Predictions for College Football Weekend 9/11

After we had an appetizer last week, its about time we get to the prime rib this weekend. This weekend is a major one as multiple top ten teams either play another ranked opponent or go halfway across the country to play. College football says that week in and week out is a playoff, and this week doesn't disappoint.

Game of the Week: Georgia vs South Carolina- Yes, their are games with more hype but a conference game out weighs any top non-conference game. South Carolina has a very strong showing against Southern Miss last Thursday night to kick off the season. South Carolina's offense looked loose and Stephen Garcia played well but not great. South Carolina's running game will be key if they want to beat Georgia. The Gamecock defense looked fast and did not have many missed tackles and was able to hold one of the nations top receivers DeAndre Brown to just 65 yards with a touchdown. The Secondary will need to play at a high level again this week in order to enjoy success. Georgia Bulldogs Aaron Murrey looked very impressive last week going 17-26 with three touchdowns but the defense he will be playing will not be a lower sunbelt defense and he will need to be more sharp and focused so his team can have a chance to win. Georgia's defense played well last week only giving up 128 total yards against La-Lafeyette. Linebackers Akeem Dent and Darryl Gamble need to pressure Stephen Garcia and make him uneasy and knock him down early and often to help out the Bulldog secondary.

Prediction: A.J. Green will not be playing for Georgia and they will miss him dearly and that should give South Carolina the only edge they need, USC 28 UGA 14

Other Games:
Alabama v.s. Penn State- Joe Pa brings a freshman quarterback into Tuscaloosa, which is never a good idea. Expect Alabama to blitz and blitz often on route to a 28-7 victory.

Vanderbilt v.s. LSU- Coach Caldwell gets welcomed into the SEC rudely, LSU 35 Vanderbilt 14

Arkansas v.s. La Monroe- Tune up game for Georgia, Arkansas 42 La Monroe 0

Florida v.s. South Florida- South Florida's B.J. Daniels will make sure the Bulls are in it to the end but will not be good enough to win it. John Brantley show improvement from week one and throws for three touchdowns, Florida 35 USF 28

Tennessee vs Oregon- Derek Dooley will take his licks early often this season but should at least be competitive, Oregon 31 Tennessee 17

Kentucky vs Western Kentucky- The worst Sun belt team visits Lexington should be a route and Joker Phillips should be able to name the score, UK 42 WKU 0

Mississippi @ Tulane- Hopefully last weeks dreadful lost doesn't slow down the Rebels and they can begin their season now, Ole Miss 28 Tulane 24

Game of the Week- Miami (Fl) @ Ohio State. This will be a statement game for the Hurrincanes against the second ranked team in the nation. Playing in the Horseshoe will be tough but Jacory Harris should be able to lead Miami to keep the close until the fourth quarter. Miami's running game with Damien Berry will be key. If Miami can run the ball and keep the crowd quiet then they have a great shot at putting up points. Defensive ends Allen Baily and Oliver Vernon will be key in stopping or slowing down Terrelle Pryor. If they can keep Pryor in the pocket and not let him use his legs they should be able to keep the game close. Ohio State is looking to keep up with Alabama and not lose a game at home. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor will be the offenses key. If Pryor is able to duplicate what he did in the Rose Bowl then the Buckeyes will have no trouble scoring against the Hurricanes. Look for All-American Defensive end Cameron Heyward have a big game and able to pressure Jacory Harris on most pass plays but the secondary will be tested early and often and expect them to rise to the occasion.

Prediction: Ohio State's talent is too much for Miami (Fl) and cruise, OSU 35 UM 14

Other Games:

Florida State @ Oklahoma- First visit to Norman since Bowdens first season, Oklahoma is looking to look better than they did against Utah State last week. Christian Ponder should be stellar and lead Florida State to an upset, FSU 24 OU 20

North Carolina vs Georgia Tech- Carolina showed moxie and poise last week against LSU but GA Tech's option offense will be too much for there defense, GT 28 UNC 24

Virginia @ Southern Cal- This one wont be close unless Virginia is able to dress some of California's top recruits, USC 48 UVA 21

Duke @ Wake Forest- A battle of smarts reaches the gridiron. Duke should win a close one 21-20.

Boston College vs Kent State- Eagles Soar 40-10

North Carolina State @ Central Florida- Wolfpack runs into a pesky team that wont go away and should win it in the final minutes, NC State 35 Central Florida 31.

Clemson vs Presbyterian- Tigers should be able to rest its starters from the 2nd quarter on, Clemson 56 Presbyterian 0

Maryland vs Morgan State- Maryland continues its success, Maryland 31 Morgan State 7

Virginia Tech vs James Madison- Poor James Madison, VA Tech 56 JMU 0

Game of the Week- North Texas vs Rice. Its conference bragging rights on the line as Conference USA looks to continue its success against the Sunbelt. Lance Dunbar and Nathan Tune both will need to have huge games if the Mean Green want to win. There defense must tackle better and not try to arm tackle Rices running-backs. Look for Rice's Sam McGuffie have a huge game and could run for over 200 yards against a weak defense.

Prediction: Mean Green keeps it close for three quarters but the Owls fly away with a win, Rice 24 NT 14

Florida Atlantic vs Michigan State- Sparty should take care of business, MSU 35 FAU 7

Louisiana Monroe @ Arkansas-  Arkansas 42 La-Monroe 0

Arkansas State @ Louisiana Lafeyette- Battle of two mid-level sunbelt teams, Ark St. 28 Lafeyette 21

Florida Int'l vs Rutgers- Panthers pounce early but the scarlet knights wins big, Rutgers 35 FIU 14

Western Kentucky @ Kentucky- Would be a stellar basketball match-up, UK 42 WKU 0

Troy @ Oklahoma State- Troy keeps it close until the second half, OK State 42 Troy 21

Middle Tennessee vs Austin Peay- MTSU 42 AP 7

Other Notable National Games:

Michigan vs Notre Dame- Rich Rod has finally found the second coming of Pat White and Brian Kelly learns that he is still a year away from competing with top competition. Hail the Victor 28 Irish 21

Stanford @ UCLA- Big Pac-10 match-up. Luck continues to see if he can lead Stanford to a bowl and possibly a Pac-10 title, Stanford 21 UCLA 17