How I See It...

It being the college football weekend. The one that is already underway if you include Alabama's absolute drubbing of Georgia State, not that it wasn't expected. Really though the Tide could have scored 100 if they wanted. So with that game, the Washington win over UCLA already happening, and that I am not going to mention the Boise State game tonight I will predict the football games on Saturday.

Arkansas vs. Mississippi State- This game is becoming more and more important. Yes, it is essential for the Hogs to win and keep their BCS bowl game hopes alive but there is more behind this game. In my family, everyone, except me, went to Arkansas and most of the family still lives in the state, and we are all huge Razorback fans. In Lexie's house, everyone, except her, went to Mississippi State and still lives in Mississippi. They are all "State people." (which are GREAT people) Though I am banned from talking to Lexie's mother during the game, I know she will have her cowbell out and ringing it loud enough to scare the Sambo, their dog, under the bed. I know my family will be decked out in their red and calling the hogs proudly.  I am so glad that Lexie and I can agree on our team, the Bulldogs... from Samford University , of course. As far as the game goes I do see it being a good game but the offensive fire power will be too much in the end.  The score will be a little more lopsided than the game will be but the Razorbacks improve to 4-1 on the road and one win away from a 10 win season.

LSU vs. Ole Miss- Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt does not want to admit it but he has had LSU's number in the past few years. Starting with his days at Arkansas, his teams have consistently played well against the Bayou Bengals. Seeing that Nutt has not had his typical one big upset a year yet many "experts" are seeing this as an easy upset pick. Not this expert. Expect to see Lucky Les win again this weekend. The Tigers run well and run often against a weak Mississippi run defense. Watch Jerimiah Masoli try and make sense of why he is in Mississippi after all.

Ohio State vs. Iowa- Even with Iowa losing last weekend to Northwestern this game still will help determine the Big 10 champ and bowl pecking order. I know that Iowa is a tough place to play especially after a loss but Ohio State is playing for too much for that to get in the way. I do believe that Terelle Pryor will have to be able to move and throw the ball because Iowa DE Adrian Claiborne will be getting after him and show why NFL scouts are excited. Ohio State wins a close one.

Virginia Tech vs. Miami- In a game that Virginia Tech can clinch it's half of the ACC and lock its place in the ACC Championship Game, I expect them to do just that. Granted, Miami has been dealt tough cards to play with this season, but they have just not been able to be consistent against the adversary. Virginia Tech on the other hand has been able to bounce back after losing their first two games, one of which was James Madison. This Hokie team is playing like everyone thought they would at the beginning of the year and they continue to do so this Saturday.

Other picks (in bold):

Army vs. Notre Dame- Coolest setting this year, Yankee Stadium. ND vs. Army circa 1918.

Illinois at Northwestern- 2^nd coolest setting this year, Wrigley Field. Too bad the base ball field is not big enough.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/ncf/news/story?id=5824661

Stanford at California- This rivalry is not even close. Forget the comparisons to the

Oregon game. This game gets ugly.

Tennessee at Vanderbilt- It’s truly amazing that the Vols can still go to a bowl game.

Wisconsin vs. Michigan- Belima has another hard time keeping the score reasonable as the Badgers put up big numbers again this week against a weak Michigan defense.

Nebraska at Texas A&M
Connecticut at Syracuse

Oklahoma at Baylor

USC at Oregon State

Florida State at Maryland

Duke at Georgia Tech
Pittsburgh at South Florida

The Weekend that Will Be

Back again for picks this weekend. I do not have as an exciting weekend planned as I did last weekend, but I am not going to say it won't be a good one. It is too early to tell. But really how good is the feeling of a Friday afternoon and full two days to do whatever you want. I can tell you this, fans in the Rome area go and watch the Wolves play. And for those in the Vicksburg area, go and watch your Vikings play the Gators from the city school, hands down the biggest rivalry in Warren County.

Back to the college game...

Georgia vs. Florida- I have had a hard time putting my finger on both of these teams all year long and consequently making this game one of the hardest to predict. For the first time in 31 years neither team is ranked. Flordia has owned this series, winning 17 of the last 20 meetings and coming off of a bye week head coach Urban Meyer is unbeatable. On the other hand, UGA is playing their best ball of the year and looks like they are playing as well as they can. History doesn't win games. The Dawgs from Athens win.

Missouri vs. Nebraska- Here is one of the big upsets from what will be a crazy Halloween weekend. I know that Missouri has the top ranked defense in college football but I don't see Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez being stopped by another defense like he was against Texas. Nebraska is a tough place to play and Mizzou coming off of the program's biggest win will have a hard time being on the road. Nebraska wins easily.

