College Football Preview: Week 7

This week's college football schedule is like a really hot woman: it looks good on the surface, but chances are, there is not much underneath in terms of personality, etc. (I am going to get blasted for saying that...bring it on haha). 

While we do have two heavyweight showdowns in OU-Texas and LSU-Florida, elsewhere, there is not much to write home to momma about.  The entire ACC, with the exception of Wake Forest and Clemson, is pretty much taking a wizard this week, with either non-conference games against lesser foes or a bye week.  Not like anyone cares about the fifth best league anyways. 

In fact, between 7-8 PM on Saturday night, there is not ONE SINGLE COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME ON TELEVISION!  Each Saturday thus far this season, we could pretty much count on college football being on in some form from noon to midnight uninterrupted (10 AM to midnight if you include the two hours of Lee Corso not making any sense whatsoever on GameDay). 

This week, I hope you like NASCAR or baseball, otherwise you might just be forced to go out and actually talk to people in the seven o'clock hour.  Although from my experiences, that hour is a popular one for Seinfeld reruns on the local FOX affiliates.  Enough babbling.  Let's take a look at this week's schedule and biggest games:

THURSDAY 10/9:
Clemson at Wake Forest, 7:30 (ESPN)
UAB at Houston, 8 (CBS College)

FRIDAY 10/10:
Louisville at Memphis, 8 (ESPN)

SATURDAY 10/11:
Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas, 12 (ABC)
Minnesota at Illinois, 12 (ESPN)
Syracuse at West Virginia, 12 (ESPN U)
Iowa at Indiana, 12 (BTN)
Toledo at Michigan, 12 (BTN)
Colorado at Kansas, 12:30 (ESPN 2)
Eastern Michigan at Army, 1 (ESPN Classic)
Nebraska at Texas Tech, 3 (FSN)
Notre Dame at North Carolina, 3:30 (ABC/ESPN)
Purdue at Ohio State, 3:30 (ABC/ESPN)
Arizona State at USC, 3:30 (ABC)
Michigan State at Northwestern, 3:30 (ESPN 2)
Tennessee at Georgia, 3:30 (CBS)
TCU at Colorado State, 3:30 (CBS College)
UCF at Miami (FL), 3:45 (ESPN U)
Utah State at San Jose State, 7:30 (ESPN U)
LSU at Florida, 8 (CBS)
Penn State at Wisconsin, 8 (ESPN)
Oklahoma State at Missouri, 8 (ESPN 2)
Boise State at Southern Miss, 8 (CBS College)
UCLA at Oregon, 10:15 (FSN)

GAMES OF THE WEEK:

Oklahoma vs. Texas

In recent years, it seems like the Red River Shootout always has major implications not only in the Big 12 South race, but on the national scene as well.  With both OU and Texas in the top 5, the emphasis on this huge rivalry is exemplified. 

Texas soundly beat a good Colorado team last week, so they are for real.  It seems as if it has all finally come together for Colt McCoy. Sitting on the king's perch at No.1, the Sooners are a wanted team, and no one would love to knock them out of the slot more than their archrivals. 

If you ask me, I think Oklahoma's talent on offense is unmatched amongst the top 10 teams in the country, and I am including Mizzou and Texas Tech in that evaluation.  Texas is very strong as well, but I don't know if they can keep pace on Saturday in Dallas. 

People kind of forgot about them in the shuffle of the depth of this year's Big 12, but with wins against OU and Mizzou the next two weeks, they very well could launch to No. 1 in the land. 

I still like Sam Bradford and the Sooners in this game, because they can score at will and are more talented as a unit than Texas on defense.  It was 28-0 before you could blink against Baylor a week ago.  I'll even predict a score: Oklahoma 35 Texas 24.  

LSU at Florida

If memory serves me correctly, this was one of the most memorable games of the 2007 season, and essentially sent LSU to the BCS championship and Florida out of SEC contention.  This year should be no different, as the venue switches from Baton Rouge to Gainesville.  Either way, it is going to be hostile for the visitors. 

LSU defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois went out of his way to say earlier this week that the Tigers were intent on knocking Tim Tebow out of the game.  Do these SEC players not have anything better to do than talk trash?  That's right, most of them probably don't go to class or have tutors taking care of the work.  Save it for when you get in the NFL, gentlemen. 

Back to this game, Jarrett Lee has really emerged as the LSU go-to quarterback, and he can handle the crowd noise.  With Demetrius Byrd and a host of running backs, the Tiger offense will be able to keep up with Tebow, whose numbers are down from his Heisman campaign. 

As is always the case in SEC play, it will come down to who creates and avoids turnovers, and plays the best defense.  Florida is desperate seeing how they already have one loss in conference action, so I look for them to eek out a win in this contest. 

