Week 9 Picks--Shakeups?

Michigan State Spartans @ Nebraska CornhuskersDraper: I've gone back and forth, but I've decided this is going to be the traditional 'Sparty' game. Don't get me wrong. I think MSU is a far better team than Nebraska. In fact, I truly believe that the Huskers are supremely overrated, but the omens all point to an upset. MSU comes off of back to back high energy wins (UM and Wisc) including the epic Hail Mary on the last second. Now they head to Lincoln with the total confidence (cockiness?) to steamroll the Legends. Remember that Nebraska was the preseason favorite and they can play some football. I expect a matchup much like MSU/OSU with low scoring blah football but Taylor Martinez breaks one big play at home to shakeup the B1G even more. MSU: 17--Neb: 20
Auer: The stout defense of the Spartans must come to play against a schizophrenic Nebraska team that looks to make a statement in the Big Ten. Kirk Cousins should be able to have a field day against the iffy Blackshirts, and send an even bigger message to the college football world. MSU: 31--Neb: 10
Hoying: Michigan State continues to build momentum after consecutive victories over Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin, but another disturbing trend has been lurking: this team plays like GARBAGE on the road. MSU came to Columbus and faced an Ohio State team with a severely broken offense, and still only won by 3. Before that, they faced a mediocre Notre Dame team in South Bend and got hammered. Now they face an environment they have never seen before. Let's not forget, the Huskers still control their own destiny and they are looking for the statement win that has eluded them so far. Taylor Martinez has his work cut out for him against an excellent Spartan front, but recent media darling Kirk Cousins will make more mistakes as Nebraska pulls out the win. MSU: 13 -- Neb: 21Schweinfurth: Ahh Sparty, we can always count on you once a year for a let down game. As Corso would say "Not so fast my friend." Michigan State does an excellent job shutting down mobile quarterbacks who can't throw (see Robinson, Denard) and even the woeful Ohio State offense moved the ball on Nebraska. The Spartans get William Gholston back this week, making that front four that much better. Nebraska will get one, maybe two drives in and State rolls on. MSU: 24 -- Neb: 10

Oklahoma Sooners @ Kansas State WildcatsDraper: Is Kansas State for real? Every week, we (and by we I mean I) expect the collapse but they just keep winning. I think it ends here. OU was embarrassed at home by Texas Tech in a game in which all the chips were on the table. The defense was exposed by a pass happy offense, but I don't think Colin Klein has the weapons needed. Also, Oklahoma will come in desperate for a rebound after that debacle. Landry Jones creeps back into Heisman runner-up contention with a big day and Bill Snyder finally takes a hit against a good team. OU: 48--KSU: 24
Auer: Oklahoma lived up to their nickname last week. They will make up for it against a definite pretender. OU: 49--KSU: 17
Hoying: Apocalypse indicator #34: Oklahoma lost at home to an inferior opponent. This Sooner team is going to be severely rattled following the collapse of their national title hopes. The last thing they need is a road game against a legitimate threat. Kansas State kicks off a murderer's row of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and Texas over the next four weeks, and it's hard to believe they'll escape the slate unscathed. But this week they still have a full head of steam, and their rushing attack will be just good enough to deal the swooning Sooners a momentous blow. OU: 34--KSU: 35Schweinfurth: Who saw Oklahoma losing to Texas Tech? Who saw K-State undefeated until this point? Oklahoma rebounds this week. (Sorry there isn't more, I just don't know enough about Kansas State). OU: 42 -- KSU: 17

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida GatorsDraper: The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (yeah, I said it, big whoop wanna fight about it?) is for....nothing really. The winner of this game has an inside track to get crushed in the SEC title game (assuming South Carolina disappears without Lattimore), but that's about it. Georgia really isn't that good despite all the SEC apologists out there. Of course, neither is Florida, but they have the playmakers. A lot will depend on John Brantley (not promising for UF), but I think he'll be healthy enough to do what he does best: get the ball to Demps and Rainey. Let's not forget that UF owns this rivalry of late. They win again and in the process, really hurt Boise (by beating their only 'quality' win). UGA: 17--UF: 24
Auer: With the return of Demps and Brantly, UF will probably fare a lot better than expected. The Bulldogs started off with two rough losses, and now have rattled off 5 straight wins. UF has suffered a lot due to injuries, and will get back on track with the return of their QB. UGA: 20--UF: 29
Hoying: Another storied rivalry game falls by the wayside. The battle for the Who Cares? division of the SEC features two teams headed in very different directions. Georgia has overcome a weak start to feast on a slate of 5 terrible teams in a row, while Florida's once-potent offense has gone out the window after losing John Brantley and facing 3 teams with a pulse. However, the only trend that will reverse this Saturday is Florida's 18 wins in the last 21 Parties. Hey Bulldog! UGA: 28 -- UF: 13Schweinfurth: This is one of the least hyped Cocktail Parties in recent memory. Georgia has been very quiet this year after losing to Boise early. Will Muschamp has also had a pretty quiet season at Florida, especially after Brantley went down with an injury. All said, the Gators are the better team. Look for Demps and Rainey to have a big day. UGA: 14 -- UF: 35

