Week 4 Games of the Week:

Week 3 is in the books, so now it's time for the Week 4 Games of the Week!

Last Week: 4-1:  Season Total 4-1


5.  Texas Tech @ #17 Houston 8:15 p.m CDT Espn2
If you are a fan of offense and not so much of defense, this game will be for you.  The scoreboard operator is likely to have a heart attack in this game.  Houston has had two weeks to prepare for this game after their stunning upset of then #5 Oklahoma State and is averaging 50 ppg.  QB Case Keenum has a 7-1 TD/INT ratio in just two games with 725 yards passing.  This is the toughest game left on the Houston schedule so if they can pull it out, a BCS bid is possible.  They still have Road games @ Mississippi State, Tulsa, and UCF along with Southern Miss and Memphis at home, but Texas Tech is by far the toughest contest remaining.  Speaking of Tech, they aren't doing too bad themselves on offense.  The Red Raiders are "only" averaging 39 ppg, but QB Taylor Potts has taken over the offense just fine.  Potts has 1,281 yards in three games carrying a 12-4 (3-1) TD/INT ratio.  And three of those four picks were in the first game which was his first career start.  In the Texas game, Potts looked great too.  Its at home for the Cougars and they have had two weeks to prepare---I give it to Houston 49-42.

4.  Iowa @ #5 Penn State 7:00 PM ABC
This game really should have been played last week were it seemed as though every game was a revenge game.  Iowa gave the Nittany Lions their only regular season loss with a last second field goal destroying their BCS Title chances But this game wasn't totally on my radar until it was announced that College Gameday would be attending the game in Happy Valley.  Penn State has look about as impressive as any top team.  But when you're best opponent is at toss-up between Akron and Syracuse, we don't know anything about you yet.  RB Evan Royster is playing well finally and QB Daryll Clark has looked very efficient with an 8-3 TD/INT ratio.  Iowa comes in 3-0 but hasn't looked very good doing it.  The Hawkeyes had to block the last second field goal of Northern Iowa on opening weekend not once but TWICE to preserve the victory.  They did destroy Iowa State on the road and had a quality victory vs. Arizona last weekend, but they just don't "feel" like a 3-0 team.  I think Penn State exacts revenge for last season and wins BIG over Iowa 35-6

3.  Arkansas @ #3 Alabama 2:30 CBS

The SEC schedule opens for Alabama this weekend with the Razorbacks coming into town.  Alabama looks unstoppable on offense this season with an efficient quarterback in Greg McElroy, and any of three running backs that could be considered a starter on most teams.  Mark Ingram leads the way with 297 yards over 3 games and a 6.8 YPC average, but Freshman Trent Richardson isn't far behind with 215 yards and is leading the team with a 7.4 YPC average.  Ingram actually leads the team in receptions with 10.  Sophomore Julio Jones should be ready to go against Arkansas giving McElroy the probably 3rd best receiver  (Dez Bryant, A.J. Green) in the NCAA back to throw to.  Jones hasn't gotten into the endzone since the Georgia game last season and will be hungry to get back there now.  Arkansas looked pretty great against Georgia last weekend though scoring 41 points on what is supposed to be a great defense.  QB Ryan Mallett, a Michigan transfer, is so far living up to his lofty projections coming out of High School with 717 yards in just two games with a 6-0 TD/INT ratio.  But he hasn't faced a defense as strong as Alabama's yet.  Senior RB Michael Smith hasn't shown much yet this year in limited attempts, but with Mallett at QB this is a pass first defense.  Alabama typically dominates that type of team, so I look for a 27-14 Alabama victory on Saturday.

2.  #6 California @ Oregon 2:30 ABC
This game looked a lot more appealing in the preseason when people actually thought Oregon was going to be a true contender.  But a miserable showing and LaGarrette Blount punch later, and Oregon is reeling a little bit.  RB LaMichael James is doing his best to fill in for the suspended Blount but he's just a freshman and it will take time.  Although he did have 152 yards against Utah last weekend.  QB Jeremiah Masoli hasn't looked good however so he either needs to improve dramatically or the running game really needs to be that dominant.  As for Cal, they have looked impressive.  The Maryland win may not be as impressive given that they have since lost to MTSU for the second straight year, but convincing wins over Eastern Washington and on the road @ Minnesota convince he that was more a product of how good Cal is, not how bad Maryland is.  QB Kevin Riley has this offense clicking with an efficient passing attack and a 5-0 TD/INT ratio.  But the Golden Bears really live and die by the play of Jahvid Best.  Best has played better than expected so far this year aleady collecting 412 yards and 8 touchdowns with an astonishing 7.8 YPC.  Best is no longer just a fringe Heisman candidate, he may be the leader early in the season.  The game is in Oregon, but that won't be enough for the Ducks to hold off the Golden Bears 35-17

