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8 huge games = 1 spectacular day: why you should care

Sporting News, The, Oct 21, 2005 by Tom Dienhart

USC at Notre Dame

3:30 p.m., NBC

The Trojans and Irish play for something called the Shillelagh. Yeah, like that matters. The real booty on the line is the national championship trophy, especially for USC. Win here, which the Trojans have done just twice in their past 11 trips to South Bend, and USC has to sweat only a trip to California on November 12 and a season-ending visit from UCLA.

Colorado at Texas

3:30 p.m., ABC

The Big 12 North is bad? Well, maybe, but not the Buffaloes. Gary Barnett has faced down NCAA investigators and school scrutiny and won. And remember the 2001 Big 12 title game? Texas does--it got upset by Colorado. But this is a different Longhorns team. They're drinking up the 10-gallon expectations that sit before them, keeping in line for their first national title since 1970.

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Florida at LSU

3:30 p.m., CBS

Tigers Stadium hasn't been Death Valley to the Gators. Since 1981, Florida has a 10-3 mark in Baton Rouge. LSU remains in the hunt for the SEC West title-and for the Rose Bowl, if the Tigers can win here, beat Auburn on October 22 and survive a trip to Alabama on November 12. A Florida win would keep alive the Gators' hopes of reaching the SEC title game for the first time since 2000.

Florida State at Virginia

7:45 p.m., ESPN

If the Seminoles win this one, every self-respecting TV foot will stamp them "back" quicker than he can pick up a tube of hair gel. FSU still isn't as good as it used to be, but the Seminoles still are playing for the whole ball of wax. Virginia is college football's big tease. The Cavaliers are 1-12 all-time against Florida State.

Michigan State at Ohio State

Noon, ABC

You ever notice Spartans boss John L. Smith's crooked smile? Who knows what he's thinking? Maybe it's about Michigan State's first Big Ten title since 1990. Ohio State still could wear the Big Ten crown, but for a program that had great expectations, that's like getting underwear for Christmas.

UCLA at Washington State

6 p.m., FSN

If you're a UCLA fan who believes in trends, stop reading. OK, you've made it this far. Here goes: A win on the Palouse would make the Bruins 6-0 for the first time since 2001--when they lost four of their last five and finished 7-4. More: UCLA has lost four in a row against Washington State. But a win over Wazzu could make the Bruins' trip to USC on December 3 a de facto Pac-10 title game.

Penn State at Michigan

3:30 p.m., ABC

Welcome to the 21st Century, JoePa, where the notion of playing freshmen is as newfangled as wingtips and bow ties. Next thing you know, Paterno might start wearing Fubu shirts. Maybe not. But it's not too crazy to think the Nittany Lions could win the BigTen for the first time since--get this--1994. PSU's last win in Ann Arbor: 1996.

Louisville at West Virginia

3:30 p.m., ABC

Cover your BCS-loving eyes--it's a "big" game in the new Big East. Astute analysts like to say you can "throw out the history books" when two teams meet in a colossal contest. Well, you really can believe it here because these programs haven't met since 1993. Win and the Cardinals will have a great chance to run the table. The same is true of West Virginia.

Matt Hayes' analysis

I'm going with the Irish. Why? Because I'm stupid. Can there be any other reason? Turnovers, my friends, turnovers. ND will capitalize on turnovers and score, and USC will press on offense and make more mistakes. Notre Dame 34, USC 31.

Classic letdown game for the Longhorns. If this game were in Boulder, it would get very interesting. The Buffs don't have the personnel at wideout to throw with consistency against Texas, but they have the ability to run the ball and control the clock. That's how they'll keep it close. Texas 27, Colorado 17.

Florida coach Urban Meyer admitted last week that quarterback Chris Leak has been playing with an injured shoulder. One last time, Urban: if you can't protect your QB, you're not going to win many big games in the SEC. Did I mention that LSU has a wicked front seven? LSU 24, Florida 9.

FSU freshman quarterback Drew Weatherford quickly is progressing from a guy who is expected to simply manage the game to someone who can win the game. Virginia is average in the secondary--not a good sign against emerging young wideouts Greg Carr and De'Cody Fagg. Florida State 24, Virginia 10.

It's almost embarrassing how poorly conceived the Ohio State offense has become. Three guys with game-breaking speed--wideouts Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn and running back Antonio Pittman--and quarterback Troy Smith can't get them the ball. If MSU weren't so pathetic against the run, it would get a huge road victory. Ohio State 24, Michigan State 20.

I said it last year before he got hurt, and I'll say it again this season: Bruins running back Maurice Drew is Reggie Bush without the pub. When UCLA begins the season 9-0--don't laugh, it's going to happen--he'll get a little love. Be wary, though, of the poor Bruins defense, which will keep suddenly reeling Wazzu in the game. UCLA 27, Washington State 24.

8 huge games = 1 spectacular day: why you should care

Sporting News, The, Oct 21, 2005 by Tom Dienhart

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