As we stand right now, Ohio State is ranked #7 in both the AP and Coaches Poll. But this will be the final weekend of college football before the BCS standings come out. That initial BCS poll might not look anything like the current polls, and it’s all due to a possibility of some serious upsets throughout the week.
Only a small handful of the Top 10 teams are truly “safe” as action begins tonight. Let’s look at what the weekend has in store;
#1 Florida vs Arkansas – Saturday, 3:30pm – This game didn’t look like it had much chance for an upset, until the Razorbacks pounded previously unbeaten Auburn on Saturday. Arkansas showed some flair and grit on offense (they also have the 11th-ranked offense in the NCAA), but the Gators defense has been hard to penetrate from Day One. Add in a little danger with the still-concussed Tim Tebow, and this game has a shot at an upset.
#2 Alabama vs. #22 South Carolina – Saturday, 7:45pm – The Gamecocks showed they can pull off the upset over a Top 5 team already this year, but I don’t believe that Ole Miss was ever worthy of their lofty ranking. Alabama, on the other hand, is the real deal. Despite South Carolina being a ranked team, this would be a HUGE upset if Bama fell.
#3 Texas vs. #20 Oklahoma – Saturday, Noon – How the hell is this game NOT the ABC 8pm game of the week? If a top team is going to fall, this is it. Oklahoma has two one-point defeats, and both came because QB Sam Bradford was injured. Bradford’s back and at full strength. Oklahoma knows the only way to salvage their season is with a win at Texas on Saturday. The only question is, will Bob Stoops fail to win another big game? And if he falls, will the media notice?
#4 Virginia Tech at #19 Georgia Tech – Saturday, 6pm – I’ve only been impressed with the Hokies twice so far, against Miami and last week with a beatdown of Boston College. Georgia Tech’s only loss came to Miami, and that common-opponent comparison does not favor the Jackets very well. Which Va Tech team will show up? Their ranking depends on it.
#5 Boise State at Tulsa – Tonight, 8pm – The Broncos looked awful against UC Davis last week, and another lackluster performance could harm them with the poll voters. While Tulsa is 4-1, don’t look for them to pull off the upset tonight. The only chance the Golden Hurricane has tonight is the weather forecast, which calls for heavy showers (if the rain helps Tulsa, will they call them “Golden Showers”?)
#6 USC at #25 Notre Dame – Saturday, 330pm – Squeezing out last-minute victories against Purdue and MSU do not impress me. This one would. Irish fans have been chomping at the bit for this game since the “Bush Push”, and a win in South Bend would solidify Charlie Weis’ contract (which is one reason why all ND haters should cheer for the Irish). Meanwhile, USC hasn’t looked like typical USC since about 4 minutes left in the Ohio State game.
#7 Ohio State at Purdue – Saturday, Noon – This one shouldn’t even be close. The Boiler defense leaves a lot to be desired (they allowed Toledo to score 31 points), and have looked progressively worse as each week goes by. Meanwhile, Ohio State is 31-2 in the Big Ten since early 2005. You get the picture.
#8 Cincinnati at #21 South Florida – Thursday, 730pm – The voters have been in love with the Bearcats for some reason. This week, they get their first real opponent. South Florida spent three weeks pounding nobodies, but knocking off Florida State put them on the map again. The Bulls typically knock off a good team mid-season and then lose a few straight. Will they rise to the occasion this week, or will they fade away? Meanwhile, Cincinnati will have the attention of ALL the poll voters when they play the only Thursday night game. They have to look good with everybody watching.
#9 Miami at UCF – Saturday, 730pm – The Canes have spent all season with a brutal schedule. I don’t expect them to let up with a weak team on the opposing sidelines.
#10 LSU – Off this week (much like last week)
There’s five teams in the Top 10 that could fall this weekend. The BCS standings would look quite different than what we expect if this turns into “Upset Saturday”….
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