College Football for 10/26

[Guest Blackston]

National Game of the Week: Iowa (7-1)(4-0) at Michigan (6-1)(3-0)

Synopsis: It was either this game, or Florida State-Notre Dame, so I picked this game because it has conference championship implications involved in it. The Hawkeyes have become the trendy picks to win the Big Ten this year, but as college football fans know, the road to the Big Ten title goes straight through Ann Arbor. Iowa has been carried to their sterling record by their awe-inspiring offense. Unfortunately, the offense has been masking a semi-suspect pass defense. While Michigan's quarterback John Navarre is not nearly as explosive as PSU's QB Zach Mills, he is very capable of defeating a defense that doesn't respect his abilities enough. Michigan also has got a very good defense, that should make Iowa's possessions very interesting television. One thing that has Wolverine fans concerned is the status of their running back Chris Perry. He got tweaked a bit in UM's game against Purdue, and while he returned, he seemed almost tenative when he was hitting the holes. UM NEEDS Perry to be operating at 100 percent against the Hawkeyes in order to keep the Iowa defense honest against the run. The intangibles in this game all point toward a Wolverine victory, as traditionally UM is very good about defending their home territory in the heat of the conference race. I also think that Michigan has been underrated a bit, as they truly are a very good team. Sometimes pundits get wrapped up by the glitzy plays put up by an Ohio State or an Iowa, and they fail to recognize that there is a quality team that makes its' home in the "Big House" this year.

The line: Michigan by 4

My pick: Michigan by 14

 

ACC Game of the Week: Notre Dame (7-0) at Florida State (5-2)(4-0)

Synopsis: It must be tough to be a Florida State Seminole fan, sometimes. After their devestating last-second defeat at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes, I am sure that the last thing that FSU wanted was to sit on that feeling for an off week. There are SOME benefits to that, however, as they have gotten to spend plenty of practice time to dedicate themselves to knocking off the unbeaten Irish. The Irish have been afforded no such luxury. Notre Dame has just gotten off of a tough game in the freezing cold against an unusual offense. Are you telling me that the Irish is supposed to prepare for the patented Air Force Triple Option attack one week (quite well, I might say), and then the next week set up shop against Chris Rix and the Seminole offense? This is going to be a tough game for the Notre Dame coaching staff to prepare for, but I am not going to say that it cannot be done. If Notre Dame jumps out to an early lead, it may serve to demoralize the Seminole squad, which I am sure is questioning itself after the Orange Bowl disaster. I don't see that happening, though. Florida State is a dangerous team to go up against, just ask Miami... Part of me thinks that Notre Dame is walking into disaster when they go to Talahassee, and the other part of me thinks that ND might just be a "charmed" team (see: Tennessee '98; Oklahoma '00). I don't know why, call me an idiot, but.

The line: Florida State by 10.5

My pick: Notre Dame by 6

 

Big East Game of the Week: Miami (6-0)(2-0) at West Virginia (5-2)(2-0)

Synopsis: Ah, after the scare two weeks ago against Florida State, we now return to the "Lets trounce every Big East team in our way" portion of the Hurricane schedule. This time, the 'Canes are taking the show on the road, as they travel to Morgantown to take on the Mountaineers of West Virginia. WVU and Miami share the same in-conference record, but do not be fooled, WVU has taken on, and defeated handily, two of the Big East's three sucky teams (Syracuse and Rutgers, leaving Temple to play later). Miami's going to win this one going away. "But Blackston", you might say, "Miami didn't look unbeatable against Florida State, maybe WVU can find something to exploit from the game tapes." Miami totally outclasses the Mountaineers in every category, and they are going to put up big numbers. I almost feel badly about the timing for WVU, as Miami is going to look to put up some large numbers after having their team called into question. The one team Heisman race will continue too, as Willis McGahee and Ken Dorsey will put up some eyepopping stats in this one.

The line: Miami by 19

My pick: Miami by 38

 

Big Ten Game of the Week: Penn State (5-2)(2-2) at Ohio State (8-0)(3-0)

