College Football: Week 8 Preview

Thursday, 7PM: Florida State at North Carolina
This ACC matchup is worth a look just to see a) if North Carolina can come with anything that even remotely deserves that top 25 ranking they used to have and b) which Florida State team shows up. When FSU QB Christian Ponder is good, he’s fun to watch and they’re playing for Bobby Bowden’s pride right now.
Prediction: I have to go with the Jekyll & Hyde Seminoles here. Consistency has been an issue, but they’re considerably more talented.

Saturday, 11AM: ...nothing. I have a wide selection of terrible and pointless Big Ten matchups. Might take a quick look at Oklahoma State/Baylor just to watch Zac Robinson.

Saturday, 2:30PM: Definitely #13 Penn State at Michigan plus looks at Boston College at Notre Dame and Tennessee at #2 Alabama if there's enough time.
Michigan's back at home this week, which is good because the Big House appears to be the only place they can play well. It's unclear what their quarterback situation is, relative to both Forcier's concussion and Robinson's recent success. Like last year, Penn State has looked good against all opponents except Iowa.
The SEC matchup is intriguing and I'm sure I'd be paying more attention to it if I weren't such an unabashed Michigan fan. I thought Alabama (with the exception of Mark Ingram) looked very weak last week against South Carolina. If safety Eric Berry and the Tennessee defense are ready to go, we could have ourselves a (shockingly low scoring) game.
Prediction(s): Michigan has looked mighty disorganized lately. I think the Nittany Lions can take 'em, even in Ann Arbor. Notre Dame should be able to handle a BC squad whose best win is over shaky Florida State. And as much as I'd like to, Tennessee just doesn't have the offense for me to pick the upset. In fact, they sometimes have no offense at all. Tide rolls.

Saturday, 6:30PM: #1 Florida at Mississippi State
I may not actually be able to catch this one depending on Saturday plans, but if you call yourself a college football fan, you gotta check in on #1 every once in a while. And actually, the Bulldogs played very close with LSU and may have an outside shot at the Gators.
Prediction: Tebow and company are due for a return to form. I'll be hoping for an Bulldogs upset and expecting a Gators blowout. In all honesty, though, the Gators have nothing to play for. They could lose this one and still get into the national championship over an undefeated Iowa.

Saturday, 7PM: #3 Texas at Missouri
Speaking of unimpressive top teams, Texas has played exactly two legitimate opponents - Oklahoma and Texas Tech, against whom the Longhorns looked terrible. Missouri isn't exactly the New Orleans Saints, but when Gabbert is on (and he says his ankle is ready to go), they can score in a hurry. If their defense has a good game, they could be a challenge for the Texas McCoys, especially in Columbia.
Prediction: Ugh, sorry to contradict my own interest-generating statement above, but gotta go with Texas. They can smell the championship bid now and they'll get the job done.

*If any of you Pacific coasters can watch Oregon/Washington and report, I'd much appreciate it!