CFB Weekend Preview: Burn baby, burn
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by Suckatsports
College football weekend preview will run weekly, and will take a quick gander at some of the upcoming games. Quick breakdowns and predictions will be included, but don't quote it on SportsBook, they'll still take your money.
College football works year round, but they only play games in the fall, and it passes by so quick. Who would have thought that a quarter of the season is already dead and gone? The only thing we wonder, is when the big games are going to be. It seems like this year more than any of the past years, it's taken longer for the games to be big and meaningful. Sure, every game is meaningful, but last year there were good match-ups that are just missing from the docket in 2007. How about a high intensity game for a Saturday night? This week is definitely better for that - sorry, just drooled.
If you could watch one game this weekend, it should be California at Oregon. To be honest, I was seriously thinking that WVU at USF could be the game of the week, or the battle for the three letter acronym. I've been trumpeting the Pac 10 as the best conference in college football (sorry SEC) since the beginning of the year, and it isn't just because of anti East Coast Bias (midwest), it's because it's true. They've had the higher level of play both in and out of conference; but I digress. California at Oregon is a game that will go a long way to clearing up both the national and the Pacific picture. Cal is riding higher, but their wins since the spanking the put on Tennessee have been less than impressive. At the same time, Tennessee has done nothing to help Cal in the quest for respect, getting blown out by Florida in the following weekend. Oregon on the other hand, went across the country to bend over Michigan in the Big House - having watched that game, I'll tell you that the Ducks are mighty impressive. They run the spread extremely well, and their offense isn't soft, because they'll punch you in the mouth. Dennis Dixon shows off the moves of a skinnier and college-aged Vince Young. Even if he isn't as transcendent of an athlete, he's every bit as exciting. Belotti has had a knack for losing big games, and shooting himself in the foot, but it really seems like this is the year for Oregon to challenge USC in the Pacrockin'. Oregon 38, Cal 27.
Other games that need your attention:
- West Virginia at South Florida. As mentioned earlier, this is really my 1a, I just find it such an intriguing clash. Who thought that 5 years ago, this could be the best game of a very loaded weekend so far, anyone? USF dashed hopes last year in Morgantown of a national championship, and West Virginia smells blood. Noel Devine is amazing, and another weapon makes this offense incredibly potent, even more potent than the one USF stopped last year. South Florida, on the other hand, has the best college football coach no one's ever heard of in Jim Leavitt. He pretty much took this program from the ground up, and is the leveled force that harnesses the energy and excitement of the players and fans. South Florida has a lot of talent, but stopping three different Heisman worthy players on offense is a real task. As much as I'm pulling for USF, West Virginia is on a mission this week, and I can't pick against them, this will be fun to watch for about three quarters though. WVU 48, USF 20.
- Auburn at Florida. On any other weekend, this would be a headliner, especially after the battle that went on at Auburn last year (dashing an undefeated season). This year, however, Auburn has shown to be taking cues from Michigan: losing early, and losing ugly. Let's get this straight though, Michigan and Auburn are still really talented, and have a combined one loss in conference play; they're much better than their record will have you believe, so be weary. If anyone can slow down the Florida offense, it's the Auburn defense - the same defense that allowed 0 points against USF after 5 second half turnovers. They're very physical up front, and their linebackers can run and hit hard. There's a reason a more experienced Florida team last year struggled against this front. On the other hand: it's at Florida, it's at night, and Tim Tebow is God of the sunshine state. As always, I want Florida to lose, Urban Meyer has shown that he's a big game coach, and there's no reason to think otherwise this weekend. Their defense sucks, but they squeak by. Florida 28, Aurburn 24.
- Kansas State at Texas. Wait, Texas is still ranked 7th? Didn't they look totally unimpressive in their wins? Besides the point. I haven't seen Mike Wilbon in highlights as much on TV, meaning that the Wildcats aren't doing so well. Well, they aren't horrible at 2-1, but I still can't get out of my head how well they played at Auburn, even if Auburn proved to be a tad fraudulent. But here's my problem: Texas needed to recover an onside kick before the Arkansas St. game was put to bed. I don't trust them. Their defense is worse than last year, and Colt McCoy hasn't been as great as we all expected. Did I mention the Big 12 really sucks? Upset alert, Kansas State goes to Texas and wins. Texas 17, Kansas State 20.
Heisman Lookout. This week is padding week for Heisman stats, because few of the big names are playing in big games. Some believe the leader in the clubhouse is Tebow, but I don't buy it, I need someone electric, and who doesn't kiss other guys. For my money, McFadden is still a runaway leader, and his stats show it. But how about a little menage trois love for the Heisman three-headed monster that is Slaton, White, and Devine. I don't think either of them will win it, but they are the kind of electric players the trophy is handed out to. And, also I think they're all in for a big day this weekend, against real competition.
Notes. There are other games of note, but only if the scroll in the bottom line, or if you're a fan of that team. The Big 10 has some an intriguing match up of two unlikely undefeateds that may show who's a pretender. Alabama and Florida State play, in a game which 20 years ago might have been the biggest game of all time, but today, no one cares.
FSU and Alabama fall from grace [SI.com: Stewart Mandel]
This post is cross-published from We Suck at Sports.