Synopsis: Interestingly enough, this game will have more of an impact on the national title scene then it will on the Big Ten Championship picture. Penn State is one of the last real remaining stumbling blocks on Ohio State's path to an undefeated season, and possible Fiesta Bowl birth. Penn State has taken two tough in-conference losses already this season, both in overtime, and both after some questionable calls by the referees. This has more or less relegated the Nittany Lions to the role of spoiler in the conference title race. Ohio State, on the other hand, has managed to get through their schedule unscathed up to this point, primarilly off of the back of super running back Maurice Clarett, and a superb defense. The Nittany Lions could serve to be the most difficult team that Ohio State will play this year, as they are going to be fired up for their game in Columbus. Ohio State needs to be sure that they won't be in letdown mode for this game after their thriller last weekend in Madison, Wisconsin. One thing that viewers should watch out for is PSU Running back Larry Johnson against the Ohio State run defense. Going into last week's game, Ohio State was #3 in the country against run defense, but against the Badgers, Wisconsin HB Anthony Davis ran roughshod against a suddenly swiss-cheese Buckeye defensive front. Just last week, Larry Johnson set the Penn State single game rushing record against Northwestern with a jaw-dropping 257 yards on just 23 carries. Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say that OSU's run defense is as suspect as Northwestern's, but it will be something to keep an eye on next week. I truly believe that this game is going to be a back and forth battle, with neither team asserting dominance. Penn State quarterback Zach Mills is not only accustomed to working in the two-minute drill, he actually thrives on running it. Mills is one of the best college quarterbacks that I have ever seen when it comes to leading his team to a miraculous comeback. Craig Krenzel is no slouch in this department, either, as he has led the Buckeyes on two game winning drives this year alone... This game may come down to a field goal differential, and the Bucks have the edge in that department this year.

The line: Ohio State by 4.5

My pick: Ohio State by 5

 

Big XII Game of the Week: Iowa State (6-2)(3-1) at Texas (6-1)(3-1)

Synopsis: After watching the Sooners go through these two teams, I am suddenly a believer in the quality of Oklahoma this year... But that is neither here nor there. I admit it. I bought into the hype that surrounded Senaca Wallace and the Iowa State program like a... well, like a cyclone. The incredible Sooner defense proved that Iowa State was sort of overrated, and that Senaca Wallace is not a Heisman quality player, much to the chagrin of Iowa State fans. The whole process reminded me of the debunking of Texas, and subsequently the submarining of Chris Simms's Heisman campaign. What matters right now is how Iowa State plays in their next game. If Iowa State can rise up and knock off Texas next weekend at Austin, then the Cyclones still control their own destiny in the Big XII North. If the Longhorns can stop Senaca Wallace and ISU half as well as OU did, then UT should be able to pick up a huge win over a top team. The week following the Red River Shootout, the Longhorns sucked up their pride, and knocked Kansas State down in Manhattan. I think that Texas has still got a lot of pride in their team, and should be able to pick off an emotionally wounded Cyclone squad

The line: Texas by 13

My pick: Texas by 18

 

PAC-10 Game of the Week: USC (5-2)(3-1) at Oregon (6-1)(2-1)

Synopsis: Consider this game to be a pseudo PAC-10 playoff game, as the loser will effectively eliminated from BCS consideration. Oregon was pretty much a team on a roll, jumping out to a quick 6-0 record, before dropping a close game at home against Arizona State. Now, questions are popping up about the Ducks defense, and rightfully so. Arizona State, a decent team, but no great shakes, threw for 536 yards against an overmatched Oregon secondary. Red flags are going up all over Autzen, and things are not going to be much better next weekend, when Carsen Palmer and USC's high powered offense come to town. USC has just finished whipping Washington by 20 points (Palmer threw for 348, and 4 touchdowns in that game), and things are looking up for the resurgent Trojans. Just about the only thing that Oregon has going for it in this game is the fact that it is being played in Autzen Stadium, and Arizona State shattered that mystique last weekend. USC should be able to jump out to an early lead by throwing the deep ball, and letting their talented receivers pull them down for big gains. They then should be able to clamp down on the Duck offense, and pull this one out, even in a hostile environment.

The line: USC by 1

My pick: USC by 17

 

SEC Game of the Week: Alabama (5-2)(2-1) at Tennessee (4-2)(1-2)

Synopsis: Tennessee is a team that is under fire this year. Great things were expected out of the Volunteers this year, and they have been a colossal disappointment thus far, pretty much falling out of contention for the SEC East title. The loss to Georgia two weeks ago was especially damning to a team, and now people all over the country are starting to question UT's heart. Alabama, on the other hand, is starting to turn their program around, after a long period on the snide. This year, the Crimson Tide is on probation, so they aren't playing for Championships or Bowl Births, but instead they are playing for their own pride. Bama has turned out to be a pretty good squad this year, destroying ranked Ole Miss last weekend in Tuscaloosa, and nearly knocking off both Oklahoma and Georgia at points earlier in the season. This game is a scary one to pick, as I don't know what team to expect coming out wearing the Orange and White of Tennessee. I also hate to pick against Tennessee when they are playing at Neyland Stadium, in front of 100,000+ screaming fans. That said, I don't know if UT has the heart that Bama has displayed in recent weeks. I will take the Crimson Tide in this one.

