Week 7 College Football Preview

Tim Tebow made a big return after his concussion to lead the Gators past LSU in a big top 5 battle. Other than that, it seemed like a pedestrian weekend with a few good games.

Recap of last week: Troy and Nevada both had blowout wins at home against Middle Tennessee and Louisiana Tech, respectively. Both Akansas and Tennessee had big blowout wins in SEC games. Auburn was ranked for the first time this year, but didn't deliver against Arkansas and looked completely different than the team coming in. While Georgia suffered a tough late loss to LSU and went to Tennessee and looked flat. Houston was able to bounce back this week and get themselves back in the rankings after that tough blowout loss to UTEP. Wisconsin had a chance to make some noise in the Big Ten, but looked overmatched a better Ohio State team. Oregon continued their winning ways with nice win over UCLA. Sam Bradford returned for Oklahoma this week and he looked very impressive as the Sooners crushed Baylor. They now turn their attention to a big game this coming week with Texas. TCU stayed on track for a perfect season this week with a win at Air Force. And the problems for Bobby Bowden and Florida State continued as they lost a high scoring affair with Georgia Tech.

In terms of my top 5 matchups picks, I went 5-0 this past week for the first time and after six weeks I'm 21-9 on the year. I thought Boston College would go to Virginia Tech and play a little better, but they were clearly overmatched the whole time against a better Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech took care of business and lay in wait if they continue to take care of business to get themselves in the national title game picture. Michigan battled Iowa very tough and it came down to the wire again for the Wolverines. Unfortunately for them they ended up on the short end of the stick for a second week in a row. Iowa continues to look good and keeps themselves perfect. A nice win for Iowa against a good Michigan team adds to their credibility in top team bragging rights conversations. For a while on Thursday night, it looked as if Missouri was poised to knock off Nebraska and remain undefeated. However, almost out of nowhere the Cornhuskers turned it around and blew away Missouri in the second half and gave Missouri its first lost. Nebraska's win was big in the race for number one in the Big 12 North and has them in the top 20.

Mississippi had a lot of SEC championship game potential and featured a possible Heisman candidate in Jevan Sneed. Now they look like a completely different team and that QB doesn't look very good. Alabama went to Mississippi and dismantled the Rebels. Alabama's defense continues to look very good and their offense is capable to keep up with most offenses. Each week it looks like they are running through teams and on a mission to get back to SEC championship game, where the winner most likely will play for a national title. Speaking of which, Florida at LSU had heavy title game repercussions. There was a lot of uncertainty if Florida QB and all around athlete, Tim Tebow, was going to play. He was truly a game time decision and he showed up and delivered. He did enough to guide the Gators to a touchdown and it truly the difference in this close defensive struggle. Many thought LSU was under performing, but even in defeat they showed a lot and can play with any team. The Tim Tebow legacy definitely wrote itself another chapter with this win. And they look to be the other half of collision course with Alabama in the SEC.

Now turning to this week's slate of games that might be worth watching/feature a team or teams with something on the line:

Tuesday Night
Arkansas State at Louisiana-Monroe: This another ho-hum Tuesday night game. Don't expect anything too spectacular.

Wednesday Night
No. 5 Boise State at Tulsa: Boise State has been playing well enough to win all their games thus far and Tulsa could be their last hurdle in their bid for perfection and a big bowl game.

Friday Night
Pittsburgh at Rutgers: It is not as big a game as the Thursday Night battle between Cincinnati and South Florida, but both Pittsburgh and Rutgers are still in the fight for the Big East title. Rutgers has had Pittsburgh number in recent years and would be their biggest win this year and redeem their opening loss to Cincinnati. Pittsburgh has been on the incline and would love a win.

No. 11 Iowa at Wisconsin: Wisconsin suffered a tough loss to Ohio State last week and can score a big win against another top Big Ten team in Iowa. Iowa needs to be on upset alert as the season progress because they are the only undefeated Big Ten left and could jump Ohio State.

