Week 7: Surprisingly good games

Standings
1) Schweinfurth    20-4      (1-5 upset)
2) Draper               19-5      (1-5 upset)
3) Hoying              16-8      (1-5 upset)


Oregon Ducks @ Washington Huskies
Draper: Gameday comes to Seattle in what is clearly Oregon's biggest test of the year thus far.  Most people aren't paying attention to the Huskies because they played late vs. Stanford and couldn't steal one on the road, but anyone who watched that game saw the they had a really good chance to win it.  Now they return home to an absolute huge home field advantage vs. the big dog in the Pac 12.  Oregon has destroyed the scrubs of the country without a second thought, but I'm riding Washington.  Keith Price is exceptional and the Dawgs won't back down from a fight.  They lost some confidence but Sark will get them motivated.  I don't know if Oregon is ready for a real team.  Upset in Washington.  UO: 38--UW: 41
Hoying: Is Oregon for real?  Seems like a stupid question, but keep in mind that the Ducks' best win so far was at home against 3-3 Tennessee.  Sure, they've been crushing everybody, but Baylor's been doing that against better competition, and no one seems keen to put the Bears at #2.  The Huskies' close defeat at Stanford takes a little glitz off this game, but Washington showed it was good enough to hang with an elite team on the road, and the Ducks won't have the Autzen Zoo to help them out here.  To be honest,  I have no idea how this one will come out.  Both teams feature excellent quarterback play and great defense.  But Oregon hasn't been close to being touched yet this year.  Until they stumble, I'm not going to pick against them.  UO: 45--UW: 28
Schweinfurth: This may the most intriguing game of the week and may be one of the hardest to pick.  Oregon has not been tested but has put up some impressive numbers.  Oregon has had some distractions this week, mainly in their former TE that just walked off the team.  Washington played well against Stanford last week, but how good is Stanford this year?  This is the biggest home game for the Huskies and they know another Pac 12 loss all but eliminates them from the Pac 12 championship.  Add Gameday, the game in Washington, a night game, and Oregon is good for a random loss every year, I have a hard time picking against Keith Price and the Huskies (I don't see Oregon losing to Stanford).  UO: 45--UW: 48

Florida Gators @ Louisiana State Tigers
Draper: Gators looked pretty good last week without Driskel, but now it's Death Valley.  LSU is angry after losing 2 weeks ago at UGA and wants to punish all in their way.  The Florida defense is good, but the offense is not.  The LSU defense is good, and so is the offense.  Add in the home crowd and this one is over early.  Tigers big.  UF: 13--LSU: 31
Hoying: Ah, Florida-LSU, the classic struggle of high-powered offense versus punishing defense.  Wait, the Gators are the brick wall?  And the Tigeaouiexrs are the battering ram?  In this week's Bizarro matchup, Florida actually has the defensive weapons to slow down Zach Hamburglar and the LSU offense.  Problem is, there's no way backup QB Tyler Murphy is going to be able to do enough to keep the Gators in this one.  Miami didn't have to move the ball to beat the Gators; they just sat back and waited for the Florida offense to crap the bed.  Expect a nastier bowel movement here.  UF: 10--LSU: 24
Schweinfurth: Florida's Offense is abysmal, their defense is actually pretty good.  Mettenberger has looked good this year.  A horrific Gator Offense against that LSU defense just isn't fair and the score will reflect this.  UF: 10--LSU: 40

Missouri Tigers @ Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: Is Missouri for real? Can Georgia fight through injuries?  I say sort of and yes.  The Dawgs are decimated at running back but Aaron Murray is capable of keeping the offense going.  The defense will step it up between the hedges.  Missouri has been chugging along, but this is the first real test.  James Franklin (the QB) will make some noise, but the hostile environs in Athens is too much.  Georgia takes care of business in a closer than the experts think battle.  If UGA is completely healthy, this is a laugher... Mizzou: 27--UGA: 30
Hoying: Some people are finally starting to take notice of everyone's 3rd-favorite SEC Tigers.  For some reason, this group does not include the Coaches' Poll, which continues to keep Missouri unranked despite decent road wins over Indiana and Vanderbilt.  A win over the Bulldogs in Athens would change the situation considerably.  The Tigers are set up nicely in this one: the Bulldogs are coming off two close victories in which key players have been injured.  The Georgia D has been suspect (yes, I know Clemson and LSU have great offenses, but Tennessee?  North Texas?), which is bad news against a potent Missouri passing attack.  I'm going to go ahead and take the...Bulldogs in this one.  The Force is with you, young Missouri, but you are not an SEC power yet.  Mizzou: 27--UGA: 38
Schweinfurth: Yes Georgia had some big injuries last week.  And yes, Mizzou is undefeated.  Regardless, Georgia is a very deep team and they still have Aaron Murray pulling the trigger.  Mizzou's spread attack will keep them in the game, but Georgia is still the better team.  Mizzou: 35--UGA: 45

