by CollegeSportsView.com

Last week, we reported in this space that, after two winless weeks, Gil Lock of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers removed his wife, Jill, from the regular rotation of experts and replaced her with a New Jersey torpedo, Johnny Dudaguanda.  “I knew she was going to be ticked but, hey, I have a comfortable couch.  Turns out that things got a little icier in the Lock boudoir as Jill failed to fire on her picks last week, falling short of the 2-1 mark Gil has mandated for her reinstatement.  To make matters worse, our hero turned in his second, consecutive, perfect week while Jill’s replacement, pork store denizen Dudaguanda, went 2-1 to hold his spot in the lineup.  Pad Lock went 3-1 as well, as the Lock contingent recovered from two mediocre weeks and registered an 8-2 record.  “I hope my fans appreciate the sacrifice I’m making.  Jill was a dancer in Las Vegas when I met her while this Dudaguanda guy shaves his back.”  Yes we do, Gil.  Just keep the picks coming.

Locks Of  The Week (40-20-4)

Gil Lock (14-6-1)

Washington +6 1/2 over Arizona-  Big Jake Locker fan this week.  Huskies head into the desert and walk out with a win.

Iowa – 6 1/2 over Wisconsin- My favorite scenario. Always looking for the kind of letdown waiting for the Badgers this week.

Indiana +13 1/2 over Illinois- Waffled on this pick, if only because, now, I have to watch two Big Ten games this week.  Yikes!

Johnny Dudaguanda (2-1)

Idaho -24 over New Mexico State-  Been following these New Mexico teams all year and they’re freakin horrible; just like Denville HS used to be when I was a kid.

San Diego State – 24 over New Mexico- See above.

Notre Dame -7  1/2 over Navy- Notre Dame coach, Brian Kelly, brings his Fighting Irish into the New York area for the first time and looks to make a strong impression on the Subway Alumni.

Pad Lock (13-6-3)

Western  Michigan -7 1/2 over Akron…. No offense, no wins,no chance… hey they’re not called the Akron zips for no reason.

TCU-Air Force Under 48 1/2…. TCU’s lockdown defense(9.3 ppg) is likely to control outgoing flights all day, but don’t expect their offense to “take off”. Air Force only gives up 19.4 ppg, themselves.

West Virginia -14 Syracuse…. Seems like ‘Cuse has taken a page out of Jimmy Boeheim’s playbook by scheduling cupcakes deep into the season. The Orange are a deceptive 4-2 with wins over Akron, Maine, Colgate and South Florida. The Mountaineers will let them know what it’s like to play a men’s team. Ride the Country roads….BIG.

East Carolina -12 1/2 over Marshall… Unless the Thundering Herd finds a way to get Matthew McConaughey to deliver the pre-game speech, expect ECU to roll.

by Eddie Mayrose

As soon as the dust settled on the South Carolina Gamecocks’ upset victory over previously unbeaten Alabama, the BCS spin doctors kicked into high gear while trying to protect what they perceive to be the integrity of the controversial system used to determine college football’s national championship.

Strength of schedule is the most common, and tired, argument offered as the reason schools from conferences that don’t automatically qualify for the BCS should not be part of the equation.  As if a one-loss team from the SEC merits more consideration than Boise State, a team that’s lost but once in three seasons while winning  both of its BCS Bowl games. Or a TCU squad that was two seconds away from playing for last year’s title.  Had Nebraska held on in the Big XII title game, the Horned Frogs would’ve squared off with Alabama instead of the overmatched Longhorns.  Then there’s Utah, sporting a 9-2 record against BCS opponents since 2007 and, before Saturday,  the last team to beat Alabama.

Until a playoff system is established, (don’t hold your breath), the championship of college football will always be tainted.  Worse, the current system is little more than a conspiracy among the BCS conferences to keep the television dollars in their own pockets while college football fans are cheated of the games they’d really like to see.  As for Boise, TCU, Utah and Nevada, they’ll have to keep smacking the overrated BCS schools around and hope that someone notices.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1  Boise State  (5-0)
2  Oregon  (6-0)
3  TCU  (6-0)
4  Nebraska  (5-0)
5  Ohio State  (6-0)
6  Oklahoma  (5-0)
7  Utah  (5-0)
8  South Carolina  (4-1)
9  Alabama  (5-1)
10 Auburn  (6-0)
11 LSU  (6-0)
12 Stanford (5-1)
13 Nevada  (6-0)
14 Oklahoma State  (5-0)
15 Michigan State   (6-0)
16 Missouri  (5-0)
17 Arizona  (4-1)
18 Florida State  (5-1)
19 Arkansas  (4-1)
20 Wisconsin (5-1)
21 Iowa  (4-1)
22 NC State  (5-1)
23 Air Force  (5-1)
24 Kansas State  (4-1)
25 Oregon State  (3-2)

