The Weekend That Will Be: The Bye Week

Last week was an unfair week to get back on track, with all of the upsets and all. I mean five of the AP top 10 went down.

I promised a winning weekend in the style of like former Jet Joe Namath.  Like Aaliyah sang, if at first you don't succeeeed... you can dust it off and try again. You can thank 6th grade Graham for pushing that out of the recesses of my brain.

Arkansas has a bye so I will go ahead and make the same joke you've overheard at least 26 times this week from that guy in the breakroom at work: "I'll bet you the Razorbacks don't lose this weekend."

Thanks for the insight, Dwayne. And as much as it pains me to admit Captain Obvious is right, well... he is. This guy is probably a Red Sox fan today, too.

Now I will play the role of current Jets coach--and noted fan of feet--and make a guarantee of no consequence again. I will top the .500 mark this week. And here's a schedule of games to watch since you can't watch Arkansas this weekend.

Noon

No. 20 Louisville at South Florida, ESPN (-21 UL)- The Cardinals' national championship and Teddy Bridgewater's Heisman runs were ended last week from a school from Florida. This week they will put it to another AAC school from the Sunshine state. Take the Cards.

Vanderbilt at No. 16 Texas A&M, SEC Network (-18 TAMU)- Though he suffered an injury in a loss to Auburn a week ago, Johnny Manziel will play this week. Meanwhile, the Commodores are coming off their first victory over a ranked opponent since 2008. At some point the Aggie defense has to make a stop. This is the week and the home team covers.

Afternoon

Tennessee at No. 1 Alabama, 3:30 p.m., CBS (-28 Bama)- The difference in Alabama and every other team out there? Oregon wants to play Alabama. Florida State wants to play Alabama. Ohio State wants to play Alabama. Alabama wants to play Tennessee. I had a Tennessee fan tell me they'd cover and an Crimson Tide fan tell me the Vols would cover. I'm a trusting friend and would take the points.

No. 10 Texas Tech at No. 15 Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m., FOX (-7 OU)- We all have those teams we just don't trust are that good. Auburn nearly has me a believer. Texas Tech is another one of those teams. And while recently the Sooners under "Big Game Bob" have been far from a sure bet, I'll take another win (and cover) added to Stoops' 15-2 record against ranked teams at home.

The following two teams are playing games they should win. Yet the following two teams have a history of disappointing their fanbases with losses to teams they shouldn't lose to, especially after a big game the week before..

No. 9 Clemson at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. ESPN (-13 Clem)- A friend of mine who graduated from Clemson said that if FSU is going to win out and play for the national championhship, he would almost rather his Tigers lose this game. This way the Tigers wouldn't be the No. 2 team in the ACC and have to go to the Orange Bowl because it's the Orange Bowl and it's awful.

North Carolina State at No. 2 Florida State, 3:30 p.m., ABC (-32 FSU)- We've seen this before. A big win from a team then the next week their favored by too many points. Wolfpack wins (in the eyes of Vegas).

Night

No. 12 UCLA at No. 3 Oregon, 7 p.m., ESPN (-20 UO)- Until last week I took Oregon to cover in every game. I have no doubt, down in the polls, they will score and score and score.

No. 21 South Carolina at No. 5 Missouri, 7 p.m. ESPN2 (-2.5 USC)- The Tigers can all but wrap up a trip to play in Atlanta on the first weekend of December. The pressure on them is as big as it has been since Chase Daniels was quarterbacking there. Mizzou wins this week, postponing their first loss.

Penn State at No. 4 Ohio State, 8 p.m., ABC (-14 OSU)- For the same reasons I took the Ducks above, are the same reasons I think Urban Meyer comes out and scores as many points as he can in primetime; he needs to impress voters.

Late Night

No. 6 Stanford at No. 25 Oregon State, 10:30 p.m., ESPN (-6 Stan)- Stanford proved me right last week with a monster win over then undefeated UCLA. This week, they will take their show on the road and cover with ease.

Last Week: 4-5

Season: 42-28-3