First, if anyone has a better title for this, please let me know either by commenting on here or on facebook. As I'm not necessarily sure what to have the headline be each week. Ok, now, if you are busy this weekend, or have to go somewhere one of the two days this weekend, make it Sunday and miss the NFL games. Simply because the NFL does not have the marquee games this weekend, it's in college. The reason why college has the better games is because there are four, count them four games this weekend pitting two teams within the top 15 of the BCS rankings together. Plus, there is another whole host of games in which to get excited about which I'm not going to preview here. (That's what the guys at ESPN's "College Gameday" are paid to do, this is just for fun.) The NFL only has one, maybe two marquee games, and those are the Giants at Dallas, and Atlanta at Philadelphia. So, if you want to spend one day with your feet up on the recliner and not do anything other than watch football, it's definitely Saturday.
College
No. 2 Florida vs. No. 10 Georgia (in Jacksonville), 3:30, CBS
"The world's largest outdoor cocktail party" as it is known resumes again Saturday. And, with it, Florida would clinch a spot in the SEC title game, and it's not even November yet! But, Florida and it's stifling defense looks like a lock to do so even if they do not win this game. But, Florida looked overpowering in it's dismantling of then number seven South Carolina last week with it's defense. As that is how Florida won the game last week. Their offense didn't need to do much, as the defense forced four turnovers. Florida will likely continue to do it this week as well, as they are ready to come back from a loss last year in this rivalry game. Plus, Georgia has not won a game against a top 10 school since 2009 when they did it against arch rival Georgia Tech. That streak will continue here.
Pick: Florida 35, Georgia 13
No. 14 Texas Tech at No. 3 K-State, 3:30, Fox
Fox has quite the doubleheader in college and professional football this weekend, as it has this game, which is sneaky good, and the Giants-Dallas game on Sunday, so look for good ratings for them. But, now to the actual x's and o's instead of sports media talk. This game is sneaky good, because nobody expected this game to be a turning point within the Big 12 this season. Especially considering that Tech wasn't even ranked in the preseason, and K-State was ranked either 22nd or 21st depending on which preseason poll you looked at. Tech has vaulted into the polls after destroying what everyone thought was a BCS contender in West Virginia, and followed that up with a victory over TCU in triple overtime. So, this team is very much battle tested. Then, K-State has just been rolling along with its Heisman front runner in Collin Klein. Klein is producing more than 75% of the Wildcats offense this year, and Tech will need to stop him, otherwise they've got zero shot of winning this game. Tech also has a pretty good quarterback of its own in Seth Doege, who is more of a threat throwing the ball than running it. But, do not overlook these defenses, who rank within the top 20% of division 1-A. But, since the Wildcats are at home, go with them. But, do not be surprised at the upset.
Pick: K-State 38, Tech 34
Ohio State at Penn State, 5:30, ESPN
If this was last season, this game would rank as another game, perhaps between two top 20 opponents, instead of unranked opponents. This being because Ohio State idiotically chose this year to take its bowl ban instead of last year when they sucked under interim head coach Luke Fickell. But, as the old saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. Plus, Penn State wasn't mired in the mess of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. But, I'm putting this game in here, because both teams are playing very well. Ohio State is currently undefeated and would contend for the national title if it was bowl eligible. And Penn State is on a roll after losing its first two games. Plus, Bill O'Brien really looks to be the man right for the job at Penn State. This is Penn State's only night game for the year, and it's a white-out, so go with the upset.
Pick: Penn State 24, Ohio State 21
No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oklahoma, 8, ABC
"College Gameday" is here, it features the national title commentating team of Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit, and it's a night game. Seems like an electric atmosphere for what should be an excellent game. This is Notre Dame's biggest true test of the season so far. And, they will definitely need to play better than they did last week against BYU when they had three interceptions. The running game was magnificent, as both Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood ran for over 100 yeards. Plus, Notre Dame is changing quarterbacks again, back to sophomore quarterback Everett Golson. But, Oklahoma is a definite contender still, after their loss to K-State at home a few weeks ago. Landry Jones, perhaps the second best quarterback in the Big 12 may have something to say about Notre Dame's possible national title game chances. Now, this is hurting myself as a Notre Dame fan, but since Oklahoma is at home, go with them.
Pick: Oklahoma 28, Notre Dame 24
No. 11 Mississippi State at No. 1 Alabama, 8:30, ESPN
Mississippi State is a great story under Dan Mullen, going undefeated thus far. But, to go into Alabama and win? This is not going to happen.
Pick: Alabama 48, Mississippi State 10
NFL
Atlanta at Philadelphia, 1, Fox
Both teams are coming off a bye week, and Philly underneath Andy Reid is undefeated after the bye week. But, Philly just fired their defensive coordinator, Juan Castillo, who just came into the job last season. So, Philly is now working on its fourth defensive coordinator in the last four years in Todd Bowles. Philadelphia also must work on its turnover problem, which has over 2 a game. And, that will result in a 3-3 record. Atlanta on the other hand, does not have that turnover problem. That also results in the only undefeated team left in the NFL. But, Atlanta has had close calls against Oakland, Carolina and Denver throughout the season. Atlanta also is looking for back to back victories against the Eagles. And, I think this could be the end of the Mike Vick era in Philly with this loss.
Pick: Atlanta 27, Philly 26
Miami at New York Jets, 1, CBS
The Jets are coming off a heartbreaking loss in New England, after they had scratched and clawed their way back from a deficit in the second half. Miami is also on a two game winning streak and after a bye. Plus, this is a rivalry game, so stats do not really matter in this kind of game.
Pick: Miami 20, New York Jets 16
Washington at Pittsburgh, 1, Fox
This game isn't necessarily marquee, as the Skins are 3-4, and the Steelers are 3-3, but it is a fascinating game in which to try and dissect. The reason because it will be interesting to see whether the aging Steelers defense can try to contain RG3. Griffin has been the most dynamic player in all of the NFL. I don't think RG3 will have the most amazing day ever, but he will still be effective. Pittsburgh will win though because Washington's defense isn't all that good.
Pick: Pittsburgh 34, Washington 27
New York Giants at Dallas, 4:25, Fox
Rivalry game. This is the biggest rivalry in the division in my book. (Apologies to Eagles and Dallas or Eagles and Giants.) Dallas and the G-men battled back and forth for the division all of last season, and we all know how that turned out. But, this is going to be one hard fought game. It'll be a battle as well. However, I must go with the G-men, based on how well they have played thus far this season, and knowing that Eli is never out of a game.
Pick: New York 21, Dallas 17
San Francisco at Arizona, 8:30, Monday, ESPN
This is for first place in the NFC West. San Francisco is coming off a win against Seattle, in which they started off sluggishly, but came through in the second half for a touchdown victory. Arizona has been on a free fall though after their torrid 4-0 start to the season. And, now they have John Skelton, who isn't that good, back at quarterback. The free fall will continue.
Pick: San Francisco 26, Arizona 10
Now, stay tuned this week for a World Series preview, a quick NBA preview, and a NHL rant on how stupid they are.
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