NCAA Picks -- Week 13

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images North America

So here we are. After a long and tenuous road, we have twiddled down to the near-end of the 2012-13 College Football season. Two undefeated teams remain, and of course, thanks to a still obscure self-bowl ban, one is only recognized. That one team is in the driver's seat to the National Championship Game and after everything that that team has gone through, it might just be their destiny to make that game. Enough of that though. I know that I missed the boat on the Toledo-Akron game, and I apologize for that. Laziness has done me in, but fear not as I'm going to get this darn thing done. Let's get to picking. 

Thursday

TCU Horned Frogs vs. #16 Texas Longhorns (7:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)

I think the Longhorns will pull this one out. They're a 7.5 favorite at home and with how beleagured the Horned Frogs have looked all season, with their only one "good" win coming against the Baylor Bears, I think Texas strings together an impressive effort in a game that, before this year, would normally be played against the Texas A&M Aggies. All things considered, this might be one of the final times we see Gary Patterson on the sidelines for the Horned Frogs, what with rumors swirling that he may leave his post for greener pastures.

Pick: Texas

Friday

Ohio Bobcats vs. #23 Kent State Golden Flashes (11:00 AM, ESPNU, WatchESPN)

Pick: Kent State

Syracuse Orange vs. Temple Owls (11:00 AM, ESPN2, WatchESPN)

Pick: Syracuse

#14 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (12:00 PM, ABC)

I remember when this game was against the Colorado Buffaloes. Instead, the Huskers meet up with the Hawkeyes, and frankly, this one might get ugly. Kirk Ferentz would be a dead man walking if it weren't for that disgustingly high buyout in his contract.

Pick: Nebraska

Ball State Cardinals vs. Miami (OH) Red Hawks (1:00 PM ET)

Pick: Ball State

Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Northern Illinois

Marshall Thundering Herd vs. East Carolina Pirates (2:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network)
Pick: East Carolina

Buffalo Bulls vs. Bowling Green Falcons (2:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Bowling Green

#7 LSU Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (2:30 PM ET, CBS)
Pick: LSU

Utah Utes vs. Colorado Buffaloes (3:00 PM ET, FX)
Pick: Utah

Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Massachusetts Minutemen (3:00 PM ET)
Pick: Central Michigan

#25 Washington Huskies vs. Washington State Cougars (3:30 PM ET, FOX)
Nothing like the battle for the Apple Cup. I like the Huskies here, as Wazzu, well, Wazzu stinks. Expect Keith Price to go off. 
Pick: Washington

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Iowa State Cyclones (3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Pick: West Virginia

South Florida Bulls vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (7:00 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
Pick: Cincinnati

Arizona State Sun Devils vs. #24 Arizona Wildcats (10:00 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
Pick: Arizona

Saturday

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. #3 Georgia Bulldogs (12:00 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN3D, WatchESPN)
A lot of people are curious as to why the Bulldogs are 3rd in the country, and wondering if they will lose to the Yellow Jackets. Frankly, I think both statements are nothing more than farces. Georgia has done a good job this season of taking care of business except for one game on their schedule against the South Carolina Gamecocks. I really like this team though and think they pose a good threat to Alabama when they meet up in the SEC Championship Game in a few weeks. Nonetheless, I think Georgia thumps Georgia Tech in some good, clean, old fashioned hate.
Pick: Georgia

#18 Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (12:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Like the Scarlet Knights here, and I like them a lot. Pending on the result of Connecticut-Louisville, RU might cement themselves into the BCS with a victory here.  
Pick: Rutgers

#19 Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (12:00 PM ET, ABC)
Ohio State has been playing with house money all year and hasn't really faced a lot of stiff competition. With that said, they're undefeated and that's an accomplishment in itself. Even if they took the stupidest self-bowl ban in recent memory, they will surely be fired up to play spoilers, as they have done all year, against their biggest rival. With that said I think that the Michigan Wolverines will beat the Ohio State Buckeyes for the second consecutive year. I might be wrong, I probably will be wrong, but I think Ohio State's undefeated season comes to an end this Saturday in Columbus. I think Devin Gardner plays really well and the Michigan defense locks down Braxton Miller. Maybe it's just a sneaking suspicion. 
Pick: Michigan

Connecticut Huskies vs. #20 Louisville Cardinals (12:00 PM ET, Big East Network, ESPN3, Gameplan)
November 29th will be the day the Big East was won. Louisville wins this, and shifts their focus to Piscataway.
Pick: Louisville

