It's Friday afternoon, and I write this week coming off one of my best weeks of predictions to date. I got seven out of 10 last week, but it seemed much closer than that. I was only 11 Donald Brown rushing yards, 34 more yards from the Navy offense, and three Boise State scoring drives away from going a perfect 10 for 10.
Okay, so maybe I wasn't that close. But it was close enough, especially after my Week Nine debacle.
For those who haven't read this before, or who maybe have forgotten over the past two weeks, each week I make 10 random predictions for the upcoming weekend of college football.
Sometimes the predictions are stat-based, sometimes results-based, but either way they are designed just to make the weekend a little more fun to watch—especially if you're stuck watching a game you perhaps aren't that interested in.
Before I get to this week's predictions, let's take a look at how I did last week—obviously I got seven, but let's see what they were:
- Ohio State and USC did get back at Illinois and Stanford, respectively, for their losses a year ago. (+1)
- LSU definitely was wishing they played Troy earlier in the season. I said I didn't think Troy would win, but that they "will be a thorn in LSU's side for the better part of this game." I'd say I nailed that one. (+1)
- Despite two successful onside kicks in the last 90 seconds of the game, Navy did not beat Notre Dame, ultimately falling short on the Notre Dame 34-yard line. (-1)
- Shonn Greene rushed for 100 yards. Again. (+1)
- Donald Brown needed 142 yards to reclaim the title of "nation's leading rusher" from Javon Ringer. He only got 131. It didn't matter anyway, because Shonn Greene and his 211 yards vaulted him past both Brown and Ringer. (-1)
- Beanie Wells did indeed become the fifth all-time leading rusher in Ohio State history, and is now only 57 yards away from passing Keith Byars for fourth place. (+1)
- Penn State's win, coupled with Florida State's loss, pushed JoePa's lead over Bobby Bowden in the all-time wins total to two games. (+1)
- Boise State only had seven scoring drives, whereas Idaho miraculously scored 10 points. (-1)
- Yale beat Princeton. I'd say more, but I don't know anything else. I even forget the score. (+1)
- Corso donned the full Rattler suit, almost as if he had read my prediction and said to himself, "How can I make Ned right in the most over-the-top, hilariously excessive way imaginable?" (+1)
So that was last week. Pretty solid, but hopefully I'll improve on it this week and get more than seven. It's rivalry week, so you'll have to pardon the special attention I give to College Football's great rivalries, even if they are pretty meaningless this year (Apple Cup, anyone?).
So, without further ado, here are Ten Things That Will Happen This Weekend.
1. Rich Rodriguez will break the streak.
No, I'm not talking about the four-game losing streak Michigan has against Ohio State. Quite the opposite, in fact.
The last six Michigan head coaches have all beaten Ohio State in their first try. Rich Rodriguez will not continue that trend. Ohio State is a much better football team, and if you read the article I wrote earlier in the week, you will know I do not think Rodriguez has the attitude to win The Game. That poor attitude will be reflected in his team's play.
2. Terrelle Pryor will pick up where Troy Smith left off against Michigan.
In his three games against Michigan, Troy Smith secured his legend at Ohio State by going 3-0 and accumulating 1,151 total yards (fun fact: Michigan accumulated 1,051 yards against Troy Smith's Buckeyes) in The Game.
Now it's Pryor's turn to start writing his name in the Buckeye history book. Forget what Pryor has done in his first seven games as starter this year, even though it is quite impressive. Forget that Pryor is currently first in the Big Ten in passing efficiency.
Ohio State fans remember The Game, and Pryor can take a big step in becoming an iconic Quarterback at Ohio State by stepping up big against Michigan.
My prediction is this: 250+ all-purpose yards and at least two touchdowns from Pryor. Ohio State will hit Michigan early and often with a more-than-healthy dose of Beanie Wells, but Pryor will have a great game.
3. Washington will win!
This is my fourth time predicting a Washington win this year, and despite being 0-3 so far with this team, I'm really feeling it this weekend. I know that's a really weak excuse, but this is like picking an Ivy League game. If nothing else, this should provide a good enough explanation for my pick:
They're playing Washington State.
4. Cal will beat Stanford.
Both teams are limping into "The Big Game," with both teams riding two-game losing streaks into Saturday. There lies a major difference, however, in these two teams. Cal is decent. Stanford really isn't—two of their four wins came against Washington and Wazzu, and there's no way Stanford could beat Oregon State again.
Cal's inconsistent decency prevails over Stanford's consistent ineptitude.
5. The Land Grant Trophy will go home with JoePa.
This is a tough one. Penn State hasn't been the same since the win over Ohio State, but the Spread HD is still lurking and the game is in Happy Valley.
On the other side, Michigan State's offense is set up by Javon Ringer. Unfortunately, that may not get them very far, as the physical season is starting to wear down Ringer. Penn State's defense is 10th in the nation against the run, so it could be a long day for Michigan State.
