Write On Sports LLC - "Football Week 9" by Tom Zuck

Football Week 9

2007-10-24 19:35:40 | By: Tom Zuck

I started last week's football festivities a day early. Kiski Area hosted Woodland Hills Thursday for a special TV game. Since KA is the school district next to ours it was an easy drive and it was a great night for a game. Plus, I scored an invite to John Sebak's Halloween Party Saturday. I am not much for dressing up, but I will go and partake in the festivities.

It was strange sitting at a game in October and to be getting mosquito bites. But it's better than a hurricane or a fire like in Cali. So I won't complain. The game was not too bad; Kiski has nothing but a quarterback. Woodland Hills has just a bit more and they won. A buddy from college was also there, Jon Carter, who lived one floor below us in Tower B our freshman year at Pitt coaches for Woodland Hills. Jon spent a few years in the NFL and is a really swell guy and it's always nice to see him.

Friday's game at Ford City was not too bad either. The Sabers cruised to a win over Deer Lakes, as expected. The game was done pretty early too so I had no trouble with deadline. This week I am off to watch Kiski play at Gateway. Gateway is coached by former Penn Stater Terry Smith. Justin King went there and it is one of the better programs around. So I am expecting another butt-kicking. A moving clock is a writer's best friend!

This past week was not as compelling as the previous three but there were some good games. The Auburn finish, while disappointing, was awesome. Notre Dame's green jersey did not help. USC is getting healthy again. The Buckeyes were a bit sloppy but not in danger of losing. The SEC is still tops for monster games too.

And then there was Pitt! I did not see THAT coming and nor did the rest of the fans in attendance, Pitt or Cincy fans. When we were leaving Heinz Field it was funny to listen to people and their reactions. I was behind a group of six Cincy students and one was going crazy. To paraphrase him Cincy lost to the worst team in America in the worst city in America and also in the worst stadium in America. It was fun to hear someone else screaming for a while.

I'm going to start the weekend early tomorrow as well. Jeannette H.S. plays Greensburg Central Catholic, on TV. This one is so big it has been moved to another high school! It should be fun because Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette is one of the top-10 recruits in the country, depends on who you ask for a specific number. Also, these schools HATE each other. Jeannette is ranked #1, Class AA, in the state and it's also a rematch of last year's Western Pa. championship game; so it should be fun.

I was over 50% last week but holy cow, the Big East is killing me. I was wrong on Pitt, Louisville & USF. Tennessee cost me again and so did Cal. For the season I am 81-37.

#2 Boston College (3-0, 7-0) at #8 Virginia Tech (2-0, 5-1)
7:30 p.m. Thursday

After three straight ACC games to open the season BC had played a string of softies. This week will be much different. Va. Tech made its mark playing on Thursday night. It's a great stadium too. I have been there for a bunch of games, never a Thursday game though. This game comes down to defense. Does Tech get to unflappable Matt Ryan? Can Tech's offense, with a BIG question at QB, run the ball at all against a terrific BC defense? My friend Lauren is a BC gal, my cousin Fritz married a Tech grad. I like both gals, and both teams, but on this one I am going to go with Tech in a close one.

#6 West Virginia (1-1, 6-1) at #25 Rutgers (2-1, 5-2)
Noon Saturday

Very quietly WVU is back in the BCS chase. The Mounties are getting healthy again too, but this week super-frosh Noel Devine is excused for "personal reasons"; I wonder.hmmm. Rutgers looked terrific last week in the win over USF and Ray Rice was amazing. I think Rutgers is back on track but Mike Teel's injury is a question mark. I think WVU's defense is better this year and that is the reason I will pick WVU in a close one.

Michigan State (1-3, 5-3) at Iowa (1-4, 3-5)
Noon Saturday

It will be interesting to see how MSU rebounds after last week's tough one at the Horseshoe. Even though the score was close the Buckeyes were never going to lose to the Spartans. Iowa, despite beating Illinois last week, is just bad. I look for the Spartans to win this one.

North Carolina (1-2, 2-5) at Wake Forest (3-1, 5-2)
Noon Saturday

Wake needs this game and if BC loses to Tech a win here will put the Deacons in a first-place tie with BC in the ACC Atlantic division. BC holds the tiebreaker though. Wake looked pretty darn good last week and has won five in a row. This one won't be easy, but make it six straight; Demon Deacons win!