Five to Watch

Michigan  (5-1)
Florida  (4-2)
Northwestern  (5-1)
Texas  (3-2)
Miami (Fla)  (3-2)

By Eddie Mayrose

After years of controversy regarding the BCS exclusion of Mid-Major conferences from consideration for the BCS Championship game, Boise State, the poster child for successful, smaller programs with title aspirations, looks to have its fate in its own hands.  Ranked as high as #2 in major College Football polls as well as #1 by CollegeSportsView.com, the Broncos seem to be in a position to have a perfect season rewarded.

Led by legitimate Heisman hopeful Kellen Moore, Boise brings as much talent and depth to the table as any of the elite programs.  Head Coach Chris Petersen is as innovative as any coach in the country, they play an up-tempo style on both sides of the ball and their blue field, (Smurf Turf) is just plain cool.  Everything is in place for the Broncos to stake their claim to the College Football throne, if they can just get past Week One.

In the kind of matchup from which Boise never shies away, they’ll head to Virginia Tech to open the season against Frank Beamer’s highly rated Hokies; themselves featuring a Heisman front runner in Ryan Williams.  It’s always a little risky to have your top rated team play their opener against a top opponent, as they may be knocked off their perch before the uniforms have been washed.  However, we here at CollegeSportsView.com say, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.”  Boise is the pick to win it all.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1 Boise State
2 Ohio State
3 Alabama
4 Oklahoma
5 TCU
6 Texas
7 Virginia Tech
8 Florida
9 Oregon
10 Arkansas
11 Nebraska
12 USC
13 13 Miami (Fl)
14 Iowa
15 Georgia Tech
16 Pittsburgh
17 Utah
18 North Carolina
19 Wisconsin
20 LSU
21 Florida State
22 Notre Dame
23 Georgia
24 Oregon State
25 Stanford

Five to Watch

Navy
South Carolina
BYU
Connecticut
Nichols

CollegeSportsView.com

They’re back.  The Lock family, Gil, his wife Jill and nephew Pad, have agreed to return to CollegeSportsView.com for another stellar season of College Football prognostications.

When we last left the locks, Gil, of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers, had spent most of the season sullying the family name.  It was for this reason that his wife, Jill, started to submit her own weekly selections, as Gil’s picks had become a source of embarrassment.  Good thing, too, as Jill was a winner two-thirds of the time.  Then, nephew Pad Lock got into the act, helping to bump up the record even further.  Perhaps inspired by their performance, even Gil started to come around by Bowl Season.

 So, here they are again, fresh off a 2009 campaign that returned an exceptional 55-45-1 record.  The season kicks off tonight and, true to form, the Locks are all over the Thursday night action. Good luck!!

 Locks of the Week

Gil Lock

(2009: 13-19-1)

South Carolina -14 over Southern Mississippi-  Always love a home team from a BCS conference in a non-conference tilt, especially when the spread is a reasonable one.  Go with the Gamecocks.

Georgia -28 over Louisiana-Lafayette- See above.  Dawgs in a rout.

Oregon State +12 ½ over TCU- My Pac Ten bias is showing here.  While TCU is a Top Ten team, I think it’s a little early to expect a blowout over a big program.  They’ll win, but won’t cover. 

Jill Lock

(2009: 26-13)

Oregon-New Mexico over 59 ½- Thought about laying the 35 with the Ducks but feel safer with the over.  New Mexico is likely to score a few times in the second half against Oregon’s sixth and seventh stringers.

Notre Dame – 10 1/2 over Purdue- Wake up the echoes.  Looking for new Irish head man, Brian Kelly, to make a statement in his first game.

Texas Tech-SMU over 60-  Don’t expect a lot of defensive stars in this shootout.

Pad Lock

(2009: 12-9)

Pitt +3 over Utah- Panthers are a Top 15 team that can win Big East yet a dog in opener. I like ‘em even if nobody else does.

USC-Hawaii over  51- The Trojans are going to be ticked coming into their non-bowl season and will take it out on the Rainbow defense.  However, Hawaii can score, too, and USC has a lot of new defenders.

