Bryan Albin’s College Football Games of the Week

2.          #24 Oregon State (+13.5,-110) @ TCU (-13.5,-110)

September 4th  7:45 PM ET

This game will be the best game of Saturday night, as it’s our first chance to see whether or not TCU has what it takes to possibly surpass Boise State and make it into the BCS National title game. Oregon State comes into the year a contender to win the Pac-10, as the offensive duo of WR James Rodgers and RB Jacquizz Rodgers is as electric as any in the Country. However, Oregon State is notoriously known for starting off slow at the beginning of the season, only to put it all together once the non-conference schedule comes around. If the Beavers don’t come out ready to play this upcoming Saturday, they will get smacked by the Horned Frogs, who are looking to make a statement on a national stage.

NOT AFRAID

Oregon State hasn’t gotten off to great starts in recent years, but much of that has to do with the difficult scheduling that Oregon State has done in the non-conference schedule. Last year it was a tough game against eventual Big East champion Cincinnati that derailed Oregon State early in the season. Two seasons ago it was a road game at eventual Big Ten champion Penn State. This year, Oregon State has non conference games against TCU, Louisville and Boise State! Therefore, Oregon State may need to win this game just so it doesn’t end up falling apart before the Pac-10 season even gets started.

KEYS TO THE GAME

• Jacquizz Rodgers is a Heisman candidate in many peoples’ eyes, but will he be able to get loose against a strong TCU defense? If he doesn’t, the Horned Frogs win easily.
• The last game TCU QB Andy Dalton played, his untimely Interceptions cost TCU the game. Will there be any after affects, or has the sting of the loss to TCU worn off after 8 months off.

Pick:         Oregon State 30                     TCU   40              Oregon State Covers

Bryan Albin’s College Football Games of the Week

3.       #21 LSU TIGERS (-4, -110) VS.  #18 UNC TAR HEELS (+4, -110)

September 4   8:00 PM ET

This game was once looking like it would be the best game of Saturday, but NCAA investigations surrounding the UNC football program have completely turned the tables. Both teams came into this season with question marks on offense. The Tar Heels now have to worry about how many of their star defenders will be allowed to play, as star DT Marvin Austin has already been suspended indefinitely and further punishments for other players, including leading WR Greg Little, could come before kickoff. However, despite he distractions that UNC has coming into this game, it is still a game between two ranked teams and the winner of this game ought to be looked at as an outside BCS title contender right out of the gate.

BEST OFFENSE IS A SUSPENDED DEFENSE?

LSU was horrible offensively a year ago, as it averaged barely over 300 yards of offense per game, which was 112th out of 120 teams in the FBS. People around Baton Rouge have been expecting the offense to be better this year in QB Jordan Jefferson’s Junior season, but there’s no doubt that Tigers fans probably weren’t too happy about having to go up against a vaunted Tar Heels defense in the first game of the year. Now it appears that the defense may not be so dominant on Saturday. Austin will definitely not play, and it is possible that LB’s Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter could be suspended for the game as well, as their names have been involved in the ongoing NCAA investigations surrounding the UNC program. If Sturdivant, Austin and Carter are all out for this one, the heart and soul of the Tar Heels defense would be gone. EVen if it’s just Austin out, the UNC defense will be less effective, as Austin is the kind of incredible space eater that gives guys like Carter and Sturdivant he ability to attack the line of scrimmage freely and clog up running lanes. LSU RB Richard Murphy will try and capitalize on the absence of Austin in the middle.

KEYS TO THE GAME

• How many UNC players will be out? If it’s just Austin, UNC still has a very good shot at winning this football game. If Greg Little is suspended too, UNC would lose its best offensive playmaker, which could be  a major problem considering offense will be hard to come by on Saturday.
• Has Jordan Jefferson put it together? He was sacked 32 times a year ago, mostly because he holds on to the ball too long. While he is incredibly talented, he needs to show the polish to recognize which throws are smart throws, and when he needs to just throw the ball away because nothing has developed. If he shows that kind of maturity, I like LSU’s chances.
• Can UNC run the ball against the LSU defense? While Shaun Draughn is probably the go to back for the Tar Heels, I think the physical Ryan Houston is going to have to see a lot of early action to wear down the Tiger front seven. His physical running early may open up some holes for Draughn later.

Pick:            LSU   24                         UNC       13                   LSU Covers