The longest running general college football podcast returns to preview the college football action for week 9. In the first half of the podcast Brian looks at the games from last week and answers questions from the email listeners. In the second half he previews the eight games of the week which are Boston College @ Virginia Tech, Ohio State @ Penn State, USC @ Oregon, California @ Arizona State, Florida @ Georgia, Kansas @ Texas A&M, South Florida @ Connecticut, and West Virginia @ Rutgers If you haven’t downloaded us via iTunes click here to download this show.

Remember, if you want the podcast you must subscribe to the Feedbuner but if you want to subscribe to the blog please use the RSS feed. This is for iTunes to be able to archive the shows. Enjoy this week’s episode of In The Bleachers and if you have any questions or comments to the show please email them to inthebleachers AT gmail DOT com.

It is nearing Week 8 of the college football season, so most teams have played 7 or 8 games. Although early, it is that time of the year where we look ahead to the Bowl Season and the potential match-ups that can occur. I took my rough, first shot at predicting the games for this bowl season. One note, these projections are based on the standings now and how I think they will play out throughout the rest of the season. They are not solely based on the standings right now.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Mountain West vs Navy/At Large
New Mexico vs Navy

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Sun Belt #1 vs C-USA
Troy vs Tulsa

PapaJohn’s.com Bowl
Big East (or MAC) vs C-USA
Louisville vs East Carolina

New Mexico Bowl
Mountain West vs WAC
Air Force vs Fresno State

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl
Mountain West #1 vs Pac 10 #4
California vs BYU

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
C-USA vs WAC
Central Florida vs Hawaii

Motor City Bowl
Big 10 #7 vs MAC
Michigan State vs Central Michigan

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Big 12 #3 vs Pac 10 #2
Kansas vs USC

Texas Bowl
Big 12 vs C-USA
Texas Tech vs UTEP

Champs Sports Bowl
ACC #4 vs Big 10 #4 or #5
Indiana vs Virginia

Emerald Bowl
ACC #7 vs Pac 10 #4
Maryland vs UCLA

Meineke Car Care Bowl
ACC #6 vs Big East
Georgia Tech vs Connecticut

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
C-USA #1 vs SEC #6
Tennessee vs Houston

Alamo Bowl
Big 10 #4 or #5 vs Big 12 #4
Wisconsin vs Oklahoma State

Emerald Bowl
ACC #7 vs Pac 10 #4
Maryland vs UCLA

Petro Sun Independence Bowl
Big 12 #7 vs SEC #8
Texas A&M vs Arkansas

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Mountain West vs Pac 10
Utah vs Oregon State

Brut Sun Bowl
Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame vs Pac 10 #3
Kansas State vs Arizona State

Humanitarian Bowl
ACC #8 vs WAC
Miami (Fla) vs Boise State

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
ACC vs SEC #5
Clemson vs Georgia

Chick-fil-A Bowl
ACC #2 vs SEC
Boston College vs South Carolina

Insight Bowl
Big 10 #6 vs Big 12 #6
Purdue vs Colorado

Outback Bowl
Big 10 #3 vs SEC
Illinois vs Auburn

AT&T Cotton Bowl
Big 12 #2 vs SEC
Texas vs Alabama

Gator Bowl
ACC #3 vs Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame
Rutgers vs Wake Forest

Capital One Bowl
Big 10 #2 vs SEC #2
Penn State vs Kentucky

International Bowl
Big East/Notre Dame vs MAC #4 or #5
Cincinnati vs Ball State

GMAC Bowl
C-USA #2 vs MAC
Southern Mississippi vs Miami (OH)

Rose Bowl Presesented by Citi
BCS vs BCS (Big 10 vs Pac 10 champion if available)
Michigan vs Oregon

Allstate Sugar Bowl
BCS vs BCS (SEC champion if available)
West Virginia vs Florida

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
BSC vs BCS (Big 12 champion if available)
Ohio State vs Missouri

FedEx Orange Bowl
BCS vs BCS (ACC champion if available)
Virginia Tech vs South Florida

Allstate BCS National Championship
BCS #1 vs BCS #2
LSU vs Oklahoma

I was running through my usual message boards trying to find something to write about and I came across a good trivia question. Again, you can probably get the answer pretty easy if you google it, but try to get it on your own. Post your answer in the comments section.

