#1 Oklahoma @ #11 Missouri
One of the major matchups that will determine the fate of the Big 12, as well as having a major impact on the BCS title picture, this game should be a high scoring affair. I know I say that a lot, however that is the way that the majority of teams have been setting up their offenses. Most teams now use some variation of a spread offense, much like both of these teams, and as such, there are more points scored. Either way, I think this game will come down to the defense that will step up and I am of the opinion that the Oklahoma defense is more talented. I’m picking them for the win.
UCLA @ #2 Oregon
Tonight’s game, the game only big college and draft fans will watch. While UCLA was able to pull a massive upset when they defeated Texas, I think it is highly unlikely that they will be able to score with Oregon. Oregon’s offense is far more explosive than Texas’ was and I doubt UCLA will keep up. Oregon rolls.
Louisiana Tech @ #3 Boise State (Note: October 26th game)
Ahh, the elusive Tuesday night game. Any fan of both college and Pro Football loves this because it means football every night of the week. Sadly this game really shouldn’t be close. Boise Rolls.
#6 LSU @ #4 Auburn
Ahh, the battle to decide the best team in the SEC. LSU has a major problem since they can’t seem to settle on a quarterback for either this upcoming game or for the season going forward. It seems to hardly matter since LSU has always been built on its dominating defense, however, I will not simply sit here and say that it doesn’t matter when there is the potential for this defense to get gashed by Cam Newton. Newton himself has been clutch and, like I said last week, this defense is better than its statistics would indicate. I think Auburn will win this one, solely on the fact that they do not have any question as to who their leader is.
Air Force @ #5 TCU
Another game that will basically determine the winner of a conference, this game will be interesting to watch. History would suggest that TCU has the advantage, since their usually undersized and highly athletic defense will be able to match the speed of the Air force offense. However, Air Force has been clicking this year and presents a real threat to TCU’s dominance in conference. I’m still going with TCU for the win, but I won’t be surprised if Air Force pulls the upset.
#7 Michigan State @ Northwestern
As odd as this sounds, I am going to mark this as a trap game for Michigan State. They’re going on the road to face a team with a very good record and little to lose, all before perhaps their biggest game of the season. Northwestern has been good defensively and is difficult to match-up against offensively. Michigan State needs to be careful or they could find themselves out of the BCS title hunt. I’m still picking Michigan State to win, but another game that could easily become an upset.
#8 Alabama @ Tennessee
This game shouldn’t be very close. Tennessee has not been having a good season and Alabama is good enough to run through that Vols defense. Alabama wins.
Colorado State @ #9 Utah
Colorado State has been lackluster at best this season. I highly doubt they’ll be able to keep pace with Utah. Utes win.
Purdue @ #10 Ohio State
While Purdue has been holding it together well this season, they still lost to Toledo. Losing to Toledo makes it very unlikely that they’ll be able to keep up with Ohio State, on either side of the ball. Buckeyes wins.
Washington State @ #12 Stanford
Easy win for Stanford. Sorry to Washington State fans, but your team is still not very good.
#13 Wisconsin @ #15 Iowa *Game of the Week*
Coming off a giant win over Ohio State, I am going to say the same thing about them that I said about South Carolina last week. There is a good chance for a letdown in this game, however there is one major distinction that I want to make between this game and last week’s game between South Carolina and Kentucky. Iowa is ranked. That may seem like a little thing, if not work against Wisconsin’s because, however, it also means that the players and coaches of Wisconsin are not underestimating Iowa. In the case of the South Carolina game, it was easy for Kentucky to be underestimated because they weren’t ranked and had a mediocre record. Iowa has lost only one game and lost that game only by a last second touchdown pass. I’m calling for Wisconsin to win this game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost.
#16 Nebraska @ #14 Oklahoma State
This game is really difficult for me to pick. Both teams have the ability to be major offensive forces, but also have defenses that can keep their teams in the game. I’m going to select Nebraska to win, because their offense is based around the option running game. Oklahoma State’s defense has proven that they have the ability to cause turnovers, especially in the passing game however that doesn’t help them against someone of Taylor Martinez’s talents. Cornhuskers win.
#17 Florida State: Bye
Washington @ #18 Arizona
Washington pulled a big upset against Oregon State last week, but I am not of the belief that they will pull their third straight big upset against a ranked opponent. I’m calling for Arizona to win this game, though it will be close with Nick Foles likely missing the game.
Iowa State @ #19 Texas
Texas should win this game. No offense to Iowa State, but they just aren’t ready to compete with the powerhouse teams in the Big 12. Texas should win.
Syracuse @ #20 West Virginia
I guess all that momentum that Syracuse was building up was just to get their name back into the mainstream. The Orangemen looked absolutely pathetic against Pittsburgh last week. They aren’t going to be able to match pace with West Virginia.
