The top 25 finds a new king upon it’s throne this week. After a huge upset win over Oklahoma, Texas received more votes than anyone, despite how Lou Holtz feels about Colt McCoy.
On top of that, we learn that while OU isn’t the best team in the nation, they may not even be the best team in their own state! Their bitter rivals from Stillwater went into Missouri and stunned the Tigers, and that capped the first weekend in a long time that we haven’t been buried with SEC talk. But, the Gators are lurking…
Now, on to this weekend’s action…
#9 BYU at TCU
How ESPN is showing a lame ACC game over this one tonight I’ll never know, but make no bones about it: BYU and TCU will be a classic. BYU was held to just 21 points last week, their lowest single-game point total of the season. TCU brings in the best defense in the nation. Looking at the history of Thursday night games for ranked teams, this one’s leaning the Horned Frogs way.
TCU 27, BYU 20
Hawaii at #15 Boise State
The Rainbows…errr….Warriors tripped me up a few weeks back by stunning everyone with a win over Fresno State on the road. I’m still not convinced enough by the June Jones-less Hawaii squad to think they’ll pull another shocker here.
Boise St. 31, Hawaii 20
#7 Texas Tech at Texas A&M
My reservations on the Red Raiders were validated last week after they needed to go into OT to beat Nebraska. Texas Tech may be in the top 10 nationally, but they may not even be in the top 5 of their own conference. That said, they handle a really, really awful Aggie team with ease.
Texas Tech 52, Texas A&M 17
Syracuse at #19 S. Florida
If I had to put money down on which college coach would be the first fired this year, my pick would’ve likely been Greg Robinson from Syracuse. The once proud Orange team has now replaced Temple’s old spot as Big East doormat. USF took a step backwards against Pitt a few weeks ago, but they should be very effective with Matt Groethe moving the ball down the field.
USF 34, Syracuse 14
#21 Wake Forest at Maryland
With conference wins over Florida State and Clemson, the Demon Deacs know they’ve got the inside track to get back to the ACC title game. Maryland has been perhaps the most inconsistent team in football. Take Riley Skinner and the Deacs to win a big one on the road.
Wake Forest 20, Maryland 17
#22 Vanderbilt at @10 Georgia
Vandy was finally exposed as a fraud last week against Mississippi State (a game I predicted correctly). They’ve got a solid defense and can win with turnovers, but they just don’t have the athletes to match up with the bigger SEC schools. Give me Knowshon Moreno and company by a touchdown.
Georgia 20, Vandy 13
Colorado St. at #14 Utah
The only game in which Utah scored less than 30 points this year was their opening week win voer Michigan. They’ve got all cylinders clicking right now, and it may take a feisty BYU team in the final week to beat them, because the Rams won’t do it Saturday.
Utah 42, Colorado St. 14
Baylor at #8 Oklahoma St.
Perhaps even more shocking than the Sooners’ loss Saturday was Oklahoma State’s win over Mizzou. Kendall Hunter is bringing flashbacks to another Cowboy RB great from year’s past by the name of Barry Sanders. Baylor hasn’t beaten OSU since 1939.
Oklahoma St. 48, Baylor 17
Ole Miss at #2 Alabama
What a prickly game to pick! The Rebs bust down Tim Tebow in the Swamp, and yet lose at home to Steve “I can’t ever decide on a quaterback” Spurrier? Well, this game could easily look like Bama’s last game against Kentucky, but higher scoring.
Alabama 28, Ole Miss 24
#16 Kansas at #4 Oklahoma
Kansas, as talented as they are, doesn’t have what it takes to win this one. Sam Bradford is a phenomonal QB and will have 300-plus yards easy in this one.
Oklahoma 41, Kansas 20
#6 USC at Washington State
The last time the Trojans went to the great Northwest, Oregon State shocked them. Washington State is no Oregon State.
USC 39, WSU 7
#12 Ohio St. at #20 Michigan St.
The winner of this game stays in the Big 10 hunt with Penn State. Javon Ringer is having a sensational year, but the Spartans defense isn’t too bad either, giving up just over 16 points a game. Ohio State is the Paris Hilton of college football: looks all pretty on the outside, but there’s no real depth or substance to them. I like the Spartans in a mild upset.
Michigan St. 26, Ohio St. 23
#18 North Carolina at Virginia
A trap game for Butch Davis and company. Already without their starting QB, word came down Monday that one of the Heels’ leading wideouts Brandon Tate is done for the year. That kind of stuff can grind on a team’s morale, but not one lead by Butch Davis. He’ll have his boys ready to play.
UNC 24, Virginia 17
#23 Pittsburgh at Navy
Navy can cause all kinds of frustrations for a defense. Pitt, fresh off upsetting South Florida, looks to regain that swagger they had in the preseason. LeSean McCoy should be able to rush for 100 plus here, and help pull out a close one.
Pitt 25, Navy 20
Michigan at #3 Penn State
It was just a few years ago when a loss to Michigan cost Penn State a shot at the BCS title game. Unheralded QB Daryll Clark is playing lights out, and so is the Nittany Lion defense. After this one, expect those “Fire Rich Rod” websites to be filling up even more.
Penn St. 31, Michigan 3
#11 Missouri at #1 Texas
The Big 12 this year is like a breeding ground for Heisman-caliber quarterbacks. Expect another offensive explosion as Missouri’s Chase Daniel and Texas’ Colt McCoy light up the scoreboard. Last one to get the ball wins.
Texas 44, Mizzou 38
#13 LSU at South Carolina
You can expect the Boys from the Bayou got a good workout from Les Miles this week after that embarrassing performance against Florida. The defense they’ll face in Columbia is just as stingy. The Gamecocks will rely on first-time starter Stephen Garcia to lead their passing attack. Closer game than the experts think.
LSU 21, S. Carolina 20
#17 Virginia Tech at Boston College
The Hokies haven’t lost since that opening game special teams debacle against East Carolina. Chris Crange is making Eagles’ fans forget all about Matt Ryan. In a game that flies under the radar, take the Eagles in an upset.
Boston College 27, Va. Tech 24
#25 California at Arizona
Cal is playing to win the Pac-10, Arizona is playing to keep Mike Stoops from being unemployed. Close game, but the Bears pull it out.
Cal 34, Arizona 27