Stanford Cardinal @ USC TrojansDraper: TRAP GAME!!! TRAP GAME!!! Andrew Luck and the Cardinal haven't played a real opponent until last week (and even that was a stretch), but they have DEMOLISHED everyone. USC has very quietly been stockpiling wins and would be a factor in the Pac 12 (if not the BCS) were they not still on probation. This is their bowl game as they don't get the Ducks and they will throw all they have at the Cardinal to avenge the last few embarrassing losses to Stanford including 'What's your deal?' and the 41 point underdog upset (only a few years passed surprisingly). While this points to a potential upset, I think too many factors have the Cardinal on their toes. Yes, USC is down, but they're still the pretty boys in LA. Look for Luck to lock up the Heisman in his first real test of the year. Stanford: 31--USC: 20
Auer: USC is NOT the USC that everyone used to fear. The Trojans are riding high after a win on the road in South Bend, but really, how good is Notre Dame? I say not so good. Stanford and Andrew Luck will continue their win streak and make a mess of the Trojans. Stanford: 38--USC: 14
Hoying: Remember 4 years ago? USC, riding a #1 and a 35-game home win streak, was already being discussed as the greatest team of all time (idiotic) and Stanford waltzed in with their 3rd string quarterback and pulled the shocker. Anyone recognize those teams now? That being said, the Trojans' win last week in South Bend was way, way more impressive than anything Stanford has done this season (no, Washington, you're not relevant) and the men of Troy seem to be getting better each week. USC has no hope of achieving any kind of title this year, so THIS GAME is their season. Stanford has been flashy but they haven't seen a passing attack as effective as Barkley to Woods (no, Washington, you're not that special). Stanford stumbles. Stanford: 38 -- USC: 41Schweinfurth: Okay, so USC surprised me last week by beating Notre Dame (quitters). The Stanford D is relatively unknown and a big question mark for this team. However, USC may be with out Robert Woods and Marc Tyler. If that's the case, this one could get ugly. It's a big stage for Andrew Luck and he won't disappoint. Stanford in a close one. Stanford: 24 -- USC: 21
Wisconsin Badgers @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Draper: Wisconsin comes off a devastating loss to Sparty and will be seeking blood over the mighty (yet down) Buckeyes. Buckeyes have had two weeks to prepare, but is that enough? Heart or head? Heart or head? I have to maintain journalistic integrity and go with my head. Braxton Miller explodes onto the scene with his best passing performance of the season and compiles a school record 7 total TDs (4 passing, 3 rushing). Boom and Hyde both eclipse the 200 yards mark but settle for 2 TDs each. Bauserman enters in mop up duty in the third quarter to mass applause and cheers and begins with a picture perfect 90 yard TD pass. He is removed late 3rd after his 3th TD for Guiton who takes a knee on every snap (including 4th downs) in a taunting fashion for the whole 4th quarter. Oh yeah, OSU goes for 2 after every TD and got them all--Basil threw for 4 2-pt conversions. The Bullets return 2 Russell Wilson interceptions for scores but are crushed by allowing a late TD. Fickell, in a rage over the Wisky TD in the final seconds, rushes over and chokes out Bielema as the clock reaches zero. The Badgers limp out of Columbus, with half of the team injured and Bielema rushed to the hospital where they can't figure out if he has suffered brain damage or is really that dumb. GO BUCKS! UW: 6 (PAT blocked)--OSU: 128
Auer: With the Senator walking the sidelines, this game might go differently. The Bucks are coming off a bye, and lord only knows what Fickell and that staff have messed up... I mean added to the already amazing offense of the Bucks. Remember when Tress couldn't win a game after the Bucks had a bye week? Maybe, just maybe, Fickell and friends have found something to surprise us all... an actual game plan. No realistic reason, but the Bucks are gonna find a way in front of 105,000 frantic fans. UW: 30--OSU: 34
Hoying: We saw in the Illinois game that the Bucks aren't giving this season up yet, and they are improving each week. However, this is no schedule-inflated Illini squad. Last year, the Buckeyes were embarrassed on every side of the ball by a Wisconsin team giving the performance of their lives. The Badgers will probably not be able to match that intensity, especially after such a deflating loss. Even so, this game can be boiled down to 3 questions:
1. Is Ohio State more talented than they were last season?..................................No
2. Is Wisconsin less talented than they were last season?.....................................No
3. Is Ohio State better led and more poised than they were last season?...........No
Barring Wisconsin letting MSU beat them two weeks in a row, this one won't be close. The Bucks get plowed. UW: 27 -- OSU: 9Schweinfurth: The question floating around Columbus is, "Can the Bullets stop Russel Wilson?" In reality it should be "Can the Bullets stop Montee Ball." Ball is a beast and has shown he can run through weak arm tackles. The Bucks are gonna be amped for this game. Ohio State is tough to beat at night, in the 'Shoe. Fickell has had two weeks to get the troops ready to go. Miller has a breakout game and Bielema starts crying (again) on the sideline. UW: 17 -- OSU: 28

Upset Special:Draper: Georgia Tech over Clemson, Tennessee over South Carolina
Auer: Ohio State over Wisconsin, Florida over Georgia, Illinois over PSU
Hoying: Georgia Tech over Clemson, Baylor over Oklahoma StateSchweinfurth: Illinois over Penn St.

