If you're like me, wondering why baseball is being played at this time of year...you're in luck! Another huge week of college football awaits with matchups across the country that will shape the national title picture. Put the eyeblack on, fire up the tailgate grill, and follow me!
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - #5 USC (6-1) at #10 Oregon (6-1)
Sure, you've heard of USC's freshmen sensation at QB, Matt Barkley. But, have you heard of his counterpart in Saturday's Big Kielbasa, Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli? Well, maybe you should have because he's lead the Oregon offense to new heights this season...when he's been healthy. In the last 3 games he's started, Oregon has averaged 45 points and 480 yards per game. If Masoli can stay upright, and keep the form he showed last week coming off injury, the Ducks offense should match the Trojans stride-for-stride.
Everyone expects USC's dynamic offense to get their points, especially with the sheer volume of weapons Barkley has to choose from in a given week. And, the USC defense, although plagued by late game rallies by the opposition, hasn't been healthier all season. But, and there's always a but, Oregon seems like a team of BCS destiny. After overcoming the embarrassing loss to Boise to open the year, the Ducks have been flying high. And while Barkley has won in some tough places this year, here's betting he doesn't lead the Trojans to their first win in Oregon since 2005. PICK-Oregon
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - #3 Texas (7-0) @ #14 Oklahoma St. (6-1)
Earlier in the season, this looked to be one of the seminal games on the college football schedule. That is, if you read those foolish blogs who predicted Oklahoma St. as a dark horse national title contender (oh wait...WE were one of those blogs...guess I'll just blame that on Y1). Anyway, Texas's BCS Title hopes are still well alive, but they go into T. Boone Pickens Stadium (hereto known as The TBoo) facing a decimated Cowboys team. Out of their heralded Big 3, only QB Zac Robinson remains. All-conference RB Kendall Hunter has been slowed by injury and may not even play, while WR Dez Bryant remains ineligible for having a sandwich with Primetime. While the Cowboys will be ready to go, the talent isn't there to compete with the 'Horns. Colt McCoy looked like a legit Heisman threat for the first time last week, expect more of the same this week. PICK-Texas
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - Georgia (4-3) vs. #1 Florida (7-0)
I'd say this would qualify as an upset, wouldn't you? Georgia, struggling mightily at 4-3 coming off a 49-10 whoopin' last year at the hands of the Gators are suddenly going to rise up and knock off the #1 team in the land. Yes! Georgia has had an extra week to prepare and don't discount the motivation of a) derailing UF's title dreams and b) rubbing in the face of Urban Meyer, who called two time outs in last year's blowout in the final minute! Although Florida is a 15-point favorite, they've never been more vulnerable under the Tebow/Meyer regime. In their last two games they've looked downright ordinary at times on offense, while their defense has shown some weakness up the middle. Expect the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party to deliver another memorable encounter, and a dethroned #1. PICK-UGA
Andouille's Under the Radar Game - NC State (3-4) @ Florida St. (3-4)
Ok, so we had to go really far under the radar this week, but the andouille is a surprisingly feisty fellow, and he found a game with historical implications, between two 3-4 teams! How is this possible? Because one of these teams is Bobby Bowden's Florida St. Seminoles. For why this is such an important game, keep reading...just know FSU needs this one badly. PICK-Florida St.
Hot Dog Of The Week - Kirk Ferentz - HC Iowa
Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz has reason to hide behind that coy grin of his. Even though he's been a tad overhyped as the next great college coach who should turn pro, the guy has done an outstanding job at Iowa, compiling a 78-53 record. So why with his team undefeated and a legit shot at a national title, would he say this week his team isn't a Top 10 team, or that they are underdogs traveling to INDIANA! Because, Ferentz knows he has his best Iowa team yet, and will go undefeated if they take care of business at Ohio St. later in November. But, he needs to keep playing up the plucky underdog role as long as he can. The longer Iowa stays lurking in the weeds, the better for his team's chances at a national title. But, there's only so much Ferentz can do this week against the Hoosiers to keep Iowa from getting their first real blowout win of the season. Expect Iowa to really put the hurt on Indiana this week.
Extra Toppings -
-What Bob Griese said about Juan Pablo Montoya was just plain stupid. He was trying to be funny in a situation that didn't really call for it and deserved the one-week suspension. Anything more than that though would be excessive, so let's hope this is the end of another unnecessary controversy.
-Now, this week's example of the PC police going too far...the game formerly known as the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party between Florida and Georgia. Due to concerns about alcohol consumption on campuses, the game is now known as the Florida/Georgia-Georgia/Florida Game. Wow, that may be the lamest title for a game I've ever heard. If you want to do something meaningful about alcohol consumption on campus, start by taking control of your tailgaters and underage drinking. Spineless gestures like this do nothing to actually solve the problem at the expense of a fun tradition.
-Meanwhile, huge props to the fans of West Virginia for the way they opened their hearts to the UConn football program. We told you the game would be emotional, and I doubt many WVU fans would have begrudged losing last Saturday.
-If you're looking for another take on this week's slate, make sure you check out the picks from our friends over at Rumors & Rants
-The two key words of the week will be style points. Teams like Iowa, Cincinnati, TCU, and Boise St. all need them by the bucket loads to keep up with the Top 3.
-This week's bizzaro world game takes place in San Antonio, as Washington St. travels to play...Notre Dame? Is that right? Apparently Charlie Weis thinks it's important to showoff to Texas recruits, personally, I think he just wanted to get an authentic Texas-sized sirloin.
-On a local note...why in the world is Ohio St. hosting New Mexico St. on the last Saturday in October? Was there a mixup in the NCAA scheduling? Did Coach Tress confuse these Aggies with the Aggies of Texas A&M? At least Terrelle Pryor will be thankful.
-By the way, we told you last week would shape the Buckeyes So. QB's career, and by all accounts, the young man is up to the challenge. Watch out next year!
Randall's Got His Eye On You... Bobby Bowden-HC-Florida St.
We told you above this would be a big week for 3-4 Florida St., but why? Well, let's look at the schedule. Florida St. has 5 games left, 1 of those coming at the end of the season against mighty Florida (yeah, go ahead and pencil that in as an L). That means to be bowl eligible, Florida St. will have to win 3 out of their other 4 games. Big deal, so Florida St. misses a bowl game, right? Only problem is they haven't done that since 1981! With pressure growing by the minute on Bowden to shuffle off to greener pastures, missing out on a bowl game could be the final nail in his coffin...his coaching coffin, that is. With tough road games at Clemson and at Wake coming up, Bowden needs a win this week against NC State.
That's it for our CFB Preview, but join us tomorrow as we give you an in-depth look at the Saints chances for an undefeated season. Also be sure to check out the latest installment of our Decade Series and stay tuned for our weekly EPL and NFL previews. Until next time, it's bye for now!
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