#21 Nebraska at #24 Missouri - This is a game between two teams that probably don't belong in the Top 25. Missouri started the season 4-0, and allegedly established some credibility with their pounding of Illinois in week 1. But it's becoming apparent that the Fighting Zookers stink. Nebraska took Virginia Tech down to the wire, but serious defensive lapses at the end cost them the game. Now in his second year, coach Bo Pelini has yet to see his Huskers beat a ranked team, but I think they will scrape by in this one.
#3 Alabama at #20 Mississippi - So far this season, Mississippi has been a disappointment, while Alabama has exceeded expectations. The Rebel defense has played pretty well, but the offense has been average, and QB Jevan Snead hasn't lived up to the pre-season hype. If you watched Alabama against Kentucky last week, they didn't look like world beaters. Until Kentucky helped them with four turnovers. Ole Miss will need a nearly perfect game at home to win. Avoid turnovers, penalties, and other mistakes. This game is HUGE for the Rebels. I think they find a way to win.
#1 Florida at #4 LSU - Am I the only person in the country that thinks LSU coach Les Miles is a dunderhead? He won a national championship two years ago because of superior talent and reckless gambling that seemed to pay off every time (going 5 for 5 on 4th downs against Florida, for example). The Tigers still have great athletes but their offense seems to sputter and their defense isn't exactly dominant (currently 40th in total defense). With all the focus on Tebow's skull this week, people seem to have forgotten that the Gators have other very capable ball carriers, a talented backup QB in John Brantley, and, oh, by the way, the nation's best defense. The Gators will win this one. Without Tebow. And it won't be close.
Wisconsin at #9 Ohio State - All week I've been reading that Wisconsin is "back" because they have their running game going like days of old, because QB Scott Tolzien is for real, blah, blah, blah. Let's get this straight right now (sorry, Bart!), the Badgers are 5-0 because they've played Northern Illinois, Fresno State, Wofford, Michigan State and Minnesota. Now they get to visit Ohio State. I hate Ohio State, but it looks like the Big Ten race will be decided on November 14th when Iowa visits Columbus. By the end of that day, Wisconsin will have 3 losses - counting this one to the Buckeyes.
Michigan at #12 Iowa - Remember Michigan? This is another team that everyone said was "back" after they beat Notre Dame. Come on. Beating Notre Dame is hardly even worth celebrating any more. I'm so tired of hearing about Tate Forcier... Let's see how good he is when he faces an actual defense, like, say, Iowa. The Hawkeyes are a bit hard to figure out. They struggle at home with the likes of Northern Iowa and Arkansas State, and then go on the road and manhandle Penn State. There's nothing flashy about them at all. They seem to play to the level of their opponents. So, if, indeed, Michigan is any good, Iowa will be better on Saturday.
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