Fresno pick ‘em over Cincinnati- No Brian Kelly, no Tony Pike and a Fresno team used to big competition.  Ride the “Green V” to Victory.

With five unbeaten teams headed into the Bowl Season, anti-BCS sentiment was running at an all time high and figured to ramp up to an intolerable level if as many as four were left standing after their Bowl Games. A likely scenario, as contracts between the Bowls and certain conferences should have had Cincinnati facing Georgia Tech in the Orange, TCU against Florida in the Sugar, Boise matched up with Iowa in the Fiesta with Texas and Alabama deciding the Championship.  While the loser of the BCS title game would have dropped from the ranks of the undefeated, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if all of the other perfect teams finished that way.  How then, would the powers-that-be quell the demand for a playoff?

Here’s how.  Using loopholes to get around the conference agreements, the Sugar Bowl drafted Cincinnati as its BCS at-large team and the Fiesta paired Boise State with TCU; robbing both schools and college football fans of the opportunity to see how these “outsiders” would fare against the big boys.  What they did create, though, was a scenario where only one team beside the champ is unbeaten.  TCU is much better suited to handle Florida than the boys from Cincy who’d have had a much easier time with Georgia Tech in the Orange. Considering that the Bearcats will head into the Sugar Bowl without their head coach, beating Florida will be difficult.  As for the Fiesta, the loser is out of the conversation.

Every year we hear the same nonsense from NCAA officials about the logistical difficulty of staging an eight or sixteen team playoff.  Travel and academics are the two obstacles most often cited.  They’d have merit, too, if only the NCAA’s lower divisions didn’t already participate in a 32 team format.  What’s the old saying?  When they say it’s not about the money, it’s always about the money.

Does BCS Stand For “Boise Can’t Stay”?

Fans of the College Football Bowl season were spared a post-season stinker last Saturday when Oklahoma State was drubbed by Oklahoma 27-0 and saw its BCS aspirations dashed. Those in the know expected that State would receive a bid to the Fiesta Bowl; creating a matchup with one of the Big Ten’s overrated, weak sisters, Iowa or Penn State. Representatives of the Fiesta Bowl were prepared to snub an undefeated Boise State squad for the second consecutive year and completely ignore the Broncos’ heroics in their 2007 Fiesta victory over Oklahoma; possibly the best Bowl Game ever played.

It’s a ridiculous system employed by the NCAA when it comes to football. There are playoffs at every level except the highest, where multiple teams with unbeaten records are denied an opportunity to play for a title. That one of College Football’s most successful teams needed help to get an invite over a school with three losses is as ridiculous as it gets. We’ll count our blessings, however, that things broke the right way and saved Fiesta Bowl officials from their own stupidity.                                                                                                                        

Conference Championship Weekend

Five of the six BCS conferences will have their championships decided this weekend; three in conference title games and two by way of convenient scheduling. Only the Big Ten, wrapped up a few weeks ago by Ohio State, won’t crown a champ on Saturday. In addition, Army and Navy will battle for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy in Philadelphia while Johns Hopkins travels to Delaware for the Division III quarterfinals. Johns Hopkins? Read on.

SEC Football Championship: Florida vs. Alabama

This is the one we’ve waited for all year as the two schools have been ranked 1 and 2 for most of the season. The anticipation seems to have distracted fans from the fact that both have suffered lapses; especially the Crimson Tide. Florida football fans expect the world from QB Tim Tebow but will have the title delivered by the Gators’ dominating defense, especially if ‘Bama RB Mark Ingram can’t rebound from the bruised hip that limited him to just 39 yards vs. Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Florida 23 – Alabama 13

ACC Football Championship Game: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech                                                 

Both teams come off disappointing losses in intra-state rivalry games; perhaps caught looking ahead to this rematch. Georgia Tech knocked off Clemson in Week 2 on a last second field goal that gave the Yellowjackets a 30-27 win. Clemson will look to RB C.J. Spiller to pull the upset but Tech’s Josh Nesbitt will lead his squad to the Orange Bowl.
Georgia Tech 34 – Clemson 27

Big 12 Football Championship Game: Texas vs. Nebraska

Heisman front runner Colt McCoy should have no trouble continuing the recent Texas football tradition of playing for a National Championship. While Nebraska has played well recently in capturing the Big 12 North title, they’ll be no match for the Longhorns.  Texas, currently enjoying its second week atop the CollegeSportsView.com Top 25, has barely been challenged in the Big 12 all season.  Saturday will be no different.
Texas 48 – Nebraska 20

