Rocktober Football Begins with a Bang

Wow, I think I’ve recovered from last weeks 2-4 record. That brings the overall season record to 14-9. This week has been circled on the calendar since mid-August because of the number of impact games. It doesn’t get any easier for the teams that expect to continue on their march to Glendale (or the BCS.) Given that fact, why not just jump into it and pick the big games instead of picking and choosing alone.

Buckle up kids. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Let’s start with Thursday night’s game: Texas A&M at Oklahoma State (-3)

Both are 3-0, but neither is ranked. I have a feeling the survivor of this one will crack the top 25 next week after tonight’s matchup. The Cowboys lead the country in yards per game, just shy of 600, and now lead is ppg at 57. A&M wasn’t smooth against FIU, but Jerrod Johnson has a ton of hype on the conference (and one of my fantasy teams is counting on him showing up tonight as well.) When all is said and done, Kendall Hunter will have over 200 yards from scrimmage, Blackmon will have 3 tds, and the Cowboys will bet he first to 40 for the home win and cover of the 3 points, with an over of the 66.5.

OSU 45 - A&M 37

Miami (-3) @ Clemson

Clemson played Auburn to the wire, while the Hurricanes were being downgraded in Columbus. Miami as road favorites, in Death Valley? That shows no respect for the old guard ACC, and proves the desire to push for the new guard to be relevant in order to upgrade the conference stature. Well, it won’t happen in this game. Jacory Harris is in a giving mood, and the Tigers will capitalize, this time, for the outright win at home.

Clemson 27 - 21

Virginia Tech (-3.5) @ NC State

The Hokies are coming off a shutout road win, and the Pack are the last undefeated team in the ACC. Get ready for a fight in this one. Although it doesn’t matter much outside of tobacco road, it has huge implications in the conference race, and the BCS race. The Hokies are coming into their own, the defense is looking like they actually have met Bud Foster before, and the special teams are showing up. However, Stiney is still asleep at the wheel, unable to stick it in. The lack of touchdown production was an issue to begin the season, but since the D is here, it hasn’t hurt us in the past 2 games. Give David Wilson some more touches, turn Williams loose, and grind Evans right up the middle. And when they aren’t looking, let Tyrod go up top to Boykin and Coale. Russell Wilson may be the next Phillip Rivers, having already surpassed the 1000 yard mark this year. The Wolf Pack is a well oiled machine, clicking on all cylinders at this point. But, VT is not Directional (Western) Carolina or Cincinnati this year. The Hokies roll into Raleigh and grab a hold of the Coastal lead with tough D and just enough scoring to cover the 3.5. It’s not pretty, and Tuffy II won’t like it, but that’s the breaks.

VT 23 - NC State 17

Meeshigan (-10) @ Indiana

Shoelace! There’s not much more to say, but there will be more written. Denard will play the first half, provide a lead for the Maize and Blue, and “rest” the leg in the second half. The Hoosiers won’t be able to tackle, or find Robinson as he puts up over 300 yards in the first half. Tandon Doss, with over 100 yards and 2 tds in the second half, will do his best to stage a comeback, but Meeshigan will leave with a win and cover.

Michigan 37 – Indiana 23

Texas – Oklahoma (-3.5)

The Longhorns are what they used to be. Neither are the Sooners, but they will be better than their foes this weekend. The Landry Jones to Broyles connection will be hot this weekend as OU takes a step closer to the Big 12 championship dance. Of course it would at least be nice if we could watch this game this weekend, but ABC/ESPN decided that nobody east of the Mississippi cares. Thanks. I’ll read about it Sunday morning.

Oklahoma 41 – Texas 20

Wisconsin (-1.5) @ Michigan State

Sparty needed OT (and a heart attack) to beat the Golden Domes, who are 1-3 btw, in East Lansing. This one might stay close for a half, but the Cheeseheads will prevail. Both teams will rack up over 300 yards on the ground, but turnovers will cost State dearly in the end.

Wisconsin 27 – MSU 24

Notre Dame (-2.5) @ Boston College

Notre Dame? The team that’s 1-3, and on the road this weekend, is favored, but almost a field goal, on the road, with only 1 win, is that right?! I guess the thing that really bothers me about this game is the fact that this is the ABC game Saturday night. At lest Matt Millen is doing this game, so we don’t have to hear him anywhere else. Sure, the Eagles were grounded and shutout last weekend, but putting them as home dogs to THIS team? Notre Dame is 99^th in the Country in rushing. Crist has been throwing the ball well, but the air in Chestnut Hill will be a little different than the pristine Saturday afternoons played before Touchdown Jesus. I see Montell Harris showing up big time and carrying BC to yet another victory over Notre Dame.

