Today is shaping up to be a great day of sports headlined by college football where #3 play #4 and their are three other match-ups against top 25 teams. The English Premier League is in action as well as first leg action from the MLS conference semifinals.
English Premier League
Burnley at Arsenal - 10:00 AM Central - NBC SportsExtra
Arsenal is currently sitting at 5th place in the league, but the teams in 4th and all the way down to 9th are +/- 2 points from them. They are playing Burnley who is currently last and has not won yet. This is a home game for Arsenal and even with the injuries and the busy schedule they should win this game and they need to. Arsenal has already dropped points this year drawing games they should have won, if they want to continue their streak of Champion League qualifications. Arsenal wins 3-1.
College Football
#18 Oklahoma at Iowa State - 11:00 AM Central - Fox Sports 1
In the past several years Iowa State has had a signature win at home against a top 25 teams. They almost update Kansas State earlier this year at home. So for Oklahoma going in to Ames IA should worry them. I expect this game to be close for awhile, but Oklahoma will put it away early in the second half and cruise to an easy win. Oklahoma wins going away 45-17
Missouri Western at #9 Northwest Missouri State - 1:00 PM Central
This is a big game for Northwest, as are the rest this season. The first regional rankings came out and Northwest is sitting at #7 in the region (Only 6 teams in each region make the playoffs). The good news for Northwest is that #2 and #3 play each other this week so they will have a better idea in next weeks standings with they control their playoff future or if they will need help. One thing is for certain, if they lose one of their last three games it won't mater what other teams do. Missouri Western comes in at 5-3 on the season, however records don't mater much in rivalry games. Missouri Western is coming in upset after a 30-10 loss at Emporia State last weekend, nothing would ease the sting of that loss more than a rivalry win that knocks the Bearcats out of the playoffs and out of a tie for the MIAA championship. Northwest took care of business out at Fort Hays and I expect them to do so again at home. Northwest wins this game 31-13
#7 TCU at #20 West Virginia - 2:30 PM Central - ABC/ESPN2 (depending on region) Map
This should be a very good and entertaining football game. This game being in Morgantown will keep the game close. TCU is coming off an offensive explosion in which they put up 82 on Texas Tech, they have not scored less than 37 points in the Big 12 this year. West Virginia has not given up more than 34 points in the Big 12 this season and have not scored less than 33 points themselves. This could easily be a game where the last team to have the ball will win, but I think TCU will have the game in control late. TCU hangs on for a 42-34 win.
#3 Auburn at #4 Ole Miss - 6:00 PM Central - ESPN
The game of the day will be in Oxford. This will have a huge impact on the national championship playoff with the loser basically eliminated with two losses. Ole Miss could not pull out a win in Death Valley last weekend against LSU (Last week my head said LSU, but my heart said Ole Miss). Auburn easily beat LSU at home 41-7, but earlier in the season it took mistakes from Kansas State to be able to sneak out a road win 20-14. Ole Miss coming off a loss, playing at home looking to continue a magic season will be tough. Ole Miss better have some extra money in the athletic budget when they get fined by the SEC for rushing the field again. Ole Miss wins a thriller 24-21
Arkansas at #1 Mississippi State - 6:15 PM Central - ESPN2
Arkansas is a good team that if a team does not play their best against could lose to. Luckily for Mississippi State they have a non-conference game next week before their play Alabama, so there should not be the look ahead factor. Also the game is in Starkville and and not Fayetteville so that will help Mississippi State. This will not be a blowout by any means, but I think Mississippi State will have a comfortable time winning this game. Mississippi State wins 38-27
#12 Arizona at #22 UCLA - 9:30 PM Central - ESPN
I think these two teams are fairly equal. When that happens in college football I have to go with the home team. UCLA was on the ropes last weekend at Colorado but fought back to win in overtime. I think they will carry that momentum over in to this home game. I can see one of the teams pulling out to a decent lead in this game, only for the other team come back to make it close or take a lead. I expect an exciting fourth quarter that much of America will be asleep for. UCLA pulls out the win 38-35
#17 Utah at #14 Arizona State - 10:00 PM Central - Fox Sports 1
Similar to the Arizona / UCLA game much of America will be over and will miss this great football game. Sun Devil stadium will be going crazy for this game. Since being embarrassed by UCLA, Arizona has put together a nice run with wins over USC, Stanford and Washington. Utah's only loss on the season was a one point loss at home to Washington State. In the past three weeks they have had close wins over UCLA, Oregon State and USC. I expect for this game to be close the entire game. Arizona State will pull out a close 28-24 win at home.
MLS Playoffs
#2 New England Revolution at #3 Columbus Crew - 3:00 Central - MLS Live
The goal in these home/home 2 game playoffs is for the road team to keep it close and get a road goal, while the home team is trying to have a shut out and score as much as possible to make the second game on the road easier. I think New England will accomplish their objective and get a goal even though Columbus will be ahead at the end of the first leg. Columbus wins leg one 2-1
#2 LA Galaxy at #3 Real Salt Lake - 7:00 Central - NBCSN
Last week during the season finale in Seattle was the first time since May 17th that the Galaxy had not scored at least one goal in a game. I don't see that happening two weeks in a row now. I don't think Salt Lake is shut out in this game either, but since they end of September they are averaging a goal a game. Game end in a 1-1 draw
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