Picks of Week 5's Biggest College Football Games

Lines are accurate as of 9AM PT on Wednesday, Home team is listed first, all games are Saturday unless otherwise listed.

Last Week: Straight Up: 8-2, Against the Spread: 4-6

Season to date: Straight Up: 31-9, Against the Spread: 20-18-2

Game of the Week – Oregon (-7) vs Stanford, 5PM PT, ABC/ESPN2

Stanford is suddenly getting a lot of hype and rightfully so. They have looked amazing against an a good slate of team. The problems is all of those good teams have some serious flaws and Oregon doesn't have those. The Ducks didn't play well at all last week at Arizona St. and still won by 11. This week, they will be better, especially on defense and the newly rebuilt Stanford defense will finally have some real problems against by far the best offense they have seen so far.

Oregon 38, Stanford 30

Alabama (-8) vs Florida, 5PM PT, CBS

The Trey Burton package finally sparked the Florida offense last week, but he isn't going to much matter against Nick Saban except at the goal line and I don't expect John Brantley and the Florida offense to be at the goal line too often this week. On the other side, Alabama got back to its running game in the second half after inexplicably not using it early against Arkansas. That mistake won't be made again.

Alabama 27, Florida 14

Michigan St. vs Wisconsin (-1.5), 1230 PM PT, ABC/ESPN

Both teams are good, neither team is great, Sparty has the home-field but who knows how the health of Mark Dantonio will affect this team. Last week against an FCS opponent doesn't count. At this point, I don't believe in Wisconsin but I think the Michigan St. defense (or lack thereof) combined with Dantonio in the press box and not on the field means a Badger win.

Wisconsin 31, Michigan St. 28

Clemson vs Miami (-3.5), 9AM PT, ESPN2

Now we get to see how far Clemson has come in shedding its headcase image. The Tigers showed they obviously have plenty of talent in the loss to Auburn two weeks ago. They also have had a maddening tendency over the last decade to let losses like that beat them twice and come out flat the next week. Miami looked impressive against Pittsburgh, but its now time to really start questioning Pittsburgh's credentials as a quality opponent. Clemson is going to come out flat at home, but Miami quarterback Jacory Harris is going to keep throwing interceptions and Clemson will wake up before its too late.

Clemson 24, Miami 20

Iowa (-7) vs Penn St., 5PM PT, ESPN

Penn St. has no offense and really has no chance on the road unless Iowa shoots itself in the foot like it did in the Arizona game two weeks ago. Iowa won't do that again and will win easily though the Nittany Lions will keep it semi close with a good defensive effort.

Iowa 20, Penn St. 10

Oklahoma (-4) vs Texas, game being played at Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX, 1230PM PT, ABC/ESPN

Texas had been ripe to get tagged for awhile. It turns out everyone including me was off by a week. Now the Longhorns are in a must-win situation or they could see the season spiral out of control. Lose here and its out of the rankings with the next game at Nebraska, a game that I give Texas zero opportunity to win unless the offense gets better in a hurry. They have a much better chance here against Oklahoma unless the max out version of the Sooners that obliterated Florida St. shows up. Too bad for Texas fans that is what they are going to get.

Oklahoma 41, Texas 17

NC State vs Virginia Tech (-3.5), 1230 PM PT, ABC Regional

Virginia Tech has issues in the redzone and won't get any timely interceptions against NC State quarterback Russell Wilson. The defense can also be beaten by the pass (Boise St. threw it all over and East Carolina got 27 points without any running game to speak of). This just looks like a bad matchup, particularly on the road.

NC State 27, Virginia Tech 17

Air Force (-10) vs Navy, 1130AM PT, Versus

One of the few weeks of the year that both teams face another that should be ready to stop the option game. This tends to result in low-scoring slugfests that in recent years have favored Navy. It certainly looks like this is the time for the Falcons to get back on track, especially at home.

Air Force 17, Navy 14

Oklahoma St. (-3) vs Texas A&M, 430PM PT Thursday, ESPN

Texas A&M stinks despite its 3-0 record and is playing on the road. Oklahoma St. has looked much better than expected on offense and the defense hasn't collapsed yet. Despite its woeful performances so far, the Aggies will show up to play and score some point against a suspect Cowboy defense, but it won't be nearly enough.

Oklahoma St. 42, Texas A&M 30

USC (-10) vs Washington, 5PM PT, ABC or ESPN2 Regional

Washington is still Washington of the last decade. They haven't matured enough to win a game like this on the road. That said, USC is an enigma at this point. They will win again but nobody knows how or if Lane Kiffin will kill the bettors again with his crazy 2-point plays.

USC 38, Washington 20