Back from the dead but don't call it a comeback. I apologize personally for the laziness, and lack of posting. However I'm going to look to make this as consistent as possible. I know that I continually say it, and you can believe what you want, but I do legitimately feel like it. Either way, we've got a pretty solid slate of games coming up this week including a matchup of not only two of the most historic programs in NCAA history, but two of the top teams in the entire country that is taking center stage. How do I think that game will go? I'll fill you in, along with every other game in the country. Let's do this damn thing.
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (8:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Pick: Arkansas State
Thursday
#18 Clemson Tigers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
Pick: Clemson
Friday
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. #16 Louisville Cardinals (8:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Cincinnati took a terrible, terrible loss last weekend to Toledo and I think their woes continue in Louisville. Cardinals roll over them and continue to head towards a collision course with Rutgers.
Pick: Louisville
Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Air Force Falcons (8:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Nevada
Saturday
Tennessee Volunteers vs. #13 South Carolina Gamecocks (12:00 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN3D, WatchESPN)
Pick: South Carolina
#23 Texas Longhorns vs. Kansas Jayhawks (12:00 PM ET)
Pick: Texas
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Northwestern Wildcats (12:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Northwestern, close. You can't continue to not close out games, right?
Pick: Northwestern
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Missouri Tigers (12:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Mizzou at the moment is a 15-point favorite. That might change since Corbin Berkstresser is most likely the starter. The Tigers HAVE to pick up their first SEC win ever against Kentucky... ... ... right?
Pick: Missouri
Temple Owls vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (12:00 PM ET, Big East Network, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Pittsburgh
Ball State Cardinals vs. Army Knights (12:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Ball State
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (12:00 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Pick: Illinois
Northern Illinois vs. Western Michigan Mustangs (12:00 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Northern Illinois
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (12:21 PM ET, SEC Network, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Arkansas
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (12:30 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
The other battle of Tobacco Road occurs this weekend. Duke became bowl eligible last week with a victory against UNC. This week they face their other rivals, and I expect similar results. I think NC State wins by six and Mike Glennon has a big game.
Pick: North Carolina State
Maryland Terrapins vs. Boston College Eagles (1:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Maryland
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Rice Owls (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Rice
Utah State Aggies vs. UTSA Roadrunners (2:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Give me the Roadrunners.
Pick: UTSA
Colorado Buffaloes vs. #4 Oregon Ducks (3:00 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Oregon by 50.
Pick: Oregon
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (3:00 PM ET, FX)
Pick: UCLA
Brigham Young Cougars vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3:00 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: BYU
Memphis Tigers vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs (3:00 PM ET)
Pick: Southern Methodist
#2 Florida Gators vs. #10 Georgia Bulldogs (CBS, 3:30 PM ET)
Florida continues to improve week in and week out. Their defense has been stupendous and their offense, while they aren't setting the world on fire, are doing what they have to do. Georgia started the season off hot, but they seem to be getting weaker in some facets even though they've been getting their starters back. Give me Florida in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
Pick: Florida
#14 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. #3 Kansas State Wildcats (FOX, 3:30 PM ET)
Tommy Tuberville has been doing an exceptional job with a Texas Tech team that most, including myself, were an absolute afterthought in the Big 12 race. Coincidentally enough they're taking on a team that nobody thought would be leading the conference, let alone be the #3 team in the country.
I think Collin Klein continues to build up his Heisman campaign and K-State avoids an upset at home in Manhattan and wins by 10 against the Red Raiders.
Pick: Kansas State
#9 USC Trojans vs. Arizona Wildcats (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Methinks a lot of points will be scored in this contest. USC beats out Arizona, though, and continues to look impressive toward their showdown against Oregon in a few weeks.
Pick: USC
Duke Blue Devils vs #12 Florida State Seminoles (3:30 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Is this a preview of the ACC Championship? It might very well be at the rate that we're going, which would be phenomenal considering that the Duke Blue Devils would be in it. David Cutcliffe has done a tremendous job as the head coach of Duke and is definitely a candidate for Coach of the Year. Nonetheless, I think for as great of a story as they are, they seem to be overmatched. Florida State will win at Doak Campbell, but don't be shocked if this isn't the last time they face each other.
Pick: Florida State
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. #15 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Rutgers
#21 Boise State Broncos vs. Wyoming Cowboys (3:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Boise State
#24 Ohio Bobcats vs. Miami (OH) Red Hawks (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Ohio
Michigan State Spartans vs. #25 Wisconsin Badgers (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Sparty has done their best to continually play worse each week. Meanwhile after starting off sluggishly, Wisconsin has been very good for the last few games. Give me the Badgers at home in Camp Randall Stadium and getting some revenge for their loss last year in the regular season.
Pick: Wisconsin
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Pick: Minnesota
Navy Midshipmen vs. East Carolina Pirates (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: East Carolina
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Fresno State
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Bowling Green Falcons (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Bowling Green
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3:30 PM ET)
TCU has taken two ridiculously tough losses in the last three games and I think they make it three of their next four against an Oklahoma State team that has been pretty up and down this year. Methinks Oklahoma State drops 40 on them.
