10 Best Football Games-Week 9

Last week there were another two teams eliminated from the national title chase. The first being Oklahoma, who, despite being an over 20 point favorite at home, lost to an underrated Texas Tech team, who is sitting anonymously in the Big 12, behind Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas State. The second being Wisconsin, who lost a thrilling game to Michigan State on a Hail Mary throw.
Last week in the NFL also came Tim Tebow time in Denver, where Tebow helped lead the Broncos on a fourth quarter comeback, and dazzled then, despite really stinking in the first 55 minutes of the game. Detroit also lost again, and could this be the beginning of the end for Detroit? Probably not, as the team is too good to not revert back to their old losing ways.
This week in the NFL, there are some very poor games to choose from. So, really don't be surprised if I don't have much analysis for the last three games I choose in my five best NFL games. But, in college, there is a top ten match up, and a top 15 match up, as well as an SEC East rivalry game. Plus, two other intriguing match ups. So, it's a good week in college though. So, it's better to watch Saturday than Sunday if you're a football fan.

College

# 9 Oklahoma at # 8 Kansas State, 3:30, ESPN

This is a very interesting game, as Kansas State wasn't ranked at the beginning of the season, but under the mastery of head coach Bill Snyder, K-State is undefeated heading into this game in Manhattan. Granted, the players have to do their part as well, and Colin Klein has definitely been doing his part for the Wildcats, accumulating over 1500 yards from scrimmage thus far this season. Oklahoma, meanwhile was ranked number one in the preseason AP poll, which shows you why there shouldn't be preseason polls. Anyway, this team is still really good, they just let themselves down on Saturday. I expect them to rebound quite nicely against an overrated Kansas State team, who, with the exception of last week and a game against Kent State, has won all of their games by single digits.

Pick: Oklahoma 48, Kansas State 13

#11 Michigan State at #14 Nebraska, noon, ESPN

This game is a crucial game within the Big Ten Legends division. As Nebraska trails the leader Michigan State by one game in this division, with their only loss to Wisconsin, when they got rudely welcomed into the conference. Nebraska is experiencing its second Big Ten home game, the first one, they narrowly escaped a weak Ohio State team. This one is going to be interesting, as Michigan State is coming off an emotional last second win to take control of their own destiny in the Legends division. These two teams are very evenly matched, so I cannot pick a winner, but it's essentially a toss up.

Pick: Michigan State 27, Nebraska 26

Illinois at # 19 Penn State, 3:30, ABC

Illinois has been going downhill in their past two games, losing to a mediocre Ohio State team, then a bad Purdue team. Illinois last good win came in mid September when they defeated Arizona State, and even that was at home, and a 11 a.m. local start. So, with that said, Penn State should easily win, and go to 8-1 on the season. Their defense has been holding opponents down throughout the season, and the offense gets just enough to get the job done, which they will do again here.

Pick: Penn State 20, Illinois 14

# 22 Georgia vs. Florida (at Jacksonville), 3:30, CBS

Florida has dropped three straight games, granted all three were to ranked opponents, and this is a transitional year for the Gators under new head coach Will Muschamp. However, this team should be amped up for the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." This is still a rivalry game, and should be a good one. Georgia on the other hand, has seemed to find its footing after losing two straight to open the season to find itself on top of the SEC East and control of its own destiny. Georgia hasn't won since they beat a top 10 Florida team in this rivalry since 2007. I expect this group to win this time.

Pick: Georgia 30, Florida 21

# 6 Stanford at USC, 8, ABC

This could be Stanford's best shot at losing before facing Oregon in two weeks at home. USC is coming off a great win at Notre Dame, where Notre Dame again made plenty of mistakes and USC capitalized on them. While SC is on probation, they can't play in any bowl games, so this could be their bowl game of sorts. The Trojans are still a fantastic team. However, Stanford feels under appreciated for being ranked below an ACC team and the traditional east coast bias. Plus, they want a shot at the national title.

Pick: Stanford 45, USC 23

NFL

New England at Pittsburgh, 4:15, CBS

This game is the best out of a weak slate of games in the NFL this week. But, there is a caveat, which Steeler team is going to show up? The one who's butts were whipped in week one versus the Ravens, or the one that has been showing up for the past six games, where the defense has shown up in a big way. My guess is the former, as New England and Tom Brady has absolutely destroyed the Steelers this decade. Pittsburgh is 1-7 against New England when Brady starts, including the postseason. Well, Brady is healthy, and New England is coming off a bye week, that spells trouble for the Steelers.

Pick: New England 38, Pittsburgh 16

Dallas at Philadelphia, 8:20, NBC

This game is too close to call, as both teams are capable of a lot of self-infliction through turnovers. Plus, this is a rivalry game, no matter what, both teams will play hard. Philadelphia is undefeated after the bye under Andy Reid, so that is something to consider. However, something else to consider is DeMarco Murray just ran for a Cowboys record 253 yards last week versus the hapless Rams and the Eagles are really bad against the run. So, this game is really a toss up. But, I'm going to put my money on the Eagles, and hope they don't shoot themselves in the foot.

Pick: Philadelphia 24, Dallas 20

Cleveland at San Francisco, 4:15, CBS

No Peyton Hillis, no shot for the Browns against a very much improved 49ers team.

Pick: San Francsico 31, Cleveland 13

Washington vs. Buffalo (in Toronto), 4:05, Fox

John Beck is the Redskins quarterback, plus no Santana Moss, plus Buffalo coming off a bye. Advantage Buffalo.

Pick: Buffalo 24, Washington 10

San Diego at Kansas City, 8:30 Monday, ESPN

Somehow Kansas City has won three straight even with their best defensive and best offensive players gone. This game could get Kansas City into a tie with San Diego for the division lead, and it's at home. So, players could be psyched up for this game. But, I don't think San Diego will let that happen, they have too many weapons and are coming off a let down loss at the Jets.

Pick: San Diego 34, Kansas City 23