COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 9 PICKS

     I was both right and wrong last week. I correctly predicted that this week would feature a lot of upsets with the first BCS standings looming the day after. However I had all the wrong upsets, with the exceptions of Florida State and Stanford, if you consider those upsets. In fact last week was my worst week to date, only going 11-8. But my overall record still remains strong at 109-24, an 82% accuracy rating. College football is heading into its homestretch, with only 10 unbeatens remaining. The BCS controversy is present as always, with a hot race between Alabama, FSU, and Oregon, an Ohio State team losing votes week after week, and a one-loss Stanford team coming out ahead of half of the unbeatens. The pressure continues to increase which means you should see that "upset alert" icon on your ESPN page pop up more and more frequently. I absolutely love it.

Wake Forest @ #7 Miami: The Hurricanes almost got trapped last week, needing a last minute drive to escape Chapel Hill with a win. While returning home will be much more comforting for Miami, you should still expect a slow start as Miami might be looking ahead to their huge match up in Doak next week. Wake Forest is streaky, they played impressively last week to easily dispose of a previously 5-1 Miami team as well as N.C. State the week prior. The problem? Wake Forest is currently 0-3 on the road. This may have a slow start, but it ends in Miami's favor.         Miami 37 Wake 20

#19 Oklahoma State @ Iowa State: Despite winning almost every week, Oklahoma State is seeing no rise in the rankings mainly due to its poor strength of schedule and the weakness of the Big 12 this year. Iowa State enters this game 1-5, and I haven't seen any real reason to believe they could knock off Oklahoma State. Cowboys win, and don't move in the ranks once again.   OkSt 35 Iowa State 10

#20 Louisville @ South Florida: This doesn't look like much on paper, but South Florida actually has a habit of playing good opponents good at home. But frankly they don't have enough on the defensive side of the ball to slow down TB and the Cardinal offense. Louisville should wanna take care of this one early after what happened last week, so I can't offer USF much of a chance here.   L'ville 56 USF 17

Connecticut @ #23 UCF: The Huskies are 0-6, but the one time they played a ranked team they almost had them beat (Michigan). UCF comes off the biggest win in its program's history, and team morale is at an all time high. UCF is confident, Uconn is not. Uconn will also have to deal with the climate change, Orlando is still in the 70s this time of year. UCF wins.    UCF 38 Uconn 7

#24 Nebraska @ Minnesota: The Golden Gophers aren't the conference slouch that we're used to them being. But they haven't been exposed to any serious competition yet aside from a blowout loss to Michigan. While Nebraska may struggle on the road, I think they have the offensive firepower to pick up a win in Minnesota this weekend.    Nebraska 31 Minnesota 20

Vanderbilt @ #16 Texas A&M: Vandy was one of the big surprises last week, mostly thanks to a poor Georgia defense. However, the Texas A&M defense is just as bad. You can expect Vandy to score in the 30's again, but I think they won't be able to slow down Johnny Manziell and the Aggie offense the same way they were able to slow down Murray and the Dawgs. It's another tight one but Johnny Football drags his team through the quicksand.     TAMU 45 Vandy 35

Tennessee @ #1 Alabama: After several weeks of "close but no cigar", the Vols finally picked up their marquee conference win last week against South Carolina. They also almost had Georgia the week prior. But can they stand toe to toe with this Alabama team? The Tide roll in with the #1 defense in the nation, allowing less than 10 points per game. It's hard to not take the Tide here in Tuscaloosa, although Tennessee may keep it interesting for a quarter and a half or so.       Bama 35 Tenn 13

N.C. State @ #2 Florida State: Florida State made the statement win of the season so far last week after putting a beatdown on the Tigers. But this is a lot more than just another game for the Seminoles. The last 4 times a ranked Seminole team has played an unranked Wolfpack team, the Wolfpack have won. The most recent meeting having been a come from behind 17-16 win in NC last year, which put the major dent in FSU's national title aspirations. FSU hasn't forgotten, and their definately amped to avenge this one. Oh...and Bobby Bowden is in town.     FSU 45 N.C. State 0

#9 Clemson @ Maryland: Clemson needs to have a short memory. What happened last week is past and can't be changed, and now it's time to move forward. Easier said than done. In a way, Clemson lost their entire season in one game: the national title, the Heisman, and the conference title are falling out of reach. It's tough to find motivation now, but they need too as one of the better ACC teams is also looking to make a statement. I think it may take Clemson a bit to get the wind back into their sails, but the offense and it's senior leaders will do enough to keep this ship afloat.    Clemson 35 Maryland 21

#10 Texas Tech @ #15 Oklahoma: Texas Tech's string of weak opponents has come to an end. We will now figure out whether the Red Raiders are pretenders or contenders as they visit OU this weekend for a top 15 showdown. My prediction...an unbeaten goes down. The Red Raiders can't handle the heat that comes in this kind of match up, especially on the road. Bob Stoops prepares Blake Bell and the Sooners for a home upset.    Oklahoma 27 Texas Tech 20

