Week Six Preview: Separation Saturday

I’ve learned, it’s generally useless to make a flat-out prediction on a game at this point in the season, so I’ll just comment on the major games that lie ahead this weekend… 

>    I’m interested in how Florida reacts from its shocking loss at home to an underperforming Auburn team. It doesn’t really help their case that they have to visit LSU on the road. Death Valley will be electric. I won’t make an all out prediction, but signs are pointing to LSU continuing on its national title run. However, if the Gators pull the shocker,  you'd have to say they are right back in the mix, right?

>    Ohio State faces a major test in its Big Ten and national title quest in a visit to ranked conference foe Purdue. The Boilermakers have always given the Buckeyes a run for their money at home. Purdue’s offense against the Buckeye’s stout defensive will be the game deciding factor in this one…

>    Virginia Tech also faces a major road test in its ACC title quest. Clemson is coming off an embarrassing loss at Georgia Tech, so I’ll be interested to see how they perform, or if they sink into another one of their infamous Tommy Bowden collapses. The Hill will be rocking for this one…

>    I seriously doubt Stanford will offer much resistance again a Trojan team looking to redeem itself against last week’s near disaster at Washington, watch as Pete makes Jim eat those Pac 10 Media day words over, and over, and over...

>    Notre Dame goes on the road to take on UCLA. Will it ever end for The Fighting Irish? At least they can go into the game knowing they played one-half of “game winning football”, as Weis called it. With UCLA, who knows what to expect...

>    Nebraska goes on the road to take on Big 12 – North divisional foe Missouri. Well, I do know the last two times Nebraska paid Faurot Field a visit, they left with their tails between their legs (see - 2003: 24 - 41 loss, 2005: 24 - 41 loss; I'm guessing the score will mimic that this Saturday...). The defense continues to underpeform (they gave up significant yards to a terrible Iowa State team at home, despite the win). It should be a good one, with the winner being in the front seat towards a Big 12 Championship Game...

>    The Red River Shoot-out lost significant luster after Oklahoma and Texas’s stunning losses this past weekend. In reality – there is still a lot on the line, as the winner takes a big step toward the front-runner seat in the Big 12 South. The loser, goes 0 – 2 in conference play, and is essentially out of the race barring a miracle. In addition, the game still does have national – title undertones for the Sooners, though they’ll need to win impressively. With several teams ahead of them having to yet face the meat-grinder of their conference schedule, Oklahoma could re-establish itself as a title contender with a beat down of the Longhorns, reminiscent of their earlier wins against them of this decade...

>    Georgia pays foe Tennessee a visit this weekend in what could be a match to establish pecking order in the SEC East. Tennessee cannot afford another loss, especially after the Florida debacle, nor can Georgia after it’s loss at home to South Carolina. Neyland Stadium will be borderline chaotic, but I’m not sure if that’s enough to subdue Richt and company and their impressive road record that I eluded to earlier this season…

>    One match-up that you can’t take lightly is Wisconsin @ Illinois. We all seen what happen to Penn State last week, and Wisconsin has being playing on the ropes all year. The Badgers desperately need to make a big statement win to be taken seriously, and the Illini seem posed to turn the corner with Zook at the helm. May the best team win…

>    Mississippi State should collect it’s fourth win this weekend at home over UAB. That’s incredible, considering it’s been a while since they’ve won that many games over an entire season of play…
Indiana could be 5 – 1 after Minnesota’s visit this weekend. Absolutely incredible, but well deserved for this tough football team…

>    The way Duke has been playing of late, I won’t be surprised if they score a win over last year’s ACC Champion Wake Forest, they nearly did in last year’s debacle of a winless season – and they’ve been playing much better this year…

>    Syracuse is coming off a loss to LOWLY Miami of Ohio. Their only win is at Louisville. Imagine if they could score a win over the Mountaineers at home this weekend. Unlikely, but I don’t count anyone out anymore…

>    The Georgia Tech @ Maryland game is huge in ACC play. Both teams need wins to remain alive in the race, but only one can win. Maryland is coming off a huge win at Rutgers, and Georgia Tech dismantled Clemson this past weekend. Both teams have incredible momentum; it’s a shame only one can win. Expect another nail-biter in Byrd Stadium…

>    Not only must they handle work against the Longhorns, the Sooner’s had better be rooting for Colorado to dismantle Baylor (and every other team the Buffs play in succession…) this weekend to regain all of their national – title worthy clout back…

>    Kentucky @ South Carolina, on a Thursday? Since when has the SEC been doing this? And furthermore, is the run over for Kentucky? They’ll have to pass a monumental test in Steve Spurrier and Co. for us to know…

>    Its no big secret: Iowa is severely underperforming this year, and Penn State is reeling after two tough, close Big Ten losses. This game, almost serves as an early season elimination game. Think both teams will be motivated for this match-up in Happy Valley? I’ll put it this way, the crowd could be a huge factor…

>    Arizona State pays Pac 10 foe Washington State a visit after clobbering Stanford. Washington State was absolutely embarrassed at lowly Arizona this past weekend. Here’s the catch to this game, both of Washington State’s wins, have came at home, but they may have met their match in Erickson’s Sun Devils…

>    After losing at home to Syracuse, I’d recommend Louisville not take Utah too lightly. They clobbered then #11 UCLA, 44 – 6. The Cardinals can rest easy though, knowing that they got shut out the next week at UNLV, 0 – 27. Ouch…

>    As for Hawai-i, I did a little research and found that their record is quite pathetic. Even worse than I had resumed. Now, I know that a lot of the bickering around their schedule is that, they in fact do try to schedule big name opponents – but no one wants to make the trip. However, you would think they could get SOMEONE to paradise who at least has some sort of reputable team and/or football record. Take a look at their opponents to date… Northern Colorado (AA). Record? 0 – 5. That is horrendous for an AA squad… Louisiana Tech, who nearly beat the Warriors in OT? 1 – 3… UNLV, 2 – 3. With the two wins, over bottom of the abyss patsies… Charleston Southern (AA). 2 – 3… Idaho, poor Idaho. 1 – 4. And to think Colt threw FIVE picks to a 1 – 4 team. The fact is, they aren’t even scheduling decent AA teams. Sad part? They play 0 – 5 Utah State this weekend. I expect to see the Warriors win by 70, or their ranking could be adversely affected because of their powder-puff type schedule…