NCAA Week 5 Top 10

Illinois visits Penn State's White House

The weather in the Northeast was pretty wonderful last weekend and provided a great weekend for College Football.  I hope this weekend provides the same amount of fun and excitement throughout the country.  LSU proved that they are legit going into Auburn and getting a big win.  It is amazing the SEC has such a tough conference, but I think a lot of it has to do with the fans and the stadiums.  Nobody enjoys going on the road to any of the other stadiums.  That can’t be said for the other big conferences.  When you get to travel to the likes of Indiana, Baylor, Washington State, Duke, and Syracuse (no offense) you really should be able to pull out a victory.  The only SEC school that you used to put in that category is Miss State/Ole Miss, but even Auburn didn’t like playing at Mississippi State to the tune of a 3-2 win.

I have been to the big home-field advantage stadiums of Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Michigan and in that order.  I would like to head up to Michigan State for a game in the future to see how things are in East Lansing.  But no team in the Big Ten has to play four of those away games in one season, it just isn’t fair.  But that is what the SEC has to go through year in and year out and it is impressive.  The real point though is does it matter during the bowl season?  Everyone knocks Ohio State for getting trounced against Florida, but doesn’t look at the other games to see if Wisconsin, Michigan, or Penn State beat other SEC schools.  Teams have bad bowl games it is just a fact.  You try taking a month off of work and then come in and give a major presentation while only practicing in your home office.  You might be “prepared” but it isn’t the same as giving that presentation every week for 3+months.

Here are my Top 10 games for Saturday September 27, 2008.  All game times are EST, and I left off the USC at Oregon State game on Thursday because it will be a blowout (sorry Beaver fans, but I saw your team in person).  Also, if you see the ticket prices are high don’t panic.  Typically by the end of the week they trend down, but if you need them in hand for the game make sure you can print out the ticket from Stub Hub.

1. Illinois at Penn State - 8 PM, From $50 - Penn State White Out and my homer pick of the week!  Finally Penn State will get their first test of the year.  Should be a great day in Happy Valley since the game starts at 8 PM and it is a white out!  So for all of you in attendance (including myself), Wear White!
   

   The only good thing FSU has going for them.

2. Virginia Tech at Nebraska - 8 PM From $80 - The Hokies travel to Lincoln to face the Corn Huskers.  If Va Tech pulls off the win, the Big 12 strength will take a little bit of a hit.  This game is a regional broadcast so check out the coverage maps later this week if you are not going to be in Nebraska.
3. Alabama at Georgia - 7:45 PM From $175 - And now we get to see if Alabama is for real and how Georgia will fare against tough competition at home.  Unfortunately, one of these teams has to lose.  It should be a great game in Athens!
4. TCU at Oklahoma - 7:00 PM From $64 - An interesting match up for the Sooners.  The horned frogs are always solid and can catch any strong program napping.  I don’t think it happens here as the Sooners are a legit powerhouse this season.
5. Tennessee at Auburn - 3:30 PM From $48 - Big bounce back game for Auburn and the Vols.  Whichever team gets up early should roll as the other will have a hard time rallying for a win after the disappointing losses last week.  I think the Tigers will win a nice defensive game and get things back on track for the season.
6. Wisconsin at Michigan - 3:30 PM From $25 - A big road test for Wisconsin, even though they already beat Fresno State in California.  I think this game will show the strength of the top teams in the Big 10.  A Wisconsin blow out will help their top 10 seed tremendously.
7. Arkansas at Texas - 3:30 PM From $48 - I think this is a great game if you are a Longhorns fan, and if you love the Razorbacks…well not so much.  Austin should be rockin’ and rollin’ for a big win and a fun night after the game.
   

   Ok...good things.

8. Maryland at Clemson - 12:00 PM From $29 - Upset alert!!!  I think Maryland can shake things up in the SEC this year.  I am a little skeptical of the Tigers with their loss to Alabama, but if they don’t win this one, their trip up to Wake Forest the following week gets a lot tougher.
9. Fresno State at UCLA - 3:30 PM From $25 - I like the Bull Dogs on the road in this game.  I think UCLA has lost all the momentum from the first week upset of Tennessee and, Fresno State has a solid football team.  Everyone is down on the majority of the Pac 10 this year, but a win by the Bruins could turn that thinking around.
10. Colorado at Florida State - 3:30 PM From $33 - Well the Buffaloes pulled off quite the upset last week while hosting West Virginia (one of my top 10 games).  Well I like them continuing the trend this week against the Seminoles in Tallahassee.  Bobby Bowden could really use a win here and help turn things around.  I don’t think it happens and everyone falls in love with the Big 12 on the spot, well that or FSU fans.