Each Friday, SI.com's Stewart Mandel weighs in
with his forecast of
the weekend's biggest games. |
| Nov. 1 |
 
Sat., 7:45 p.m. EDT | ESPN |
No. 2 Miami (7-0) at No. 10 Virginia Tech (6-1)
A couple of Miami's defenders said this week they're sick of facing fancy spread offenses and can't wait for a team like Virginia Tech that lines up in standard formations and runs right at them. You mean, kind of like Ohio State?
Virginia Tech 21, Miami 17 |
 
Sat., 3:30 p.m. EDT | ABC |
No. 14 Oklahoma State (7-1) at No. 1 Oklahoma (8-0)
Oklahoma State's offensive trifecta of Josh Fields, Tatum Bell and Rashaun Woods is bringing back memories of 1988's Mike Gundy, Barry Sanders and Hart Lee Dykes. And like that team, this one is destined for 10-2.
Oklahoma 33, Oklahoma State 24 |
 
Sat., 7 p.m. EDT | ABC |
No. 6 Washington State (7-1) at No. 3 USC (7-1)
Wait a minute, two of the nation's top six teams are facing each other this week? And it's only considered the third-biggest game? Damn that un-American BCS. If the Trojans win, will the fans throw computer chips on the field?
USC 28, Washington State 22 |
 
Sat., Noon EDT | ABC |
No. 11 Michigan (7-2) at No. 9 Michigan State (7-1)
Want to play a fun game while watching this one? Get some friends together and down a shot every time Brent Musburger mentions a) Jeff Smoker's comeback or b) how unfair Wolverines fans have been to John Navarre.
Michigan 24, Michigan State 20 |
 
Sat., 3:30 p.m. EDT | ABC |
No. 12 Nebraska (7-1) at No. 16 Texas (6-2)
Whatever it is about the "OU" on Oklahoma's helmets that spooks Mack Brown, Nebraska's "N" doesn't seem to have the same effect. He's 3-1 against the Huskers. Maybe it's that he's facing Frank Solich, not Bob Stoops.
Texas 27, Nebraska 17 |
 
Sat., 3:30 p.m. EDT | ABC |
Virginia (5-3) at N.C. State (6-3)
Remember when the ACC was building up for a season-long rivalry between Matt Schaub and Philip Rivers? Funny how those things kind of go out the window when you're struggling to beat Wake Forest and Duke.
Virginia 31, N.C. State 28 |
 
Sat., Noon EDT | ESPN2 |
Utah (6-2) at Air Force (6-2)
When Sen. Biden called the BCS "un-American," he was referring to games like this one, where the biggest thing at stake is a Liberty Bowl berth. But, Senator, aren't you supposed to want Liberty and justice for all?
.
Utah 27, Air Force 24 |
 
Sat., 3:30 p.m. EDT | CBS |
This week's upset special:
No. 4 Georgia (7-1) vs. No. 23 Florida (5-3)
Is it really an upset when one team has beaten the other 12 of the past 13 years? Only according to the records and rankings. Make no mistake, the Dawgs are a great football team, but injuries and history will catch up with them.
Florida 24, Georgia 19 |
|
Last Week: 6-2. Overall: 47-25.
|
