College Football: 25 Hunches for Week 8

There's plenty going on in the college football universe this week.

Wisconsin finally plays a true road game, Oklahoma State and their senior citizen quarterback faces a stiff test and of course, USC and Notre Dame take each other on in a bitter rivalry game that both need to win.

On top of all that, we finally had the initial BCS rankings, which are already stirring the pot of controversy in their first week on the scene.

You definitely don't want to be left out of the loop this early in the week, so check out these "hunches" about what's going to go down this weekend...

25. Arkansas Will Put Another Nail in Houston Nutt's Coffin

Given the history Houston Nutt has with Arkansas, it's ironic that they will be adding insult to injury this weekend when the Razorbacks decimate his weak Ole Miss squad.

Alabama showed last week that the Rebels can't handle a bruising running game, and the Hogs have one of those.

On top of that, they have a pretty solid passing game as well, making the chances that Ole Miss comes out on top in this one drop to practically nil.

If Nutt doesn't start getting some wins, very soon, his career at Ole Miss will be history.

24. The Cavaliers Remain (Gulp) Relevant

Virginia, of all schools, has a record of 4-2 this season, and may have just cracked open the door for rival Virginia Tech to regain control of the ACC's Coastal division.

And don't expect them to go away this week, either.

After upsetting Georgia Tech, the Cavs get to host a woeful N.C. State team next week.

If they show up with the same intensity and level of discipline for that one that they managed against the Yellow Jackets, they will be one win away from bowl eligibility after next week.

23. Bernard Pierce Will Put Up Some Points

Bernard Pierce is a scoring machine for the Temple Owls.

The man is currently tied for the national lead with 102 points scored on 17 rushing touchdowns, which coincidentally, also leads the nation.

The Owls are a tough out, just ask Penn State, who barely squeaked by them, and Maryland, who got destroyed by the Owls.

Pierce is the key.

This weekend, he will score at least three more touchdowns when the Owls take on Bowling Green.

22. Northwestern Gives Away the "W"

Remember, so long ago, when the Wildcats launched a Heisman campaign for quarterback Dan Persa?

Then the season started.

It's been pretty ugly.

Persa didn't even play in the first three games, and has not been overwhelmingly impressive since coming back from injury.

This week they face a tough opponent in Penn State.

While the Nittany Lions' offense is pedestrian, at best, the Wildcats will struggle against the Lions' defense.

Penn State will take it in a close one.

21. Nick Foles Keeps Producing

Foles plays for one of the worst teams in the FBS.

The Wildcats won their opener against Northern Arizona and they also won...no they didn't.

They haven't won since then.

However, Foles has been a bright spot in a pretty dark hole in Tucson.

He is the Jay Cutler of the NCAA, constantly under pressure and having to create on offense.

He has been sacked 13 times this season, but continues to produce at a high level.

He has completed over 70 percent of his passes, and scored fifteen times.

Against UCLA, the Wildcats have a chance to get a win, but even if they somehow manage to lose again, Foles will have a solid game, and no one will notice.

20. Georgia Tech Will Drop Another One

Anybody outside of Atlanta still think Georgia Tech is for real?

Didn't think so.

The Jackets fell for the first time over the weekend, to Virginia.

It doesn't get any easier this week.

The Yellow Jackets must travel to Miami to face a Hurricanes squad that has been inconsistent, but dangerous at times.

The 'Canes limit mistakes in this one and make it two in a row for the Yellow Jackets.

19. Your Significant Other Will Be Displeased

Wives, Girlfriends and soulless roommates who hate football take notice.

There is college football on Tuesday this week.

That's right, it starts two days earlier.

And this is only the beginning, from now until week 12, there are games every day from Tuesday through Saturday.

Please try to keep the noise to a dull roar during these weeks, we are trying to watch football.

18. Auburn Looks Lost

The Auburn Tigers travel to Death Valley this weekend to take on the top team in the country.

While they have looked good at times, their inexperience and youth has been visible almost as often.

