This Week's Schedule (10/4/08)

There are two true elimination games this week, so at most we'll have 65 teams alive next week. Expect a lot less then that.

The first sees Illinois go to the Big House to meet a Michigan squad still flying high from last week's upset of Wisconsin. Illinois came into the year with big expectations, but have only a 3-point win over Louisiana-Lafayette in three Division I games.

The second features another team that pulled an upset last week, Mississippi. The Rebels host South Carolina a week after shocking Florida in Gainesville. The Gamecocks' two losses have each come by seven points to Vanderbilt and Georgia, who have one loss between them. Mississippi has also lost close in its two defeats, one to Vandy and one to Wake Forest.

The Alive and Kicking bracket features three games that will send some teams to Life Support.

Duke travels to Georgia Tech in an ACC clash that sports two coaches new to their programs making positive impacts in Duke's David Cutcliffe and Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson.

Wisconsin returns home after a shocking loss in the Big House, this time to meet another Big 10 power, Ohio St. Voters won't look kindly on a 2-loss Ohio St. program after consecutive losses in the BCS title game, so the Buckeyes need this one badly to stay in the championship hunt.

USC will try to put its loss to Oregon St. behind it as the Trojans host Oregon at 8 p.m. Saturday. Oregon's loss came by five at home to unbeaten Boise St., so this could be a good one. Probably not a good spot for the Ducks, however, as the Trojans will likely come out a little peeved after seeing their undefeated dreams spoiled.

There's one Perfect Health bracket game this week as Alabama hosts Kentucky at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Kentucky has yet to be tested, winning its two Division I games over Louisville and Middle Tennessee St, the latter of which came when the Blue Raiders were stopped at the 1-yard line as time expired down 20-14.