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| COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKEND PREVIEW | |
| September 6, 2005 | |
| Jonathan, SCS.com Editor | Contact Jonathan |
> Game of the Week
Texas at Ohio State
Saturday 7:00 PM CST ABC
Texas and Ohio State get together Saturday evening in the country's first really big non-conference game of the 2005 college football season. Both squads are favorites in their respective leagues and legitimate national title contenders. Longhorn coach Mac Brown has had a reputation for failing to win the big game, and this is about as big as they get early in the season.
Texas has been ranked in the top five by nearly every expert around, mostly because of their high-powered offense which is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Vince Young. The junior from Houston threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in week one. Jamaal Charles, a true freshman running back, had a fabulous debut last weekend, running for 135 yards and a touchdown against Louisiana-Lafayette.
In contrast to Texas, Ohio State's squad is built around defense and special teams. The Buckeyes allowed Miami (Ohio) just 48 yards on the ground last weekend but did sacrifice 250 through the air. Containing Young, both a passer and a runner, will be a huge task for OSU. And speaking of containment, all-everything threat Ted Ginn, Jr. could be the difference-maker in a game like this if he can get loose, especially in the return game.
Winning at the 'Shoe is something not easily accomplished, but this Texas team is one of America's best this fall. Though the Ohio State defense is stingy and will be able to limit the Longhorn production, the Buckeye offense will not be able to muster enough offense to come away with a win. Look for Texas to pick up a huge hard-fought, early-season victory at Ohio State as they make a case for a number one national ranking.
The Editor Says: Texas 23-16
> Next Five
Notre Dame at Michigan
Saturday 11:00 AM CST ABC
Apparently Charlie Weis' system works in college football too. At least that's the impression one gets after watching the Irish trounce all over Pittsburgh last weekend. The Wolverines will have to be on top of their game, and though I look for Lloyd Carr's squad to come out on top, I can't say I'll be surprised if UND wins after watching their offense this past Saturday.
The Editor Says: Michigan 27-24
Iowa at Iowa State
Saturday 2:30 PM CST ABC/GP
The Cyclones had a little more trouble than expected with D-IAA Illinois State but not because QB Bret Meyer didn't have a fabulous game. And speaking of fabulous, the Iowa Hawkeyes dished out a dominating performance against Ball State a week ago, and though this week's test will be much tougher, look for Drew Tate and company to roll to win number two in Ames.
The Editor Says: Iowa 38-17
South Carolina at Georgia
Saturday 4:30 PM CST ESPN
Steve Spurrier got win number one last Thursday, but after a quick start, things were not as pretty as he would have liked. If you are a Georgia fan, things could not have been any prettier this past Saturday. The Bulldogs trounced Boise State, a team that many expect to win the WAC this fall. The ol' ball coach is headed in the right direction but isn't there quite yet.
The Editor Says: Georgia 34-13
Southern Miss at Alabama
Saturday 6:45 PM CST ESPN2
The Eagles have been displaced in Memphis since last week and will play their first game of the 2005 season this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide is one of the preseason favorites in the SEC West, and as usual, USM will be at or near the top the standings in Conference USA this fall. This series has largely been dominated by Alabama in recent years. Look for that to continue.
The Editor Says: Alabama 27-10
LSU at Arizona State
Saturday 7:45 PM CST ESPN
The venue for this game was changed due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina in Baton Rouge. I expect Arizona State to be USC's biggest contender in the PAC 10 this fall. The Sun Devils have a good QB in Sam Keller, a solid backfield, and perhaps the nation's best WR in Derek Hagan. In Baton Rouge, I would have taken the Tigers. Out west, though, look for the Sun Devils to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Editor Says: Arizona State 31-27
> Predicting the Rest
Oklahoma State over Florida Atlantic
Pittsburgh over Ohio
Washington State over Nevada
Kansas State over Marshall
Virginia Tech over Duke
Clemson over Maryland
Penn State over Cincinnati
Wisconsin over Temple
Oklahoma over Tulsa
Auburn over Mississippi State
Boston College over Army
Purdue over Akron
Connecticut over Liberty
Minnesota over Colorado State
Miami (Ohio) over Central Michigan
Illinois over San Jose State
Air Force over San Diego State
BYU over Eastern Illinois
Wyoming over Louisiana-Monroe
California over Washington
Georgia Tech over North Carolina
Michigan State over Hawaii
Rutgers over Villanova
Syracuse over Buffalo
Oregon over Montana
Northern Illinois over Northwestern
Kent State over SE Missouri State
Indiana over Nicholls State
Florida over Louisiana Tech
Kentucky over Idaho State
West Virginia over Wofford
Eastern Michigan over Louisiana-Lafayette
Navy over Stanford
Oregon State over Boise State
Florida State over The Citadel
South Florida over Florida A&M
Texas Tech over Florida International
Arkansas over Vanderbilt
Missouri over New Mexico
Nebraska over Wake Forest
Baylor over Samford
Houston over Sam Houston State
Arkansas State over TN-Martin
Kansas over Appalachian State
North Texas over Middle Tennessee
Toledo over Western Michigan
Utah over Utah State
Bowling Green over Ball State
UAB over Troy
TCU over SMU
Fresno State over Weber State
Arizona over Northern Arizona
UCLA over Rice
Colorado over New Mexico State
UNLV over Idaho
The Editor's Records:
2005:
Last Week: 45-10 (.818)
To Date: 45-10 (.818)
Game of the Week: 0-1 (.000)