Gene Chizik has got to be worried about this weekend.

LSU has absolutely feasted on mistakes by their opponents, and they have rolled everybody.

If this one were in Jordan-Hare, it might be a close one, but on the road, this young Auburn team is going to struggle.

17. K-State Remains Unbeaten

It has recently been discovered that Bill Snyder is actually a wizard, nearly as powerful as Gandalf.

The guy just keeps pulling off ridiculous accomplishments at an age when most people's toughest decision is which type of Depends to buy.

His Kansas State squad is still undefeated, and they will continue to be so this weekend.

They take on in-state rival Kansas, who hasn't come close to winning a game since September 10 against NIU.

This could be ugly.

16. Geno Smith Breaks the 400 Yards Mark

Smith is flourishing in Dana Holgorsen's offense.

He has thrown for over 400 yards in two games this season, and reached the 370 yard plateau in four of six games this year.

Syracuse will hang around for the first half against the Mountaineers, meaning Smith will have plenty of opportunity to rack up yards.

15. The Fighting Zooks Rebound with a Vengeance

When the world ends, one man will survive...Ron Zook.

The guy refuses to go away.

His Fighting Illini suffered their first loss last week to Ohio State, and will take it out on Purdue this week.

The Boilermakers give up more than two sacks per game, while the Illini average nearly four per.

Illinois' Whitney Mercilus leads the country in sacks with ten, and will add to that total in this one, further ensuring that Zook will be around for another decade...

14. 'Noles Stay on Track

It's been rough season for the Seminoles.

Their struggles have been well-documented, starting with the loss to Oklahoma, and culminating in their  loss to Wake Forest.

However, there is no team more appropriate to get your season back on track than to play Duke, and the Seminoles made short work of the Blue Devils.

Now, they have to keep it up.

Their next opponent is Maryland, who is about as mercurial a team as can be found this side of Southern California.

The game is in Tallahassee, and State does not have national title expectations to weigh them down.

The Terps, even in their stylin' new uniforms, are going to struggle in Doak Campbell.

13. Michigan State Will Get to the Quarterback

Wisconsin will take care of business in East Lansing this weekend, but they will be challenged early.

The Badgers' offensive line is stout, but they have given up a few sacks this season.

State's defensive line has been wreaking havoc wherever they go, amassing 3.5 sacks per game thus far.

Expect Jerel Worthy and company to cause Russell Wilson some trouble before the Badgers begin to assert themselves.

12. The Hokies Stay Focused

After rival Virginia took out Georgia Tech, the Hokies now tie atop their division once again.

Their crucial showdown with the Yellow Jackets is still almost a month away, and the Hokies will quietly dispatch of Boston College, who seems to be going without a whimper against everyone they face.

Hokies' quarterback Logan Thomas is making obvious strides at the position, and will continue to do so against a weaker opponent.

Take the Hokies to take care of business in a blowout.

11. The Blackshirts Will Be Fine Without Crick

The loss of Jared Crick for the season will hurt Nebraska's defense throughout the course of their remaining Big Ten games...after this weekend.

The Huskers get to face lowly Minnesota, who really has no business in the FBS.

This is the perfect time to try and come up with a serviceable replacement for the big defensive tackle, and try out new schemes.

Following an off week, the Huskers' defense will dominate the Goofers.

10. Price vs Luck Will Be Entertaining

Andrew Luck gets all the hype, but Washington quarterback Keith Price has been awfully impressive this season.

Price has tossed three or more touchdowns in six consecutive games, and is tied for the second most touchdown passes this season.

Luck is Luck, and he will do his thing.

But don't overlook Price in this one, his ability to influence a game could lead to a big statement win for the Huskies.

9. The Bearcats Will Keep Flying Under the Radar

Running back Isaiah Pead and quarterback Zach Collaros have the Bearcats tearing through opponents with relative ease.

Of course, they struggled with Louisville, and lost to Tennessee, but everyone else has been destroyed.