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns
Draper: Oklahoma is good.  Texas is on tilt.  Mack Brown should go quiet into that good night.  If he loses this one, they might 'retire' him on the spot.  Sadly, it's time to go.  The talent exists in Austin, but it isn't clicking.  I don't see Greg Robinson stopping anyone let alone the Belldozer.  Red River Shootout becomes the Red River Pink Slip.  OU: 48--UT: 31
Hoying: All I hope for this game is to see Greg Robinson rubbing a stuffed toy steer against his defensive players as they run off the field.  Unfortunately, that would require Texas to stop Oklahoma at some point during this tilt, which I don't see happening.  The Longhorns gave up 63 and 55 points to the Sooners in the last two Red River Shootouts, and those Texas squads didn't suck like this one does.  Texas bites, Texas dies, and it's goodbye to old Mack Brown.  OU: 59--UT: 17
Schweinfurth: Oklahoma is probably the second best team in the Big 12.  Lucky for them, Texas isn't the one team better than them.  Texas is missing their starting QB (Ash) and has a coach with one foot out the door.  I fully expect a ton of points because that's what this rivalry always provides us.  Oklahoma pulls away early and doesn't look back.                  OU: 53--UT: 38

Upset Special

Draper: Arkansas over South Carolina
Hoying: Boston College over Clemson
Schweinfurth: Penn State over Michigan

Week 6: Showdown in the B1G

Standings
1) Schweinfurth    18-2      (1-4 upset)
2) Draper             17-3      (1-4 upset)
3) Hoying             14-6      (1-4 upset)

Washington Huskies @ Stanford Cardinal
Draper: This is the toughest call of the week for me.  I really want to pick the Huskies and I would do it without hesitation if the game was in Seattle. You know what? Let's do it.  Keith Price has been fantastic all year, and Stanford has just seemed to sleepwalk through most of their schedule.  THe Huskies are coming back to prominence and I don't think the Cardinal have an identity. Are they a running team? Passing? Defense? Sark steals one on the road to throw the national pundits prediction into a tailspin and make Oregon start to look ahead to next week. UW: 24--Stan: 20
Hoying: The late game on Upstart Saturday features a matchup of the dark horse candidates from each Pac-12 division.  It's odd to see Stanford as the established power and Washington seeking respect, but this game may reveal a great deal about the future of the pecking order out west.  Both teams feature terrific QB play, but contrary to preseason predictions, Washington has been the squad with the shut-down D.  The high-powered Illini (don't laugh) and Arizona attacks were limited by the Huskies, and Boise State's O was completely obliterated.  I foresee Stanford QB Kevin Hogan and the Cardinal suffering the same fate.  The Huskies keep pace with Oregon in the North.  UW: 28--Stan: 20
Schweinfurth: This is a tough one.  In close games, QBs can make all the difference and Keith Price is a good one.  The Huskies have looked good all season and Stanford is ripe for the picking.  Yes, the Cardinal defense is good, but that offense is meh.  As I said, this will be close but Washington takes control of their PAC-12 destiny this week.  UW: 31--Stan: 20

