The standings are starting to tighten up a bit as we head down the stretch. Derek and Margot had good weeks, but it was a rough go for the rest.
This week’s games:
Stirling Wade – Sports Editor – Overall: 31-25, Last Week: 3-5
(2) Boston College 14, (8) Virginia Tech 21 – We have all seen how huge home field advantage can be over the past couple of weeks. Virginia Tech’s defense is going to frustrate Heisman-hopeful Matt Ryan.
(7) West Virginia 28, Rutgers 31 – I’ve about given up on trying to figure out the Big East. I think Rutgers will be fueled off the momentum of their big upset victory over South Florida.
(12) USC 24, (5) Oregon 27 – USC looked real good last weekend at Notre Dame, but who doesn’t look good against the Irish these days? I like Dennis Dixon a lot and believe he’ll lead the Ducks at home.
(10) South Florida 27, (23) Connecticut 20 – The Bulls are going to be very angry after having ten days to stew over their loss to Rutgers. Connecticut is a nice surprise, but they aren’t ready to pull off a win like this.
(11) Florida 28, (18) Georgia 20 – Tim Tebow’s line last week: 18-26, 256 yards, 4 TDs, 20 carries for 78 yards and one TD. Wow.
(9) Kansas 10, Texas A&M 17 – Even after the Jayhawks nice win last week here in Boulder, I’m not convinced they are capable of beating a good Big 12 South opponent on the road.
(21) California 27, (4) Arizona State 31 – Cal is reeling right now and Dennis Erickson has the Sun Devils playing outstanding football.
Colorado 17, Texas Tech 34 – Colorado’s defense will keep it interesting for a while, but the Buffs don’t have enough firepower to keep up with what is going to be a very angry Red Raider offense.
Amanda Walck – Sports Writer – Overall: 23-32, Last Week: 3-5
(2) Boston College 24, (8) Virginia Tech 17 – As much as I admire Sean Glennon for stepping up when his team needs him, I think Matt Ryan will have another great game against the Hokies.
(7) West Virginia 27, Rutgers 21 – Rutgers would just be incredibly lucky if they got the upset two weeks in a row.
(12) USC 24, (5) Oregon 27 – I don’t feel like the Trojans have recovered enough to beat the Ducks at home.
(10) South Florida 28, (23) Connecticut 21 – The Bulls have had their fair share of glory and defeat over the last two weeks. They will be fighting to get back to the top for the rest of the season.
(11) Florida 31, (18) Georgia 28 – When your quarterback is also your leading rusher, you know you’ve got someone special leading your offense.
(9) Kansas 21, Texas A&M 17 – The Jayhawks will remain in the short list of undefeated teams this week if they can step up their run defense against the Aggies.
(21) California 31, (4) Arizona State 35 – ASU has its highest AP ranking in 11 years for a good reason. They should definitely take this one at home.
Colorado 17, Texas Tech 28 – When the Buffs can’t score, the Buffs can’t win. The Red Raiders are also undefeated at home.
Derek Schimmel – Sports Writer – Overall: 30-26, Last Week: 6-2
(2) Boston College 21, (8) Virginia Tech 13 – For the first time in a while the No. 2 team in the country will prevail.
(7) West Virginia 24, Rutgers 35 – On a high from last week, and a few extra days of rest, the Scarlet Knights will be back in the top 25 with an upset against WVU.
(12) USC 24, (5) Oregon 21 – This is going to be a great one. USC looked great against ND last week, but that doesn’t say much. I’ll take the Trojans on a last second field goal.
(10) South Florida 49, (23) Connecticut 21 – The Bulls are not happy. They dropped eight spots to number 10 after a tough game in Jersey. They’ll go a little further north and knock off a surprisingly good UCONN team.
(11) Florida 41, Georgia (18) 17 – Urban Meyer seems to always have a plan against SEC teams. Florida blows out the Dawgs.
(9) Kansas 10, Texas A&M 17 – Kansas will get back on track against A & M. After all of Boulder saw the size of the Jayhawks coach last week, it’s safe to say his players do not want to disappoint.
(21) California 27, (4) Arizona State 31 – ASU is one of this year’s surprises. The heat of the desert will help the Sun Devils take down Cal, who has been nothing but a disappoint the past couple of weeks.
Colorado 34, Texas Tech 24 – Three loses in a row is unacceptable to Coach Hawkins. He’ll get his team back on track, and his son will play the best game of his short career.
Brad Cochi – Sports Writer – Overall: 29-27, Last Week: 4-4
(2) Boston College 28, (8) Virginia Tech 17 – Tech’s defense has been playing well but has struggled at times against the pass. I think they’ll let this one slip away at home.
(7) West Virginia 35, Rutgers 28 – I just don’t see how Rutgers’ defense can stop West Virginia. I’ll pick another home loss here.
(12) USC 21, (5) Oregon 28 – I agree with Sterling, it really bothered me to hear analysts talk about how USC looked the best they had all season against a team that I’m pretty sure my flag football team could beat.
(10) South Florida 24, (23) Connecticut 13 – South Florida should still be undefeated and they know it. Look out Connecticut.
(11) Florida 31, (18) Georgia 24 – Georgia won’t be able to keep up with Florida’s offense.
(9) Kansas 13, Texas A&M 21 – This would be a great game for a big upset this weekend.
(21) California 28, (4) Arizona State 38 – Cal just hasn’t been able to finish out a game since they beat Oregon. I expect Arizona State to dominate this match up.
Colorado 17, Texas Tech 38 – Colorado’s defense keeps the game close in the first half, but the nation’s No. 1 passing offense will really come alive in the second half.
Margot Schneider – Sports Writer – Overall: 31-25, Last Week: 5-3
(2) Boston College 24, (8) Virginia Tech 17 – Rumor has it this is the worst top five ever. BC may just start to prove that wrong.
(7) West Virginia 31, Rutgers 34 – Still hate the Big East. Still don’t care. Oh, and if you’re going to be upset, it’ll be by Rutgers
(12) USC 24, (5) Oregon 27 – So I was a USC fan for probably five or six years before my North Carolina mind figured out it meant Southern Cal, not South Carolina. Being a South Carolina fan is way better this year.
(10) South Florida 34, (23) Connecticut 21 – Big East again! Enough of it already!
(11) Florida 27, (18) Georgia 21 – Heisman!
(9) Kansas 21, Texas A&M 14 – I mean, the Aggies aren’t that good. Really.
(21) California 21, (4) Arizona State 28 – I agree that this is one of the worst top fives ever, but that doesn’t mean ASU won’t win. And Cal is so unpredictable. Drives me nuts.
Colorado 31, Texas Tech 28 – I called a 7-5 season last year, and I’m sticking to it. And there’s no chance we are beating Missouri.