Michigan State vs. Iowa- Keeping up with the undefeated team losing on the road, Iowa puts away the Spartans. Iowa is a very good team and lost a heart breaker last week at home against my Big 10 crush, Wisconsin. Iowa is one of the most consistent teams in football and just does not lose two games in a row at home. Also the Spartans have not looked good against teams they should have, not have they won a big game. The undefeated magic ends here.

Oregon vs. USC- If you like offense and you like to see the scoreboard rolling this is the game to watch on Saturday. Oregon scores more points than any other team in the nation, 55.1, and the USC defense is giving up over 500 yards a game. The scorekeeper will be tired at the end of this one. USC is a good team with plenty of talent and one of the most hated coaches in college ball. Many reporters are calling this USC's Rose Bowl (USC was banned from postseason play earlier in the season), but I see Oregon ruining the Trojan's party.

Other Winners (in bold):

Auburn vs. Mississippi- Houston Nutt teams get up for games they should get killed in. Could be an upset, but I don’s think the Rebels can pull it off

Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas- Joe Adams and DeQuinta Robinson are out, but look who the Hogs are playing. No worries here. Hogs win big for the alumni back for homecoming.

Baylor vs. Texas- The Bears finally get a chance to beat the vaunted Longhorns

Stanford vs. Washington- Closer than the experts think

Miami vs. Virginia

Michigan vs. Penn State

Kentucky vs. Mississippi State

Clemson vs. Boston College

Tennessee vs. South Carolina 

How See the College Football Weekend

Back again and trying to improve on last week's terrible start. Oh well that is why they play the game, for me to talk about it. Sarcasm. Either way I like to think so. Studying for my Anatomy Lab exam might be what I should be concentrating my efforts towards. No worries parents and grandparents, I studied earlier today so I would have time for to write to my faithful followers.

LSU vs. Auburn- Seriously can any one stop Auburn quarterback Cam Newton? If LSU does they win the game easily. Besides Newton please tell me how Auburn would have scored any points this season. Nope, you can't do it. Like I said last week I know have complete respect for him but am not ready to crown the War Eagles (I know Auburn fans. It's so the two teams are not confused.) the SEC West champion, much less the winner of the whole league and I know that the Bayou Bengals will have to say something about it too. All this said, or written, for my more literal readers, I don't see the Mad Hatter being able to rub the rabbit's foot and pull out a win here.

Alabama vs. Tennessee- Remember when the 3rd Saturday of October meant something? It is OK if you don't. It's been a few years. Since Nick Saban has arrived to Tuscaloosa he has handled the Volunteers all three years. Last year's epic game in which Terrance Cody blocked a potential game-winning kick to win the game was just that, epic. I don't see this one being nearly as close as the Crimson Tide continues to get their roll on and handles this road game easily.

Mississippi vs. Arkansas- This game has started to mean something since the head coach of the Rebels is the former Razorback coach. Yet again, Houston Nutt will get a hearty welcome from his former home crowd. By hearty I mean the loathing will come straight from the heart. Petrino, who was berated earlier this week by a former co-worker during his stint with the Atlanta Falcons, the Cincinatti Bengals Defensive Coordinator, will be looking to show his home crowd that he couldn't be happier in Fayetteville. Arkansas' Ryan Mallet is back from his concussion and has a big week against a subpar pass defense from Ole Miss.

Oklahoma vs. Missouri- The matchup in Columbia is the home to College Gameday, which always bring a little extra excitement to the air. Add in two undefeated teams, one of which is the new BCS number one, and you have as big of a weeknd as you can have in Missouri (outside of Branson of course, Grannie). I am not a believer in the Tigers yet but this would boost nationwide credibility. I can't say that I see it happening though. Heisman candidate, DeMarco Murray runs wild and Oklahoma gets a big win to boost their already top BCS score.


Wisconsin vs. Iowa- Here is Wisconsin's or Iowa's chance to make some serious headway in their quest for the Big 10 title. This will be one of the hardest hitting games of the weekend with both clubs having serious size on the line. I was again impressed by John Clay and the Badger running game that I think they can pull out a tough road game against the most consistent team in America. Wisconsin goes on the road for a mini-upset and separates themselves as the team to beat in the Big 10.

Other Winners (in bold)

North Carolina vs. Miami
South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt
Georgia vs. Kentucky
Notre Dame vs. Navy
Georgia Tech vs. Clemson
Michigan State vs. Northwestern
Syracuse vs. West Virginia
UAB vs. Mississippi State
Whoever Boise State plays vs. Boise State


I have mostly visitors winning which makes me a little nervous but I am ready for Saturday. Who's with me?