Week 8 I think

This is the opposite of last week. I had a tough time limiting myself to just 11 games, so I added a bonus again. This weekend has potential implications to the top of the ACC, Big East, Pac 10 and to a lesser extent, the SEC. Let's take a closer look at how.

10/22

FSU @ UNC (-2.5)

This was a game that most folks had circled in the preseason. Little did we know that both of these teams be smelling vaguely of vomit outside of an Indian restaurant (FSU) and a dead bird you found at the beach (UNC). Luckily for the Noles, the matchup is in their favor, even with the Thursday night travel. VTFerguson pointed out to me that the Atlantic has yet to beat the Coastal, but I think is a chance for it to happen.

10/24

Boston College @ Notre Dame (-8) - Holy War

Boston College somehow turned into a quality team while everyone was watching FSU meltdown. I kind of hate on Notre Dame, but they'll probably win. I think BC covers in a close one.

South Florida @ Pittsburgh (-6.5)

USF lost a good one to the Bearcats, who might be going to the national title game. The Panthers are undefeated so far, and normally wilt in games like this. I think I'll take that chance and say it happens again.

Maryland @ Duke (-5.5)

Don't laugh, but Duke is playing some impressive football right now and Maryland apparently has enough talent to beat us, but lose to Virginia. It is fun to root for Duke, but that will quickly disappear if Cutcliffe succeeds in turning them into a winner. This is a stop on Friedgen's train ride to unemployment, Devils cover.

GT (-5.5) @ UVa

Don't laugh, but Virgina has the same effect on GT that Maryland has on us. Tech is now riding awfully high after upsetting the other Tech and is praying for a Tiger victory in Miami. That would be all for naught, though, if they fail here. I think they break from tradition and pull out a squeaker. GT does not cover.

Oregon St @ USC (-20.5)

This was the OICMP game for Carroll last year in Corvallis. The Beavers are quietly having a very good season, but I think that given last year's game, they probably won't let the surprise happen again, but there is no way they cover that spread.

Iowa @ Michigan St (even)

If Sparty wins this game, then the Big Ten race becomes a jumble again and nobody asks, "What about Iowa?" anymore. I don't think that happens. Iowa looks pretty legit after that week 1 scare. I don't know how the tie breakers work in this dumb conference, but I'll be they could split this game and OSU and still play in Pasadena. Hawks win.

Arkansas @ Ole Miss (-6)

The Razorbacks neary shocked the College Football landscape last weekend in the Swamp, but the zebras slowed down their getaway. I think with Petrino's leadership they'll be angry rather than let down, and throwing on the Rebel secondary will be a treat compared to the Gators', and Mallett will go nuts. Arky wins outright on the road. Houston Nutt will be down and out and then beat somebody like LSU and everybody will be shocked, and then realize, wait, Houston Nutt does that every year.

Auburn @ LSU (-8)

Auburn's star has faded pretty quickly over the past two weeks. Night game at Baton Rouge is not the place to get things going again. Tigers win! LSU wins and covers.

Tennessee @ Alabama (-14.5) - Third Saturday in October

This my second favorite named rivalries, mostly because it is sometimes played on the Fourth Saturday in October, like this year. This game will be close, but Bama will win by less than two TDs. We will see the Bear Bryant Hat Twins like 800 times.

Bonus: TCU (-2.5) @ BYU

BYU is starting to look like a fraud with their meaningful win against Oklahoma looking less and less impressive and FSU struggling. TCU wins by an impressive margin and people start talking about what we do with an undefeated TCU and Boise State.

Clemson @ Miami (-5)

I can't believe the line is that tight. But Woo! Suck it Wake Forest. I am wondering how serious they are going to take us, because we're not quite relevant yet and Miami is Da U, even though "the" is only one letter longer than "da" and proper English while U stands for University, which is an institution of learning. A win in the Shark all but punches our ticket to Tampa, and a loss gets a lot more complicated. I look for a Richard Jackson field goal towards the end of the game to put us over the edge and Dabo Swinney does in a year and half what Tommy couldn't do in 10.