Colorado State at Miami (OH): there aren't many people buying into Steve Fairchild right now. Yes, he's playing a lot of young kids, but his kids have gotten destroyed in two games against average-to-good teams. He finally gets a mediocre team. Problem is: it's become quite obvious he has one of those himself. A freshman QB, a young defense, a lot of points given up, and not many scored. They have not yet scored a TD. They might get their first TD in this game, but they'll go down again: Miami (OH) 24, CSU 10. This is the game they have to get to have ANY chance at a bowl game. A loss here makes it official, no bowl game again for the Colorado State Rams.
Air Force at Oklahoma: the Sooners and Falcons both "got up" for big games last week. Oklahoma would be the more likely to have a let down this week, seeing as how this is still a big game for Air Force, but not for Oklahoma. How will OU adjust to the option? How will Air Force adjust to the game speed, the crowd, and the more-experienced-than-Heaps, with-a-better-arm-than-Nelson, Landry Jones? I believe this game will be closer than the experts think (the spread is currently at 17 points). They should be able to hold Oklahoma from big plays and force them to drive down the field to score. They'll eat up some clock as well with the option, which will help keep the score down. Oklahoma 31, Air Force 24.
Baylor at TCU: Baylor is not as good as Oregon State all-around, but you can never underestimate the importance of a good and experienced QB. However, this is Baylor's first real test of the year. This is the team most similar to what they will see in the Big XII. This will be another example of how far down Baylor is compared to the rest of the Texas schools. TCU is capable of running the ball all over the place and will do so against the overmatched Baylor Bears' defense. I wonder if TCU will actually sell this one out. TCU 41, Baylor 20.
San Diego State at Missouri: and the feel-good story of the MWC comes to a crashing halt. San Diego State finally has to play somebody and the undefeated bid ends. While playing a couple of mamby-pambies helps you get wins, confidence, and bowl eligibility, they don't help you get prepared for Missouri, Utah, TCU, and BYU. Ronnie Hillman is going to wake up to college football this Saturday. After 150 yards and 4 TDs last week against New Mexico State, he's going to face DBs as big as him, LBs as fast as him, and DLs that can actually tackle him. While Missouri isn't exactly known for its defense, they will probably do fairly well at exposing Hillman and his fellow SDSU Aztecs. Missouri 38, SDSU 13.
Utah at New Mexico: Utah had some trouble last time down in Albuquerque. They might have some trouble again this time, but it would have to be something extraneous to the football game, like a flight delay or something. They are 22.5-point favorites. I think that's a sucker's bet. Utah can run, throw, hop, skip, and jump around the most porous New Mexico defense we've seen in quite some time. Utah 48, New Mexico 6. Again, unless Coach Locksley is a good coach.
Boise State at Wyoming: does the Broncos' national championship push stop in Laramie? I don't believe that has ever happened. I don't believe it will happen tomorrow either. The Cowboys just don't have the horses. They gave up 20 points to Southern Utah and 34 to a currently lost Texas offense. They can't run the ball against anybody. They won't be able to throw the ball against Boise State, at least initially. Boise State has had some time off to refocus and re-energize after traveling to DC and beating Va Tech on Labor Day. There will probably be some early miscues on their part, enough to keep Wyoming in it for longer than they should be, but not enough to prevent a 3-score win. Ultimately, Boise State prevails, 28-10.
UNLV at Idaho: how do the Rebels do in Moscow? Well, probably as well as rebels did under the KGB reign in the other Moscow: not well. Let's just say it might be a torturous experience. UNLV has played two difficult opponents, both at home, and both were blowouts. While Idaho is a huge step down from Wisconsin and Utah, it is a difficult, raucous, and extremely inebriated crowd, according to Boise State's president. You play in a dome with 20K+ drunks right on top of you the whole game. The Vandals win, 34-13.
Bonus Game:
Fresno State at Utah State: Fresno State probably has the better defense. Utah State has the better offense. And home field. Fresno State got a week off last week. Utah State got an FCS team after playing Oklahoma tough in Norman in week one. If Utah State is going to move into the upper echelon of the WAC (before it implodes, thanks to BYU and the MWC), it needs THIS game. It is there for the taking and I believe that their balance will win them this game. This does have the makings of a shootout though. I'll go Utah State over Fresno State, 34-31. You can catch this on ESPN3.com, if you get it with your internet package. It starts at 6pm, Mountain, but you can watch the replay anytime. If you love college football, I recommend checking Fresno and Utah State out!
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