Trick or Treat

We shall see come the wee hours of Sunday morning - there are a couple of scary looking games for a few teams (ok, I'm done with the Halloween schtick). Before I dive into it, did you happen to see UNC (previously unbeaten in ACC play) go into Blacksburg and knock off the Hokies? Wow. Yet again, VaTech starts off strong and loses 2 of 3 in the middle of the year. It's getting late and I'm finally back into the "real" job life...which means I'm tired.

It's creepy how similar this Oklahoma State game is to last year's Texas Tech game. That's the primary thing that scares me to be honest. Coming into the year this definitely looked like one of the tougher games for Texas this season, and it still is....but it's not what it could be. As much as I feel like I should be scared about this game, the fact of the matter is with no Dez Bryant and a hobbled Kendall Hunter, the Cowboys will be without their two best players. That is huge. Bryant was the one equalizer against this Texas secondary with his unique size and speed. And Hunter was the Big 12's leading rusher last year.

Nevertheless, the atmosphere should be crazy. Halloween, Saturday night on a college campus in a city with absolutely nothing to do (that would be Stillwater, OK) - yeah, they'll be drunk. Like I said, Lubbock last year. And, even with Hunter out, Okie State has one of the better running games on Texas' schedule this year - in fact, I think they are the best rushing team Texas will have faced this year. With this Texas defense, something has to give - and I'm afraid it's going to be the Okie State run game. Last year, the Cowboys rolled into Austin and put up over 200 yards on the ground. Trust me, Muschamp hasn't forgotten that. They won't do that again.

So the bad combination of the game has to be Okie State's questionable (at best) pass defense, and Colt McCoy's renaissance as a big-time offensive threat. If the Mizzou game was any indication of what we can expect, the Cowboy defense is in trouble. And pssst, you may want to cover one Jordan Shipley.

Here's the deal - if Hunter were healthy and Bryant playing, and based on what I've seen from Texas, I'd be picking OSU. But those guys aren't playing...so I'm not going to do it. Texas doesn't need to blow these guys, they just need to win....but I think they'll blow them out.

Texas - 47
Okie State - 22

Could we have a changing of the guard in Eugene late Saturday night? Big, bad USC visits Oregon Saturday night and you could argue that both team's season is on the line. Oregon wins and they notch that signature win they so sorely need, and they control their own destiny for the conference title and Rose Bowl. USC wins and they get a big, BUG bump in the standings due to a big road win over ranked team, they control their destiny for like an 8th straight conference title, and they remain in the national title hunt.

Oregon seems to be a pretty damn complete team. Although they don't throw it a lot, they do run one hell of an effective option attack. That's the problem here, in my humble opinion. The Trojans have a freshman QB, but they've got weapons in so many areas, especially at running back. This takes a lot of pressure off of Barkley. But it's the decimated Trojan defense that worries me. I don't think they've had a drop off of talent like this in the last 10 years or so - they're all playing on Sundays now. I just don't know if they'll be able to stop the option attack.

Look, if USC wins no one is going to be surprised. But, based on what I've seen, I can't pick the Trojans.

Oregon - 31
USC - 26

Upset Alert at the cocktail party. I know, this sounds crazy given how much Georgia has underachieved this year, but something is weird and wrong with these Gators. I do know that EVERYONE underestimated the loss of Percy Harvin, but I don't know if Tebow is still having lingering effects from his concussion. Georgia has a piss-poor pass defense and so Timmy is going to have to be able to throw the ball down field.

This has to be THE game for the Georgia Bulldogs. Win this game and it makes your whole season (which has been disappointing up to this point). That's what Florida needs to worry about, but let's not forget that this IS a rivalry game played on a neutral site.

Who knows, Tebow could have a Colt-like awakening this week and spark this offense to come alive. Or, they'll continue to play OK teams tighter than they should. I'm leaning towards Georgia hanging around and putting themselves in a position to win.

Georgia - 26
Florida - 24

Other College Football Thoughts...

• I'm not complaining about Bryant not playing, but what a weird scenario with him being suspended for the year. He did lie through his teeth, but he didn't actually break any rules - that's what's weird, he got a worse punishment than a lot people who actually break the rules. Another stellar endorsement for the NCAA.
  
• I'll keep saying this until someone does step up - Texas receivers need to step up and make a play.
  
• Here's one for you - Colt McCoy is completing 36% of his passes that are more than 5 yards down field (that's last in the country). That's an amazing stat.
  
