It's a veritable smorgusborg of football this weekend, some very intriguing match-ups and the landscape of the postseason for both the pros and college ranks should take a more defined shape. Let's start with this week's rankings:
1: Auburn (11-0)
2: Texas Christian (11-0)
3: Oregon (10-0)
4: Boise State (10-0)
5: Louisiana State (10-1)
6: Stanford (10-1)
7: Oklahoma State (10-1)
8: Wisconsin (10-1)
9: Ohio State (10-1)
10: Michigan State (10-1)
11: Nevada (10-1)
12: Alabama (9-2)
12: Oklahoma (9-2)
14: Arkansas (9-2)
15: Missouri (9-2)
16: Nebraska (9-2)
17: Virginia Tech (9-2)
18: Utah (9-2)
19: Northern Illinois (9-2)
Also receiving "votes:" South Carolina (8-3), Texas A&M (8-3), Florida State (8-3), North Carolina State (8-3), Hawaii (8-3), Navy (8-3), Southern Miss (8-3), Central Florida (8-3), Tulsa (8-3), Ohio (8-3), Arizona (7-3), West Virginia (7-3), Air Force (8-4), Miami-OH (8-4), Temple (8-4), Mississippi State (7-4), Iowa (7-4), Florida (7-4), Southern Cal (7-4), Miami-FL (7-4), Penn State (7-4), Michigan (7-4), Maryland (7-4), Northwestern (7-4), San Diego State (7-4), Syracuse (7-4), Pittsburgh (6-4), Notre Dame (6-5), Clemson (6-5), Oregon State (5-5).
College Pick 'Em games:
Maryland over North Carolina State... if there's one thing for certain in the ACC, it's that no team is a clear champion. The conference and the country want a FSU vs. Va Tech championship... they'll get it.
#12 Oklahoma over #7 Oklahoma State... if Bob Stoops wants to keep the orange-headed-step-child of the Big 12 South down, he'll find a way to blowout the Cowboys.
#14 Arkansas over #5 Louisiana State... I'm hoping home-field advantage, the Razorback offense, and BCS justice will prevail... LSU needs to lose so TCU and Boise can go (if they stay undefeated).
Georgia over Georgia Tech... usually a nasty game, and the Dawgs are looking for a bowl bid.
#10 Michigan State over Penn State... nothing like finishing in the top-10 of the BCS and not getting an invitation (damn Big lEast).
Mississippi State over Mississippi... the Egg Bowl has some relevance this year, the Bulldogs can earn some respect and keep their rivals in the cellar.
Florida State over Florida... something is wrong with the Gators, don't expect it to get fixed until mid-season next year.
Southern Cal over Notre Dame... not too much luster left in this match-up, but it should be a decent game for the die-hards.
California over Washington... why am I forced to pick this game?
South Carolina over Clemson... Gamecocks win a close one with the date with Auburn on their mind.
Last Week: 6-4 (42 pts)
Season: 69-51 (433 pts)
Bonus Picks:
#1 Auburn over #12 Alabama... if the Cam Newton thing was going to be a distraction, don't you think it would have been by now?
#2 Texas Christian over New Mexico... no contest, but the Frogs are too classy to run up the score, and I think the voters will respect that.
#4 Boise State over #11 Nevada... the difference is in the defense: what are the odds of Nevada's defense holding Boise's offense longer than Boise's defense holding Nevada's offense. If the Wolfpack play a perfect game defensively, they'll win.
#3 Oregon over Arizona... they say Cal provided a blueprint on how to defend the Ducks... you think Oregon has left their offense alone after a 15-point showing in the last game? Especially win two weeks to prepare?
Texas over Texas A&M... if Mack Brown is any kind of coach, he'll get his team to a bowl game.
#12 Nebraska over Colorado... I'm hoping it goes the other way, but Mizzou just isn't that lucky.
#15 Missouri over Kansas... expect the score to be lower than expected.
Pittsburgh over West Virginia... will someone in the Big lEast please win 8 games so it's not too much of a sham that they get a BCS bid?
Tulsa over Southern Miss... big battle in C-USA.
Pro Picks:
Patriots over Lions
Cowboys over Saints... new coach, new season.
Jets over Bengals
Falcons over Packers... Matt Ryan at home (something like 15-1).
Steelers over Bills... don't think the Steelers defense gives up a comeback like the Bills had last week.
Browns over Panthers
Giants over Jaguars... going with the home team and superior defense
Redskins over Vikings... McNabb or Favre, neither one should still be playing football
Texans over Titans... upset special
Chiefs over Seahawks
Raiders over Dolphins... which 5-5 team is more mediocre?
Eagles over Bears... game of the week, and I like the Eagles' offense
Ravens over Buccaneers... Josh Freeman, I'd like you to meet the Ravens defense.
Broncos over Rams... Rams on the road, ouch
Chargers over Colts... here comes the surge
49ers over Cardinals... oh how Arizona wishes Kurt Warner had the competitive spirit of Brett Favre.
Last Week: 14-2
Season: 91-69
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