The Thing You Never Knew You Needed But Now Can't Live Without - Week 9

Wouldn't it be great if Alabama, Florida and Notre Dame all lost today?  Then we could finally stop talking about the canceled game with Oregon and get back to being #1 in the country.  It's going to be a good day.

Big 12 Schedule

 

It's a weird feeling to cheer for OU.

11:00 a.m. FSN: Texas at KU
KU is getting closer to beating teams at home, due to the fact that their defense is improving and teams never, ever take KU seriously.  Will Texas be the team to fall?  Their defense is certainly dreadful enough, and it will be cold and quiet in Lawrence.  I think KU will have a chance, but I don't think they're disciplined enough to pull it off.  Prediction: 31-28, Texas.

2:30 p.m. FOX: Texas Tech at K-State (extended preview available)
Tech has only given up 10 plays of 20+ yards.  However, 4 of those came last week against TCU.  K-State's offense will prevail, as long as we protect the ball.  Prediction: 35-27, K-State.

2:30 p.m. FSN: TCU at OSU
I can't figure out these two teams.  TCU looked miserable at home against Iowa State, then took Texas Tech into triple overtime with their freshman QB.  OSU looked great against Texas, then escaped Lawrence with a 6 point victory.  They're currently ranked 7th in overall passing yards, so I'm guessing they'll have a monster day and move up to 3rd, just in time to visit Manhattan next week.  Prediction: 52-35, OSU.

6:00 p.m. FSN: Baylor at Iowa State
Terrifying fact of the week for Iowa State: Baylor has scored 45 points in 9 of their last 10 games.  Iowa State hasn't scored 45 points since 2010.  The Cyclones defense went missing in the second half of their game last week but I think the home crowd will keep them in this one.  Prediction: 30-24, Iowa State.  

7:00 p.m. ABC: Notre Dame at OU
OU has scored 32 of 33 times they've been in the red zone this season. Notre Dame is the only team in the country that hasn't given up a rushing touchdown this year.  In the battle of Belldozer vs. Manti Te'o, who will emerge victorious?  My money's on the Klein clone.  Prediction: 20-10, OU.

Best of the Rest

 

Johnathan Banks, meet Jonathan Banks.  You're our only hope now.

11:00 a.m. ESPN: South Carolina vs. Tennessee
South Carolina sure fell hard and fast, didn't they?  Derek Dooley really needs to win this game so that he can get another job next year.  South Carolina really needs to win this game so that Spurrier will stop destroying visors and headsets and quarterbacks.  Whatever happens will be sad.  They both had it so good!  And then they played Florida.  Prediction: 27-20, South Carolina.

2:30 p.m. CBS: Georgia vs. Florida
Georgia has only won 4 of the last 22 games against Florida.  Yuuuuuck.  Florida keeps getting better and more consistent and well-rounded.  Yuuuuuuck.  I really want Georgia to win.  But then I remember that they played even with Mizzou for a half, and we all know that Mizzou lost to Vanderbilt (Vanderbilt! Tee hee hee)  Prediction: 35-12, Florida. 

2:30 p.m. ABC: Arizona vs. USC
Everyone really, really wants to believe that Rich Rodriguez is succeeding at Arizona.  They're not, and USC only reacts poorly to teams who play defense.  Enjoy your Saturday, Trojans.  The real fun begins next week.  Prediction: 41-20, USC.

2:30 p.m. ESPNU: Duke vs. Florida State
Duke's been on kind of a hot streak this year and Florida State messed around with Miami for 3 quarters before deciding to play football.  This kind of game is the entire reason that ESPNU exists and it makes me sad all over again that we can't have DirecTV.  Watch it for me, tree-less football fans.  You don't know how good you have it.  Prediction: 38-35, Florida State.

4:30 p.m. ESPN: Ohio State vs. Penn State
The Big 10 is so embarrassing this year.  These are the top two teams in their division and neither of them are eligible for the postseason.  Or even the conference championship game.  Just go away for a couple of years and let the MAC take your place.  Y'all look silly.  Prediction: Disqualified. 

7:30 p.m. ESPN: Alabama vs. Mississippi State
Dan Mullen is currently beating Bill Snyder in the Coach of the Year poll.   If Dan Mullen beats Nick Saban this weekend, that will start to make a tiny bit of sense.  If he doesn't, can we all stop fooling around and voting for anyone other than Snyder and Mike Riley?  C'mon people.  Also, I love that Mississippi State's cornerback is named Johnathan Banks.  It's the most topically appropriate name for a cornerback in 2012.   Prediction: 35-21, Alabama.

9:30 p.m. Pac-12 Network: Washington vs. Oregon State
The only good thing about ESPN not showing this game is that College Football Final will start before midnight.  I can't wait to hear Lou's thoughts on the Notre Dame game, and Mark May's flippity-flop.  I give ESPN a fair amount of grief, but starting my day with GameDay and ending it with College Football Final is the perfect combination.  Oh!  I was supposed to talk about the game.  It'll be close, since it's in Washington, but without the benefit of practicing with a live beaver, I think Oregon State retains the upper hand.  Prediction: 24-14, Oregon State.