We’re seven weeks into the College Football season and finally have a weekend we can
sink our teeth into. Starting with a huge Big East matchup tonight and carrying through a big SEC clash on Saturday night, there are a number of games that will make or break a school’s hopes for at least a conference title and, in some cases, a National Championship. Let’s take a look.
Red River Rivalry Is Oklahoma’s Last Stand
It’s plain and simple for Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma Sooners. Win out or forget a BCS bid. OU has already suffered two losses, albeit without the services of Heisman winner Sam Bradford, and can afford no more. Each week’s contest will be the biggest of their season from here on out and none will be tougher than Saturday’s matchup with #2 Texas. Mack Brown’s boys have been flying under the radar this season but intend show their wares to a national audience behind QB Colt McCoy, a narrow runner up to Bradford for last year’s Heisman. Texas coach Mack Brown will look to repeat last year’s dominating performance that saw the Longhorns hold Oklahoma to just 48 rushing yds. A Sooners’ victory would open the BCS door for quite a few schools but Texas just seems too strong. Texas 34 Oklahoma 20.
Big East Championship Game in October
Tonight’s matchup between Cincinnati and South Florida lost some of its luster a few weeks back when USF QB Matt Grothe was lost for the season but still features the conference’s best teams. Freshman sensation B.J. Daniels has done well to knock off an overrated Florida State and a punchless Syracuse squad since taking over. However, the Bearcat offense is clicking on all cylinders behind QB Tony Pike and they’ve already shown they can win decisively on the road. Cincy averages 42 PPG and will look to impress a national audience of voters by hanging at least that many on the Bulls. Cincinnati 38 South Florida 17.
No Easy Weeks For SEC Football Teams
Alabama, fresh off its biggest win of the season over Mississippi, puts its perfect record on the line vs. South Carolina. For the Gamecocks, the tandem of QB Stephen Garcia and WR Alshon Jeffery will have to play much better than last week when they managed to hold off a less than impressive Kentucky squad. This is the first of three straight home games for the Tide, who’ll rely heavily on RB Mark Ingram to counter Steve Spurrier’s defensive schemes. Alabama 27 South Carolina 23.
Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech Battle for Coastal Division Crown in ACC
The two best offenses in the ACC hook up with a bid to the conference championship game likely going to the winner. The Hokies have risen to #6 in this week’s CSV poll; an opening week loss to Alabama the only blemish on their record while Georgia Tech has a loss to Miami standing between them and perfection. Both teams have dual threat QB’s with big play resumes but we like Va. Tech’s Tyrod Taylor just a bit more than Ga. Tech’s Josh Nesbitt. And we absolutely love the speed of the Hokies defense. Throw in the inevitable ‘Beamer Ball” special teams play and it comes up Virginia Tech 31 Georgia Tech 16.
USC Trojans Visit South Bend
USC continues its difficult road schedule in renewing its heated rivalry with the Fighting Irish. ND coach Charlie Weis has had two weeks to prepare for this one but, unless he’s found a way to get thirteen defenders on the field, he’ll be on the short end of a shootout. Irish QB Jimmy Claussen leads an offense as good as any in the country but the defense can’t stop anyone. Look for Pete Carroll to extend his winning streak over Notre dame to seven behind frosh QB Matt Barkley and tailback Joe McKnight. USC 44 Notre Dame 34.
CollegeSportsView.com’s Top 25
1) Florida (5-0)
2) Texas (5-0)
3) Alabama (6-0)
4) Boise State (5-0)
5) Cincinnati(5-0)
6) Virginia Tech (5-1)
7) USC (4-1)
8 ) LSU (5-1)
9) TCU (5-0)
10)Ohio State (5-1)
11)Kansas (5-0)
12)South Florida (5-0)
13)Oregon (5-1)
14)Oklahoma (3-2)
15)Iowa (6-0)
16)Nebraska (4-1)
17)South Carolina (5-1)
18)Miami (3-1)
19)Oklahoma State (4-1)
20)Georgia Tech (5-1)
21)Notre Dame (4-1)
22)Penn State (5-1)
23)BYU (5-1)
24)Wisconsin (5-1)
25)Utah (4-1)
Five Teams to Watch
Auburn (5-1)
Missouri (4-1)
Mississippi (3-2)
Arkansas (3-2)
Nichols (3-3)
Alabama cruised past Arkansas, Mississippi State came up less than a yard short of knocking off #5 LSU in Baton Rouge. The Bulldogs had a first and goal at the Tigers’ 2 yard line but couldn’t punch it in. In Lexington, despite Florida’s thrashing of previously unbeaten Kentucky, All-World QB 
USC 3-1