Duke @ #14 Virginia Tech: The Hokies have quietly returned to the top 15, where they used to be before the 2010s. This match up features two of the front runners in the ACC coastal standings, although Duke didn't have a conference win until their come from behind victory over Virginia last week. Don't be fooled by Duke's 5-2 record, Virginia Tech commands this one in Blacksburg.    VT 38 Duke 10

Eastern Michigan @ #18 Northern Illinois: Northern Illinois should be happy with coming out of the BCS standings at #18. The climb to a BCS at-large bid is not as steep as they thought it was. However we all know it's impossible without a perfect season. But the generous ranking should give NIU the motivation to keep going forward and take care of Eastern Michigan this week.    NIU 38 Eastern Mich 17

#12 UCLA @ #3 Oregon: The Bruins fell out of the top 10 after losing a tight game with Stanford last week, but they have an opportunity to jump right back in this week if they can find a way to pick up a win in Eugene. However no one has come remotely close this year to knocking off the Ducks, the closest effort being when Washington only trailed by a touchdown in the 4th quarter. Oregon should feel the need to put on a big performance to attract human voters and reclaim the #2 spot  over the Noles, and a big win over UCLA might just do it. Oregon wins at home.    Oregon 48 UCLA 31

#21 South Carolina @ #5 Missouri: If Conner Shaw were healthy and starting, I'd be really tempted to pick the Cocks. I do not have the same faith in Dylan Thompson. And I also have gained faith in Missouri. Even with Maty Mauk at QB, the Tigers still hung 35 points on the Gator defense last week, and now they have a really good shot of winning the SEC East, and even a national title isn't out of the realm of possibility if Mizzou runs the table and then beats Bama in an SEC title game. There's something in the water over in Missouri right now, and it's effects will carry over another week.     Mizzou 35 SC 23

#8 Baylor @ Kansas: Baylor and Texas Tech co-lead the Big 12 right now, thanks in part to really shitty schedules. Texas Tech has a showdown this week, meanwhile Baylor has practically another weak off. Kansas didn't take Oklahoma lightly last week, but they're still among the weakest Big 12 members when it comes to football. Baylor's offense it scoring at light speed rates, expect another high scoring affair with the Jayhawks.     BU 70 Kansas 10

Furman @ #13 LSU: The Tigers were another member of the club of upset victims last week, losing to Ole Miss off a last second field goal. A visit from Furman should help LSU get back on track in Death Valley. There's no room for a surprise here.     LSU 45 Furman 9

Florida-Atlantic @ #11 Auburn: Auburn's big win over TAMU last week in college station has the War Eagle nation believing again. That victory catapulted Auburn's ranking, nearly breaking the top 10. Auburn is rewarded with a cupcake home game against FAU as they try to crack the top 10 once again. Auburn will ride it's newfound confidence to an easy home victory.    Auburn 45 FAU 10

Penn State @ #4 Ohio State: If Ohio State really wants to be taken as seriously as Bama, Florida State, and Oregon, they've gotta do something more than beat the Iowa Hawkeyes by 10. Unfortunately, no one is going to give Ohio State props this week either, even though Penn State is disrespected because of their postseason ineligibility. In fact I think Penn State is going to give the Buckeyes a real scare, and remind Ohio State that not everyone is just going to back down for them. But the Buckeyes will still get the job done in a close one at home.    OSU 27 PSU 23

#6 Stanford @ #25 Oregon State: After losing its opener to Eastern Washington, Oregon State has spun off 6 straight wins, 4 of which were conference games. Aside from one measly slip up to Utah, Stanford is playing really good football right now. Stanford has also played a lot of good competition to prepare them and Oregon State has not. I like Stanford to pick up a road win.     Stanford 31 Oregon State 19

#17 Fresno State @ San Diego State: Similarly to Northern Illinois, Fresno should be really pleased with where they ended up in the BCS. They even finished ahead of NIU, and human voters are giving them the nod ahead of NIU because NIU had their chance last year. San Diego State shouldn't get in Fresno's way right now.    Fresno 45 SDST 17

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 8 PICKS

     My apologies for not putting out an article last week, I got really backed up preparing for a Calc 3 Test and writing a pair of essays as well. My last set of predictions (week 6) was rather successful for me, going 19-2. That brings my overall record to 98-16, an 86% accuracy rating. Anyways, this is a big week since we're awaiting the first release of the BCS rankings on Sunday. Any big matchup or upset can really shake the standings so it's only natural to expect things to get a little crazy as we head down the stretch. 

