I am not in Kansas anymore.  I am in Lisa’s and Wilson’s stomping ground here.  Unlike Tiger, I have my “A” game going and I’m feelin’ good.  In case you missed them, here are the links to my previous out-of-conference (OOC) grades.  The ACC, Big East, Big XII, Big X(+1), and the SEC.  By the way, I now see why Lisa has been harping on the non-FBS (Div-1A) games.  Also, let’s keep in mind that the PAC-10 usually has only three games on it’s OOC schedule because they play all of their conference every year.  After those nine games, that only leaves 3 spots open for OOC competition.  If there is a FCS team on the schedule, it really, really sticks out.

Here is a reminder of what I am looking for and what is important to me when evaluating an OOC schedule:  First, the quality of the team is important to note.  I can’t very well evaluate USC’s schedule the same as I would Stanford’s.  Secondly, I look for FCS (Div-1AA) teams on the schedule.  After that, I will look at the present level of competition that the scheduled team may present.  My favorite example is Nebraska.  I can’t give a team more credit for scheduling Nebraska as I would Iowa State because of the present level of competition.  I do not give any credit to how good the team was when the game was scheduled.  Conversely, I would give copious amounts of credit for having South Florida or Rutgers on the schedule. Get it? Got it? Good!

Univerity of California at Los Angeles – Tennessee, Brigham Young, Fresno State.  Here is a case of grading on the curve.  UCLA is a pretty good team.  They certainly are not stinking up the joint.  Speaking of stinking, there is not a stinker in this gaggle of games for UCLA.  This is why I have their schedule above USC’s.  Tennessee is one of the best SEC teams year-in and year-out.  They lost Ainge, but they will still be good.  BYU had a special season last year and is the reigning MWC champion.  The Cougars are pretty good.  And then there is Fresno State sitting there all waiting to burst like a 10-year-old girl at a Jonas Brothers concert.  When your OOC schedule’s weakest team is a reigning FBS conference champion, you got the goods.  I believe UCLA has a very distinct chance in losing all three of these games, but you have to give them some credit here.  Grade: A++ 

Washington – Brigham Young, Oklahoma, Notre Dame.  Here is another case of the grade on the curve thing.  Washington is really trying to schedule tough and they have done a good job here..  They understand that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.  I would think that the decision makers at Washington were thinking the BYU game would have been the easy one, not the Notre Dame game.  I guess we will see.  I think it is unlikely that Washington wins both those games.  Washington has Oklahoma on the schedule and that says volumes as to the fearlessness in the scheduling philosophy.  If Washington has a good team this year, then they should win 2 of these 3.  Grade: A+ 

University of Southern California – Virginia, Ohio State, Notre Dame.  Much props to USC for this bold schedule.  Ohio State just seems to make it to the National Championship game year after year.  The sweater-vest loving Tressel consistently has a top 10 team there in Ohio.  You cannot deny the talent there in Buckeyeland.  Any team that actively goes out and tries to get a consistent top 10 team on its OOC schedule gets a ton of respect in my book.  Any team that has LSU, USC, Florida, Oklahoma, or Texas on the OOC schedule will get mad props from me.  Virginia is no slouch either.  Sure they lose Chris Long, but they have a good amount of starters coming back.  Notre Dame is what it is.  Maybe they pull it together this year, maybe they don’t.  I’m leaning towards the latter.  Grade: A+ (I can’t penalize USC for ND because they play every year.)

Stanford – Texas Christian University, San Jose State, Notre Dame.   This is a monster schedule for a team like Stanford.  TCU was disappointing last year, but they are a quality opponent year after year.  The Horned Frogs will be a good test for the Cardinals.  San Jose State is ok.  I think it is ok for Stanford to schedule them because they are Stanford and not USC.  The SJS Spartans are in the WAC and they finished in the upper part of the lower half of that conference.  Notre Dame is what it is.  This year’s game should be exciting at the very least.  Personally, I am looking forward to it. Grade: A (Because it is Stanford)

