Can College Football's Unbelieveable Season Get Any Better?
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by Nejoshi
The college football season continues to heat up with upsets ravaging the top of the polls yet again last week. LSU and California, ranked #1 and #2 respectively, went down in nail biting thrillers and have left Ohio State, South Florida, and Boston College at the top of the BCS Standings. Yet, all three teams appear vulnerable. Ohio State hasn’t played anyone, and is susceptible to the same fate that dogged last year’s runner-up squad. An undefeated regular season, an undisputed #1 ranking, followed by an embarrassing loss to a more seasoned 1-loss club looks very possible. South Florida, meanwhile, still has the toughest schedule left of all the top teams, beginning tonight with a trip to New Jersey to battle Rutgers, a team that went through a similar ascension last season. Boston College looks the least impressive of the three unbeatens at the top, and will lose in next Thursday’s showcase when they travel to Blacksburg.
Let’s face it: everyone can agree that the BCS is headed toward imminent disaster this season, which will make it fourth time in five years that it has screwed up. A playoff system isn’t on the horizon anytime soon, so fans should get used to bashing the BCS system because that’s all we can do at this point.
On to the picks….
(20) Tennessee (4-2) @ Alabama (5-2), Saturday 12:30 ET
This game represents only one of three huge matchups taking place around the SEC, with each being crucial towards uncovering who the favorites are to take the field for the Conference Championship in the Georgia Dome on December 1. Both these teams control their own destiny toward reaching that venue, which means each can still reach a BCS game, despite some crucial defeats. The Vols have looked like a new team since their embarrassment at the hands of Florida, and are on a nice three game win streak. Erik Ainge is having a solid season (4:1 TD/INT ratio), and Lucas Taylor has emerged as the newest stud WR at UT. Nick Saban has made the Crimson Tide a SEC West contender in his first season as coach, but he enters a treacherous portion of the schedule with Tennessee and LSU coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium in consecutive weeks. Alabama has been playing above their heads for most of the season, and will fall to a Volunteer squad that is just beginning to hit their stride.
Tennessee, 31-20
(14) Florida (4-2) @ (8) Kentucky (6-1), Saturday 3:30 ET
It’s amazing how the nation’s perception of a team can swing so dramatically in just one week. After a disappointing loss to South Carolina dropped Andre Woodson and the Wildcats from the ranks of the unbeatens, many expected Kentucky to fall hard in the SEC pecking order. That couldn’t have been further from the truth as the Wildcats came up with their most inspired performance of the season, defeating top-ranked LSU in a triple overtime instant classic. In that game, Kentucky showed just how tough and talented they were, hitting the Tigers in the mouth and smothering their fourth down rushing attempt to preserve the win. However, the time has passed to bask in the glory of that victory as the defending champions come calling, riding a tough two-game losing streak. The Gators looked great in falling short to LSU, but they have had a week to contemplate how they can return the win column in this huge matchup of SEC East rivals. Urban Meyer will have his club ready to play, and Kentucky will be hampered by the same thing that plagued LSU last week: a letdown following an emotional victory. Once again, the SEC will prove just how difficult it is; this will be yet another high quality game this conference has produced for the viewers around the nation.
Florida, 28-21
(22) Texas Tech (6-1) @ (15) Missouri (5-1), Saturday 3:30 ET
If you like offense, then this is the game for you. The Red Raiders have long been notorious for their run-and-shoot offense, a scheme that has been the brain child for some insane passing numbers. This year is no different, with Graham Harrell lapping the competition. He and Michael Crabtree are assaulting the NCAA leaderboard. Harrell already has 31 TD passes and is the leader of a passing attack that averages over 500 yards a game! Crabtree, only a freshman, has already set a NCAA freshman record with 17 TD receptions, and he’s still got at least six games. A 30 TD season is not out of the question for him. That is absolutely mind boggling. The Tigers aren’t so bad either, giving the Sooners all they could handle before losing for the first time last week. Missouri QB Chase Daniel is having quite an impressive season himself, spreading the ball to several different receivers. However, Missouri’s defense was brutally exposed, especially the pass defense, and I expect Harrell and Crabtree to hook just enough times for the Red Raiders to prevail in this shootout.
