Since the weekend of college football games starts off with a bang tonight with a Boston College vs. Virginia Tech showdown, we'll put on our prognosticator hat a day early. As usual, the number in parenthesis is the team's current ranking.

(2) Boston College 28, (8) Virginia Tech 24
Boston College features the ACC's number one total offense, averaging 455 yards per game. Surprisingly, Virginia Tech features the ACC's worst total offense, and the 112th ranked offense in the country, averaging less than 300 yards per game. However, we all know the Hokies win on defense and special teams, and they come into the game giving up just over 300 yards per game. They also have the country's 8th ranked scoring defense, as they allow only 16 points per contest. B.C. is no joke on D, though, as they have the 18th ranked scoring defense, allowing only 17.7 points per game.

In fact, Boston College has many statistical advantages over Virginia Tech: they have higher rankings in passing offense, rushing offense, defensive interceptions and rushing defense. Not to mention the second-best turnover margin in the country at more than 2-1. Where Tech does have the advantage is that B.C. gives up more than 277 yards per game through the air, last in the ACC. And as usual, the Hokies have the 7th best punt return average in the country. Another advantage, and probably a big one, is the game is being played in Blacksburg, VA. Still, Matt Ryan might be the nation's best QB, and they feature a great offense and quality defense. In a close one, B.C. pulls it out.

(5) Oregon 27, (12) USC 21
This will be a battle, and it features one of the nation's most dynamic offensive players in Ducks QB Dennis Dixon against one of the best defenses in the country.

Dixon is 11th in the nation in total offense, and a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender. He can run, as evidenced by his 415 yards and 7 TD's, and he can throw, which is evident by his completion percentage, which sits at 69%, and his 17 TD passes vs. just 3 interceptions. Behind him, the Ducks have Jonathan Stewart, who has the 6th most yards in the country, and is leading the Pac-10 in that category.

USC counters with a defensive unit that is ranked 3rd in total yards allowed. Led by linebackers Keith Rivers and Ray Maualuga, and linemen Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson, the Trojans lead the Pac-10 in pass defense, are 4th in the country in run defense and 10th in the country in scoring defense. It should be a fun match-up watching Dixon and Stewart try to navigate around this crew. Still, the game is at Oregaon, and Dixon is having a magical season that will continue on Saturday.

Florida 35, Georgia 24
If Dennis Dixon is a Heisman candidate, Gators QB Tim Tebow is the front-runner at this point. Tebow is the SEC leader in total offense, and 7th in the country. He is also second in the conference in both rushing and passing TD's, not to mention being the ncaa leader in passing efficiency.

Meanwhile, Georgia is solid, if unspectacular in any one area, except for punting, a category they lead the SEC in. Other than that, however, Georgia is ranked between 4th and 8th in the 12-team conference in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense, rushing offense, scoring defense, total defense, passing defense and rushing defense.

One thing that probably won't decide the game is turnovers. Combined, these two teams have turned the ball over just 12 times in 14 total games. And they don't get many turnovers either. Florida is 10th in the SEC in passes intercepted (5) and 11th in fumbles recovered (3), while Georgia is last in the SEC in passes intercepted (2) and 9th in fumbles recovered (4). Look for Florida to pull away late in a game that will be played Saturday in Jacksonville, Fl.

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