Write On Sports LLC - "Football Week 7" by Tom Zuck

Football Week 7

2007-10-12 18:32:04 | By: Tom Zuck

Holy Cow! Two weeks in a row and I am starting to wonder if I know anything. Some of you may have thought that already but I don't think there were too many people who picked Notre Dame or Stanford to win last week so I really don't feel so bad to have missed those games. I did read on the Internet right after the game that Pete Carroll did NOT shake hands with Jim Harbaugh. If that was true that is really petty and small.

Then there is JoPa's admission of a "traffic incident" at State College last week. Throw in the Austin Scott mess, the underage drinking citations and reports of a minor brawl involving more football players. It seems like the only place Penn State can find solace is on the field, and even that is shaky. Lately Penn State is sounding more like Texas, of the east.

Notre Dame winning last week is actually a very good thing for Boston College. I don't think anyone wanted to be the team that lost to Notre Dame this season. Now that UCLA did the seat is very hot for Coach Karl Dorrell. Another very "hot seat" belongs to Dennis Franchione at Texas A&M. The Aggies are just not very good and the schedule is not easy the rest of the way. Not to mention all six burners on the cooktop burning under the Pitt staff.

How about Nebraska? As long as Steve Pederson is the AD Pitt fans will be interested in what happens there. The Cornhuskers got waxed by Missouri last week, I watched some of that game and it was fun to see. The game of the weekend had to be LSU and UF. I was pulling for the Tigers and I loved that Les Miles went for it so many times on fourth down. As far as my way of thinking goes that was the best game I have seen since Texas beat USC in the Rose Bowl, and the fourth quarter of last year's Fiesta Bowl with Boise State and Oklahoma.

Speaking of Oklahoma the Sooners escaped a bit of trouble last week by beating Texas. The trend we spoke of last week concerning turnovers came through again. This past weekend it was Colt McCoy for UT and John David Booty for USC leading the turnover brigade.

I would like to know what Tennessee drank before the game with Georgia. Whatever it was, I want some too. The Vols looked great. If you look at the team's schedule it is very possible that they could run the table. It is not a stretch to say that Saturday's win over Georgia went a long way towards saving Phil Fulmer's job.

I also watched with dismay at North Carolina taking "Big-Bad" Miami out behind the woodshed. Miami had a chance to come back but the Tarheels met every challenge; kudos to Butch Davis and his team for a terrific job. I have been to Carolina for a game and it is a terrific place. I will say that I lost a bet to Abi Wall on this game. I will not say what that bet was, let's just say I don't mind paying this debt!

Then of course we had last night's continuing Pitt slide. Not to take anything away from Navy but gee whiz! The Pitt defense can't stop anyone. I did get a chance to visit after the game with former Burrell Buc and Naval Commander Chris Kennedy. So that was nice.

This week Tom's High School Mediocrity Tour 2007 will continue at Deer Lakes. The Lancers, who have averaged about 2.5 wins per year for over the last decade, host Freeport. It just keeps getting worse.

Last week's I was under .500 for the first time. Pitt sealed that for me. The season mark now stands at 61-27. So now on to this week's games.

Florida State (1-1, 4-1) at Wake Forest (2-1, 3-2)
7:30 p.m. Tonight

Ok, is Florida State better with Xavier Lee at QB? I think so. Did Wake turn around its season after the first two games. This will be an interesting game and I am sure FSU will be looking for some revenge after last year's debacle. I think the Seminoles are getting better. I think the coaches are finally getting through to them. Last week Wake struggled with Duke. Florida St. is the only team remaining on Wake's schedule that is ranked so this is huge. Pat McHenry and Matt Hartford will not be pleased but I am picking Florida State in this one. Chief Osceola rides!

Georgia Tech (1-3, 3-3) at Miami (1-1, 4-2)
Noon, Saturday

What is the deal with these two teams? Miami got clobbered last week and Georgia Tech lost to Maryland. I picked both to win. This one is in the Orange Bowl so that should give the Hurricanes a bit of a boost. I bet that HC Randy Shannon is not too fun after a loss. I think this week Miami's defense actually stops someone. Patrick Nix needs to get something going on offense. Miami rebounds in the OB, Go Canes!

Purdue (1-1, 5-1) at Michigan (2-2, 4-2)
Noon, Saturday

I was not surprised at all last week when Ohio State dismantled Purdue. The Buckeyes are very good and Purdue failed its first test of the season, miserably. It's another game in "The Big House" for Michigan. It looks as if Mike Hart is carrying this team on his shoulders. He is very capable of doing so but if the other guys want to help it would be appreciated. This is a big game for Big Blue because they have Illinois next week. Michigan wins and Asa Christy buys a round at the bar.

