What a yawner the Texas A&M/Texas game was. I can hardly imagine having to be one of the commentators for that crapola. And why is the Bachelor all of a sudden this year's most used analyst and color commentator? I know the guy used to play football, but didn't the whole handing out the roses thing kind of kill the street cred?
Anyway, Friday has a bunch of yawners in store for us as well. Well, I suppose West Virginia/Pitt could be a good game with the rivalry considered. Still, these are Big East teams we are talking about, so who really cares?
Saturday, though on paper it looks like blowout central, I suspect we will see some MAJOR upsets and great rivalry games. Here is my take on what will unfold over the next couple of days...
Fresno State 21 Boise State 20
As much as I respect what Boise State has done this year and over the last decade, Fresno State always has a great upset up their collars once a year. Despite being on the home smurf, I expect a close one. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos remained focused and pull it out.
West Virginia 31 Pitt 24
This game is usually a bloody ordeal, though it had bigger implications before losses that made Pitt fans reach for the Prilosec. Officials will not be pleased about the 4-loss season at Pitt, especially in a year the Big East title was so easy to grab.
LSU 44 Arkansas 14
Yawn.
Mizzou 52 Kansas 28
My how the Jayhawks have sucked this year!!!! Close for the first quarter, but Mizzou is stacked with talent and ready for a big game atmosphere at Arrowhead. And the big game at Arrowhead to follow with the Big 12 Championship on the line. Call it a warm-up despite the rivalry. Mizzou is still pissed about missing the BCS last year despite killing the Jayhawks' Big 12 Title hopes, while Kansas got the big trip to Miami. Time for more payback.
USC 24 Notre Dame 17
Closer than everyone expects, but the kids are fighting for the big guy despite the head scratching losses to the likes of the Orangemen.
Virginia Tech 23 Virginia 21
Will the real Cavalier squad please stand up??? How about the real Hokie squad??? Talk about inconsistency. These two teams have no identity this year. Should be of interest to those of us that went to high school in Virginia, but not many others.
Oklahoma 38 Oklahoma State 28
Boone Pickens Stadium will be rocking for the first half. Look for the bar across the street to be filled to capacity by the 3rd quarter. If you're going to the game will you get me an Eskimo Joe's shirt??? XXL please!!!
Weak 12 totally bored everyone to death, which I am grateful for actually. It was the one day of the year that I was too busy to even catch scores during the day. I did manage to watch the first half of the Mizzou game, although I must admit it was out of hand early and I fell asleep before halftime after being up ALL night Friday.
Though the previous weekend had none of the upsets we are used to seeing, this weekend starts of with a lot of potential for upsets. But I don't see any happening. It would be too interesting.
Miami 28 Georgia Tech 24
Depending on which Georgia Tech team shows up tonight, we could see the trend of ranked teams going down on Thursday night continue. I am not so sure that will happen.
Ohio State 42 Michigan 0
These two teams always have decent games, but this year it will be a boring one-sided affair that gets out of hand early. Look for the Buckeyes to make a statement and rub some salt in the wounds inflicted by this horrible season.
Florida 68 Citadel 10
The only way the Citadel scores 10 points will be if the Gators put in the walk-ons in the 4th quarter. Seriously, Florida you ought to be ashamed of having this game on the schedule. I don't care if the SEC schedule is hard, this is a pathetic match-up this late in the season.
Penn State 28 Michigan State 21
Look for Penn State to spoil dellusions of grandeur the Spartan faithful have about heading to Pasadena.
Utah 31 BYU 28
Well, this one could be good or boring. I am going with a shootout and wouldn't be surprised by the last team with the ball winning. Utah is the better team and has proved it beating better competition this year and will prove it again remaining undefeated.
Texas Tech 42 Oklahoma 28
This one will be close for a while. But revenge is not on the menu Sooner fans. You'll have to wait until bext year to serve up that dish. Look for Tech to prove the experts wrong.
Pittsburgh 20 Cincinatti 17
Well Dave really pulled a rabbit out of his #### with mouse traps and a lot of spit this year. After blowing a head scratcher at the start of the season, I truly believed this would be his last as head coach. Now the Panthers are headed to the BCS as Big East Champs with a key win this week and then next week against West Virginia.
Oregon State 38 Arizona 28
Well, a few upsets here or there will not be enough for Arizona fans that expected more out of Stoops. This loss will not help the job security. Look for OSU to try and smell roses a few days more as they try and keep USC from the BCS. Which could happen with automatic bids being won by Utah and Boise State going undefeated and the Pac 10 just getting one BCS bid this year. However, the Beavers could keep Ohio State from getting in and the Big 10 would only get one BCS bid depending on BCS rankings at the end of the year.
Well, conference play is in full swing and the games should be GREAT this weekend. The biggest game on the college football menu this weekend of course is the Red River Rivalry.
#1 vs. #5. By the end of the weekend there will no longer be three Big 12 teams in the Top 5, so all you haters will be happy for a couple of weeks anyway.
By Monday, I believe we will have a new #1 in the major polls.
Last week I conceded the fact that Mizzou had not played good enough for the #1 ranking I had given them from Week 1 through last week. They won by 21 points and I ranked USC at #1 after watching them dismantle Ohio State.
This week my earlier su####ions about the Pac 10's last great hope at credibility went down in flames. No matter how you slice that game, they were outplayed and dominated for every minute of the contest.
My su####ions about Florida's meeting with Ole Miss were fully realized, as were my barbs pointed at Georgia thus far in the season now justified. Illinois proved they are a good team, but Penn State proved they are truly the best in the Big 10.
The Big 12 had a bad week as Colorado and Nebraska lost to mediocre out of conference foes. Oklahoma shrugged off a Top 25 out of conference foe, launching OU to what I am assuming will be it's first #1 ranking in the AP and Coaches polls.
You can definitely tell Arkansas is missing Felix Jones now that he is with the Dallas Cowboys.
Well, if you saw my poll last week you know that my obvious choice for #1 is....
I told you so. Ohio State wasn't in my Top 10 last week, so no, they are NO WHERE near my Top 10 this week.
Suck on it Buckeye fans. You guys trashed me all year, now who's right? Who's been right? Thank you, now SHUT UP.
Same for anyone spouting that #### Georgia and Auburn talk. Florida and LSU are still THE teams to beat in the SEC. Until you can beat them, shut up.
This week both USC and Mizzou are tied for 1st. It's my poll, again you are free to make your own. As always, I make my poll before the AP or Coaches polls are released.
Also, (hold your nose) the Big 11 is looking a lot stronger than the Pac 10 as a whole. It may still play out with the Pac 10 still the better of the two, but to the Pac10 fans that keep talking about how dominate your "conference" is... SHUT UP. In fact, the Mountain West looks as strong this week as you pukes do, so hush. I will repeat... one team does not a conference make.
***Also Note: My picks went 8-1 this week. #### Cal was the one.***
You see, it is my first Saturday off in weeks. So I plan on enjoying the full College Gameday broadcast for the first time this season. Enjoying every game available.
Though I already picked some of these games in a previous post, given the relevance I included them with this week's additions. One notable change and admission of preseason expectations changing, I now see Nebraska winning easily against Virginia Tech. (20-4)
I have been blogging here for so long, I forgot my old password and had to set up a new blog this year. BOO!
Anyway, my old space was at community.fox sports.com/bl ogs/brianblac k in case you think you've heard the trash talk before... It's the same this year as it was last year... Mizzou is #1!!!!!!! Go Cowboys! Go Rays!
www.myspace.c om/revbrianbl ack