Pick: Oklahoma State
Toledo Rockets vs. Buffalo Bulls (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Toledo
Akron Zips vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Central Michigan
North Texas Mean Green vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (ESPN3, 3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Middle Tennessee
UAB Blazers vs. Tulane Green Wave (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: UAB
Texas State Bobcats vs. San Jose State Spartans (4:00 PM ET)
Pick: San Jose State
UTEP Miners vs. Houston Cougars (4:30 PM ET)
Pick: Houston
Troy Trojans vs. Florida Atlantic Owls
Pick: Troy
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (5:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
Pick: Ohio State
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Florida International Panthers (6:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Western Kentucky
Washington State Cougars vs. #17 Stanford Cardinal (6:15 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Pick: Stanford
#20 Texas A&M Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers (7:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Texas A&M
Hawaii Warriors vs. Colorado State Rams (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Colorado State
Syracuse Orange vs. South Florida Bulls (ESPN3, 7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Syracuse
Baylor Bears vs. Iowa State Cyclones (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Iowa State
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (7:00 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Vanderbilt
South Alabama Jaguars vs. Louisiana-Monroe War Hawks (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Louisiana-Monroe
#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #8 Oklahoma Sooners (ABC, 8:00 PM ET)
This is going to be, in my opinion, a classic encounter of two great programs and two great teams this season. Manti Te'o and the Fighting Irish have been under the prime time lights a lot this year and despite the fact that they have skated by their last two encounters, they've always brought it and risen up to the task. They'll have a hell of a task in front of them because winning in Norman is no easy task (even though Kansas State did it this year). This will probably be the best offense that Notre Dame has faced this year and the best they face until USC in the final week. When it comes down to it, I really think the Fighting Irish are 'back,' and will win this game and stave off the Sooners on their final drive.
Pick: Notre Dame
#22 Michigan Wolverines vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (ESPN2, WatchESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
Despite their skittish start, the Wolverines are 3-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Nebraska, though their record might not indicate, are a bit inconsistent this season, and I say that inconsistency keeps up. I like what Michigan has done despite their early blunders, and I say they escape Lincoln with a huge win to really keep their chances of a Big Ten Conference Championship berth alive. If Denard plays badly, though, things might get ugly.
Pick: Michigan
UNLV Runnin' Rebels vs. San Diego State Aztecs (8:00 PM ET)
Pick: San Diego State
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. New Mexico State Aggies (8:00 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Louisiana Tech
UCF Golden Knights vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (8:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: UCF
#11 Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (8:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
I may be in the minority but I think that the Mississippi State Bulldogs are going to give the Crimson Tide just about everything but the kitchen sink. They've played some good football the last couple of weeks and have been very under-the-radar. I say Alabama wins of course, but it won't be easy.
Pick: Alabama
California Golden Bears vs. Utah Utes (9:45 ET)
Pick: Utah
#7 Oregon State Beavers vs. Washington Huskies (10:15 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Finally, Oregon State is going to be playing somebody of note. I think that the Beavers are a pretty good team, yes. Are they the seventh best team in the country? Heck no. I think that they've been the product of teams around them falling. I say they have a bad trip up to Huskyland like Stanford did a few weeks ago and take a L, but make no mistake I do think Oregon State is good. Just not that good.
Pick: Washington
Pick: Pittsburgh
Ball State Cardinals vs. Army Knights (12:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Ball State
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (12:00 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Pick: Illinois
Northern Illinois vs. Western Michigan Mustangs (12:00 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Northern Illinois
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (12:21 PM ET, SEC Network, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Arkansas
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (12:30 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
The other battle of Tobacco Road occurs this weekend. Duke became bowl eligible last week with a victory against UNC. This week they face their other rivals, and I expect similar results. I think NC State wins by six and Mike Glennon has a big game.
Pick: North Carolina State
Maryland Terrapins vs. Boston College Eagles (1:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Maryland
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Rice Owls (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Rice
Utah State Aggies vs. UTSA Roadrunners (2:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Give me the Roadrunners.
Pick: UTSA
Colorado Buffaloes vs. #4 Oregon Ducks (3:00 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Oregon by 50.
Pick: Oregon
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (3:00 PM ET, FX)
Pick: UCLA
Brigham Young Cougars vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3:00 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: BYU
Memphis Tigers vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs (3:00 PM ET)
Pick: Southern Methodist
#2 Florida Gators vs. #10 Georgia Bulldogs (CBS, 3:30 PM ET)
Florida continues to improve week in and week out. Their defense has been stupendous and their offense, while they aren't setting the world on fire, are doing what they have to do. Georgia started the season off hot, but they seem to be getting weaker in some facets even though they've been getting their starters back. Give me Florida in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
Pick: Florida
#14 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. #3 Kansas State Wildcats (FOX, 3:30 PM ET)
Tommy Tuberville has been doing an exceptional job with a Texas Tech team that most, including myself, were an absolute afterthought in the Big 12 race. Coincidentally enough they're taking on a team that nobody thought would be leading the conference, let alone be the #3 team in the country.