The line: Tennessee by 2.5

My pick: Bama by 10

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Too much firepower and a week off...FSU by 9

[Guest Vern Gagne]

N.C. State remained undefeated beating Clemson. 35-8 at Clemson. The schedule gets tougher with games at Maryland, Virgina and home against Florida St.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

Go Penn State!

 

And, uh, go FSU (lesser of 2 evils)!

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

I hate to agree with a pick against Tennessee, but their quality of play is never consistent, and I don't know whether the real team will come out (the team that played Florida for 55 minutes and put up 14 points in the first three minutes of the second half of the Rutgers game) or the fake team (the team that played for five minutes against Florida and allowed Arkansas to come back from a fairly large deficit).

 

Fo sheez,

Kotzenjunge

[Guest phoenixrising]

Maybe I just like underdogs too damned much. I hope the Irish win.

 

I think USC is going to kill Oregon...UCLA and ASU racked up huge numbers through the air against Oregon's secondary, and into Autzen comes Carson Palmer finally living up to his potential and a deadly new weapon in freshman reciever Mike Williams. Plus USC has one of the best defenses in the country, now back up to full strength with Troy Polamalu. If USC wins then the big Pac-10 showdown is the upcoming ASU/WSU game rather than what I had pegged as the game of the year, Oregon/WSU.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Have no fear everyone...

 

the 22ND! ranked undefeated Bowling Green Falcons will defeat Ball State today.

 

Their epic journey to the Motor City Bowl CONTINUES!!!!!

[Guest razazteca]

In the Wide Right game the Defense of the Fighting Irish is running up the score.

 

FSU has the worst special teams in College Football, this goes far beyond the running joke of Wide Right as FSU cannot even return a simple kickoff.

[Guest phoenixrising]

Notre Dame isn't used to being ahead by so much I guess...two touchdowns in the last two minutes. It didn't matter though.

 

Dorsey had a career day vs. West Virginia...and in a surprise they needed it too. Avon Cobourne rarely gets mentioned as a great college back, but the guy is working on his fourth 1,000 yard season. Only those in West Virginia know who he is.

 

Already two upsets today...LSU got blown out by a Cadillac-less Auburn. And last I saw Iowa was beginning to blow out Michigan. Too bad Iowa and OSU don't play this year, would have been an awesome matchup.

[Guest El Satanico]

Notre Dame isn't used to being ahead by so much I guess...two touchdowns in the last two minutes. It didn't matter though.

Those were garbage points so I'm sure it isn't bothering their minds.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

:::: slaps a Bama sticker on Spoon's forehead ::::

 

Eat THAT, bootch!!!

 

ROOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL TIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDEEEEEE!!!!

[Guest phoenixrising]

I'm pretty stoked that UCLA managed to win with a true freshman playing in his first game. Matt Moore was only 7 of 19, but he threw a TD pass and most importantly no interceptions. Note to rest of country: Remember the name Tyler Ebell. This guy is just 5'9 and 170 pounds, but doesn't know it. Looks like he can break a long one every time, no defender ever gets a solid shot on him and he is a workhorse. He ran 39 times for 160 yards and a score...his fourth 100 yard game of the year. Not bad for a guy who began the season third on the depth chart. UCLA is 5-3, two wins more to be bowl eligible.

 

Looks like everyone undefeated remained undefeated this week. There might be BCS controversy come Monday because of the Notre Dame win over FSU, they could jump over Miami in the standings.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Notre Dame should have gained respect from everyone now, as they were supposed to lose and were 10 pt dogs against FSU and they went and beat FSU by 10 pts. Granted the FSU isn't the FSU of 2-3 years ago, but a win at FSU is still quite the accomplishment.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Still undefeated baby!

 

No one can stop this magical season for the soon to be 21st ranked BOWLING GREEN FALCONS!!!!!

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Nice game by Florida St., that 3 minute span cost them the game. Bowden should retire they don't have any leadership and they aren't disciplined. Gotta give Notre Dame credit, they'll be 11-0 headed into the game against USC.What's funny is after Notre Dame's best win they won't go up in the polls.

 

Heisman Watch: Ken Dorsey will win it. He'd have to blow it not too.

[Guest phoenixrising]

Regarding the Heisman, it helped Dorsey that McGahee hurt his cause by fumbling twice. He caught one long pass from Dorsey - actually a pass rather than the screen against FSU - and scored twice from one yard out. Dorsey will get the credit for leading the winning drives against FSU and West Virginia though, there is really nobody close now, especially if Clarett is going to miss more time because of his shoulder injury.

