The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week

Tuesday - Houston at Marshall. This sounds less like a football game and more like the name of a '50s TV western. "Tune in next week to find out if Marshall Houston can save Miss Lil from the clutches of the evil Benson gang!" God knows the western would be more interesting. Houston does pass a lot, so let's pretend that this will be some sort of shootout at the medicore at best corral. Score: Houston 31, Marshall 7

Thursday - South Florida at Cincinnati. I'm a little shocked that South Florida is still ranked after their loss last week to Louisville, but am even more shocked at how many Big East teams are on the cusp of bowl eligibility. Six of the conference's eight teams have at least five wins, which I'm sure is comforting to the folks at the International Bowl. Anyway, tonight's winner will be one step closer to not playing in Toronto in January, which seems like a good thing. Score: South Florida 31, Cincinnati 23

Saturday (early) - Northwestern at Minnesota. Pre-season consensus was that neither of these teams would finish in the top half of the Big 10. Sports Illustrated had the Wildcats as high as sixth, while no major publication put the Gophers higher than ninth. So, of course, the teams are a combined 13-3 this season (5-3 in conference). A win for Minnesota puts them at 8-1 and, with a favorable schedule, potentially into the Rose Bowl. I'd like to see that. Score: Minnesota 21, Northwestern 10

Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Arkansas State at Alabama. Even for a homecoming game, this is weak. The Tide could at least play a C-USA team. I hope this drops them in the BCS standings, if just for the week. Score: Alabama 93, Arkansas State 2

Saturday (night) - Texas at Texas Tech. Expect another tight defensive struggle from these two teams. Ha! We'll be lucky if neither team fires its defensive coordinator before halftime. If the Longhorns get through this they'll run the table (with Kansas as a minor bump), while the Red Raiders get Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to follow this up. Should they win all three, I'd be OK with letting them, Alabama and Penn State play a round robin to determine the national title. Score: Texas 52, Texas Tech 48

Sunday - Central Florida at East Carolina. Scheduling tip - the Golden Knights have demonstrated why two weeks off in the middle of the season may not be such a good idea. They lost back-to-back games, took the time off, and got whacked by Tulsa upon their return. If you can't put together a workable game plan in two weeks, what hope do you have for the rest of the season? Score: East Carolina 33, UCF 3

Last week: 4-3
Season: 38-22