Fearless Friday Predictions

We are headed into the closing stretch of the season and championships are still out there to be won. Last nights Rutgers/Louisville game was another Thursday night classic for ESPN. rutgers stunned Louisville as I hoped they would 28-25 last night knocking the Big East out of the National Championship picture despite the fact that Rutgers is undefeated and frankly deserving of getting that shot. The problem with Rutgers is they have all their tough games at the end of the schedule this year so people didn't realize exactly how good they were until it was too late to move them up in the voting. Rutgers still has West Virgina left on the schedule, and that will be an intersting game because both teams heavily depend on the run.

In a foot note the Pac Ten will start playing a couple of Thursday night games on ESPN next season which should help with some national visibility. the Big East has always benefitted from it's relation with ESPN, and this season is no exception as the conference that was left for dead will finish strong this year with possibly two teams in BCS bowls.

We still have another week before the big rivarlies start, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions out there. the question I have is how high undefeated Rutgers will go in the rankings by the end of the year if they win out? Another question would be how long Craig Schiavio will continue to live in New Jersey with all the opening that are going to be avaialble on the Eastern seaboord this year?

Pac Ten

Stanford at Washington

The Huskies are not going to have any problem with the Cardinal, and the game should be out of reach midway through the 2nd quarter. Washington while banged up has way too many weapons for the Cards who are the worst team in Division One. It will be the last game for 26 seniors at Washington which signals the beginning of a major culture change in the program. Next year will be the final year of the Neuhesel touch remaining in the program. Look for the Huskies to play a lot of players tommorow to reward seniors, save players for WSU, and of course let some kids get experience for next year. The Huskies still have a shot to go to Hawaii if they win the next two. ...Washington 45-3

California at Arizona

The Bears better be on their guard and bring ther A game to Tucson. The Mildcats are coming off an upset over WSU that knocked them out of a sure bowl bid. Can the Mildcats put together two upsets in a row? No, while Cal is still looking ahead to USC, Arizona does not have the horses on offense to keep up with the Berkeley Boys. The UA defense will keep it closer than expected. ...California 31-17

Oregon at USC

The Duck's played at a high level against Washington last week and have a team that should be able to end the Trojans Coliseum winning streak. Pete Carroll on the other hand isn't going to like going 0-2 against rodents and waterfowl. USC's anemic running game better pick up if they expect to win. The key to Oregon is preventing mistakes. Mistakes took them out of the game early against Cal, and it kept Washington in the game far too long last week. ....Oregon 27-25

Washington St at Arizona St

Just who are the Cougars anyway? The team that beat up Oregon, and Oregon State, or the team that struggled early in the season then blew an easy one against Arizona at home? For the Cougars this is a must win to clinch a bowl bid, and a seventh victory. It is a must win for Arizona State who mailed it in against OSU last weekend. If ASU loses expect the anouncement of Koetter's firing to be made before the UA game. ...WSU 33-21

Oregon State at UCLA

The Beavers have been the best team of the Pac Ten's second half, while the Bruins as usual have been the worst. I don't expect a let down for the Black Bandits of Benton County. the drum beats will get louder for Dorrell's ouster in Westwood. ...OSU 35 UCLA 17

Nationally

South Carolina at Florida

I would love to see USC pull an upset in Steve Spurrier's return to the Swamp. The odds are against it, but SC has played everyone tough this year. Florida is in the drivers seat to play the winner of Michigan/Ohio St. I would love to see them get knocked out of it. ...South Carolina 21-20

Georgia at Auburn

The Bulldogs have dissapointed all season, even losing to woeful Vanderbilt. Auburn on the other hand has a chance to play for all the marbles. You of course know that auburn should cream these guys, but I hope for an upset to really muddy up the BCS. ...Auburn 32-13

Notre Dame at Air Force

The Irish continue on with their twinkie a week schedule. this week it is declining Air Force which has lost it's edge under Fisher Deberry. the Falcons usually give these guys a game, not this year. ...Notre Dame 38-7

Tennessee at Arkansas

the Razorback's have been this years surprise team in the SEC, while Tennessee coming off a loss last week can't afford another one if Phil Fulmer is going to stay off the hot seat. Tennessee 27-26

Boise State at San Jose St

San Jose was about ready to give up football than in walked Dick Tomey who is one of the most underated veteran coaches in the country. The 6-2 Spartans are bowl eligible. This test against Boise which has it's eyes on a BCS bid is going to be a great game. ...Boise St 30-27

Alabama at LSU

Mike Shula is doing a nice rebuilding job and the Tide is getting close to returning to the power they once were before probation. this game will be close but the Tigers get the nod at home. ...LSU 24-31

Wake Forest at Florida St

Usually this one is pretty easy to predict, and actually it still is as Wake Forest has all the weapons needed to put another nail in Bobby Bowden's coffin. ...Wake Forest 24-7

Nebraska at Texas A&M

The Huskers can clinch the North title with a win, but they won't because the Aggies are pretty darn good. ...Texas A&M 26-21

West Virginia at Cincinnati

Usually this would be a game not worth mentioning because the Bearcats usually stink. this year is really no exception, but they did play Louisville to the wire earlier in the year so this one will be closer than expected. ...West Virginia 28-24