LSU (3-0, 6-0) at Kentucky (1-1, 5-1)
3:30 p.m. Saturday

Kentucky fell to a much-improved South Carolina team last week. The key to that one was turnovers; Andre Woodson's in fact because Kentucky is not good enough to beat the top teams if they make big mistakes. LSU is not the team to forgive mistakes either. This one could be tough after last week's emotional victory over Florida. I think LSU needs better play from either quarterback if it wants to get to the NCS title game. Being on the road will help the LSU, Geaux Tigers.

Texas A&M (2-0, 5-1) at Texas Tech (1-1, 5-1)
3:30 p.m. Saturday

A&M needs THIS win. After this game the Aggies have to play OU, UT, Neb., Missouri and Kan. It does seem strange that Coach Franchione is on the hot seat and they are 5-1, but Texas is a different animal. The Aggies just look slow and last week needed a furious comeback to beat Oklahoma State; a team coached by a "MAN".Mike Gundy, who will be feeling heat soon too. The Aggies need to ride Jorvorskie Lane more than the 89 times he has rushed in six games to win the big ones. Tech puts up sick yardage and points. How does 513 ypg passing sound? Or how about a team that scores 45 points.and loses the game! Tech can score and passes like mad, but can they stop A&M? I say this weekend they score enough to beat the Aggies. Texas Tech wins and Bobby Knight is happy.

#7 South Carolina (3-1, 5-1) at North Carolina (1-2, 2-4)
3:30 Saturday

The War Between the States; or is the War of Northern (Carolina) Aggression? This is a really neat match-up with two terrific coaches. Both teams are coming off very big victories. As crazy as this sounds I would say that South Carolina has more defense than Miami did so I don't think UNC moves the ball with ease. South Carolina's offense is still not where it needs to be and redshirt freshman Chris Smelley must grow up in a hurry. I love UNC's uniforms though so it's tough to pick against the Burrell Buccaneer colors but I must. Spurrier is a genius, USC will dump UNC.

#19 Wisconsin (2-1, 5-1) at Penn State (1-2, 4-2)
3:30 Saturday

I watched Penn State last week and kept hoping they would switch to the Texas-Oklahoma game. It wasn't so much because I hate Penn State, I do, but the announcers were sooooo awful. It was like listening to a broken record --Anthony Morelli is prone to mistakes, yada yada yada. Do a little extra game-prep before the game please. Maybe it was also because Iowa was terrible and not ready for prime time, or mid-afternoon. Wisconsin is probably one of the biggest disappointments in all of D-1. The offense needs a healthy P.J. Hill because QB Tyler Donovan isn't making the "key" play. I preferred it more when Wisconsin QB's did NOT throw for nearly 400 yards and did NOT throw bad interceptions. The defense has also been lacking and wins against Wash. St., UNLV, The Citadel and Iowa count for nothing. Until they prove otherwise Wisconsin is on my "list". Resident Badger, cousin Mike Stobba, isn't going to like this but PSU wins.

#4 Boston College (4-0, 6-0) at Notre Dame (1-5)
3:30 p.m. Saturday

Notre Dame finally got rid of the "goose egg". The Fighting Irish took advantage of just about every mistake made by UCLA. The problem now is that Boston College makes very few mistakes. Led by QB Matt Ryan the Eagles are efficient and very capable of scoring points. This is a big game to carry momentum into the Va. Tech game Oct. 25. Boston College does not give up a lot of yards on the ground so whoever is in at QB for ND (Jimmy Clausen completed 17 of 27 last week for only 84 yards) must protect the ball because BC intercepts a lot of passes, 17 so far this season. Andre Callender needs to get more on the ground for BC. Notre Dame knocked QB Ben Olson out in the first quarter last week. Matt Ryan is much better than the redshirt freshman who came in to replace him. I know people who went to both schools, and I like them all, but my friend Lauren went to BC and she is cuter than any of the "Domers" I know, sorry boys, Let's hear it for the East Coast Catholics, Eagles win on the road.

UConn (1-0, 5-0) at Virginia (3-0, 5-1)
3:30 p.m. Saturday

Both teams beat Pitt; big surprise eh? I want to stick up for the Big East in this one but neither team has played anyone good, other than UVA beating Georgia Tech. So I will go with the Cavaliers in this, that doesn't mean I will pay attention though.

#24 Georgia (2-2, 4-2) at Vanderbilt (1-2, 3-2)
6 p.m. Saturday

This one is here strictly for Abi Wall, Howard Bonazza and Tommy Bart. They are big Georgia fans and they want the Bulldogs to get back on track. I say they do. Vandy is just what the doctor ordered, plus Auburn roughed 'em up a bit last week to help Georgia! How 'bout them Dawgs, UGa wins.

#11 Missouri (1-0, 5-0) at #6 Oklahoma (1-1, 5-1)
6:30 p.m. Saturday

Other than Auburn at Arkansas this is the game I am most looking forward to this weekend. Oklahoma was opportunistic last week; Missouri was on fire. Both teams score a ton of points. This is a huge test for Missouri to prove it belongs among the top teams. So far this year the Tigers biggest win came in the opener over Illinois. Beating Nebraska just does not carry the same weight anymore. Both teams pass a ton but the game will tilt on whether or not Oklahoma's defense can shut down Missouri's running game. I think they do. Boomer Sooner, Oklahoma wins.

