The View From The Roof

Introducing The View From The Roof. Each week I will offer my insight, analysis and predictions on all of the key games in college football. Last week I went out on a limb and predicted that Appalachian State would score 27 at Michigan. Maybe I can predict another stunner. Don’t agree with my view? Feel free to share yours.

#9 Virginia Tech Hokies at #2 LSU Tigers
The Hokies didn’t look like the No. 9 team in the country against East Carolina, but with all of the non-football events surrounding the game, a lackluster performance was probably expected. That being said, the Hokies must improve tenfold on offense and defense if they expect to challenge the Tigers in Baton Rouge. LSU had the most unimpressive 45-0 win I’ve ever seen over Mississippi State as the Bulldogs hung close until a controversial pass interference call late in the second quarter. Both these teams are known for their terrific defenses so whichever team can avoid the big turnover and make one or two big plays on offense will come out victorious. Don’t ask me why, but I like the Hokes in this one by a safety.
Prediction:
Virginia Tech 12
LSU 10

Miami (FL) Hurricanes at #5 Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma put up 79 points over the weekend as freshman running back DeMarco Murray made Sooner fans quickly forget about Adrian Peterson, scoring five touchdowns in a little over two quarters of play, and freshman quarterback Sam Bradford made a splash in his first career start going 21-of-23 for 363 yards and three touchdowns. After Miami named him the starting quarterback, Kirby Freeman was less than stellar completing only 9-of-21 passes for 86 yards in the Hurricanes 31-3 win over Marshall. The Sooners are going to load the box in this one forcing Freeman to beat them through the air, which he will not. Oklahoma’s offense will definitely come back down to earth against the Hurricanes speedy defense, but I like Murray to pound the ball early on and open it up for Bradford to hit Malcolm Kelly, Juaquin Iglesias and the 10 other weapons that the Sooners have at their disposal on offense.
Prediction:
Oklahoma 27
Miami 17

#19 TCU Horned Frogs at #7 Texas Longhorns
Texas struggled mightily in their season opening win over Sun Belt Conference bottom-dweller Arkansas State. The Longhorns defense gave up nearly 400 yards of total offense and quarterback Cot McCoy looked pedestrian throwing two interceptions and three more passes that should have been picked off. Without the services of two-time All-Conference end Tommy Blake, TCU didn’t lose a step on defense shutting out Baylor 27-0 behind freshman quarterback Andy Dalton. The Horned Frogs have beaten the last five Big 12 schools they have played including the likes of Texas Tech and Oklahoma. I like TCU to pull off the intra-state upset and up that Big 12 winning streak to six.
Prediction:
TCU 17
Texas 13

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #14 Penn State Nittany Lions
Embarrassing is the only way to describe how the Irish looked in their loss to Georgia Tech. The offense stunk and the defense stunk, but it won’t get any easier. Notre Dame now has to travel to Happy Valley to face a Penn State team that is better than Georgia Tech. Penn State linebackers Dan Connor and Sean Lee will look to welcome freshman phenom Jimmy Clausen when he makes his first start at quarterback for the Irish. The stingy Nittany Lion defense will take control of this game early and make Clausen wish he wasn’t there. The Penn State offense led by quarterback Anthony Morelli will have a field day against a very porous Irish defense. This game could get ugly in the first quarter as Penn State gets revenge for their blowout loss last year to Notre Dame.
Prediction:
Penn State 45
Notre Dame 3

South Florida Bulls at #17 Auburn Tigers
The Tigers once again have an excellent defense and more than enough talent on the offensive side. For the first time in the program’s history, South Florida received votes in the AP poll and fans are buzzing about their dark-horse Heisman candidate, quarterback Matt Grothe. The Bulls are usually good for one big upset a season, knocking off No. 9 Louisville two years ago and No. 3 West Virginia last year. They will pull off another upset this year, just not in this game. Auburn’s quickness and physicality on defense will put constant pressure on Grothe forcing him into some bad decisions. The Tigers offense will get it done behind the smashed-mouth running of Ben Tate and the smarts of senior quarterback Brandon Cox.
Prediction:
Auburn 27
South Florida 13

