Week 3: 10 games to watch for college football

1103953 Week 2 was a little disappointing for me. Not in terms of my overall record, I managed to go 7-3, but my record against the spread was an abysmal 2-8. I'm not moping around too much though thanks to Matt Barkley’s game winning TD drive against the Buckeyes, and the 49ers impressive come from behind victory against the Cards on Sunday. For the season I currently stand 13-7 overall, and 7-13 against the spread. Let's just be thankful the Navy hasn't let me get out to Vegas much lately. Unlike last week there were a lot of intriguing matchups for Week 3, it was very hard for me to choose between a couple, but here's my narrowed down list of the top 10 games in college football for Week 3. 10. Arizona @ Iowa: The Wildcats are coming off an impressive bowl victory against BYU, and two victories against lackluster opponents. They will get their first test of the season in Iowa City against a Hawkeye team who was #22 in the preseason polls, but fell out after needing 2 blocked field goals in the closing seconds to knock off Northern Iowa, but then followed it up with a 35-3 drubbing of rival Iowa State. This is also a must win for the Big Ten. They are already currently 0-2 against the PAC, including last week's high profile loss to USC, and with Cal scheduled to play Minnesota, if the Hawkeyes lose they are looking at a potential 0-4 record against the PAC. I have a feeling that Arizona rides their recent success to an upset over a potentially overrated Iowa team Prediction: Arizona 30 Iowa 28 9. Tulsa @ #12 Oklahoma: It's time for Landry Jones to prove himself. Sure he looked impressive in last week's 64-0 victory, but let's put it in perspective, they were playing Idaho State. This week they will face a better than average mid-major in Tulsa, in a potential trap game a week before their big showdown with Miami. Their national championship hopes are already on life support, another loss to a mid-major with Texas still on the schedule and they're over. The Golden Hurricanes looked impressive in their 37-13 victory over Tulane with Damaris Johnson gaining 252 all purpose yards. They're going to need a big game from him against the Sooners. Prediction: Oklahoma 41 Tulsa 24 8. Michigan State @ Notre Dame: Notre Dame fell in a close one last week to rival Michigan. Notre Dame fans shouldn't be too discouraged however, Jimmy Clausen is more and more starting to look like a top level college quarterback. There defense does look a little vulnerable however. They face a Michigan State team that has dominated the Irish as of late winning 3 of the last 4 meetings. There is a noticeable lack of talent on the Spartans squad this year, which could pose problems when trying to match up with the Irish offense. Charlie Weis is doing himself no favors either in the court of public opinion saying he didn't blame the officials for a loss, then went on to blame the Big 10 officials for the loss. Prediction: Notre Dame 30 MSU 17 7. #10 Boise State @ Fresno State: Boise State and Fresno square Friday night in the battle for the milk can. The Broncos begin the quest for their 8th WAC title in 9 years. Also on the line is their 4th undefeated regular season in 6 years and a potential BCS appearance. The Broncos are 54-2 in conference play since joining the WAC, but one of those losses was in Fresno 27-7, the worse loss in WAC play for Boise. They face a Fresno State team coming off a heartbreaking 34-31 loss in double OT to Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. The Bulldogs have an impact rusher in Ryan Mathews, but he will have a tough time facing a Boise defense that through 2 games is holding opponents to 34.5 rushing yards a game. Prediction: Boise State 42 Fresno State 3 6. #17 Cincinnati @ Oregon State; The Big East is in desperate need of a team to carry the banner for the conference. The Bearcats may just be that team. One week after going into Piscataway and stomping on Rutgers, they came back and took down South East Missouri State 70-3. They'll travel out west to face an Oregon State team who while undefeated has looked suspect. Jacquizz Rodgers will be the key in this one. If the Bearcats can contain him they will cruise to a victory, but that's easier said than done. Prediction: Cincinnati 34 Oregon State 27 5. Florida State @ #7 BYU: The cougars are a lot of people's dark horse to get to the national title game. That's understandable considering they took down the #3 ranked team in non-conference play. This week they will get another challenge from ACC foe Florida State at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Look for altitude to be a factor in this one. The Seminoles will travel from Tallahassee, FL elevation 180 feet, to Provo, UT elevation 4600 feet, by far the highest they will play all season long. That should start to affect the Seminoles in the fourth quarter. Look for Max Hall to have a big game in front of his home crowd for the first time this season. Prediction: BYU 33 FSU 24 4. Texas Tech @ #2 Texas: Last year Texas Tech spoiled the Longhorns national championship homes on Michael Crabtree's game winning touchdown reception. Mack Brown, Colt McCoy, and the rest of the Longhorns are eager for payback and won't be going easy on the Red Raiders. Texas Tech has looked impressive despite losing their top two playmakers on offense, but the talent and hatred from Texas will prove to much for the Red Raiders. Prediction: Texas 34 Texas Tech 17 3. #14 Georgia Tech @ #20 Miami: The Yellow Jackets got a crucial victory against Clemson last week in the closing seconds, but have another crucial contest this week in ACC play. Paul Johnson's triple option offense will get a challenge from the Hurricanes stout defense, but Miami's offense will be the key in this one. If they can get a lead early in this one they will have a great chance to win. The option offense is not designed to score points quickly. Another key for the Hurricanes will be getting tackles for losses on first down. Prediction: Miami 28 GT 24 2. Tennessee @ #1 Florida: Lane Kiffin was quoted saying "I'm really looking forward to embracing some of the great traditions at the University of Tennessee, for instance the Vol Walk, running through the T, singing 'Rocky Top' all night long after we beat Florida next year". Now it is time to pay for those comments. Urban Meyer insists that he is not worried about Lane Kiffin, and is focused on Tennessee's Defense, but Urban Meyer is one to hold grudges. Last year he called 2 timeouts late in a blowout against Georgia, so the Bulldogs could savor the defeat. This was in retaliation for Georgia's players storming the field after their first TD the previous season. Look for some timeout's to be saved for Lane Kiffin. Prediction: Florida 52 Tennessee 10 1.#19 Nebraska vs #13 Virginia Tech: Is the big red really back? Time to find out. They travel to Blacksburg this weekend to take on Virginia Tech in what is a statement game for the Cornhuskers. Look for Nebraska's Defense in this contest. If it holds up strong it could be an indicator of good things to come in a conference that’s known for their offense more than their defense. Prediction: Nebraska 13 Virginia Tech 10   <input /><input /> true

2009-09-15T19:46:02Z

94346 19 Week 3: 10 games to watch for college football

2009-09-23T01:12:16Z