Weekend Previews

Unfortunately, as finals approach, my time becomes a rather valuable commodity. Consequently, I was pressed for time this week and will be unable to do my in-depth analysis on each game. I will still profile each match-up, but not in nearly as much depth.

Big 12

Oklahoma at Texas Tech - Oklahoma State ran all over the Red Raiders last week and got the win. I bet Adrian Peterson is counting down the minutes until he gets his crack at the Texas Tech run defense. Oklahoma's defense is good enough to keep Texas Tech in check, and if Peterson has a big day, the Sooners pull off the upset. Oklahoma 24 - Texas Tech 21.

Oklahoma State at Baylor - Baylor is on a five-game skid, but OK-State has come out firing the last two weeks. Baylor is still a solid team, but with their bowl dreams crushed, I would not be surprised if Oklahoma State continues to play well. Confidence does wonders for a team. Oklahoma State 28 - Baylor 17.

Missouri at Kansas State - If Colorado loses to Nebraska next week, Iowa State wins out, and Missouri wins out, all hell breaks lose in the Big 12 North. It might be fun, but it's probably not gonna happen. So which Mizzou shows up this weekend? Does Brad Smith have a good game? Can Mizzou run the ball? The bad one, no, and no. Kansas State has played well against some good teams recently and I think the Wildcats would love to put together an upset for coach Bill Snyder's last game with the team. Missouri 24 - Kansas State 27.

Big Ten

Northwestern at Illinois - Northwestern should win this one without any difficulties. Northwestern 45 - Illinois 13.

Minnesota at Iowa - I reiterate that Iowa is much better than they get credit for. Hawkeyes in an upset. Minnesota 31 - Iowa 34.

Ohio State at Michigan - You wanna talk about two hot teams... This is the second best game of the day, after the Iron Bowl, of course. Ohio State is firing on all cylinders, but Michigan is playing inspired football recently. This one should come down to the fourth quarter, but I think Ohio State's defense gives the Buckeyes the edge. Ohio State 17 - Michigan 10.

Purdue at Indiana - Purdue is still a pretty good team. Though the Boilermakers have the same record as the Hoosiers, the teams are fundamentally different. Purdue has lost some close games, while Indiana has bowed out early in nearly every loss. Indiana should be able to put up some points, and a close game wouldn't surprise me, but an uspet would. Purdue is not that bad. I would be very disappointed in the Boilermakers if they fall. Purude 31 - Indiana 14.

Penn State at Michigan State - ESPN Gameday actually chose this site because all the good games weren't carried by the ESPN network. I find that amusing. So Lee Corso, you have fun with this one. You get a hot Penn State team and a very chilly Michigan State team. Try and make us care--I dare you. Penn State 34 - Michigan State 14.

Pac-10

Washington State at Washington - This should be an interesting game, but I think the Cougars are too much for Washington. They've lost a handful of games by one possession. This could rather easily be a bowl team. Washington State 34 - Washington 24.

Oregon State at Oregon - Oregon would easily have won this game with QB Kellen Clemmens, but we can't live in the past. Sophomores Brady Leaf and Dennis Dixon have filled in well and should be enough to finish off the Beavers without QB Matt Moore. Oregon State 17 - Oregon 31.

California at Stanford - Alright Stanford, here's your chance. Cal's using former fullback Steve Levy at QB. If you ever had a chance, it's now. So don't say I never gave you anything. Cal 14 - Stanford 23.

Fresno State at USC - This game should be tons of fun, except that USC is used to dealing with high pressure games and Fresno is not. Of course, you know Fresno has had this date circled on their calendar all year. This makes or breaks their year. Consider it broken. Good luck in your bowl game. Fresno 13 - USC 41.

ACC

Virginia Tech at Virginia - Virginia had a good win last week, but Virginia Tech is a lot better than Georgia Tech. They've had two weeks to get over the loss to Miami--guess what, Virginia? They're coming for blood. You have fun with this one. Virginia Tech 34 - Virginia 10.

Boston College at Maryland - In a match of two mediocre teams (in my book, at least), I give the edge to the better defense (BC) who is playing with a quarterback they have some faith in--Matt Ryan. Boston College 28 - Maryland 24.

Middle Tennesee State at NC State - MTSU beat Vandy, but I just don't think this one should be much of a contest--if, of course, NC State shows up and bounces back from the BC loss. Nothing's a lock for the Wolfpack this year. Middle Tennessee State 10 - NC State 24.

Duke at North Carolina - Will anyone be at this game now that basketball season has started? Duke 7 - UNC 16.

Clemson at South Carolina - This should be a great game. I should have learned by now not to pick against Spurrier, but despite saying "I believe," I really don't. Clemson is the better team. South Carolina has managed to take advantage of an SEC East that is not what it used to be. Not to take anything away from the Gamecocks, but we all know that Tennessee and Florida are bit down. Clemson, though, is coming off a sound beat-down of Florida State. Emotions should be high in this one, but I think Clemson has the talent to pull it off. Clemson 31 - South Carolina 17.

Georgia Tech at Miami - There are way too many games in the ACC this week. At least, there are too many games on the schedule. This one really shouldn't count. If Tech QB Reggie Ball turns into Dan Marino, maybe, just maybe, Tech has a chance. Miami is riding high right now, but they are still vulnerable due to occasional offensive inconsitancy. It would be a fluke if GaTech got a win at the Orange Bowl, but I guess stranger things have happened. GaTech 10 - Miami 28.

SEC

Kentucky at Georgia - Kentucky's offense has improved dramatically, and I would not be surprised if they put up some points on the Georgia defense, particularly since Georgia is coming off the tough loss to Auburn. Of course, the SEC East is Georgia's to lose, and I don't think they will pass up this opportunity. Shockley should pass downfield at will. Kentucky 17 - Georgia 37.

Vanderbilt at Tennessee - Sadly, this will be a good game. Tennessee needs to win to stay bowl eligible. Vandy is already out of the picture, but they would love nothing more than to keep the Vols at home this December. Tennessee has been unable to score points all year. Vandy has not usually had that problem, but LSU and Georgia's defense gave them fits. Luckily, if they match the production against Georgia (17), that may be enough for the win. Vandy 17 - Tennessee 16.

Mississippi State at Arkansas - Slyvester Croom is slowly making Mississippi State better, but it's just not that good yet. Arkansas has a great running game and with Casey Dick at QB, they should dispatch of the Bulldogs. If they win convincingly, LSU better look out. Mississippi State 7 - Arkansas 28.

Alabama at Auburn - The Iron Bowl! It doesn't get any better than this. 9-1 Bama vs. 8-2 Auburn. Well, maybe it could get a little better, but regardless, we're enjoying the now. There is little need for hardcore analysis of this game because, honestly, it doesn't matter much anyways. Bama's offense sucks; Auburn's offense is great. Bama's defense is phenomenal; Auburn's defense is slightly above average. Both teams want to ruin the other's season. I can't wait to see it. Alabama 16 - Auburn 24.

LSU at Ole Miss - This game is dangerous for LSU. They are coming off a win that should wrap up the SEC West for them. However, they still have Ole Miss and Arkansas on the schedule--two teams that have improved dramatically as the season has progressed. An upset is not out of the question. Ole Miss' run defense is very solid, and if the secondary plays a good game, Ole Miss can keep LSU from finding the endzone too often. I like Ole Miss' chances better with passing-QB Ethan Flatt than running-QB Micheal Spurlock. However, I still think LSU is too good for Ole Miss. If an upset is going to come for the Tigers, it'll be next week against Arkansas. LSU 20 - Ole Miss 12.