UVa is off this week and good thing. I need a break from the Cavaliers' pitiful season. Last week, they dropped a 16-10 decision to injury- and suspension-plagued Wake Forest at home. They are now 2-6 on the year and one more loss eliminates them from bowl eligibility. At this point in the season, however, with how the team has looked, just getting one more win is a concern. That would at least avoid a 10-loss season. Who knows the real reason for why they have struggled so much. The quarterback play has been spotty. But maybe that's because the offensive line has struggled. The running game has taken a step back and the running backs are the same as last year. The offense can move the ball but not score. So I feel like the offensive line is the main problem on offense. There's been a host of other problems, though. The defense has been solid, and actually seems to be getting better, but has breakdowns and gives up big plays. Virginia is last in the country in turnover margin and has piled up tons of penalties, too. Special teams has been terrible like last year. And the team just looks plain ol' poorly coached at times. Opponents start games and second halves better. The schemes haven't looked good. Other teams look tougher, more prepared, smarter. So yeah, I need a break from the 'Hoos. There are some great college matchups this week. Four games feature a pair of top-15 teams. I went a strong 7-2 last week and am now 47-25 on the season.
N.C. State at North Carolina,12:30 p.m. ESPN3.com
The Wolfpack have eked out wins the last two weeks by a combined three points. The Tar Heels are back at home, where they are undefeated this season, a week after falling to rival Duke on the road and helping the Blue Devils gain bowl eligibility. This rivalry game is pretty much a toss up I think. Both teams have played well at times and poorly at times. I'll take the home team.
North Carolina 29, N.C. State 28
Maryland at Boston College, 1 p.m. ESPN3.com
I just wanted to highlight this game because we could find out in this one whether Virginia is the worst team in the ACC or not. How? Well, Boston College is 1-6, with only a win over FCS foe Maine this season. Maryland is now down to its fourth, yes fourth, quarterback. Some teams don't have four quarterbacks on their roster. Season-ending injuries have taken the Terps' first three quarterbacks. If the Eagles let a fourth-string quarterback beat them (and Maryland is not a superb team anyway), then they might be the worst team in the conference. The Eagles and Cavaliers don't face each other, so we can only imagine the 10-9 slugfest these two teams would get in.
Boston College 17, Maryland 14
No. 2 Florida vs. No. 10 Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla., 3:30 p.m. CBS
Though it is just October, a win for the Gators and they win the SEC East. The Bulldogs have just one loss this season, a blowout to South Carolina and last week, Florida housed South Carolina. A neutral field should make things close, but I think the Gators' tough defense will do enough to slow down quarterback Aaron Murray and the Bulldogs offense. Florida will continue to separate itself from the pack in the SEC and possibly get mentioned in the same breath as Alabama.
Florida 27, Georgia 17
No. 14 Texas Tech at No. 3 Kansas State, 3:30 p.m. FOX
ESPN college football analyst Todd Matich just said this is a great matchup because both teams have great defenses. I would not have known that for Texas Tech -- a traditionally superb offense but average defense under Mike Leach -- but this is now the Red Raiders' third year under former Auburn coach Tommy Bowden and Texas Tech is giving up just over 20 points per game. Kansas State has shown it might have what it takes to challenge the nation's elite this year, though.
Kansas State 30, Texas Tech 26
Duke at No. 12 Florida State, 3:30 p.m. ESPNU
After beating UNC last week, Duke is bowl eligible for the first time since 1994. An improbable victory in Tallahassee would further strengthen the Blue Devils' hold on the ACC's Coastal Division. Duke has never beat Florida State. The Seminoles are something like 17-0 against Duke with most of wins being blowouts. I doubt Duke gets this done. Too many athletes for Florida State.
Florida State 38, Duke 27
Ohio State at Penn State, 5:30 p.m. ESPN
Neither team can go to a bowl so this one is all about pride. The Nittany Lions and Wahoos have gone in opposite directions since Virginia beat them Sept. 8. UVa has lost six straight games and the Lions have won five straight. The Buckeyes are having a good first year under Urban Meyer but have given lots of points at times. Penn State is playing inspired under first-year head coach Bill O'Brien and is giving up just over 15 points per game.
Penn State 31, Ohio State 28
No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oklahoma, 8 p.m. ABC
These two storied programs don't have a storied rivalry -- it is only their ninth meeting. The Irish, who have won eight of the nine games against the Sooners, have hopes of going undefeated and throwing their name in the BCS championship hat. The Sooners have one loss, at home against Kansas State this year (a place the Sooners never lose). Oklahoma could still possibly make a run at the BCS title game if things fall its way, but it must win out. A convincing victory over Notre Dame would help and I think the Sooners will do it in a tight game.
