Write On Sports LLC - "Football Week 10" by Tom Zuck

Football Week 10

2007-11-02 19:58:21 | By: Tom Zuck

So last week I started the weekend on Thursday with the "big" Jeannette game. What a joke that was. The Jayhawks crushed Greensburg Central Catholic. The only thing that disappointed me was the fact that I picked up a bucket of chicken from KFC on the way and when I got there, two hours before kickoff, people were already in line to get in.

Well, the Jeannette people were in line already. I thought we were going to tailgate some but it quickly became apparent why we did not. The entire side of the stadium was filled right way. It even spilled over to the home side stands.

I did meet with fellow Burrell Buccaneer Carl Belli for the first half. It was a good thing too because I had to bum $0.75 off him for the toll road! There was no way to get anything at the concession stand to get change.

Friday was pretty much what I expected. Gateway trashed Kiski Area. It was pretty hard to interview the two coaches and to do it diplomatically. The score could have been much worse than the 56-0 final. Robby Landowski's boy did recover a fumble for the Cavaliers; other than that, nothing positive. Gateway does run the stats program like at colleges so that was cool.

This week it is off to Blackhawk for the first round of the playoffs against Highlands. Blackhawk is one of the traditional Class-AAA powers in Pennsylvania. I coached for two seasons with the Highlands head coach, but that was at Valley. I'm not a Highlands fan, but I do get along great with Sammy so it will be a nice game to cover; my first good one of the season. So hopefully Tom's High School Football Mediocrity Tour 2007 is over.

There were some very good games last week I thought Florida would respond but the lack of a running game is killing them in the SEC. And boy oh boy, Georgia's Knowshon Moreno is more fun to watch than his name is to say. It looks like Georgia has a running game; just hopefully NOT against Auburn in a next week.

Fred Lukac was at the Halloween party last week, dressed as Moses first and then when he took off the beard he was supposed to be Jesus. Thankfully it was not Muhammad or we could have had some trouble. In a bid to help the Nittany Lions Fred was holding his arms up, ala Moses vs. the Amalekites. It didn't work, but it appears that State College looked more like what Moses found when he came off the mountain. All that was missing was the Golden Calf.

The Pitt game was seriously frustrating. I kept hoping that they could pull it out, but I also kept thinking that someway they wouldn't. I was so disappointed for the kid's sake. The young players did a great job and if you take LeSean McCoy and put him on a "big" team you are seriously talking about him pressing for All-America honors. Not just for freshmen either. He is THAT good.

Last week's record took a bit of a dip, 10-6, for the season I am 91-43. I really thought Texas A&M would do more. Maybe Kansas is just that good too. USF is killing itself with dumb penalties; maybe too UConn is just darn good too. At least now Pitt's loss to the Huskies does not look that bad.

How long have we talked about Va. Tech's lack of a two-back running attack? A while, and Thursday it really hurt them. Boston College is very good but the game was lost when Tech had two fourth-quarter possessions deep in BC territory and they got nothing. I think Tech just thought the defense could keep holding BC in check, most of the time that works, but this year BC is just too good.

Well, on to this week's games. There are a lot of very difficult picks this week so I am a little worried.

#11 Virginia Tech (3-1, 6-2) at Georgia Tech (2-3, 5-3)
7:30 p.m. Thursday

The Hokies really blew a chance last week. They get another shot this week. I really like Thursday games. Tashard Choice is out and so could his backup Rashaun Grant for Ga. Tech. That is a HUGE blow. Va. Tech still needs to develop a consistent running game. Even though this is in Atlanta, I am looking for the Hokies to bounce back. Va. Tech wins.

#24 Wake Forest (4-1, 6-2) at #23 Virginia (4-1, 7-2)
Noon Saturday

Wake has bounced back from its 0-2 start. Virginia needs this win to keep pace with the Hokies, if they win Thursday. UVA has two games left this season with teams who are ranked. This is one of them. The loss last week to NC St. hurt a lot. I am going to go with the resurgent Demon Deacons (Don't let me down Matt Hartford) and look for a possible Va. Tech and BC rematch in the ACC title game. Wake wins.

Syracuse (1-2, 2-6) at Pitt (1-2, 3-5)
Noon

Pitt made some strides last week; at least the young players did. The Panthers can't afford to lose this game. Syracuse needs it too. This one is at home and I am going to go with the Panthers.

#29 Purdue (3-2, 7-2) at #31 Penn State (3-3, 6-3)
Noon

Penn State really got clobbered last week. Purdue has lost its two big games this year. Look for Penn State to get back to running the ball and for the defensive line to do to Purdue's offense pretty much what Ohio State did to the Boilermakers. It may be close but I say the Nits win.

#21 Wisconsin (3-2, 7-2) at #1 Ohio State (5-0, 9-0)
Noon

Wisconsin has been exposed this season. The win against Indiana may have saved Mike Stobba from a year's worth of taunting but the Buckeyes are a different animal right now, I just hope Dave McNally doesn't start with the "Game of the Century" talk too soon. Look for the Buckeyes to score one on defense and roll to a win, sorry Mike. Buckeyes win.

