Here is my preview of this week's college football slate.
NCF Top 25 preview
Minnesota at (19) Ohio State
Terrelle Pryor has been thrown under the bus for his terrible performance this season for Ohio State. He seems to look like a perfect candidate for a Wildcat type quarterback, not a typical drop back QB. I don't like the Vegas line (Ohio State 17.5 favorite), mainly because I don't like Ohio State to win this game at all. Minnesota in an upset, 27-17.
South Florida at (20) Pittsburgh
South Florida suffered their first loss of the season at home against Cincinnati. Pittsburgh has become a strong team since an early loss to NC State. South Florida suffers it's second straight loss here. Pittsburgh wins comfortably, 31-14.
(12) Georgia Tech at Virginia
Virginia has come back nicely since starting the season 0-3. However, their loss against William and Mary is still a loss against William and Mary. Georgia Tech in a romp, 35-10.
Connecticut at (23) West Virginia
Connecticut comes into this game reeling after the tragic death of cornerback Jasper Howard Saturday. West Virginia is in the polls for the first time this season as Noel Devine will most likely have to carry the load after losing their starting QB due to injury last week. As much as my heart wants to pick Connecticut to win this game in memory of Jasper Howard, I just can't see it happening. West Virginia 27, Connecticut 21.
(15) Oklahoma St at Baylor
Oklahoma State has come along quietly in a powerful Big 12 conference this year, with their only loss coming to Houston. It won't change against Baylor. Oklahoma State in a rout, 49-10.
(13) Penn State at Michigan
Michigan was ranked earlier in the season after their big win over Notre Dame. However, they have fallen out of the top 25, after losing back to back games on the road against Michigan State and Iowa. Now they host Penn State at home, and while the win over Notre Dame is big, I just don't think they are that good in the Big Ten. Penn State wins easily, 33-16.
(11) Oregon at Washington
This isn't your brother's Washington Huskies team. They have a couple of huge wins on their resume already this year, over USC and Arizona. Both of those wins were at home, and their only home loss this year was an opening week loss to LSU. I think this week continues the trend. Washington upsets Oregon, 20-17.
Tennessee at (2) Alabama
Lane Kiffin's mouth has gotten him in trouble all year, and he finally officially signed his six year contract earlier this week. Alabama is just too good, with Heisman Trophy candidate Mark Ingram carrying the load. Alabama in a rout, 45-17.
Louisville at (5) Cincinnati
Cincinnati picked up their first huge win of the year last week, going to South Florida (ranked at the time) and beat them decisively without their own Heisman candidate QB Tony Pike. Louisville just isn't that good now. Cincinnati 30, Louisville 7
Oklahoma at (25) Kansas
Oklahoma will be without QB Sam Bradford for the remainder of the season most likely due to shoulder surgery. The team has struggled without Bradford this year, and going on the road to face Kansas isn't going to help. I think Oklahoma's fall continues. Kansas in a close contest, 27-23.
Clemson at (10) Miami
The U is back. They are as good as advertised. Clemson isn't as good as they used to be. Miami has a legitimate shot at a BCS game this year. Miami wins big, 34-13.
Air Force at (18) Utah
Utah's only loss this year came at the hands to Oregon, and are a half game back in the Mountain West Conference. Air Force has a very stingy defense, allowing an average of only 12 points per game. The problem is, their offense numbers are skewed by a 72-0 shellacking over Nichols State. Air Force is 0-3 against better teams, and Utah is a better team. Utah 24, Air Force 10
UCLA at (22) Arizona
Arizona has been up and down in their last four games, alternating wins and losses. Both of their losses, however, came on the road at Iowa and at Washington. UCLA is in the middle of the pack defensively, which doesn't bode well against Arizona's high powered offense. Arizona wins a slugfest, 35-24.
(6) Iowa at Michigan State
Kirk Ferentz has brought the Hawkeyes back to respectability this year, with a number of big wins already on their resume. Michigan State has come back to life after struggling early in the season, including an embarrassing loss to Central Michigan. Iowa's run continues here, as they look to leapfrog Boise State in the BCS standings. Iowa 37, Michigan State 20
vanderbilt at (24) South Carolina
Vanderbilt has remembered that they are Vanderbilt. South Carolina is coming off a tough loss to #2 Alabama. Prior to that they had run off four straight wins, including over then #4 Mississippi. Vanderbilt is no good, and they show it here. South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 6
Auburn at (9) LSU
LSU is coming off a controversial loss last week to #1 Florida, and are in a foul mood. Auburn is a good team, but they've lost their last two games to Arkansas and Kentucky. Those teams aren't LSU, so make it three straight losses for Auburn. LSU 44, Auburn 17
SMU at (17) Houston
No description necessary. Houston in a rout, 66-7.
(8) TCU at (16) BYU
The game of the week this week. TCU is looking to maintain its BCS bowl hopes, while BYU could use a big win to vault them up the rankings a couple of spots. As much as I'd like to see TCU continue it's undefeated run and destroy the BCS, I don't see it happening. BYU in a close game, 21-20.
(1) Florida at Mississippi St
Florida has struggled in their last two games, as evidenced by the media leaping Alabama over them in their rankings. They will have no such struggles this week against Mississippi State. Florida 28, Mississippi State 10
Oregon St at (7) USC
USC won a close contest over then #25 Notre Dame last week, and that fact alone shows that USC isn't as good as in previous years. However, Oregon State is no Notre Dame. USC in a rout 45-10 over Oregon State.
(3) Texas at Missouri
Colt McCoy has struggled in the last couple of weeks, in particular against Oklahoma's strong defense. Missouri is a team that I have had a hard time figuring out this year. Even with their recent offensive struggles, Texas still leads the nation in scoring this year at 42 points per game. Look for that to continue. Texas 45, Missouri 20.
(4) Boise St at Hawaii
The last game of the night puts BCS darling Boise State on the road against the Rainbows of Hawaii. This isn't your Timmy Chang or Colt Brennan led Rainbows. Boise State in a laugher, 37-10.
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