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats (12:00 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Pick: Northwestern

Virginia Cavaliers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (12:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
It'll be a heck of an effort for the Cavaliers to go into Lane Stadium and win, and I won't really rule it out. I'm more confident in saying the Hokies win though, and that's where I'm going with this.
Pick: Virginia Tech

UAB Blazers vs. UCF Golden Knights (12:00 PM ET)
Pick: UCF

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Purdue Boilermakers (12:00 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Danny Hope preserves some, for now at least. Hah, see what I did there?
Pick: Purdue

Tulsa Golden Hurricanes vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs (12:00 PM ET, FX)
Pick: Tulsa

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Tennessee Volunteers (12:21 PM ET, SEC Network, ESPN3, Gameplan)
I will lose it if the Volunteers lose to Kentucky again. Frankly, I think I plan on losing it. Wildcats win in Neyland, in my bold and "I do not particularly care if I'm wrong" pick of the week.
Pick: Kentucky

Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Duke Blue Devils (12:30 PM ET, ACC Network, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Miami (FL)

North Texas Mean Green vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1:00 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Western Kentucky

Texas State Bobcats vs. UTSA Roadrunners (2:00 PM ET)
Pick: UTSA

Baylor Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2:30 PM ET, FOX)
This one will be played at Cowboys Stadium so this will certainly be fun to watch if you are into the whole offense thing. Baylor is riding some momentum after beating the #1 team in the country last week in the Kansas State Wildcats. Will they be able to keep that up this week? I don't personally think so. I like the Red Raiders to close out a pretty solid year all things considered. Seth Doege will put up monster numbers against the far-from-stellar Baylor defense.

#5 Oregon Ducks vs. #15 Oregon State Beavers (3:00 PM ET, Pac-12 Network)
Frankly, if I'm going to be honest, I don't like either of these two teams and they both have been products of their Charmin-like schedules. The Ducks are going to wind up getting "style points" since I se them taking their aggression out on the Beavers. If Stanford were to win against UCLA, and by some chance, Oregon got into the National Championship Game after not even winning their division, it would be an even more ridiculous scenario than what happened last year with Alabama. That said, again, I like Oregon to win because while I don't think they're as great as everyone makes them out to be, I really have not liked Oregon State this year. Impress me, Beavers, and prove me wrong too.
Pick: Oregon

Boston College Eagles vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack (3:00 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: North Carolina State

Maryland Terrapins vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (3:00 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Let me say something that's been uttered by others, but not by me: Giovanni Bernard is a stud muffin. Look out for him in this game and for the rest of his college career. Kid has a ton of talent. I think he leads the Heels to a win over the Terps, who, of course have "bigger" things on their minds.
Pick: North Carolina

Idaho Vandals vs. Utah State Aggies (3:00 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Utah State

Auburn Tigers vs. #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Do I really need to say it? Tide rolls. Easy. Money.
Pick: Alabama

#4 Florida Gators vs. #10 Florida State Seminoles (3:30 PM ET, ABC)
The only Top-10 matchup of the entire weekend. Pretty hard to believe, eh? With that said, I think the Seminoles will win here, and even though the Gators defense is legit, the Seminoles is also, and this might look a lot uglier than the score may indicate. I'm really not impressed with the Gators' offense, after thinking they were steadily improving each game. They've stalled as of late and for them to be #4 right now is absolutely ridiculous. FSU should be so much higher than they are, and I think they glide up the rankings after this game. 
Pick: Florida State

#21 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. #13 Oklahoma Sooners (3:30 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
Expect a lot of points in bunches in this Bedlam game. The Sooners will win though, because unlike last year, I trust them a lot more. Which is really, really strange to say. Landry Jones will look much, much better than he did last year, if not only because there's nowhere to go but up. 
Pick: Oklahoma 

Michigan State Spartans vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network)
Pick: Michigan State

Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3:30 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
Weirdly placed SEC-ACC matchup here but with that said, I like the Commodores here. Wake Forest is giving up nearly 30 points per game and is scoring just above 18 points per game. That doesn't exactly create a recipe for success. The 'Dores win as they head into the bowl season once again, which is truly an accomplishment for them.
Pick: Vanderbilt

Brigham Young Cougars vs. New Mexico State Aggies (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3)
No, BYU isn't as good as they have been the past few years, but New Mexico State, in a word, is just awful. Brigham Young will blow them out of the water as they firmly stamp themselves into a bowl with their seventh win of the season.
Pick: BYU

