Football
Tom's Tip Sheet (Sans Tom)
By Tony Gerdeman

Last week was kind of a slow week, but we still got some good games out of it.

This week is kind of like last week but with a little bit of sugar.

Half of the Top 10 are playing in games that they could conceivably lose, which is always great—unless you’re a fan of one of those Top 10 teams.

Conference play is starting to pick up all over the country, and things will start to take shape this week as to conference supremacy.

And conference futility.

I’m looking at you, Coach Zook.

Thursday September 28

Teams: BYU at TCU
Time (TV): 6:00 pm (Versus/OLN)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: TCU

BYU comes into this game 2-2, with both of their losses coming out of conference and by a total of ten points. TCU comes into this game 3-0 and ranked 15th in the Coaches' Poll. In a dramatic turn of events, I am suggesting we root for TCU to go undefeated and keep a BCS school out of the BCS. (Are you listening Florida State and Notre Dame?)

Teams: Auburn at South Carolina
Time (TV): 7:30 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 4.5
Cheer For: South Carolina

This game has disfigured chaos written all over it. Like The Elephant Man on meth. Auburn put up 10 points in the first half last week against Buffalo at home before winning 38-7. They were, however, without Kenny Irons. Irons is back this week and should get the ball a ton. South Carolina comes into the game 3-1 with no quality wins and no quality quarterback. Blake Mitchell was benched for punching a bouncer, which is about as smart as asking your wife if she wants to go "look at shoes". The bouncer dropped the charges, and Mitchell is now playing again. However, he's not starting. That honor goes to former quarterback-turned former wide receiver Syvelle Newton. Newton threw for five touchdowns last week against Florida Atlantic; all five went to receiver Sidney Rice. Newton will allow the Gamecocks to keep plays alive where Blake Mitchell couldn't. However, it will probably be Newton's turnovers that allow Auburn to win by two touchdowns. Just as an FYI, Auburn is only giving up six points per game.

Friday September 29

Teams: Rutgers at South Florida
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Rutgers

Why cheer for Rutgers? Because if Rutgers were to get the Big East's BCS bid, then hopefully that would be enough reason to take it away from the Big East in the future. South Florida almost got the job done last year, but they let America down. USF may present a pretty formidable challenge to Rutgers and the Scarlet Knights' running game. Running back Ray Rice is averaging 151 yards rushing per game and already has nine touchdowns in just four games. Conversely, USF is only giving up 90 yards rushing per game. Those 90 yards per game have come against McNeese State, FIU, Central Florida and Kansas, though, so it probably doesn't really mean anything.

Saturday September 30

Teams: Wisconsin at Indiana
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Indiana

Why cheer for Indiana? Because we want them to be ranked as highly as possible when we play them. On a more serious note, Terry Hoeppner is back this week as is receiver James Hardy. Hardy is coming back from a two-game suspension and will probably exhibit a bit of rust. Expect Indiana's defense to defend the heck out of The Rock, but P.J. Hill will still run wild on the Hoosiers.

Teams: Toledo at Pittsburgh
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPNU)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Toledo

It was pointed out to me this week that Tyler Palko is leading the nation in passing efficiency. That's something that I would have never even imagined. Palko leading the nation in passing efficiency is about as likely as Wannie remembering to bring his receipt when returning a toaster to Sears because it only had one slot and didn't work. (Of course, the clerk would then point out to Wannie that this was not a toaster, but rather an empty box of tissues.)

Teams: Illinois at Michigan State
Time (TV): 12:00 pm
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Illinois

John L. would then walk up to Wannie and say, "Dave, I would like to buy your toaster."

Teams: Sam Houston State at Texas
Time (TV): 1:00 pm
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Texas

Did you know that Colt McCoy is currently 11th in the country in passing efficiency? He is ahead of the likes of Troy Smith, Brian Brohm, Drew Stanton, Drew Tate, Chad Henne and John David Booty. He'll throw for 300 yards if Mack Brown wants him to. Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young will both rush for 100 yards. Last season, Texas Tech scored 80 on Sam Houston State. Texas should at least be able to hit 63. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee that the final score will be 63-7.