Oklahoma 24, Notre Dame 20
No. 11 Mississippi State at No. 1 Alabama, 8:30 p.m. ESPN
The Bulldogs are undefeated but I have some bad news -- their schedule has been pretty bad: Jackson State, Auburn, Troy, South Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Middle Tennessee. The Crimson Tide's has been, too, but this is Alabama. The Bulldogs have no shot in Tuscaloosa, right?
Alabama 31, Mississippi State 14
N.C. State at North Carolina,12:30 p.m. ESPN3.com
The Wolfpack have eked out wins the last two weeks by a combined three points. The Tar Heels are back at home, where they are undefeated this season, a week after falling to rival Duke on the road and helping the Blue Devils gain bowl eligibility. This rivalry game is pretty much a toss up I think. Both teams have played well at times and poorly at times. I'll take the home team.
North Carolina 29, N.C. State 28
Maryland at Boston College, 1 p.m. ESPN3.com
I just wanted to highlight this game because we could find out in this one whether Virginia is the worst team in the ACC or not. How? Well, Boston College is 1-6, with only a win over FCS foe Maine this season. Maryland is now down to its fourth, yes fourth, quarterback. Some teams don't have four quarterbacks on their roster. Season-ending injuries have taken the Terps' first three quarterbacks. If the Eagles let a fourth-string quarterback beat them (and Maryland is not a superb team anyway), then they might be the worst team in the conference. The Eagles and Cavaliers don't face each other, so we can only imagine the 10-9 slugfest these two teams would get in.
Boston College 17, Maryland 14
No. 2 Florida vs. No. 10 Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla., 3:30 p.m. CBS
Though it is just October, a win for the Gators and they win the SEC East. The Bulldogs have just one loss this season, a blowout to South Carolina and last week, Florida housed South Carolina. A neutral field should make things close, but I think the Gators' tough defense will do enough to slow down quarterback Aaron Murray and the Bulldogs offense. Florida will continue to separate itself from the pack in the SEC and possibly get mentioned in the same breath as Alabama.
Florida 27, Georgia 17
No. 14 Texas Tech at No. 3 Kansas State, 3:30 p.m. FOX
ESPN college football analyst Todd Matich just said this is a great matchup because both teams have great defenses. I would not have known that for Texas Tech -- a traditionally superb offense but average defense under Mike Leach -- but this is now the Red Raiders' third year under former Auburn coach Tommy Bowden and Texas Tech is giving up just over 20 points per game. Kansas State has shown it might have what it takes to challenge the nation's elite this year, though.
Kansas State 30, Texas Tech 26
Duke at No. 12 Florida State, 3:30 p.m. ESPNU
After beating UNC last week, Duke is bowl eligible for the first time since 1994. An improbable victory in Tallahassee would further strengthen the Blue Devils' hold on the ACC's Coastal Division. Duke has never beat Florida State. The Seminoles are something like 17-0 against Duke with most of wins being blowouts. I doubt Duke gets this done. Too many athletes for Florida State.
Florida State 38, Duke 27
Ohio State at Penn State, 5:30 p.m. ESPN
Neither team can go to a bowl so this one is all about pride. The Nittany Lions and Wahoos have gone in opposite directions since Virginia beat them Sept. 8. UVa has lost six straight games and the Lions have won five straight. The Buckeyes are having a good first year under Urban Meyer but have given lots of points at times. Penn State is playing inspired under first-year head coach Bill O'Brien and is giving up just over 15 points per game.
Penn State 31, Ohio State 28
No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oklahoma, 8 p.m. ABC
These two storied programs don't have a storied rivalry -- it is only their ninth meeting. The Irish, who have won eight of the nine games against the Sooners, have hopes of going undefeated and throwing their name in the BCS championship hat. The Sooners have one loss, at home against Kansas State this year (a place the Sooners never lose). Oklahoma could still possibly make a run at the BCS title game if things fall its way, but it must win out. A convincing victory over Notre Dame would help and I think the Sooners will do it in a tight game.
Oklahoma 24, Notre Dame 20
No. 11 Mississippi State at No. 1 Alabama, 8:30 p.m. ESPN
The Bulldogs are undefeated but I have some bad news -- their schedule has been pretty bad: Jackson State, Auburn, Troy, South Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Middle Tennessee. The Crimson Tide's has been, too, but this is Alabama. The Bulldogs have no shot in Tuscaloosa, right?
Alabama 31, Mississippi State 14
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