Indiana (2-3, 5-3) @ Wisconsin (2-2, 6-2)
Noon Saturday

Because of my well-documented Big Ten Bias I forgot to do this game here. It was brought to my attention by Mike Stobba. Mike married one of my cousins and he is a Badger. Three of Mike's sisters in law (my cousins) went to Indiana, as well as his wife Kathleen. So that makes for a serious battle this weekend. Imagine four sisters "badgering" you all year if IU beats Wisconsin. Seriously though Wisconsin has been one the biggest disappointments this season. Big things were expected and as of yet have not been delivered. Any time IU has a winning record it's huge. Wisconsin NEEDS to run the ball because the QB play has been bad. That means P.J. Hill has to get rolling. Indiana has played three good teams this season and has lost all three. Wisconsin has lost to Illinois and got wasted by Penn State. Beating Northern Illinois does not mean they are back. The Badgers must win this game because they have OSU and UM in consecutive weeks. This is a home game for Wisconsin, it better be a win, for Mike's sake! Badgers win!

Pitt (1-1, 3-4) at Louisville (1-2, 4-4)
Noon Saturday

It felt really good walking out of Heinz Field last week.after the game was over and Pitt had won. This would be a huge win for the Panthers. Louisville's defense has been horrid this year and the offense has made stupid penalties part of its game plan. Pitt ran for 260 yards last week and the line really played well against an aggressive defense. Pitt also forced turnovers last week. I want to pick Pitt, I really do. But I just don't see two wins in a row yet. I hope I am wrong, Louisville wins.

#9 USC (3-1, 6-1) at #5 Oregon (3-1, 6-1)
3 p.m. Saturday

Some day I would like to go to a game at Oregon. I've heard the stadium is super loud. If it was in the past Autzen Stadium should be nuts this week. Oregon has an offense that can score on just about anyone. Led by QB Dennis Dixon and back Jonathan Stewart they need to be as sharp as they were against Michigan. Mark Sanchez may start again in place of John David Booty for SC. This game is a classic offense vs. defense and has the potential to be the top game of the weekend. Even though USC is finally getting healthy I'm gonna stick with home field advantage. Ducks win.

#20 Georgia (3-2, 5-2) at #9 Florida (3-2, 5-2)
3:30 p.m. Saturday

The Bulldogs are missing something. The backfield is all banged up too. Florida has to be feeling good after getting back on track last week. Do you know who will play in place of starting running backs Kregg Lumpkin and Thomas Brown? Knowshon Moreno, it's just a fun name to say. Georgia has lost 15 of the last 17 in the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party". Georgia saved its national title in 1980 with the miracle finish against Florida with a 93-yd. TD pass from Buck Belue to Lindsay Scott. The Dawgs will need more of that this week, they won't get it. Florida wins.

Clemson (2-2, 5-2) at Maryland (1-2, 4-3)
3:30 p.m. Saturday

Clemson dropped like a stone after losses to Ga. Tech and Va. Tech. Tommy Bowden's teams always tease us and then falter. Will the slide continue this week? Maryland lost a nice lead to Va. Tech and lost. The Terps are really banged up on the O-Line and that is not good against an aggressive defense. I have been burned this year picking against Maryland but I'm going to keep with the Tigers and backs C.J. Spiller & James Davis. Davis guaranteed a victory and who am I to argue, Clemson wins.

#11 South Florida (1-1, 6-1) at UConn (2-0, 6-1)
3:30 p.m. Saturday

Nobody thought UConn would be at the top of the Big East at this point of the season, but they are. South Florida needs to win to keep its BCS hopes alive. It may be a couple days early but this is the week UConn turns into a pumpkin. Grab the bull by the horns, South Florida wins.

Nebraska (1-3, 4-4) at #17 Texas (2-2, 6-2)
3:30 p.m. Saturday

It won't be the same picking on Nebraska now that "Wonder Boy" Steve Pederson is gone. But I am not a Cornhusker fan so I do like seeing them lose. I do like Texas. My brother2 was born in San Antonio and is a Texas fan. Colt McCoy has put up huge numbers for the Longhorns but the running game has been, by UT standards, pathetic. That has to change. Texas could lose this game, but they won't. Hook 'Em Horns. Texas wins.

Ole Miss (0-5, 2-6) at #23 Auburn (3-2, 5-3)
6 p.m. Saturday

I have never been to Oxford, Mississippi but I have heard that the girls there are something special. Ed Bruley is an Ole Miss grad, maybe he can enlighten us. Unfortunately for Ed the Rebels are not too special this season. This will be a good game for Auburn to bounce back after last weeks last-second loss to LSU. Look for Auburn to keep running because Ole Miss is allowing over 200 yards a game on the ground. The Tigers got away from that some last week and I think it hurt. War Eagle, Auburn wins!

#12 Kansas (3-0, 7-0) at Texas A&M (3-1, 6-2)
7 p.m. Saturday

The tough stretch starts now for A&M. A win over undefeated Kansas would go a long way towards a strong finish. Nobody really knows much about the Jayhawks, outside of Kansas folks. It would be trendy to stick with Kansas but I am a contrarian at heart. I'm going to go for the upset. Gig 'em Aggies, A&M wins!

