The Thing You Never Knew You Needed But Now Can't Live Without - Week 4

The first weekend of real implications is finally here.  Florida State gets an early chance to defend their preseason hype.  K-State heads to Norman for a big-time respect check.  Notre Dame hosts Michigan for the defensive game of the week while Oregon and Arizona look to score all the points in late night.  And despite all the conference realignment for the good of the TV networks, three of the top four games are still scheduled at the same time.  Got your three TVs ready yet, America?  Saturday has come to play.

Big 12 Schedule

 

Texas is taking a week off to recover.  Marqise Goodwin can still hear the screaming...

Last week: 7-1, Season 24-3


11:00 a.m. ESPN: Virginia at TCU 
Here's what I learned about TCU last week: Casey Pachall pronounces his name wrong, Gary Patterson needs a new tailor, and they look more like the Boise State of 2012 than the TCU of the Rose Bowl.  Here's what I know about Virginia: Ron Prince used to coach there.  Prediction: 42-28, TCU.

11:00 a.m. FX: Maryland at West Virginia
Maryland is like the KU of the ACC.  This may be marketed like a marquee match-up, but it's just another cupcake.  Of course, people will say that Geno Smith has now proven himself because of this game, but you'll know better, because you read this blog.  Prediction: 49-17, West Virginia.

2:30 p.m. ESPN3: KU at Northern Illinois
I was more impressed with KU last week than TCU.  Their ability to create turnovers keeps them in games against overly confident competition.  Unfortunately, they also have all the flaws of a group cobbled together by a coach who doesn't understand the concept of teamwork.  They can't finish, they make terrible decisions under pressure and they call plays based on star quality instead of strategy.  They should win this one, but I don't think they will.  Prediction: 31-30, Northern Illinois. 

6:50 p.m. FOX: K-State at OU (extended preview available here)
It will take more defense than offense, opportunistic plays, no mistakes and special teams production, but I think K-State gets the victory in a hard fought, panic inducing, Gus Johnson narrated classic.  Prediction: 31-21, K-State.  

Best of the Rest

 

Your move, Venables.  Would you rather be stopping Florida State or Kansas State this weekend?  

 

Last week: 1-5, Season: 6-9

2:30 p.m. CBS: Missouri at South Carolina
South Carolina hasn't been impressive this season, and can't seem to keep their QB1 healthy.  So naturally, they're ranked seventh.  It's interesting to see our old Big 12 buddies facing off against these storied institutions and in this case, the teams are actually very evenly matched.  It'll be a sleepy game, because these are sleepy teams, but tune in to the 4th quarter to see if things get interesting.  Prediction: 21-18, Missouri.

2:30 p.m. ESPN or ABC: Oregon State at UCLA
Blink and you'll miss it, but UCLA is actually fun to watch again.  Now that the Rick Neuheisel experiment is over, UCLA has made the most of the USC sanctions and recruited an exciting bunch of players including Heisman hopeful Johnathan Franklin at running back.  In their first and only game this season, Oregon State managed to knock off Wisconsin and brings their own buzz into this surprisingly important game in the Pac-12.  Prediction: 21-13, UCLA.

3:00 p.m. FX: Colorado at Washington State
Colorado continues their run as the saddest team in college football as they face the early stages of Leach 2.0.  Connor Halliday hasn't mastered the air raid offense yet, and Leach seems stubbornly opposed to running the ball, regardless of what logic would dictate.  Basically this game will be all slop and big plays and head scratchers.  You'll be sad if you watch it and sad if you miss it, so be sure to flip over during commercial breaks.  Prediction: 17-2, Washington State.

6:30 p.m. NBC: Michigan at Notre Dame
Last year, Michigan scored 28 points in the 4th quarter to come back and steal the victory with 2 seconds left in the game.  Repeat thriller this year?  Not so fast.  Notre Dame learned how to finish games and play defense in the off-season and Michigan forgot to develop any other offensive weapons beyond Denard Robinson.  Sorry Big 10.  There's no hope in sight for you this year.  Prediction: 21-14, Notre Dame.

6:45 p.m. ESPN2: Vanderbilt at Georgia
Vanderbilt is my favorite SEC team.  I think it's because they get close to beating all these ranked teams and then shoot themselves in the foot when they get within striking distance.   It's fascinating in its consistency.  Georgia has the talent and experience and maturity to win the SEC, and yet they're projected to lose every game they play.  We know your pain, Bulldogs.  Prediction:  35-20, Georgia.

7:00 p.m. ABC: Clemson at Florida State
Boy was I wrong about Florida State last week.  I like their defense, and might even be on board with Mark as the least reprehensible of the Stoops brothers.  Clemson's offense is overwhelming, but as West Virginia proved last year, it's really the only trick they have.  Florida State's the better team, and it'll be over early.  Sorry, GameDay crew.  Wrong again.  Prediction: 45-17, Florida State.  

9:30 p.m. ESPN: Arizona at Oregon
Offense!  Offense!  More offense!  Faster offense!  Bigger offense!  POINTS.  There will be absolutely no defense in this game which makes it the perfect late night game.  Feel your eyes grow heavy as you watch the pretty colors streak across the field.  Look at them go... go..... go..........zzzzzzzzzzz.  Prediction: 56-45, Oregon.