On College Football's Week After

I lost two of three games again last week, but I don’t feel too bad. Last week was insane. Everybody good lost or almost lost.

On the plus side, we now have a situation in which the #8 and #11 teams are playing each other in a game that probably doesn’t even have any BCS implications, because I don’t think either Kentucky or South Carolina is talented enough to beat out both Florida and Georgia. With Vandy playing well, and Tennessee still being Tennessee, either of them could even finish last. Or Georgia/UT, which is also this week, could be a basement battle. Who knows?

Anyway, let’s start with an SEC game that really does matter.

#9 Florida at #1 LSU. Not as big as we thought before Florida dropped the Auburn game, but in some ways even bigger. With a loss, Florida relinquishes control of its own destiny in the SEC East. LSU looked mortal against Tulane but still cruised. A win here pretty much solidifies their #1 ranking. If there’s one team that isn’t intimidated by all-everything DT Glenn Dorsey, though, it’s the Gators. They don’t run straight up the middle anyway.

#10 Oklahoma vs. #19 Texas. Another game that lost some luster last week. Colt McCoy and the Longhorns offense has been out of sync all year, and Oklahoma got ambushed by Colorado last week after winning their first four by 50 points a game. The key now is that it’s a knockout game. Let’s note a couple of things real quick before moving on. First of all, in Oklahoma’s favor, they actually played well in last year’s loss to Texas, but were undone by a -5 turnover ratio. Second, Texas gave up three return scores to K-State, and Colt McCoy likely played the second half concussed. That will cut short a comeback. Also, Limas Sweed looked back to full strength the week before.

#4 Ohio State at #23 Purdue. Big Ten undefeateds match up. Thanks to a terrible schedule (c’mon, Eastern Illinois and Notre Dame), Purdue joins Kansas, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Arizona State and Hawaii on the list of unbeaten teams we know nothing about. This will change. Meanwhile, Ohio State is busy giving up seven points a game, with a Washington away win on their resume and looking to add Purdue and take the inside track in the Big Ten.

Predictions: I thought Florida would take their first loss at LSU, but after last week I’m not so sure. All of a sudden, Florida really needs this win, and Urban Meyer tends to do well in must win games. Also, I feel like Oklahoma is a little bit overrated on offense, and that a healthy Colt-Sweed would be a big connection for Texas. I want to pick the upset here, and with a little faith in the Longhorn secondary I would, but I have to go with Oklahoma. And in the Big Ten, I think Ohio State’s defense is too much for Purdue, who isn’t ready for the three steps up in competition this week.

Picks: Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio State