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.

#8 Florida vs #6 Georgia (in Jacksonville)
Let’s make one thing clear: I hate Georgia. Not just a tad. Not just somewhat. We’re talking a whole freakin’ lot. Although, admittedly, I have a soft spot for Georgia girls… ;) On paper, these are two pretty evenly matched teams. The difference appears to be on defense, where Georgia has been susceptible to big plays, and Florida has improved significantly. Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno is the real deal. If the Gators can slow him down better than they did last year (188 yards rushing), they will win.

#1 Texas @ #7 Texas Tech
I’d love to see a Texas Tech win here, just to see the BCS hierarchy shaken up. They score an average of 48 points per game, but their early season competition wasn’t exactly stellar. The tough home stretch starts now. Texas, on the other hand, has faced opponents ranked 11th or better in each of their previous three games. They are tested, but are they tired as well? I think so. I’m going to take the Red Raiders.

Wisconsin @ #21 Michigan State
I decided to pick this game because it gave me a chance to repeat, yet again, the fact that Wisconsin is so consistently over-rated at the beginning of each season it makes me want to vomit. This is a team that was in most top 10 rankings in August, and, in some people’s top 5. Why?? Repeat after me. Badgers? We don’t need no stinking Badgers. They are now 4-4, and little more than an afterthought. Kind of like a nasty burp after a Taco Bell combo meal. Michigan State absolutely imploded in their loss to Ohio State two weeks ago, but rebounded to win at Michigan. I am by no means a Spartans fan, but I think they win this one.

Nebraska @ #4 Oklahoma
Remember when this game used to be huge? The winner of this game pretty much always won the old Big 8 and ended up in the Orange Bowl. Oklahoma, under Bob Stoops has regained the status they enjoyed in earlier glory years. And Nebraska… hasn’t. All eyes will be on the big games in Jacksonville and Lubbock while the Sooners take care of business.

#15 Florida State @ Georgia Tech
I hate Florida State, but they’ve very quietly crept back into the Top 25 after losing to Wake Forest on September 20th. The ‘Noles have often been just a bit susceptible to teams that can line up and right right at them. And that’s what Georgia Tech will do. Bobby Bowden is looking for his 13th straight win over the Yellow Jackets. I don’t think he’s going to get it.

#24 Oregon @ California
Will the real California team please stand up? What will we see Saturday? The team that beat Michigan State in the home opener, and pounded UCLA last week? Or the team that was physically dominated by Maryland and Arizona? When Oregon gets their offense going, they are hard to beat, but their defense has struggled at times. Cal seems to be a better team at home, and, unfortunately for the Ducks, this game is in Berkley.

Northwestern @ #17 Minnesota
This is an interesting matchup of two teams that have clearly exceeded expectations this year. Northwestern is 6-2. After going 1-11 last year and surrendering almost 37 points per game, Minnesota is 7-1, and allowing just 17 points per game. Northwestern started the season 6-1, but lost last week, inexplicably, to a pretty lousy Indiana team. In that loss, RB Tyrell Sutton sustained a season-ending wrist injury. After this week’s game, the Wildcats finish the season with games against Ohio State, @ Michigan and Illinois. They could finish 6-6 because the Gophers will take this one.

Miami @ Virginia
Virginia started the season 1-3, including a 31-3 thrashing at the hands of the mighty Duke Blue Devils. But since then, they’ve won four straight. When RB Cedric Peerman got healthy, things seemed to turn around. Are they good enough to beat a mediocre Miami team? They may be without starting fullback Rashawn Jackson, who was arrested this week on larceny and breaking and entering charges dating back to last year. Miami has problems at the QB position, and their offensive production is way down as a result. But the defense is currently 15th in the nation. In the interest of fairness, I should admit that I hate Miami. And I’ll take Virginia in this one.