I think Collin Klein continues to build up his Heisman campaign and K-State avoids an upset at home in Manhattan and wins by 10 against the Red Raiders.
Pick: Kansas State
#9 USC Trojans vs. Arizona Wildcats (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Methinks a lot of points will be scored in this contest. USC beats out Arizona, though, and continues to look impressive toward their showdown against Oregon in a few weeks.
Pick: USC
Duke Blue Devils vs #12 Florida State Seminoles (3:30 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Is this a preview of the ACC Championship? It might very well be at the rate that we're going, which would be phenomenal considering that the Duke Blue Devils would be in it. David Cutcliffe has done a tremendous job as the head coach of Duke and is definitely a candidate for Coach of the Year. Nonetheless, I think for as great of a story as they are, they seem to be overmatched. Florida State will win at Doak Campbell, but don't be shocked if this isn't the last time they face each other.
Pick: Florida State
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. #15 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Rutgers
#21 Boise State Broncos vs. Wyoming Cowboys (3:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Boise State
#24 Ohio Bobcats vs. Miami (OH) Red Hawks (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Ohio
Michigan State Spartans vs. #25 Wisconsin Badgers (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Sparty has done their best to continually play worse each week. Meanwhile after starting off sluggishly, Wisconsin has been very good for the last few games. Give me the Badgers at home in Camp Randall Stadium and getting some revenge for their loss last year in the regular season.
Pick: Wisconsin
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Pick: Minnesota
Navy Midshipmen vs. East Carolina Pirates (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: East Carolina
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Fresno State
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Bowling Green Falcons (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Bowling Green
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3:30 PM ET)
TCU has taken two ridiculously tough losses in the last three games and I think they make it three of their next four against an Oklahoma State team that has been pretty up and down this year. Methinks Oklahoma State drops 40 on them.
Pick: Oklahoma State
Toledo Rockets vs. Buffalo Bulls (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Toledo
Akron Zips vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Central Michigan
North Texas Mean Green vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (ESPN3, 3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Middle Tennessee
UAB Blazers vs. Tulane Green Wave (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: UAB
Texas State Bobcats vs. San Jose State Spartans (4:00 PM ET)
Pick: San Jose State
UTEP Miners vs. Houston Cougars (4:30 PM ET)
Pick: Houston
Troy Trojans vs. Florida Atlantic Owls
Pick: Troy
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (5:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
Pick: Ohio State
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Florida International Panthers (6:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Western Kentucky
Washington State Cougars vs. #17 Stanford Cardinal (6:15 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Pick: Stanford
#20 Texas A&M Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers (7:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Texas A&M
Hawaii Warriors vs. Colorado State Rams (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Colorado State
Syracuse Orange vs. South Florida Bulls (ESPN3, 7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Syracuse
Baylor Bears vs. Iowa State Cyclones (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Iowa State
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (7:00 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Vanderbilt
South Alabama Jaguars vs. Louisiana-Monroe War Hawks (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Louisiana-Monroe
#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #8 Oklahoma Sooners (ABC, 8:00 PM ET)
This is going to be, in my opinion, a classic encounter of two great programs and two great teams this season. Manti Te'o and the Fighting Irish have been under the prime time lights a lot this year and despite the fact that they have skated by their last two encounters, they've always brought it and risen up to the task. They'll have a hell of a task in front of them because winning in Norman is no easy task (even though Kansas State did it this year). This will probably be the best offense that Notre Dame has faced this year and the best they face until USC in the final week. When it comes down to it, I really think the Fighting Irish are 'back,' and will win this game and stave off the Sooners on their final drive.
Pick: Notre Dame
#22 Michigan Wolverines vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (ESPN2, WatchESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
Despite their skittish start, the Wolverines are 3-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Nebraska, though their record might not indicate, are a bit inconsistent this season, and I say that inconsistency keeps up. I like what Michigan has done despite their early blunders, and I say they escape Lincoln with a huge win to really keep their chances of a Big Ten Conference Championship berth alive. If Denard plays badly, though, things might get ugly.
Pick: Michigan
UNLV Runnin' Rebels vs. San Diego State Aztecs (8:00 PM ET)
Pick: San Diego State
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. New Mexico State Aggies (8:00 PM ET, ESPN3, GamePlan)
Pick: Louisiana Tech
UCF Golden Knights vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (8:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: UCF
#11 Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (8:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
I may be in the minority but I think that the Mississippi State Bulldogs are going to give the Crimson Tide just about everything but the kitchen sink. They've played some good football the last couple of weeks and have been very under-the-radar. I say Alabama wins of course, but it won't be easy.
Pick: Alabama
California Golden Bears vs. Utah Utes (9:45 ET)
Pick: Utah
#7 Oregon State Beavers vs. Washington Huskies (10:15 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Finally, Oregon State is going to be playing somebody of note. I think that the Beavers are a pretty good team, yes. Are they the seventh best team in the country? Heck no. I think that they've been the product of teams around them falling. I say they have a bad trip up to Huskyland like Stanford did a few weeks ago and take a L, but make no mistake I do think Oregon State is good. Just not that good.
Pick: Washington
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