 

Can't think of anyone else close...of the Pac-10 candidates Onterrio Smith was held to under 100 yards by USC, and Jason Gesser had a so-so game against Arizona, so neither did much to improve their chances. Wallace did better vs. Texas but not good enough, I think he's pretty much done Heisman wise. Maybe Rivers gets a boost, but he gets a lot of help from T.A. McLendon. I'd have to agree with Vern, the Heisman is pretty much Dorsey's to lose.

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

I'm not really surprised that Alabama won. I don't really expect much from my boys anymore. Miami is going to kill us dead. That's why I didn't really brag like I normally do.

 

Also, Notre Dame haters can eat my ass now. Of course, everyone will simply hate them for no reason whatsoever instead of their tried and true "they're overrated" excuse which was NEVER valid. Go Irish, and here's to them in the title game hopefully.

 

Here's to Tennessee playing in nearby Nashville in the Music City Bowl.

 

Fo sheez,

Kotzenjunge

[Guest hardyz1]

I was watching the Scoreboard show on ESPN last night and everybody seems to have Notre Dame in the top 5. Corso puts them at 3, and Trev Alberts has them #2, which is a tad extreme.

[Guest El Hijo Del Lunatic]

Also, Notre Dame haters can eat my ass now. Of course, everyone will simply hate them for no reason whatsoever instead of their tried and true "they're overrated" excuse which was NEVER valid. Go Irish, and here's to them in the title game hopefully.

 

Well, first let me say that I think the reasons I hate Notre Dame are pretty valid. Believe me, if you went home for fall break and had to hear people IN ALL SERIOUSNESS start "Carlisle Holliday for Heisman" campaigns, you'd hate Notre Dame too. That aside, Notre Dame's not a bad team. They've got a very opportunistic defense and their offense seems to get just enough done to win games. Their special teams are excellent, and they seem to feed off big plays. They've done a heck of a job against a tough schedule, and they take advantage of every little slip-up you make on both sides of the ball. However, Notre Dame still looks like a poor man's Virginia Tech to me. There's nothing Notre Dame does that the Hokies can't do, plus Vah Tech runs the football better. To me, at the end of the season, either Miami or Virginia Tech is going to have a loss, and I think both teams are better than the Irish.

 

I was watching the Scoreboard show on ESPN last night and everybody seems to have Notre Dame in the top 5. Corso puts them at 3, and Trev Alberts has them #2, which is a tad extreme.

 

If I were ranking, I'd probably put them ahead of Georgia and Ohio State, but I can't say their better than either Big East team or Oklahoma. #4 is probably about right. The Hurricanes, the Sooners, then the Hokies, the Irish, the Buckeyes, the Bulldogs, probably the Longhorns, the Wolfpack, then the Cougars and Hawkeyes. Trev Alberts is nuts to think they're better than Oklahoma or Miami.

 

Heisman Watch: Ken Dorsey will win it. He'd have to blow it not too.

 

If he looks bad against Vah Tech, it's Leftwich's. I think the sentiment now with the sportswriters is that even though Marshall lost on national TV, it wasn't Leftwich's fault. In fact, he did everything he could to win that game, but one man can't carry both sides of the ball. If Dorsey struggles in the last game of the year, with national title implications, the sportswriters will remember that more than a week 3 loss on ESPN where Leftwich threw for 400 yards anyway.

 

Oh, and no mention of JoePa being pissed at the refs AGAIN? I watched the whole Penn State - Ohio State game (great game if you like defense, which I do), and once again, a late, potential game-tying drive is stopped short on a controversial play. This one wasn't as terribly, horribly, conspiracy-theory-inducing as the ones against Iowa or Michigan, but it wasn't a good call. Johnson probably should've caugh tthe ball anyway, and if Penn State played like they're capable on offense they would've won easily, but Gamble was pulling him to the turf while the ball was in the air. It's interesting - ABC was making a big deal about Penn State's problems and instituting instant replay, and the game comes down to a play that's not reviewable.

 

P.S. the Big Ten crew that they sent to Tallahassee was just guessing.

 

LUNATIC

- When I'm too drunk to walk, I rock a party on crutches.

[Guest Rabbi_wilson13]

I really like Va Tech, but I have to put Notre Dame up there, too. They knocked the snot out of Florida State, and it's clear sailing until you get to USC, which will be a great game.

 

Penn State's like so close to being great. Michigan we got shafted, Iowa we deserved to lose but Ohio State we were kinda rolling and they blew that call. Shoulda played well the entire game, though.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Notre Dame should always be a Top 10 program. Willingham is getting a team with talent to play up to their potential.