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (3:30 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
It's been an, well, interesting year for the Wisconsin Badgers as well as the Penn State Nittany Lions. Both teams, for opposite circumstances, haven't really lived up to the self-imposed, and nationally discussed hype that they had. Wisconsin's been a bit worse than expected, and Penn State, surprisingly, has been better than expected. On that note, I think the Badgers will gather up enough willpower to get a victory in Happy Valley. Montee Ball is going to claim the record for most touchdowns in a career int his contest, and the Badgers will get momentum into the Big Ten Championship Game. 
Pick: Wisconsin

Tulane Green Wave vs. Houston Cougars (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: Houston

Air Force Falcons vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (3:30 PM ET, NBC Sports Network)
Pick: Fresno State

Troy Trojans vs. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (3:30 PM ET, ESPN3)
Pick: Middle Tennessee

San Diego State Aztecs vs. Wyoming Cowboys (3:30 PM ET)
Pick: San Diego State

Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Memphis Tigers (4:30 PM ET)
Memphis beats Southern Miss, who, unfortunately, will suffer a winless season.
Pick: Memphis

South Alabama Jaguars vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (5:00 PM ET, ESPN3, Gameplan)
Pick: Louisiana-Lafayette

Louisiana-Monroe War Hawks vs. Florida International Panthers (6:00 PM ET)
Pick: Louisiana-Monroe

#8 Stanford Cardinal vs. #17 UCLA Bruins (6:30 PM ET, FOX)
Interesting dynamic in this contest. If UCLA wins and Oregon wins, UCLA has to play Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. If UCLA loses and Oregon wins, UCLA plays Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship. You have to wonder what the Bruins' mindset will be going into this contest. You know Stanford is going to be giving 100% to get to the Pac-12 Championship Game, but what are the Bruins going to do? Personally, I think Stanford is going to win this contest either way, as they have really stepped up when asked to this season and in a big spot, I trust David Shaw and company to make it happen. I will be intrigued to see how the Bruins play in this contest, no matter the result.
Pick: Stanford 

Missouri Tigers vs. #9 Texas A&M Aggies (7:00 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
The Tigers have beaten the Aggies the last two seasons at Kyle Field. Will Mizzou pull off the enormous upset, thus possibly derailing Johnny Manziel's Heisman hopes? No, I don't really like their chances to. In a season where just about everything has happened, though, maybe it will. Don't bet on it though.
Pick: Texas A&M

#12 South Carolina Gamecocks vs. #11 Clemson Tigers (7:00 PM ET, ESPN, WatchESPN)
This is a pretty important game for both of these teams if they want to get in the BCS picture. It may also improve their conference's outlook too. When it comes down to it, I really like how this Clemson team has played this year and Tajh Boyd might be earning himself a well-deserved trip to New york because of his incredible play this year. I like the Tigers in this contest at home in Death Valley, to cap off a pretty damn good season that should get them a BCS Bowl berth.
Pick: Clemson

New Mexico Lobos vs. Colorado State Rams (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Colorado State

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Ole Miss Rebels (7:00 PM ET, ESPNU, WatchESPN)
In the battle for the Egg Bowl, give me the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Hugh Freeze has done an incredible job this year in Oxford. There is no denying that. I just think that the Bulldogs are, as a whole, a much better team and after getting derailed by Alabama and a few opponents more after that, they will get back on track here in this contest. Look for Johnathan Banks to be a pivotal reason why the Bulldogs come away with the Egg Bowl.
Pick: Mississippi State

Rice Owls vs. UTEP Miners (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: Rice

#1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. USC Trojans (8:00 PM ET, ABC)
Oh what a season it has been for the Irish. Undefeated, #1 in the BCS for the first time in the BCS era , and every challenge that they've been met with, they have conquered it. They have one las thurdle to step up over and it's in the LA Coliseum against the embattled USC Trojans. The Trojans will be sending out their backup quarterback, Lane Kiffin has come under fire, the Trojans themselves have played well below their mountainous expectations. Sometimes, the puzzle pieces just fall right into place. Give me Notre Dame, and they'll be fighting for the National Championship in January in the city of Miami, Florida.
Pick: Notre Dame

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. San Jose State Spartans (10:30 PM ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN)
Pick: San Jose State

UNLV Rebels vs. Hawaii Warriors (11:00 PM ET)
Pick: Hawaii