#10 Miami @ North Carolina: Don't be fooled by Miami's ranking and record here. Miami's road to the top ten hasn't been the smoothest of sails. A Thursday night trip to a hostile environment is the perfect atmosphere for a trap game. The Tar Heels were able to stick around with Virginia Tech last week in Blacksburg, so don't rule them out at home by any means. But the Miami offense is hot right now, scoring at least 34 points in all but one of their games thus far. At the end of the day Miami's offense is too much.      Miami 35 UNC 17

UCF @ #8 Louisville: The Cardinals really don't have many tests this year if at all, but this might be the closest thing. The Knights have a legitimate team this year, a team that beat Penn State and led South Carolina the majority of the game. But this is also the best offense the Knight's defense will go up against. This one would serve as a perfect trap game if it were in Orlando, but in Kentucky I think Teddy Bridgewater outscores UCF by double digits.                   L'ville 31 UCF 17

#11 South Carolina @ Tennessee: Both these teams have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. South Carolina put together a solid performance against Arkansas last week, but weak performances against UCF and Kentucky shouldn't be overlooked. Tennessee almost pulled off a monumental upset against Georgia 2 weeks ago, but they also can't seem to defend anyone. There is one consistency though that determines this end result....South Carolina is winning and Tennessee is losing. It may not be pretty, but Spurrier and the Gamecocks will find a way to come out with this one, thanks to a second half rally.     SC 34 Tenn 24

#15. Georgia @ Vanderbilt: Georgia is really banged up right now. Todd Gurley is expected not to play for the third straight week, the #2 running back isn't healthy either and all of Aaron Murray's favorite targets are hurt as well. The Georgia defense really can't hold anyone under 30 points either, I mean except North Texas but even they scored 21. Georgia will struggle on the road and once again all the weight gets thrown on Aaron Murray's shoulders, but this time he pulls them out of the quicksand and into the bye week.     Georgia 35 Vandy 28

#16 Texas Tech @ West Virginia: If you would have told me Texas Tech would be a top 15 competitor in late October, I wouldn't have believed you. But now looking back at their schedule, it actually isn't that surprising. TT opponents have a combined record of 12-21 and their Big 12 opponents have a combined 1-6 conference record. West Virginia could really challenge them at home, having already upset Oklahoma State earlier this year. Clint Trickett seems to have finally given WVU the offensive spark they've been looking for. The pressure keeps increasing for TT week in and week out, this is the weak their bubble bursts.     WVU 35 TT 31

TCU @ #21 Oklahoma State: It's week 8 and I really still don't have a set feeling on the TCU team. On the one hand, they show up in big games, having taken LSU and Oklahoma to the wire away from home. On the other hand, they lost to an also mysterious Texas Tech team and saw their early struggles against Kansas and even SMU early on. Oklahoma State is also inconsistent. They could easily be 5-0 but they could also be 3-2 and their best competition is still to come. I like the Cowboys at home though, especially against a TCU team that is struggling to produce offensively.      OkSt 28 TCU 16

#22 Florida @ #14 Missouri: This is a real treat as a noon matchup. If anyone had Missouri as the SEC East leader halfway through the season, I'd be very surprised. The Mizzou offense has been scoring at will, but they took a heavy blow last week after QB James Franklin suffered a season ending shoulder injury during the 4th quarter of last weeks victory over Georgia. Missouri has great faith in backup Maty Mauk, but his first collegiate start will come against one of the nation's toughest defenses. The Gators are no strangers to this situation, relying on Tyler Murphy in the absence of Jeff Driskel. I'd love to pick the Tigers and watch the Cinderella run continue, but Murphy's experience and the Gator defense will lift them to a big road win this week.     UF 24 Mizzou 14

#23 Northern Illinois @ Central Michigan: Northern Illinois find themselves quietly staying in the rankings for the second year in a row. This is much in thanks to the big play from their senior superstar Jordan Lynch, who has accumulated over 1300 yards passing, close to 700 yards rushing, and 17 total TDs in just 6 games. I don't know much about Central Michigan other than their large losses to power conference schools (Michigan and N.C. State) being outscored by a total of 107-23 in those 2 games. I expect another Heisman like day from Mr. Lynch.     NIU 38 Cent Mich 17

#24 Auburn @ #7 Texas A&M: After a 2 and a half year hiatus, Auburn has returned to the AP Top 25. They travel to College Station to take on Johnny Football and the Aggies. Texas A&M had a real scare last week against Ole Miss, Johnny Manziell in particular had a lot to deal with. A knee injury and some late turnovers put TAMU at risk, but Manziell was lights out the rest of the 4th quarter and reminded us why he was a former Heisman winner. The weekly concern however is not Manziell, but the TAMU defense, who has yet to hold a conference opponent to under 33 points. Auburn has a real opportunity to regain some fame by exploiting a weak defense and knocking off a top 10 opponent on the road, but my hunch says Manziell will pull them through the mud once again.      Tamu 45 Auburn 35