Washington State – Oklahoma State, Baylor, Portland State, Hawaii.  For a team like Washington State, this is a very good job of scheduling.  They took on an extra team so I will for give the Portland State thing.  The Cowboys will give the Cougars a run for their money for sure.  There is a scary thing about that Cowboy offense.  Hawaii lost their coach and their QB, but they still have the system.  The Warriors would have been a good gauge as to where this Washington State team is on the grid, but the game is the last one of the year.  That is too bad.  Baylor should have been the easiest game on the schedule.  That is respectable because as bad as Baylor is, they are at least in a BCS conference.  Grade: A- (Hawaii brought them down a bit, and I am ignoring the Portland State game because WSU has four OOC games and the rest of the PAC-10 have three.)

Oregon State – Penn State, Hawaii, Utah.  You can’t say that this is a bad schedule for the Beavers.  Penn State is a good test to evaluate where OSU will be this year.  The Nittany Lions have one of the best home field advantages in the NCAA.  Oregon State should be able to handle Hawaii this year with all the changes the Warriors will be dealing with.  The Utes should be the weakest team on the schedule and they may very well be, but they should not be taken too lightly.  Just ask UCLA.  We are seeing a trend here in the PAC-10.  Grade: B+

California – Michigan State, Maryland, Colorado State.  With the exception of Colorado State recently, this schedule has very good competition on it.  Michigan State is a consistent bowl game participant, and they do get some talent playing for the Spartans.  Maryland is coming off a semi-disappointing year, but they are still a decent team from a BCS conference.  Colorado State has been disappointed me last year big time.  The best I can figure it, the Rams will end up in the middle of the MWC this year.  I would have been harsher on this schedule if it were last years because Cal is not the same team they were 1-2 years ago.  Grade: B

Arizona State – Northern Arizona, University of Las Vegas, Georgia.  Even though there is that stinker of Northern Arizona on the schedule, I must give a decent grade.  Georgia will be a monster this year.  The stars and planets have aligned for the Dawgs this year.  My best Mr. T impression “I pity da fool who’s got to play Georgia this year!”  UNLV should have been the worst team on this schedule.  This schedule would have been “A” material if there was a team with a talent-level between UNLV and Georgia.  There a many, many teams that fall into that category.  Grade: C+ (Would have been much higher if not for N. AZ)

Oregon – Utah State, Purdue, Boise State.  This is very disappointing coming from Oregon.  They do have a history of bold scheduling, but this must be an off year.  Toughest team on the schedule is probably Boise State.  Maybe Purdue will surprise some me in the Big 10, but right now I would give a slight edge to the Broncos.  That is not saying much for the schedule as a whole.  Utah State is ok to have as the “special practice game,” but a team like Oregon needs to step it up a bit after that.  Purdue or Boise State are ok for the second team, but they needed a team like Michigan again to make this OOC schedule respectable.  Grade: D

Arizona – Idaho, Toledo, New Mexico.  Ok, Arizona hasn’t been spectacular lately, but this is really pushing it.  When New Mexico is the best game on your OOC schedule, you have issues.  The real stinker is Idaho.  They went winless in the WAC last year.  New Mexico has been improving, but they are not to be confused with a real quality opponent. (well, maybe for Arizona)  Toledo is towards the bottom of the barrel in the MAC.  This is disappointing from a PAC-10 team.  Grade: D-

                 

My uncanny inability to prognosticate upcoming matches on the football field is well documented.  (Just ask my jubilant bookie)  I have been bestowed with the “Kiss of Death” designation among my friends.  I am telephoned by friends and family and solicited for my picks on upcoming games.  I am begged not to pick favorite teams of my so-called friends.  I like to talk, so I try to go on and on about why I like the team I like, but often enough I get cut-off and my picks are demanded without reasons.  Am I not human?  Do I not have feelings?

                        

In this forum I can explain my feeble thought processes involved in my bad decision making skills without being cut-off.  What I hope to achieve here is that someone will read my picks and go the other way.  Here is the moment everyone has been waiting for. 

The Kiss of Death’s picks.