#21 South Carolina @ Vanderbilt
Even though South Carolina suffered a major defeat at the hands of Kentucky, South Carolina is still a better team than the hapless Vanderbilt.
#22 Kansas State @ Baylor
Kansas State has been experiencing resurgence this year and, while they aren’t really competing for the Big 12 title, they are still a dangerous team. Baylor has been very good this year and stands a good chance to pull the upset here. I’m going to call for that upset, mostly because we’ve seen the continued decline of Daniel Thomas and I don’t think K-State can contain Baylor’s Robert Griffin III.
Mississippi @ #23 Arkansas
Mississippi has been having a rough time getting their season going and they need a win like this to get momentum on their side. With Ryan Mallett suffering from a concussion, I’m very tempted to select Mississippi to pull the upset. However Mallett’s backup, Tyler Wilson played very well in his absence. I actually think Arkansas would be better of starting Wilson than playing Mallett, as I have seen quarterbacks coming off concussions play very poorly. Either way I am picking Arkansas to win.
UAB @ #24 Mississippi State
Mississippi State wins. UAB is not very good this season and other than an upset of Troy, I see nothing on their record that gives me faith that they can compete with the suddenly surging Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Duke @ #25 Virginia Tech
Traditional ACC powerhouse facing traditional hapless ACC doormat. Tech wins.
Other Games of Note
Rutgers @ Pittsburgh
Two teams that are fighting for positioning in the Big East, both of which are coming off big wins, face off this weekend. Pittsburgh has been very disappointing this season, not only not competing for BCS title as some had predicted, but also failing to even so enough competence to fight for a Big East crown. Rutgers has had issues at quarterback with Tom Savage being injured and his backup Chas Dodd playing very well. The confusion that can cause in terms of leadership could be a major distraction in a game like this. I’m with Rutgers for the win, totally on gut.
Indiana @ Illinois
I know I am going to get some flak for this, but honestly when you look at this game and compare it to a lot of other games between near .500 teams; it does actually seem like the better match up. Both teams, while not able to compete with the elite of the Big Ten, are definitely abke to put on an interesting show against lower completion, like against each other. Ultimately though I am going to go with Indian for the win, mostly because Ben Chappell has been playing very well and should be able to overcome the Illinois defense.
Ohio @ Miami (Ohio)
Another game I may catch some flak for, this game could very easily determine who will be facing Temple for the MAC title. Miami of Ohio have shown themselves to be far better than most would have expected, not only pushing Florida to the limit, but also going undefeated in conference play. While Ohio does have one loss in conference play, they have also shown themselves to be capable of competing with anyone in conference. I am going to go with Miami (Ohio) here, again on a gut feeling.
Fresno State @ San Jose State
This game is interesting if for no other reason than the fact that San Jose State can’t catch a freaking break. Fresno State should win, but again consider what it would have meant if San Jose State went undefeated this season. The number of games that they were completely overmatched in is simple astounding. I’ll give them a lot of credit for guts though.
North Carolina @ Miami (Fl.)
There’s an interesting matchup going on here. It pits the ACC’s third most prolific passer in North Carolina’s T.J. Yates against the nation’s fourth ranked pass defense in Miami. That matchup alone will be interesting to watch, while Jacory Harris will need to stop throwing the ball to defenders as opposed to his own receivers. I think this is the game where all the suspensions that North Carolina has been piling up over the season will start to come back and haunt them. I’m picking Miami to win and dig themselves out of the ditch of mediocrity before it becomes a true hole.
1. Kellen Moore – Yawn. 16 Touchdowns versus one pick all year. Try and argue against those numbers.
2. John Clay – Dominant performance against a dominant team gets you many points in my Heisman scale.
3. Cameron Newton – Why’d he jump so far up, because he’s accounted for 26 total touchdowns and just beat a tough Arkansas team that’s why. He’s also a clutch player. Continuing to win may even force me to put him over Kellen Moore.
4. Andrew Luck – Did well for himself coming off a loss.
5. Terrelle Pryor – Played badly, leading to Ohio State losing. He can still recover, but he needs to play great right now to stay on this list.
6. Justin Blackmon – Continues to be a big play threat. Seriously how can he not be in contention after averaging 20 yards a catch in his last game? Big test this week against Prince Amakamura.
7. Matt Barkley – Throwing five Touchdown passes keeps you alive on this list.
8. Colin Kaepernick – Played poorly, but still had a three touchdown performance.
9. LaMichael James – Continued to play well, just getting passed by better performances.
10. Robert Griffin III – What!? I’m putting the Baylor quarterback on a Heisman list. Look, he has thrown only three picks against 14 touchdowns and rushed for another 6 touchdowns. He’s the only reason that Baylor is in contention for a bowl game. He deserves some freaking recognition.
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