Maryland Terrapins @ Florida State Seminoles
Draper: This game shouldn't be close.  Yes, the Terrapins are undefeated and, yes, the Noles sleepwalked through the BC first half, but FSU is FAR better.  Randy Edsall is doing some good thing in College Park, but Jameis Winston and his bevy of extremely talented receivers will get it done in Doak.  FSU keeps rolling Mary: 20--FSU: 45
Hoying: Are the Seminoles vulnerable?  Everyone points to the upcoming FSU-Clemson showdown as the coronation ceremony for the ACC champion, but the Noles struggled mightily against a bad Boston College team a week ago.  Freshman QB Jameis Winston is, well, a freshman, and the shine is off the apple a bit after his ridiculous start.  On the other hand, can Maryland handle success?  The Terps haven't been in serious ACC title consideration for several years, and while the crushing victory over WVU is nice, FSU will be quite a stiffer test.  Wins for visitors in Tallahassee come at a premium, and I don't think Maryland is quite to the point of challenging the Noles on their home turf.  Terrapins lose a close one.  Mary: 20--FSU:24
Schweinfurth: Maryland is having a great season so far (B1G! B1G!) but I still feel the Terrps are a mediocre team.  Florida State is clearly looking like the class of the ACC and Jameis Winston sure looks like the real deal.  I expect a close first half but FSU makes the adjustments and rolls in the second half.     Mary: 27--FSU: 45

Arizona State Sun Devils @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Draper: The Sun Devils are on cloud nine after being the final nail in the coffin for Lane Kiffin and, let's be honest, the Irish just aren't very good.  Yes, it's in South Bend, but they're hurting after the Sooners reminded them that last year was a fluke. ASU has had the magic touch with the refs handing them the Wisky game, and I'm seeing some more late game magic under the outstretched arms of Touchdown Jesus.  The Devils defeat the Domers (uh oh...) in heartbreaking fashion.  ASU: 31--ND: 30
Hoying: If Tommy Rees could complete a pass to one of his own receivers, last week's tilt against Oklahoma would have been a terrific back-and-forth slugfest.  Time to shake up my magic 9-ball and ask "Will Tommy Rees play well this week?"  "My sources say no."  What are your mystical sources, magic 9-ball?  Why do they always say no?  ASU: 27--ND: 20
Schweinfurth: As I have written here in the past, I don't think much of Notre Dame's defense this year.  I mean, they have been bruuutal.  Arizona State can put up points in bunches.  This is clearly a mismatch.  I expect the Devil's defense to get a couple of stops.  Those are the difference in a shootout.      ASU:42--ND: 38


THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Northwestern Wilcats
Draper: Put up, or shut up.  I've said all year that this game could be tougher than the Michigan game, and now I truly believe it.  The Wildcats believe they're on to something special and they're looking to get their first real statement win in the Fitzgerald era.  This is also a HUGE stage for Mr. Fitzgerald where I guarantee the eyes of Texas (and USC) will be upon him.  Unfortunately, they're still Northwestern.  The Buckeyes found that taking the foot off the gas last week led to a little more drama than necessary.  Not this week.  The Bucks exert their big dog status and make a statement.  The Cat offense will score, but the Bucks score more...much more.  Look for some more deep throws to help open up the run game. Big win for the Buckeyes. OSU: 52--NW: 27 
Hoying: Fun fact: Northwestern has won three Big Ten titles in the last 78 years: 1995, 1996, and 2000.  They did not play Ohio State in any of those seasons.  In fact, Ohio State has only lost to Northwestern once in the last 42 years (and I was there, sigh).  These are not your father's Wildcats, but they have a familiar-looking defense.  That's good news for an Ohio State offense accustomed to using quick starts to take control of games.  This game will look a lot like the Cal game.  Expect some quick scoring by the Bucks, followed by a decent fight put up by a potent Northwestern offense.  Hopefully, the margin in the 4th quarter will allow Urban to continue his late-game Tresselball, since Northwestern doesn't have the means to stop a healthy dose of Carlos Hyde up the middle.  OSU: 45--NW: 31
Schweinfurth: What a big win for the Bucks at home.  To me, that game was scoreboard close.  Braxton looked to have his rifle cocked and I wouldn't expect anything less this week.  The Buckeye offense is some kind of explosive.  Hyde will get his carries and I think Jordan Hall will reappear as well against a smaller defensive front 7.  The big question will be how the defense will fare against the two-headed QB monster Fitzgerald will throw out there.  Northwestern's offense is one that has given the Silver Bullets problems in the past, and I think they will put up some points.  Unfortunately for them, Ohio State's offense is better.  I expect the Buckeyes to jump all over the Wildcats early and then nurse a decent lead all game.             OSU: 49--NW: 24

Upset Special
Draper: GT over Miami
Hoying: Minnesota over Michigan
Schweinfurth: WVU over Baylor