My Crystal Ball Says...

...that I know what will happen in this week's key games. Always remember that I'm right, and your team sucks.

#21 West Virginia @ Colorado
Colorado is still rebuilding under Dan Hawkins. West Virginia is still wondering what happened against East Carolina. My gut feeling is to go with the Mountaineers. But my gut feelings have been all wrong lately. The Buffs win a close one.

Iowa @ Pittsburgh
This game features two teams that missed out on bowls last year, and two schools whose alumni have come to expect them. Pittsburgh is still trying to recover from the season-opening loss to Bowling Green. If the Panthers lose this one, Dave Wannstedt may find for-sale signs planted on his front lawn.

#9 Alabama @ Arkansas
The Tide seems much improved in Nick Saban’s second year. The Hogs have struggled with Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe. Roll Tide.

Arizona @ UCLA
Two weeks ago, this looked like a key early game in the Pac 10 race. Then Arizona lost to New Mexico, and UCLA got destroyed by BYU. UCLA is dead last in the nation in rushing offense. That’s right, 119th. And Arizona has a decent passing attack. Arizona wins this one.

#4 Florida @ Tennessee
Phil Fulmer is 142-34 against the rest of college football, and 5-11 against Florida. Of course, it didn’t help that the Gators were coached by a guy named Spurrier for 12 years. Now they’re coached by a guy named Meyer who is 3-0 against the Vols in his short tenure in Gainesville. The Gator defense is improved. The offense is improving. Tennessee seemed very ordinary in the loss to UCLA. Who are the playmakers on that squad? Look for the Vols to keep it interesting for a while, but expect a Gator victory.

Miami @ Texas A&M
The Aggies opened the season with a home loss to Arkansas State, followed by an unimpressive win over New Mexico. How bad are they? Miami’s offense still needs work, but the defense is excellent. This one won’t be close. Just remember, you can’t spell scum without UM.

#18 Wake Forest @ #24 Florida State
I should be honest here. I hate Florida State. If Adolph Hitler and his boys came back to life for a day and played the ‘Noles, I’d root for the Nazis. St. Bobby is getting some pretty good quarterback play from Christian Ponder. But Wake Forest has won two straight over Florida State, including an extremely enjoyable 30-0 pounding in Tallahassee in 2006. Wake Forest plays with discipline, and they make few mistakes. Unless Florida State. Demon Deacon QB Riley Skinner is now officially the most accurate passer in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference. And you gotta like any team with a kicker named Sam Swank.

#6 LSU @ #10 Auburn
These are two offenses that haven’t gelled, but two very good defenses. When these two teams meet, it is typically a low scoring affair. LSU is 5th in the nation in rushing defense. Auburn is 9th. Eleven of the last eighteen games in this series have been decided by seven points or less. Something’s gotta give. Something tells me the Tigers will win. Haha! Just kidding. The LSU Tigers.

#3 Georgia @ Arizona State
The Sun Devils started this season looking for respect. Then they lost to UNLV. So now they’re just trying to save face. Georgia is the wrong team to play when you’re in search of redemption. The Dawgs have a remarkable road record under Mark Richt, 26-4 to be exact. Soon to be 27-4.