Setting Up For November 4

NFL week 7 officially ended this evening, with Peyton Manning and the Colts defeating their divisional foe Jacksonville Jaguars, 29-7. The Colts have started the season 6-0 for the third straight season.

There were questions on whether the Colts would be able to stop the Jaguars ground game that ran all over them last year in a 44-17 win for the Jags. I think the Colts responded well, holding the Jaguars to 117 rushing yards and one touchdown.

If the Colts beat the Panthers, and the Patriots beat the Redskins in week 8, it will set up a big AFC game of two undefeated teams. The Pats are being tagged as the team to beat, while the Colts are looking to get respect as the defending Super Bowl champs.

The win for the Colts sets a blueprint that is all too familiar in the AFC South: chasing the Colts. Indianapolis dominated this contest, in a game deemed to be a measuring stick for Jacksonville and how close they are to the Colts.

Tony Dungy said the 2007 version of the Colts are better and faster than the 2006 version, and I believe him.

Bob Sanders is a beast. Last year, Sanders was sorely missed by the Colts defense for much of the season and we saw his impact in the playoffs. He came up with huge tackles, pass deflections, and one interception against the Jaguars.

November 4, mark you calendars. You are going to want to watch the game with me on that day, I promise.

As for my week 7 picks... I have had better weeks.

Week 7 record: 8-6
Overall record (started in week 3): 41-30

College football side note: I have to apologize to the UCLA Bruins for picking Cal to dismantle them. I doubted the Bruins mainly because Patrick Cowan was not starting the game. To my surprise he did, and helped the Bruins keep their undefeated conference record intact. It was a great game largely in part because I was there. College football games are the best to attend so get your butt to a game near you.

And Then There Were Five

University of South Florida and their pretty fans are heartbroken today after being upset by Rutgers last night, 30-27. (Mental note to self: get to more college football games! I need a seat next to her.)

It is not fun to be at the top of the college football rankings this year, as the Bulls continued the trend of top-10 teams losing to unranked teams this year. Look for the Bulls to drop out of the top-10 in the BCS rankings.

There are still five undefeated teams in college football (BCS rankings in parentheses): Ohio State (1), Boston College (3), Arizona State (8), Kansas (13) , and Hawaii (18).

The parody in college football has made for an exciting season so far this year. I say Ohio State loses to Penn State, or dare I say, Michigan? Hold me to that.

Games to watch:

Auburn @ LSU. #17 Auburn v. #4 LSU in an SEC matchup. Both teams are 3-1 in conference play this season. ESPN, 9:00 PM ET.

Florida @ Kentucky. Another SEC matchup #15 v. #7. Kentucky has a 20-game losing streak to Florida. CBS, 12:30 PM ET.

USC @ Notre Dame. Oh wait, there is no hype going into this game? What is that I hear? The bandwagon SC fans looking for their next wagon to hop on? Yes, yes. Run, run. SC is losing at least two more games this season. Bore yourself at 12:30 PM ET on NBC.

Cal @ UCLA. Ah, I kid, I kid. This is going to be a laugher. McLeod Bethel-Thompson will probably get the start at QB for the Bruins; close your eyes during this one kids. He threw four interceptions when they played Notre Dame two weeks ago. UCLA, say goodbye to that undefeated conference record. ABC, 12:30 PM ET.

So have your remote in hand because there are plenty of games to watch at the same time. That or get the cute bartender girl to reach up and change the channel (note: attire of the girl must include a skirt).

Pac-10 Football

Pac-10 football, specifically Los Angeles Pac-10 football teams, played wonderfully today.

UCLA felt bad for Charlie Weis and Notre Dame, so they decided to lose to the Fighting Irish 20-6. The Bruins were favored by 22 1/2 points going into the game.

It was Notre Dame's first win on the year. The outcome may have been different had starting QB Ben Olson not been knocked out of the game late in the first quarter. Walk-on redshirt freshman QB, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, replaced Olson. He had not thrown a pass in a college game.

The good news for the Bruins is that the game was a non-conference matchup, keeping their Pac-10 record at 3-0.

The lovable USC Trojans lost at home, snapping a 35-game home winning streak, to the juggernaut that is the Stanford Cardinal. The Cardinal were 41-point underdogs.

Well, John David Booty can kiss any hope of winning a Heisman trophy goodbye. Booty threw four interceptions on the day, including one at the 2:53 mark in the fourth quarter that led to Stanford's winning drive.

It may be early, but this loss could cost USC the opportunity to win the Pac-10 conference. And hopefully this loss will make the bandwagon fans of USC disappear. They know who they are; snooty and obnoxious, acting like their bum does not stink.

Unfortunately this will be said all over the media now: Pac-10 football is no where close to the SEC football.

May your Sunday be filled with sports.