Texas Tech, 41-38
(24) Michigan (5-2) @ Illinois (5-2), Saturday 8:00 ET
The Wolverines have responded well ever since their disastrous 0-2 start to the season and now stands with Ohio State as the only undefeated teams in the Big 10. The Fighting Illini showed they couldn’t handle prosperity very well, falling to Iowa, a team that had lost eight consecutive games within the conference. That was after Ron Zook’s club pulled out back-to-back victories against Wisconsin and Penn State, teams that were rated way above Illinois preseason. This game offers redemption for Juice Williams and Rashard Medenhall, who collectively had their worst games of the season. The key to this game will be Mike Hart’s health. All indications are that he will play, but he will need to be the heart and soul for Michigan to continue their five game winning streak. Without a productive Hart, Illinois can turn their entire focus toward Chad Henne and the passing game. I expect Hart to be 100% and lead Michigan one step closer to their ultimate dream game against #1 Ohio State next month.
Michigan, 24-17
(18) Auburn (5-2) @ (5) LSU (6-1), Saturday 9:00 ET
The LSU Tigers became the latest victim of the upset, blowing a 27-14 lead before falling in triple overtime to Kentucky on the road last week. Les Miles’ team must rebound with a pivotal SEC West matchup against the hated Auburn Tigers, a team that has rebounded nicely ever since a dismal performance against Mississippi State last month put them at 1-2. These two teams hate each other, and we are destined to receive another classic, like their 7-3 war of attrition was last year. I still believe LSU is the most talented team in the nation, and lost last week simply because they took their foot off the gas late against Kentucky. You would be hard pressed to find a team that could defeat the Tigers in Baton Rouge during a night game. Many have tried, few have succeeded, and as good as Tommy Tuberville is in big games, he will fall short in this one. The Tigers rebound as they try to make their way back up the BCS Standings.
LSU, 24-13
Upset Special:
(2) South Florida (6-0) @ Rutgers (4-2), Tonight 7:30 ET
No team understands what the Bulls are going through more than Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights, a team that was college football’s Cinderella a year ago. Rutgers had the most successful season in its school’s history, bursting on the scene with an 11-win campaign and its first ever bowl victory. The Scarlet Knights had BCS dreams for this year, with several starters returning and a favorable schedule. A loss to Maryland three weeks ago dashed those dreams, but now this team can ruin South Florida’s season in the same way they did to 3rd ranked Louisville on a Thursday night last year. Both teams have tremendous defensive units allowing less than 300 yards a game; it will come down to which offense can make more big plays. Unquestionably, Ray Rice will be the most explosive offensive player on the field. Expect Rice to beat the Bulls defense early, and for the Scarlet Knights defense to shut down USF late to preserve yet another upset victory in this year’s season.
Rutgers, 17-13
Watch Out For:
(13) USC (5-1) @ Notre Dame (1-6)
The Trojans haven’t looked this bad since before Pete Carroll became their coach way back in 2001. Fans in Southern California are wondering what happened to everyone’s preseason favorite. In a word, it’s been injuries that have haunted this team. Mark Sanchez has been inserted into the lineup, but injuries have wreaked havoc on the offensive line as well as the talented linebacking core, creating a team that no one can recognize. Charlie Weis has decided to insert Evan Sharpley as the top QB on the depth chart, and I must say that its been a long time coming. Sharpley hasn’t been as much of a disaster as Clausen has, and he represents the team’s best chance of winning. It will be interesting to see how these two wounded teams react to playing in this huge rivalry game. The Trojans need a performance to jumpstart the psyche of this team, and there’s no better way to start than against a weak rival on the road.
Last Week: 2-4
Season: 22-15