Teams: Bowling Green at Ohio
Time (TV): 2:00 pm
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Bowling Green

Last week, the Falcons were beaten 38-3 by Kent State at home. They are a mess right now. Ohio comes in 1-0 in the MAC after a win in week two at Northern Illinois. A win for the Bobcats would probably knock the Falcons out of the MAC title race.

Teams: Purdue at Notre Dame
Time (TV): 2:30 pm (NBC)
Interest: 4
Cheer For: Purdue

The last time Joe Tiller took his Boilers into South Bend, they walked out with a 41-16 victory. In that game, Notre Dame had 536 yards of total offense. Ah, the magic of Tyrone Willingham. Anyway, this year looks to be another personal affront to defenses nationwide. Purdue has given up 35 points to Indiana State, 31 to Miami (OH), and 28 to Ball State. Yet somehow they managed to hold Minnesota to 21. I see this one being something like 41-27 Notre Dame.

Teams: Boise State at Utah
Time (TV): 3:00 pm (Versus/OLN)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Utah

This is kind of like a mid-major heavyweight title bout. But the winner would only get a trophy instead of a belt. And not a big trophy. And not a fancy one. In fact, the only engraving would be on the front of the trophy base and it would simply read "Trophy". After Utah's season-opening loss at UCLA, they've rolled up three straight wins, winning by an average score of 44-5. Of course, they haven't played anybody, but the numbers are still impressive. What's more impressive, however, is Boise State's 4-0 record. They still have BCS designs and don't want them to end against a rival like Utah. I'll take the Utes.

Teams: Texas Tech at Texas A&M
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC/GP)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Texas Tech

The Aggies come in at 4-0, but have only beaten The Citadel, La-Lafayette, Army and LaTech. That schedule is easier than Matt Leinart's course load from last season. I think there's going to be quite a bit of scoring in this one. First one to 38 wins (but it will probably take 42.)

Teams: Northwestern at Penn State
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC/GP)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Northwestern

Why cheer for Northwestern? Because their season isn't over like Penn State's is. The Wildcats still have something to play for. But it may not matter, as they are a wreck offensively right now. Pat Fitzgerald doesn't know who his starting quarterback is going to be this week. Joe Paterno doesn't know who his starting quarterback is going to be either, but that's just because nobody will tell him.

Teams: Oregon at Arizona State
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC/GP)
Interest: 4
Cheer For: Arizona State

If Oregon can somehow get through these next two road games (ASU and Cal), they'll have a real good shot to go into Southern Cal at 9-0 and ranked in the top 6 or 7. Of course, being that they are a Pac 10 team, they are just as likely to lose at home to UCLA by 37 points in two weeks. Arizona State got blitzed at Cal last week, giving up 42 first-half points. Marshawn Lynch averaged over seven yards per carry against the Sun Devil defense. There's no reason Duck running back Jonathan Stewart can't do something similar. In his two starts this season, he's averaging 156 yards rushing per game. First one to 45 wins.

Teams: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC/GP)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Georgia Tech

There will be nothing aesthetically pleasing about this game. But maybe that's what will make it intriguing. If the Yellow Jackets can slow down the Hokies' running game, they'll have a shot. Of course, with the Great Equalizer at quarterback, anything good Georgia Tech does on defense will be offset by the mess on offense.

Teams: Alabama at Florida
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (CBS)
Interest: 4
Cheer For: Alabama

Florida hasn't beaten Alabama since 1998. Of course, they've only played twice since 1998, but the point still stands. Last season, Alabama inexplicably beat the Gators 31-3 in Tuscaloosa. Don't think Florida and The Big Urb have forgotten that one. In case you missed Alabama's game last weekend, they lost to Arkansas in double overtime. The first overtime went scoreless. It was just like the Stanley Cup Playoffs, except all of the missing teeth were in the stands rather than the ice. (That was a cheap shot.) Anyway, in that game, Bama's backup kicker missed three field goals (including one in overtime) and an extra point in double overtime. It was the missed extra point that lost the game for the Tide. Given the gauntlet of emotions that this team has run, I'm thinking they're going to put up a heckuva fight on Saturday. Sadly, I just don't think it will matter. Alabama will need to score defensively or via special teams, because their offense won't score more than 10.

