Week 10

Vanderbilt vs Texas – So far Vandy has been almost unstoppable, they do have one loss against Alabama, which isn’t a bad mark to have. They took down LSU and then held on for dear life to beat Missouri this is their next big test. Texas had their hands full when they played Mississippi State and their star QB Arch Manning went down with a concussion late in the game which meant back up QB Matthew Caldwell had to throw the game winning pass. Vandy doesn’t have the talent that most SEC school have, but what they do have actually believes they can not only compete with the others but now they believe they can win. Vandy makes their living with the run game controlling the clock and converting on third downs. Last week they struggled against Missou, things just weren’t working for the Dores, but they still found a way to win. Vanderbilt relies heavily on QB Diego Pavia who is fantastic at running the ball but he’s also pretty darn good throwing it as well. Against this Texas defensive Vanderbilt has to have everything working, which means they’ll have to have their running game dominate, if they struggle like they did last week, its doubtful they will be able to squeeze out the victory. This game is also on the road where they do struggle more than within the confines of their home in Nashville. Texas’ offense has not been the spectacle it was supposed to be. Arch Manning did have his best game last week against MSU but for some reason the running game completely stalled. The Longhorn defense is the only reason UT is still in the fight for the SEC crown and a possible playoff position. It is suspected that Arch is going to play in this game, but he's going to have to be on point, because they’re not going to get very far running the ball against the Commadore defense. Where the Dores are weak is against the pass and that just so happens to be where Texas is strong. If QB Manning is back in form look for the Horns to move the ball through the air and then rely on the defense to shut the Vandy run game down. Every week it seems that Vanderbilt should fall yet they keep winning. This game however just might be a little bit too much for them. It will be close, but the homefield advantage for Texas should be too much for them to overcome. Texas, against the wishes of the Daughter, is going to win.

Cincinnati vs Utah – The Bearcats have been flying under the radar all season. They lost their opening game against Nebraska but ever since then they have rolled over their competition. Last week they stomped Baylor into the ground winning 41-21 and they have a 7-1 record and they’re 5-0 in conference play. They are also ranked again and have a very real shot at making the playoffs along with going to conference championship game. With an offense that has been putting up a ton of points their defense hasn’t been keeping up allowing other teams to also score, but when the offense puts up that many points it hasn’t been that much of an issue. Against Utah it could become a serious issue. Utah not only puts up a lot of points they have been known to keep their opponents out of the endzone. Last week, against Colorado QB Byrd Ficklin completed 10 of 22 passes for 151 yards and 1 TD. Their running game was WAY too much for the Buffs to handle and the Utes are going to take their winning formula and see if it’ll work against this bad Bearcat defense. Utah has already lost two games but they were against BYU and Texas Tech, and they weren’t run off the field in the process. If Cincy wants to run with the big dogs they have to win this game. When the spotlight was on them at the start of the season they faltered but like Alabama they have recovered. What they can’t have is a weak defense, and yet that is their biggest weakness. At the moment Utah is a ten point favorite, which should upset the Bearcats and motivate them. Utah has a strong offensive and its going to serve them well in this game as they roll all over the Cincy defense. The biggest question will be can Cincinnati make this game an old fashion shoot out? If they can keep up with the pace of the Utes they’ll put themselves in a position to win. Its doubtful, but its their only choice. Utah is the pick to win.

Oklahoma vs tennessee – this game is crucial for both teams, a loss for either of them and the post season will be a disappoint. Oklahoma has to win this game if they have any hopes for a playoff spot. Against Ole Miss last week, they let the Rebels slip away from them and couldn’t keep up with the quick offense and the Rebs passing attack. Luckily for them they do have a strong defense, which should be able to shut down the ugly colored team’s rushing attack thus making the vols one dimensional. If the Sooner loss this game, their remaining schedule is not favorable, as they have Alabama, Missouri and LSU to close it out. A loss here could mean a promising start going down the drain. OU defense was great against Ole Miss, even though they got trolled by HC Lane Kiffin afterwords. They were able to shut down the running game but their pass defense put little pressure on the QB and it cost ‘em. The ugly orange team has a very good offense, and a questionable defense. It is highly doubtful they will be able to run the ball in this game, and they’re going to rely on the pass, which has worked for them. One missed field goal against Georgia changed their entire season. Oklahoma is going to need their star QB John Mateer to be completely healthy after suffering a wrist injury which cost them against Texas. In the last couple of games, he’s been good but not up to his old self. On the road in rocky top he is going to need everything he's got for the Sooners to get the win. Both teams are expected to move the ball up and down the field and there will be a lot of scoring. If and it’s a big if, OU can get a two-score lead they will take the crowd out of the game, and cruise to victory. If they don’t and the ugly colored team matches them score for score, then the vols will win. This game is very much a toss-up, my heart will be with the Sooners because there isn’t any way I can pull for that orange team, it goes against every fiber of my being, having said that, its more than likely going to be a tennessee win.

Short Smokes

Ohio State vs Penn State was supposed to be a big game, but the Buckeyes aren’t going to have any problems with the Nitty Lions

Miami is going to have their hands full against SMU, they’ll win but it won’t be easy

West “By Golly” Virginia is in for ole fashion beating against Houston

Illinois should, that’s SHOULD, beat Rutgers

Clemson isn’t having the year they thought and against Duke it will be evident

Baylor has to beat UCF

Army better beat Air Force

Arizona State and Iowa State will be a great game to watch, going with ISU

Louisville better not take Virginia Tech lightly

Indiana is on a roll and its highly doubtful Maryland can stop them

Georgia in the Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is going to roll over Florida

Notre Dame vs Boston College always has surprised, but the Irish still win

Kansas State has been a huge question mark all season and they could possibly upset Texas Tech

Minnesota is going to “Ski-u-Muh” all over Michigan State

Pitt will enjoy their California trip to Stanford

Fresno State vs Bosie State is always an enjoyable game

Virginia has been living dangerously and they will again against the hippes of California

Mississippi State will Bar-B-Q the Hogs of Arkansas

Kansas walks all over Oklahoma State

Ole Miss better not be over confident against South Carolina

Michigan has it easy against Purdue

Colorado wants to beat Arizona but they won’t

Georgia Tech puts their undefeated record on the line against NC State

Nebraska just might upset USC

Auburn and Kentucky is a complete toss up

Washington State downs Oregon State

Florida State is on a bad run and it won’t get any better against Wake Forest

The late game features Hawai’i vs San Jose State, for the insomniacs