THE WORLD OF BAX: A Hard Day's Night

While this week’s slate of games doesn’t feature any colossal matchups like we’ve seen the past few Saturdays, fans are eagerly awaiting a number of strong matchups that dot this week’s slate. They’ll just be waiting longer than usual as most of the best games are night games this week! In fact, there are only about half of a dozen major national interest games while the sun is in the sky! A hard day’s night indeed……

But that’s not to say that this week’s slate of games isn’t rife with intrigue and danger for the favorites. Nine of the top fifteen teams in the BCS standings hit the road this week and you have to expect a few upsets after last week’s emotion-packed showing. Keep a close eye on Oregon, Penn State, TCU and Georgia Tech because they’re all on major upset alert.

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Back to those night games: The only two ranked matchups of the week begin at 8 PM Eastern and will be augmented by Iowa’s dangerous road trip to Michigan State and the Auburn-LSU showdown which could establish a clear #1 contender to Alabama in the SEC West. I hope you have picture in picture available on your television, because there will be a lot of action going on at once after the sun goes down.

Last week was one of my best weeks all season as I finished with a solid 7-3 record. I picked the exact score of the Iowa-Wisconsin tilt (20-10) and nailed the Florida-Arkansas game. This significantly better showing brings me to 45-29 overall and I’m looking to stretch my winning run through the entire month of October.

Florida State at North Carolina

Thursday, 8:00 PM EST

After a great lineup of Thursday affairs this season, we’re treated to our first relative stinker of the year as disappointing Florida State travels to face disappointing North Carolina in a battle of erstwhile ACC contenders that have fallen by the wayside. In short, FSU can’t play defense and UNC can’t play offense. Meanwhile, UNC’s powerful defensive line should give FSU’s solid offense fits. That all seems to indicate that this will be a relatively low-scoring affair and I’m going to favor FSU’s offense to make plays at crunch time to earn the victory.

Florida State 20, UNC 14

Arkansas at Ole Miss

Saturday, 12:21 PM EST

Arkansas can firmly establish themselves as the #3 team in the SEC West with a victory in Oxford. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is desperately in need of a solid win to get moving back in the right direction. However, Jevan Snead has been a shell of himself this season and Arkansas is playing with a ton of confidence coming off of a blowout of Auburn and a loss by the skin of their teeth at Florida. I’m going to take Arkansas and their offense in this one and feel confident in doing so.

Arkansas 31, Ole Miss 24

Tennessee at #1 Alabama

Saturday, 3:30 PM EST

One of the South’s grandest old rivalries, the 3 rd Saturday in October, err, make that the 4 th Saturday in October, matches up the two most historic programs in the SEC. This game could have had a huge ‘cool’ factor as well thanks to Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin’s request to wear their orange jerseys to honor the rivalry’s past, similar to last year’s USC-UCLA game which featured both teams in their home jerseys. However, Alabama’s Nick Saban turned down their request and has generated some heat across the region for his pettiness. However, now that the jersey issue has been resolved, the big question on the field will be Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton. Will he be able to throw the ball against Alabama’s excellent defense like he did while carving up Georgia two weeks ago? I’m going to trust in the Tide defense and say no, because Alabama is going to grind out another solid home victory similar to last week’s affair with South Carolina.

Alabama 24, Tennessee 10

#11 Penn State at Michigan

Saturday, 3:30 PM EST

UPSET ALERT! Why do I say that this game screams upset alert? Penn State hasn’t won in Michigan Stadium since 1996! The Big House has been a House of Horrors for Joe Paterno in the last decade, most notably the 2005 game which saw Michigan win the game with a 10 yard touchdown pass as time expired. The other major intrigue surrounding this game is that the Nittany Lions are fairly unknown despite their 6-1 start: Their six victories have come against a rather workaday group. Meanwhile, Michigan is looking to prove that they are in fact ‘back’ by beating the defending conference champions. However, I don’t think it is in the cards. Tate Forcier’s injury issues will only be exacerbated by Penn State’s superior defense and I don’t see Michigan moving the ball with much consistency. This will be a wakeup call for Michigan’s offense: A week after scoring 63 points they’ll face one of the country’s best defenses and I think Penn State’s stout front will be the difference in breaking Michigan’s home streak against the Nittany Lions.