Oregon Ducks at Michigan Wolverines
Unless you were under a rock over the weekend you know that the Wolverines were a part of the biggest upset in college football history as Appalachian State from the division formerly known as 1-AA went into the Big House and embarrassed the Wolverines 34-32. Oregon and quarterback Dennis Dixon will come to Ann Arbor with the same spread offense that App. State used, only with bigger and faster weapons. Over the last three games – all losses – the Wolverine defense has given up 1329 yards of offense, an average of 443 yards per game. With all of that being said, I look for the Wolverines to say enough is enough and come out fired up and hitting on all cylinders. The explosive and experienced Michigan offense will take it upon itself to score every possession and the defense will step up and make some crucial stops. I’m going big or going home with this one as I think Michigan scores early and often on their way to a little bit of redemption with a big win over the Ducks.
Prediction:
Michigan 49
Oregon 28

North Carolina State Wolfpack at Boston College Eagles
After bolting BC for the Wolfpack last December, Coach Tom O’Brien will make his anticipated return to Chestnut Hill. O’Brien isn’t the only story coming into this game, though, as senior quarterback Matt Ryan has Eagles fans already chanting his name for the Heisman after his 408 yard, five touchdown performance against Wake Forest. The Wolfpack come off an embarrassing 25-23 loss to Central Florida where at least it looks like O’Brien found his new starting quarterback in Nebraska transfer Harrison Beck. NC State’s defense could not stop the running game of UCF so look for Boston College to exploit that weakness and try to get Andre Callender off and running early to open up the passing lanes for Ryan. O’Brien is in for a rude homecoming as Matt Ryan and the BC offense are going to be too much for the Wolfpack to overcome.
Prediction:
Boston College 34
NC State 17

Other Top 25 Action:
#3 West Virginia Mountaineers over Marshall Thundering Herd
Pat White and Steve Slaton may spend most of the second half on the bench.

#4 Florida Gators over Troy Trojans
It won’t be as easy this week for Tim Tebow, but he will still get the job done.

#5 Wisconsin Badgers over UNLV Rebels
P.J. Hill should run the ball with ease against a bad UNLV defense.

#10 California Golden Bears over Colorado State Rams
Maybe teams will finally realize it: DON’T KICK THE BALL TO DESEAN JACKSON.

#11 Georgia Bulldogs over South Carolina Gamecocks
Matt Stafford looks like a legit All-SEC quarterback and that Bulldog defense is nasty.

#12 Ohio State Buckeyes over Akron Zips
Look for Beanie Wells to break out as the Buckeyes get their running game going.

#13 UCLA Bruins over Brigham Young Cougars
UCLA won’t put up 600 yards again but the offense looks to finally be catching up to its great defense.

#16 Nebraska Cornhuskers over Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Marlon Lucky is a monster in the Nebraska backfield and without Riley Skinner, Wake stands no chance.

#20 Hawaii Warriors over Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Colt Brennan might have to play into the third quarter in this one which means 500 yards and seven or eight touchdowns.

#21 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets over Samford Bulldogs
Tashard Choice could crack the 200-yard mark in this one.

#22 Boise State Broncos over Washington Huskies
Ian Johnson will face a much stiffer defense so look for quarterback Taylor Tharp to make some plays down the field.

#23 Texas A&M Aggies over Fresno State Bulldogs
Pat Hill will have Fresno ready, but Stephen McGee and the 12th man will be too much for the Bulldogs.

#24 Tennessee Volunteers over Southern Miss Golden Eagles
The Volunteer defense needs to step up in this one after their poor showing against Cal.

#25 Clemson Tigers over Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
C.J. Spiller and James Davis should both crack the 100-yard barrier.