College Picks: Week 4

Last week was an above average week for picks, with a few unexpected results.

Last week: 16-5
Overall: 46-15

Last week, this blog accidentally predicted 21 games. In order to bring the total back to multiples of 20, there will only be 19 games predicted this week.

Oklahoma at Tulsa (Friday): Sooners face the best team they have played to date. This includes Miami. Sooner fans will take over Tulsa’s stadium. Tulsa is a pretty good team, but no match for the Sooners. Pick: OU
Texas A&M at Miami (Thursday): Aggies go to the hood to visit the U. It’s the Corps of Cadets vs. Gangsta Rappers. It’s really hard to get a feel for this game. Miami struggled to defeat Florida International by two touchdowns last week. Aggies have a bit more talent. I don’t know if Miami can score much on A&M. Pick: Texas A&M
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State: Big 12 season opens in Stillwater. Tech has throttled regional teams such as SMU and Rice. OSU embarrassed themselves and the conference in a 41-23 loss to Troy. Troy should have beaten OSU by even more than they did. OSU is in the midst of a quarterback controversy, and is having running back problems. Even in Stillwater, Tech should win. Pick: Tech
Baylor at Buffalo: Baylor is going to wish they had not scheduled this game. Buffalo has been historically woeful, but is improving under coach Turner Gill. The Bears are looking for a win, which will be hard to come by for them in the Big 12. This is a trap for the Bears. I like Buffalo’s chances here. Pick: Buffalo
Rice at Texas: The Longhorns are in the midst of trouble both on and off the field. Nonetheless, the Horns shouldn’t have a problem with Rice. Rice is reverting back to doormat form. Pick: Texas
Miami, Ohio at Colorado: Buffs are improving, but are not nearly where they would like to be. Miami is known for upsets. I don’t know if it would be an upset, but I like the team from Ohio in this one. Pick: Miami
Ball State at Nebraska: Huskers were manhandled last week by USC. Luckily for them, they get Ball State this week. This will be closer than it should be, but the Huskers should win. Pick: Nebraska
Florida International at Kansas: Four cupcakes, four wins for the Jayhawks. Pick: KU
Illinois State at Missouri: Missouri should wipe the floor with this opponent. Pick: Mizzou
Iowa State at Toledo: The Rockets host the juggernaut from Ames. ISU comes off an unexpected win over archrival Iowa. Toledo has not shown anything this season worthy of a pick, even at home. Pick: Iowa State
Penn State at Michigan: Wolverines earned a measure of respect by whipping Notre Dame last week. The celebration is short-lived, as Penn State visits the Big House. Pick: Penn State
Michigan State at Notre Dame: The Irish are one of the worst teams in America. Pick: Michigan State
South Carolina at LSU: Tigers receive test from ‘Cocks. Nonetheless, the home field will work in LSU’s favor. Pick: LSU
Georgia at Alabama: Tide scored a dramatic win over Arkansas, after blowing a 31-10 win. Now, the Bulldogs visit Tuscaloosa. Strange things happen in Tuscaloosa on Saturday nights on ESPN. It’s hard to go against the Sabanites here. Pick: Bama
Kentucky at Arkansas: Kentucky won a shootout last week over archrival Louisville, earning the Cats a spot in this week’s Top 25. Heisman candidate Darren McFadden led Arkansas to a monster comeback against Alabama, but the Hogs could not hold on. This is a huge game for the Razorbacks. Give me the Fighting Nutts. Pick: Arkansas
Washington at UCLA: Huskies opened strong with two wins before running into Ohio State last week. UCLA did not show up for a game last week in Salt Lake City, and were pile-driven 44-6 by Utah. Pick: Washington
Iowa at Wisconsin: Saturday night game in Cheeseland. Hawkeyes were embarrassed last week by previously winless archrival Iowa State. Badgers remain unbeaten. Pick: Wisconsin
SMU at TCU: Battle for the Iron Skillet. SMU currently holds the Skillet, having won in 2005 before the two teams took a sabbatical last season. SMU has been unimpressive this season, and coach Phil Bennett’s job is on the line. TCU blew a two touchdown lead last week at Air Force to lose their second game in a row. It’ll be ugly, but the Frogs should win this one. Pick: TCU
North Park at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: Rose-Hulman hosts the Indianapolis Colts’ training camp in Terre Haute, Indiana. Some of the Colts’ championship magic dust remains behind at Rose-Hulman. Pick: Rose-Hulman