Week 5 Preview

This week is the first “big games” weekend of the year. Teams are starting to get into their conference schedules meaning we get to see some ranked matchups that will have major impacts on the postseason.

Notable Games
Can the Rebels Upset the Tide?; My answer to that question is: probably not. But, anything can happen in the SEC, especially when you overlook a team. Ole Miss is nothing to laugh at. They are ranked. But, Alabama is Alabama. I am picking the Tide to roll Ole Miss by at least a TD. (But I wouldn’t be completely surprised if it was closer or even if there was an upset.)

Are Two QBs Better Than One?; Last week, Ohio State backup QB Kenny Guiton lit up the scoreboard. That was because starter Braxton Miller was injured. Both QBs have played like Heisman contenders, so is it right that Miller should just come back after Guiton’s performance? Well, that is the plan. Braxton Miller is supposed to be the starter for the Big 10 opener. Either way, I think the Buckeyes have the better team. I am picking Ohio State by 2TD.

Top 10 SEC Games, We Have Missed You; This Saturday, everyone’s eyes will be on Athens, GA. The 6th ranked LSU Tigers and the 9th ranked Georgia Bulldogs will battle it out for an SEC win. This game could go either way, but I think Georgia has the advantage because of their crowd. We all remember the beating they gave to South Carolina. But, I don’t think that will be the case on Saturday. I think the game will be much closer. I am picking Georgia to beat LSU by less than a TD.

Which Teams Will Show Up?; If you have been following Notre Dame or Oklahoma, you have seen both teams play relatively good and relatively bad. Notre Dame has come close to losing in their last two games after putting up somewhat of a fight against Michigan. Oklahoma has blown out ULM and Tulsa, but only put up 16 against WVU who got shutout by Maryland. Oklahoma is 1-9 against Notre Dame all time, but I think the Sooners will get their second win this weekend. I am picking Oklahoma to win by a TD.

Will USC Finally Get Something Going?; It seems like I’ve asked this every week, and the answer is always “not this week.” I’m pretty sure this will continue. USC barely beat Utah State this past weekend, and has yet to get their offense going. Arizona State is coming off a big loss in Palo Alto. USC has to travel to ASU for this game, where the Sun Devils will look to bounce back from last week. I don’t have high hopes for USC. I am picking Arizona State by at least a TD.

Aggies on Upset Alert in Fayetteville?; This is the game I’ve been waiting for all season. Johnny Manziel comes to Fayetteville to play an Arkansas team that was stunned by Rutgers last week. Razorback QB Brandon Allen will not be playing in this game, but Coach Bielema has said he will play against Florida. This gives the Hogs a much bigger mountain to climb. No one expects the Hogs to put up a fight. I’m sure many people think Arkansas won’t win another game. These things make Arkansas dangerous. I know that I talk about this every week but, there is nothing scarier than a team with nothing to lose. Texas A&M, on the other hand, has everything to lose; a top 10 ranking, SEC Championship hopes, BCS National Champion hopes, perhaps even the hopes of having a back to back Heisman winner. All of those things could be gone with a loss to Arkansas. If Arkansas loses, then they did what was expected of them, and no one would take a second look. If Arkansas wins, it would be amazing for the team and the fans, but they would still have to beat two more SEC teams just to make a bowl game. This is going to be a very hard game for Arkansas.

Top 25
California at 2Oregon
Wake Forest at 3Clemson
5Stanford at Washington State
8Florida State at Boston College
11Oklahoma State at West Virginia
12South Carolina at UCF
15Miami(FL) at South Florida
Arizona at 16Washington
20Florida at Kentucky
25Fresno State at Hawaii(Sunday)

Other Games
UAB at Vanderbilt
UNLV at New Mexico