Boston College 36 – Notre Dame 16

Florida @ Alabama (-7.5)

The past two years, the winner between these two has gone on to win the National Championship. That may or may not be the case this year, but it lines up as another great matchup. There are more than a few questions on the Gator side of the ball: Can Pouncey find the QB snapping out of the shotgun? Can Brantley find his grove against what is proving to be another stout Bama defensive backfield? Is Burton a real threat (5 rushes, 5 touchdowns???!!!) or just a gimmick that worked against a weaker SEC foe? Will the issues and injuries affect the on field play come Saturday night? That’s a lot of issues for a 4-0 team ranked #7. As for Bama, the answered some questions last week, like: How will they play from behind in the second half? How will Mark Ingram fit back into the offense in a big game? How will the D look against one of the top rated QB’s? Let’s add that up real quick…3 positives for Bama, 4 negatives for Florida. But that's why they play the games on the field and not on paper. Florida’s defense keeps them in the game till the end, just enough to win on the road.

Florida 31 – Alabama 24

Penn State @ Iowa (-7)

The Nitany Lions have already experienced a tough beating on the road, which will prepare them for the trip home Sunday. Adam Robinson will be a workhorse for the Hawkeyes, carrying the ball over 30 times for over 180 yards and 2 scores in a snoozer.

Iowa 28 – PSU 10

Stanford @ Oregon (-6.5)

The over/under for the game is 65. Is that the game, or first half? Oregon ducked under a point per minute average after last week, but didn’t relinquish the lead in ppg (57.8), having to battle back from 14 down to beat the Sun Devils on the road. On the other side of the ball, Stanford is 4^th nationally in ppg at 48.0. They might need a third digit for the score board Saturday night. I’m just happy we get a chance to watch this one since it was originally scheduled for 11:15 est. All the attention has been on Luck and his passing ability, and potential #1 pick status. This game is the one to shine in if you want to solidify your financial future, and maybe even your trophy collection come December and January. But, look at Oregon’s signal caller, and he’s 90 yards and 1 td behind Luck in the stats column. It will be a matter of who executes better, and more often as to who comes out on top. Both of these defenses aren’t too shabby, and can hold their own. Honestly, I don’t see each of them scoring at will this weekend, playing more of chess match than a track meet, feeling each other out along the way and trying to wear the other one down. Oregon is at home, giving them an advantage, and giving Brent Musberger tons to babble about. The ducks wear all yellow (1 of over 512 combos they have available) and cut down the tree.

Oregon 34 – Stanford 22

Big 10*

Conference Previews

BIG 10*

This is the last year for an eleven member Big 10, but they claim they are still going to keep the conference name. Call it whatever you want, it is still one of the toughest Saturdays in the land. Gone are the days of three yards and cloud of dust, but it’s still tough-nose football. Inviting Nebraska into the foray will shuffle things around a bit, especially with the possibility that Michigan-Ohio State will be playing in *gasp* middle of the season instead of the end of November. It appears that the Wolverines and Buckeyes may be split into different divisions, still leaving the potential to meet in the Big 10 championship…that is if RichRod can find some wins, and not put Big Blue in trouble with the NCAA.

I hope the rivalries within the conference don’t suffer do to the Huskers jumping on the ship. The conference is taking the ACC model and putting a little twist on it with a “partner” game every year. With growth comes some pains, and this won’t keep everyone happy, but it’s the best that can be done with 12 teams.

Now for some pigskin. The Big 10 this year may be one of the wackiest conferences of the year. The top members have not shied away from big out of conference games this year, either. When Michigan scheduled UConn a few years ago, it looked decent given the Huskies had just jumped to Division 1. Better have the Blue and Maize ready RichRod! Miami comes a knocking in Columbus and Penn State heads to Bama on September 11. Let’s not forget the Notre Dame tour of the Big 10 the first three weeks. Not that I expect the Golden Domers to bring the pain, it’s still Notre Dame.