• The SEC refs need a really good weekend this weekend.
  
• I really want to think that Pitt is coming to stay on and climb into a BCS game, but it seems like they are guaranteed to lose a game they shouldn't, late in the year. I think they close with Cincy at home. That should be a hell of a game.
  
• Can any coach throw his team under the bus better than Mike Leach?
  

Thoughts From the NFL...

• How freaking good is Mile Austin for Dallas? Oooooohhhh, damn, too bad you just gave all that money to Roy Williams. Too bad.
  
• It's nice to see the resurgence of a couple of Longhorns in Ricky Williams and Cedric Benson. I've said this before, but isn't Ricky's stories one of the better stories of the last 10 years in the league? Talk about a huge turnaround. And Benson - what in the hell has gotten into him lately? Whatever it is the Bengals like it.
  
• I'm afraid Denver's magical undefeated run ends this weekend with a trip to desperate Baltimore. Kyle Orton, meet Ray Lewis.
• Don't look now Romo-sexuals, but depending on how the Giants/Eagles plays out, Dallas could be looking at a tie for the top spot in the NFC East.
• And speaking of the NFC East, I can't see the Giants dropping 3 straight - this will be VERY tough in Philly, but as I like to do in the NFL, I'm going with the desperate team.
• Way to sack up at the Congress hearing Goodell. (note the sarcasm)
• FANTASY UPDATE: Interesting weekend ahead. All of my players have pretty tough games save for Braylon Edwards. One quick note on that, it's amazing how you can look at a player in a completely different light once you have him on your fantasy team. Still not letting it affect my love for the NFL, but it is noticeable...and weird.
• VY back in the starting line up this weekend as the Colts take on the Jags. This is it Vinny - these 10 games are going to have an ENORMOUS impact on your future in this league. Time to step up....we'll see. I've seen nothing to make me think we're going to get anything different, but I hope he can make it happen.
• Maybe this will be the weekend the Saints come down to earth? Anyone?
• Take this to the bank - the Lions pick up their second win of the season this Sunday. Something tells me we won't see this game on TV.

That's what I got gang - enjoy the Halloween weekend and I'll be back with an update on Sunday.

Just Win...

That's all that matters this year. Just keep winning. The way it's going, the top 3 teams are going to face their opponents' best week in and week out and so winning is key. Couple that with the fact that no team has really dominated like in year's past. Will be an interesting second half to the year. Let's get into it...

• Great win for the Horns in convincing fashion. Offense came out en fuego for a change while the defense picked up where it left off. I'm shocked at how open Shipley was during the entire first half - did Mizzou watch any film other than the OU game? Good time for a good win too with Bama and Florida struggling and looking vulnerable. Colt looked head and shoulders better than any other game this year (although he still threw a horrible pick) and let's hope this is a sign of things to come.
• This Texas defense is really something else and is firmly planted along side any other defense in the country - including the Crimson Tide. Muschamp has his players tuned in, engaged and intense. They did give up quite a few big rushing plays, but holding any team to 7 points is impressive.
  
• Let's take a quick look at the Big 12, shall we? The South division has Texas and Okie State undefeated with OU with one loss and Tech/Aggies with 2 losses. The North division gets interesting: KState at 3-1, Iowa State at 2-2, and then Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska all at 1-2. The Big 12 North looks like the entire ACC. It's razor thin and I'm not positive if there's a team worth a sh*t in the bunch. Down, down year for this conference.
  
• Namely, Nebraska's home loss to Iowa State. Really Nebraska? Iowa State? I don't know what happened here other than the fact that Nebraska gave up no touchdowns and scored only 1....and lost. They've got to get someone to play quarterback there in Lincoln. They had 8 turnovers. Eight! That's crazy and that's how you lose at home to Iowa State. Lee had no touchdowns and 3 INTs. Like I said, they have to get someone to play QB there.
  
• Given the shake up/injuries at QB for Tech, one can certainly understand a loss...but a home loss to the Aggies in THAT fashion was sick. Much like the Huskers, Red Raider turnovers had to be the difference here. But the defense - what happened to Tech's defense? Some would say this was a must-win for the Aggies in a lot of ways, but I'm surprised that Tech was beaten that bad.
  
• One more thing on this game - it's inexcusable that this game isn't at least on Fox Sports or Vs. This game has to be on TV every year. No excuses.
  
