This Weekend's Key Games

Auburn doesn't play this Saturday, but that doesn't mean there aren't some excellent college football games worth paying attention to.

Wake Forest (4-1) @ Maryland (4-2), 12pm Eastern

It's a noon kickoff in College Park (so, Jason, that means it's 9:00am in Berkeley). Maryland has been very Jekyll and Hyde this year (losing to Middle Tennessee, beating Cal, losing to Virginia). The Terps are strong at home. Wake has been relying too much on its defense to win games. If the Deacons can't generate more offense, then I like Maryland to pull the mild upset.

UMD 27

WFU 23

Purdue (2-4) @ Northwestern (5-1), 12pm Eastern

Northwestern fell from the ranks of the unbeaten last week against Michigan State. The Wildcats are still in the Big Ten race, however. Taking care of business against a struggling Purdue team is necessary in order to keep pace with Ohio State and Penn State. Purdue is playing for its bowl-eligible life.

NWU 36

PU 33

Texas Tech (6-0) @ Texas A&M (2-4), 12pm Eastern

Did you know that A&M has the #1 pass defense in the Big XII? That probably has to do with the fact that they haven't played: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, or Texas Tech. I don't think the Aggies have a prayer against the Red Raiders' offense.

TTU 41

TAM 20

Vanderbilt (5-1) @ Georgia (5-1), 12:30pm Eastern

It seems like a panic move to me, switching quarterbacks after 1 loss. But that's what Vanderbilt is going to do this Saturday. I think the rose is off the bloom for the Commodores, who will probably come crashing back down to earth. They'll still reach a bowl game, but only because Duke is still left on the schedule. That said, the game will stay close. Georgia isn't very explosive on offense right now.

UGA 24

VU 14

Ole Miss (3-3) @ Alabama (6-0), 3:30pm Eastern

Each of the last 3 meetings between these two teams has been settled by 3 points. Ole Miss has played well on the road this year, nearly upsetting Wake Forest and taking down Florida. The key question is whether Ole Miss can generate a running game against Alabama's defense. Expect another closely fought SEC game, but expect Alabama to improve to 7-0.

UAT 20

UM 12

Ohio State (6-1) @ Michigan State (6-1), 3:30pm Eastern

UPSET SPECIAL. I like the Spartans in this game for one reason: Javon Ringer. Michigan State will use Ringer to wear down the Buckeyes' defense and keep the ball away from Ohio State's offense. Ohio State might be looking ahead to next week's game vs. Penn State, too.

MSU 26

OSU 24

Kansas (5-1) @ Oklahoma (5-1), 3:30pm Eastern

Kansas' improbable 2007 run to the Orange Bowl was helpe by the fact that they did not play Texas or Oklahoma. If Kansas wants to return to a BCS bowl game this year, then they will have to do it by beating the top teams in their conference. The Jayhawks are catching Oklahoma at the wrong time - immediately after a loss to rival Texas. I think Oklahoma will come out firing. Kansas' defense is as good this year (torched by South Florida; torched early by Iowa State), either. That's not a good combination.

OU 41

KU 23

Michigan (2-4) @ Penn State (7-0), 4:30pm Eastern

Expect Michigan's 9-game winning streak in this series to come to an end. This could get ugly.

PSU 38

UM 10

Mississippi State (2-4) @ Tennessee (2-4), 7:00pm Eastern

First team to score wins. You think I'm kidding? Both teams have above average defenses. Both teams have galactically bad offenses. If you like punting, and if you like "field position games," then this matchup is for you.

MSU 3

UT -1

LSU (5-1) @ South Carolina (5-2), 8:00pm Eastern

Were you as surprised as me to see that Carolina is 5-2? How did that happen? Most experts think this will be a very close game. I guess they base that on LSU's ugly road loss at Florida. I happen to think the opposite. LSU is very very very mad. LSU is going to stuff USC's offense all night. I like LSU in a rout.

LSU 31

USC 13

Virginia Tech (5-1) @ Boston College (4-1), 8:00pm Eastern

Tech's defense will have their work cut out for them trying to stop Matt Ryan and the Eagles' offense. What's that, you say? Tech beat Ryan's Eagles last year. And Matt Ryan is gone. Oh, then why in the heck is BC a 3-point favorite in this game?

VPI 23

BC 17

Missouri (5-1) @ Texas (6-0), 8:00pm Eastern

Game of the Week. Conventional wisdom would say that because Texas is coming off a big win vs. Oklahoma, and because Missouri is coming off a stinging loss to Oklahoma State, that this game has the makings of a very close matchup. I don't think so. Texas hung 45 on the Sooners defense. Yikes. Missouri's defense isn't nearly that good. Chase Daniels and the Tigers have a fantastic offense, but they didn't exactly light it up against the Cowboys last week. Missouri can't keep pace for 60 minutes.

UT 37

UM 20