Games of the Week: Let's Go Pigs

It may not be as good as two weeks ago, but in terms of the national landscape this Saturday will feature a better group of games. While the Big Ten is by no means being challenged this week as a whole, the other conferences are playing some very interesting games. Let's take a look at some of the best.

Best Top Ten Battle

Alabama @ Arkansas

While College Gameday may be in Boise the best game this week is once again in the SEC. So far this season the defending National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide have looked untouchable, but this week will be their first real test of the season. The other three games do not compare to traveling on the road in the SEC and playing a solid passing offense that will challenge the Rolling Tide defense. Alabama is replacing nine starters on defense from a year ago, and the Arkansas offense has looked impressive so far this season. Don't be too shocked to see the Razorbacks break the Tide.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

Alabama should win this one, but it will be close. The Tide defense should be strong enough to limit the Razorback offense, and with Mark Ingrham healthy expect the Tide to run the ball all day. We're not saying that the Razrobacks aren'ta good team yet...just not good enough to beat Alabama.

Best of the West

Oregon @ Arizona State

Bucky got their taste of the Sun Devils last weekend, and this weekend Arizona State will look to burn some duck. Oregon comes into this game looking like the best offense in the country, but Arizona State's defense looked impressive in Madison last weekend. If the Sun Devils hope to compete in this one it will be the defense that keeps them in it. And don't underestimate the power of home field advantage, but Oregon has already been tested on the road this season at Tennessee.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

While the Arizona State defense did look impressive last weekend, the Oregon offense is a completely different machine than the Badgers. Oregon is averaging over a point a minute this season, and it's unlikely that the Sun Devils will be able to stop the Ducks. While Arizona State will keep this game a little closer than some people think it might, the Ducks should be able to walk out of Tempe with a victory. Sorry Sparky.

Put Up or Shut Up!

South Carolina @ Auburn

This game is a good one for either of these teams to show exactly what they're made of. While both of these teams are 3-0, they both need this win to establish themselves as a legitimate threat in the SEC. South Carolina has looked impressive so far this season, but they have not needed to show it on the road yet. Auburn has traveled to Mississippi State this year, but the Tigers have not looked impressive in either wins over Clemson and Mississipi State.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

While Auburn's season may not have started the way most Tiger fans would want it. By that we mean they haven't destroyed every opponent by thirty, but Auburn is still undefeated. The Tigers are a very talented football team, and Jordan-Hare Stadium is one of the hardest places to play in as the road team in the country. The fan should make a huge difference, and challenge the Gamecocks, and help lead to a Auburn victory. Lesson for the wise, when you have two teams that are very similar...take the home team.

Best Big Ten (Upset Alert?)

Northern Illinois @ Minnesota

We have to ask whether or not this would be an upset. Minnesota has already lost to FCS South Dakota this year at TCF Bank Park, and Northern Illinois is not the Bison nor are they an FCS school. While the Gopher did hang with USC last week at home, they did give up over 400 yards of total offense, and 216 of that was on the ground. The Huskies on the other hand do feature a solid running game with runningback Chad Spann, and quarterback Chandler Harnish, but the Huskies too lack on the defensive side of the ball. Both teams have plenty to improve on, and whoever corrects their mistakes will be the one who walks away with this one.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

Unfortunately for the Gophers it's them that will need to fix the most mistakes. The defense has not been good at all up to this point in the season, and the Huskie offense should have no problem getting points on the board against them. On the offensive side of the ball the Gophers have already committed one mistake this week...well one Gopher did. Top returning reciver from last season Troy Stoudermire will miss the game after being suspended this week. On an offense already looking for an identity...losing a key player is not a good way to find that identity. Huskies win a close one late....