In last week’s predictions, I missed the big game (Texas/Missouri) incorrectly expecting Mizzou to respond to their upset loss the previous week. However, I was right with most of my remaining picks. I said Georgia and Oklahoma would both win in conference showdowns but not cover huge spreads (which they didn’t). I told you Ole Miss would give #2 Alabama a run. I told you Tulsa would put up huge numbers, and that Virginia was no longer the god-awful team they were a month ago.

I did miss the LSU/South Carolina game when LSU eked out a late win, overestimated Wake Forest, and expected more out of California and the new Clemson coaching staff. So what kind of predictions do I have this week?

(all rankings from are from The Blue Workhorse College Football Top 25)

#7 Texas Tech at #20 Kansas

We will finally find out just how good the Red Raiders really are. This week marks the first of four consecutive games against ranked opponents (with the following three all being in the Top 10). After their toughest competition, Nebraska, took them to overtime and had a great opportunity to win, Texas Tech needs a strong performance to prove their lofty ranking.

Kansas, on the other hand, had to battle against the same criticism that they never played a tough opponent all last season. This season? The Jayhawks played South Florida early in the year and couldn’t avoid Oklahoma this season. The results? Two losses (and they had to come back from 20 points down against Iowa State).

There will be plenty of offense in this matchup, but expect Kansas to lose yet again to a ranked team. Texas Tech’s prolific passing attack should pick apart a defensive secondary that is ranked 99th in the nation in passing defense. The books have this as a pick em game…pick Texas Tech.

#8 Oklahoma State at #1 Texas

I thought Oklahoma was the better team and would win. I was wrong. I thought Chase Daniel and Missouri would rebound to beat Texas. I was wrong. Third times the charm?

It is difficult for any college team to put together three consecutive strong performances as Texas is going to have to do. It will, like every week, depend on Colt McCoy. How he goes…how Texas will go. Thus far, McCoy has went well, and Texas is the first unanimous #1 both in our polls and the first in the AP poll since 2006.

Oklahoma State’s quarterback is no slouch either, however. Zac Robinson has thrown for nearly 1500 yards with over 800 of those yards going to star receiver Dez Bryant. What OSU has over Texas is balance. The Cowboys have the 5th best rushing attack in the nation led by Kendall Hunter’s 955 yards and 9 TDs while McCoy is the Longhorns’ leading rusher with only 371 yards.

Again, there will be plenty of offense (this is the all offense, all the time Big XII after all) as two of the top five scoring offenses face off. I’m giving the advantage to the Longhorns at home with them focusing on shutting down Bryant. However, covering the 12 point spread may prove difficult.

#9 Georgia at #10 LSU

One of these teams has been vastly overrated (ala Auburn). This game will show which team it is, and the losing team should be permanently out of national championship contention.

Georgia has been devastated by injuries. They’ve also basically had to reshuffle their offensive line before every game. That offensive line has been getting better week by week, but they’ll be put to their first significant test since failing against Alabama. If Matthew Stafford is given enough time, he should be able to effectively pick apart a suspect LSU secondary.

LSU will be starting a sophomore at QB and how well unproven Jarrett Lee plays could be one of the determining factors in the game. He’ll be supported well by Charles Scott, but Georgia may load up the box to stop Scott, especially if star middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe returns from injury.

Thankfully for the Bulldogs, the game is being played at 3:30 rather than at night in Tiger Stadium, where LSU is nearly unbeatable. With the earlier game, Georgia wins thanks to the hands of Mohammad Massoqoui and A.J. Green setting up a HUGE game next week in Jacksonville.

#3 Penn State at #11 Ohio State

JoePa takes the Nittany Lions into the Horseshoe with a chance to solidify his team as a true national contender. All they have to do? Take down the national runner-up of the past two years in a place they haven’t won at in 30 years.

Terrell Pryor got his first big win last weekend when the Buckeyes took down Michigan State with a dominant 45-7 win. He appears to be rapidly maturing, and despite some struggles by Pryor, the offense has really responded since he took over the starting position full time.

The winner of this game will also be the frontrunner for the Big 10 title and automatic BCS spot, so there is a lot riding on this game. I’ve got this game as a near toss up, but Penn State skates out of Columbus as winners for the first time since the ’70s.

#25 Virginia Tech at Florida State

Last week, I incorrectly thought Virginia Tech could go on the road and win an ACC contest against a quality conference foe (BC). This week I know better.

The Hokies just have no passing game right now (113th in the nation). Tyrod Taylor isn’t getting the job done, and the team isn’t going to turn back to Sean Glennon. Florida State always has a tough defense regardless of the ineptitude their offense has displayed over the last 4-5 seasons, and they are especially good against a one-dimensional offense.

Christian Ponder has played well for the Seminoles, but the emergence of Antone Smith as a dominant and punishing backs has been the reason why the Seminoles are back in the talk for conference championships.

Even the Hokies’ special teams has been suspect at times this year. Florida State wins by two scores.

Other Top 25 Picks:

  • I just keep feeling like Tennessee is going to sneak up and beat somebody to help save Fat Phil’s job. Plus, they are always tough at Neyland. It’ll be tough, but they could ruin #2 Alabama’s perfect season, which would make all orange fans happy.
  • #4 Oklahoma puts up at least 50 against KState.
  • Kentucky is a decent team with a really good defense, and in Lexington, I’d be tempted, but in The Swamp, #5 Florida wins.
  • Arizona won impressively against Cal last week, but now they are playing #6 Southern Cal. USC wins but still doesn’t impress.
  • #12 Boise State’s defense is key in a win over an underrated San Jose St. squad.
  • Louisville’s Cantwell throws a late INT to seal the win for #14 South Florida.
  • #15 TCU wins with lots and lots of points.
  • #16 Missouri is reeling. They really need a win, but it won’t be easy against Colorado. The Buffaloes could “end” Missouri’s season. Chase Daniel has to rally the troops late but wins.
  • Virginia is a dangerous team now that they have balance. #17 Georgia Tech still knocks them off b/c GT is getting back their top 2 QBs that can both effectively run the option.
  • On Sunday, be tuned in as #18 Tulsa puts up the points.
  • #19 Pittsburgh hasn’t done anything besides winning at South Florida. Rutgers is bad, and that’s the only thing that saves Pitt.
  • #20 BYU gets back on track against UNLV.
  • The #21 Ball State Cardinals stay undefeated.
  • After falling to Virginia last week, UNC gets back in the ACC race with a win over #23 Boston College.
  • Even though they have no defense, Purdue upsets #24 Minnesota.
  • Northwestern moves into the rankings next week after beating Indiana.

Think I’m crazy? Well, let us know who you think will win in the comments section.

Shotgun Spratling

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