#15 South Carolina (3-2, 6-2) at Tennessee (2-2, 4-3)
7:45 p.m. Saturday

Ok, I pick UT to lose to Georgia and they kick the Dawgs in the teeth. I picked the Vols to beat 'Bama and they get spanked. Will the real Tennessee Vols please stand up! I don't think they have any idea who the real Vols are either. I bet Kimmy Elder is not pleased. South Carolina has issues on offense but a terrific defense. The Gamecocks also have Steve Spurrier. In a match-up of coaches it a clear USC victory because Spurrier has an 8-4 record against Phil Fulmer. I would not have wanted to be a player at USC this week after they lost to Vandy. If I pick USC the Vols will probably come out and play great. If I pick UT the Gamecocks will probably discover its AWOL offense. I think the Vols will find a way to stop the USC offense; I wish I was on Rocky Top, Vols win.

#1 Ohio State (4-0, 8-0) at #24 Penn State (3-2, 6-2)
8 p.m. Saturday

Forget Big 10 dominance.this game is about bragging rights in the McNally family. Dave's a Buckeye, Brian's a Nittany Lion. The Buckeyes have won 26 consecutive regular season games. The last loss came at Beaver Stadium in 2005. Ohio State has improved just about each week this year. Penn State has been up and down. The Nittany Lions do not have a signature win yet, Wisconsin maybe, but neither does OSU. This game will be decided on how much the Buckeyes get to Anthony Morelli and the PSU running backs because I think Ohio State can run enough against Penn State. It seems strange that a #1 ranked team has not played at PSU against PSU since 1989. Penn State is 4-9 all-time against #1 teams and 5-2 all-time against OSU at Beaver Stadium. Look for Ohio State, behind the running of Chris Wells, to improve on its record. Grateful Dave & Brutus Buckeye rule Beaver Avenue, Buckeyes win!

#18 Cal (2-2, 5-2) at #7 Arizona State (4-0, 7-0)
10 p.m. Saturday

If the Penn State v. Ohio State game is not too much excitement for ya then this one could be a great way to close out a Saturday. Cal is one of the big disappointments this season and Arizona State is one of the surprises. Cal has lost two bad games due to turnovers and some really bad play management late in the games. This would go a long way towards righting what happened against Oregon State and UCLA. That doesn't mean ASU is going to just let the Bears tear them apart. The Sun Devils are good but this will be their first game against a ranked team, which goes a long way towards explaining the great performance against the run for ASU's defense, 90 yards per game allowed. Just like the Texas A&M game I am feeling upset here. Cal rights the ship and upends ASU.

10-25 Thu. Boston College @ Virginia Tech 7:30 p.m. ESPN
10-25 Thu. Air Force @ New Mexico 9:00 p.m. Versus
10-26 Fri. Boise State @ Fresno State 9:00 p.m. ESPN
10-27 Sat. Colorado @ Texas Tech Noon ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. West Virginia @ Rutgers Noon ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Michigan State @ Iowa Noon ESPN2
10-27 Sat. Ball State @ Illinois Noon BigTen (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Northwestern @ Purdue Noon BigTen (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Indiana @ Wisconsin Noon BigTen (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. North Carolina @ Wake Forest Noon LFS/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Pittsburgh @ Louisville Noon GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Mississippi State @ Kentucky Noon LFS/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Delaware @ Navy 1:00 p.m. CSTV
10-27 Sat. UNLV @ Wyoming 2:00 p.m. The Mtn
10-27 Sat. Southern California @ Oregon 3:00 p.m. FSN
10-27 Sat. Arizona @ Washington 3:00 p.m. FSN Regional
10-27 Sat. Louisiana Tech @ Utah State 3:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) 3:30 p.m. CBS
10-27 Sat. Clemson @ Maryland 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. South Florida @ UConn 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Nebraska @ Texas 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Minnesota @ Michigan 3:30 p.m. ESPN Classic
10-27 Sat. Virginia @ N.C. State 4:30 p.m. ESPNU
10-27 Sat. Rice @ Marshall 4:30 p.m. CSTV
10-27 Sat. Idaho @ Nevada 5:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Utah @ Colorado State 5:30 p.m. The Mtn
10-27 Sat. Ole Miss @ Auburn 6:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. Ohio @ Bowling Green 6:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. UCLA @ Washington State 6:30 p.m. FSN
10-27 Sat. Kansas @ Texas A&M 7:00 p.m. ESPN2
10-27 Sat. Troy @ Arkansas State 7:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
10-27 Sat. South Carolina @ Tennessee 7:45 p.m. ESPN
10-27 Sat. Ohio State @ Penn State 8:00 p.m. ABC
10-27 Sat. Duke @ Florida State 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
10-27 Sat. BYU @ San Diego State 9:30 p.m. The Mtn
10-27 Sat. Cal @ Arizona State 10:00 p.m. FSN
10-28 Sun. UCF @ Southern Miss 8:00 p.m. ESPN

Post a comment