The Crier

The Lowdown

After Devastation Saturday (or whatever ESPN called it) the college football world looks very different.

Tim Shields · Sport · Oct 05, 2007

I cannot ever remember a season with so many big teams being knocked off early. It is USC and LSU’s race to lose, but they need to look over their shoulders at hard charging Cal and although it feels awkward to write, Kentucky. Pleasant surprises are lurking all over the top 25 in the likes of South Florida, Kentucky and Cincinnati. We’re not even halfway into this season and its shaping up to be a very entertaining one. After our first week of picking, I dominated Andy and hope to continue the dominance. On to the lowdown.

Games of the Week

1) Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas (3:30 ABC)

Both teams are coming off crushing upsets. Everyone will tell you that the Oklahoma one came as more of a surprise due to Texas sleepwalking through the first four weeks of the season, but both put a huge damper on any National Championship hopes. Both teams will be looking to bounce back this week, but look for Oklahoma’s running to dominate. Oklahoma’s talented running back Allen Patrick still rushed for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns in last weeks loss. Before last week Oklahoma’s offense had put up over 60 points a game. Colt McCoy can have a big day but I don’t think it will matter. Prediction: Oklahoma 34 Texas 21

2) Ohio State at Purdue (8:00 ABC)

It is a match up between undefeated teams, but both have been untested thus far this season. Ohio State’s best win is at Washington, which looks a little better after seeing USC struggle with them last week, but the rest of their victories thus far have been unimpressive. Purdue is in the same boat. Ohio State’s running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (man I hate that nickname) will definitely get his yards as OSU is averaging 208 rushing yards a game, but the real match up in this game will be OSU’s vaunted defense versus Purdue’s talented spread passing attack. I think Purdue puts up enough points to keep it close, but the better team will prevail in the end. Prediction: Ohio State 30 Purdue 26

3) Cincinnati at Rutgers (8:00 ESPN2)

Cincinnati at Rutgers you ask? I know, go back in time just three years ago and no one is talking about either of these teams, but for the second straight year Greg Schiano leads a talented, ranked Rutgers squad. On the other side, first year (and potential Lloyd Carr replacement) Brian Kelly leads a Bearcats team that has quietly amassed a five win zero loss record. Revenge will be on the minds of the Scarlet Knights as Cincinnati gave them their first loss last year, which turned out to be the difference in them not making a BCS bowl. Rutgers’s running back Ray Rice and quarterback Mike Teel will prove to be too much for the Cincinnati defense. Cincinnati has never beaten Rutgers in Piscataway, and they won’t this year either. Prediction: Rutgers 28 Cincinnati 24

Upset of the Week:

Unlike last week, I don’t see many big upsets happening this week, at least for highly ranked teams. Illinois definitely has a chance to beat Wisconsin in Champaign, but how much of an upset is it if they are actually favored. Arizona State, the third Pac-10 unbeaten could get snake bitten on the road facing a tough Washington State squad but I expect them to prevail in the end. I’m going to go out on a limb and put the #7 ranked Boston College Eagles on upset alert against Bowling Green. Bowling Green looks like one of the best teams in the MAC and BC is riding a little too high right now. I even potentially see a high scoring overtime game here. Prediction: Bowling Green 37 Boston College 34

Top 5

1. USC - I said they would be #1 until they lose not until they almost lose. They escaped Washington with a win, but now have to keep an eye out for Oregon, Cal and Arizona State.

2. LSU - Only 10-9 at half versus TULANE!?!?! Good thing they pulled away at the end to make the game look respectable. The defense is great but the offense still has some kinks.

3. CAL- I mean how can you not put them up here. They looked really good against Oregon and can you say “Hello, Heisman” DeSean Jackson?

4. OSU - They haven’t really played anyone and have an untested offense but their defense is very good. Also, who else in the Big Ten is going to challenge them at this point, until Michigan. Right?

5. South Florida - They probably aren’t that good and don’t deserve to be this high because the Big East is overrated, but I am giving them their deserved props. This football program has only existed for 11 years and they’ve come a long way.