College Football Week 10 Fan's Guide

You just don’t see many games as exhilarating as Texas Tech’s 39-33 victory over Texas last Saturday. After a week full of hype, the game lived up to all of it and much more as the Red Raiders topped the previously unblemished and top-ranked Longhorns in the final seconds. Colt McCoy played like a Heisman Trophy winner in the fourth quarter, but Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree, and the rest of the upstart Red Raiders played like champions for the entirety. The brilliantly executed game-winning drive was hardly surprising as the nation’s top wide receiver tip-toed his way to an unbelieveable touchdown and the program’s biggest win ever. Week 10’s other Saturday showdown wasn’t as exciting. Florida laid the beatdown on Georgia in a 49-10 win, and set the stage for what could possibly be an epic showdown with Alabama in the SEC Championship on the first Saturday in December.

There’s plenty of work ahead for both schools before that could ever happen. It begins this week for the Crimson Tide, the nation’s new top-ranked team, when they take on LSU in Death Valley for Saban Bowl II. This year’s version has Alabama as the national title contender with the Tigers trying to score a win to define their season. The Red Raiders win over Texas was tremendous, but was only the first of three games against strong Big 12 South competition. This week, Oklahoma State comes into Lubbock with a shot at increasing their chances of getting to a BCS bowl. The Cowboys have already proven they’re legit by beating Missouri and giving Texas all they could handle on the road. Their showdown this week will be another fabulous showcase for the emerging Big 12 conference.

#11 TCU (9-1) @ #10 Utah (9-0), Thursday 8:00 pm ET
Fans of the proverbial little guy can really sink their teeth into this one as the two best teams from non-BCS conferences collide in a Thursday night throw down. With all apologies to eighth ranked Boise State, the Mountain West has been superior to the WAC and this game represents the best intra-conference matchup the league has to offer. The winner of this game in Salt Lake will be in prime position to snag one of the BCS positions. Both teams are in the top 12 of the current BCS standings, and a victory in this game could really close the deal. The Horned Frogs may have a blemish on their record, but it came against Oklahoma, which will only help this team down the road. In the five games since then, TCU has played at their highest level of the season. They own the nation’s best run defense, while averaging over 200 yards on the ground themselves. Their edge on the ground will allow them to control the clock, and knock off the Utes from the ranks of the unbeaten.
TCU, 20-14

#22 Georgia Tech (7-2) @ #19 North Carolina (6-2), 12:00 pm ET
The Yellow jackets have earned control of the Coastal Division of the ACC and remain in great position to earn a BCS bid under first year coach Paul Johnson. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt and Jonathan Dwyer have been great in leading an attack that averages almost 250 yards rushing a game. This trip to Chapel Hill represents the toughest hurdle the Yellow Jackets have in front of them. The Tar Heels have become a much better team in a short time under Butch Davis. North Carolina has been in every game they’ve played this season, and blew numerous chances in their two losses. North Carolina’s defense will face a stiff test in the option attack of Georgia Tech, but their defense has played much better at home. In a game that features the two highest ranked teams in the ACC, the Tar Heels will hold serve at home and become the Coastal Division favorite.
North Carolina, 27-24

#1 Alabama (9-0) @ #15 LSU (6-2), 3:30 pm ET
Fans in Baton Rouge have been patiently waiting for this game ever since Nick Saban signed with Alabama. I don’t think anyone could have envisioned Saban turning things around this quickly, but his quick success has made this a must-watch. The time has finally come for the defending champions to take on their rivals with their new nemesis at home. Les Miles team will have the opportunity to demolish everything the Crimson Tide has built up over the last two months. Saban has installed a ferocious defensive scheme that has worked in synergy with a physical ground game to produce a juggernaut that has only trailed in one game this season. For LSU, Miles has had a tough time finding consistency with his quarterbacks and it has left the offense handicapped. The Tigers’ defense hasn’t been itself either; it gave up 103 points and 918 yards of total offense in losses to the Bulldogs and Gators. The Crimson Tide are just as tough a team, and LSU’s defense will struggle to help out its sagging offense.
Alabama, 27-10

#8 Oklahoma State (8-1) @ #2 Texas Tech (9-0), 8:00 pm ET
Mike Leach’s Red Raiders are the only undefeated left standing in the ridiculously loaded Big 12, but after last week’s win over the top team in the nation, Texas Tech must turn around and face another offensive powerhouse. The Cowboys put up over 500 yards of total offense, and can beat you through the air or ground. In two games against top-five teams, Oklahoma State has carried themselves admirably, beating then-#3 Missouri 28-23 and falling to then-#1 Texas 28-24. Those pair of games proved how good this team is with Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter, and Dez Bryant leading the way. Coming off a big win, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see a letdown from Texas Tech, but it must be avoided if they hope to keep this dream season alive. Harrell and Crabtree are just too tough a duo to see this team going down this week. Next week at Oklahoma may be a different story.
Texas Tech, 38-35

#21 California (6-2) @ #7 USC (7-1), 8:00 pm ET
Trojan fans have to be a little disheartened to see their team fall two spots in the BCS standings after a ho-hum 56-0 victory. It’s that kind of situation for USC, which still needs a considerable amount of help if it hopes to reach its dream of a trip to Miami. Meanwhile, Pete Carroll’s team needs to take care of the business on its schedule. Since the shocking loss to Oregon State, the Trojans are 5-0 with a 214-20 differential, but it hasn’t helped them get any closer to the title. This week’s game against the Golden Bears is the best game left on the schedule. It would be in USC’s best interest to keep up their dominant play of the last month. The Bears are one of two teams in the conference that still controls their own destiny in the Pac-10 (Oregon State is the other), but you just don’t get the sense that this team is capable of pulling out a win like this on the road.
USC, 38-21

Last Week: 3-2
Season: 37-17