Big College Football Weekend

As I have mentioned before I LOVE watching college football. And this weekend is setting up to be a good weekend to watch. There are a couple teams (BYU and Fresno St) looking to make statements in their bid to be in a BCS game. And a team that looks good now but could fall a little this weekend (East Carolina).

Here are my thoughts on some top games and some picks for you to take to your bookie.

13 Kansas at 19 South Florida
Friday 8:00 ESPN2

A few matchups that could decide the game:

Kansas starts 2 redshirt freshmen at OT in Jeff Spikes and Jeremiah Hatch and they get to go up against USF's strong DEs George Selvie and Jarriett Buie.

Kansas WRs Kerry Meier, Dezmon Briscoe and Daymond Patterson could have a field day against first year starters at corner for USF, Tyller Roberts and Jerome Murphy.


One could look at last weekend and say if USF struggled against UCF than how are they going to beat a team like Kansas. And I would say that is an excellent question. But UCF came into that game playing like it was their bowl game after getting destroyed last season. But still, USF should have won that game much easier than they did.

Kansas hasn't really played anyone yet and a lot of people are questioning if they are as good as their ranking. I am one of those people. I think last year had a lot to do with an easy schedule and some lucky bounces.

I like USF in this one. And for arguments sake I will say USF 34 Kansas 24.



UCLA at 18 BYU
Saturday 3:30 Versus

Some key matchups:

UCLA receivers Marcus Everett (if he plays), Terrance Austin and Taylor Embree against a very questionable secondary for BYU.

BYUs veteran offensive line (4 senior starters) against the strength of the Bruins defense, the DL.


It was obviously a tale of two halves for the Bruins against Tennessee but they came away with a win. I think there running game better step it up from here on in because most teams aren't going to allow you to stay in a game like the Vols did.

BYU was in a dog fight with WASHINGTON last week! That doesn't bode well for them running the table and playing in a BCS game. This is a good test and a good chance to gain some momentum and confidence for the rest of the season.

And I think they do it. I take BYU at home 35-28.



10 Wisconsin at 21 Fresno State
Saturday 10:30 ESPN2

key matchups to watch:

Can Fresno State's front seven hold up to the pounding running game from PJ Hill and Co of Wisconsin?

Wisconsin gave up plenty of yards through the air to Marshall, will the secondary be able to shut down a potentially strong Bulldogs passing attack?


Wisconsin got off to a slow start against Marshall last weekend, falling behind 14-0. But they turned it on at that point and ended up winning 51-14. The concern here is that they are playing a better team than Marshall and they are doing it on the road.

Fresno State shut down Rutgers in New Jersey a couple weeks ago. But Rutgers doesn't run the ball as well as the Badgers. The Bulldogs will be looking to make a statement in this game in their bid for a BCS bowl game. If they win this game and go undefeated they are a lock for a BCS game.


Lock em in. I like Fresno to pull the upset in what could be the best game of the weekend!
Fresno 24 Wisconsin 20



And now the biggie!

5 Ohio State at 1 USC
Saturday 8:00 ABC

matchups to watch:

Can Mark Sanchez step up in the big game? Will he commit too many turnovers? Can he be a difference maker against a top defense?

Beanie Wells isn't going to play from the sounds of it. Which means Terrelle Pryor is going to have to be the difference maker. The advantage to playing him is that he is a cocky freshman who isn't going to be afraid of big bad USC because he hasn't played enough quality competition to know what he is getting himself into. The downside to playing him.....he is a HUGE question against ANY D-1 opponent as a thrower.


USC dominates and in my opinion would have dominated even if Wells did play.
USC 35 Ohio St 17


And just for fun, lets pick some other games:

2 Georgia at South Carolina - this game is big for Georgia as it is their first real test of the season and it is on the road. But they will roll, Georgia 45 GameCocks 20

Michigan at Notre Dame - this is a how bad are they game. And I LOVE IT!!!!
Notre Dame 20 Michigan 16

9 Auburn at Mississippi State - see Georgia above, except I think Miss State makes a game of it.
Auburn 27 Miss State 20


And here are a couple upset alert picks for the weekend: (teams I think should really pay attention or they may find themselves in trouble)

Florida Atlantic at Mich State - Sparty should watch out as the Owls are going to be looking to make a statement in East Lansing. I will take MSU though.

14 East Carolina at Tulane - The Pirates are riding high right now but Tulane's D could bring them back down to earth. I am taking Tulane to win this one.

16 Oregon at Purdue - I think Oregon is WAY overrated but I am not sure that Purdue is going to be able to upset the Ducks. Oregon will win but it will be tight.



My picks:

USF over Kansas
BYU over UCLA
Fresno over Wisconsin
USC over Ohio State

Georgia over South Carolina
Notre Dame over Michigan
Auburn over Miss State
Mich St over Florida Atlantic
Tulane over East Carolina
Oregon over Purdue


I am telling you, call your bookie and place your bets. Check back on Sunday and we will see how I did! (I can tell you now it will be 10-0)