Here's my top 7 plays of the week:
1.Texas-13 over OSU...OSU marks one game on their calender every year. And that's beating OU. That game is history and this will be an emotionally spent OSU team coming into Austin Saturday. Just like they do every year about this time, Texas is playing some excellent football and their defense is much much better this year. They're also adding a few more plays into their offensive schemes every week. Just enough to confuse opposing defenses. The Longhorns are looking more like the BCS team I thought they were at the beginning of the year. Texas rolls here 31-7
2.San Diego St.+9 over BYU...BYU is on a 2 game winning streak and the Aztecs are on a 5 game losing streak thanks to a slew of injuries on the offensive line this year. But a couple of those key players are coming back this week, and should give their talented 6'7 QB some extra time to pick apart the BYU weak defensive secondary. After the thrashing that the Aztec defense took last week by the BCS Utes, I expect it to come out ready and focused against a much weaker offense and a young QB. My score BYU 21-18
3.Nebraska-5 over Iowa St....After the big win over Missouri last week the Cornhuskers are starting to show some confidence and can smell a trip to the Big 12 Championship game. Iowa St. also comes in with a win over a banged up Kansas team who had lost their halfback the week before at OU, and their QB was also knocked out of the Iowa St. game. I don't expect the Cyclones to be that fortunate this week against an improving Husker team. Nebraska 28-17
4.Rice +71/2 over Fresno St. I don't care how good Fresno is, Rice gives them fits just about every year. I don't expect it to be any different this year. Especially against a struggling Fresno team. The trend here is just too good to resist. Rice 14-1-1 vs line last 16 as Rice Stadium dog! Fresno 27-24
5.Oregon St +18 over USC...First I'll just say I think USC is the best team in the country. They have great defensive schemes led by Pete Caroll's play calling, and a great offensive game plan every week thanks to offensive genius Norm Chow. There are simply no weaknesses on this team that I can see. And they will, barring a miracle be in the Championship game. Doubt there will be any miracles this week though. But I still like Oregon St. to cover. Even though they have played the weak sisters in the Pac 10 the past few weeks, they have won those games. So i expect the Beavers to come in with at least a smidgen of confidence. USC is so consistant. But I have a hunch they are going to do a little sleepwalking here and get out of town with a ho hum win under their belt. USC 23-10
6.Michigan St.pickum over Ohio St....Michigan St. will be missing their QB this week, who is out with an injury. But I doubt it will matter one bit thanks to a great running game the Spartans have cranked up the last few weeks. They're backup QB is an expierenced senior, so I don't anticipate any problems here. Ohio St. has been dreadful away from home this year in the Big 10. And with their 2 young shakey QB's playing in a hostile enviorment I don't expect that to change. Michigan St. fans can smell bowl game. Michigan St. 27-23
7.Oregon +21 over California...Oregon had a shaky first part of the year with turnover problems. But they appear to have those problems straightened out and have won their last 4 in a row. The Ducks are a big physical team who can play with anybody in the country. They've outgained just about everybody but Oklahoma in total yards per game this year. They have a clever coach with Mike Belloti, and I expect them to have a good game plan against Cal. Oregon lives up to it's preseason 3rd place pick in the Pac 10 and will give the Bears a solid game. California 27-14:kicking:
1.Texas-13 over OSU...OSU marks one game on their calender every year. And that's beating OU. That game is history and this will be an emotionally spent OSU team coming into Austin Saturday. Just like they do every year about this time, Texas is playing some excellent football and their defense is much much better this year. They're also adding a few more plays into their offensive schemes every week. Just enough to confuse opposing defenses. The Longhorns are looking more like the BCS team I thought they were at the beginning of the year. Texas rolls here 31-7
2.San Diego St.+9 over BYU...BYU is on a 2 game winning streak and the Aztecs are on a 5 game losing streak thanks to a slew of injuries on the offensive line this year. But a couple of those key players are coming back this week, and should give their talented 6'7 QB some extra time to pick apart the BYU weak defensive secondary. After the thrashing that the Aztec defense took last week by the BCS Utes, I expect it to come out ready and focused against a much weaker offense and a young QB. My score BYU 21-18
3.Nebraska-5 over Iowa St....After the big win over Missouri last week the Cornhuskers are starting to show some confidence and can smell a trip to the Big 12 Championship game. Iowa St. also comes in with a win over a banged up Kansas team who had lost their halfback the week before at OU, and their QB was also knocked out of the Iowa St. game. I don't expect the Cyclones to be that fortunate this week against an improving Husker team. Nebraska 28-17
4.Rice +71/2 over Fresno St. I don't care how good Fresno is, Rice gives them fits just about every year. I don't expect it to be any different this year. Especially against a struggling Fresno team. The trend here is just too good to resist. Rice 14-1-1 vs line last 16 as Rice Stadium dog! Fresno 27-24
5.Oregon St +18 over USC...First I'll just say I think USC is the best team in the country. They have great defensive schemes led by Pete Caroll's play calling, and a great offensive game plan every week thanks to offensive genius Norm Chow. There are simply no weaknesses on this team that I can see. And they will, barring a miracle be in the Championship game. Doubt there will be any miracles this week though. But I still like Oregon St. to cover. Even though they have played the weak sisters in the Pac 10 the past few weeks, they have won those games. So i expect the Beavers to come in with at least a smidgen of confidence. USC is so consistant. But I have a hunch they are going to do a little sleepwalking here and get out of town with a ho hum win under their belt. USC 23-10
6.Michigan St.pickum over Ohio St....Michigan St. will be missing their QB this week, who is out with an injury. But I doubt it will matter one bit thanks to a great running game the Spartans have cranked up the last few weeks. They're backup QB is an expierenced senior, so I don't anticipate any problems here. Ohio St. has been dreadful away from home this year in the Big 10. And with their 2 young shakey QB's playing in a hostile enviorment I don't expect that to change. Michigan St. fans can smell bowl game. Michigan St. 27-23
7.Oregon +21 over California...Oregon had a shaky first part of the year with turnover problems. But they appear to have those problems straightened out and have won their last 4 in a row. The Ducks are a big physical team who can play with anybody in the country. They've outgained just about everybody but Oklahoma in total yards per game this year. They have a clever coach with Mike Belloti, and I expect them to have a good game plan against Cal. Oregon lives up to it's preseason 3rd place pick in the Pac 10 and will give the Bears a solid game. California 27-14:kicking:
