AP Photo/L.G. Patterson

By Aaron M Smith

Week 9 of the college football season showcases some great games that could prove to be a heavy influence on next week’s Pickin’ Splinters College Football Poll. Key wins and losses could shake the Pickin’ Splinters poll and may move one team close to that#1 position. Without further delay, let’s take a look:

Baylor vs. Oklahoma State (#3 PSCFP):

With a date looming with a #8 Kansas State team, this match up with the Bears has all  the makings of a trap game. Coach Mike Gundy must keep his team focused as Baylor features a high-powered offense led by Robert Griffin III.  The Cowboys may be  without two of their top wide receivers after Justin Blackmon left last week’s game with concussion-like symptoms and wideout Hubert Anyiam is out for the season with a broken foot. Expect running back Joseph Randle to carry the load for Oklahoma State on Saturday. Two high powered offenses, which should mean a lot of points on the board. Oklahoma State wins 42-33.

Clemson (#6 PSFCP) vs. Georgia Tech:

A conference game that could prove to be trouble for the high-powered Clemson Tigers. Georgia Tech is looking to right the ship after consecutive losses to Virginia and Miami. The Yellow Jackets offense is led by Tevin Washington and was the ACC’s best offense until its two game swoon. Clemson has a chance to go 9-0 for the first time since 1981. The Tigers’  offense starts with Tajh Boyd who has thrown for 24 TDs already this season.  If the crowd at Bobby Dodd Stadium can get involved early, the Yellow Jackets could smell upset. Georgia Tech with the upset, 31-30.

Stanford (#5 PSCFP) vs. USC:

This  PAC-12 game features the Battle of the Quarterbacks in Andrew Luck vs. Matt Barkley. Both QBs figure to be 1st round picks in the 2012 draft, with Luck the leading Heisman candidate. The Cardinals have won 3 of the last 4 meetings including a thrilling 37-35 victory in 2010. Look for Trojan WR Robert Woods to be busy in this game, as the Cardinals didn’t have an answer for the sophomore wideout in last year’s game (224 yards receiving).  For as well as Luck is playing, the Cardinals have found their running game in recent games. Expect that to continue on Saturday against a USC defense that has struggled against the run. Stanford wins 42-28.

Oklahoma(#9 PSCFP) vs. Kansas State (#8 PSCFP):

Somebody call Kenny Loggins because the Oklahoma Sooners are entering the Danger Zone. After a stunning loss at home to Texas Tech, the Sooners will be looking to avoid consecutive conference losses for the first time in 13 years.  The Wildcats will rely heavily on their ground attack to beat the Sooners. The running attack is led by QB Collin Klein and RB John Hubert. Landry Jones leads a Sooner passing attack that is going up against a suspect Kansas State secondary. This should be a high scoring affair, but Oklahoma’s BCS dreams are done after Saturday. Kansas State wins 31-28.

Michigan State  (#12 PSCFP) vs. Nebraska (#13 PSCFP):

After wins against Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin; one could understand if Michigan State had a letdown. Don’t tell that to the Spartans who travel to Lincoln to run the table for the month of October. The Spartans will be challenged to stop the Cornhuskers’ running attack, led by QB Taylor Martinez.  Nebraska is coming off consecutive wins over Ohio State and Minnesota. An interesting stat: the Spartans went the entire Wisconsin game without a penalty on either side of the ball.  Nebraska wins 21-17.

Illinois vs. Penn State:

Riding a 6 game winning streak, Penn State looks to tie Joe Paterno with coaching legend Eddie Robinson for the all-time Division I wins record of 408. To do that, the Nittany Lions will look to avenge a 33-13 loss from a year ago. Illinois is looking to end a two game losing streak after winning its first 6 games. To do that, the Fighting Illini will rely on its sophomore QB, Nathan Scheelhaase to get them back to their winning ways. Scheelhaase has struggled in the last two games, including being sacked 4 times in their loss to Purdue. After slow starts in their last two games, expect Illinois to come out strong from the kickoff. Home field advantage for Penn State will be key. Nittany Lions win 17-13.

South Carolina vs. Tennessee:

After its bye week, South Carolina puts its new look offense to the test. QB Stephen Garcia has been dismissed… again, star RB Marcus Lattimore is out for the season and Gamecocks have dropped of the PSCF Poll without losing a game. Coach Spurrier will turn to running back Brandon Wilds to replace Lattimore and will rely on a stingy Gamecocks defense to win their remaining games. Tennessee one of the worst teams against the run, should be a perfect tune-up for South Carolina. Gamecocks win 27-7.

Navy vs. Notre Dame:

After a disappointing loss to USC, the Fighting Irish look to bounce back against a Navy football team that has lost 5 consecutive games. Look for the Midshipmen to run the ball and control the clock. Averaging nearly 300 yards on the ground, they will need to keep Rees, Woods and Michael Floyd off the field to have a shot at winning this game.  Notre Dame will be looking to make a point after being accused of giving up at the end of the USC game. Notre Dame wins 42-17.

Have a prediction? Have a game you wish to discuss? Let’s hear it on the Pine.

AP Photo/Matt Sayles

Another week of great sports action, and so many great performances with which to choose. Step right up readers and give us the one (1), uno, une performance that stands out for you this past week.

The Stanford Cardinal earned my POTW. Pete Carroll’s USC Trojans entered Saturday’s game, with the Cardinal, winning 48 of their last 49 home contests – make that 48 of 50.

Stanford’s offense out-gained USC, 469 – 334. Standford’s defense stopped USC on fourth down twice and intercepted three Matt Barkley passes (one returned for a touchdown) as the Cardinal squashed the Trojans, 55-21.

The win represented Stanford’s second win in as many weeks over a top ten opponent. The Cardinal downed 8th-ranked Oregon 51 – 42 a week ago.

Cardinal running back, Toby Gerhart, rushed for 178 yards on 29 carries and scored three touch downs.

USC’s other home loss in the last 50? That also came at the hands of the Cardinal. Stanford beat USC, 24-23 on October 6th, 2007.

Who gets your POTW?

The College Football Belt