Penn State 24, Michigan 17

Boston College at #21 Notre Dame

Saturday, 3:30 PM EST

This game has been a major bugaboo for the Fighting Irish, losers of six straight to their Jesuit rivals. Meanwhile, Boston College has surprised the entire country with their 5-2 start and will provide another stiff test for the Irish. Expect this game to come down to the final minutes, as has become Notre Dame’s norm this fall. However, Jimmy Claussen is going to be the difference in this game and I expect the Irish to end their losing streak against the Eagles.

Notre Dame 31, Boston College 24

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Oklahoma at Kansas

Saturday, 3:30 PM EST

This game will be a turning point for both teams. Oklahoma is 3-3 after a tough start and their offense is now officially Landry Jones’ unit. Meanwhile, Kansas blew a 5-0 start against lowly Colorado and will struggle to get back in the Big XII North race with a 1-2 conference start. Unfortunately for the Jayhawk faithful, they haven’t seen a team close to Oklahoma’s talent all season while the Sooners are battle-hardened after a tough first half. Expect Oklahoma to begin the Landry Jones era with a bang at the expense of their Big XII North rivals.

Oklahoma 45, Kansas 24

#2 Iowa at Michigan State

Saturday, 7:00 PM EST

This is my early nominee for game of the week. Iowa has started 7-0 against one of the country’s toughest schedules (including wins at ranked Penn State and Wisconsin). Meanwhile, Michigan State is riding a three game winning streak after a tough start to the season. As crazy as it seems, this game is for the lead in the Big Ten race! In short, this is going to be a major stumbling block for Iowa’s National Title hopes. The Spartans and their crowd are going to be ready and their defense and suddenly multiple offense will sorely test the Hawkeyes. That said, Iowa has had a knack for making plays all season and their defense is truly dangerous. I’m picking the Hawkeyes to win on a final second field goal in what could be one of the best games of the season.

Iowa 23, Michigan State 20

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#5 Texas at Missouri

Saturday, 8:00 PM EST

We have learned two things about the Longhorns at this point: Their defense is excellent and their offense is sorely lacking playmakers. Despite forcing five turnovers last week, Texas only scored 16 points against archrival Oklahoma and that’s not a good sign. However, Missouri’s offense has struggled lately and their quarterback is hobbled—that means turnovers galore for the Longhorns. Furthermore, I’m still struggling to wrap my head around Colt McCoy’s regression. Against Missouri’s so-so defense, expect McCoy to play much better and expect Texas to win handily.

Texas 27, Missouri 16

#16 TCU at #25 BYU

Saturday, 8:00 PM EST

This game is paramount for TCU to earn a BCS bowl berth. The Horned Frogs have a stronger overall schedule than Boise State, so an unbeaten season would likely jump them over the Broncos. However, BYU remembers TCU ruining their perfect season last year and they’re going to be out for revenge. Furthermore, the game is in Provo and you can expect it to be loud. I think Max Hall hits a few big plays and leads BYU to a big upset victory.

UPSET ALERT: BYU 28, TCU 23

#24 Oregon State at #3 Southern California

Saturday, 8:00 PM EST

Oregon State has been trouble for Southern California in recent years-- In Corvalis, that is. While the Trojans have lost their last two trips to Beaverland, they’ve dominated the last two games against Oregon State in the Coliseum to the tune of 76-31. Oregon State is a solid team and USC has struggled at times this season, but I can’t imagine the Trojans losing to the Beavers in the Coliseum. USC wins and sets up their Halloween showdown at Oregon that will likely decide the Pac Ten title.

USC 34, Oregon State 21

By: Matt Baxendell
Matt Baxendell is collegesports-fans.com’s football writer. Keep an eye out all fall for his multiple weekly articles discussing everything college football. If you want to get in touch with him, email him at Matt.Baxendell@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @MattBaxendell