Teams: Miami OH at Cincinnati
Time (TV): 3:30 pm
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Cincinnati

I hear the winner gets season tickets to UK basketball.

Teams: Houston at Miami, Fl
Time (TV): 6:00 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Houston

The Cougars are 4-0 and are scoring 38 points per game. Quarterback Kevin Kolb is throwing for 298 yards per game and has only thrown one interception to his twelve touchdowns. But it may be his mobility that actually keeps Houston in this one. It will also help that Miami can't move the ball and can't score and is overall pretty sucky. Still, Miami has a bit of talent on defense and should be able to slow Houston down some. After all, if the Hurricanes can hold Florida State to 13 points, they must be pretty good, right? If Houston doesn't turn the ball over, I think this one will be a game into the fourth quarter.

Teams: Ball State at Northern Illinois
Time (TV): 6:30 pm
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Northern Illinois

The Garrett Wolfe Stat Watch stands at 828 yards rushing with 8 touchdowns. He's averaging 8.6 yards per carry. He is currently on pace for 2,484 yards and 24 touchdowns. Ball State is 77th in the nation in rushing defense. After Saturday, they'll be around 85th.

Teams: Southern California at Washington State
Time (TV): 7:00 pm (TBS)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Washington State

I like it when TBS has a solid game. Too bad I tend to forget about them. Washington State is averaging 190 yards rushing per game. If they can get that against USC, they can win. Of course, that's the problem. The Cougars are pretty balanced, as they throw for around 240 yards as well. The game will probably work out much the same way the USC-Nebraska game did. The difference, however, is that Washington State is used to playing USC. Nebraska viewed it as their Super Bowl. To Washington State, it's a conference game. True, it's a conference game against the #3 team in the country, but they're used to playing top ranked teams--they opened the season on the road at Auburn. Washington State won't be scared and they'll come out firing. If they can run, they can win. (But they'll have to run really, really well.)

Teams: Michigan at Minnesota
Time (TV): 7:45 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Minnesota

The Wolverines are starting to believe they're as good as everybody is telling them they are. It might be best for all involved if they get knocked back down to earth. Michigan gave up 12 yards rushing to Wisconsin. I doubt they'll do the same thing to Minnesota, because Minnesota (believe it or not) has a few more options at running back. That's not to say Minnesota will run well. I would be shocked if they even approached 150 yards total. However, they have a couple of complementary backs who are completely different and will provide Michigan's defense with alternating looks. Alex Daniels will pound them inside and Amir Pinnix will try to take it outside. And, per usual, Michigan's Alan Branch will absorb the opposing offensive line like a sponge and the other ten guys will tackle the football. Michigan by 17.

Teams: Georgia at Ole Miss
Time (TV): 9:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Ole Miss

Ed Orgeron is still waiting for his signature win as head coach at Ole Miss, and this could be his best shot. Of course, if they do lose, next week he'd get another shot at his signature win when Vandy comes to town. That should tell you how sad it's been in Oxford. This game is at night and Georgia is pretty mediocre, so all signs point to something out of the ordinary happening. Still, I can't pick Ole Miss when they've lost three straight by an average of 23 points to the likes of Missouri, Kentucky and Wake Forest.

Teams: Ohio State at Iowa
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Ohio State

Last season, the Buckeyes outgained Iowa 530 yards to 137. I'm still not sure why this year should be any different. Yes, the venue has changed, but venues don't really matter when you're getting spine-kicked up front. Iowa isn't running the ball very well, but some would think that this Ohio State defense is the perfect cure for that. We'll see. I'm expecting the Buckeyes to dictate the game on every side and keep Iowa's defense guessing, fussing and cussing.

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