2008 Weekend On Tap: Week 7

Click on any game to get Athlon's preview or head on over to our team pages to find a game preview for the rest of the 119 D-I teams. Also, be sure to check out this week's Goal Line Stand column and Five Burning Questions.

Clemson (+2.5) at Wake Forest (Thursday)

If there is one stat that tells you all you need to know about Clemson over the past several seasons, this is it: The Tigers were favored in each of their last 11 losses. Why is this pertinent to this game? Because Clemson is not the favored team. So does this mean Tommy Bowden’s club is going to win? Not necessarily, but I like the Tigers in this spot because the vast majority of college football observers have already given up on this team. And we all know Clemson is at its best when expectations are low.

Clemson 24, Wake Forest 21

Texas (+7) vs. Oklahoma

For the first time since 2004, both Texas and Oklahoma enter the Red River Shootout without a loss. Oklahoma was the preseason pick by most to win the Big 12 South and is receiving more attention on a national scale, but Texas has been every bit as impressive as the Sooners. The Longhorns have won their first five games by an average score of 47–11 and have not given up more than 14 points in any single contest. Here’s an interesting note on this series: Last year’s 28–21 OU win was the first time since 1997 that this game had been decided by less than 10 points.

Oklahoma 28, Texas 27

South Carolina (+1) at Kentucky

This is far from the sexiest game on the docket, but it’s a key battle for two teams jockeying for position in the SEC East. South Carolina showed some signs of life with a 31–24 win at Ole Miss last Saturday behind a solid effort from embattled quarterback Chris Smelley. The sophomore completed 22-of-32 for 327 yards and three touchdowns and, most important, was only intercepted one time. This week, Smelley takes on a Kentucky defense that is allowing only 7.8 points per game. Granted, the schedule hasn’t been too tough, but the Cats’ defense made a statement last Saturday by holding Alabama to 17 points.

South Carolina 20, Kentucky 17

Colorado (+14) at Kansas

Colorado has taken a couple of steps back since its thrilling overtime win against West Virginia on national television a few weeks ago. The Buffs lost to Florida State in Jacksonville 39–21 before returning home and losing to Texas 38–14. The task appears to be very difficult once again this week, but Kansas might not be quite as good as its lofty ranking indicates. The Jayhawks have faced two BCS conference foes so far this season: They lost at South Florida and had to come back from a 20–0 deficit to beat Iowa State. I’m not saying KU isn’t a good team; just watch out for the Buffs this week.

Kansas 34, Colorado 27

Tennessee (+12.5) at Georgia

Everything points to a big Georgia win this week in Athens. But everything pointed to a big Georgia win last year in Knoxville, and we all remember what happened (UT led 28–0 at the half en route to a 35–14 win, in case you didn’t remember). And back in 2004, when the Dawgs were a 12.5-point favorite (the only other time they have been a double-digit favorite in this series in the past 20 years), Tennessee strolled out of Sanford Stadium with a 19–14 win. All of this would mean something if Tennessee had an offense capable of scoring some points.

Georgia 28, Tennessee 10

Michigan State (-2.5) at Northwestern

I’m not shocked that Northwestern is undefeated through five games, but is a bit surprising how the Wildcats are getting it done — on defense. Pat Fitzgerald’s club is allowing only 12.4 points per game, one year after giving up an average of 31.0. The schedule will get more difficult and the defensive numbers will drop (or rise, depending on how you look at it), but defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz is doing a great job in his first year after getting run out of town in Madison. This week, Hankwitz must find a way to slow down MSU’s Javon Ringer, arguably the nation’s premier running back.

Michigan State 24, Northwestern 20

Notre Dame (+7) at North Carolina

Notre Dame has only made one road trip this season, and the results weren’t too promising. The Irish lost 23–7 at Michigan State due in large part to their inability to stop Spartan tailback Javon Ringer. North Carolina doesn’t have anyone in Ringer’s class, but the Heels do feature an emerging star in converted defensive back Shaun Draughn, who rushed for 109 yards last week vs. UConn. North Carolina has recovered from the seemingly crippling loss of quarterback T.J. Yates. Junior Cam Sexton, who started five games two years ago, has stepped in and led the Heels to wins at Miami and vs. UConn. Notre Dame is improved, but UNC is better.

North Carolina 27, Notre Dame 18

Oklahoma State (+13.5) at Missouri

Despite its national ranking (17 in both major polls) and 5–0 record, Oklahoma State is slipping under the national radar. The Cowboys have scored 50 points or more in four straight games and are averaging over 300 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. The defense looks to be improved from last year, but Houston is the only really solid offensive team the Pokes have faced to date and the Cougars dropped 37 points and 483 yards on O-State. This week, the challenge for the Cowboy defense is enormous; Missouri is arguably the most explosive offensive team in the nation, averaging over 50 points and 400 yards per game. Both teams figure to score a ton of points.

Missouri 47, Oklahoma State 41

LSU (+6.5) at Florida

The game of the day pits the last two teams to win the national championship. It’s almost a must-win situation for Florida, which already has a loss at home to Ole Miss on its resume. LSU can put itself in great position to play for another title with a win in the Swamp. The Tigers still have dates with Georgia and Alabama, but both the Dawgs and Tide must visit Baton Rouge. Florida has yet to hit its stride offensively, but this team is still averaging 36.0 points per game against a schedule that has featured four BCS conference foes. LSU’s defense has been solid, but the Tigers did give up 21 and 24 points, respectively, to Auburn and Mississippi State, two teams that haven’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard.

Florida 28, LSU 23

Penn State (-4.5) at Wisconsin

Penn State has aced every test this season en route to a dominating 6–0 start. The Lions’ offense, so vanilla in recent years, has been dynamic with Daryll Clark running the show from the quarterback position. Penn State scored a season-low 20 points in last week’s win at Purdue but still managed to roll up 442 yards of total offense. I have a question: Where was Clark last year? Wisconsin needs a win in a very, very bad way. The Badgers are coming off back-to-back losses to Michigan and Ohio State by a combined five points. A third-straight loss all but ends this team’s already slim Big Ten title hopes.

Penn State 27, Wisconsin 17

Last week: 8–2 straight up (7–3 against the spread)
Season: 35–25 straight up (32–26–2 against the spread)

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