Crystal Ball, Hurricane Edition...

Here are some early, abbreviated predictions for the weekend lest we lose power come Saturday... Knowing our luck, the Dallas metro area will go dark just as Ohio State is kicking off at the L.A. Coliseum...

Vandy jumps out early on Rice and withstands a furious late rally from the Owls, who are well conditioned and tend to play their best football in the 4th quarter.

Texas Tech puts up a big number on SMU in Lubbock. The spread is 36.5, but given how poor SMU's defense is, I think Tech will cover.

Missouri beats Nevada in Columbia. It's close in the first half, but Mizzou turns it on in the second half and adds a couple of TDs late to make the final score pretty for the newspapers.

Baylor takes care of Washington State. Yet there is a wildcard: If Hurricane Ike interrupts the game with wind and rain, anything can happen.

Tulane is better than people think. They held Alabama to 20 points last week --- something the vaunted Clemson Tigers could not do. I still think East Carolina wins this game because they have the better offense, but it's a close one.

The pro-Huskie crowd will scream its lungs out, but to no avail. Oklahoma does a woodshed job on Washington. I predict an ugly score, and even uglier sports columns calling for Ty Will's firing on Sunday.

Fresno State has been pointing to this home game with Wisconsin for some time, but Wisconsin has heart and is well conditioned. My prediction: The game goes into the 4th quarter close. Ultimately, I think Wisconsin pulls it out because they have a slightly better offense. But I would not be surprised to see the Bulldogs snatch one here.

Cal at Maryland... This one is not even close. Cal unleashes an offensive storm on the Terps and puts up a big, big number.

Now the big one... Ohio State at USC...
I think the Ohio State defense keeps it close early on. I also think coach Jim Tressel will have some tricks up his sleeve involving freshman sensation QB Terelle Pryor. But USC is just too talented to be stopped. The Trojans win comfortably.