NCAA Football Round-Up; K-State on the Move
Bridgewater and the Cards look to stay unbeaten when they host Cincinnati.
Once again the latest BCS standings are out and to no one’s surprise Alabama remains on top followed by fellow SEC member Florida, Kansas State, Oregon and Notre Dame. The fact that K-State has leap-frogged Oregon sets up some interesting possibilities moving forward. It’s highly possible that if Oregon and Oregon State (#7) meet as undefeateds in the ‘Civil War,’ the winner may not get a BCS Title game bid. This would be an incredible omission from such a well-respected conference.
I’m not ready to get into the ‘what-ifs’ just yet because there is so much time left to go in the 2012 season, but as always, it makes for interesting conversation whether you like the BCS or not. Moving on… Games to watch this week.
Cincinnati at #16 Louisville – The Cards are still unbeaten at 7-0, but have not exactly been world-beaters in the last few weeks. Louisville has won their last five games by an average of about six points per game and last week needed a late score to knock off South Florida. The Bearcats tasted defeat for the first time last week and fell to in-state rival Toledo who at 7-1 is a darn good team out of the MAC. The difference was that Cincinnati seemed to finally meet their match in terms of speed and they’ll see more of the same from Louisville and QB Teddy Bridgewater. I look for a very tight game in this one and will take the Bearcats to pull the upset.
Colorado at #4 Oregon – Last week the Ducks went on the road to Tempe and put 43 points in little over a quarter and half. Arizona State is a nice football team too. Now Oregon gets a brutal Colorado team coming off a 50-9 drubbing by USC and this game is in Eugene. Whatever the number is this week take the Ducks for the simple fact that Chip Kelly knows they need style points to impress voters as the Ducks have dropped a spot in the BCS. This will get ugly early.
#2 Florida vs #10 Georgia – The World’s Largest Cocktail Party once again is the major event here before the actual game is even played. In fact, are they allowed to even call it that anymore? The Gators have nine of the last 12 in the series and come in red-hot off wins over South Carolina and Vanderbilt. A win by Florida clinches a berth in the SEC Championship game while a Bulldogs’ victory allows them to control their own fate the rest of the way. Georgia will try to force the Gators to win by throwing as they have been dominant on the ground recently. Last year’s win in the series probably saved Mark Richt’s job but I’m not sure if that will help this year. I like the Gators in this one.
Klein and the Wildcats entertain the Red Raiders this Saturday in Manhattan.
#14 Texas Tech at # Kansas State – Two weeks ago, this one might have looked a lot different, but now after what K-State did on the road in Morgantown to West Virginia, I think the Wildcats are ready for anything and that includes the offense of the Red Raiders. The goal is simple for the Wildcats; keep the ball in Collin Klein’s hands and let him make the plays necessary against a fairly average Tech defense. I just can’t see the Wildcats losing this one at home in Manhattan.
#5 Notre Dame at #8 Oklahoma – Two of the greatest programs in college football history will tee it up in Norman with a ton on the line. For the Irish, a chance to validate their return to college football’s elite with a huge road win and for the Sooners, a chance to pick-up valuable points with voters. There are two numbers you need to know in this one. First, ESPN’s College Gameday will be there and when they are, Oklahoma is unbeaten at 5-0. Secondly, is Bob Stoops’ home record of 78-3 in Norman. The Fighting Irish have made tremendous strides this year, but the unbeaten record comes to a screeching halt as I like the Sooners in this one.
