College Football Weekend Predictions

Here are the predictions and thoughts on this weekend’s games:

 
• #3 USC vs. #8 Ohio State: There is nothing like watching a college football game between two top-ten teams in week two. USC destroyed Ohio State 35-3 last year in Los Angeles, but USC is currently led by a freshman quarterback in Matt Barkley. Pete Carroll has plenty of confidence in Barkley, but Carroll has confidence in everybody. Barkley has never played a road game like he will face on Saturday and the Buckeyes are led by a Heisman candidate in quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The Buckeyes lost too many receivers from last year’s team. This year’s game will be closer but USC’s defense will shutdown Ohio State’s passing attack. Trojans win 31-20.

 
• #18 Notre Dame vs. Michigan: This is a huge game for both programs and both teams looked improved last weekend. Jimmy Clausen threw for 315 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Nevada and the Fighting Irish didn’t give up a point in the win. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier looked very good in his first start as he threw three touchdowns in Michigan’s 31-7 win over Western Michigan. Greg Robinson’s defense also looked good and expect Michigan’s defense to create at least two turnovers against Notre Dame on Saturday. Wolverines win 24-21.

 
• #19 UNC vs. UCONN: This game would be one of the best games of the weekend if Connecticut still had Donald Brown at running back. He is currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts and Butch Davis is very close to producing a dominant team at UNC. He is one year away, but this team could still win the ACC. Tar Heels win 27-10.

 
• #16 TCU vs. Virginia: Expect this game to be one of the biggest blowouts of the weekend. TCU has a very strong defense that “held” Oklahoma to 35 points last season. Defensive end Jerry Hughes had 15 sacks last season and will be the main reason that Virginia will be held under ten points. Expect Virginia fans to start calling for Al Groh’s job after this loss. Horned Frogs win 31-7.

 
• #14 Virginia Tech vs. Marshall: This game is very tempting to make this an upset special with Marshall having one of the nation’s best tight ends in Cody Slate. Quarterback Brian Anderson completed 75 percent of his passes in Marshall’s win over Southern Illinois. This game will be closer than many experts think, but Virginia Tech’s defense will make sure that Anderson struggled in this game. Hokies win 21-10.

 
• #1 Florida vs. Troy: Tim Tebow only had 188 passing yards in Florida’s 62-3 win over Charleston Southern. Urban Meyer will make sure Tebow improves his Heisman numbers and expect Tebow to score three touchdowns in this game. Troy has lost eight straight games against ranked opponents. Any coach that kicks to Florida’s Brandon James should be fired on the spot. Gators win 52-13.

 
• #21 Georgia vs. South Carolina: The Bulldogs struggled in the loss to Oklahoma State and Joe Cox does not look like he is the great leader that analysts and fans said he was. Cox better have a good game or Logan Gray will be the new starter at Georgia. South Carolina’s defense played very well in the win over N.C. State. Expect this game to be ugly and Gray will play some in this game for Georgia. Gamecocks win 17-13.

• Tennessee vs. UCLA: Do you think Rick Neuheisel bet the spread on this game? Just kidding. UCLA has a very good freshmen class and Norm Chow should be able to find ways to score points against Tennessee’s defense. Jonathan Crompton will have another good game and Bryce Brown will rush for over 100 yards again against UCLA’s defense. Vols win 31-20.

• Auburn vs. Mississippi State: Both of these teams won and both offenses look good under their new coaches. Auburn’s quarterback Chris Todd threw touchdowns in the win over Louisiana Tech. The star of the game was freshman running back Onterio McCalebb. He rushed for 148 yards and one touchdown in his first game. This was more yards than Bo Jackson did in his first game and he is the reason why Auburn will win on Saturday. Tigers win 28-14.

 
• #11 LSU vs. Vanderbilt: LSU’s defense didn’t look as good as people expected in their first game under John Chavis. Jordan Jefferson and Terrance Toliver both had career games against Washington last week and both should continue their hot start against Vanderbilt. Tigers win 31-17.

 
• #4 Alabama vs. Florida International: This game will be horrible to watch and Julio Jones will use this game to prove he is the best receiver in the SEC and maybe the best receiver not named Dez Bryant. Highly-touted freshman Trent Richardson is expected to play more this week and don’t be surprised if he scores one touchdown. Mark Ingram is the most underrated player in the SEC. Crimson Tide win 42-3.

• Upset Special: Bowling Green over Missouri: Dave Clawson works his magic again and upsets a very underrated Missouri team.