Thoughts and Predictions on the Five Biggest Games of the Weekend

5. Oregon @ Purdue

In the second best Pac 10 v Big 10 matchup of the weekend, two potent offenses face off in what promises to be a high scoring game. Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart are gone, but the Ducks have still managed to score 110 points in their first two games. Nate Costa originally won the starting job for Oregon, but he was injured during the preseason and will miss all of 2008. Justin Roper, who threw for four touchdowns against South Florida in last year's Sun Bowl, takes over and has done a decent job so far. The real stars of the Oregon offense have been running backs Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarette Blount. Oregon currently ranks fourth in the nation with 332 yards per game rushing.

Purdue on the other hand returns 2008 All-Big 10 quarterback Curtis Painter. Painter will be going up against a talented Oregon secondary that features one of college football's best safeties, Patrick Chung. Painter is a smart QB who can throw with good velocity and accuracy, however the Oregon back four should be able to keep his WRs in check.

The Oregon offense will control the game and the Duck's secondary will be just disruptive enough to slow down the Purdue passing attack.

Oregon 38, Purdue 24


4. Georgia @ South Carolina

It is always entertaining when the Ol' Ball Coach matches up against the Dawgs. Spurrier was able to knock off Georgia early last season before Knowshon Moreno emerged and UGA caught fire at the end of last season.

This is going to be a battle of defenses as South Carolina QB's Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher have combined to throw 6 interceptions in their first two games. Georgia's offense has been impressive early, but it has yet to face a defense with a pulse. Georgia is averaging 237 yards per game on the ground, and it is no secret that stopping RBs Moreno and King is the key to shutting down the Georgia offense. South Carolina has done a decent job so far, allowing only 112 yards per game against two BCS opponents. If South Carolina can keep Georgia under 150 yards rushing and under 20 points, Spurrier has a shot at his second consecutive upset of Richt's Georgia squad.

The problem is, South Carolina just does not have enough on offense. South Carolina's best receiver, Kenny McKinley, will likely miss the game with a sore hamstring, and the South Carolina offensive line has had a tough time handling the pass rush so far. Even if the South Carolina defense can hold its own against Georgia, it is likely that the Bulldogs will be able to get into SC's backfield and force some QB mistakes.

Since the game is in Columbia, the Gamecocks will keep it close, but in the end they won't have the offensive fire power to overcome a more complete Georgia team.

Georgia 24, South Carolina 13


3. Kansas @ South Florida

Mark Mangino and Jim Leavitt were both once assistants on Bill Snyder's Kansas State staff in the early 90's. Last season both coaches put their respective programs on the map. USF once again has a chance to vault up the ratings by defeating a Top 15 opponent at home on a Friday night (Last year's victim was West Virginia).

The real match up here is the KU offense versus the USF defense. Former USF defensive line coach Dan McCarney packed his bags and left for Gainesville to replace departed UF defensive line coach Greg Mattison. The USF defensive line, and last year's breakout star George Selvie in particular, have had a tough time generating the amount of pressure on the QB that they did last season under McCarney's tutelage, but they have been stout against the run. Kansas has struggled mightily running the ball this season, managing only 3.7 ypc on the ground.

Kansas is also breaking in a pair of new tackles, so this may be the opportunity Selvie and Co. have been looking for to get going. If they can get to Kansas QB Todd Reesing they have an excellent shot at coming up with the home upset.

The USF offense appears to be improved, with a more mature Matt Grothe leading the attack. The Kansas defense is no slouch, though, giving up only 406 total yards in the first two games. They have not seen an offense the caliber of USF's yet.

South Florida 31, Kansas 27


2. Wisconsin @ Fresno State

Wisconsin has gotten off to slow starts in each of their first two games, and now they must travel to the west coast to face off against a very good Fresno St. squad who many believe could contend for a BCS bowl bid this year. Both squads are very similar in that they both rely on running the ball and playing good defense, while making just enough plays in the passing game to keep the chains moving.

Fresno State was able to shutdown the Ray Rice-less Rutgers running attack, while Wisconsin's defense has been dominant against Akron and Marshall. I believe the key to the game will be depth, and Wisconsin's ability to wear down the Fresno St. front seven will win them the game.

Wisconsin 20, Fresno State 17


1. Ohio State @ USC

This is the game most college football fans have been waiting for since LSU demolished OSU in last season's national championship game. The two schools have combined to play for or win the last six national championships, but oddly enough they have not faced each other since 1990.

Even though Mark Sanchez lit up the Virginia secondary in week one, I am still not sold on the USC passing game. Sanchez himself commented that he had so much time in the pocket he could have cooked some steaks. That won't happen against OSU. Everyone knows about the infinite amount of RBs Southern Cal has, but sometimes I think this hurts more than it helps as none of the backs ever get into any kind of rhythm. I think USC will try to keep the ball in the hands of Joe McKnight and CJ Gable for this game. They will have to use the run to setup the pass against OSU's talented secondary.

With or without Beanie Wells, OSU's offense has not fared well against defenses with elite speed like USC's. OSU may be able to run the ball against USC's reloaded defensive line, but I don't see how they are going to be able to make any plays throwing the ball. Eventually USC will be able to slow down the OSU running attack, and once they do that their is not much left for OSU to turn to. Like their QB, the OSU wide receivers are solid, but not great. If Pryor is kept on the bench, and I don't see how Tressel can keep him on the bench if they don't have Wells to carry the running game, OSU will struggle to score points.

I am sure by now Ohio State is tired of hearing they can't win the big game, but I don't think it will matter. Everyone insists that this Ohio State team is just as talented as the other contenders, but it seems like every time Ohio State has to prove that on the field they fail.

USC 31, Ohio State 14