College Picks, Week 6

Last week was supposed to be a rather pedestrian weekend of college football. Instead, 5 of the top 10 teams were upset. This turned the college football world upside down, as college football powerhouses such as South Florida and Kentucky moved into this week’s Top 10. What does this week have in store? A ton of good games.

Last week: 11-9 (including upset wins by South Florida and Illinois)
Season: 67-33

Oklahoma vs. Texas at Dallas: The Red River Rivalry. It was a shootout, until the powers that be decided to remove the connotation of violence that came from Red River Shootout. It doesn’t matter that both teams were upset last week. This is the greatest rivalry in college football, no matter how good either team is. Last week’s OU loss at Colorado was a shocking aberration. Last week’s loss by Texas to Kansas State was not totally unexpected. Of course I’m going to pick the Sooners. Pick: OU

Kansas at Kansas State: Both teams are flying high. KU is 4-0, and has been whipping up on the likes of Central Michigan and Toledo. K-State just creamed Texas. K-State has played a tougher schedule to date, and is at home. Don't forget your Power Towel. Pick: K-State

Nebraska at Missouri: An early showdown for the lead in the Big 12 North. It’s a Saturday night game in Columbia. Mizzou is undefeated, and is favored by some to win the North. They need this one if they are going to do that. Nebraska has not returned to glory days. The Huskers aren’t even as good as they were last season, when they won the North. Pick: Missouri

Iowa State at Texas Tech: Cyclones continue to struggle in Gene Chizik’s first year. Tech is trying to straighten out their defensive problems, but they won’t need a defense this week. Pick: Tech

Colorado at Baylor: Buffs are riding a Rocky Mountain high after last week’s stunning upset of OU. This week, they travel to the wasteland of Waco, Texas. Baylor is attempting to improve, but CU has improved more. Pick: Colorado

Oklahoma State at Texas A&M: Oklahoma Aggies vs. Texas Aggies. Winner gets a John Deere tractor. Both teams have been wrapped up in coaching controversies. Mike Gundy has been the star of YouTube. Dennis Franchione has been the star of eBay. Make that coachfran.com, as the VIP reports haven’t made it to eBay yet. When in doubt, take the home team. Pick: Texas A&M

Kentucky at South Carolina (Thursday): Things are changing in the SEC. These are now two of the better teams in the toughest division in football the SEC East. Who woulda thunk it? Steve Spurrier’s team is winning with defense. He doesn’t have the high-powered air attack that he had at Florida. Kentucky, meanwhile, will outscore anyone. I look for that to happen in Columbia. Pick: Kentucky

Florida at LSU: Saturday night in Baton Rouge on national television. The Gators unexpectedly lost to War Eagle last week, taking some luster off this game. Florida proved themselves mortal. Strange things can happen on the road in the SEC, but LSU won’t lose this one. Pick: Tigers

Georgia at Tennessee: Things are upside down: Kentucky is better in football than in basketball, and Tennessee is better in hoops than in football. Phil Fulmer is on his way to becoming the first casualty of the rise of South Carolina and Kentucky. The Vols are pretty ordinary. Georgia is above average. This one is up on old Rocky Top, but that won’t matter. Uga barks loud and long. Pick: Georgia

Ohio State at Purdue: Both teams are undefeated. Purdue has a lot to prove, and takes a big step up in competition this week. Ohio State has played in plenty of big games before. Pick: TOSU

Wisconsin at Illinois: Wisconsin has lost 1 game in the past 1 ½ seasons under coach Bret Bielema. They aren’t always pretty, but they find a way to win, whether it’s 10-7 or 38-35. The Fighting Illini are vastly improved, but aren’t in the Badgers’ league just yet. Pick: Wiscy

Notre Dame at UCLA: Why do I bother picking Notre Dame games? Because I want an easy win. UCLA can be really bad, like when they lost 44-6 to Utah. UCLA can be really good, like last week when they drilled Oregon State 42-10 on the road. Notre Dame has learned how to score touchdowns, but they need to score more than the other team. That won’t happen this week. Irish go 0-6. Pick: UCLA

Cincinnati at Rutgers: The big games just keep coming. Cincy is undefeated. The Bearcats ruined Rutgers’ season last year with an upset win. This year, the Scarlet Knights get revenge. Rutgers lost a game last week, but they didn’t lose their season. Pick: The State University of New Jersey

TCU at Wyoming: Tough game for the Frogs, as they visit Cowboy Joe. Wyoming is a tough place to play. But, the Frogs have a lot to prove, and continue to win. Pick: TCU

Georgia Tech at Maryland: Georgia Tech is like a yo-yo. Sometimes they’re up, sometimes they’re down. Maryland got a big win last week at Rutgers. When you’re hot, you’re hot… Pick: Terps

Iowa at Penn State: Iowa has been below ordinary this year, and now must travel to Happy Valley. Joe Pa U. has lost two in a row on the road in the conference. The Blue and White bounce back. Pick: Penn State

Virginia Tech at Clemson: Clemson was on a nice roll until last week when they ran into the buzzsaw known as Georgia Tech. The Hokies have been quietly picking up steam after an early debacle at LSU. Hokies are a little better. Pick: VT

Tulane at Army: Neither team is that great. But, it’s an even matchup. West Point is a great place in October. Pick: Army

Minnesota at Indiana: Gophers, please don’t wear those yellow unis again! Indiana is off to a good start at 4-1. The Hoosiers wear uniforms that look an awful lot like OU’s. That gives me good reason to pick them. Pick: Indiana

SUNY Brockport at St. John Fisher: SJFC was upset last week by Hartwick, giving them their first loss of the year. Cardinals bounce back this week. Pick: St. John Fisher