Arkansas at No. 1 Florida: Florida survived LSU’s challenge and has to avoid a let down against a good Arkansas team who just beat a previously ranked Auburn. For Arkansas, it would be a big win following that big Auburn win.

California at UCLA: Both teams haven’t played as well as they hoped and have something to prove.

Colorado State at No. 12 TCU: TCU’s path to an undefeated season now turns to Colorado State. They should be the better team, but they need to come out strong to avoid a loss.

Stanford at Arizona: Both teams have played better this year and could put on a good game that is close throughout.

No. 17 Kansas at Colorado: Kansas is still undefeated and faces a Colorado team that played well against Texas last week. They both want to make a case for Big 12 North bragging rights.

Kentucky at Auburn: How will Auburn respond from their big blowout loss to Arkansas? Kentucky is a capable team, but I think Auburn will come out and play a lot better than last week.

Now for my top 5 matchups of Week 7:

5) No.8 Cincinnati at No. 21 South Florida: This is the first truly big game of the year in the Big East. Both teams have looked very impressive this year and beaten good out of conference teams. Both teams possess great quarterbacks and Cincinnati's QB Tony Pike is in the Heisman conversation. The winner of this match will be the driver seat for now in the Big East to win the conference title. Cincinnati also has a great chance to get in the national title picture if they can get past South Florida. Cincy plays well on the road. Pick: Cincinnati

4) No. 4 Virginia Tech at No. 19 Georgia Tech: Both teams are battling each week in the ACC and have overcome tough battles thus far. Virginia Tech has looked awesome on defense and should have enough power to shut down the Georgia Tech triple option. Georgia Tech took care of Florida State last week and has looked very good thus far and a win over Virginia Tech would help them climb the polls. The Hokies are looking really good after some defensive mistakes early this year. Pick: Virginia Tech

3) No. 22 South Carolina at No. 2 Alabama: The Alabama Tide is certainly rolling thus far. This team is not only winning, but beating good teams by wide margins. The defense has been hungry and aggressive despite a couple injuries. South Carolina likewise has started out 2009 looking good. They have won some tough games and this is their biggest challenge yet. They were able to knock off then No. 4 Mississippi, but this Alabama team had little trouble with Rebels. I think Alabama is truly one of few top elite teams this year and will be focused against another tough SEC opponent at home. Pick: Alabama

2) No. 6 USC at No. 25 Notre Dame: Here we are again. The next chapter in lengthy rivlary between USC and Notre Dame will be written at South Bend this weekend. USC has been taking care of business since that Washington stumble. Notre Dame has been on rise and are ranked for the first time in about two years. They have been dominated during much of Pete Carroll's tenure at USC and would love to knock the Trojans out of the national title picture with a second loss. The Trojans will come ready to take anything the Fighting Irish and their very good QB Jimmy Clausen. This one hopefully should be better than the last few battles. Could we see another Bush-esc push? Pick: USC

1) No. 20 Oklahoma at No. 3 Texas: This is not as big a game as it billed last year and coming into this year. Both QBs Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy returned and there was a strong possibly of top 5 matchup occurring like last year. Bradford went down and the Sooners have lost two games while Texas has remained on track and undefeated. Oklahoma now can play the role of spoiler for Texas. Texas knows last year that one loss cost them a chance to play for the Big 12 title and national title. They are poised with a win to run the rest of the schedule and get in that Big 12 title game and win and face most likely the winner of the SEC title game. These two have waged quite a few good battles and is an excellent way to start Saturday's action. Bradford returned last week and looked very good and should play strong against Texas. Texas' running game is struggling a bit with some injuries and the game for them will probably come down to how well McCoy can play. It is a big game for the two teams and two QBs. Let's get it on! Pick: Texas

Looks like a lot of good action and many ranked teams facing each other. Could shift the polls and rankings next week. See how the top teams respond to challenges this week as the season's end keeps getting closer.