College Footballl Week 6 Top 25, Big 10 Predictions and More

The Burnt Orange nation continued to have its worst season in recent memory, however last week was not as bad as many claimed it would be.  Either Texas is not as bad as the pundits claimed following the UCLA game or Oklahoma is weaker than many thought.  This basically means that the ACC and the Big East are out of National Championship consideration and with the exception of Nebraska so is the Big 12.  Perhaps this is the year that Oklahoma State could step up and take the Big 12 South but even so the Cowboys do not appear to be a championship contender.  The teams from outside the big six conferences (Boise State, TCU and Utah) are already being jumped by bigger named schools and by season‘s end probably only one will be left to fill a BCS at large slot.  A team from the outside will again not be in the National Championship game.  I personally have no problem with this as the most likely candidate, Boise State does not play a slate that entitles them to be in that big game.

Last week, there were twenty five undefeated teams, only seventeen are left and this week two head to head match ups means that at least two more have to fall this week.  Week five was my worst week, so far this year.  I only picked on 18 games last week but missed on four; two of the upsets that I thought would happen did not materialize and I did not see either Michigan State or Washington winning.  My season’s average has fallen to 88.5% but I guess it is still not horrible.  

Highlights:

This week the game of the week is in Ann Arbor, will Michigan's home field advantage and Michigan State's first road contest be enough to put the Wolverines over the top.  I personally think it may but it will not be easy.   I have this game as an upset since Michigan State is the higher ranked team.  The other two upsets that I think are highly possible are Florida over LSU and The Aggies beating the Razorbacks.

Game(s) of the Week

No 17. Michigan State at No 18. Michigan

Potential Upsets

No 17. Michigan State at No 18. Michigan

No 11. Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

No12. LSU at No 14. Florida

Potential Routs

No 22. Oklahoma State at Louisiana-Lafayette 

Odds and Ends

I have previously commented that the officiating of the games this year is less than optimal.  Those comments were mostly on the placement of the ball following a play but since then I have watched hours of college football spanning most of the conferences and I feel that maybe I was giving the officials too much credit.  The officials this year are just horrible.  Is it laziness now that they have instant replay (I asked this before)?  Are the officials so out of shape that they cannot keep up with the play?  I'm really convinced that the officials at least in college football just are not doing a very good job.

Results:

Week 1 31-5    [86.1%]

Week 2 28-3    [90.3%]

Week 3 26-2    [92.9%]

Week 4 24-2    [92.3%]

Week 5 14-4    [77.8%]

Week 6            [??.?%]

Season 123-16 [88.5%]

Thursday 07 October 2010

No 7. Nebraska at No 27. Kansas State

- The wildcats are playing better this year than last year but they do not have the roster to beat Nebraska.  Nebraska is more than capable of beating itself if it takes the game to lightly.  I think that the Wildcats will make some plays but it will not be there day.

Saturday 09 October 2010

No 1. Alabama at No 19. South Carolina

- The Gamecocks are much improved this year and they are at home but Alabama will prove to be too much and win this game by a little more than a touchdown.

No 2. Ohio State vs. Indiana

- Ohio State knows that Indiana has a good passing game but the lack of any running threat will allow the buckeyes to set the pace for the game at the Horseshoe and win.

No 3. Oregon at Washington State

- Washington State is a real bad team and Oregon will light up the scoreboard.

No 4. Boise State vs. Toledo

- The Broncos will win but perhaps the Rockets can keep it close for a quarter.

No 5. TCU vs. Wyoming

- Wyoming will pull out wins this year but this will not be the week.

No 8. Auburn at Kentucky

- Auburn will try to build Newton's stats and will win this game.

No 9. Arizona vs.. No 31. Oregon State

Arizona is not going undefeated this year but that first loss will not come this week.  Oregon State may not be a bottom feeder but it is not the team that those who support Boise State tried to claim it was to anyone who would listen.

No 10. Utah at Iowa State

- Iowa State rose up and whacked Texas Tech last week but Utah will not fall victim to the Cyclones this week.

No 11. Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

- Ryan Mallet will be the better NFL quarterback and he will some better plays in the game but Arkansas has failed to find a way to keep their offense in gear for four quarters.  Texas A&M will not take its foot off the gas and will pull off the upset this week.

No12. LSU at No 14. Florida

- LSU probably used up its entire allotment of 2010 luck with the ending of last weeks game.  While Florida is no where near what it was over the last few years, it is more than enough to knock LSU out of the ranks of the unbeaten.

No 13. Miami (Fl) vs. No 23. Florida State

- Two Offenses, both capable of scoring a lot of points, so the question is can home field advantage in Tallahassee over come the Seminoles weaker Defense.  Miami knocks FSU out of the top 25 again.

No 16. Stanford vs. No 28. USC

- Lane Kiffin has one of the best collections of athletes in college football but he is not capable of getting them to play as a team.   Stanford should win by at least 10 points.

No 17. Michigan State at No 18. Michigan

- If I was completely objective I guess I would have to pick the Spartans.  MSU has shown some defense this year and Michigan has not shown any.   MSU has shown some ability on special teams and Michigan has not shown any.  Both teams have shown that they can operate efficient offenses.  So the only thing that Michigan has is the home field and will on that and the voices of over 100,000 fans I think that Michigan will beat the Spartans.

No 20. Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

- Coach Brewster is delusional claiming his team could be undefeated when anyone who has watched the Gophers knows that will be the bottom dweller in the Big Ten and searching next year for a more grounded coach.

No 21. Nevada vs. San Jose State

- Nevada will pistol San Jose State into submission.

No 22. Oklahoma State at Louisiana-Lafayette

A stat building game for Oklahoma State.

No 24. Missouri vs. Colorado

- Missouri will not blow Colorado away but Coach Hawkings revival is not so complete as to pull out a win this week.

No 25. Air Force vs. Colorado State

- Air will run right, left and over the Rams.

Northwestern vs. Purdue

- Purdue has suffered too many injuries at too many critical places to win this game or many others this year.

No 36. Penn State vs. Illinois

- the Illini played well at home last week and they may put together a good half this week but at happy Valley, Penn State will give Joe Pa another win.

* Underlined teams are currently undefeated.