By Anthony Carillo

1)     Brandon Weeden-Quarterback Oklahoma State

Andrew Luck’s Heisman campaign took a big hit when Stanford lost to Oregon, and Brandon Weeden, as old as he is, has the Cowboys of Oklahoma State firing on all cylinders.  Weeden didn’t even play the whole game against Texas Tech, but he still managed to rack up 423 passing yards and 5 touchdowns in a 66-6 rout of the Red Raiders. This week the cowboys play Iowa State, a game in my opinion that the starters should be taken out before the end of the third, if the offense plays the way they have been all season. Then the Cowboys play their most important game of the season, when they host in state rival Oklahoma, which will decide the Big 12 champion.

2)     Case Keenum-Quarterback Houston

Case Keenum is playing Rodgers-like when you look at his stats. He has thrown for 3951 yards, 37 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. His 325 yards last week were the second fewest passing yards in a game for him this season.  He is 2^nd in the nation in passer rating, 1^st in passing yards, 1^st in passing touchdowns, and 2^nd in the nation in completion percentage. He has broken multiple records this season and he is on pace to go down as one of the best statistical quarterbacks in college football history. Case is making a case for the Heisman trophy, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be in New York as one of the finalists for the most prestigious individual trophy in all of college football.

3)     Trent Richardson-RB Alabama

Richardson is having a great year. Not only has he run for 1205 yards and 18 touchdowns, but he has also caught 25 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown as well. He is an absolute workhorse, and he can beat you in a multiple of ways. He can run you over, use his agility to break your ankles, or turn on the jets and run right past you. Against Georgia Southern this weekend I will expect Richardson to rack up rushing yards and touchdowns.

Other Noteables- QB Kellen Moore, WR Justin Blackmon, RB LaMichael James,  RB Montee Ball

By Tina Sans-special contributor-Football Reporters Online

The identity of a college football program is shaped by its head coach. We associate the pass-happy Fun ‘n’ Gun offense with Steve Spurrier and the Gators, the swagger of “The U” with Jimmy Johnson, and a hard-nosed rushing attack, particularly the option, with Tom Osborne and his Huskers. The success of Florida State, for example, is attributed to Bobby Bowden, who made the once forgettable program into a national power. Given their impacts, it’s no wonder high profile athletic departments are shelling out five or six million dollars per season for the services of guys such as Nick Saban and Mack Brown. Every athletic director wants to hire the next legendary coach, and if they’re lucky, they’ll find someone who’ll achieve just a fraction of the success of the coaches listed below. Here are 10 who have cemented their places in college football lore.

1) Bear Bryant: Nick Saban may have a 43-11 record and a national championship in just four seasons at Alabama, but he has a long way to go before he comes close to earning the same kind of admiration and adoration from Tide fans as The Bear. Almost 30 years after Bryant’s death, his presence is felt during every game in Bryant-Denny Stadium, as numerous fans don his patented houndstooth hat to keep his memory alive. During his quarter of a century in Tuscaloosa, he compiled a 232-46-9 record, including 19-6 and 16-7-2 records against hated rivals Auburn and Tennessee, six national championships and 13 SEC championships. He coached notable players such as Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, John Hannah and Ozzie Newsome. Bryant, a football lifer, died just four weeks after his final game as Bama’s head coach, almost confirming his prediction that he’d “probably croak in a week” after retirement.

2) Knute Rockne: Knute Rockne tragically died at the age of 43 in a plane crash, so his coaching resume isn’t as extensive as, say, Bear Bryant’s, Joe Paterno’s or Bobby Bowden’s. But he certainly made the most of his 13 years leading the Irish, going 105-12-5 and winning five national championships. His success, early use of the forward pass and knack for public relations and marketing — valued skills in modern head coaches — helped shape Notre Dame into the nation’s most beloved football program.

