NCAA Picks - Week 10

Before we know it, it's going to be bowl season. At this point in time in the college football season, the contenders are thinning, the undefeated teams are slimming, and bowl berths are appearing. Conference showdowns are gaining importance, and premier matchups are all over the place. I went 43-18 last week and successfully picked Notre Dame beating Oklahoma, among some other things that I hit, and missed too. Missed the Florida-Georgia game, missed Michigan State-Wisconsin, and didn't think Alabama would blow by Mississippi State. Nonetheless, let's get to picking. 

Thursday

Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Ohio Bobcats (6:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)

Pick: Ohio

Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (7:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)

The Hokies have severely underwhelmed this season. On the other hand Miami has done better than most thought and they're still in the thick of things in the ACC race. I like the Hurricanes here as they continue to push towards an ACC Championship Game appearance.

Pick: Miami (FL)

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (9:15 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)

WKU by a touchdown, as they continue to push towards a Sun Belt championship.

Pick: Western Kentucky

Friday

Washington Huskies vs. California Golden Bears (9:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)

Pick: Washington

Saturday

Missouri Tigers vs. #7 Florida Gators (12:00 PM ET, ESPN2, ESPN3D, WatchESPN)

I will say this. If there's ANY chance for Missouri to knock off Florida, it's after last week's emotional loss to the Gators. The Tigers probably won't win in Gainesville but I at least like them to cover the spread.

Pick: Florida

Temple Owls vs. #10 Louisville Cardinals (12:00 PM ET, ABC, ESPN3)

Pick: Louisville

#12 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Iowa State Cyclones (12:00 PM ET, ABC, ESPN3)

Iowa State can't do the state of Oklahoma like this again... right? Never know. They did knock off TCU earlier in the year. I think the Sooners probably roll, but in any event, I wouldn't be surprised if they get knocked off.

Pick: Oklahoma

#16 Texas A&M Aggies vs. #15 Mississippi State Bulldogs (12:00 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)

I think for as good as Johnny Manziel has been this year, Mississippi State will defend their home turf after being run out of Tuscaloosa last Saturday. The best team in TO differential in the country locks down the Aggies, in my humble opinion.

Pick: Mississippi State

Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Kentucky Wildcats (12:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)

The one that beat Mizzou.

Pick: Vanderbilt

Michigan Wolverines vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (12:00 PM ET, Big Ten Network)

Not so sure about this one. Michigan is a better team, but Denard Robinson is injured and probably won't be starting. As much of a "good" thing that should be, Michigan doesn't really have great options behind him. So, in a bold statement, I think the Gophers upset the Wolverines in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Pick: Minnesota

Houston Cougars vs. East Carolina Pirates (12:00 PM ET)

Houston, on the road, will go to 4-1 in C-USA, in the first year of PKE.

Pick: Houston

Air Force Falcons vs. Army Knights (12:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)

Pick: Air Force

Miami (OH) Red Hawks vs. Buffalo Bulls (12:00 PM ET)

Pick: Miami (OH)

Syracuse Orange vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (12:00 PM ET, Big East Network, ESPN3)

From bad (Toledo) to worse (Louisville), this is going to get ugly for Cincinnati now. (Syracuse wins)

Pick: Syracuse

Troy Trojans vs. Tennessee Volunteers (12:00 PM ET, ESPN3)

Pick: Tennessee

Tulsa Golden Hurricanes vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (12:21 PM ET, SEC Network, ESPN3)

Pick: Arkansas

New Mexico State Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers (12:30 PM ET, ESPN3)

Pick: Auburn

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Maryland Terrapins (12:30 PM ET, ESPN3)

Poor Maryland is going to be starting a LB at QB. This might be something to watch for that reason.

Pick: Georgia Tech

Virginia Cavaliers vs. North Carolina State Wolf Pack (12:30 PM ET, ESPN3)

NC State might be on its heels after losing to UNC (haha, see what I did there?) and with a Virginia team coming in without a win in the ACC, the Wolf Pack might be on upset alert. However, Virginia, as stated, doesn't have a win, and they've looked far from impressive this season so I say NC State wins... but it will be close.

