Bad news: We’re halfway through the College Football season.

Great news: We’re now into the meaty part of the conference schedule, with most of the cupcake games out of the way.  Things will start to heat up as the race for the BCS Bowl Games and National Championship moves into full swing.

Starting tonight, we’ll have some big games on the schedule.  Here’s the college football predictions for the weekend of October 17th.

Pittsburgh at Rutgers (Friday): Five of the eight teams in the Big East have only one loss, including both the Panthers and the Scarlet Knights.  Pitt RBs Dion Lewis and Ray Graham will lead the charge as Coach Wannstedt finally gets his first win against Rutgers after five tries.  Pitt 28, Rutgers 20.

Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas): This game was supposed to be for a berth to the Big XII Championship game and for the rights to face Florida in the BCS National Championship game.  Although Sooners QB Sam Bradford is back, he’s too late to stop the Longhorns train to Pasadena.  Texas 30, Oklahoma 20.

Alabama vs. South Carolina: The past king of the SEC, Steve Spurrier, and the Gamecocks take on the future king of the SEC in Nick Saban’s Tide.  This is a classic trap game for Alabama with Lane Kiffin and the Vols rolling into town next weekend.  It will be close early, but look for QB Greg McElroy to make some key throws down the stretch to separate these two squads.  With this win, RB Mark Ingram will continue to keep his name in the Heisman Trophy conversation.  Alabama 21, South Carolina 17.

USC at Notre Dame: Speaking of the Heisman, can you believe it’s been more than 20 years since anyone from Notre Dame has taken home the disctinction?  It’s true, the last was Tim Brown in 1987.  Although the Irish are winning and Jimmy Clausen is getting some love for the award, you get the sense he needs a big win in order to step ahead of Tebow and McCoy.  He’ll give it his best shot, but it won’t be enough.  USC 31, Notre Dame 17.

Cal at UCLA: When the season opened, the Bears had dreams of playing in the Rose Bowl.  Unfortunately, they were talking about the game played in January, not this matchup with the Bruins.  Cal needs this one to keep the season from being a complete disaster.  They’ll get it.  Cal 24, UCLA 21.

Iowa at Wisconsin: The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde show heads to Madison for a big-time showdown against the Badgers.  Iowa out-hustled the Badgers last season.  In a victory for pride everywhere, Wisconsin ends Iowa’s bid for perfection.  Wisconsin 20, Iowa 16.

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech:  This one is really intriguing.  With a win here, the Jackets create a log jam at the top of the division between themselves, the Hokies and Miami.  If Tyrod Taylor can lead his team to victory, it’s a near guarantee they will reach the ACC Championship Game in Tampa.  Virginia Tech has too much riding on this game to let it slip away.  Virginia Tech 34, Georgia Tech 24.

Arkansas at Florida: The Hogs with QB Ryan Mallett are really firing on all cylinders on offense scoring 48, 44, 41 and 47 points in a 3-2 start to the season.  Unfortunately, they posted only seven points in a 35-7 loss against Alabama.  The Gators defense, led by Brandon Spikes, isn’t quite that good, but close enough.  Florida 31, Arkansas 13.

Missouri at Oklahoma State:  Suspended Cowboys WR Dez Bryant told the NCAA this week he is “very, very sorry.”  Unfortunately, he still isn’t eligible, which is bad because OSU really, really needs him.  Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert gets back on track after a horrendous performance last week against Nebraska.  Missouri 27, Oklahoma State 24.

Kansas at Colorado: The Buffaloes are feeling a little flat after letting a first half lead against Texas eviscerate on the way to a second half beatdown.  Confidence of the Buffs defense is not high after the 38 points they allowed last weekend.  At here comes Todd Reesing and the Jayhawks, who are looking to secure a BCS berth – or more.  When is Reesing going to get more love for the Heisman?  Answer: After they defeat Oklahoma next weekend.  Kansas 41, Colorado 20.

Feel free to leave your comments below and, as always, enjoy the games….

Recently, I talked about some teams who are utilizing the 12th game to their advantage by scheduling some non-conference marquee matchups.

But what games – in and out of conference – will have the biggest impact on the perception of the national media, the BCS standings and who plays for the BCS National Championship this season?

Here’s the MrBCS.com Top 10 College Football games for 2009.

September 3rd: Oregon at Boise State. It won’t take long for it to feel like mid-season with these two BCS contenders facing off on opening night. Last year in Eugene, the Ducks fell to Boise State in what some Oregon players called “an embarassment.” They get to do somethig about it on Thursday night. Boise State can, and likely will, make the BCS as an at-large without this win. Oregon will not. This one is huge for the Ducks.

September 5th: Virginia Tech vs. Alabama (Atlanta). Last year, Alabama used this game with Clemson to get their season off to a fast start, eventually running their record to 12-0. The Hokies, who lost their starting running back Darren Evans, will look to do the same and can clear their most significant hurdle between them and the BCS Championship game by emerging victorious at the Georgia Dome.

September 12th: USC at Ohio State. Will it be rout #2 for the Trojans or redemption for the Buckeyes? The winner of this one takes a big, big step in the polls and BCS rankings with a victory in Columbus.

October 3rd: USC at Cal. Will USC’s championship dominance come to an end or will another Pac-10 power emerge in 2009? This game couldn’t come at a worse time for the Bears who will be coming off an emotional road game at Oregon the week before.

October 10th: Florida at LSU. The last time these two teams played in Baton Rouge, the Bengal Tigers won by converting an amazing 5 of 5 fourth downs, all in the 4th quarter. Look for LSU to provide the biggest road test for the Gators in 2009. This one is not for the faint of heart.

October 10th: Alabama at Ole Miss. Houston Nutt always had his teams at Arkansas playing their best when their backs were up against the wall. How will the Rebels fare in their biggest test of the season? The winner of this game will likely play for the SEC Championship.

October 17th: Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas). Don’t plan anything on this Saturday. The 2009 Red River Rivalry will be one for the ages. In addition to two top five teams facing off, this one is juiced by the bad blood following the Longhorns exclusion from the Big XII and BCS title game despite having defeated the Sooners 45-35 in 2008. You won’t want to miss this one.

October 31st: USC at Oregon. If the Trojans survive the trip to Berkeley against Cal, this is their last stop between an undefeated season and a shot at the BCS National Championship.

November 7th: Ohio State at Penn State. The belief here is that the undefeated Nittany Lions will be facing a one-loss Buckeyes squad. This should be Joe Paterno’s biggest challenge to another undefeated season. Should the Buckeyes win, look for the Rose Bowl to deal either USC or Ohio State to another BCS game to avoid a rematch of September 12th.

November 28th: Oklahoma State at Oklahoma. Just when you think the Sooners have wrapped up the (fill in the blank here) the OSU Cowboys seem to disrupt the party. If Oklahoma State can defeat the Georgia Bulldogs on opening weekend, they could be in line for a BCS at-large berth -or more – with a victory here.

One final point to consider. If there are more than two undefeated teams (Florida, Penn State, USC and Texas/Oklahoma), who will be shut out? MrBCS.com believes the storyline of the Gators will be too much to ignore, especially given their current poll position. As for their opponent? Look for it to be the Texas Longhorns (provided they are undefeated) or the USC Trojans. If multiple undefeated teams exist again this season, it should really get the momentum recharged for a playoff and plus one plan.

What do you think? Is there a game you’re especially excited about this season?