A monster Saturday of football is here! The noon games have already started so I won't make a prediction for South Carolina-Georgia (The Gamecocks have taken a 14-3 lead) but there are a few big football games later in the day:
3:30
No. 17 Florida State at No. 10 Oklahoma
Sooners coach Bob Stoops faces his brother Mark, the FSU defensive coordinator who is trying to rectify a dreadful Seminole 'D.' Florida State was impressive in its opener, but it was at home and against Samford. Oklahoma, on the other hand, opened at home against a better opponent, Utah State, but struggled as well (though the Aggies are certainly not a top-notch squad). This is a chance for the ACC to show some muscle on the road against a quality opponent (as is the next game on this list). I think it will be a great game but I just can't quite take FSU seriously yet after its win last week. Plus, I like Oklahoma in front of its home crowd. The Seminoles play a solid game, but the Sooners look better than last week and squeak out a 27-24 win.
No. 12 Miami at No. 2 Ohio State
Again, another chance for the ACC to actually show something on a big stage. Jacory Harris vs. Terrelle Pryor in the Horseshoe. At this point in their careers, I take Pryor, especially at home. Harris probably hasn't experienced an environment like this. Miami easily disposed of Florida A&M last Thursday but OSU was just as spectacular in its win over Marshall, a team that almost beat WVU last night. If the Thundering Herd had not blocked a punt and ran it back for six, the Buckeyes would've recorded a shut out. I don't think the Hurricanes will get the revenge they are looking for after the 2003 BCS national title game pass interference call helped OSU clinch the victory over Miami. Home team wins, 34-27.
Michigan at Notre Dame
Suddenly, after these teams performances last week, this looks like an important game. The Wolverines really surprised me in their rather easy win over UConn. Notre Dame struggled at times with Purdue at home but prevailed. I think at this point Michigan is the better team. Michigan QB Denard Robinson will give the Irish D some headaches. Brian Kelly has the Irish headed in the right direction, but today, Wolverines win, 28-20.
7:00
No. 18 Penn State at No. 1Alabama
JoePa vs. Nick Saban. Paterno may be older and wiser, but Saban comes out on top here. Penn State just doesn't have enough to win at Alabama. Mark Ingram will still be out, but Trent Richardson is a great RB who could start at basically any other school. I think the young PSU freshman QB Robert Bolden will struggle seeing his first big-time defense. The Crimson Tide Roll 31-17.
10:30
Virginia at N.o. 16 USC
I don't think my Cavaliers can pull off the upset, but I think they could possibly keep this game close for awhile. The USC defense is expected to perform better than last Thursday's weak showing against the Hawaii spread. Virginia's more conventional offense is something USC will be better able to defend. Virginia's defense will play well, but not well enough and I don't think the offense will produce enough points to pull off the upset. I hope they surprise me, but I think the Cavaliers lose this one. It'll be better than the 2008 game between these teams in Cville, though. USC 38-20.
3:30
No. 17 Florida State at No. 10 Oklahoma
Sooners coach Bob Stoops faces his brother Mark, the FSU defensive coordinator who is trying to rectify a dreadful Seminole 'D.' Florida State was impressive in its opener, but it was at home and against Samford. Oklahoma, on the other hand, opened at home against a better opponent, Utah State, but struggled as well (though the Aggies are certainly not a top-notch squad). This is a chance for the ACC to show some muscle on the road against a quality opponent (as is the next game on this list). I think it will be a great game but I just can't quite take FSU seriously yet after its win last week. Plus, I like Oklahoma in front of its home crowd. The Seminoles play a solid game, but the Sooners look better than last week and squeak out a 27-24 win.
No. 12 Miami at No. 2 Ohio State
Again, another chance for the ACC to actually show something on a big stage. Jacory Harris vs. Terrelle Pryor in the Horseshoe. At this point in their careers, I take Pryor, especially at home. Harris probably hasn't experienced an environment like this. Miami easily disposed of Florida A&M last Thursday but OSU was just as spectacular in its win over Marshall, a team that almost beat WVU last night. If the Thundering Herd had not blocked a punt and ran it back for six, the Buckeyes would've recorded a shut out. I don't think the Hurricanes will get the revenge they are looking for after the 2003 BCS national title game pass interference call helped OSU clinch the victory over Miami. Home team wins, 34-27.
Michigan at Notre Dame
Suddenly, after these teams performances last week, this looks like an important game. The Wolverines really surprised me in their rather easy win over UConn. Notre Dame struggled at times with Purdue at home but prevailed. I think at this point Michigan is the better team. Michigan QB Denard Robinson will give the Irish D some headaches. Brian Kelly has the Irish headed in the right direction, but today, Wolverines win, 28-20.
7:00
No. 18 Penn State at No. 1Alabama
JoePa vs. Nick Saban. Paterno may be older and wiser, but Saban comes out on top here. Penn State just doesn't have enough to win at Alabama. Mark Ingram will still be out, but Trent Richardson is a great RB who could start at basically any other school. I think the young PSU freshman QB Robert Bolden will struggle seeing his first big-time defense. The Crimson Tide Roll 31-17.
10:30
Virginia at N.o. 16 USC
I don't think my Cavaliers can pull off the upset, but I think they could possibly keep this game close for awhile. The USC defense is expected to perform better than last Thursday's weak showing against the Hawaii spread. Virginia's more conventional offense is something USC will be better able to defend. Virginia's defense will play well, but not well enough and I don't think the offense will produce enough points to pull off the upset. I hope they surprise me, but I think the Cavaliers lose this one. It'll be better than the 2008 game between these teams in Cville, though. USC 38-20.
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