I promise this will be the last week of me cutting my previews short. It's a shame, because this week is jacked full of great games.
I have to leave for the airport in about 5 hours and need to grab a few Zs before I go back to the Big Easy.
By the way, the over/under in that Louisville game was like 64. The over on that was a lock. Wish I had known that about 5 hours before the game kicked off.
I think it's safe to say that the Virginia Tech-LSU game is the headliner for the weekend, but like I said, the slate is chock full of great games. Let's rip through the good ones.
I will say this, I think Notre Dame will not roll over and die like it did against Georgia Tech. Colleague Erik Boland and I talked about the legend of Jimmy Claussen beginning this weekend if he can somehow put together a win in Happy Valley. Erik will be in State College for the game, which has a pretty healthy spread at 17.5. Notre Dame will cover, but I don't know if the Irish will win.
So, all the smack talking I did about Oklahoma in the preseason really comes to fruition this weekend. The Hurricanes arrive in Norman a 10.5-point underdog. If OU can manage a win, it will bode well for them in conference play, as the defense will be battle tested after facing Miami's athleticism. However, I will stick to my guns and say Randy Shannon will craft an upset. A loss doesn't tank either team's season, but can really pave the way for an overachieving season for either, as well.
Can Michigan rebound against Oregon? Well, it'd be easy to say yes. But here's the thing: Oregon is going to gun it at Michigan's exposed defense the same way Appalachian State did. Quarterback Dennis Dixon posted over 100 yards rushing in Oregon's opener and can do that every weekend. What will make the difference in this game are Dixon's decisions. If he decides to throw interceptions, give the win to Michigan. But if he protects the ball and Jonathan Stewart can pick up 150 yards, Michigan will start 0-2 and make Campus Confidential look even worse. Oregon is 8.5 dogs, which is a line I like for the Ducks because I think they'll win in Ann Arbor.
Blake Mitchell gets the nod for Steve Spurrier's club in Athens. Will South Carolina put it together this week after some smack talk by the Ol' Ball Coach? Well, that depends on the defense. Three weeks ago I would have given this game to the Gamecocks, no problem, but I think that Georgia's young offense will really step forward in this game, especially with Knowshon Moreno's ability to shred defenses with his legs. I like the Dawgs to win and cover the 4.5.
Toney Baker is out for the season in Raleigh, which does not bode well for Tom O'Brien's first game against his old team. Matt Ryan should roll over the Wolfpack and clear the 13.5 points they're giving North Carolina State.
My upset special comes in Auburn. South Florida is going to do it this weekend and win by a touchdown against the Tigers. With Cincy beating Oregon State on Thursday night, Louisville putting up 8,000 yards, WVU poised to do the same and Rutgers on the national stage, a win in Auburn and you have to really start taking the Big East seriously. Like real serious.
I'll be there, but I'm a little tired of talking about it. LSU will beat Virginia Tech. I think it might be close for a little bit, but they'll cover the 12.5. The only way VT wins this game is if Matt Flynn implodes and throws a few interceptions, but I just don't see that happening. The Hokies better hope a loss doesn't influence their conference play, because a BCS bowl berth from that mediocre group is still on the line.
And lastly, Texas-TCU. Can the Horned Frogs shut down a high-octane offense that features household names like Limas Sweed, Colt McCoy and Jamaal Charles? My guess is no. Texas will cover the 9.5 and Fort Worth will be sad.
OK, that's enough. To bed. To bed I said.
Have a great weekend. Hope you enjoy it as much as I will.