Week Nine Preview

If the Trojans manage to squeeze out a win, they will most likely leapfrog Iowa -- depending on a Hawkeyes' victory -- in the standings and place them in position to challenge the Big Three (Florida, Alabama and Texas) if anyone of them falters in November. It will also seal the door on Boise State's slim BCS dream as the Broncos' win over the Ducks will not be influential enough to help them catch up with TCU. On the other hand, if Oregon wins, they will control the PAC 10 race, give Cincinnati a clearer path to the title game and in the process, they will become the best one loss team in the nation -- at least for one week.

The other big match-up of the week puts together two explosive offenses when Texas travels to Stillwater to square off against a surging Cowboy team. With a cupcake schedule after Saturday, a win will almost certainly place the Longhorns in the BCS title game against whom ever comes out of the SEC. But if State is able to pull out the upset, all bets are off; not only in the Big Twelve, but in the rankings as well.

#1 Florida (7-0) vs. Georgia (4-3)

This game has been dubbed for years "The World's Biggest Cocktail Party". In the past few years it has not really lived up to its lofty standards as UF have won 16 of the last 19 meetings (including last year's manhandling (49-10) of a loaded Bulldogs squad staked with two NFL first round selections on offense). Florida comes into this year's game unusually struggling on offense. They needed a big fourth quarter to dispatch an offensive-challenged Mississippi State team 29-19. The contest also marked Florida's QB Tim Tebow third sub par game in a row. The 2008 Heisman winner was a pedestrian 12-22 for 127 and 2 interceptions. He needs to turn it around quickly or Texas' Colt McCoy will run away with the trophy. As for Georgia, their problem all season has been stopping their opponents. Mark Ritch's once vaunted defense is giving up an alarming 27.7 points per game. Expect Tebow to rebound in a big away against the porous Bulldogs defense.

#3 Texas (7-0) at #14 Oklahoma State (6-1)

This it is for the Longhorns. With UCF, Baylor, Kansas and Texas A&M remaining on the schedule (to be followed by the always interesting Big 12 championship game), the Cowboys offer Texas their biggest hurdle toward an undefeated season and a spot in the BCS title game. At the heart of Texas' championship drive is McCoy. The four year starter shredded a bad Missouri defense for 269 yards and 3 TDs. The Cowboys are a much tougher opponent, even without all everything WR, Dez Bryan, Mike Gundy's team is scorching opponents at a 37-20 clipping. Cowboys' QB Zac Robinson is quietly having a very good season of his own, leading an energetic offense. Texas boasts the stingiest defense (13 point a game allowed) and a better special teams unit. But the game is at Stillwater and it feels that elements are aligning for an upset. Texas have not lost to State since 1997 and that should not change.

#4 Iowa (8-0) vs. Indiana (4-4)

The Hawkeyes barely escaped Michigan State last week, needing a miracle pass with no time remaining to defeat a middle of the road team. They seem to play up and down the level of competition they faced. If that is the case, the game against the Hoosiers should be an ugly one. Indiana's defense has allowed almost 100 points more that Iowa's. Their inept offense has struggled badly against a relatively weak schedule. Iowa has won 8 of the last 11 home games versus Indiana; no contest, but it will be closer than it should be.

#5 USC (6-1) at #10 Oregon (6-1)

The match-up of the week and one that will have a profound significance, no matter who wins it, on the BCS standings. For the Trojans, the road is easy: Win and hope for a Texas slip up and then a trip to the title game, no matter what Iowa, Cincinnati or the rest of the unbeaten do. For the Ducks, the road is more complicated as they need to have at least five teams lose before they can make it to Pasadena. This is a different USC team than the one many are accustomed to. QB Matt Barkley gives the Trojans a steady hand at the most important position. The true freshman's value cannot be measured in points of TDs (see the Washington debacle), but on the way the offense responds to him. Despite his presence and an all star backfield, USC will not defeat Oregon if their defense does not show up. The linebackers and defensive backs looked lost against the Beavers last week. Another such performance will probably knock the Trojans out of the title discussion. As for the Ducks, they need QB Jeremiah Masoli to have a consistent game. The versatile QB is the main reason Oregon is averaging 45.7 ppg in their last three ball games. He needs to keep it up if they are going to upset mighty USC. A fact to remember: Oregon's only signature win this season was against a mediocre Cal team. They lost to the only other quality opponent they faced this year, Boise State.

#6 TCU (7-0) UNLV (3-5)

For all intents and purposes, the season is over for TCU. Yes, there's a game against #19 Utah remaining, but that looks increasingly win-able. With the convincing win over BYU last Saturday, the Horned Frogs jumped over Boise State to become the highest ranked, non-automatic bid conference team in the nation. The Rebels are a talented, but undisciplined team that should not present much trouble to Gary Patterson's squad. TCU has held UNLV to 25 first downs combined in their last two meetings.

#7 Boise State (7-0) vs. San Jose State (1-5)

With the meat of their schedule over, the Broncos can only do one thing to impress the voters: win by big margins. Boise's QB Kellen Moore is one of the best signal callers nobody is hearing about. The sophomore sensation has thrown for 1,627 yards (67.7 completition percentage) with an amazing 21-2 TD/INT ratio. This should be over by the second quarter.

#8 Cincinnati (7-0) at Syracuse (3-4)

On paper, this game should not be close. The Orangemen have not being able to stop anybody (28.1 ppg allowed) this season. For their part, it appears that whoever is playing QB (Tony Spike or Zach Collaros) for the Bearcats will have a great outing. Cinci is second in the nation in scoring averaging almost 46 points a game; another blowout before halftime.

#9 LSU (6-1) vs. Tulane (2-5)

Of the one loss teams, LSU is just a notch below the Trojans. Everybody knew this Tiger team would improve on defense as the year progressed (13.8 ppg allowed), but the offense has been a revelation the past few weeks. It all started with the hard fought 13-3 loss to Florida. Ever since that, QB Jordan Jefferson and the rest of the offense have been pounding opponents, including visiting Auburn which they destroyed 31-10.

#11 Georgia Tech (7-1) at Vanderbilt (2-6)

The dream is still alive for the Yellow Jackets. Tech needs to win and hope for Texas, USC and LSU to lose in order to play for the BCS crown. A scenario not as far fetched as it seems. We all knew about Jonathan Dwyer's ability, but what this year has revealed is Josh Nesbitt's uncanny talent to make something out of nothing. The dual threat quarterback has rushed for 707 yards while scoring 11 times; more style points for Tech's BCS candidacy.

#12 Penn State (7-1) at Northwestern (5-3)

This is a sandwich game for the Nittany Lions as they host Ohio State next week. The Lions are flying under the radar, hoping Iowa stumble in two weeks versus the Buckeyes. The Wildcats should present little trouble to QB Daryll Clark (1,884 yards, 17 TD-7 INTs) and the rest of the powerful Penn State offense. Northwestern's only chance rests on the inconsistent arm of senior Mike Kafka, the Big Ten passing leader with 2,067 yards. State is just 2-2 in their last four visits to Evanston.

#13 Virginia Tech (5-2) vs. North Carolina (4-3) Thursday

A once promising season is quickly turning south for the Hokies. With Georgia Tech holding a commanding one game lead in the ACC Coastal Division, VT's only chance at reaching the league's title game rests with a Duke or Wake Forest upset over the Jackets. However, before they can entertain any though of going to Tampa, Tech needs to take care of business. The Tar Heels come off a disappointing home loss to Florida State. Tech holds a 5-0 advantage over Carolina since entering the league in 2004.