They have a tough test coming up this weekend with B.J. Daniels and the USF Bulls hosting them, but will once again come out on top.

Keep an eye on the Bearcats, they aren't getting much attention nationally, but they could win the Big East.

Of course that's equivalent to winning your local ladies auxiliary poker club, but give them a little bit of credit...

8. TAMU Keeps on Truckin'

So the Aggies have finally figured out how to hold on to a lead.

Their next game is on the road against an Iowa State team that should be easy prey.

They need a confidence builder heading into the remainder of their schedule, which features Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas State and Texas.

Ryan Tannehill has this offense clicking, and they need to make sure to iron out the kinks against the Cyclones before they run that gauntlet of opponents.

ISU will be lucky if they stay within three touchdowns.

7. Kellen Moore Tosses Three More Scores

Moore has scored 21 times through the air already through six games.

Air Force is coming to town this weekend.

Before the season, I thought Air Force might challenge the Broncos in this one, however they have been incredibly underwhelming thus far.

Moore should have another field day against a defense that is susceptible through the air.

6. Oregon Rolls Even Without Thomas and James

Chip Kelly is playing it close to the vest when it comes to revealing the status of his star players' injuries.

Darron Thomas suffered a knee injury in Saturday's win over Arizona State, and LaMichael James has that whole elbow thing to deal with.

Not to worry, Ducks' fans.

Your teams' next opponent is a miserable Colorado squad that is nearly as inept as they could possibly be.

If Kelly is smart, he won't rush Thomas back, especially since back-up Bryan Bennett proved to be a serviceable replacement, but whether Thomas and James suit up or not, the Ducks will take this one going away.

5. Notre Dame Will Win Going Away

The Irish have been quietly cruising along since their season-openeing losses.

This weekend, they face rival USC in a key game for the Irish.

No problem.

The Trojans have struggled at times this season, beating lowly Minnesota by only two points, and squeaking by a mediocre Utah team.

The Irish offense will take advantage of a USC defense that is not overly impressive, and Manti Te'o and company will be able to slow down the Trojan's offense, which has been bitten by the injury bug.

Expect Cierre Wood and Te'o to have a big day in a blowout by the Irish.

4. Sammy Watkins Continues to Amaze

Best freshman in the country?

Sammy Watkins, wide receiver, Clemson.

He is behind only Kendall Wright and Ryan Broyles in receiving touchdowns with eight.

He's seventh in the country in receiving yards.

He absolutely dominates secondaries, and is ridiculously fast, with sure hands.

North Carolina is no push-over, but the Tigers face them at Clemson, and Watkins will burn the Heels for at least two touchdowns.

3. 'Bama Hammers the Vols

Alabama brought down the hammer last week against Ole Miss.

They will do it again this week to the Tennessee Volunteers.

Trent Richardson absolutely punished the Rebels, and the defense buckled down and absolutely dominated.

Tennesee is a little more talented than Ole Miss, but they do not have the offense to challenge 'Bama's stout defense, nor do they have an answer for Richardson.

The Tide roll by at least two TDs.

2. Wisconsin Makes Statement

Wisconsin fans were chagrined to learn their team checked into the BCS rankings at number six.

Though they have played a pedestrian schedule, they have absolutely dominated everybody they have faced.

They are first in the country in points scored per game, and third in scoring defense.

But the computers hate them because of their "weak" schedule.

This weekend, the Badgers make a statement.

They go on the road, to Michigan State, and win by at least two touchdowns, making it look fairly easy.

1. Mizzou Ambushes the 'Pokes

The Tigers are the best 3-3 team in the country.

James Franklin has been a solid option at quarterback, and they are loaded with experience, especially on offense.

They have yet to lose a game at home, and the offense was really clicking last week when they stomped Iowa State.

The Cowboys boast the only FBS quarterback who is currently qualified for AARP, and put up loads of points, fast.

Missouri has a shot in this one because OSU has showed some vulnerability on the road against good teams.

We have yet to have a big upset this season, and this will be the first.