Nebraska (1-4, 4-5) at #8 Kansas (4-0, 8-0)
12:30 p.m.

Is Kansas this good? Just how low can things sink at Nebraska? Take a minute to digest this number; Nebraska's defense is allowing 242.6 yards rushing PER GAME. The Kansas defense doesn't even allow that much in total offense! Look for Kansas running backs Brandon McAnderson and Jake Sharp to have nice games. Kansas wins.

Navy (4-4) at Notre Dame (1-7)
2:30 p.m.

Navy has not beaten Notre Dame since 1963 when Roger Staubach was the quarterback. That game was against an ND squad that finished 2-7. A few weeks ago I thought this was the year for the streak to end. Last week former Pitt QB Joe Flacco threw for 434 yards to lead 1-AA Delaware to a victory over the Middies. That stings. Look for Evan Sharpley to have a nice day for ND. This game won't bring down the thunder but it will give ND grads Tony Watson, Fred Heidenreich and Kevin McCloskey a little better weekend. It will hurt our boy Commander CX Kennedy though. I'm going for an ND "upset", Domers win.

#15 Texas (3-2, 7-2) at Oklahoma State (3-1, 5-3)
3:30 p.m.

Jamaal Charles is a man! He may not be 40, but he had one of the greatest quarters in football history last week. Charles rushed for 216 yards in the fourth quarter (290 total) to help Texas comeback against Nebraska. We have said before that the Longhorns need to run more. This week is more of the same.run the darn ball! But I am afraid the coaches will see that Oklahoma State can't stop the pass. So we will see. This game is very winnable for Ok. St. especially after last week's big win over Kansas St. Look for a high-scoring affair here. I am going to flip the coin and it comes down.Texas. Hook 'em Horns, Longhorns win.

#12 Michigan (5-0, 7-2) at Michigan State (1-4, 5-4)
3:30 p.m.

Michigan State has returned to its old ways and so has Michigan. Along with Wake it is Michigan who has turned its season around after two losses. Fans of the Wolverines hope Chad Henne and Mike Hart are back on the field. They may not need them but it would be nice. This one is in East Lansing but that should not make too much of a difference. Look for the Wolverines to win the sixth in a row in this bitter rivalry. Go Big Blue, Wolverines win.

#36 Cincinnati (1-2, 6-2) at #18 South Florida (1-2, 6-2)
3:30 p.m.

The loss to Pitt was the last time the Bearcats took the field. They have had two long weeks to think about it. South Florida has dropped like a bad habit too with two straight losses. The Bulls had more than enough chances last week at UConn but a good opponent and stupid penalties and turnovers killed them. I look for South Florida to get back into the game this week. Bulls win.

#3 LSU (4-1, 7-1) at #17 Alabama (4-1, 6-2)
5 p.m.

This is one of the biggies this weekend. LSU travels to Tuscaloosa in a game that has national implications but will be overshadowed by attention on the head coaches. That's a disservice to the fine match-ups on the field. Will John Parker Wilson have time to throw? If he does D.J. Hall is one of the best receivers in the country. The 'Bama line also needs to give Terry Grant some running room for the offense to move the ball. LSU's defense has been pushed around a bit lately but is still allowing just 71 yards per game on the ground. There have been some big distractions too for the Tigers with backup QB Ryan Perrilloux (again), among others, in trouble with the law. But then Alabama has had to deal with a textbook scandal. Even with the distractions, I am sticking with LSU, in a close game.

#9 Missouri (3-1, 7-1) at #44 Colorado (3-2, 5-4)
6:30 p.m.

Colorado has made huge improvements this season compared to last. The Buffs took Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell out of the Heisman race by picking him four times in last week's victory. Missouri is much more balanced than Tech. Missouri QB Chase Daniel just doesn't make big mistakes. The Tigers average almost 500 yards a game but other than Daniel there are no stars. Colorado is much improved but Missouri is just better. Show me, Missouri will, Tigers win.

#4 Arizona State (5-0, 8-0) at #5 Oregon (4-1, 7-1)
6:40 p.m.

Other than the 'Bama-LSU game this is the best of the weekend. Oregon won a game a little differently last week against USC. The Ducks won a street fight as opposed to its usual high scoring affairs. Arizona St. showed it was for real last week by beating Cal, especially coming back from a 13-point deficit. Oregon is a very balanced team, just like ASU. This is a hard pick. Oregon needs this game to move into a first-place tie with the Sun Devils. Autzen Stadium could be the difference, I am going with Dennis Dixon and the Ducks.

Rutgers (2-2, 5-3) at #13 UConn (3-0, 7-1)
7:15 p.m.

