Ten (seven) Questions I Can’t Wait to be Answered this Weekend

This weekend looks eerily similar to last weekend- two headliners and a few other games of interest. And even stranger, Lubbock, Texas is at the center of the college football universe for a second straight week.

1.) Game 3 of 4 in the “Big XII Cage Match Series” for Texas Tech. The schedule remains favorable for the Red Raiders with a second consecutive night home game, this time with Oklahoma State. I think Oklahoma State has too much balance on offense for Texas Tech with a 5th best ranking in rush offense and 38th best ranking in pass offense. I like the Cowboys by a point or two (line is Texas Tech by 3.5).

The interesting thing about this game is that as big as it is, Oklahoma State’s only marquis win, in fact their only win over a ranked team was their 5 point win at Missouri. After that, their best “win” was a quality loss at Texas. Both of these teams still have big brother Oklahoma on the schedule, which more consistently than Texas, has been the standard-bearer for the Big XII party (keeping the political terminology going a little longer).

2.) What will the return of Emperor Saban bring?- Alabama @ LSU. I don’t think there’s any real animosity by LSU fans toward Saban- why would there be? He won them a split championship, skipped town to steal a bunch of money from the Miami Dolphins, then returned to the SEC to lead the Crimson Tide. In the meantime, LSU won another championship under their current boss 1/2 mensa Les Miles.

I’m going with the underdog again here, though I’m sure I’ll regret it. LSU has sketchy quarterback play. And by sketchy, I mean sketchy like an etch-a-sketch- simple, two-dimensional, and easily erased by one play. The crime-fighting duo of Hatch and Lee are combining for a 55% completion percentage and 14 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions. Still, one of them is going to have to make a play today, and I think one of them will.

I like LSU to win because they’re at home and I think their defense is going to control the game. Alabama has the 18th best rushing attack in the country so if LSU can slow that down, they’ll force John Parker Wilson to win the game through the air, and I’m not convinced he’ll be able to do that.

3.) Will Penn State win at Iowa City? If they don’t, the BCS is headed for certain chaos. I think they will, and they’ll need to answer some offensive questions after a stuffy performance at Ohio State two weeks ago. Line is Penn State by 7 1/2.

4.) Can Baylor pull off the upset at Texas? After a 3-point loss to Missouri last week, Baylor will come in confident; also confident because Texas’ pass D stinks (no way to sugar coat 117th nationally). Baylor will keep it close early but Texas will pull away late.

5.) Does anyone care about the ACC? Not this year. Georgia Tech @ North Carolina is as good as it gets in that conference this year. Georgia Tech needs to win to stay atop the ACC Coastal division. I don’t really have a pick here, but I’ll go with North Carolina because I don’t like bees.

6.) What did Ohio State learn in their off-week? Ohio State travels to Northwestern to play a Wildcat team hobbled by injury (at least on the offense). The improved play of the defense has been the story this year for the Wildcats, and they’ll be tested today. The weather looks to be crummy so expected a lot of Beanie Wells and option running from Terrelle Pryor. I like Ohio State big (Tressel-style, by 10 or so).

7.) Can Cal keep it close at home against USC? Don’t count on it. USC has already lost their annual “oh shit” game and the Trojans are fully aware that they’re outsiders for the national championship race. They know their strength of schedule sucks and that they need to keep winning big and hope others lose. And that’s what they’re going to do today- win big.

You’re welcome.