                                              

(7-4) Rutgers +2.5 @ (5-6) Louisville (59.5) – At first glance I liked Rutgers, but I investigated a bit further.  Louisville is at home.  Louisville needs this game to become bowl eligible.  Rutgers is not the team they were last year.  Rutgers barely got by Louisville last year with a much better team.  Kiss of Death likes Louisville and the under. Stop the presses! I covered the side!! I would bet that will be one of the few times this week.  (1-0 against the side, 0-1 against the number.)

(7-4) Fresno State -13 @ (4-8) New Mexico State (67) – NMSU is bad but improving.  Coach Hal Mumme is starting to stir up some excitement with his wide open offense.  At no point can you count the Aggies of NMSU out o####ame.  The biggest problem is the fact that they do not sustain many long, time-consuming drives.  It is usually 3 and out or 5 plays and a TD.  Fresno State was not competitive in only one game all year.  That was against a healthy Oregon team.  Fresno State has put together a good year against mediocre teams.  I expect Fresno State to win, but not cover the 13 on the road.  Kiss of Death likes New Mexico State and the under.  Look at that! I covered the side and the number! (2-0 against the side, 1-1 against the number)

(6-6) Miami (Ohio) +3 @ (7-5) Central Michigan (67.5) - Central Michigan is sitting atop of the MAC-West Division.  Miami OH is second in the East.  If Miami wins, then there is a three way tie for first place in the MAC.  Miami, Central Michigan, and Bowling Green will all be 6-2.  Bowling Green lost to Miami and did not play Central Michigan.  And you thought the BCS was complicated.  I will pick to keep it simple.  Kiss of Death likes Central Michigan and the over.  My oh my!  I am going out to buy a lottery ticket. (3-0 against the side, 1-2 against the number)

(5-6) Arizona +9 @ (9-2) Arizona State (57.5) – Which of these teams has the most to lose from this game?  Arizona becomes bowl eligible with a win over their hated in-state rival.  Arizona State has an outside shot at a BCS bowl, right?  I can’t keep track of it all, but I believe they are in the running for a BCS bowl if they win.  The only question is if Arizona’s offense will be able to do anything against a very good Arizona State team.  Kiss of Death likes Arizona State and the over. Here we go with start of something bad. (3-1 against the side, 1-3 against the number)

(6-5) Cal -13 @ (3-8) Stanford (51) – Again we have another underachieving team fighting to become bowl eligible.  I really like this rivalry.  The Bay Area Brawl.  The Battle for the Bay.  Whatever it may be called, I like it.  This year Cal has disappointed many a PAC-10 fan, but they are going bowling.  Stanford had the win of the year in the PAC-10 over USC.  They should be happy with that.  Kiss of Death likes Cal and the over. Here we go, that's more like it.  (3-2 against the side, 1-4 against the number)

(4-8) Washington +14 @ (11-0) Hawaii (74) – I don’t understand why some people think that this will be a test for Hawaii?  It is at home.  Washington can score, but their defense is anemic.  Hawaii has everything to prove.  Washington can’t even get bowl eligible.  Kiss of Death likes Hawaii and the over.Half a win, I'll take it. (4-2 against the side, 1-5 against the number)

 (4-7) Pitt -28 @ (10-1) West Virginia (58.5) - I was asked in the comments where this game is on my list.  Personally, I would not bet this game (too many points), but I will be more than happy to give my pick.  Kiss of Death likes West Virginia and the over. That is the kind of pick I know well. (4-3 against the side, 1-6 against the number)

(5-6) UCLA +20 @ USC (46.5) - This one is another request.  For the same reason, I would not put money down on this one.  Kiss of Death likes UCLA and the under. This is getting scary. (5-3 against the side, 2-6 against the number.)

 

ACC Championship

        VS    

 

(10-2) Virginia Tech -4.5 vs (10-2) Boston College (46.5) – I think this game has the best chance of being the most entertaining of the day.  You have a great QB in Matt Ryan for Boston College going against a more than capable defense for Virginia Tech.  I fully believe there is some great football being played outside of the SEC, Big 12, and PAC-10.  I am really looking forward to this one.  Kiss of Death likes Boston College and the under. Now that is more like it. (5-4 against the side, 3-6 against number.)

