College Football Three and Out: Week 5

First and 11: Recapping week 4

Top-10 Bold Prediction: Stanford falls to UCLA

The Bruins had 'em on the ropes, and then the Cardinal scored twice in the last 24 seconds.  The second didn't matter (except to those in Vegas), but it really shows how bad the late collapse was by UCLA.  Stanford survived again, 22 - 13.  I still stand by what I said earlier: they will lose eventually.  Maybe it will happen tonight against Washington?

B1G Bold Prediction: Badgers take down Spartans in East Lansing

Well, Clement played, but with how well Wisconsin's defense performed they probably didn't even need him.  Michigan State struggled to do much of anything on offense as they suffered their first loss of the season, 30 - 6.

Buckeye Bold Prediction: I come face-to-face with former OSU players

Beanie Wells, Bobby Carpenter, and Anthony Schlegel came to my work on Friday. They talked about their experiences at OSU and beyond, did Q&A, and signed autographs. OK, so I may have known about this ahead of time...

Why-not Bold Prediction: Clemson stumbles at Georgia Tech

The Tigers' defense was too good for the Yellow Jackets to have a legitimate chance in this one.  But unless their offense can start producing more consistently, Clemson may be in trouble.  And they don't have much time to get their act together - Louisville comes to town this Saturday. 

Not-so-bold Bold Prediction: Louisville's Lamar Jackson lights up scoreboard... again

Speaking of Louisville... Jackson did it again: 479 yards.  7 touchdowns.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.

Week 3 record: 3 - 2
2016 record: 11 - 9

Second and 3: Predicting the future!

Top-10 Bold Prediction: Louisville beats Clemson by double digits

 I'm sure the Cardinals are still embracing the underdog mindset, despite being slight favorites against the reigning ACC champs.  And with the talent they have, that's a dangerous thing.  I think they win again, and win big.  What will be a greater challenge (ironically) is when they face some of the lesser teams in the conference, and the blowout is expected.  But on Saturday they will roll to a 30 - 17 victory.

B1G Bold Prediction: Indiana upsets Michigan State

The Hoosiers are just good enough on offense that they might have a shot to give the Spartans their second loss, by a margin of 3 points.

Buckeye Bold Prediction: Weber rushes for 200+ yards

The red-shirt freshman has been impressive so far, but with an offense loaded with play-makers, he hasn't gotten the attention that he might have otherwise.  He's been very close to breaking a long run on multiple occasions.  I think this is the week he really breaks loose, as Ohio State cruises to a 52 - 13 win.

Why-not Bold Prediction: TCU gives Sooners third loss

We'll learn a lot about the leadership of this Oklahoma team in the coming weeks.  After dropping games to Houston and Ohio State, they are all but eliminated from playoff contention.  But they still have the talent to compete for a Big 12 title, if they can forget about the postseason and just play football.  But that's easier said than done.  I think the wheels come off the wagon with a loss in Fort Worth, and it just gets worse from there.

Not-so-bold Bold Prediction: FIU scores three or more points

Florida International is bad at scoring points.

Third and Miles: LSU says goodbye

The biggest news in college football this week was Les Miles getting the boot.  I can't say I'm surprised, but I also can't help but think that LSU will end up regretting this decision.  It's hard to look at a 114 - 34 record and justify firing the guy at the helm.  Not to mention, he won a BCS title and competed for another.  I think in the end it was his and his staff's inability to develop the talent he recruited, particularly at quarterback, that cost him the job.  With the talent on his roster, the Tigers should have been vying for SEC and national titles on a regular basis.  I guess my biggest problem with the firing wasn't that they let him go, but the timing of it.  I just don't see the benefit of cutting the cord partway through the season.  I get that a 2-2 record to start the year isn't very impressive, but the chances of finding a good replacement now is very low.  Like I said, I can't blame LSU fans for demanding better, but to be honest I doubt they'll get it any time soon.  The next few years could be rough for the Tigers.

Fourth down: It's time for Big Ten football.  Run it down their throats.