Question: Who did Peyton Manning take over the starting quarterback job from at Tennessee?

Hint: This player is still active and is expected to start in Denver Monday night, although not at quarterback.

North Dakota State becomes the second FCS team this year to beat a FBS as they beat Minnesota last week. They keep their spot atop the Coaches Poll.

Rank
1 North Dakota State (12) 6-0
2 Northern Iowa (1) 6-0
3 Montana (12) 5-0
4 UMass (2) 5-1
5 Appalachian State 5-1
6 McNeese State (1) 6-0
7 Wofford 6-1
8 James Madison 6-1
9 Hofstra 6-0
10 Southern Illinois 6-1
11 UNH 4-2
12 Youngstown State 5-2
13 Delaware 6-1
14 Nicholls State 5-1
15 Yale 5-0
16 Delaware State 4-1
17 Western Illinois 5-2
18 Richmond 4-2
19 Montana State 4-2
20 Cal Poly 4-2
21 Eastern Kentucky 5-2
22 Eastern Washington 4-2
23 Grambling State 5-1
24 Eastern Illinois 4-3
25 Hampton 4-2
26 San Diego 6-0

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Elon (57), The Citadel (35), Norfolk State (29), Alabama A&M (27), Lafayette (23), Georgia Southern (17), Villanova (15), Central Arkansas (12), Sam Houston State (10), Harvard (6), South Dakota State (4), Fordham (2), Wagner (2), Dayton (1), Jackson State (1), N.C. Central (1), South Carolina State (1), Southern (1), William & Mary (1).

DROPPED OUT: No. 21 Georgia Southern, No. 24 Lafayette.

The Pick Em crew all got the Cal/UCLA and the Florida State/Miami games wrong.

1. Mike Rizzo - 35-19 (5-3)
2t. Bruce Feldman - 34-20 (4-4)
2t. Lorena The Dodgerchick - 34-20 (3-5)
2t. Adam Nettina - 34-20 (6-2)
5. Tony Delbusso - 33-21 (5-3)
6t. Jim Gindin - 32-22 (3-5)
6t. Greg Gowins - 32-22 (5-3)
6t. Charlie Swager - 32-22 (5-3)
9t. Brian Sakowski - 29-25 (6-2)
9t. John Radcliff - 29-25 (3-5)
11. Chris Mason - 28-26 (5-3)
12t. Jon Johnston - 27-27 (3-5)
12t. Cyril Tircuit - 27-27 (4-4)

RANK
1. Ohio State (58) 8-0
2. Boston College (2) 7-0
3. LSU 7-1
4. Oklahoma 7-1
5. Oregon 6-1
6. West Virginia 6-1
7. Arizona State 7-0
8. USC 6-1
9. Virginia Tech 6-1
10. Kansas 7-0
11. Florida 5-2
12. South Florida 6-1
13. Missouri 6-1
14. Hawaii 7-0
15. Kentucky 6-2
16. Texas 5-2
17. South Carolina 6-2
18. Virginia 7-1
19. Georgia 5-2
20. California 5-2
21. Michigan 6-2
22. Penn State 6-2
23. Auburn 5-3
24. Alabama 6-2
25. Wisconsin 6-2

Others Receiving Votes
Boise State 103, Rutgers 96, Connecticut 75, Purdue 37, Texas Tech 28, UCLA 21, Clemson 17, Cincinnati 10, Texas A&M 6, Wake Forest 5, Fresno State 5, Brigham Young 4, Kansas State 3, Maryland 3, Oklahoma State 2, Vanderbilt 2, Illinois 1.

Dropped From Rankings
Texas Tech 21, Tennessee 22, Cincinnati 23.

RANK
1. Ohio State (57) 8-0
2. Boston College (2) 7-0
3. LSU (5) 7-1
4. Oklahoma 7-1
5. Oregon 6-1
6. West Virginia 6-1
7. Arizona State (1) 7-0
8. Virginia Tech 6-1
9. USC 6-1
9. Florida 5-2
11. South Florida 6-1
12. Kansas 7-0
13. Missouri 6-1
14. Kentucky 6-2
15. South Carolina 6-2
16. Hawaii 7-0
17. Texas 5-2
18. California 5-2
19. Michigan 6-2
20. Georgia 5-2
21. Virginia 7-1
22. Alabama 6-2
23. Auburn 5-3
24. Penn State 6-2
25. Rutgers 5-2

Others Receiving Votes
UCLA 77, Boise State 72, Wake Forest 50, Connecticut 26, Clemson 21, Wisconsin 17, Air Force 11, Brigham Young 6, Texas Tech 6, Troy 4, Tennessee 3, Fresno State 3, Oklahoma State 3, Kansas State 2, Purdue 1, Cincinnati 1, Texas A&M 1.

Dropped From Rankings
Tennessee 20, Texas Tech 22, Cincinnati 23, Kansas State 25.

For many Trojan fans and ND haters, they expected USC to roll into South Bend, pick up and easy win, and head out without anymore injuries. Well the game has not been played yet and already the USC players and coaches are rattled. On their flight from Los Angeles to South Bend they encountered so much turbulence that it threw numerous passengers from their seats.

USC’s football team, coaches and staff endured several terrifying minutes as their chartered flight to South Bend plummeted amid a severe thunderstorm, forcing the pilot to abort his first landing attempt.

About 125 people, including 82 players, coach Pete Carroll and most of the coaching staff faced a harrowing end to their trip across the country for Saturday’s game.

“There was a moment there when I was thinking, ‘This is it,’ ” Dennis Slutak, USC’s director of football operations, told The Los Angeles Times.

USC did arrive but the rough ride did injure one player,

At their hotel, senior defensive end Lawrence Jackson said he was going to see the team trainer because a Popsicle stick had pierced the inside of his mouth during the drop.

I was all set to make some distasteful jokes about the turbulence around South Bend being caused by Charlie Weis eating Taco Bell earlier in the day, but I thought I should hold off. Fortunately for USC, that will be the roughest thing they will face this weekend.

Yesterday I posted our picks for the South Florida at Rutgers game, and also you can here all of these games broken down on the In The Bleachers Podcast.

Wake Forest (93%) at Navy (7%)

- Navy can score points on anyone, but unfortunately for the Midshipmen the defense has been among the worst in the country. After a back and forth first half, Wake pulls away in the fourth quarter. – Adam Nettina, Pitch Right Navy Blog

- The Demon Deacons seem to have gotten back on course, after some tough early losses. – Charlie Swager, In The Bleachers

- Navy will be able to score but the Midshipmen do not have the defense to keep with the Deacons. – Brian Sakowski, In The Bleachers

- Wake Forest by 12. – Chris Mason, In The Bleachers

- A solid run defense can handle the dangerous sea assault. – Jim Gindin, Football Frontier

- The Demon Deacons are too tough for the Midshipmen. – Greg Gowins, Average Joe

Florida (69%) at Kentucky (31%)

- Look for Kentucky to have a hangover from their big win over LSU. – Greg, Average Joe

- This should be a fun one to watch. I’m going with the Gators because I have a tough time envisioning that much talent with three-losses (even though they would all have been quality opponents) at this point in the season. - Charlie, In The Bleachers

- Florida by 17. – Chris, In The Bleachers

- Florida almost beats LSU. Kentucky squeaks by LSU. Florida loses a close one to Kentucky? Yea, that’s what they want us to think. I’m going Florida, but screw the SEC and it’s nonrational upsets. – Adam, Pitch Right

- Kentucky has the horses to keep up with the Gators, but I think they will have a hangover from last week’s win. Meyer will follow the Gamecocks’ recipe and beat the Wildcats through the air. – Brian, In The Bleachers

Texas Tech (39%) at Missouri (69%)

- First one to 100 points wins. The #1 and #9 ranked offenses in the country will light up the scoreboard. I give two advantages to the Tigers: they have a better defense, and they are more diversified with their athletic QB Daniel. Missouri will win in a high scoring close one. – Brian, In The Bleachers

- This one is going to be a shootout. It was tough to pick one of the teams, but Mizzou has looked a little bit better on D, and it is a home game. – Greg, Average Joe

- A tale of one loss teams. This is a toss up in which we could quite possibly see the million point barrier broken for the first time, but I’ve got to go with the mobile QB in Chase Daniel. - Adam, Pitch Right

- Texas Tech by 21. – Chris, In The Bleachers

- Cal, Oregon, Oklahoma, and West Virginia get a lot of credit for having explosive offenses, but Texas Tech may be the best offensive team in the country. Texas Tech wins. – Charlie, In The Bleachers

Michigan (69%) at Illinois (31%)

- There’s always been something about that trip to Champaign that makes the Wolverines underachieve. Illinois. – Jim, Football Frontier

- Michigan by 8 and they will win the Big Ten. – Chris, In The Bleachers

- I’ll take HART over JUICE all day. – Tony, Sportsbone TV

- This one boils down to if Mike Hart can play or not. If he does, Michigan wins. If not, the Illini come out with the W. Michigan. – Greg, Average Joe

- This will be a nail biter but if you look at the stats, Illinois has given up well over 100 yards rushing in its past 3 games while Michigan’s defense has been improving each week. Hart will get his 100 and then some. The last time Illinois beat Michigan was in 1999, we will be using that same stat next year. – Brian, In The Bleachers

- Miami (0%) at Florida State (100%)

- Florida State, but what has happened to these two teams?? - Tony, Sportsbone TV

- Florida State by 2 (2-0). – Chris, In The Bleachers

- With the way A&M has played of late, the Canes dismantling of them doesn’t seem as impressive. Miami has had troubles away from home this season as well. – Greg, Average Joe

- Florida State, but does it matter? That’s saying a lot when I think more of Navy vs. Wake! - John Radcliff, Bastard Sons of Pitfall Marks

- Florida State wins…WIDE LEFT. – Brian, In The Bleachers

California (100%) at UCLA (0%)

- Cal has too many talented athletes for the Bruins to handle defensively. If I was Dorrell, I would start cleaning my office and updating my resume’. – Brian, In The Bleachers

- UCLA seems kind of like a dazed boxer that has been hit one time too many. Cal has a heavyweight offense and might be able to deliver the knockout punch to the Bruins (and head coach Karl Dorrell). – Charlie, In The Bleachers

- Cal, I wouldn’t have wanted to be in practice this week for the NorCal Bears. – Greg, Average Joe

- Cal by 23. – Chris, In The Bleachers

- California. The number of injured quarterbacks has reached a critical mass, and the resulting explosion has rendered Vegas a ghost town. – Jim, Football Frontier

Auburn (0%) at LSU (100%)

- LSU looks to bounce back at home from their tough loss to the Wildcats. – Greg, Average Joe

- LSU, this one should get ugly. – Tony, Sportsbone TV

- The 800 pound gorilla with a chainsaw (LSU) for a penis rebounds! - John, Bastard Sons of Pitfall Marks

The “Experts’” Picks for This Week’s Games

Bruce Feldman - South Florida, Wake Forest, Florida, Missouri, Illinois, Florida State, California, LSU
Brian Sakowski - Rutgers, Wake Forest, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
Charlie Swager - South Florida, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
Chris Mason - Rutgers, Wake Forest, Florida, Texas Tech, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
John Radcliff - Rutgers, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Texas Tech, Illinois, Florida State, California, LSU
Jon Johnston - South Florida, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Texas Tech, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
Adam Nettina - LRutgers, Wake Forest, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
Mike Rizzo - South Florida, Wake Forest, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
Jim Gindin - South Florida, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Florida State, California, LSU
Tony Delbusso - Rutgers, Navy, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
Cyril Tircuit - South Florida, Wake Forest, Florida, Texas Tech, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
Greg Gowins - South Florida, Wake Forest, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Florida State, California, LSU
Lorena The Dodgerchick - South Florida, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Florida State, California, LSU

Three Big Ten teams play out of conference games this week, but the four games in conference are big games and will play a big role in the final standings.