Pac Ten Football Championship: Oregon vs. Oregon State

This year, the Civil War will determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. Ducks’ QB Jeremiah Masoli has emerged as the league’s most important offensive player after leading blowout wins over Cal and USC. A slip vs. Stanford served as a wakeup call, one that rang the alarm bell for Oregon’s run to Pasadena.  Their gutty, overtime win over a desperate Arizona squad on the road last week served notice as to the team’s resilience.  That they’ve managed to navigate such a tough conference without their best player, LeGarrette Blount, spells big trouble for Ohio State on New Year’s Day.   Besides, is there a college football fan anywhere that’s not waiting to see Oregon’s Rose Bowl uniforms?
Oregon 38 – Oregon State 34
 

Big East Football Championship: Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh            

While Pitt took one on the chin vs. West Virginia last week in the Backyard Brawl, the loss had no impact on its Conference Title chances. Cincinnati QB Tony Pike returned to the starting lineup and celebrated with a school record six TD passes.  However, Cincy has surrendered quite a few points over the last two weeks and can’t help but be distracted by Head Coach Brian Kelly’s flirtation with Notre Dame.  Dion Lewis runs wild as Pitt heads south for the Orange Bowl.
Pittsburgh 31 – Cincinnati 28

Army-Navy                                                                                                                                                  

It’s a good thing that the tradition is the big sell in this matchup as it’s been a long time since Army’s been able to compete in this one.  Navy’s ground attack, behind sophomore OT John Dowd, will be too much for the Cadets to handle as the Middies grab their eighth straight victory in the series.  No matter the outcome, don’t miss the singing of the Alma Maters after the game as it’s the best moment of the College Football season.  Always emotional, it’ll be the last game for the Army seniors while just a bowl game remains for the Annapolis grads before many find themselves in harm’s way.  Godspeed.                                                                                                                                                     John Dowd
Navy 37 – Army 10                                                                                                                                           

NCAA Division III Quarterfinals: Johns Hopkins vs.Wesley

It’s been a wild ride over the last two weeks as Johns Hopkins has knocked off two previously unbeaten teams on its way to the third round of the D-3 playoffs. Operating behind an offensive line led by junior guard Ryan Lino (right), the Blue Jays have gained more than 400 yards in each game with a balanced attack run by QB Hewitt Tomlin.  RB Andrew Kase has posted consecutive 100 yard games, as has WR Dan Crowley.  Their last minute heroics vs Kentucky’s St. Thomas More in Saturday’s 31-29 victory put K Alex Lachman in position for a game winning 42 yard FG as time expired.  They’ll have their hands full this week, however, taking on a Wesley team ranked third in the nation.  If Lino and Company can continue their dominance and give Tomlin enough time to throw, Crowley should turn in another big game and it’s on to the Final Four for the Hops. 
Johns Hopkins 26 – Wesley 24

CollegeSportsView Top 25

1. Texas 12-0
2. Florida 12-0
3. TCU 12-0
4. Alabama 12-0
5. Boise State 11-0
6. Cincinnati 11-0
7. Oregon 9-2
8. Ohio State 10-2
9. Georgia Tech 10-2
10.Pittsburgh 9-2
11.Virginia Tech 9-3
12.BYU 10-2
13.Oregon State 9-3
14.Miami 9-3
15.Iowa 10-2
16.LSU 9-3
17.Penn State 10-2
18.West Virginia 8-3
19.Houston 10-2
20.USC 8-3
21.Nebraska 9-3
22.Central Michigan 10-2
23.California 8-3
24.Oklahoma State 9-3
25.Stanford 8-4

Five to Watch
Johns Hopkins 10-2
Navy 8-4
Mississippi 8-4
Northwestern 8-4
North Carolina 8-4

By Eddie Mayrose

Lock Family Continues Winning Ways Despite Gil’s Bungling

It was another 5-4 week for the Locks as they continue to produce winning Saturdays; albeit by the closest of margins.  Once again, however, it was the vaunted Gil Lock of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers who dragged down the rest of the team.  But for his season long ineptitude, the Lock team would be clipping along at a success rate of sixty-seven percent.