SEC Championship

             VS   

 

(9-3) Tennessee +7.5 vs. (10-2) LSU (60.5) – This is a tough one.  I struggled with this one for a while.  What is important to these 2 teams?  LSU may have an outside (way outside) chance to still dance in the NC game.  Let’s face it Tennessee is just happy to be there.  With the way their season was going, everyone in Knoxville will be happy it is not a blowout.  What about Les Miles’ future?  How much of a distraction is Nebraska’s courtship of Pelini going to be a factor?  That is too many questions for me.  Kiss of Death likes Tennessee and the under. Well, would you look at that! (6-4 against the side, 4-6 against the number.)

Big XII Championship

             VS    

 

(10-2) Oklahoma -3 vs (11-1) Missouri (67) – Oklahoma is coming off a thrashing of in-state rivals Oklahoma State.  Missouri is coming off a 4th quarter rally by a very, very talented Kansas team.  Missouri is hot.  They have played a couple games on the biggest stage in college football, and I believe they are ready to take on Oklahoma at a neutral site.  If Mizzou can limit turnovers, they stand a better than average chance to win.  The Kiss of Death likes Mizzou and the over. This one wasn't even close. (6-5 against the side, 4-7 against the number)

 

That is not as bad as I usually do.  My bookie is happy because I will make out a loser due to me posting the juice.  Guido, your welcome.

Last week I posted a series of questions I wanted to see answered.  Here is a list of what I asked and commented on last week and the answers as I see them. 

Last Week’s Question

Miami at Oklahoma - Can Miami execute on Oklahoma’s Defense?  Is Oklahoma’s offense that good?  Is this the same Miami team from last year?  How well is Oklahoma’s QB going to hold up under some real pressure?  You can’t knock either of these teams’ scheduling.  Who would want to play either of these teams if you had title hopes? 

 

 

 

 

ANSWER

OU is phenomenal, or Miami is bad again this year.  I believe OU is really good.  Miami is improved, but there is something really wrong in Miami.  The same kind of wrong that is at Michigan.

 

 

 

Last Week’s Question

Nebraska at Wake Forest – Will the defending ACC Champs go 0-2 to start the season?  Can the new Nebraska run the ball like the old Nebraska for another week?  Was the devastating loss to Boston College a product of looking ahead to the Big Red?  Will the Big Red be looking ahead to USC?  Can the Demon Deacons muster any running attack?  Is Sam Keller as good as advertised?  Nebraska has to win this one for anyone to take them seriously next week.  Wake needs a win if they hope to repeat as champions of the ACC and save face.

 

 

 

 

ANSWER

 

Wake is 0-2.  NU cannot run like before.  Wake was looking ahead to Nebraska and that contributed to Wake’s loss to BC.  It was evident to me that Wake did not try to run the ball against BC the way they did against NU.  NU is certainly looking ahead to hosting USC now.  Keller has a very strong, accurate arm, but he seems to be lacking touch on some of his throws.  Hopefully, he will play better.

 

 

 

 

Last Week’s Question

California at Colorado State – Will California be hampered by the altitude and a good Colorado State offense?  Can Colorado State stop anyone?  How ####ed up is Cal after the complete domination o####ood Tennessee team last week?  Can Colorado State stop anyone?  Cal should roll, but I expect Colorado State to score more than a couple times.

 

 

 

 

ANSWER

Cal is a very good team, but playing on the coast and in the mountains are two different things.  Colorado State has proved that they can score.  They have a problem stopping anyone, but they may be able to outscore some superior opponents this year.  I am looking forward to the TCU/Colorado State match up.  It should be good.

 

 

 

Last Week’s Question

Oregon at Michigan – Do the Ducks stand a chance in the Big House after all that has happened?  Is Michigan really that bad?  Can Oregon kick a wounded Wolverine while it is down in its own house?  Is Michigan really that bad?  We will all find out if Michigan is going to be worth watching for the rest of the season.

