Whew! I had a rough week last week, but I’m still standing. No one likes to go 1-4 and that is why I am going to bounce back this weekend. Keep at least one eye on these college football games.
Tulane (3-1) at No. 13 Texas (2-1)
The Green Wave rolls into Austin, Texas to battle the Longhorns Saturday night on TBS. Tulane hopes to avoid catching the Arizona jinx on TBS, but may be in for a long evening. Texas has not allowed a Tulane score since 1962, outscoring the Wave 132-0 in the previous four meetings. Sorry Tulane.
Texas 42, Tulane 14
Iowa State (2-1) at No. 22 Northern Illinois (3-0)
Northern Illinois earned its first Top 25 ranking in school history after posting a 19-16 victory at Alabama last Saturday. The Huskies also knocked off then No. 14 Maryland in overtime earlier this season. But the Huskies are prime for a letdown. The Cyclones were idle last weekend and two weeks to prepare for this upset is enough for me.
Iowa State 23, Northern Illinois 14
No. 20 Minnesota (4-0) at Penn State (2-2)
Things are not so happy in Happy Valley these days, as Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions look for answers this weekend against the Gophers. Minnesota is aiming for its first 5-0 start since 1987, but Penn State has won four of the last six meetings between the schools. But Minnesota has won the last two. Make it three.
Minnesota 28, Penn State 13
No. 19 Pittsburgh (2-1) at Texas A&M (2-1)
The Aggies welcome the Panthers to College Station, Texas. The Aggies lost to Virginia Tech last Thursday 35-19, battling Hurricane Isabel in the process. But the Panthers experienced a huge setback, flopping against Toledo 35-31. By the way, Toledo, the local high school called and they want their stadium back. Pitt wideout Larry Fitzgerald was not to blame for the loss, grabbing 12 passes for 201 yards and a score. Fitzgerald has caught a touchdown pass in nine straight games. I like records, he should score all the points the Panthers need this weekend.
Pittsburgh (Fitzgerald) 28, Texas A&M 17
No. 21 Washington State (3-1) at No. 15 Oregon (4-0)
Apparently, the jerseys are for real. The Ducks knocked off Michigan at home last weekend 31-27 and held the Wolverines’ leading rusher Chris Perry to a pedestrian 26 yards. Washington State is led by quarterback Matt Kegel, who threw for a career-best 346 yards last weekend against New Mexico. One suggestion, Matt – do not stare directly at Oregon’s jerseys, you will go blind.
Oregon 30, Washington State 21