Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown 7

#18/20 Oklahoma (3-2) vs #2/3 Texas (5-0) in Dallas -

The annual Red River Rivalry (aka the Red River Shootout) always has a lot at stake simply because it is one of the best rivalries in college football. It was supposed to be one of the greatest this season, yet has failed to live up to the hype. The reason? Sam Bradford's injury in their season opening loss to BYU. You figure that if Bradford was healthy the Sooners would have been able to at least fend off BYU and more than likely beat Miami. Regardless, it looks like Oklahoma has everything to gain and Texas has everything to lose. The Longhorns have A LOT of pressure to win this game. I feel like Colt McCoy is the QB to get it done for Texas this season, yet Oklahoma has way too much to prove in this game. I liked Texas all throughout the off season to beat their rivals, however I am calling for the upset as Oklahoma upsets the Longhorns to remain in the race to win the Big 12 championship.

Prediction:

Oklahoma- 30

Texas- 24

#5/6 USC (4-1) @ #25/25 Notre Dame (4-1) -

Does anyone else feel as if the Fighting Irish should be ranked a little bit higher considering all the praise that ESPN gives them? I think they might deserve to be slightly higher, but not too much higher considering how they had to fend off both Washington and Purdue late, and needed a lot of luck to beat Michigan State. Despite these close losses, it seems as if Charlie Weis has the tools to finally beat the Trojans. Good luck with that one, Chuck. I like USC to go into South Bend, run the football effectively, and open up the game for Matt Barkley throwing the ball down field to his talented receivers. It won't be pretty early, but it will be beautiful late in the game for USC when they shut down Jimmy Clausen and the Irish.

Prediction:

USC- 34

ND- 17

#4/4 Virginia Tech (5-1) @ #19/20 Georgia Tech (5-1) -

Everyone is sleeping on Georgia Tech. Why? They have one of the top rushing offenses in the country to go along with an improved passing attack. I don't have many reasons behind what I'm about to say, but I think Virginia Tech will lose one more game this season...and this is it. I love Virginia Tech's team, but I like them just enough to say that they finish 10-2 and then go on to win the ACC championship. Georgia Tech gets one more touchdown that VT in a surprising defensive battle en route to an upset of the fourth ranked Hokies.

Prediction:

GT- 23

VT- 16

Big Ten Rundown...

Michigan fell to Iowa (expectingly), and everything else went as expected I suppose. Look for this week to fall under the same category....with the exception of Iowa going down in Madison.

#7/7 Ohio State (5-1) @ Purdue (1-5) : TBA

Wisconsin (5-1) over #11/12 Iowa (6-0)

#13/14 Penn State (5-1) over Minnesota (4-2)

Michigan (4-2) over Delaware State

Michigan State (3-3) over Northwestern (4-2)

Illinois (1-4) over Indiana (3-3)