#1 Auburn @ Mississippi
Well, I can safely say that I have never been as happy to be wrong about picks as I have been at this slot the past three weeks. Sadly though, Mississippi is nowhere near good enough to upset Auburn this week. Auburn wins.
#2 Oregon @ USC
I have never been in this situation before. I normally root against USC, but that’s because they’re normally playing very well. They aren’t likely to be able to beat Oregon; however, they should be able to score with Oregon’s offense. Oregon’s defense hasn’t been able to hold opposing offenses in check; however no one has been able to slow them down either. While I am rooting for USC to stick it to the BCS, I think Oregon will outscore them and pull out the victory.
#3 Boise State (Played Tuesday)
#4 TCU @ UNLV
Yea, I’m not picking UNLV. TCU wins.
#5 Michigan State @ #18 Iowa *Game of the Week*
Another big matchup between Big Ten opponents, much like a few weeks ago, this matchup has a lot of meaning in its implication in both the BCS title race and the Big Ten title race. Both teams feature a strong running game and an efficient quarterback, oddly enough playing very similarly on offense. I think the real difference comes in the defenses. Iowa is more talented, but Michigan State has come together to pull out the bigger victories. Overall, while Michigan State could just as easily pull the victory out and Iowa is coming off a big loss against Wisconsin, I’m still picking Iowa to win, just on the talent of that defense.
#6 Missouri @ #14 Nebraska
Another game that features matchups between two major offensive powers, this game will come down to which defense is better prepared for the opposing offense. Nebraska has been able to contain most opposing offenses, however when they lasted played a high flying offense (last week), they gave up 41 points. Missouri on the other hand, has not yet faced a team that uses the kind of option offense that Nebraska uses however; their defense (notable Aldon Smith) is athletic enough to be able to contain the dangerous Taylor Martinez. On the basis of this, I am picking Missouri to win.
#7 Alabama: Bye
#8 Utah @ Air Force
Definitely the toughest test that Utah will face until they play TCU later in the year, Air Force’s dominant running game probably won’t be able to bypass the tough Utah defense. Utah should win.
Colorado @ #9 Oklahoma
Someone explain to me why the Pac-10 wanted Colorado again? No, never mind, the answer is probably too stupid to be needed. Oklahoma wins.
#10 Wisconsin: Bye
#11 Ohio State @ Minnesota
Minnesota fired their coach. Whether he deserved it or not doesn’t matter. Whenever you fire your head coach part way through the season, you have basically given up on your season; whether you know it or not. Even if they hadn’t, they’re just not at the point that they could beat Ohio State.
#12 LSU: Bye
#13 Stanford @ Washington
While the Washington offense has improved, the defense just doesn’t seem to be at the level that would allow them contain Andrew Luck and the Stanford offense. Stanford should win.
#15 Arizona @ UCLA
UCLA has pulled some good upsets this season; however they lost their starting quarterback and their defense hasn’t looked like they could stop an offense like Arizona’s. Arizona should win.
#16 Florida State @ North Carolina State
This game was almost my game of the week, however with NC State not being ranked, I found myself unable to put it over the pivotal Big Ten and Big Twelve matchups. It’ll be interesting to see how this two offenses (both ranking in the top 25 in the country in points scored) well try to counteract own another. NC State is dominant in the passing game, while Florida State is great at running the ball. While I love NC State and Russell Wilson, I have to give the win to Florida State on the basis of their 13th ranked defense.
#17 Oklahoma State @ Kansas State
While I don’t think that Oklahoma State can really stop a dominant runner, they can force turnovers with the best teams in the country. It could be a shootout, but I think that Oklahoma State should be able to win.
Vanderbilt @ #19 Arkansas
Vanderbilt is in no way able to challenge the best teams in the SEC. Arkansas wins.
Tennessee @ #20 South Carolina
While Tennessee has shown the ability to pull major upsets, however they haven’t shown that they are able to compete with teams like South Carolina. Gamecocks win.
Kentucky @ #21 Mississippi State
Mississippi State has been performing extremely well this season and Kentucky has had their major upset this season. The Bulldogs should win.
#22 Miami (Fl.) @ Virginia
Virginia is winless in conference play. I don’t think that distinction will change in this game. Miami (Fl.) wins this game.
#23 Virginia Tech: Bye
Utah State @ #24 Nevada
Utah State has never recovered from their loss Oklahoma. Nevada should steam roll in this game.
#25 Baylor @ Texas
Wow. Who would have guessed that the ranked team in this matchup wouldn’t be Texas? I love Baylor and I want them to win, but I think that the pressure will get to them in this game. Texas wins.
Other Games of Note
East Carolina @ UCF
This is game of complete opposites in Conference USA. East Carolina has been winning through high scoring shootouts. UCF has been winning through a strong defense and a strong running game. While East Carolina has been one of the high scoring teams in the country, their defense has been terrible. UCF has a top ten defense in the country and they should be able to at least contain the East Carolina passing attack long enough to win this game.
Top 10 Heisman Candidates
1. Kellen Moore – While he didn’t have his best game, throwing his second interception of the season, he is still the best player in the country right now.
2. Cameron Newton – Big game against LSU boosts him up to this spot.
3. John Clay – Mediocre week, but still had two touchdowns and helped the Badgers to a big win.
4. Andrew Luck – Good game, but that’s standard for playing Washington State.
5. Terrelle Pryor – Was only OK against a bad Purdue team.
6. Justin Blackmon – He won’t be at this spot next week since he’s suspended for the upcoming game, however he is still the most dangerous receiver in college football right now.
7. Matt Barkley – Bye Week last week. Beating Oregon will really help his cause.
8. LaMichael James – Continues to be a dominant force on the ground. A Big game against USC would go a long way to helping his cause in my eyes.
9. Robert Griffin III – Had a huge game against Kansas State and has Baylor ranked in the BCS for the first time ever. I wasn’t insane bringing his name up. Another huge game against Texas will shoot him up the charts.
10. Colin Kaepernick – Bye week. Looking for another big game to regain momentum.
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