FanNation - The Republic of Sport

      The best rushing attack in the Big 12 (by far), Oklahoma State, gets to challenge the best rushing defense in the Big 12 (by far), Texas. Texas is at home and has two major games in the bag while OSU just has the win over Missouri. If the Longhorns don't make a lot of mistakes, which would be unusual to say the least, they should have another Big 12 win this week. A good rushing game could slow the Horns down but Texas seems to have too many positives in this one to let it slip away.

     Georgia visits LSU knowing their chance at a national championship is on the line and realizing that this game could give them a needed boost in the polls. LSU's performance against Florida makes me think they're not ready to face the top tier teams but at home they might make this one close. We'll see if Georgia has ironed out some of their consistancy problems as well. I'll take the Bulldogs by 10.

     Ohio State is home to Penn State, a game that will decide the fate of the Big 10. The Buckeyes have something to prove now that they're healthier and destroyed a legitimate opponent last week, Michigan State. The two teams are very close statistically on defense with Penn State holding an advantage in several offensive categories. Ohio State is at home and has proven 'big play' players and they should win but turnovers or other unforseens could decide this one.

    Texas Tech gets another challenge from Kansas this Saturday. Kansas proved they could hang with Oklahoma for about three quarters and they're the home team. I think they're deflated a bit after the Sooners game, though, and the Red Raiders want to make a statement in their first of four games against top twenty Big 12 foes. I see the Raiders winning this one in a typical shootout.

    USC visits Arizona in maybe the only game where they'll be breaking a sweat the rest of the year. The Trojans should win by 30 but that's what we all thought when they played the Beavers. Logic dictates a rout but the game is worth mentioning, if nothing else as the last roadblock for Sanchez and co..

    Alabama plays Tennessee and a lot of sports columnists are flagging this one as a potential upset. The Tide has been napping in the second half of their games recently but have had a good enough lead to weather the comeback storms.  The Volunteers have looked especially weak to me and if 'Bama has any true chance at greatness this won't be a week when they lay an egg. If anything they should rebound.

    The ACC has become a conference where every week most games are important because no one is really standing out and every team is ripe for an upset. Actually the Big East is in a similar situation. Georgia Tech and South Florida lead those conferences respectively, at least in poll position, and neither has given me a lot of faith that they can carry the lead through to the end... nor do any of their opponents look like they deserve top billing. Champions by default on the horizon?

    Tulsa is undefeated and there has been talk that they want to be considered in the BCS bowl discussion if they win out, I'm sure Ball State feels that way as well (although I haven't read anything to that effect with the Cardinals). Both teams seem very good in their conferences but look at the teams that the they have faced, and will face, and the BCS possibility looks unlikely. Best of luck folks, you need higher profile victories, I think. Tulsa plays a pretty tough lower profile team, Central Florida, this Sunday. UCF is 2-4 but has played some better grade teams. This could be the Golden Hurricanes' biggest test.

   That's it for this week. Good Luck OU against Kansas State, a game the Sooners should win although they're a visiting team. I'll be back for thoughts Sunday or Monday.

   Bones