Penn State at Wisconsin

The Badgers were picked to finish second in the Big 10 this season, but if they drop this one to a very good Penn State squad, they will be 0-3 in league play.  They should be 2-0, but blew late leads against both Michigan and Ohio State. 

Penn State is tough on defense, so for a Wisconsin team that does not put up huge offensive numbers, scoring enough points to take the upset may be a problem. 

This will be Darryl Clark's first true road test as starting QB in a hostile environment, so it will be intriguing to see how he responds to the pressure. 

Don't count out Wisconsin, but I think the offensive firepower on Joe Paterno's sideline will be too much to overcome for the Badgers.  

Oklahoma State at Missouri

Mike Gundy is a 40-year old (now 41) man, and apparently has coached the Cowboys to a 5-0 start (against a light schedule I may add).  Meanwhile, Mizzou is also 5-0, and the team was simply dominating against Nebraska last week.  This is the type of game you don't know what to expect. 

The Pokes are No. 17 in the polls, but outside of a strong offense, are they really a good team across the board?  Their schedule gives no indication of that being the case.  And Missouri may very well be looking forward to their big trip to Austin next week. 

I think the Tigers are clearly the better team and should win by at least two or three scores, but don't think for a minute that OSU cannot hang with Chase Daniel and that offense.

Clemson at Wake Forest

As poorly as Clemson has started at 3-2 (the only win against an FCS opponent was at the mercy of a subpar NC State squad), they still control their destiny in the ACC Atlantic Division.  Win this game, and they are right back in thethick of the battle with Wake, Florida State, and whoever else wants to get involved in this crazy league. 

Clemson has the playmakers on offense to get the job done, but as the Deacons proved against FSU, they play tough defensively.  Wake Forest had a week to think about their upset defeat against the Naval Academy, and I look for them to come out ready to play a full 60 minutes tomorrow night in a crucial conference battle.

OTHER GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

Notre Dame at North Carolina

The Irish probably didn't know what they were getting themselves into when this game was scheduled, but Butch Davis' Tar Heels are one blown 17-3 third quarter lead away from being 5-0 and leading the ACC Coastal. 

Notre Dame is 3-1, but has yet to be significantly challenged outside of Michigan State, and they lost that one 23-7.  There is no doubt in my mind that the Irish will have trouble defending the talented receivers on the Tar Heel sideline.

Michigan State at Northwestern

In a shocking development, both of these squads enter this game inside the USA Today Top 25.  Michigan State thanks mostly to Javon Ringer, Northwestern courtesy of a favorable non-conference schedule.  Neither of these teams will win the Big 10, but this game gives each an opportunity to get some valuable face time and show what they are capable of as a program.

Tennessee at Georgia

Tennessee beat Northern Illinois 13-9 last week.  Let me repeat that: 13-9.  I know they are working with a new offensive coordinator and quarterback, but Phil Fulmer cannot expect to remain in the good graces of Volunteer faithful with four point wins over a MAC squad.  Some are already calling for his ouster.  The offensive issues won't subside this week either against an angry Bulldogs team that laid an egg against Bama.

Vanderbilt at Mississippi State

One could argue that last week's win over Auburn at home was the biggest in the history of Vanderbilt football.  At 5-0 and No. 14 in the USA Today poll, people are beginning to see that this team is for real.  But with success comes traps, and this is a definite trap game.  MSU's offense is even worse than Auburn's, but with strong defensive play, should stick around for four quarters.  There are no guarantees in the SEC. 

Nebraska at Texas Tech

Just when it couldn't get any worse for a struggling Blackshirt defense that yielded a 52 spot to Chase Daniel and company, they have to travel to face that crazy son of a gun Mike Leach.  Bo Pelini is a great defensive coach, so my reasoning behind keeping an eye on this game rests in the fact that it will be interesting to see any adjustments he has made to avoid last week's disaster.  After a sluggish non-conference performance, TTU went into the Little Apple and thoroughly dominated Kansas State last week.

Rutgers at Cincinnati

This Rutgers team looks more like your father's Scarlet Knight squad instead of the competitive ones fielded by Greg Schiano the last three seasons. Rutgers has yet to beat an FBS opponent, and is seriously staring down a 1-5 start with a game in Cincinnati this Saturday.  Schiano is heralded for turning this program around, but you have to wonder how long the fans will be patient with a team that was supposed to contend for the conference crown.  

Western Michigan at Buffalo

I am trying to feature at least one mid-major game a week in this preview, and in Week Seven, we visit the MAC.  The Broncos have Kalamazoo abuzz at 5-1 and 3-0 in conference play, which is quite shocking considering the preseason polls.  Buffalo has gone from potentially the worst program in FBS to a contender in the MAC under Turner Gill.  His Bulls should give Western Michigan a great game on Saturday.