Week Nine Game Day Predictions

It's been a long week for myself, and for the rest of Blacksburg. As kickoff for week nine approaches, the time has come for another round of predictions. Last week I went 13-2, after nearly calling Michigan State's upset of Iowa. 


I expect another spectacular week of football. On this Halloween night, USC and Texas are running the risk of being spooked on the road against Oregon and Oklahoma State, respectfully. 


MISSISSIPPI 30, Auburn 20

• The Tigers continue their free-fall at home. They don't have a defense like South Carolina's or Alabama's, which were able to stop the Rebels.

HOUSTON 42, Southern Miss 35

• If this were in Hattiesburg, I'd love to pick the Eagles. i just think Houston scores too many points at home for the Eagles to keep up.

FLORIDA 28, Georgia 21

• Florida is losing respect every minute Tim Tebow keeps throwing interceptions, and Percy Harvin scores touchdowns for Minnesota.

MIAMI 30, Wake Forest 21

• Riley Skinner will do his best to circle the wagons and turn the Deacons' season around; Jacory Harris has way too many athletes around than Skinner.

CALIFORNIA 41, Arizona State 28

• Usually the Sun Devils fly under the radar before making a move towards the top of the conference this time of year. That's not happening in 2009.

BOSTON COLLEGE 20, Central Michigan 17

• Do not count out the Chippewas; many people are picking the road team in the upset. Boston College is a different team at home, and will squeak out a scary game this afternoon.

DUKE 28, Virginia 24

• Duke needs this win to keep its bowl chances alive. They get it today in Scott Stadium.

TEXAS TECH 45, Kansas 35

• Two electric offenses meet up in Lubbock today; the Red Raiders have owned the Jayhawks in recent years.

KENTUCKY 28, Mississippi State 24

• The Bulldogs hung with Florida thanks to two defensive touchdowns. Kentucky won't give the Bulldogs as many easy opportunities. 

OKLAHOMA 40, Kansas State 20

• Food for thought: Oklahoma's three losses have been by a combined five points. They are much better than an unranked BCS team. What could have been for the Sooners in 2009...

GEORGIA TECH 34, Vanderbilt 14

• Paul Johnson has Georgia Tech's offense playing as well as anyone in the nation. Vanderbilt is hardly the team to stop them.

NOTRE DAME 24, Washington State 13

• The Irish never blow anyone out (except Nevada), but Washington State is their best chance left to run somebody out of South Bend with authority.

TENNESSEE 24, South Carolina 21

• Love him or hate him, Lane Kiffin is a master motivator, and he'll have his Volunteers coming out strong after the heartbreaking loss last week in Tuscaloosa.

TEXAS 34, Oklahoma State 17

• Before the season began, I thought the Cowboys were the best team in the Big 12. That was when Dez Bryant was still eligible. Texas has soaring confidence after destroying Missouri last week, and the Cowboys just aren't the same team without Bryant.

USC 31, Oregon 21

• Matt Barkley is already one of the 15 best quarterbacks in America. Yes, seriously. He won't be frightened by any of the Ducks' tricks, and he'll give his receivers plenty of treats in a satisfying road win. 

LAST WEEK: 13-2

OVERALL: 45-15 (75%)