Five Thoughts on the week that was--Week 8

1) Oklahoma upset was HUGE
Everyone is swooning over the Hail Mary MSU win over Wisconsin and what that means to the future, but that is but a drop in the bucket to the storm that erupted in Norman. Let's make this clear: Oklahoma does NOT lose in Norman. They play so much better at home than on the road, they never play Texas at home, and they just own the rest of the country when they come to their house. Texas Tech was a nice little upstart, but they shouldn't have had a prayer with all on the line in the Sooner's house. The OU defense was befuddled by Doege and even though they put up points, no one expected them to need a comeback to make it close. This loss is HUGE for the shakeup of the BCS (much much bigger than the Wisconsin loss) and will also haunt Bob Stoops. Big game Bob showed the 'Chokelahoma' moniker is more deserved.

2) Don't forget about Oregon
With all the hype around the SEC matchup in 2 weeks and all the other top 5 upsets, people are forgetting about the Ducks sneaking around the chicken coop. Yes, they lost to LSU at a 'neutral site' in Jerry world because they nicely handed the ball to LSU many times, but since then, they are trouncing everyone. I know the competition is much much weaker, but I'm not sold that Stanford can take the Ducks this year. If LSU dominates Bama, we may have to face the possibility that the Ducks are the 2nd best team in the country. Perhaps they deserve a rematch against LSU in a more neutral location in the national championship....wait....it's in New Orleans? Crap.

3) B1G is an absolute mess
Is there a team (outside of Indiana or Minnesota--maybe Purdue) in the B1G that you can say is out of the race? The answer is no. Why? OSU is down. There is no National Title contender in the conference (as I said preseason) and the conference contains a bunch of mid-level teams for this season. The clear favorites for the B1G Conference Title Game is Wisconsin v. MSU, but pretty much every other team (more or less) controls their destiny. Let's be honest. When this Ohio State team is 1 additional Penn State loss from controlling their destiny, this conference has issues. Perhaps this is the B1G basketball year!

4) Wisconsin faced a defense and....
They were exposed. The Wisconsin offense put some points up, but the unstoppable force was not so impressive in East Lansing. The game turned into a shootout and Wilson couldn't quite hang on. Let's recall that OSU gave up 10 points to the Spartans. This Wisconsin team is pretty good, but certainly not elite. They have been feasting off the dregs in Madison and weren't ready for a real test. They come into Columbus this week to face another defense with some bite and an offense that.....well the defense is good. It's not that big of a stretch to think that Wisconsin was all bark no bite.

5) BCS teams are more or less fixed right now

Can anyone imagine a situation in which a team other than those listed below will make a BCS game?
Big 12: OU/OSU
Pac 12: Stanford/Oregon
SEC: LSU/Bama
B1G: Champ (Wisc or MSU probable)
Big East: Champ (who cares)
ACC: Champ (Clemson probable)
At-Large: Boise

In my opinion, this will be the slate and I would be surprised with anything else. Yeah, Oklahoma could die off, but I'm not seeing it. One loss also does Boise in, but can anyone on their schedule beat them. Again, the excitement is somewhat tempered with the lack of top contenders. My midseason BCS Bowl predictions are:

Rose: Oregon vs. MSU
Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. Boise State
Sugar: Alabama vs. Stanford
Orange: Clemson vs. WVU
BCS Title: LSU vs. Oklahoma State

Pretty good matchups (except for the Orange....)

Draper Index Week 8

Draper Index Week 8 (bowls included)
1) LSU
2) Alabama
3) Oklahoma State
4) Oklahoma
5) Boise State
6) Clemson
7) Oregon
8) Stanford
9) Arkansas
10) Auburn
11) Virginia Tech
12) Michigan State
13) USC
14) Wisconsin
15) Nebraska
16) South Carolina
17) Kansas State
18) Penn State
19) Texas A&M
20) TCU
21) Michigan
22) Washington
23) Ohio State
24) Texas Tech
25) Houston

Were I to have a vote, this is my ballot
Draper Ballot
1) LSU
2) Bama
3) Ok St
4) Stanford
5) Clemson
6) Boise State
7) Oregon
8) Oklahoma
9) Michigan State
10) Kansas State
11) Arkansas
12) Wisconsin
13) South Carolina
14) Texas A&M
15) Virginia Tech
16) Nebraska
17) Houston
18) USC
19)Georgia
20) Penn State
21) Arizona State
22) Michigan
23) Florida State
24) Miami
25) Florida