24 Jan 11 College Football Predictions For The Top 25 In Week 5 and More

Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesIm still on the positive side with my picks so far this year; week fouraverage of 92.3% pushed my season average to 90.1%, so I can still show my face around the neighborhood. Week four really did not have any seismic implications on the college football scene unless you were a fan of the University of Texas, Notre New York Jets jersey
Dame or South Carolina. Those teams aside, the rest of the college football landscape remained basically the same both for the good and the bad.The Longhorns prepared for this week's Red River Rivalry by playing their worst game in years. Texas was the MVP for UCLA's victory as there was no aspect of the game that Texas did not do poorly. South Carolina shed its new contender image half way through its game with Auburn and the 2010 version of Notre Dame football looked much like last year's version losing its 11th game in a row to a ranked opponent. September did not really sort out anything other than Alabama and Ohio State seem to be the current elite but not really dominant. In fact the entire cast of the top 25 seems to be somewhat suspect. I personally, still ask what have TCU, Boise State or Wisconsin done this year on the field to justify where they are in the polls? Hell, add Michigan, LSU and Miami to that question as well. However the other ranked teams are not helping my argument as none of them are solidly laying claim to their place in the rankings. There are twenty five undefeated teams at this point; six of them are outside the top 25 (four are getting some votes). I am not suggesting that they should be above those in the polls with a loss but this as at times before poses the questions: is there now parity in big time college football or is it a down year or just too early to have an informed opinion?This weekaction should start separating some of the contenders from the pretenders. At a minimum the number of unbeatens will be reduced as there are five matches between undefeated teams this week. Outside those contests there are also two games between ranked opponents that will also shake out the polls a bit (No. 22 Penn State at No. 17 Iowa and No. 21 Texas vs. No. 8 Oklahoma) and begin clarifying the races in two conferences.Last week only the Alabama/Arkansas game lived up to the pre-game hype. Sadly Arkansas continued to be unable to put together four quarters of offense or the result might have been different. The Boise State/Oregon State and West Virginia/LSU games both listed as games of the week failed to excite. Oregon State showed itself as a middle of the pack PAC-10 team and not the measuring stick of a team trying to prove it desires to be in the championship game. LSU moved to 4-0 without looking like a team that should be undefeated, its victory more of testament to the Mountaineers weakness that the Tigers strength.Both called upsets from last week came to fruition as Northern Illinois beat the Gophers and #17 Auburn beat #12 South Carolina. I was not as accurate in predicting routs as Nebraska while winning did not blow out South Dakota State this week past.The games of the week for week five are Florida/Alabama, Stanford/Oregon, and Texas/Oklahoma. The favorites have a good chance to win each of these games but I think Stanford can pull off the upset. Clemson also has a good chance of beating the favorite this week. The routs of the week will be mostly at the hands of Boise State, Auburn Oakland Raiders jersey
and Nevada.Jamie Sabau/Getty ImagesHighlights:Game(s) of the WeekNo. 7 Florida at No. 1 Alabama- Alabama is not a juggernaut this year but the Gators have looked more vulnerable. UF could win but I believe this will be the first of two defeats at the hands of the Tide this year.No. 9 Stanford at No. 4 Oregon- Most the experts and the computers are picking Oregon to win the game. I however think the attitude and the smash you in the mouth attitude of the Cardinal will win a close game if they can win the turnover battle.No. 21 Texas vs. No. 8 Oklahoma- Texas has more to lose in this game but if UCLA can run on the Texas defense the way it did, Oklahoma will win this game.Potential UpsetsNo. 9 Stanford at No. 4 OregonNo. 16 Miami (FL) at Clemson- Miami's offense has not been anything special; their defense and special tam made the victory against Pittsburgh possible. Their QB has shown that his preseason hype was misplaced. Miami will give up at least two picks and lose to the Tigers.Virginia Tech at No. 23 North Carolina State- Va Tech should remember who they are this week and get rid of the last undefeated team in the ACC.Potential RoutsNo. 3 Boise State at New Mexico StateLouisiana-Monroe at No. 10 AuburnNo. 25 Nevada at UNLVResults: Week 1 31-5 [86.1%]Week 2 28-3 [90.3%]Week 3 26-2 [92.9%]Week 4 24-2 [92.3%]Week 5 xx-x [??.?%]Season109-12 [90.1%]Thursday, September 30Texas AM at Oklahoma State- Texas AM might have the better QB but Oklahoma State at home will win in probably a high scoring affair.Saturday, October 2No. 7 Florida at No. 1 Alabama- Ingram and Richardson will control the clock and be the biggest reason the Gators lose this week.No. 2 Ohio State at Illinois- Ron Zook's team may put up a fight for a half but even that is doubtful.No. 3 Boise State at New Mexico State- Boise State will say the right things but will pile on points all game longNo. 9 Stanford at No. 4 Oregon- I think the Cardinal will be the biggest upset of the week. The Ducks have the speed but Stanford plays as a team and has the right attitude to win at Autsen.No. 5 TCU at Colorado State- Colorado State has shown nothing so far to say they have a chance this week.No. 21 Texas vs. No. 8 Oklahoma- Oklahoma will win but will it mean as much as in other years.Louisiana-Monroe at No. 10 Auburn- The tigers will run up the score in the Newton Heisman campaign.No. 11 Wisconsin at No. 24 Michigan State- Two good teams, but Wisconsin should pull out a win in a hard fought game.Tennessee at No. 12 LSU- Tennessee is not going to win but may hang to make it look like a game.No. 16 Miami (FL) at Clemson- Clemson should get an upset win at home.No. 22 Penn State at No. 17 Iowa- Offensive line injuries will prevent Penn State from having a winning run game and injuries may deny Iowa the same but Iowa will still have the pass and a better defense - for the win.Washington at No. 18 USC- Locker will get some stats but still see his team lose.No. 19 Michigan at Indiana- Indiana will score points but Michigan Philadelphia Eagles jersey
should score more. This is not an endorsement for league honors but the Wolverines should win the game.Northwestern at Minnesota- How could one pick Minnesota. The gophers may put a game together this year but I do not think it will be this week.Virginia Tech at No. 23 North Carolina State- Va Tech if it has any ball security at all will win this road game.No. 25 Nevada at UNLV- UNLV suffers the wrath of a team trying to get voters to notice it.Duke at Maryland- The Terps win at home over the Blue Devils (it's not basketball)** Underlined teams are currently undefeated.