College Football Week 10: Auburn Coasts, Alabama Tested
The BCS Top 10 holds a nice mix for fans this weekend, as we'll see sixth-ranked Alabama enter Death Valley to face No. 10 LSU, while Auburn stays home to face FCS Chattanooga. The Ducks are the only Top 10 team to face an opponent with a losing record, and the "have-nots" boast two big showdowns in the Non-AQ ranks where the four teams facing off have a combined record of 31-2.
The Big Ten and the Big 12 BCS hopefuls all face what look to be marginal opponents. However, the unpredictability in both conferences could make these games more exciting than they look at first glance. The one thing we know for sure is that two of the Top 10 teams are going down this weekend, and for most, that's reason enough to watch our favorite game.
Oregon (8-0) Vs. Washington (3-5)
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The top-ranked Oregon Ducks stay home in Eugene this week to face the Washington Huskies and Jake Locker.
The Huskies have only won three games this year, and Oregon is the only Top 10 team to face a team with a losing record this weekend. The interesting thing, however, is that the Huskies' three wins have come against three teams that have to be considered at least middle of the pack in the FBS. A dominating win against 6-2 Syracuse and close wins against both USC and Oregon State would lead one to believe that the Huskies might be capable of greatness with a few lucky bounces.
Luck aside however, I fully expect Oregon to continue their winning ways and light up the scoreboard the same way they have been all season.
Washington keeps it close in the first half, then watches the Ducks waddle away in the second half on their way to another impressive win.
Oregon 52 Washington 24
Auburn (9-0) Vs. FCS Chattanooga (5-3)
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If you were Gene Chizik would you let Cam Newton step onto the field in this one? If he does, it might be because he's afraid to let the world see what the Tigers may (or may not) be without SuperCam at the helm.
The SEC continually schedules a laughable out of conference schedule, so if it wasn't bad enough to have already watched Auburn beat up on two Sun Belt teams this year, we now get to check their box score against an FCS team—an afterthought to the other games we'll really watch this weekend.
If we were watching, it would be interesting to see if Cam plays and also if the Auburn defense gives up many points to an FCS team. If Chattanooga can put 20 points on Auburn at home, there will be a lot of people in Tuscaloosa looking forward to the Iron Bowl for sure.
Auburn 52 Chattanooga 17
TCU (9-0) at Utah (8-0)
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At first glance, this game looks to be the runner-up for game of the week after the Alabama-LSU game. However, I'm still not convinced that either of these teams are quite as good as billed. The problem is that this will be the toughest test of the season for both of them, and unless it's a blowout one way or the other, we still won't really know how good the Frogs or Utes actually are.
Don't get me wrong, these are both solid teams (TCU more so than Utah), but it's hard for me to believe that they are both clear-cut Top Five teams. Utah has it's signature win with a three-point OT victory at home against currently unranked Pitt. TCU earned bragging rights via it's nine-point home win against currently unranked Oregon State. How can you have two teams in the Top 5 with no wins against currently ranked opponents?
Both teams score a lot of points and don't allow many, so it might be tough to figure which way this one might go for the over under.
TCU 31 Utah 24
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Boise State (7-0) Vs. Hawaii (7-2)
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Boise State will face an improving Hawaii team that is now 7-2, its losses coming against USC and Colorado. The game will be on the smurf turf in Boise where weather doesn't look like it will be a factor. What will most likely be a factor is that the Broncos are undefeated at home against WAC opponents "ALL TIME."
Boise State needs a convincing win over the Warriors in order to help them in their BCS quest. The game time of 4:30 EST should help them get more exposure than they are accustomed to. However, with the winner of the Mountain West showdown adding a victory over a Top Five team to their resume, it probably won't be enough to sway the computers in their favor. I think this team can play with anyone in the country; however, their schedule may keep them from proving it.
Broncos head coach Chris Petersen doesn't believe in style points, but without them the Broncos could find themselves undefeated for the second year in a row and on the outside looking in yet again.
Boise State 45 Hawaii 20
Alabama (7-1) at No. 10 LSU ( 7-1)
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In the marquee matchup of the weekend, the Tide will roll into Death Valley to see if the Mad Hatter has any tricks left up his sleeve. Both Richardson and Ingram are running all over defenses behind that typically stout 'Bama O-line, and against the LSU defensive front this should be a battle for the ages.
LSU did allow Cam Newton and Auburn to rack up over 500 yards of offense, so it will be interesting to see if they can get back to the shut-down D that they are known for—or if the multi-threat 'Bama backfield will run all over them yet again.
This has the makings of a classic SEC defensive battle, with turnovers possibly determining the outcome of the game. Does Alabama set themselves up for the Iron Bowl, and possibly another run at the championship game, or does LSU pull another rabbit out of the hat?
LSU 17 'Bama 14 OT
Nebraska (7-1) at Iowa State (5-4)
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Nebraska and Roy Helu Jr. may have made a solid case for themselves to be considered the class of the Big 12 at this point in the season. I mean, can you really see OU beating them in the championship game? As if Martinez and his eight-yards per carry weren't enough, Roy Helu Jr. burst into the college football world conscious last week with his 307-yard performance against Mizzou.
Iowa State has had a typical up and down Cyclone season, with the high point coming with their win against Texas down in Austin—and their low point coming the week before in a 52-point shutout at the hands of the Sooners in Norman. Which team will show up at home against the Huskers this week?
I think that much like Washington in the game against the Ducks, Iowa State will keep this one interesting going into the second half, but then Nebraska will show its muscle and pull away for a solid win.
Nebraska 48 Iowa State 28
Oklahoma (7-1) at Texas A & M (5-3)
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Oklahoma being ranked No. 1 a couple of weeks ago was a big pet peeve of mine, as there is no way the Sooners should have been considered as the top team in the country. Their loss to Mizzou, although an upset to some, seemed to me to be all but inevitable—as was Mizzou's loss to Nebraska.
The Sooners have just had too many close games against mediocre opponents this year to make a believer out of me. I've looked for a sound reason for A & M to have the advantage in this game, but other than the home field advantage I just can't see them beating Oklahoma this time.
Landry Jones is beginning to come of age with his team and should impress against the Aggie defense on Saturday. With both Baylor and the Cowboys left on the road schedule for the Sooners, I don't see them winning out anyway.
Oklahoma 34 Texas A&M 28
Wisconsin (7-1) at Purdue (4-4)
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Wisconsin had a weekend off to stay home and enjoy the fall of Sparty. Their remaining schedule gives them a shot at winning the Big 10, with a showdown at the Big House being the main obstacle between them and the Rose Bowl. Wait......can anyone still actually win the Big 10 this year?
Purdue has only scored more than 20 points one time this season, and Wisconsin hasn't scored less than 20 points in any of their games this season. I think this is almost a trap game for the Badgers, and I expect them to play worse than most would think. I also expect the Boilermakers to play over their heads in a game that sets up well for them. Oooooh, beware the huge upset.
The Badgers should prove to be too much in the end, but I'll keep my eye on this one just in case.
Wisconsin 30 Purdue 24
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