Thoughts for Saturday: Week Four

In fact, I am doing this at every game this year, other than USC. Their schedule is so pathetic that if they lose a game other than to USC, he deserves the boot. They nearly loss to a middle of the road Michigan State team, which would have made them 1-2. I would have fired him had they lost that game.

What else is news? Well, Lane Kiffin and Urban Meyer are flapping at the gums. Does anyone care? No.

Matt Barkley will start against Washington State. Does anyone care? No. USC could start me at QB against Wazzu and win.

No. 5 California at No. 24 Oregon: I'm going with the Bears and Ducks as the game of the week. This is a big road test for Cal before facing USC in Berkeley. Can they win two road games in a row? Autzen is a tough place to play and the Ducks are playing a little bit better. This will be tough, but Oregon doesn't stop the run very well and Jahvid Best is really good. I think it's close for three quarters and Cal pulls away late, thanks in part to the fact that Jeremiah Masoli is not very good in the throwing aspect of football.

Other big games...

No. 9 Mississippi at South Carolina: This is the first test to see of the Rebels are worthy of that very high ranking (No. 4 in the AP Poll). Has South Carolina's offense, particularly Stephen Garcia, figured it out? Can the Cocks stop Jevan Snead if they couldn't stop Joe Cox? Gotta go with Ole Miss here in a dog chew.

Fresno State at No. 23 Cincinnati: This is the Bulldogs last chance at a big win this season. They came very close in Madison, and kinda close at home against Boise State. There should be some points scored here, and I think Tony Pike throws for 400 yards and the Bearcats win easily.

Southern Miss at No. 16 Kansas: Very interesting matchup of a very good non-BCS team and a pretty good BCS team. I expect a lot of scoring in what I think should be a good game. I would like to see the Golden Eagles pull this one out, but I think Kansas keeps a 10-14 point cushion for most of the game and wins.

Arkansas at No. 3 Alabama: We know Arkansas can put up points in a major way. They will be tested in a major way against one of the best defenses in the country. I am thinking this will be a close game, but Bama wins and Arkansas still won't get over the hump.

No. 18 Miami at No. 12 Virginia Tech: This will be a real test for the Hurricanes. If they win, I take them very seriously. If not, then they are just like every other mediocre team in the ACC.

Texas Tech at No. 22 Houston: This game will have a ton of points. In the 80's easily. In the end Case Keenum is good, Taylor Potts is not and Houston wins.

No. 14 TCU at Clemson: TCU is stepping up out of conference and playing some BCS teams. Clemson has good athletes, and being at home I think the Tigers bust the BCS bubble of the Horned Frogs.

No. 17 Iowa at No. 4 Penn State: I'm not calling this upset as much as I am saying watch out for it. Iowa beat the Nittany Lions last year, and they really haven't been tested this year. It's a night game in Happy Valley, so the Hawkeyes have their hands full. I expect a good game.

Washington at Stanford: The Cardinal are tough, and Washington is primed to lose after a big win last year. In fact, I think it's a no brainer. It's only an upset because Washington is ranked in the major polls.

I've done pretty well with these so far, with both my running backs, Damion Fletcher and Jahvid Best, having big days last week. This week, I say let's keep an eye on Ryan Mallett. He's put up huge numbers the first couple of weeks, and he'll really be tested against the Bama defense. I'm not saying he'll have a huge game. I'm just very intrigued to see how he does against a great defense.