Notorious Week Three:

Greetings College Football Fans,


There are a ton of great college football games this weekend. Let's not waste time.
I'm typing this with my Black Berry so please pardon any typos.

Here we go….

SEC:

Tennessee @ Florida
Here is a huge challenge for a young Lane Kiffin. He has been agitating urban Meyer since the day he took the job at Tennessee. It seems like every press conference Kiffin is talking about Urban Meyer or the Gators. He accused Meyer of recruiting violations and suggested Tennessee will beat Florida at the swamp while singing “Rocky Top”. If Lane Kiffin weren’t talking trash, this is a rivalry game and Florida will be ready anyway. Florida needs to make a statement anyway since they really haven’t played anyone this season. However, Tennessee is still a good football team with enough talent to make this a game. How crazy would it be if Tennessee actually beat Florida? No one in America seems to think this could happen.

Two weeks ago Tennessee QB Jonathan Crompton threw five touchdown passes and the running game racked up almost 400 yards against Western Kentucky. Tennessee looked like it was back in contention. Last week UCLA came to Knoxville and shut down all offensive production. The problem here is that Florida’s defense is so much better than UCLA’s. Also, in a rivalry game like this Florida’s defense will be fired up and emotional. Florida’s defense (entire team for that matter) is rested. They have had no competition in the first two games (spring ball was tougher). Watch out for the #1 team in the country. Florida finally has a game to play and they have been waiting for this one. I haven’t even mentioned Tim Tebow and the offense. Florida wins this game but not a compete blowout. I like that Tennessee defense. Florida 31-7.

Georgia @ Arkansas
Arkansas plans on making things hard on the Dawgs of Georgia this Saturday. This is why Bobby Petrino quit the Atlanta Falcons job. He wants to coach another high powered offense in the college football world. Arkansas started that high powered offense against Missouri State where the Razorbacks rolled up 480 passing yards and almost 600 yards total offense. However, Georgia is not Missouri State. But Georgia has struggled on defense so far this year. If Georgia’s defense plays like it did last week, Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett could light up the scoreboard and show the SEC what he is capable of. For Georgia, Arizona State and LSU loom on the schedule the following two week and I’m sure Mark Richt is working hard to get the Dawgs back on track or the season could spell disaster. These two teams don’t have the history that other SEC games have, but Arkansas has not beaten Georgia since 1993.

Last week Georgia took advantage of every opportunity to beat South Carolina and still barely won. If Georgia had not returned a kickoff for a touchdown or had the long touchdown from scrimmage by Branden Smith, Georgia would have probably lost to South Carolina. Last week Georgia barely survived as the defense held for a last second defensive stand. Georgia really has not been in a high powered offensive shootout (not against Oklahoma State either). Arkansas will win if Ryan Mallette gets his rhythm. If that happens the Dawgs will be 1-2 as Arizona State and LSU come to Georgia the following two weeks. Arkansas wins 37-34.


The Big -12

Texas Tech @ Texas
This game is my personal favorite this week. We’ll call it the game of the week. Last year Texas only lost one game all season. Can you name the team? You got it…Texas Tech. The game was dramatic as Michael Crabtree caught a last second pass to beat the Longhorns. The loss crushed Texas in the BCS rankings and Oklahoma moved ahead and eventually played for the National Championship (but Texas beat Oklahoma). Texas Tech is not considered to be a major threat in the Big-12 this year. They are in a “rebuilding” year. Texas Tech, so far this year has only passed for 918 yards in two games. It’s seems like the Red Raiders are back filling for those lost upper classmen nicely. This year Oklahoma State is supposed to be the Texas Tech of last year (the sleeper). Since Oklahoma State lost to Houston last week and Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford’s shoulder injury, the Big-12 landscape has changed. With a win, Colt McCoy and the Longhorns can begin to position themselves nicely for the Heisman and BCS Championship Game respectively is they beat Texas Tech. The Red Raiders can go from the perception of “rebuilding” to national contender if they beat Texas.

Can Texas generate the pass rush to disrupt Texas Tech’s passing game? This year Texas has good defensive backs, but not great ones like they have had in the past. If Texas can’t get any pressure on Texas Tech QB Taylor Potts, he will pick apart the Longhorns defense all night. Texas Tech winning at Texas is a tall order, but it could happen. Let’s just see if Texas Tech is “rebuilding” this year. Texas Tech wins 39-36.

The WAC

Boise State @ Fresno State
Don’t sleep on this game. This is my second favorite game of the week. Fresno State will play anyone anywhere and play well. Fresno State can match the athletes of Boise State and if they play well at home this could be an upset. Boise State is arguably the best coached football team in the country. They have a very efficient offense, a defense that doesn’t make mistakes and special teams that make big plays. Fresno State had Wisconsin on the ropes in Madison in a double overtime loss to the Badgers. Again, don’t sleep on this game. These are the best two teams in the WAC by far. And they can beat any team in the country.

The bottom line in this game is that Fresno State makes mistakes and Boise State does not. Fresno State QB Ryan Colburn has thrown four interceptions in his first two games. If he throws one pick against Boise State that will be the difference in winning or losing. Boise State has a better secondary than Wisconsin and they will lock down the Fresno State receivers. Boise State will also be able to put enough pressure on Colburn to force him out of his game. Boise State wins 34-16.