Northwestern at Eastern Michigan - The Wildcats are on a two game winning streak with wins against Michigan State and Minnesota. They have been using a strong passing game which is ranked 9th in the country in yards per game to out score their opponents. Eastern Michigan is riding a three game losing streak and his having a hard time getting any rushing attack on offense, so it is easy for teams to stack against the pass. Even though the Wildcats are weak on the defensive side of the ball, they should be able to handle the impotent offense which the Eagles will throw at them. Northwestern 39-21

North Dakota State at Minnesota - Do you recall the last time a Big Ten team faced off against the #1 ranked team in Division 1-aa? If not, just ask Michigan. The Bison have as many wins (6) as the Gophers do losses. Fullback Tyler Roehl leads the rushing attack for the Bison averaging 6.2 ypc and 13 touchdowns this season. Their quarterback, Steve Walker has completed 72% of his passes for over 1200 yards. This could spell disaster for the Gophers. Amir Pinnix must have a good game to control the ball on offense because Minnesota cannot have their defense is ranked last in the nation in total defense. Gopher QB Adam Weber cannot turn the ball over; he has 14 interceptions after 7 games this season. Both teams have a lot to play for, but don’t expect the Bison to get the press that the Mountaineers got after their win. North Dakota State 31-30

Northern Illinois at Wisconsin - I bet the Badgers are glad for a reprieve after suffering consecutive losses to Illinois and Penn State. This game will give the Badgers the much needed confidence on both sides of the ball. I expect to see PJ Hill run for over 150 yards and Tyler Donavan throw for close to 300 yards. NIU has struggled mightily this season, winning only 1 game against Idaho. To win this game, they will need a miracle from up above and to score around 30 points. Neither will happen. Wisconsin 42-9

Iowa at Purdue - In this game we have the Iowa offense, who has trouble scoring on anyone and the Purdue defense, who cannot stop anyone in the last two weeks. The strong units for both teams are the Purdue offense against the Iowa defense. The Boilermakers have lost two in a row to Michigan and Ohio State while Iowa is coming off a victory at home against Illinois. This is a must win game for the Hawkeyes if they want to play in a bowl game, but even last week we saw their offense sputter. I don’t think their defense is good enough to hold Purdue under 17 points, and that is the maximum I can see the Hawkeyes scoring this week. Purdue 24-17

Penn State at Indiana - The Nittany Lions played their best game in two years as they defeated Wisconsin 38-7 at home. They threw on first down over 50% of the time and I have to give credit to their offensive line who have been the unsung heroes since the loss to Illinois. The Nittany Lions’ offensive line will have their hands full going against the team that leads the nation in sacks. Along with that, defensively they will have to contain Kellen Lewis who leads the team in passing and rushing. Look for the Hoosiers to use James Hardy’s size to their advantage against the shorter Penn State corners. Penn State is on a roll, and if they are focused (like last week) they will win this game. If they are looking ahead to the potential match up against #1 Ohio State, the Hoosiers will roll. Rodney Kinlaw will have another good day running the ball and Penn State wins. Penn State 30-21

Michigan State at Ohio State - Is it the Buckeyes’ turn to become the third #1 ranked team to lose in consecutive weeks? The Spartans however are 3-13-1 against teams ranked #1 and have lost their last six games against those opponents. Only 1 team, Washington has scored more than 7 points against this Buckeye defense. Michigan State does have a potent offense, but it won’t be enough to outscore the Buckeyes at home. To win the Spartans must pressure and force Todd Boeckman to beat them. I would stack the box and not allow Chris Wells any room to run. Easier said then done, I’m sure. Ohio State 31-10

Michigan at Illinois - For only the second time this season, the Wolverines will play a game outside of Ann Arbor. Since losing their first two games, Michigan is 5-0 and has looked more impressive each week. Michael Hart is the heart and soul of this team, and the return of Chad Henne allows them to open up their offense and make defense defend the pass. Illinois is coming off a tough loss at Iowa, but their two big wins this season (Penn State and Wisconsin) came at home. Juice Williams will get the start this week but coach Ron Zook said that Eddie McGee will see some snaps also. The Illini have a good running back themselves in Rashard Mendenhall. This will be a nail biter but if you look at the stats, Illinois has given up well over 100 yards rushing in its past 3 games while Michigan’s defense has been improving each week. Hart will get his 100 and then some. The last time Illinois beat Michigan was in 1999, we will be using that same stat next year. Michigan 27-24

Last Week: 3-3 (.500) Overall: 44-13 (.772)