• Listen, I think it's time that this "big" discussion starts to include Cincy and Iowa. I can't see anything that Texas, Florida or Alabama have done that has been SO much more impressive than what these teams have done. And no, I'm not (and won't) include Boise State there. TCU is knocking on the door. Big win at BYU. BIG win.
  
• I just don't see this USC team winning at Oregon next weekend. They're just not as good as they have been in recent years.
  
• Although the honeymoon with the national spotlight is over, it's still been a good year thus far for these Miami Hurricanes. They ran into CJ Spillar who was out on a mission. This program is on the rise yet again.
  
• Hmm, I guess Lane Kiffin and Tennessee aren't such big jokes after all - that was a hell of a game in Tuscaloosa and I think Alabama should feel damn lucky to have pulled out that win. Meanwhile, how in the world does that Vols defense allow ANOTHER block. That. Is. Maddening.
  
• Someone please explain how Florida jumps Alabama in the polls. What happened that would warrant anyone changing their vote from last week to this week? What a ridiculous, stupid system this is.
  
• I wasn't just wrong about LSU over Auburn, I was grossly wrong. So much for the Auburn honeymoon down south. They still have the Iron Bowl to make their season regardless what happens, but they need to find their winning ways again. Both these teams still have a tough road ahead and can make some noise, but Auburn certainly has a little bit larger sense of urgency.
  
• Speaking of Auburn - put them in the same category as Arkansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Cal and South Florida as teams who came into conference play on a promising note, only to have tanked thus far.
• Here's a positive for you all on the BCS - this week's poll has the Horned Frogs jumping Boise State (kind of big too). Iowa also jumped, moving to #4 which is deserved. The one issue I have is Cincy all the way down to 8. That's absurd.
  
• Good move for Bradford to (finally) hang it up and get healthy and healed. Whoever says he should come back is an idiot.
  
• Hey talking heads - Tim Tebow is human, believe it or not. He's not having a great year, at least not compared with this standard the past couple of years, but it's OK. It happens to the best of players. You don't have to try so damned hard to make him sound like he's the greatest player ever, week in and week out. I'd hate to have this kid's pressure.
  
• You think Mike Sherman slept well on Saturday night? Probably better than he has in months.
  
• Look out Texas fans - that game in Stillwater next weekend won't be an easy one. Zac Robinson is keeping the engine humming in the absence of his two best play makers. This game next weekend will make or break their season. And, this game suddenly (and in an eery way) resembles last year's game in Lubbock. I'm just saying, this ain't Mizzou.
  

Around the NFL:

• Settle down Vikings fans, not a bad loss. And it's not like you didn't know that Brett just may cost you a game or two this year. This isn't a bad loss at all. In fact, you have to feel somewhat promised by the fact that it was a horrible fourth quarter, and you feel like had you not turned it over, you were in it. When you're playing at Pittsburgh, all you want is to be within reach in the final quarter.
  
• Hey, hey - look at the Houston Texans nutting out a win after blowing a big lead. Hell, we may just have ourselves a decent football team here.
  
• I admit, I kind of like it that Benson shredded his former team's defense. I know, I too think it's ridiculous that he would say all that sh*t about the Bears talking bad about him to other teams - I mean, what do you expect? You held out, you underachieved, you had more than one run-in with the law because of alcohol. Any bad mouthing was more than justified. Nevertheless, it's nice to see him sort of resurrect his career and live up to those expectations folks had, oh, about 5 years ago. And I like seeing Cutler lose a little bit.
  
• FANTASY UPDATE: Got demolished in fantasy league this week...and to a bottom feeder in our league (sorry Lane, but prove me wrong). Anyway, it really was a monumental ass whoopin' - my only hope is that McNabb can get me about 85 points on Monday night.
  
• Man, what a hugely disappointing game for the Dolphins. They had the Saints on the ropes and out and just let up. Big game for Ricky Williams. Bigger game for the Saints. These guys are in complete control in the NFC right now.
  
• Miles Austin is sure making a name for himself down in Big D. Forget Williams and Crayton, Austin and Witten are this shiz-nit duo.
  
• Seriously, why in the world do you continue to run Jamarcus Russell out there. I know you're paying him stupid money, but he's killing you. He's terrible.
  
• Michael Crabtree made his debut on Sunday, and with 5 catches for 56 yards, he's already got more catches than Darrius Heyward-Bey has had in 7 games (the guy picked 3 spots before him). Another stellar move by your Oakland Raiders.
  

That's what I got gang - have a good week. I'll be back on Friday with a spooky weekend preview. I know, I can't believe I just said that either.