 

 

 

 

ANSWER

The Ducks came to play, and play they did.  Michigan is really that bad!  Oregon can kick butt, and kick butt is what they did.  Michigan is really that bad!  The ND/Michigan game will be a fun one for sure.

 

 

 

Last Week’s Question

Notre Dame at Penn State – Penn State should roll.  You know that the Golden-Domers are going to surprise at least one team this year.  Is it going to be Joe Pa and his boys?

 

 

 

 

ANSWER

 

Notre Dame…NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!

 

 

 

 

Last Week’s Question

Virginia Tech at LSU – Tigers and Cajuns and Creoles oh my!  At night, on the Bayou, surrounded by a mass of yellow and purple clad drunk, crawdad eating, psychopaths, screaming things only a native can understand.  I love watching LSU home night games!!!!  That is the cream of the crop of the SEC venues.  Do the heartfelt Hokies stand a chance?  Were they looking ahead to LSU last week?  For their sakes, I hope so.  Dem boys can play some o’dat fooseball down dair in Louisiana.

 

 

 

 

ANSWER

 

Dem po’ol Hokies.  Dey didn no wha dey’as headin’ inta.  LSU #### whoopin’ on dem boys.  LSU is dang good at dat dair defense.  Brang’on dem saddie boys from dat dair ‘oCaliforneea.  LSU #### whoopin’ on dem to. 

Translation: LSU defeated Virginia Tech rather easily.  LSU’s defense seems to be very good.  USC may be in for a fight.

 

 

 

 

 

I would also like to say that College Football is the best time of year.  When else can you verbally rip someone's head off and act like you did nothing wrong? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The first week is in the books.  Now, we can start to answer some questions about some teams' performances.  These are some of the more interesting games for me.

 

Miami at Oklahoma - Can Miami execute on Oklahoma’s Defense?  Is Oklahoma’s offense that good?  Is this the same Miami team from last year?  How well is Oklahoma’s QB going to hold up under some real pressure?  You can’t knock either of these teams’ scheduling.  Who would want to play either of these teams if you had title hopes? 

 

 

 

Nebraska at Wake Forest – Will the defending ACC Champs go 0-2 to start the season?  Can the new Nebraska run the ball like the old Nebraska for another week?  Was the devastating loss to Boston College a product of looking ahead to the Big Red?  Will the Big Red be looking ahead to USC?  Can the Demon Deacons muster any running attack?  Is Sam Keller as good as advertised?  Nebraska has to win this one for anyone to take them seriously next week.  Wake needs a win if they hope to repeat as champions of the ACC and save face.

 

 

 

California at Colorado State – Will California be hampered by the altitude and a good Colorado State offense?  Can Colorado State stop anyone?  How ####ed up is Cal after the complete domination o####ood Tennessee team last week?  Can Colorado State stop anyone?  Cal should roll, but I expect Colorado State to score more than a couple times.

 

 

 

Oregon at Michigan – Do the Ducks stand a chance in the Big House after all that has happened?  Is Michigan really that bad?  Can Oregon kick a wounded Wolverine while it is down in it’s own house?  Is Michigan really that bad?  We will all find out if Michigan is going to be worth watching for the rest of the season.

 

 

 

Notre Dame at Penn State – Penn State should roll.  You know that the Golden-Domers are going to surprise at least one team this year.  Is it going to be Joe Pa and his boys? 

 

 

 

I have saved the best for last!

 

 

 

Virginia Tech at LSU – Tigers and Cajuns and Creoles oh my!  At night, on the Bayou, surrounded by a mass of yellow and purple clad drunk, crawdad eating, psychopaths, screaming things only a native can understand.  I love watching LSU home night games!!!!  That is the cream of the crop of the SEC venues.  Do the heartfelt Hokies stand a chance?  Were they looking ahead to LSU last week?  For their sakes, I hope so.  Dem boys can play some o’dat fooseball down dair in Louisiana.