Has there ever been a more important comeback victory in the history of Mountaineer football? WVU rallied from a 19 point deficit to defeat Maryland in 1992 and the ‘Eers overcame a 16 point halftime deficit to defeat Doug Flutie and Boston College in 1984, but this amazing comeback just might lead to a BCS bowl and a $13 Million payday. That’s $13,000,000!!! Not to mention a great recruiting tool that just might help Rich and his Merry Men recruit a few more players that can take this program to the next level. As our beloved Mountaineer ally (ha ha) Lee Corso says: Not so fast my friend.

Big East Games

Syracuse at Pitt (-13) Pitt won last week’s game against South Florida and lost it’s nickname, Pitt(iful), for at least a week. Panther QB Tyler Palko played like the 2004 version of himself as he passed for 203 yards and got standout WR Greg Lee involved in the offense against the Bulls last Saturday. Syracuse limps into the Steel City as they were squeezed hard by Rutgers in the Carrier Dome and their offensive players are finding it a difficult to the West Coast offense that new coach Greg Robinson has implemented this year. The Orange has a decent defense, but they have been on the field entirely too long in games this season and it has taken its toll on the morale of the players. Things won’t get any better for them as it is the Orange who are pitiful this weekend………..

Pitt 34 Syracuse 10

Rutgers (-3) at UConn This game is pivotal for both teams as they enter the contest with identical 4-2 records and are looking to become bowl eligible. The Scarlet Knights rebounded well from their previous week’s loss to West Virginia by traveling to the Carrier Dome and beating the Orange into a pulp. Rutgers completely manhandled Syracuse behind freshman quarterback Mike Teel who was making his first collegiate start in place of Ryan Hart. UConn will also be starting a freshman this weekend, but not by choice. The Huskies had lost starting quarterback Mike Bonislawski with a broken collarbone two weeks ago and lost backup D.J. Hernandez with a broken wrist in last weekends upset loss at Cincinnati. Enter freshman Dennis Brown who will get the start for UConn this weekend. This should be a decent game, but a Husky pup QB is no match for a battle tested Knight QB……

Rutgers 27 UConn 17

Louisville (-22) at Cincinnati Both of these teams were involved in upsets last weekend with the Cards losing to WVU while the Bearcats upset UConn. Louisville’s dream season was flushed down the Monongahela River last week as the Mountaineers stunned the redbirds in triple overtime. UC earned its first conference victory by upsetting the Huskies in grand fashion in the Queen City. These two schools have a history of shootouts during their days as Conference USA rivals, but U of L will be the only one who is firing on this day. It’s a good thing Cincinnati won last week because the ‘Cats won’t feast on these birds……..

Louisville 45 Cincinnati 20

Top 25

#1 USC at Washington (+30) USC won a classic last Saturday in South Bend as the Trojans scored the winning touchdown with seconds to go in the game after converting a fourth and eight in their own territory just prior to their TD. Matt Leinhart and Reggie Bush reaffirmed that they are legitimate Heisman contenders by coming up big in crucial moments of the game. UW was spanked at Oregon last weekend as the Huskies continue their rebuilding efforts under Tyrone Willingham. USC spent every last drop of emotion against the Irish and it’s doubtful that they will be a very crisp team this weekend, but… SC muzzles the Huskies…….

USC 42 Washington 16

#10 Texas Tech (+15½) at #2 Texas Who would have dreamt that this game would have more of an impact on the Big 12 South race than the Red River Rivalry?!!! Tech coach Mike Leach has his squad rolling and emotions will be high when the travel to Austin this week to encounter state rival Texas. The Longhorns believe this is their year to win a national title and they may be correct in their thinking. However, they have to make it to the Rose Bowl first and that could be in question if UT and Virginia Tech win the remaining games on their respective schedules. As big as this game is for Texas Tech, it’s even bigger for Texas as they need an impressive victory to enhance their ranking with the BCS computer polls. Hook ‘Em Horns……..

Texas 31 Texas Tech 24

#3 Virginia Tech at Maryland (+10½) Could there be a Hokie trap awaiting Virginia Tech at Byrd Stadium? The Hokies continue their quest for a national championship by taking on an improved Terrapins squad who is looking to salvage their season and climb back into the ACC Coastal race. Marcus “Dirty Bird” Vick and the Hokies have played well this season, but strange things have occurred in the sporting world over this past weekend. Can Maryland QB Sam Hollenbach continue his ACC leading pace of 264 yards of total offense per game and keep pace with the Hokies offense? Tech stumbled in weeknight games against West Virginia in 2002 & 2003, but that trend won’t continue as this bunch of turkeys just might play USC for the National Championship….

Virginia Tech 38 Maryland 24

Arkansas (+19½) at #4 Georgia Both teams were involved in games that ended 34-17 last weekend, but on different ends of the spectrum. UGA traveled to Nashville and defeated a pesky Vanderbilt team while Arkansas was downed by Auburn in Fayetteville. Outside of being humiliated at USC earlier in the season, Arkansas has been competitive in most of their games, especially considering their schedule. Georgia moved closer to clinching the SEC East title with last week’s victory and, assuming they win this game, will play Florida for that title next weekend. Yep, it’s a major “tweeener” game for the Georgia. The Bulldogs feast on the Hogs…....

