TEXAS at NEBRASKA
Noon Ch.7
Line: Texas by 61/2.
Angle: Texas coach Mack Brown arguably is doing his best coaching job, with a first-year starter at QB in Colt McCoy and no clear-cut team leader. The Longhorns dominated Oklahoma and their only loss is to the nation’s best team, Ohio State. The Huskers, whose only loss was at USC, are showing improvement under Bill Callahan. The defense has been very good for the last two seasons.
Eyes on: Texas SS Michael Griffin; Nebraska DE Adam Carriker.
PREDICTION: Nebraska 23, Texas 21.
UCLA at NOTRE DAME
2:30 p.m. Ch.4
Line: Notre Dame by 14.
Angle: The Bruins are reeling from the loss of starting QB Ben Olson and the Irish have had an extra week to prepare.
With all the attention on USC, the solid job Karl Dorrell has done at UCLA has been overlooked. Unfortunately for the Bruins, this is a tough trip to face a rested ND team that is alive for the national title game.
Eyes on: UCLA K Justin Medlock; ND QB Brady Quinn.
PREDICTION: Notre Dame 34, UCLA 17.
IOWA at MICHIGAN
3:30 p.m. Ch.7
Line: Michigan by 13.
Angle: There is no better front seven in college football than Michigan’s. Just ask Penn State, which had its top two QBs knocked out of a 17-10 loss. TheWolverines should again be withoutWR Mario Manningham (knee). Iowa should be plenty motivated after being upset at Indiana.
Eyes on: Iowa LB Mike Klinkenborg; Michigan DE LaMarr Woodley.
PREDICTION: Michigan 28, Iowa 26 (3 OTs).
RUTGERS at PITTSBURGH
5:45 p.m. ESPN2
Line: Pittsburgh by 61/2.
Angle:Who would have thought the day would come when undefeated Rutgers would play at once-beaten Pittsburgh with the winner in contention for the Big East title? Rutgers has the best defense in the league and Pittsburgh has the nation’s most efficient passer in Tyler Palko. The Panthers will try to stuff the Scarlet Knights’ run game and force QB Mike Teel to win one of the biggest games in Rutgers history.
Eyes on: Rutgers RB Ray Rice; Pitt LB H.B. Blades.
PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 27, Rutgers 24.
GEORGIA TECH at CLEMSON
7:45 ESPN
Line: Clemson by 8.
Angle: Georgia Tech shocked the Hokies at Virginia Tech, which is as tough a venue as there is in the ACC. Death Valley, however, is the toughest and Clemson has been playing with the most confidence of any ACC team. The Tigers also have had 10 days to prepare. Look for Clemson to make life miserable for Tech QB Reggie Ball.
Eyes on: TechWR Calvin Johnson; Clemson DE Gaines Adams.
PREDICTION: Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 14.
Last week, 1-4 Overall: 17-17-1.