6. Javon Ringer, Shonn Greene, and Donald Brown will accumulate 425 rushing yards.
You know they are the three leading rushers in College Football, but you may not know only 48 yards separate these three backs on the season. Each man is averaging at least 140 rushing yards per game, and with the end in sight, each looks to finish the season strong.
Javon Ringer looks to have the worst statistical game of the three, against Penn State's defense, or else the prediction would be a little higher.
7. Graham Harrell and Sam Bradford will combine for 800 passing yards.
The Big 12 gave us a week off to collect ourselves, but this Saturday night features another promising Top Five matchup to enjoy. Graham Harrell and the ridiculous Texas Tech offense against Sam Bradford and the ridiculous Oklahoma offense, with the winner likely asserting himself as the Heisman favorite.
On the year, Texas Tech and Oklahoma are averaging 433 and 355 passing yards per game, respectively, and this weekend should be no different.
8. BYU will spoil Utah's season.
For the first half of the season, it looked like BYU would be the BCS spoiler this year. A trip to TCU ended those dreams, and now BYU can upset Utah in The Holy War for a share of the Mountain West title.
9. Joe Tiller will win his last game.
Things have been less than ideal for Purdue, who entered the season with high hopes coming into the season that rested mostly on the shoulders (and arm) of Curtis Painter. Purdue started 2-1 but have lost seven of their last eight since, and Tiller is now one game away from retirement.
Purdue hosts Indiana this weekend, which is fitting, because that is a team Purdue can beat—and a coach like Tiller deserves to go out on a win.
10. Corso will pick Oklahoma.
This is a big game, which means Corso is unusually unpredictable, so this is essentially a coin flip. I'm going with Corso pulling a "not so fast, my friends" to those saying Texas Tech is going to outshoot the Sooners and dramatically revealing a ridiculous Sooner Schooner hat.
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about 1 month ago
You scared me for a second with #1... then I continued reading and couldn't agree more. I think TP is going to have a great day as well. I think Tress throw the ball around a little bit against that very weak Michigan secondary. Can't wait for tomorrow!! Go Bucks!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the comment, Kristofer. Tomorrow should be a great day for Buckeyes everywhere, so live it up...if all goes as planned you may not get this kind of mismatch for the next 110 years.
about 1 month ago
I echo Kristofer's cheer of "Go Bucks!"
Good stuff as always, Ned. You got screwed on the Boise State-Idaho game last week. That was a fluke touchdown by the Vandals that made your prediction incorrect.
For this week, I think you've got a pretty good set of predictions to be confident about.
from about 1 month ago
I always get really excited about those really ridiculous bets, like "points vs. scoring drives." Believe it or not, that was one of my most confident picks last week, so when I tuned in and saw 14-10 I was pretty upset.
Thanks for the comment, and Go Bucks!
about 1 month ago
I agree with all except Sparty is going to put a beatdown on JoPa and win in OT.
Go Bucks!
Oh yeah, Wa won't win, they just won't lose. No winner in that cupcake fight.
from about 1 month ago
I want to pick Michigan State, I really do. And not because I want Ohio State smelling Roses - another trip out west is not what I think this Buckeye team wants (assuming Oregon State loses down the stretch).
I love Dantonio and what he's doing, Ringer is a flat out stud, and the defense has been playing better since the Ohio State game (the starters shut out Purdue last week, and the defense came up huge in their comeback against Wisconsin). I just can't, though. I watched Penn State shut down Beanie Wells and win a defensive struggle against Ohio State, and with the game being played in Happy Valley I can't see Michigan State doing what Ohio State couldn't.
As for the Apple Cup - you're right. Talk about a pillow fight.
Thanks for the comment, keep reading!
about 1 month ago
Terrelle Pryor will crush the Michagan Wolverines himself. Michagan has no talent. Prediction Ohio 42-6. Go Terrelle Go Jeannette Pa. knows what you are capable of doing.
about 1 month ago
I like #7, but do you really think it will be 800 yards passing? That's up there even for those guys together in such a big game....that will be very interesting to watch. I can't wait!
from about 1 month ago
800 is a lot. Keep in mind, however, that these QBs have shown they can show up in a big way in the big games. Harrell threw for 474 against Texas, 456 against Oklahoma State, and Bradford threw for 387 against Texas...so it's not completely unreasonable.
I will reiterate, however, that 800 is quite a large number, and it would not be shocking (or necessarily unimpressive) if they fell short.
Thanks for the comment!
from about 1 month ago
I agree it's not impossible but it's such a big game is the only reason I'm hesitant to call the 800 myself.
about 1 month ago
haha thats awesome... i agree with everything you predicted, I did my predictions and scores for this weekend and picked games the same way, check it out if you'd like... good stuff as always ned!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks, Jonny - I'm glad you liked the article. As for the predictions, what can I say? Great minds think alike.
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