Georgia 31 Arkansas 17

#3 Tennessee at #5 Alabama (-3½) It’s been a while since these two teams have played a game with so much on the line. Bama had a difficult time at Ole Miss last weekend, kicking the game winning field goal as time expired to stay undefeated in the SEC West. Meanwhile, the Vols have had two weeks to brew over their home loss to Georgia. which likely knocked UT out of the race for the SEC East crown. Tennessee has won nine of the last ten meetings between these institutions. Make it nine out of eleven as the Tide rolls to victory……

Alabama 20 Tennessee 14

#16 Auburn (+6½) at #7 LSU What a match up for the Saturday night ESPN game of the week! LSU overcame three lost fumbles to defeat Florida and Auburn penned Arkansas last weekend to set up this weekend’s showdown. The Bengal Tigers have to win this game to have any chance of winning the SEC West due to a second half collapse against Tennessee earlier in the season, while Auburn enters the game undefeated in conference play and tied with Alabama for first place. The home team has won the last five meetings. Let’s make it six as the battle of the Tigers goes to the Bengal Tigers….

LSU 24 Auburn 21

Oregon State at #8 UCLA (-9) The Beavers upset Cal in Berkeley last weekend just a week after UCLA defeated the Bears in the final seconds. UCLA found it hard to play with the same emotion as well as they struggled to defeat Washington State 44-41 in overtime to keep their record unblemished on the season. Both of these teams love to pass, but the running game will likely determine this outcome. The Bruins have Heisman candidate RB Maurice Jones-Drew who would be getting much more national acclaim if he played on the east coast and rival USC would not be garnering all of the west coast coverage. Jones-Drew is diminutive in stature, but he is one of the biggest game breakers in college football this year. Oregon State like to throw the ball with QB Matt Moore and that will be difficult this week as UCLA is surrendering only 191 yards through the air on the season. The Beavers are dammed by the Bruins……..

UCLA 38 Oregon State 27

BYU (+19½) at #9 Notre Dame Two inches. Two inches! It’s said that the difference between winning and losing is miniscule. The Irish found out just how true that is last weekend as they lost a heart breaker to USC. If Matt Leinhart’s fourth down conversion pass in the final seconds was off by two inches or if USC’s fumble at the goal line would have been two inches backward, Notre Dame, not USC would have been celebrating a historic win. Now the Irish find themselves having to pick up the pieces as an improving Cougars squad travels to South Bend. BYU finally has a balanced attack behind QB John Beck and RB Curtis Brown and catch the Irish in a very precarious emotional state. The Irish lost some of their fight last weekend, but the lucky leprechaun still prevails in \South Bend as Notre Dame tames the Cougars...

Notre Dame 27 BYU 21

#11 Florida State (-29½) at Duke The Seminoles got ambushed in Charlottesville last Saturday night as the Cavaliers of Virginia upset the ‘Noles. Poor Duke. They have already been walloped by Miami 52-7 this year, now they get the privilege of playing Florida State immediately after a loss. I have a feeling a lot of the Duke players may come down with “Seminole Fever” this week and don’t finish the game. The Seminoles bruise, batter, and scalp the Blue Devils…….

Florida State 63 Duke 14

#12 Penn State at Illinois (+16½) The Nittany Lions bubble was burst on the last play of the game last weekend at Michigan and the news got only worse after the game as freshman standout WR Derrick Williams was lost for the season with a broken arm. Even with the loss to the Wolverines, Penn State finds itself in a five way tie for first place with four league games to play. It also doesn’t hurt that Illinois is their next opponent as Ron Zook’s Illini have yet to win a conference game and are in the midst of a four game skid. That being said, did the Nittany Lions leave last weekends loss in Ann Arbor or are they still harboring the disappointment of their last second defeat? Penn State claws itself to victory against the Illini……….

Penn State 24 Illinois 17

#14 Ohio State (-15½) at Indiana Terry Hoeppner has done a wonderful job in his first year as the Hoosiers head coach, but he will have to do his best coaching job of the season if the Hoosiers are to pull this upset. The Buckeyes remained tied for first place in the Big Ten after their comeback victory against Michigan State. Ohio State took a page out of Virginia Tech’s playbook last week by returning a blocked field goal for a touchdown to swing momentum in the Buckeyes favor and possibly rekindle their conference title hopes. Indiana is undefeated at home this year and will play well in this game, but Troy Smith and his Ohio State teammates are just too athletic for Indiana. OSU has won the last ten meetings and will make it eleven in a row. The Buckeyes won’t crack yet……..

Ohio State 34 Indiana 17

#15 Oregon (-9½) at Arizona The Ducks blasted Washington last weekend and look to continue their winning ways as they travel to Tucson to take on an ailing Wildcat team that just cannot find any consistency. Arizona played fairly well in road losses to Cal and USC, but lost in Tucson to a weak Stanford team last weekend in a game which they were favored to win. Arizona’s season may soon get away from Mike Stoops’ troops if they don’t turn things around this weekend against Oregon. The Ducks host Cal next weekend and it is possible they will overlook the Wildcats, but it’s not likely. QB Kellen Clemons won’t let that happen as this is a mature Oregon team looking to move up in the polls. The Quack Attack silences the Wildcats...

