“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.... the Jedi Council chose a young man filled with knowledge to go to the planet earth and be known as the profound and prolific prophet of pigskin prognostication...” Star Wars episode 35.

Well that’s where I see George Lucas going with the series, but that’s just me.

The Schmoman scored 75% last week in his predictions. Though my overall rating is now only 78%, I feel that this week will put me back above the .800 mark. Let’s just say it is more than a hunch being since I am the smartest man alive.

Many have taken advantage of the website discussion board to challenge my greatness. Though many have tried, none have succeeded. To the whining Tennessee fans that said the Vols would beat Miami, now who’s laughing. I don’t call myself the “Great One” for nothing.

The Hurricanes proved that they alone are the number one team in the nation. I will have to give Tennessee’s defense credit though. They put up the best defensive struggle versus Miami so far on the year. For that, they should definitely be commended.

Though #9 Notre Dame, #1 Miami, #4 Washington State, #13 Virginia Tech and #24 TCU are idle this weekend, the top 25 will no doubt still be an exciting place. This year I have seen many teams that were billed as unbeatable fall.

This trend seems to happen every year and is what I find exciting about college football. The pure form of the game where great players perform for school pride, personal futures and a national championship. This is the stage right before they move on and turn into money grubbing babies that demand insane salaries for playing.

This is why I find college football appealing and pro-football disgusting. The heart of all these players comes out in these games, and that is why people love to watch.

With that in mind, I start to drift, and feel the predictions start to form in my brain. Like clouds clearing to reveal a starlit night sky, I now slip into my trance-like state and divulge all there is to know about the upcoming week in the top 25. (All rankings are based on the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, Picks are in bold.)

#2 Ohio State at Illinois. Dr. McD., I hope you are betting money on the Illini, because the Buckeyes are going to roll. Ohio State

#3 Texas at Texas Tech. The Longhorns are out to prove the Oklahoma game was just an off day. Texas

#5 Iowa at Minnesota. Any team named the “Golden Gophers” is immediately suspect. The Hawkeyes are going to eliminate these rodents with ease. Iowa

#6 Oklahoma at Baylor. Last week Texas, this week the Sooners. Baylor has become a whipping boy. The Sooner surge should wipe them out. Oklahoma

#7 Georgia at Auburn. The Bulldogs face a dangerous Tiger bunch. They will have to dig for this one. Though the game could go either way, I have to go with the winner. Georgia

#8 USC hosts Arizona State. The Trojans won’t need a horse to bring down the less than perfect Sun Devil bunch. The homefield advantage just seals it. USC

#10 Michigan hosts cross-lake rival Wisconsin. The Badger bunch has turned in a dismal year so far. I just don’t see the Wolverines cutting them any slack. This beating will be without mercy. Michigan

In other games it will be: #11 Kansas State over Nebraska, #12 LSU over Alabama, South Carolina over #14 Florida, #15 Florida State over North Carolina, #16 Penn State over Indiana, #17 Colorado State over San Diego State, Iowa State over #18 Colorado, #19 Maryland over Clemson, #20 N.C. State over Virginia, #22 Oregon over Washington, #23 Boise State over Louisiana Tech, South Florida over #25 Bowling Green.

Well, there you have it. Call the bookie, get the beer and chips ready and have a great weekend of college football.

Any comments, criticisms or complaints, feel free to use the discussion board on the website. Till next time, be cool.