ITB's Slate of Eight: Week Six

This is a special edition of the Slate of Eight for more than one reason as we're joined by friend of the program, friend in real life, "Fun Bunch" blackberry chat group member, former UNC running partner and current college football blogger for CBS Sports the one and only Chip Patterson. Chip and I play the second part of our home and home series after I was his guest on a CBS Sports podcast a few weeks ago and this is another dandy as we get into the Slate of Eight; with a twist. I'll spare you the tease and let you know the twist now; I forgot to include Florida-LSU in the show prep email to Chip thus we've got the Slate of Eight PLUS ONE this week.

My little "screw up aside" here's the games that we get into this week:

Arkansas - Texas A&M
Baylor - Texas Tech
Clemson - UNC
USC - Stanford
Oregon State - Arizona
Michigan State - Michigan
Alabama - Sakerlina
Florida State - Miami
*LSU - Florida*

In Big XII country things will get heated in the Dallas Metro area with two neutral site games. Arkansas and aTm will be great to see how both rebound from tough losses as well as for the old timers to get together and kick around old SWC war stories. As for Baylor-TTU we'll get to see how Tubbs' boys grow up on defense in facing an explosive and remarkably solid passer in Robert Griffin III aka RG3.

Clemson travels to UNC in a must win game for both schools to avoid an 0-2 ACC start.

We head out west to hit on the Pac-10's two major showdowns of the weekend. Watching USC and Stanford lose a week ago dropped the hype surrounding this game but it will remain a crucial conference battle. Oregon State gets the first real crack at Arizona as a Top 10 team and we'll see how the Wildcats handle the success. We saw them a season ago with the Rose Bowl on their racquet late only to fold like a lawn chair against the Ducks at home. Hopefully for Stoops this season goes differently.

In our big three Michigan State looks to rough up the Wolverines while Rodriguez's team tries to out sprint the Spartans. Chip rolls with Sparty but I think Shoelace is too good to be stopped. In the case of Bama-Sakerlina the only debate is how long the Gamecocks are able to keep this contest close. I saw 3 quarters, Chip says a considerably shorter time. The U and Seminoles contests gets the proper attention as Sun Life Stadium will feature two of the schools many expect to be in the ACC title game.

Lastly we'll look into the Gators taking on the Bayou Bengals in the Swamp. Yes, somehow I forgot this game. Yes, I'm ashamed because I've spent countless hours explaining why LSU crazy end game scenarios don't bother me. Chip and I get into a pretty spirited debate here as he sides with the Gators and I take the Tigers on the road. Let's just say if you don't like my "LSU Curve" explanation then clearly you don't believe in the juju of the Bayou Bengals.

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