Oregon 41 Arizona 14

Purdue at #19 Wisconsin (-7½) After a bump in the road at Northwestern, Wisconsin’s quest for the Big Ten title continued last week as they were literally handed a win at Minnesota. The Gophers punter wasn’t so Golden as he dropped a snap at his own five yard line and had his punt blocked for a touchdown with 31 seconds remaining in the game to give the Badgers a 38-34 victory. Purdue’s season of promise has turned into demise as the Boilermakers have lost their past four games, including their last three home games. Now they travel to 80,000 seat Camp-Randall Stadium to take on a Badger squad looking to give coach Barry Alvarez a season to remember in his last year at Wisconsin. This series between these schools hasn’t had a game that has been decided by more than one score in the past five years. That trend may end this weekend in a rather high scoring game. The Boilermakers won’t trap the Badgers in this one…..

Wisconsin 44 Purdue 34

#21 TCU at Air Force (PK) The Falcons finally got back on the winning track last weekend by beating UNLV while the Horned Frogs continued their winning ways by disarming Army. You would think that the 21st ranked team in the country would be a solid favorite over a 2-4 team, but the high altitude in Colorado Springs will provide a completely different environment than TCU is used to encountering. Backup QB Jeff Ballard has filled in quite well for the injured Tye Gunn and has the Horned Frogs on the cusp of a Mountain West crown. It doesn’t hurt that he has RB Robert Merrill and WR Cory Rodgers to lighten his load. Air Force loves to run the football, but that is the strength of the TCU defense. The Horned Frogs leap over Air Force…..

TCU 38 Air Force 24

Northwestern (+12) at #22 Michigan State The Wildcats have overcome early season jitters to become a contender for the Big Ten title. However, the road gets tougher this weekend as they travel to East Lansing to battle Drew Stanton and the Michigan State Spartans. For Northwestern to continue their title contention, they will have to pull their second consecutive road upset and defeat a very good Spartans team. Michigan State’s two losses this year have been to Michigan in overtime and last weekend at Ohio State where they had a field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown that completely turned the complexion of the game. This may come as surprise for many people, but Northwestern may just have the best QB/RB combination in the Big Ten in QB Brett Basanez and freshman RB Tyrell Sutton and this duo will have to perform at the top of their games if the Wildcats hope to pull the upset. Both teams average more than 500 yards of offense and surrender over 400 yards on defense so this should be a high scoring game. The Spartans outrun the ‘Cats………..

Michigan State 45 Northwestern 38

#23 Virginia at North Carolina (-1) The Cavaliers defeated Florida State last week for only the second time since the two schools have been in the ACC. This week brings Virginia coach Al Groh his biggest fear: Having a letdown against a lesser opponent – especially on the road against an opponent who was embarrassed in their last outing. You might recall that two weeks ago, a little school in northern Kentucky named Louisville hung 69 points on the Tar Heels for their worse loss in the history of UNC football. John Bunting’s squad has had two weeks to brew over that loss and are now looking to recapture some respect. It is also likely that many of the Cavs are a little dinged up after playing a very physical FSU team...The Cavs get Tar Heeled……

North Carolina 27 Virginia 21

#24 Fresno State (-28½) at Idaho These two teams are headed in opposite directions. Fresno State’s average margin of victory in their past three games is 30 points and the Bulldogs have a balanced attack. QB Paul Pinegar, along with RB’s Wendell Mathis and Bryson Sumlin, have carried FSU to the top of the WAC standings and on a collision course with conference rival Boise State in early November. The Vandals have won just one of their six contests this year and were blown out at Nevada last weekend 62-14. It doesn’t get any better this weekend as Fresno State comes to town with a team that is starting to gel into something special. The Bulldogs won’t get Vandalized this weekend.

Fresno State 51 Idaho 10

Washington State at #25 Cal (-11½) Both teams enter this game coming off close loses to UCLA and Oregon State respectively. The Cougars played their best game of the year against the Bruins, but were forced to kick a field goal in their first overtime that ultimately led to their demise. Cal’s loss was in large part a direct correlation to their last second loss to UCLA the previous weekend that lingered into the OSU game. Will the roles be reversed this weekend? It is very likely they will as the Golden Bears look to take out some anger on the Cougars, but they first must stop Pac 10 leading rusher Jerome Harrison who has eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark just six games into the season. WSU QB Alex Brink has struggled at times this year and will be blitzed continuously by a stingy Bear defense. Jeff Tedford won’t let his team lose three games in a row as the Bears grab the cats by their tail………….

Cal 34 Washington State 20

Bye Week: #13 Boston College & # 18 Florida; Postponed: #6 Miami & #20 West Virginia

With the Mountaineers off this weekend (Hurricane Wilma) and a cool and rainy weekend forecast, sit back and enjoy the best sport in the world: College Football!