National Preview: Week 10

Game of the Week

(1)Alabama at (5)LSU CBS 8 p.m.
LSU and Alabama face off for the third Game of the Week/Year/Century/Millennium in less than a year. LSU's offense has struggled mightily, but have been able to find ways to win after a tough defeat against Florida in week six. While their offense has picked up recently, facing off against Alabama's defense could be downright scary for Les Miles and company. There's plenty of reason for everyone to watch this game, even those that were bored with the lack of offense in the two games from last year- an LSU win would likely end the SEC's national championship streak.
Prediction: Alabama- 20 LSU- 14

Worth Watching

(4)Oregon at (17)USC FOX 7 p.m.
The game that many circled on their calendars has lost much of its luster thanks to USC failing to meet its preseason hype. Oregon's offense continues to put up eye-popping numbers each week, while USC's offense has not been anywhere near as dynamic as many had previously thought. The Trojans are still a dangerous team and are capable of pulling off the upset if they manage to eliminate turnovers and penalities (USC is the most penalized team in the nation). Can they? Yes. Will they? Probably not.
Prediction: Oregon- 41 USC- 31

(24)Oklahoma State at (2)Kansas State ABC 8 p.m.
Kansas State continues to streak towards an improbable national title run, but Oklahoma State may have something to say about it on Saturday. The Fightin' T. Boones have quietly put together a strong October, and will have some momentum coming into this game. Problem is, the Wildcats will come in with even more momentum after completely destroying two top-15 teams in the past two weeks. There's no reason to think Kansas State is due for a let down, but that's why they play the game.
Kansas State- 42 Oklahoma State- 30

(23)Texas at (18)Texas Tech 3:30 ABC/ESPN2
Both teams are trying their hardest to return to glory, and you can bet your dupa they will each pull out all the stops to win this one. This game may not have any impact on the BCS, but will be a hard-fought battle between two equally-matched in-state rivals. It should be a very interesting game even if you don't necessarily have a rooting interest.
Prediction: Texas Tech- 28 Texas- 27

Keep an Eye On

(16)Texas A&M at (15)Mississippi State ESPN Noon
See the above recap for Tes-Texas Tech. An interest contest between two evenly-matched conference opponents fighting for relevancy and bow positioning. Should be a fun game to watch even if neither team is on your radar.
Prediction: Texas A&M- 24 Mississippi State- 20

TCU at (21)West Virginia FOX 3:30 p.m.
Somehow West Virginia is still ranked despite being totally exposed by Texas Tech and Kansas State during its past two games. TCU now has a chance to finish off the team that was the talk of the college football world for the first half of the season. Expect plenty of points between two teams trying to cling to hopes of a being in the Top 25 by seasons end.
Prediction: TCU- 44 West Virginia- 38

Pitt at (3)Notre Dame NBC 3:30 p.m.
Every now and then, Pitt magically pulls off an upset that no one saw coming (See 2007 Pitt-West Virginia). This could be the week to do it as Notre Dame is coming off an emotional high after a big prime-time victory on the road against Oklahoma.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27 Pitt- 14

Editor's Choice: How I Will Spend my Saturday
Noon:
TV1- Texas A&M at Mississippi State
TV2- Michigan at Minnesota
TV3- Oklahoma State
(Actually, I will be clearing the 14 million leaves off my lawn if my yard happens to dry out by then)

3:30:
TV1- Penn State at Purdue
TV2- Nebraska at Michigan State
TV3- Texas at Texas Tech
Also Watching: Pitt at Notre Dame, TCU at West Virginia, Illinois at Ohio State, Iowa at Indiana, Akron at Kent State

Night Games:
TV1- Alabama at LSU
TV2- Oregon at USC
TV3- Oklahoma State at Kansas State

Late Games:
TV1- Arizona State at Oregon State
TV2- Arizona at UCLA