NOBODY, I repeat NOBODY, thought UConn would be first in the Big East right now. Rutgers needs a win badly after last week's kick in the teeth from WVU. The key could be how hurt is Rutgers QB Mike Teel because Ray Rice still got his yards last week. UConn has no stars, except maybe Andre Dixon. The Rutgers defense needs a monster game against the Huskies, who just keep making plays. Can UConn do what it did last week against USF? I say yes, UConn wins to set up a HUGE game against WVU.

Texas A&M (3-2, 6-3) at #6 Oklahoma (3-1, 7-1)
8 p.m.

Texas A&M needed last week's game and they did not get it. Oklahoma is looking for a BCS birth. The Aggies are looking to save the season for embattled coach Dennis Franchione. The Aggies didn't run the ball last week and it will get tougher this week. Oklahoma quietly moves towards a Big 12 title game meeting with Kansas. Boomer Sooner, OU wins.

Oregon State (3-2, 5-3) at #19 USC (3-2, 6-2)
8 p.m.

USC is definitely one of the most disappointing teams in America so Oregon State comes at the perfect time. The Beavers have won three straight but that will change Saturday. Trojans get back on the plus side with a victory.

Florida State (2-3, 5-3) at #2 Boston College (4-0, 8-0)
8 p.m.

Usually you would say that this Florida State team can beat just about anyone on any given Saturday. It looks even less likely these days. The Seminoles can't run the ball and they still can't decide on a QB. But since Xavier Lee was suspended for two games at least there will be no QB juggling. That means the no-so-mobile-Drew Weatherford will be a target for BC's terrific defense. Boston is rapidly becoming the town America loves to hate (Red Sox & Pats) and unfortunately BC will be lumped in with that hate; especially after they beat up on FSU. Lauren buys the next round, BC wins!

#26 South Carolina (3-3, 6-3) at Arkansas (1-3, 5-3)
8 p.m.

Both Darren McFadden & Felix Jones will get a workout this weekend because USC has been terrible against the run. South Carolina stumbled last week at Tennessee and needs to get back on track before next week's game against Florida. It's amazing that Arkansas, a team with such a talented pair of backs, is just 1-3 in conference. The quarterback play has left a lot to be desired and Casey Dick is banged up. The Razorbacks last night game was a home loss to Auburn. Look for the running backs to take control. Pig Suey, Hogs win.

11-01 Thu. Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech 7:30 p.m. ESPN
11-02 Fri. Akron @ Bowling Green 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
11-02 Fri. Nevada @ New Mexico State 8:00 p.m. ESPN
11-03 Sat. Purdue @ Penn State Noon ESPN
11-03 Sat. Iowa @ Northwestern Noon ESPN2
11-03 Sat. N.C. State @ Miami, Fla. Noon ESPNU
11-03 Sat. Wake Forest @ Virginia Noon LFS/GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Clemson @ Duke Noon GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Syracuse @ Pittsburgh Noon GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Ball State @ Indiana Noon BigTen (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Ohio State @ Wisconsin Noon BigTen (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Nebraska @ Kansas 12:30 p.m. FSN
11-03 Sat. Kansas State @ Iowa State 12:30 p.m. Versus
11-03 Sat. Vanderbilt @ Florida 12:30 p.m. LFS/GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Colorado State @ BYU 2:00 p.m. The Mtn
11-03 Sat. Navy @ Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC
11-03 Sat. San Jose State @ Boise State 3:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Florida International @ Arkansas State 3:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Buffalo @ Miami, Ohio 3:00 p.m. GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. UCLA @ Arizona 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Texas @ Oklahoma State 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Cincinnati @ South Florida 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Michigan @ Michigan State 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN (reverse mirror)
11-03 Sat. Army @ Air Force 3:30 p.m. CSTV
11-03 Sat. Maryland @ North Carolina 3:45 p.m. ESPNU
10-03 Sat. LSU @ Alabama 5:00 p.m. CBS
11-03 Sat. New Mexico @ TCU 5:30 p.m. The Mtn
11-03 Sat. Missouri @ Colorado 6:30 p.m. FSN
11-03 Sat. Washington @ Stanford 6:30 p.m. FSN Regional
11-03 Sat. Arizona State @ Oregon 6:45 p.m. ESPN/FSN Regional
11-03 Sat. Rutgers @ UConn 7:15 p.m. ESPNU
11-03 Sat. Tulsa @ Tulane 7:30 p.m. CSTV
11-03 Sat. Texas A&M @ Oklahoma 8:00 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Florida State @ Boston College 8:00 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Oregon State @ Southern California 8:00 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. South Carolina @ Arkansas 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
11-03 Sat. Illinois @ Minnesota 8:00 p.m. BigTen (Ch. TBA)
11-03 Sat. Wyoming @ San Diego State 9:00 p.m. The Mtn
11-03 Sat. Washington State @ Cal 10:00 p.m. FSN
11-04 Sun. SMU @ Houston 8:00 p.m. ESPN

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