Cross Conference Games

Florida State @ BYU
Here is another high profile game for BYU. If they can pull it off, the entire country will be believers and it will be more than just Sam Bradford getting hurt in the Oklahoma game. Last week BYU traveled to New Orleans and beat Tulane 54-3 and clearly avoided an Oklahoma emotional letdown. Florida State on the other hand, just barely beat Jacksonville State last week and lost an instant classic to Miami the week before (in five days). Yes, I did say Jacksonville State earlier in the last sentence. Maybe Florida State needs a vacation or a change of scenery. How about a road trip to Utah?

Florida State seems like an emotionally wounded program. They could have lost to Jacksonville State and be 0-2. Florida State is used to playing at sea level. BYU is in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains (the air is thin up there). BYU is just starting to get in a rhythm and will use a hurry-up offense to tire out the Noles as they attempt to catch their breath and stay focused. We all know BYU likes to pass the football and we also know what Miami did to Florida State, Miami QB Jacory Harris threw for 386 yards.
This will be a tough game for Florida State. BYU wins 48-24.

Nebraska @ Virginia Tech
Last year Virginia Tech and QB Tyrod Taylor rolled into Lincoln and thrashed the Cornhuskers 35-20. Nebraska and their new head coach were still getting to know each other. Nebraska is clearly playing with more confidence this year. Nebraska is more focused than they have been in the past. The Cornhuskers will be ready for the Big-12 this year. But first….Virginia Tech. The ACC and Virginia Tech need a big non-conference win. It would help Virginia Tech regain the perception of national strength after losing to Alabama in the first game. Virginia tech has a shot at a BSC bowl if they win the ACC or not lose any more games.

Nebraska is a tough team to play in a non-conference game. I take my hat off to Virginia Tech for scheduling Alabama and Nebraska in the same season. Nebraska still sports those ridiculously big offensive and defensive linemen. The Cornhuskers are better than they were last year and still just as physical as they have been in their heyday. Check out Nebraska’s big nose tackle Ndamukong Suh. He anchors Nebraska’s tough defensive line and will help shut down Virginia Tech’s running game. Nebraska’s secondary is fast and make good open field tackles. Virginia Tech’s offensive line has allowed eight sacks this year and they will be forced to pass because of Nebraska’s tough run defense. Nebraska wins in a tough battle 24-22.

West Virginia @ Auburn
West Virginia is averaging double digit victories so far this season. So has Auburn…Will the real team please stand up? This game will provide clarity regarding the quality of both teams. How tough is the Big East this year? West Virginia will travel for the first time this year. The winner of this game will be ranked in the top 25.

West Virginia senior QB Jarrett Brown is a big strong guy that can run through tackles and effectively pass the ball. He is about the same size as Tim Tebow. Last week against a respectable East Carolina Brown ran for 73 yards and threw for four touchdowns. West Virginia wins a challenging road game 34-24.

Michigan State @ Notre Dame
This is almost the matchup of the week. If both Notre Dame and Michigan State hadn’t lost last second games last week they would both be undefeated. Michigan State lost to Central Michigan last week by allowing them to recover an onside kick. Michigan State also gave Central Michigan a second shot at a game winning field goal do to a penalty. The odds of Michigan State losing that game the way they did were like Central Michigan winning the lottery. Whoever loses this game will be scrambling for the remainder of the season. Both of these teams were ranked at the start of the season. One team will go disappointingly in the wrong direction after this weekend’s game. Michigan State can at least still have BSC aspirations as they can start their season over when they hit the Big-10 schedule. Any respectable team Notre Dame plays is a conference game since they are independent. Notre Dame is a lot better than they have been in the last few years, but Michigan State has won three out of four in the Charlie Weis era. All the sports writers think Notre Dame is a BCS Bowl team. This will be their chance to prove it. With an easier schedule than ND has had in the past, they are running out of teams to prove it against.

Notre Dame has a balanced offense. If Michigan State puts pressure on Clausen, Notre Dame can run the football with Armando Allen who rushed for 139 yards last week against Michigan. Notre Dame wins big 38-10.

Other Interesting Games: The Quick Picks

USC @ Washington: Washington is getting better but USC is just too good. USC wins 38-6.

California @ Minnesota: Upset alert. Cal has a long trip to Minnesota. Both teams are undefeated. Minnesota shocks Cal 19-16.

Tulsa @ Oklahoma: The Sooners are hobbled without their Heisman Trophy winner. Tulsa is an explosive football team. Oklahoma wins 34-21.

Ohio State @ Toledo: I can’t believe Ohio State is playing at Toledo. At Toledo? Toledo beat Colorado at Toledo. Ohio State is not Colorado, but it’s still a competitive game. Ohio State wins 33-27.

Utah @ Oregon: Oregon lost their best running back with the infamous punch. They also have a new coach. Utah wins 26-10.

Cincinnati @ Oregon State: Cincinnati is very good. Oregon State beat the USC Trojans last year. Oregon State makes a statement 35-6.

Connecticut @ Baylor: UConn travels to Baylor. Quietly, Baylor has one of the best QBs in the country and the team is much better. Baylor wins 24-10.

Arizona @ Iowa: Two undefeated teams. Iowa wins big at home 30-0.

Eastern Michigan @ Michigan: Can Michigan’s former defensive coordinator Ron English beat the Wolverines? Anything can happen. However, Tate Forcier and company are getting better every week.
Michigan wins 45-21.

Enjoy the college football weekend.