Creek vs Musket
#5 Oregon at Stanford
Creek: It has been a long time since I’ve been as impressed with a team as I was with Oregon on Saturday night. They had Pete’s number across the board. One question – has Stanford had that BIG win yet? The one that makes everybody go “Holy shit! Did you see what Stanford did to —–? I’m really tempted to take Stanford MM, mainly for the reason that, though Stanford’s cheerleaders may not be quite as cute, they come equipped with trust funds and they shave their armpits, unlike the Ducks’. Still, I’m going to ride the Ducks for a week. Oregon wins.
Musket Man: It’s easy to think let-down game after Oregon’s monster win over USC. However, this Ducks team has grown into something exceptional stemming from the embarrassing loss at Boise State in front of the entire country. Oregon is not just the dangerous offense the SportsCenter clips give us. Their other side of the ball touts the best passing defense and 2nd best total defense in the PAC 10. Stanford has a solid quarterback, but he’s a freshman tossing the ball around a Ducks defense that snagged 11 interceptions thus far. Just one more tidbit to ponder, Oregon has the ugliest uniforms, but the hottest cheerleaders. Oregon wins.
UCF at #3 Texas
Creek : Did you ever notice how much Mack Brown looks like Merv Griffin? George O’ Leary just looks like an old guy who hasn’t got enough dough for the tables, so he is playing nickel slots. And that is basically where we are with this game – The Horns are Baccarat and UCF is just Bingo. The only real question here is how much Brown will let McCoy pad his stats before pulling him. Tejas wins BIG.
Musket Man: I think Merv Griffin should coach this game for Texas, which would at least make it more interesting. UCF has had some talented teams in recent years, but this season’s squad is a bit lackluster. The strongest area is the defense, namely the guys in the front. Jarvis Geathers and Bruce Miller have combined for 12.5 sacks, over half of the teams 22 total. If UCF can get to Colt McCoy early and often, there may be a chance to keep it close. In the end, Texas is just too strong. Texas wins
Connecticut at #4 Cincinnati
Creek : U Conn is averaging around 400 YPG. That’s a lot of O, they just don’t get it in the end zone enough times per game. The Howard thing is tragic, but in the end, it isn’t enough. Even Dixon won’t be enough. This will be a high scoring game, but Cincy will pull it out. The Bearcats are on a mission. Their only problem will be not looking forward to Pitt and WVU. Collaris has thrown for 9 TDs against 1 Int. All of the fans will be there, back from watching the leaves in the Smokies and the cellulite in Myrtle Beach. Cincy wins.
Musket Man: If there’s any chink in Cincinnati’s armor, it has to be the rushing defense. This is no surprise for a team running a three man front with second rate recruits, especially after the significant losses from last season’s defense. The Bearcats place fifth out eight Big East teams in rushing defense. The Huskies have two very capable and season tested running backs in Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman. Connecticut’s 4 losses have come by 4 points or less. Each loss took place in the waning moments of the game leaving the Huskies very eager. Combine that with the emotions from the passing away of teammate Jasper Howard and there exists a very angst laden team. Upset alert! Connecticut wins.
Northwestern at #7 Iowa
Creek: The Wildcats are looking for that one more win to go bowl eligible. This is a team with an almost respectable passing game, if they can keep the QB alive. Kafka has been sacked 14 times this year. Don’t expect it to get much better this week. Unfortunately, he is also their leading rusher, with a less than gaudy 248 yds. Iowa, on the other hand, spreads the ball around, not only to their RBs, but they have 4 WRs with over 20 receptions. That’s good for them, because Robinson was the real workhorse and he has gone to ankle injury hell for the season. I don’t think Kirk Firintz believes he has gotten this far with this team. He is one giddy little, overpaid Hawkeye. The Iowans have to wake up from this dream some time and this as good a week as any. The Wildcats have nothing to lose and that is good enough reason to pick Northwestern to win.
Musket Man: With Mike Kafka, Northwestern was able to grind out yardage and eat the clock against a solid Penn State defense. Without Mike Kafka, the Nittany Lions did all the grinding and eating. Kafka is dinged up. He left the Penn State game with a hamstring injury which will make all those yards he can gain with his legs a bit more difficult to achieve. Iowa has a knack for playing up or down to their competition and that gives me reason to believe the game will be close regardless. On top of that, Iowa has to travel to the Horseshoe the following weekend to take on the Buckeyes. If Ferentz is smart, he puts all his resources into this win to at least secure a nice bowl, and then prepare for Ohio State after the victory. Under the circumstances it’s difficult for Iowa to NOT look ahead. Still, as Creek pointed out, QB Ricky Stanzi and the Hawkeyes use every available resource to move the ball. In the end the Hawkeyes will wear down the Wildcats. Iowa wins.
#8 LSU at #2 Alabama
Creek : LSU is the team on the rise, the unknown giant. Just how good are they? We’ll find out this week. LaFell is, in my opinion, one of the best WRs in the country. If Scott decides to awaken for this game, their rushing is dangerous. Can Jefferson handle what Saban and Kirby Smart are going to throw at him? This is going to be a huge test for him. I predict another 60 minutes of the young QB searching the sky for UFOs and muttering to himself. For that matter, can McElroy handle what Chavis is going to try to do to him? He’d better; you just aren’t going to run the ball down LSU’s throat consistently. This is a bad time to try to reestablish the passing game. The Bengal DBs are excellent. Still, this is Bama and they are LSU and coaching will win out. If that doesn’t do it, just give the ball to Ingram. He’ll get it down there eventually. Alabama wins.
Musket Man: The Alamo, Tombstone, Johnson County… These are all battles from the old wild, Wild West. Now the SEC is giving us a Top 10 battle in a more modern college football west. Alabama may be the most armored team in the nation; they’re solid in every facet of the game. RB Mark Ingram is the SEC’s leading rusher and a high level name in the Heisman race. The Tide defense is second in the conference only to Florida. The Tiger defense is holding its own, but the offense behind Jordan Jefferson has spit sputtered. Tenacious Tiger nation amplifies its team to optimal performance, but this win has to go through the Crimson crowd. Alabama wins.
UConn has been through a season of heartbreak on and off the field. I think they’ll keep it close against Cincy.
Iowa has learned how to win ugly and I think they’ll continue.
Texas should win, but don’t expect UCF to lay down.
I got Bama beating LSU by ten.
Stanford might just shock the world.