College Picks: Week 5

This is already a crazy week in college football, as #1 is up for grabs thanks to USC’s Thursday night loss to Oregon State.

Last Week: 15-5
Season: 61-19

TCU at Oklahoma: The game of the week in the chicken fried kingdom has the Horned Frogs headed up I-35 to take on the Sooners. TCU has won their last two games in Norman: in 1996 and 2005. The Sooners have a better team this year, and won’t be overlooking the Frogs. TCU is by far the best non-conference team on OU’s schedule. Pick: OU

Arkansas at Texas: Hurricane Ike got this game two weeks ago, and the two teams happened to have a common open date this week, so they’ll try again. Arkansas is in a major rebuilding mode under Bobby Petrino. There is a good chance they may not win another game this season. The Longhorns have been impressive against inferior competition. This might get ugly. Pick: Texas

Virginia Tech at Nebraska: The Huskers have a chance to put themselves back on the map as the Hokies visit Lincoln. VT is looking better after blowing their opening game against East Carolina. The Huskers aren’t quite ready for prime time yet, but their time is coming. Pick: Virginia Tech

Army at Texas A&M: The real Army visits the fake army in College Station. The poor Cadets are winless against a weak schedule. Just what the doctor ordered for the Aggies. Pick: A&M

Louisiana-Lafayette at Kansas State: Another rent-a-win. Pick: K-State

Troy at Oklahoma State: Troy visits their second OSU in a row after losing to The Ohio State University in Columbus last week. Last year, the Trojans shocked the Cowboys in Alabama. Mike Gundy is still a man. OSU gets revenge. Pick: OSU

Colorado vs. Florida State at Jacksonville: Buffs got a big win over West Virginia last week. Now, they must go cross country to play an FSU team that lost at home to Wake Forest last week. The run ends for CU. Pick: FSU

Alabama at Georgia: Bubba Bowl. The Crimson Tide have returned to their traditional place in the Top 10. Georgia sits at #3, with a chance to move as high as #1 with a win. Bulldogs get a big win this week. Pick: Georgia

Tennessee at Auburn: The Vols are in sad shape after being walloped by Florida. Philip Fulmer better be checking his retirement accounts, because he may be forced to use them after this season. Auburn, on the other hand, lost a tough game at home last week to LSU. War Eagle won’t lose twice in a row. Pick: Auburn

Wisconsin at Michigan: The rebuilding year continues for Rich Rodriguez at Michigan. Wiscy is solid again, as usual. Pick: Wisconsin

Purdue at Notre Dame: Notre Dame was starting to feel good about itself until the Irish went to East Lansing last week and lost. Make two losses in a row to Big Ten teams for the Irish. Pick: Purdue

North Carolina at Miami: Butch Davis returns to South Florida to take on the Canes in their new digs at Dolphin Stadium. Miami got a big win last week over A&M, but a lot of teams are going to beat A&M this year. The Tar Heels have enough to pull this one off. Pick: North Carolina

Fresno State at UCLA: Which UCLA team shows up? The Bruins are reeling after a season-opening win against Tennessee. Can Fresno pull out the win here? Yes. Will they? Nah. Pick: UCLA

Illinois at Penn State: The Nittany Lions are looking like the favorite in the Big Ten now. They open Big Ten play against last year’s Rose Bowl team, the Fighting Illini. Pick: Penn State

Mississippi State at LSU: Tigers are still the favorite in the SEC West. Bulldogs just can’t hang with the Tigers. Pick: LSU

North Texas at Rice: North Texas is looking to drop to Class 5A after the next realignment. Just kidding. Pick: Rice

Ole Miss at Florida: The mighty Gators roll on. Pick: Florida

New Mexico at New Mexico State: Not many people outside of New Mexico care about this one, but don’t tell anyone in the Land of Enchantment. Pick: New Mexico

Nevada at UNLV: Another in-state rivalry. UNLV looks like it is turning the corner. Pick: UNLV

Austin Peay at Eastern Kentucky: Let’s Go Peay! EKU is at home in this one. Pick: Eastern Kentucky