College Football Picks

Another 8-2 week last week to bring the season record to 79-35. Another format change this week since its rivalry week. We are going to highlight every major conference rivalry game being played over the next three weeks along with all the other big games. Some may have an expanded breakdown, others just a pick, other something in between.

Game of the Week - Oklahoma vs Texas Tech
Oklahoma has looked incredible the last few weeks, on offense. The defense still leaves something to be desired. I remember Cincinnati being close in the 3rd, Kansas bombing away, Texas winning with offense, and Kansas St. looking like the Oklahoma offense for a quarter and a half. I remember all of that and realize I have to pick Texas Tech because I don't believe Oklahoma will stop them, even at home.
Texas Tech 45, Oklahoma 41

Penn St. vs Michigan St.
Michigan St. has been clocked by the two best teams they have played. Penn St. is better than either of those two outfits, particularly at home,
Penn St. 31, Michigan St. 10

Utah vs BYU
Utah has managed to win the close game against quality opponents all season. That will continue here at the Utes clinch a BCS trip on their home field.
Utah 27, BYU 24

Georgia Tech vs Miami
As the ACC continues to toil in absurdity, there is only one logical winner here: the team that doesn't control its destiny.
Georgia Tech 17, Miami 14

Maryland vs Florida St.
If there is any justice, Florida St. safety Myron Rolle will make a key play in a Florida St. win after arriving at halftime from his Rhodes Scholar interview and Florida St. will win. In keeping with the ACC chaos theme, that is what will happen.
Florida St. 30, Maryland 21

Boston College vs Wake Forest
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Boston College is going to win here and next week against Maryland to set up an ACC Title rematch with Virginia Tech (who is going to win the tiebreaker in the other division).
Boston College 21, Wake Forest 20 (nobody ever said the win would be easy)

Central Michigan vs Ball St.
I guess this should have gone up last night so I could make a pick on this one. Good thing I didn't, it saved me a loss. Ball St. won the game to stay undefeated.

Arizona vs Oregon St.
Oregon St. has suddenly been getting tons of attention. Over the last two seasons, the first road game against an unranked team getting tons of attention has been deadly, particularly for teams not used to it. Arizona is good enough to win even without its best game if Oregon St. doesn't play well.
Arizona 31, Oregon St. 27

Nevada vs Boise St.
There hasn't been a jaw-dropping crazy upset in a few weeks. This is the one. Nevada played Boise tight (4OT's tight) in Boise last year and will protect the homefield in a close victory to prevent a BCS buster from its league (the Wolfpack failed in this situation the last two years).
Nevada 24, Boise St. 20

Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has been very good on the road this season. It will need to play its best game to win this, particularly since Cincinnati is BCS bound with a win (the remaining games are against mail-it-in Syracuse and at Hawaii with no bearing on the BCS). They won't do it. I just can't believe Wannstache will ever win a game like this to win a championship of some sort.
Cincinnati 30, Pittsburgh 17

Ohio St. 21, Michigan 10
Illinois 27, Northwestern 21
Purdue 35, Indiana 17
Iowa 24, Minnesota 14
Stanford 21, Cal 14
Washington St. vs Washington
Yahoo and rivals.com have taken to calling this game the "Crapple Cup". The name fits. These two teams are historically bad. Bad to the point that the loser will go down as the worst single year team from a BCS league in the BCS era. In this case, I agree with the odds. When the oddsmakers install a winless team that has fired its coach, is playing without its best player, and is on the road a favoirte, it is tough to go against it.
Washington 31, Washington St. 17