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Week 11 NCAA Predictions

By Max Baez

Contributor to Football Reporters Online

West Virginia @ Cincinnati

First of all, I think Cincinnati is absolutely for real.  It’s a shame that there is no playoff in college football, because Cincinnati deserves a shot to play for a national title (although I wouldn’t argue they are one of college football’s two top teams.)  Also, I’d like to thank the football gods for placing this game on a Friday, so that it doesn’t interfere with the many great games taking place on Saturday.  West Virginia is a solid team, and luckily for the Mountaineers, Noel Devine will play, although it remains to be seen if he will be at his maximum production.  I do respect West Virginia, but I think there is definitely a sizeable difference between these two teams, and while I expect it to be competitive, I expect the Bearcats (and their expected 2 QB rotation for this game) to take it.

Cincinnati 38, West Virginia 28

Iowa @ Ohio State

Seven days ago, Iowa was undefeated.  Now, they are a 17 point underdog (yes, you heard me, 17 point underdog) to an unimpressive Ohio State team.  I really have no idea why this spread is so high.  Sure, Ricky Stanzi is injured, but Ohio State hasn’t had a good offense all year and Iowa allows under 16 points a game, so the spread just doesn’t add up.  As for what will happen in this game, it’s tough to say.  Iowa was squeaking out wins all season until they lost to lowly Northwestern last week, while Ohio State, as said earlier, hasn’t exactly set the world on fire.  I’m definitely not expecting this game to be high scoring, and I’m going to take Iowa in a close one, as I expect their defense to get the job done.

Iowa 13, Ohio State 10

Stanford @ USC

Two years ago, it was one of the biggest upsets in college football history when Stanford went into the Coliseum and knocked off mighty USC.  This year, Stanford is flying high, and is actually ahead of USC in the Pac-10 standings (5-2 vs. 4-2.)  Stanford proved themselves nationally with a huge win over Oregon last week, and they hope to take their high powered rushing offense to USC.  Some are even expecting Stanford to win this one, and I personally wouldn’t be shocked to see it happen.  However, USC should be able to exploit Stanford’s main weakness; their secondary.  USC’s weakness this year has been their passing game, but USC has more talent at receiver, and their receivers should be able to get it done this week.  Stanford will keep this one really close, and Toby Gerhart will certainly have a great game for the Cardinal, but expect the Trojans to finish on top.

USC 30, Stanford 27

Arizona @ California

At the beginning of the season, I said Arizona would finish fourth in the Pac-10.  The media said Arizona would finish eighth.  While I knew the media was overlooking Arizona, and that Arizona was certainly better than mediocre ASU and UCLA, I was wondering if maybe I, as an Arizona grad, was overestimating my beloved Cats just a little bit.  However, I ended up underestimating my school.  Nick Foles, who didn’t even start the first three games, has proven to be one of the best underclassmen quarterbacks in the country, and Arizona has had a very easy time putting points on the board.  Cal, on the other hand, is simply pretty average.  Add in the fact that their best player, Jahvid Best, is out for this game, and Arizona should take this one.  It’s simply going to be tough for the Golden Bears to score enough points in this one to win it.

Arizona 31, California 16

Notre Dame @ Pittsburgh

How many more games are left for Charlie Weis to coach before he gets fired at the end of the year?  This one actually has some potential for an upset.  Pitt has looked very good this year on both sides of the ball (they rank in the top 20 in both offensive and defensive scoring.)  However, this could be a dangerous game for them.  Notre Dame can put points on the board and keep it close, and deep down, Notre Dame is more talented.  Also, as for why I think this can be an upset, Pitt is coached by Dave Wannstedt.  I don’t think I need to expand on why that’s my justification.  But then again, Notre Dame is coached by Charlie Weis, effectively making this the toilet bowl of coaching.  But I still think Notre Dame wins this game, it’s just a gut feeling.  Weis still gets canned either way.

Notre Dame 31, Pittsburgh 24

Five other games to watch: Tennessee @ Ole Miss, Auburn @ Georgia, Utah @ TCU, Idaho @ Boise State, Nebraska @ Kansas