Pick: North Carolina State

Western Michigan Broncos vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (1:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Central Michigan

#14 Stanford Cardinal vs. Colorado Buffaloes (2:00 PM ET, FX)
Pick: Stanford

Memphis Tigers vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (2:00 PM ET)
Pick: Marshall

Akron Zips vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (2:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Kent State

TCU Horned Frogs vs. #21 West Virginia Mountaineers (3:00 PM ET, FOX)
Pick: West Virginia

Washington State Cougars vs. Utah Utes (3:00 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Pick: Utah

Texas State Bobcats vs. Utah State Aggies (3:00 PM ET)
Pick: Utah State

Pittsburgh Panthers vs. #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3:30 PM ET, NBC)
Do I see the Panthers crashing the Notre Dame party? No, I don't. The Fighting Irish will keep their undefeated season and National Championship dreams alive.
Pick: Notre Dame

Ole Miss Rebels vs. #6 Georgia Bulldogs (3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Pick: Georgia

#23 Texas Longhorns vs. #18 Texas Tech Red Raiders (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Give me the Red Raiders to take down the Longhorns, and put Mack Brown's job on a respirator. Seth Doege is going to eviscerate the shaky Longhorn defense.
Pick: Texas Tech

#20 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Michigan State Spartans (3:30 PM ET, ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Pick: Nebraska

Florida International Panthers vs. South Alabama Jaguars (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: South Alabama

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Indiana Hoosiers (3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Not sure what's more surprising. The Kurt Ferentz contract, or the fact that the Hoosiers are closer to a Big Ten Championship Game appearance than you might think. Yeah, the latter sounds right. Give me the Hoosiers in a loss that will certainly be felt back in Iowa.
Pick: Indiana

Boston College Eagles vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Wake Forest

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (3:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
So why did OSU take this year to be ineligible, again?
Pick: Ohio State

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Baylor Bears (3:30 PM ET)
The Jayhawks nearly shocked the world last week. This year I don't see them stopping a nosebleed. Baylor, big.
Pick: Baylor

Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Navy Midshipmen (3:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: Florida Atlantic

Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Northern Illinois

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Purdue Boilermakers (3:30 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Penn State puts Danny Hope in a world of hurt after the Boilermakers started off great.
Pick: Penn State

Rice Owls vs. Tulane Green Wave (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Rice

UTSA Roadrunners vs. #25 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (4:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Louisiana Tech

New Mexico Lobos vs. UNLV Runnin' Rebels (4:00 PM ET)
At least it's almost basketball season for these two MWC teams.
Pick: New Mexico

Colorado State Rams vs. Wyoming Cowboys (4:30 PM ET)
Pick: Colorado State

San Jose State Spartans vs. Idaho Vandals (5:00 PM ET)
Pick: San Jose State

Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. North Texas Mean Green (5:00 PM ET)
Pick: Arkansas State

#4 Oregon Ducks vs. #17 USC Trojans (7:00 PM ET, FOX)
To think of what this game could have been to what it has been reduced to is pretty saddening. USC still remains in the thick of things for the Pac-12 race, but with two losses they are definitely out of the National Championship race at this point. Meanwhile, the Ducks have been blowing by opponents week in and week out, but they haven't really done it against quality opponents. I think with their backs against the wall, the Trojans will perform as they always do with their incredible offense, and will it be enough? I think yes.
Pick: USC

#13 Clemson Tigers vs. Duke Blue Devils (7:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Pick: Clemson

Connecticut Huskies vs. South Florida Bulls (7:00 PM ET, ESNPU, WatchESPN)
Pick: Connecticut

Hawaii Warriors vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Fresno State

Southern Methodist Mustangs vs. UCF Golden Knights (7:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: UCF

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #5 LSU Tigers (8:00 PM ET, CBS)
Ah, here we go. The rematch of the rematch of the Game of the Century. The Tide and Tigers played in two hotly contested games and it was even at one a piece in terms of winners. this will be the rematch, and all things considered, the last time they will play this season. The Tigers were supposed to be pretty good, but despite a Top-5 ranking, they have been sputtering on offense this year. The Tide, though, have looked great on offense and defense, the latter being more astounding given what they lost to the pros. I see the Crimson Tide walking into Tiger Stadium, and coming out victorious to the tune fo 14-9. T.J. Yeldon, super-freshman, is going to be a difference maker.
Pick: Alabama

#24 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. #2 Kansas State Wildcats (8:00 PM ET, ABC)
Betting against the Wildcats at this point is just getting stupid. K-State wins but Oklahoma State keeps it close for three quarters.
Pick: Kansas State

San Diego State Aztecs vs. #19 Boise State Broncos (10:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
This might be the most undeserving Boise squad to go to a BCS bowl ever, should they make it in the Top 12.
Pick: Boise State

#22 Arizona Wildcats vs. UCLA Bruins (10:30 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Pick: Arizona