Let's Try This Again

After two sub-par weeks I am hoping that this is the week that I turn the corner. There's no excuse for not doing better, especially when I'm actually on the plus side in my actual gambling. Everyone is talking about parity, but at the same time I think there are just a lot of mediocre big-time teams this year. People point to the Michigan-Appalacian State game and the USC-Stanford game to prove their theory about parity, but in my humble opinion parity had less to do with these powerful programs losing than merely a lack of focus by USC and Michigan. The world of college football will get straightened out at some point, and I am hoping that it happens this week.

Oklahoma 31 Missouri 21

Missouri is coming into this game on a roll with a powerful offense and an average defense. Texas is coming off a victory in the Red River Shootout, and should be up for this game as they are playing a quality opponent at home. I still feel like Oklahoma is one of the top three teams in the nation and this game feels a lot like the Purdue-Ohio State game from last week. The main difference is that Oklahoma gets this game at home and has a better offense than Ohio State. The Missouri quarterback is putting up sick numbers, but hasn't been tested by a defense nearly as good as Oklahomas. He'll also be playing without his top running back. Missouri will be able to put up some points on the Sooners, but it won't be enough to overcome the explosive Oklahoma offense that will run the ball straight at the Tigers all afternoon.

Arkansas 24 Auburn 21

I still don't trust Auburn QB Brandon Cox to do anything other than throw horrific interceptions at extremely inopportune times. Auburn's defense is solid, but the Arkansas running attack led by Darren McFadden will be effective against anyone in the country. If Arkansas only had a quarterback, this could've been a special year for the Razorbacks. This game is being played in Arkansas, and Auburn has a huge game with LSU on the slate next week. Auburn gets down big early, only to make a comeback and close the gap late in the game. It won't be enough to overcome Arkansas, and Houston Nutt will get a much needed win.

Wisconsin 17 Penn State 16

Wisconsin is the King of winning ugly games. This game won't raise goosebumps for anyone and will be downright boring, but that is just how the Badgers like it. I see Wisconsin getting a defensive touchdown courtesy of an Anthony Morelli turnover and pulling out the squeaker at Penn State.

Miami 13 Georgia Tech 10

This is a must win game for both programs. Georgia Tech started the season off strong against crappy competition, while Miami has looked very bad in every game this year except for their win over Texas A&M at home. This is the kind of game that Georgia Tech usually plays well in, but Miami's home crowd will pull the Hurricanes to the victory in a tight one.

LSU 27 Kentucky 24

The excitement for this game in Lexington is palpable. I can literally look out the window and see it. Kentucky kicked off the college basketball season yesterday with a crowd of over 23,000 on hand to watch the festivities at Rupp. This will be followed by maybe the biggest game ever at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington today when the #1 ranked LSU Tigers come to town. There is no way that Kentucky can't be up for this game, and this will be just another game for Louisiana State. I think LSU comes out flat which will allow Kentucky to hang around for the entire game. Kentucky QB Andre Woodson is looking to rebound from his poor performance last week against the Gamecocks in South Carolina. I think that he will play much better, but the absense of his starting RB Rafael Little will put too much of the game on his shoulders. LSU kicks a late field goal to escape with the win in a game much closer than the experts anticipated.

Kansas State 24 Colorado 20

I could give an absolute shit about this game. I won't be watching the game, and I will attempt to avoid seeing any highlights from this debacle in the Big 12 North. Kansas State is playing to stay in the North race, and Colorado is playing on the road. That equals a win for Kansas State. That will be the extent of my "Lou Holtz" style of analysis for this game. I think we all remember Lou's immortal analysis of the South Carolina-LSU earlier this season because it was so profound. "When you combine South Carolina's defense with Steve Spurrier's ingenuity, they win." Incredible.

Boston College 35 Notre Dame 14

Notre Dame sucks. I don't care if they finally got a win last week against UCLA. It took a team being down to their fourth-string walk-on quarterback for Notre Dame to win a game. Boston College QB Matt Ryan is just a little bit better than that quarterback from UCLA (sarcasm). Notre Dame's offense is still horrible with the evidence being their stats from the UCLA game. They finished 3-17 on 3rd downs, had 140 total yards, including 84 passing yards. They are playing this game at home, but it won't matter as Boston College won't turn the ball over four times to help the Notre Dame offense. Isn't it great when Notre Dame sucks?

Purdue 34 Michigan 24

To the untrained eye, Michigan has seemingly turned their season around. However, during their four game winning streak they have beaten a bad Notre Dame team, an Anthony Morelli led Penn State team, Northwestern, and Eastern Michigan. Not exactly murderers row. Purdue on the other hand hasn't beat anyone of consequence in their five wins either. They got exposed last week at home against Ohio State, and will be looking to rebound on the road in the Big House which really isn't a good thing. However, Purdue runs a spread offense which always gives Michigan trouble. They don't possess a running quarterback like Dennis Dixon, but Curtis Painter can spread the ball around. If he gets time in the pocket he will pick apart the Wolverines with Dorien Bryant having a huge day.