College Football Predictions 9/23

This weekend is put up or shut up weekend in the SEC as the conference portion of the schedule starts to heat up as you have two games featuring a battle between ranked in the top 17 in the country as well as an non conference match-up pitting two top 25 teams together. This is also the last major test Boise State faces, and if they win they will be waiting in the wings until Alabama or Ohio State loses so they can go to Glendale, Arizona and play for a National Championship.

Game of the Week: This week were are going to Fayetteville to catch the Tide vs Hogs. Two different style of offenses but both play their strengths well and both should showcase their talents Saturday. The key for Alabama is to be able to contain Ryan Mallet and the trio of Arkansas receivers. The young Alabama secondary will be test no doubt in this as they go on their first major road test of the season. Alabama will test the man hood of the Arkansas front seven. They will look to control the clock with dose after dose of Ingram and Richardson. The team who is able to control the pace of the game will win this one albeit it will be close.

Prediction: This game will be back and fourth all day but Alabama's secondary is too young and expect Petrino to try and confuse them all day...Alabama 35 Arkansas 38

Other Games:

12 South Carolina vs 17 Auburn- This would normally be the top game of the week so this is really 1B this weekend. After a tough game with Clemson last week, will Auburn have enough to go four quarters against a talented Gamecock team?...Auburn 24 S Car 35

Georgia vs Mississippi State- Both programs are off to a 0-2 SEC start...this will test the Georgia faithful...G Bulldogs 21 M Bulldogs 24

Kentucky vs 9 Florida- The Honey moon for Joker Phillips is over and now the "real" fun begins but dont expect much fun for Kentucky against Florida....Gator chomp 30 Wildcats 17

22 West Virginia vs 15 LSU- Both teams like to run the ball..LSU knows how to stop it...Tigers 31 Mountys 21

Fresno State vs Ole Miss- This season has had nothing but downs for the Rebels..well here is one up...Bulldogs 14 Rebels 31

UAB vs Tenn- Derek Dooley's season has gone as it was expected thus far but do NOT sleep on this Blazers team that plays tough nose Neil Callaway ball...UAB 21 Vols 28

Game of the Week: We fly with the Eagles and Hokies this week as Boston College take on Virginia Tech. After last week's victory over East Carolina all hope is not lost for Va Tech, they begin their ACC slate this week and still is a popular pick to win the league. Boston College tough defense will give Tyrod Taylor fits and if he doesnt have the running game to back him up, it will not be a good game for the Hokies. Boston College offense is not something to brag about either. Special Teams will be the difference in the game and usually that favors Tech.

Prediction- A punt return wins it for....Eagles 14 Hokies 17

Other games:

Wake Forest vs Florida State- remember what happen out last week in Palo Alto Wake Forest? Expect the same Wake 7 FSU 31

FIU vs Maryland- Can FIU finally pull a upset victory on the road? Another close lose for the Panthers...FIU 10 Maryland 12

NC State vs GA Tech- Wolfpack run defense is not prepared to stop the option attack...State 21 Tech 35

Army vs Duke- The battle of Coach K's alma mater against his current coaching job...Alma Mater 35 Job 21

North Carolina vs Rutgers- North Carolina is still dealing with the NCAA troubles...UNC 14 Knights 21

VMI vs Virginia- um....VA 42 VMI 21

Arkansas State vs Troy- Troy is still the class of the Sun Belt...Troy 35 Red Wolves 30

FIU vs Maryland- Close but no cigar again for the Panthers...FIU 10 Terps 12

North Texas vs FAU- Mean Green have just been green lately...NT 14 Owls 28

Southeastern Louisiana vs LA Monroe- Lions roar will be silent...SE LA 10 Monroe 24

Middle Tenn vs La-Layfette- wont be close...Raidiers 35 Cajuns 14

South Alabama vs Edwards Waters- After last week's historic win over Nicholls State South keeps it rolling against NAIA power house Edwards Waters...Jags 56 Tigers 0

Other National Games of Interest:

24 Oregon State vs 3 Boise State- Boise wins this game they will be in the national championship conversation all year. Oregon State paints there field blue and practice with there scout team wearing the blue jerseys. Too bad that wont help much...Beavers 21 Broncos 31

5 Oregon vs Arizona State- Oregon brings their steroid offense into Tempe. Will the Arizona dessert be enough to be able to slow the ducks down? Doubtful...Ducks 42 Sun Devils 28

For the first time in the history of thecheek20 sports blog we will have guest pickers this week. Both still have four years of eligibility left and four star talent so you know that they mean business.

Bradley Wilkes picks:

Bama over Hogs
Auburn over S Car
LSU over West VA
BC over Va Tech
South over Edwards Waters
Boise over Oregon State

Austin Powell picks:
Bama over Hogs
S Car over Auburn
LSU over West VA
Va Tech over BC
South over Edwards Waters
Boise over Oregon State