They're Playing Football!

This may be the easiest "They're Playing Football" of the year. To be frank, there ain't shit going on this weekend. The ABC Primetime game is Oklahoma at Nebraska. That should show you how good this week's slate of games are. So rather than bore us all with a breakdown of a bunch of crap games, I'll just address the important ones. Keep in mind the rankings listed below are the Clark Poll ratings.

#9 LSU at #1 Alabama
This game has added intrigue because of the Nick Saban facing his favorite team storyline but its important enough just because it will almost assuredly decide the SEC West. What was supposed to be a three-team race between these two teams and Ole Miss has now become a two-team race and it all pretty much comes up to this game.

Both teams are playing at a high level all arund but the Alabama defense figures to be the most important group on the field. If Mt. Cody and the Crimson Tide front seven can disrupt the pocket and force Jordan Jefferson into bad decisions then this is likely Bama's game to lose. The matchup in the trenches and Bama's home field advantage leads me to believe the Tide win a close one.

#12 Ohio State at #10 Penn State
After looking pedestrian against Iowa Darryl Clark has rebounded and has arguably been the best player in the Big Ten this season. Especially once ou factor in Ricky Stanzi's interception carnival against Indiana. Ohio State has rode a rocky trail that included a loss to Purdue and a meltdown that caused Terrelle Pryor to use the Lebron phone. What's it all mean Basil? Nothing really.

What has happened up until this point in the season won't matter in this one. The questions remain. Can Terrelle Pryor get it done against a good defense? Can Darryl Clark overcome the internal pressure and win on a big stage? No and Yes. I think Darryl Clark will take a step forward against the Buckeyes and then put his OSU hat on next week and root for a Ohio State win against Iowa to send him to the Rose Bowl.

#20 Oklahoma at Nebraska
I'm definitely not feeling good going into this game but I'm feeling better than I would have been if Suh's BAC would have been .081. Nebraska's defense has to shake up Landry Jones the same way Miami did and that is a possibility. Unfortunately the Blackshirts are still going to need at least 21 points from the Husker offense to get a win. With a freshman QB and a banged up backfield I just don't think that's possible. I think Nebraska loses this one by 10-14 points.