5 Games to Watch:

Texas Tech v Nebraska- This game can go a long way in determining who plays for the Big 12 Championship later on this year. Neither team has played a tough schedule yet and each is 1-0 in conference play. Coach Mike Leach’s Red Raiders are going to pass, and pass often; they have scored and average of 57 ppg this season. However, the Cornhusker defense is rank second in the country surrendering only 36 points all season. Nobody seems to know how good either of these teams are, and even though the eyes of the Big 12 are focused down in Dallas this weekend this game could have just as much impact on the Big 12 championship picture.

Utah v Colorado State- Colorado State comes into this gaming looking to keep pace with Mountain West front runner TCU. Sonny Lubick’s CSU squad has a balanced attack, led by versatile running back Kyle Bell who has rushed for 180+ yards the last two weeks. Utah, under first year head coach Kyle Whittingham, has struggled a little bit this year. They could help their chances of staying on the national radar if they can get a road conference win and be in the picture in the highly competitive Mountain West. But playing in the cool Fort Collins air in Hughes Stadium is no easy task.

Georgia v Tennessee- “Wish that I was on ol’ Rocky Top, down in the Tennessee Hills.”
Tennessee already has an Eastern Division loss to Florida, so this is a must win game for them. The Georgia bulldogs come in confident and well rested after a week off and two games against powerhouses Mississippi State and Louisiana Monroe. Dawgs QB DJ Shockley now begins his campaign to prove he belongs as an elite SEC quarterback. The Volunteer defensive line has given Quarterbacks fits all season long, and Shockley will be no different. The Vols offense is beginning to emerge under Rick Clausen and the improved running of Gerald Riggs, Jr. Even thought Tennessee has not been impressive, they always find ways to win these games

Ohio State v Penn State- 59 degrees and a little bit of rain in Happy Valley, what better way to spend a fall afternoon than at a knock ‘em down, drag ‘em out Pier 6 brawl on the gridiron. The Nittany Lions seem to be back on track and the Buckeyes will provide their first big test. Coach Paterno’s defense is very solid and they are lead on offense with a versatile passing and running attack. Ohio State has played maybe their best game of the season and lost at home to Texas. Coach Jim Tressel can always seem to get his team up for big games and this one will be no different, the Big 10 title may hang in the balance in Happy Valley this weekend.

Oklahoma v Texas- Over the past 6 years or so this has been the most hotly contested rivalry in all of college football. Sometimes Texas has been blown out, but the game has never disappointed when it comes to hype. Can Mack Brown, notorious for losing big games, finally get the one that could put his team in the national championship picture? The Longhorns are a better team all around, no matter how you slice it. Vince Young already stepped forward in the Ohio State game; if he can do the same here the Longhorns should take out the Sooners. However, Bob Stoops is a great motivator and will have his team ready to play inspired football and ruin the Longhorns shot at the national title.

4 Players to watch:

Joseph Ayoob, Cal- He came out of Junior College with a big time reputation, but was beaten out by Nate Longshore. However, and injury to Longshore in the first game of the season has opened the door for Ayoob, who in four winning starts has thrown 8 TD’s and ran for four more. This week he takes his Cal Bears down to UCLA, we will see if Ayoob can handle the pressure of a playing a good conference team on the road.

Derrick Williams, Penn State- A Freshman Wideout who came into Penn State widely regarded as the nations top prep player, and he has not disappointed. Williams has shown big play ability catching the ball downfield and as an occasional running back. Coach Paterno has not shied away from playing a true freshman with Williams’ talent and it is paying off, he could be the difference maker in a big game like the one they have this weekend.

Ryan Hart, Rutgers- He is certainly not the most talented QB in the country but he has got some guts & moxy. Hart was brought in as Coach Schiano’s savior, a QB from Florida were Shiano had recruiting ties and past success. The RU program seems poised to actually turn things around this year and Hart is at the center of that. He had a brilliant game at Illinois which Rutgers threw away in overtime and last week against Pittsburgh he led his team to a victory in their first conference game. Now this week against West Virginia at home Hart will try and pull the upset and make his Scarlet Knights a major player in the Big East picture.

Paul Pinegar, Fresno State- He leads the Bulldog high powered passing attack, which has scored 44 PPG this season. He has thrown for 670 yards and 7 TD’s in only three games this season. Fresno matches up with the weak secondary of New Mexico State this week and Pinegar could have a record setting game, we are talking like 500 yds and 5 or 6 TD’s. Just keep an eye on the bottom line for this one and check out Pinegar’s line.

3 Lines to take:

The South Carolina Gamecocks are giving 13 points to Kentucky. The Gamecocks right now are a bad football team, and Kentucky is awful as well. With a slick field in Columbia this weekend and the overall terribleness of the Gamecocks how they are favored by 13 is beyond me, take the Wildcats to cover.

Texas A&M is playing on the road in Boulder this week against a tough Colorado team. The Aggies are getting 3 points, I think Dennis Franchione will have his team well prepared to go there and pull off the upset. I say take the Aggies to cover and win outright.

The most intriguing line of the week is the over/under in Happy Valley. The line was just bumped up to 42.5 late this week. It seems to me that it will be a defensive struggle especially if the weather forecast is correct and there is a bunch of rain, I say go with the under.