1.  #9 Miami @ #11 Virginia Tech 2:30 ABC

The only game of the week feature two top 25 teams against each other has to be the game of the week.  Why College Gameday isn't there I'll probably never know --- they didn't respond to my tweet ----- but it is my pick for game of the week for sure.  The Hokies are just 2-1 on the season, but that loss was to a then #5, now #3 Alabama team.  It did take a last second touchdown to get past Nebraska however, so they could well be 1-2 on the season.  Maybe that's why Gameday isn't up in Blacksburg?  Tyrod Taylor hasn't looked great so far only achieving a 50% completion percentage once on the year (Marshall week 2) but he doesn't turn it over often with a 3-1 TD/INT ratio.  Ryan Williams does have back to back 100 yard games on the ground though.  Miami comes in looking as good as they have in years.  All the analysts said if the Hurricanes could come out of the start of the season with a 2-2 record it would be a victory for the program.  Well, they have guaranteed that already starting out 2-0.  Jacory Harris, one of the Miami Northwestern High School 8 from a couple years ago, has looked simply fantastic from the quarterback position hitting on 41-of-59 passes with a 5/2 TD/INT ratio Graig Cooper and Javarris James carry the load at running back.  The running back is a slight issue for the Canes because there is no true standout back there, but if Harris has progressed as much as he looked like he has it shouldn't matter.  If Miami can keep the Hokies from making a big play on special teams, they should win this game.  And I think they will do it in a slugfest 24-17.

That's it for the picks this week.  Check in tomorrow for my top five picks against the spread.

Week 3 Games of the Week

Starting now, each week during the college football season I will be giving you my top five games to watch each week.  So......here we go.

Honorable Mention:  Florida State @ BYU
Classic football power vs. Mid-Major BCS buster.  FSU takes it on the road.....BYU beats Utah later in the year.....Utah beats TCU and no mid major makes the BCS....we can all hope.

5. West Virginia @ Auburn 6:45pm CDT ESPN2
This game could really go either way.  West Virginia won last year's game, but lost nearly their whole team.  Auburn came into the season and was supposed to just roll over and die, but that hasn't happened so far.  Auburn's offense was clicking on all cylinders last weekend against Mississippi State.  I hate to do it, but I give the edge to the Tigers at home in a close, high scoring affair.

4.  Michigan State @ Notre Dame 2:30pm NBC
I love this matchup for so many reasons.  Notre Dame NEEDS this game.  Well, Charlie Weis NEEDS this game at least.  If he wants to keep his job, he needs a BCS bowl.  No more excuses about talent.  All of these players are Weis players.  If they lose this game and the USC game, that's three losses and likely out of the BCS.  Combine that with a 1-3 record against MSU and its a revenge game for the Domers.  Picking with my head and not my heart here.  Notre Dame in an ugly Big-10 style low scoring clash.

3.  USC @ Washington 230pm ABC
On the surface, USC SHOULD dominate this game.  They won I think 56-0 last season and clearly have more talent.  But that was without Jake Locker at quarterback for the Huskies and its at home.  USC will win, but it won't be by alot.  Maybe a 35-21 type game

2.  Texas Tech @ Texas 700pm ABC
Sticking with the revenge theme for the weekend, this is the ULTIMATE in revenge game.  In case you lived under a rock all of last season and missed it, Crabtree's last second catch knocked Texas out of the top spot and ultimately out of the Big-12 title game, and a shot at the national title. Texas is going to CRUSH the Red Raiders in this game.  Tech will score points.  QB Taylor Potts just picked up where Harrell left off...just like Harrell picked up with Cody Hodge left off....and just like I could pick up where Potts will eventually leave off.  He will have four touchdown passes, but Texas will probably hang 60 in this one.

1.  Tennessee @ Florida
Its put up or shut up time for Lane Kiffen.  And Lane, you should have just kept your mouth shut!  Kiffy came into town and pretty much said "hey, you see that Gator over there not really worried about us....lets punch it in the face and see what it does!"  What its gonna be is wipe its ass with what used to be your football program!  The only thing that could save the Viles in this one is if Tebow is too personally upset at what was said about his coach that he tries too hard and forces throws that Eric Berry returns for touchdowns.  Other than that, there is nothing they can do.  The spread is 28.5 according to Vegas.  I am tempted to pick the Vols to stay within that, but I just don't know.  Its the SEC, games are almost always close.....but Florida isn't going to call the dogs off late.  The backups will be in, but they are gonna be in chucking the ball down the field for scores.  I see, and will be hoping for, at least a 40 point win for the Gators..

That's it for this week.....check back tomorrow for my top five picks against the spread