#1 LSU @ Tennessee: The Football Gods must have a strange sense of humor, allowing LSU’s defense to face backup QBs two weeks in a row. This one won’t come down to the bizarre 12-men-on-the-field ending of the last Vols-Tigers game. LSU, easily.
Indiana @ #4 Wisconsin: Badgers in a blowout.
#11 Michigan @ #23 Michigan State: This is a really tough one to pick. I love what Brady Hoke has done with the Wolverines, but it’s hard to forget that the last two years they were unbeaten going into the game with Michigan State and lost. I hate to do it, but I’m taking Sparty.
#20 Baylor @ #21 Texas A&M: Another good matchup and tough game to pick. A&M’s defense isn’t bad, but Baylor’s offense is really good. Baylor in a close one.
#15 South Carolina @ Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have proven to be bottom-feeders in the SEC once again. I can’t see them stopping Marcus Lattimore or Alshon Jeffery, let alone both of them. The Gamecocks have a new starter at QB (what took Spurrier so long dismissing Garcia, anyway? Five suspensions and reinstatements?) and there may be kinks to work out, but they should be able to beat MSU regardless.
#6 Oklahoma State @ #22 Texas: The Longhorns have to be fighting mad after being blown out by Oklahoma last week. Unfortunately they’re facing another Oklahoma-based team with a strong defense this week. The effort will certainly be better today, but I like the Cowboys to win.
#12 Georgia Tech at Virginia: Georgia Tech by at least 2 TDs.
#2 Alabama @ Ole Miss: Unless Archie Manning was given another year of eligibility, the Rebels don’t have a chance against the Tide defense.
#5 Boise State @ Colorado State: Why can’t Boise State play somebody good already?
#19 Virginia Tech @ Wake Forest: This is an interesting matchup. Virginia Tech has had a good season to date, despite the one loss, but unranked Wake Forest also has one loss and has played quite well. I may regret this, but I’m taking Wake Forest with the upset.
#8 Clemson at Maryland: Maryland’s best hope is that their uniforms make the Tigers seasick.
#17 Kansas State @ Texas Tech: I haven’t seen much of either team this year, so I’m going to take the easy way out and pick the 5-0 ranked team over the 4-1 unranked team, pretty much ensuring that Tech will make me look dumb.
Florida @ #22 Auburn: If John Brantley were playing, I’d give Florida a chance in this game. However, they’re going to be playing a backup QB- and a freshman to boot- again this week. It could be fairly close, but Auburn will win.
# 7 Stanford @ Washington State: Stanford will, yet again, find a way to win.
#3 Oklahoma @ Kansas: Kansas has the worst defense in the FBS, statistically. Oklahoma in a rout. If I were in a college football survivor pool, I’d pick Oklahoma this week, hands down.
#18 Arizona State @ #9 Oregon: Another tough one to pick. Oregon is going to be without RB LaMichael James, but their backups are good enough that it shouldn’t make a huge difference. I’m taking the Ducks, but I can’t say I have a lot of confidence in that pick.
