After a lackluster week of few meaningful games, week 5 is loaded with important and competitive conference match-ups that will play a key role in shaping the national football landscape.
7)Florida @ 1)Alabama (-8)
This game has essentially determined the National Championship each of the past two seasons. Bama and Florida are quite familiar with each other, despite not meeting in the regular season since 2006. The Tide and Gators have traded victories the last two seasons in the SEC Championship, with the winner eventually rolling to a National Title. Alabama appears to be the superior team based on early season performance, but the Gators are loaded with young talent and seemed to have found an offensive rhythm last week versus Kentucky. Bama behind Heisman Trophy Winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson get it done, but not the blowout many analysts are calling for. 24-20 Bama
9)Stanford @ 4)Oregon (-6)
It is hard for the nation to comprehend Stanford being a football powerhouse, and despite lackluster competition early, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has appeared to have turned a once soft Pac-10 team, into a physical machine on both sides of the ball. Oregon's offense had looked unstoppable prior to having to come from behind at Arizona State last week. I'm calling for a shootout, and a statement game from Heisman Contender Andrew Luck in Eugene. Stanford gets over the public perception hump.
48-31 Stanford
21)Texas vs. 8)Oklahoma (-5)
It is hard to believe the Red River Rivalry on paper is the 3rd best game of the weekend. But rest-assured this game is always competitive and a slobberknocker. Texas looked like a contender before being pummeled by an average UCLA team at home. Oklahoma is 4-0, but has only had one impressive performance to mention, coming in week 2 at home against FSU. Oklahoma pulls it off despite Texas having extra motivation coming off an embarrassing loss, and keep the Sooners in the title hunt.
34-27 Oklahoma
22)Penn St. @ 17)Iowa (-8)
The Nittany Lions were not written off following getting hammered 24-3, while visiting Tuscaloosa. But following a close call against Temple, Many analysts and fans are questioning whether Joe Paterno's squad is a legitimate top 25 team. Iowa's lone defeat came to Arizona and are considered a contender based on last season's run, but I believe Penn State pulls the upset. If Penn State is victorious, people will again start to question the validity of the Big Ten as a top conference.
17-10 Penn St.
11) Wisconsin (-3) @ 24)Michigan St.
Both squads have played questionable opposition early, with the Spartans pulling off the most impressive victory against a 1-3 Notre Dame team. There is a lot of mystery going into this game and neither really knows what they have yet. Based on past performance, Wisconsin is too tough and sturdy upfront and should be able to grind out a conference win on the road. 31-20 Wisconsin
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