“I just haven’t been a good judge of pace”, said Gil in a hapless attempt to exp[lain his miserable record.  “I can’t put a finger on the hot team or player.  It’s affecting my whole life. I can’t even shop anymore.”  Asked to explain, Gil started to ramble.  “The other day at the supermarket, I bought enough groceries for a month.  At the checkout, I noticed an enormous bag with a big handle, put everything in it and left the store. Turns out it was the manager’s hat.  He was so pissed, he banned me from the store; even after I tried to smooth him over with some cash I’d won in Atlantic City.  It’s been an ugly year.”

Ugly, maybe.  But at least his family has been there to prop him up.  There’s still a few weeks left for Gil to straighten things out.  Here’s how he plans to start.

Locks of the Week

Gil Locks (10-13-1)

Iowa -10 over Minnesota

- In just two short weeks, Iowa football fans have seen their boys blow a shot at the BCS title game as well as the Rose Bowl.  They’ll take out their anger on a Minnesota football team that struggled last week with South Dakota State.

Notre Dame -6 over Connecticut

-  Haven’t backed Notre Dame football all year but something’s got to give for poor Charlie Weis. The much maligned defense of the Irish actually looked a little better last week and UConn football isn’t exactly run and shoot.

Rutgers -8 over Syracuse

- Say this for Rutgers football: They may play a high school schedule to start the year but they always finish strong.  Bad news for Syracuse, one of the worst teams in the nation.

Jill Locks (16-8)
LSU +3 over Mississippi

- LSU’s two losses came in close games against the nation’s #1 and #3 teams.  Ole Miss, on the other hand, has failed to deliver on its pre-season promise.  LSU big.

Nevada – 31 1/2 over New Mexico

-  Here’s some “Arifemetic” for you. Became a believer in Nevada after they cruched Fresno, a very good team.  They’re playing great right now; averaging 50 PG over their seven game winning streak while New Mex  has scored just 16 TOTAL over their last four.

TCU – 31 1/2 over Wyoming

- Every week I look at the TCU line and think it’s too big.  Last week I even went against them as they destroyed a good Utah team.  I won’t be fooled again.

South Florida – 11 1/2 over Louisville

- Ever heard of “The Ville”?  Neither had I until I saw the ridiculous moniker across the chests of the Louisville players last week.  The only thing more ridiculous is the notion of Louisville as a Division I football team.  South Florida has had a tough season but has managed to work its way through injuries to post a very good record.

Pad Locks (6-3)

UTEP – 6 1/2 over Rice

- While UTEP has lost three straight, they’ve scored more than 30 points in each game; led by the nation’s second leading rusher, Donald Buckram. Rice comes in at 1-9 averaging just 17 PPG while allowing 41. “Arifemetic” strikes again.

Ohio – Northern Illinois over 43.5

- Uncle Gil has always been a MAC football fan and it’s rubbed off on me.  Both teams come into the game with 7-3 records averaging better than 24 PPG.  Simple “Arifemetic”  says this one’s going over.

Oregon -5 over Arizona

-  Can’t believe that Oregon will let this one slip away.  Arizona spit the bit last week as far as a Pac Ten title is concerned and will have to rally to get ready for a Ducks’ team that should be welcoming back LeGarrette Blount.

Season Record (31-24-1)

By Eddie Mayrose

Two Point Try A Shot At USC Football Coach

November 23, 1968.  Ohio State, on its way to a National Championship, squares off with arch rival Michigan at Ohio Stadium.  Late in the game, Buckeye fullback Jim Otis blasts over the goal line to put the home team up 48-14.  Yet, instead of opting to kick the extra point, Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes decides instead to attempt a two point conversion in order to hang the half century mark on his bitter enemy.  Asked after the game why he went for two, Hayes famously responded, “Because they wouldn’t let us go for three.”

Thought of that last Saturday when Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh left his offense on the field to go for two after a touchdown gave the Cardinal a 55-21 lead over USC in the fourth quarter.  Now, I have no idea what may have been Harbaugh’s motivation; for all we know, he may have a beef with Pete Carroll dating back to their days in the NFL.  But what Harbaugh actually accomplished was pushing his team’s incredible performance over the last two weeks out of the spotlight.  Instead of talking about the fact that Stanford rang up more than 100 points on two Top Ten teams in successive games, or trumpeting the Heisman candidacy of RB Toby Gerhart, who scored three times while running all over the Trojans or Stanford’s incredible, out-of-nowhere run that has them talking about a trip to the Rose Bowl, we’re scratching our heads trying to find a reason for the feud between the two coaches.  And that’s sad.

