Week 10 Precap

Thank goodness for November.

After a largely unremarkable October, things at least start getting warmer this week. The feces hits the fan every year when November arrives, and this year should be no different. And we've got a few interesting games this weekend that will help us welcome this month into our college football lives. Not as many as we'd like—particularly with only two games between ranked teams—but there's a few. So let's get started!

Alabama vs. LSU

The funny thing about bye weeks is that they can be good for some teams and bad for others. For teams that are hitting a hot streak, there is nothing worse than a bye week. They are in the zone and the best thing they can do is stay in the routine that they have down to such a science. But for teams that are beat up and need some rest to recover their legs and ease their bruises, it is a welcome relief that can help them get their fire back for the stretch run. And there are simply some teams come out of bye weeks looking like they are half-asleep, while others come out like they are ready to party.

Alabama was limping after the Tennessee game. Their offense wasn't running on all cylinders, though their defense was still clicking pretty well. LSU did not have a bye week, but they seem to finally be getting into their groove. But Alabama is still significantly better than LSU, and I think the week off will help the Tide get themselves shored up, healed up, and ready to play again. Supposing they aren't the drowsy types, I'll take Alabama to get back to their old form at the expense of the Tigers.

Ohio State vs. Penn State

Ohio State's offense has been underwhelming as of late, and it seems to be stuck in second gear. Meanwhile, Penn State's offense has been improving through the year and they seem to be figuring some things out. However, Ohio State's defense has been getting things done in a big way, particularly in a glorified bye week against New Mexico State. Penn State's defense has also been particulary stingy, as they are leading the Big Ten in most all of the important categories.

Against Penn State, Terrelle Pryor will not be able to get away with those jump balls and late passes he keeps throwing. Meanwhile there are some matchups in the secondary that Darryl Clark can exploit against an otherwise stout Ohio State defense. And if Ohio State's back seven starts moving backwards on their first steps, the underrated Evan Royster will make them pay. It won't be as crazy in Beaver Stadium as it would be if this were a true night game, but it's going to be night enough in the second half. Penn State wins.

Cincinnati vs. Connecticut

I had expected this to be a bigger game. But Connecticut is, understandably, reeling under the loss of a teammate in such a tragic manner. Clearly, the strain its toll on the Huskies, and playing the top team in the conference is not going to make it any better. Connecticut is a team that could use a week off to grieve and let out a few emotions that have to be about ready to boil over. But it ain't getting one. Cincinnati takes the win going away.

Michigan vs. Purdue

Michigan had better start figuring some things out... fast. They are pulling apart at the seams, and they have a tough two-game finish to the schedule, as they take on Wisconsin and Ohio State to close the season. They are still one game from bowl eligibility; they need to get it here, or they may not get it at all. I think they will beat Purdue. But with the way things are going for the Wolverines right now, I wouldn't bank on it.

USC vs. Arizona State

and

Oregon vs. Stanford

These games are intriguing simply for the fact that we are in some very new territory in the Pac-10. Oregon slayed the dragon and USC finds itself the vanquished foe. And it wasn't as though it was a close game, either, the final score was pretty lopsided. The problem comes in when both teams face the remainder of their seasons and say, "Now what?"

In case everyone forgot, there are still several football games left on both Oregon's and USC's schedules, and both teams need to figure out how to win them. Oregon isn't in the Rose Bowl yet, and USC can still get themselves into a BCS bowl by winning out. Oregon can't enjoy the win and USC can't lick their wounds, because there isn't time for either right now. Both teams are in entirely new circumstances and they both desperately need to deal with these new realities.

Everyone knows that it isn't easy to deal with failure. What most people don't understand is that it can be even more difficult to deal with success. Both teams need to get refocused and repurposed if they are going to make something of this season. We find out if they can do that this weekend. I'm picking both USC and Oregon to win this week, but I'm keeping my eyes on them to see if one team can rebound and the other can maintain focus and intensity.

Oklahoma vs. Nebraska

Overshadowed by all the boring games this weekend is the fact that Nebraska and Oklahoma are renewing their rivalry from the days of the Big Eight. It seems a bit odd that a battle between these two titans of the plains is no big deal on the national stage of college football, but there we are. Both teams are limping into this game in the midst of underwhelming seasons. Neither team is winning as much as they'd like, but Nebraska is reconstructing their program and Oklahoma is struggling with injuries in what was already going to be a rebuilding year.

Nebraska should be able to make this a good game, as they have the power on the defensive line to take advantage of an Oklahoma offensive line that has had its problems. But Oklahoma has a pretty good defense too, and Nebraska's offense is still learning its own methods. Oklahoma wins.