would give it to Connecticut by ten points. With it being in Carolina, I'll have to give Connecticut the slight edge and say the eke out a victory.
Prediction: Huskies 24 - Tarheels 23

Well boys and girls, there you have it. Feel free to give me the business with any games you just KNOW I have wrong. Texas Tech fans, I expect some noise. Utah State fans, I suggest you stay quiet.

To the roar of a college football game,
Ksquared