Louisville (0-1, 3-3) at #15 Cincinnati (1-0, 6-0)
7 p.m. Saturday

For the last two weeks I have taken the conventional way. But this week I will change course and go with the underdog. Has there been a team in America more disappointing than Louisville? I would say no. Cincy is very good and aggressive on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals have not had trouble scoring this year but they can't stop anyone from scoring. I am looking forward to this game because it ought to be a great scene. I am gonna go with the upset, Louisville gets things somewhat in order.

#22 Auburn (2-1, 4-2) at Arkansas (0-2, 3-2)
7:45 Saturday

Arkansas embarrassed Auburn last year. Well, maybe it was just Darren McFadden who did. No matter whom it was the Tigers better be ready this weekend. Auburn turned around its season with the win over Florida and by beating up Vandy. This one is a different animal though, even though the Razorback fans are screaming for Houston Nutt's head. Brad Lester is back now so that gives Auburn three runners and that takes pressure off QB Brandon Cox. It's hard to believe that the Hogs are 0-2 in conference play with McFadden and Felix Jones trading carries in the backfield. McFadden is banged up but he already has nearly 800 yards rushing; Jones has added 631 yards. Casey Dick has been just slightly above average with a completion rate of just 52. That's not good against an improving Auburn defense. Auburn gets revenge, War Eagle, Tigers win.

Washington (0-2, 2-3) at #14 Arizona State (3-0, 6-0)
10:15 p.m. Saturday

This is just not what the media savvy Pac 10 wanted. Dennis Erickson has his boys at the top of the Pac 10 standings and along with Cal they are the only undefeated teams left in the conference. Erickson has a bad rep but the man can flat-out coach. Arizona State has not beaten a ranked team this year so this will be a serious test. This will be Washington's fourth ranked opponent in five weeks. They have lost three of four so far; make that four out of five. Arizona State wins heading into an off-week before Cal comes to town.

10-11 Thu. Florida State @ Wake Forest 7:30 p.m. ESPN
10-12 Fri. Hawaii @ San Jose State 8:00 p.m. ESPN
10-13 Sat. Georgia Tech @ Miami, Fla Noon ESPN
10-13 Sat. Illinois @ Iowa Noon ESPN2
10-13 Sat. Central Florida @ South Florida Noon ESPNU
10-13 Sat. Purdue @ Michigan Noon BigTen (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Minnesota @ Northwestern Noon BigTen (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Kent State @ Ohio State Noon BigTen (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Virginia Tech @ Duke Noon LFS/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Rutgers @ Syracuse Noon GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Eastern Michigan @ Ohio Noon GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Texas @ Iowa State 12:30 p.m. FSN
10-13 Sat. Baylor @ Kansas 12:30 p.m. FSN Regional
10-13 Sat. Alabama @ Ole Miss 12:30 p.m. LFS/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. New Mexico @ Wyoming 2:00 p.m. The Mtn
10-13 Sat. Bowling Green @ Miami, Ohio 3:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. LSU @ Kentucky 3:30 p.m. CBS
10-13 Sat. Arizona @ Southern California 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Texas A&M @ Texas Tech 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. South Carolina @ North Carolina 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Wisconsin @ Penn State 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN (reverse mirror)
10-13 Sat. Boston College @ Notre Dame 3:30 p.m. NBC
10-13 Sat. UConn @ Virginia 3:30 p.m. ESPNU
10-13 Sat. Rice @ Houston 3:30 p.m. CSTV
10-13 Sat. Fresno State @ Idaho 5:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. Air Force @ Colorado State 5:30 p.m. The Mtn
10-13 Sat. Georgia @ Vanderbilt 6:00 p.m. ESPN2
10-13 Sat. Missouri @ Oklahoma 6:30 p.m. FSN
10-13 Sat. Oregon State @ Cal 7:00 p.m. Versus
10-13 Sat. Louisville @ Cincinnati 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
10-13 Sat. Indiana @ Michigan State 7:00 p.m. BigTen
10-13 Sat. UL-Monroe @ North Texas 7:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. New Mexico State @ Louisiana Tech 7:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-13 Sat. SMU @ Southern Miss 7:30 p.m. CSTV
10-13 Sat. Auburn @ Arkansas 7:45 p.m. ESPN
10-13 Sat. Colorado @ Kansas State 9:15 p.m. ESPN2
10-13 Sat. BYU @ UNLV 9:30 p.m. The Mtn
10-13 Sat. Washington @ Arizona State 10:15 p.m. FSN
10-14 Sun. Nevada @ Boise State 8:00 p.m. ESPN

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