#9 UCLA @ #13 Stanford: Stanford's loss to Utah reminds us that no one is ever truly safe in college football and should serve as a good wake up call to the rest of the nation. Now they have an opportunity to come home and bounce back with a top 10 victory. UCLA has broken the top 10 for the first time since 2005 and has aspirations of climbing even higher. I really think what happened last week in Utah was just a fluke, everyone has bad games. I think a good week of practice and a refreshed mindset will do Stanford some good, and I'll make it another upset pick.     Stanford 20 UCLA 17

#18 Oklahoma @ Kansas: Bob Stoops have NEVER lost the game following the Red River Rivalry in his entire coaching tenure at OU. Don't expect a 2-3 Kansas team to change that. Oklahoma was the victim of a trap game last week, but they're still stronger, faster, and more talented than Kansas. Sooners win on the road.     OU 34 Kansas 10

#20 Washington @ Arizona State: The Huskies played the 2 best West Coast teams in their past 2 games. Washington posted an inspiring effort against Stanford, and didn't play bad against Oregon. These past 2 weeks should help slow down the game for them this week against the Sun Devils and return to their winning ways. The main objective is to not give up, there's still a lot for the Huskies to go after this season, like a Pac-12 title. Snapping out of any losing streak is tough, but this team has the players and coaches to get it done.     Wash 34 Arz St 27

Arkansas @ #1 Alabama: The Razorbacks have lost 4 in a row, not really the kind of momentum you want to have when traveling to play the best team in the country. Meanwhile the water is still warm in Tuscaloosa, where the Tide continue to dispose of opponents without much effort. The doctor ordered another big Alabama win at home this week.     Bama 45 Arkansas 7

#6 LSU @ Ole Miss: The Rebels enter the game losers of 3 straight, but those were a very tough 3 (at Bama, at Auburn, vs TAMU). LSU comes to Mississippi still with national title hopes in mind. They are ranked highest among one loss teams, but the road is not easy with Bama, TAMU, and a potential SEC title game still on the schedule. But first things first. If the Tigers can keep up the defensive effort they posted last week while continuing their offensive production, they should win this one. But it won't be for a lack of effort on the Rebels part.     LSU 35 Ole Miss 21

Iowa State @ #12 Baylor: I know I've already used the word "surprise" enough today, but we should really take a minute to appreciate what's going on here. 2 years ago, everyone would have claimed it would be a longgggggggg time before the Baylor offense was as effective as they were with Heisman winner RG3 at the helm. We were wrong. Baylor now leads the nation in total offense, averaging over 700 yards of total offense a game. Prior to last week's 35 point performance, the Baylor offense had scored at least 69 points in its first 4 games. Iowa State has nothing to slow this trend down.      BU 55 Iowa State 17

#5 Florida State @ #3 Clemson: There's a reason all the other good games this week were at noon and 3:30...it's so you wouldn't miss this. Death Valley hosts a top 5 match up featuring 3 Heisman candidates and two teams with National Title hopes. Clemson almost got caught looking too far ahead last week with Boston College leading them most of the game. Florida State enjoyed an extra week of preparation thanks to a bye. Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins have joined forces to build the best Clemson offense since...well ever actually. Famous Jameis and the Seminoles have been just as sharp, 3rd in the nation in total offense with weapons spread throughout the line up. You might be surprised to hear that these teams also feature top 10 defenses. Clemson has gotten after opponents with their pass rush while FSU has done so by keeping things tight in the secondary. There really isn't a bad pick here. Clemson has the experience and the homefield advantage. Florida State has the extra week of preperation and a bit more balance to their system. But you're asking an FSU student and Nole for life to make this pick.      FSU 38 Clemson 36

#25 Wisconsin @ Illinois: Wisconsin is like a tennis ball, where the net is like the AP top 25 with Wisconsin bouncing inside and outside of it. At this point in the match, Wisconsin has received a generous bounce inside from the tape of the net, perhaps just enough so to let the ball drop more than once. Wisconsin really made a statement last weekend against Northwestern and it might be the start of something for these new guys.      Wisc 38 Illinois 6

Washington State @ #2 Oregon: If you wanna talk about something not surprising then talk about the Oregon offense. 2nd overall and averaging roughly 325 yards/game just from the run. What is surprising is the defense, 6th in the nation and very uncharacteristic of the past Oregon teams who just wanted to outgun people. It might finally be time for someone to knock off the Tide and Oregon just might have the tools to do it. Washington State is certainly no challenge to Oregon's talent.     Oregon 56 Wash St 13

UNLV @ #17 Fresno State: Seriously though does anyone care? While UNLV is some of the better conference competition for Fresno, they're still not that great. Fresno keeps the hope for a perfect season and possible BCS bid alive.    Fresno 35 UNLV 16