Games of the Week

Oregon at Arizona

-  Arizona is still alive in the Rose Bowl hunt but they’ll have to win out and get some help.  Oregon may have the services of RB LeGarrette Blount for the first time since the season opener.  Can’t see Oregon blowing this opportunity, especially considering they’ve already had their stumble vs. Stanford.  Still, the Pac Ten is a tough place to win on the road.  The pick here is Oregon 38-27.

St. Joseph’s Dallas Carter vs. Philadelphia City Six

- It’s Tournament time in the land of the cheese steaks for the Intramural Football Champions of Philly’s five major universities and Villanova.  St. Joe’s Dallas Carter heads into the title round at Drexel carrying the favorite tag based on a roster chock full of New York guys.  QB Danny Mayrose and WR James Lopez look to add a football crown to the victory list they’ve compiled since kindergarten and will turn to Joe Mreczko and rookie sensation Marc Strange for some much needed help along the way.  Asked for a prediction, the four concurred, “The Hawk Will Never Die.”  We’ll agree, especially if Mayrose and Lopez have their hands on the ball in crunch time.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1. Texas 10-0
2. Florida 10-0
3. TCU 10-0
4. Alabama 10-0
5. Boise State 10-0
6. Cincinnati 10-0
7. Pittsburgh 9-1
8. Georgia Tech 10-1
9. LSU 8-2
10.Oregon 8-2
11.Ohio State 9-2
12.Oklahoma State 8-2
13.Stanford 7-3
14.BYU 8-2
15.Clemson 7-3
16.Iowa 9-2
17.USC 7-3
18.Wisconsin 8-2
19.Oregon State 7-3
20.Houston 8-2
21.Virginia Tech 7-3
22.Nebraska 7-3
23.North Carolina 7-3
24.Nevada 7-3
25.Navy 7-3

Five to Watch
Miami 7-3
Utah 8-2
Rutgers 8-2
Arizona 7-3
West Virginia 7-3

It wasn’t the best performance we’ve seen from the Locks but it still produced a winning weekend.  Jill turned in her first losing record, going 1-2, while nephew Pad and husband Gil logged 2-1 Saturdays.  Gil’s was especially sweet, as he had been coaxed out of semi-retirement by his nephew.  “I was happy to be back but I’m still not at the top of my game.  I picked Cincy-UConn under 52 and both teams almost went over by themselves.”

Well, there’s just no pleasing some people but, with a stellar record, the Locks have pleased more than not.  Let’s take a look at this week’s selections.

Locks of the Week

Jill (14-7)

Idaho-Boise State over 63-

I’m staying with Boise but only on the over as they let me down last week. I expect the Broncos to try and run it up on their in-state rival but Idaho can score, too, as eveidenced by the 45 points they scored vs. Nevada that sent Gil over the wall.

Utah + 17.5 over TCU- 

TCU is ranked fourth with an outside shot at the BCS Championship.  They’ve been killing teams lately but Utah’s lost just once in two years and they’ve already beaten Oklahoma.  I think the Utes lose here but not by double digits.

Oregon -17 over Arizona State-

Took a look at Arizona State’s record and, boy, do they give up a lot of points.  Oregon’s going to be real pissed after getting their Ducks knocked off last week and should win going away.

Pad (4-2)

Clemson – 6 over North Carolina  State-

Clemson is really starting to hit its stride and has its sights set on an Atlantic Division title.  NC State is really weak but, somehow, managed to beat Pitt.  That’ll remain their one upset as the Tigers keep rolling.

San Jose State-Utah State over 55.5-

Another case of “Arifemetic”.  Bothe teams can score, neither can defend.  Good bet that one of them will come close by themselves.

Western Michigan -10 over Eastern Michigan-

Eastern Michigan is 0-9 and will get no sympathy from its biggest rival.

Gil (9-11-1)

Cincinnati-9.5 over West Virginia (Friday)-

Playing a hunch here that Cincinnati will take advantage of its second straight week on National TV.  Would feel a lot better about it if they hadn’t given up 45 to UConn but I think that’ll be a wakeup call.

Missouri +2  1/2 over Kansas State-

The Big 12 North is a weak division but Missouri is one of its better teams.  They have more talent than K State so I’m picking the Tigers.

BYU -27 over New Mexico-

Went with Utah over New Mex last week and found out what a generous team they are.  BYU QB Max Hall should have a field day.

Season Record 27-20-1

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)