Tyrell Prior is atop nearly everyone’s Heisman list right now. It looks like it’s his to lose at this point. As long as Ohio State continues to win, his stock will stay high. Personally, I don’t see him winning it. He reminds me of Vince Young, a winning QB, but just not the numbers and impact on his own team that the eventual winner posses. Don’t get me wrong, Tyrell has the chance to single handedly win a few games for the Buckeyes this year, but he won’t throw for 4,000 yards or 30 td’s. He will be managing the helm of what may be the best team in the Country this year. But as we all know, sometimes the best teams don’t take home the trophy. Every play of every game matters. And, a little luck is always needed along the path (see back-to-back blocked kicks by Terrence Cody last year to beat Tennessee.) This Buckeyes team may be one of the best the Vest has coached in the Horseshoe, but alas they won’t win the conference title. The November 20th trip to Iowa City against the Hawkeyes will prove their demise, sending the Gold and Black playing for the Roses. Don’t cry for the Bucks as they will still receive an at-large BCS berth, adding to the Big 10 coffers before Nebraska shows up.

Here’s hoping JoPa makes it through the season safely, and decides to retire at the end of the season, maybe even before the Bowl game. It’s getting difficult to watch him try to get around the sidelines sometimes, and it’s getting harder and harder to understand the valley mumble. You’ve had a great career Coach. Go take some time and reflect, and enjoy things for a little while. Happy Valley will always be yours, and the Lions will always be grateful for everything you have done for them.

Can RichRod turn things around this year? They HAVE to win more than 1 conference game this year, right? Of course they will. There have been tons of off-field distractions, not to mention a few on-field with a QB debate and a broken bone or two, but the Wolverines will win more than 1 conference game this year. They have a very good chance of showing up against in-state rival Spartans at 6-0 this year. The next 6 pose a different issue for the Maize and Blue. Four games of the last 6 against teams that are ranked in the top 20 pre-season could mean another uncomfortable winter for RichRod and the Michigan faithful. Next year boys. Next year.

Kirk Ferrentz will have the Hawkeyes humming this year. Ricky Stanzi will do just enough to win this year, but won’t be winning any awards. Adam Robinson will be a Super Soph this year, putting up 1,200 yards and tons of touchdowns. But it will be the defense that will lead Iowa will visit the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1991.

Onto the predicted order of finish, with records:

1. Iowa, 11-1, 7-1 Rose Bowl Bound. Stanzi and Robinson lead the O, while the D is a group effort. Ferrentz wins coach of the year in the conference. They’ll be 2 minutes away from being undefeated and playing for the National Title, but the Roses will suit just fine.
2. Ohio State, 11-1, 7-1. This may be the best team in the Country, but they won’t be able to make it through undefeated after a trip to Iowa City. Pryor will take the heat for the loss, costing him the Heisman. The Vest will be stoic, as always, trying not to pile on against Meeshigan after the loss, trying to prove they are the best team out there.
3. Wisconsin, 10-2, 6-2. Avoiding Penn State this year helps, but won’t be enough to lift the Badgers to the top of the heap. John Clay will be the next beast in the backfield for the Cheeseheads, leading the conference in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The senior leadership of Scott Tolzien will help in several closer-than-they-should-be games, resulting in a W for the W’s.
4. Penn State, 9-3, 6-2. It will be a tough year for JoPa with a few close ones, just enough to make him take that long walk into the sunset. If they could find a more than serviceable QB to add to Evan Royster, they could make it to double digit wins. But if, well, you know.
5. Michigan State, 8-4, 4-4. Kirk Cousins will be a pass happy Junior this year, but you have to complete more to your team than the other team. The yards will rack up, but key turnovers will keep Sparty from being better than .500 in the conference.
6. Michigan, 7-5, 4-4. The start of the season will show some hope, but the walls will come crashing down in the last 6. Only one win will put RichRod on the front burner hot seat, especially after an embarrassing lose to the Buckeyes in late November. Having 3 starters throughout the season will not help the continuity of the offense.
7. Purdue, 7-5, 3-5. Trial by fire for the young QB corp will season them for next year, but not this year. Expect defenses to lick their chops this year.
8. Illinois, 6-6, 3-5. Another QB dilemma, with OJT. Defenses will throw everything they’ve got at the Illini, and be successful.
9. Northwestern, 5-7, 2-6. A 4 game losing streak to close the season will hurt.
10. Minnesota, 5-7, 1-7. Look for a coaching change at the end of the season.
11. Indiana, 5-7, 1-7. Too bad they can’t look forward to basketball season anymore.