Week 6 Recap, Week 7 Preview

Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators concluded another exciting weekend in college football, coming out of Baton Rouge with a huge win over LSU. Not many upsets, with Arkansas defeating Auburn being the most noteworthy. Alabama looked great again in a convincing win over Ole Miss. Personally, I think Alabama is playing the best football in the country right now, and it would be an absolute battle if they were to play Florida in the SEC Championship. Iowa continued its unbeaten season by pulling one out against Michigan, 30-28. Another team that is playing some great ball is Virginia Tech, who absolutely embarassed Boston College over the weekend, 48-14. Their only loss came to Alabama, and if they were to win out, they would most likely be in the best position as a one loss team.

As usual, the upcoming weekend brings more great matchups, and some questions being asked will be answered. Let's take a look at what to watch for...

Thursday, Obtober 15th

#8 Cincinnati @ #21 South Florida (7:30 ESPN)
Thursday night presents a rare intriguing Big East matchup, as Brian Kelly leads the Cincinnati Bearcars into South Florida. Cincinnati has been putting up some serious numbers offensively, and I look for that to continue this weekend. South Florida looked solid in their only test of the year versus Florida State. You could say that Cincinnati is yet to be tested, so they will be looking to prove their point in a primetime game on national TV. I think that they get the job done, and continue their road to a BCS game.

Prediction: Cincinnati 27 South Florida 21

Saturday, October 17

#20 Oklahoma vs. #3 Texas (12:00 ABC, Neutral Site)
Payback is going to be the primary thought on the Longhorns' minds on Saturday afternoon, as they renew their annual Red Rival Rivalry with Oklahoma. The problem in saying that is, Texas won last years game. Despite this win, Texas was still not chosen over Oklahoma to play in the Big 12 Championship, giving the Sooners the opportunity to play for the title game. Colt McCoy needs a big time performance, as his Heisman hopes are seemingly coming to a crossroads as he has led his team to wins, but not in a dominating performance from his perspective. However, if he gets it going on Saturday, he will most likely solidify his spot on New York as a candidate for the hardware come December. Sam Bradford is back for the Sooners, and he will look to save Oklahoma's season as a potential BCS birth is still on the line when they take the field. However, I think that Texas is a team on a mission this year, and they will settle for nothing less than a shot at the national title game.

Prediction: Texas 34 Oklahoma 24

#6 USC @ #25 Notre Dame (3:30 NBC)
Big time matchup in South Bend this weekend, as Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans come to town to take on the Fighting Irish, led by Heisman hopeful Jimmy Clausen. This is beyond a big game for Charlie Weis and the Irish, being that they have not beaten the Trojans since 2001, and those around the program are becoming very impatient with Weis' inability to win the big game. As I am sure you have heard, the combined score of the last 2 matchups between these two teams is 76-3 in favor of USC. This time, the Irish have the experienced quarterback while SC has a freshman signalcaller, and the game will be played in the friendly confines of Notre Dame Stadium. Will this be enough for the Irish? No, it will not. SC will be able to control the football, and be able to at least slow down the Irish offense, which should be enough to come out with the win.

Prediction: USC 28 Notre Dame 24

#4 Virginia Tech @ #19 Georgia Tech (6:00 ESPN 2)
As mentioned before, Virginia Tech could very well be playing some of the best football in the country right now. Georgia Tech got back into the top 25 with a win over Florida State last week, but gave up a lot of points in doing so. Tyrod Taylor is a different quarterback this year, and I think that he will be able to take advantage of a vulnerable defense, as Jacory Harris did earlier this season. I also think that the Hokie defense will be able to keep Tech's spread option in check, or at least enough to hold them off in the end.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 31 Georgia Tech 23

SPECIAL BASEBALL PREVIEW:
Not only will there be great football action this weekend, but both the American and National League Championship series will kick off this weekend, with the Yankees taking on the Angels and the Phillies facing the Dodgers. Here are my predictions for their best of 7 series':

Yankees in 7, Dodgers in 6