WEST VIRGINIA at SYRACUSE
Line: West Virginia by 26 1/2.
Angle: While Las Vegas waits to learn the status of West Virginia QB Pat White (thigh bruise), we’re comfortable with White or his backup Jarrett Brown. Regardless of who plays, Syracuse doesn’t have nearly the team speed on defense that South Florida has used two years in a row to upset the Mountaineers. What a bizarre year for the Big East: Rutgers, Louisville and West Virginia are out of the national championship picture, but Cincinnati, Connecticut and South Florida are undefeated.
Eyes on: West Virginia RB Noel Devine; Syracuse DE Jameel McClain.
PREDICTION: West Virginia 54, Syracuse 10.
TEXAS at OKLAHOMA (in Dallas)
Line: Oklahoma by 11.
Angle: This went from Game of the Year to Afterthought of the Week in a hurry. Both Big 12 powers are coming off shocking losses. The Longhorns were clocked at home by a pedestrian Kansas State team; Oklahoma blew a 24-7 lead and lost at Colorado. The Sooners were playing as well as any team in the nation and Texas had struggled. There are questions about Texas QB Colt McCoy’s health (concussion). Now that coaches Bob Stoops and Mack Brown have won national titles, this game could indicate which program has the edge.
Eyes on: Texas WR Limas Sweed; Oklahoma CB Reggie Smith.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma 33, Texas 17.
FLORIDA at LSU
Line: LSU by 9.
Angle: Florida was beat at home by Auburn on the last play of the game, but the Gators can get right back in the national championship hunt by upsetting the Tigers, who moved into first place in the AP poll for the first time since 1954. We don’t question if LSU can win at home but nine points against Urban Meyer and his staff is too generous. The game comes down to turnovers and the play of Florida QB Tim Tebow. He has been able to throw his body all over the field, but sooner or later that can spell trouble in the SEC.
Eyes on: Florida WR Percy Harvin; LSU WR Early Doucet.
PREDICTION: Florida 31, LSU 28.
NOTRE DAME at UCLA
Line: UCLA by 20 1/2.
Angle: Anyone who watched the Bruins upset USC last season asked the same question: How did that UCLA team lose to Notre Dame? The Bruins haven’t forgotten last year’s loss and the best way to get back into the nation’s eye after a shocking 44-6 loss at Utah is to put a hurting on the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen of Thousand Oaks, Calif., comes home and he’ll be a marked man. UCLA has gotten inconsistent QB play from Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan. The Irish showed improvement last week in the loss to Purdue, but the Bruins have a much better defense.
Eyes on: Notre Dame S/PR Tom Zbikowski; UCLA DE Bruce Davis.
PREDICTION: UCLA 35, Notre Dame 13.
CINCINNATI at RUTGERS
Line: Rutgers by 3 1/2.
Angle: Is Cincinnati this year’s Rutgers? The Bearcats have been ranked in consecutive AP polls for the first time since 1954 and they lead the nation in interceptions. The Scarlet Knights have had a week of pain and distraction. They could be without safety Ron Girault, who makes the calls in the backfield, and his backup, Glen Lee. Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen crossed the line when accused the Knights of deliberately trying to hurt his quarterback, Jordan Steffy, in last week’s 34-24 Terrapins win. Rutgers didn’t just lose a game, it got beat (giving up 239 rushing yards) and beat up. It’s time to see if the program is built on stilts or a solid foundation.
Eyes on: Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk; Rutgers DT Eric Foster.
PREDICTION: Rutgers 21, Cincinnati 17.
Last week 3-2; Overall 15-10.