Last Week: 2-3 Season: 6-4
5. Auburn @ Tennessee: 6:45 PM CDT ESPN
Earlier this decade, this could likely have been a match up of two top ten teams. Now, its a battle of unranked SEC teams figured to finish 3rd or worse in their respective divisions. As an Alabama fan, this is an IMPOSSIBLE game to actually watch. I can never figure out who I hate more. In theory, I hate Tennessee more, at least Auburn is an in state school so there is some Alabama pride there. But when I actually see Auburn on the field, a deep rooted hatred comes out. Really I can't root FOR any of these teams, I just have to decide which one I'm rooting AGAINST. But that's not the issue this morning, the actual match up is the issue. At quarterback, the advantage certainly goes to Todd. He has seemed to command this offense with amazing precision with an 11/1 TD/INT ratio. Only a 59% completion percentage, but a nearly 10 Yards Per Attempt average makes up for that. Jonathan Crompton for UT just plain sucks. Nearly the same completion percentage as Todd, but only a 6 yard YPA and a negative TD/INT (7/8) ratio is killer. Auburn's running game seems to have an advantage as well as a group, but Tennessee's Bryce Brown has probably the biggest upside for either team. He is only a true freshman however. Auburn's Kodi Burns runs a very effective wildcat for the Tigers with 4 touchdowns on the ground already this season. Auburn's Darvin Adams is developing into a true #1 receiver with 334 yards and 5 TDs on the season. No one so far for Tennessee has stepped up in that role. Neither team has shined on defense, but Auburn giving up 30 to Ball State raises some major red flags. Vegas is giving Auburn 2.5 points in this game, probably because it is in Knoxville, but I'm picking Auburn to outlast Tennessee 35-24.4. #22 Michigan @ Michigan State 11:00 AM Big 10 Network
Michigan is a surprising 4-0 at his point in the season already eclipsing their win total for last year. Michigan State is a surprising 1-3 to this point. Throw the records out though in a rivalry type game. The Spartans probably should be 3-1 with close losses to Central Michigan and Notre Dame -- although they should have blown out Central Michigan anyways. Michigan feshman Tate Forcier is a budding superstar in the league and SR RB Carlos Brown has been more than efficient in totting the rock for the Wolverines. Spartan Sophomore QB Kirk Cousins has been more than just efficient this season as well. Based on records, Michigan should demolish State. But these records could just as easily be flipped . Vegas is giving the Spartans 2.5 again in this one, I'm gonna take another underdog and go for the Wolverines 27-21.
3. #8 Oklahoma @ #17 Miami PM 7:00 ABC
In the preseason, this game looked like an interesting non-conference match up, but not much else. Now, its a measuring stick game. The loser is out of the national title picture. Miami is likely already done with a BAD ACC loss, but Oklahoma's loss was early and the injury to QB Sam Bradford gives the Sooners a slight mulligan. Miami QB Jacory Harris looked spectacular in the first two games, and just downright scared last weekend up in Blacksburg. The weather played a role, but 9/25 for 150 yards isn't good in any weather conditions. I would like to say that the outcome of this game hinges on the return of Bradford, but Landry Jones has filled in very well in his absence. But, those games were against Idaho State and Tulsa to be fair. Bob Stoops has been very quiet on whether Bradford will return or not saying he is not sure yet, but you have to assume if he isn't sure now, even if he does play, he won't be at 100%. Oklahoma is a 7 point road favorite, but once again I like the underdog back at home especially if Bradford does not play in a 28-24 victory. If Bradford is totally healthy by game time, I reserve the right to change this pick however.2. #4 LSU @ #18 Georgia 2:30 CBS
The battle for what is likely second place in both the SEC West and SEC East. LSU has not looked like a top five team, especially last weekend needing a goal line stand to beat Mississippi State. Georgia hasn't looked all that great either losing badly opening weekend and then merely surviving since. Georgia QB Joe Cox is beginning to come into his own, he has the best receiver in the nation in A.J. Green to throw to, and with a very talented stable of running backs behind him, the Dawgs should win this game. But LSU recruits very well. LSU has more speed, and more raw talent in this game, but most of them are very young - either sophomores or freshmen. Sanford stadium can be a very hostile place to play, but lets face it, LSU will be used to that. They are the most hostile fans in the nation by ALOT. LSU gets 3 points from Vegas, but I like the DAWGS to hold serve at home and finally get a complete game 24-17.1. #7 USC @ #24 Cal 7:00 PM ABC
Admittedly, this game looked alot better in the preseason. Both team should have been undefeated, but neither are. USC had their yearly hiccup against Washington, and Cal got owned against Oregon last weekend. This game will still go a long way in determining the Pac-10 champion and likely Rose Bowl berth. USC @ Oregon on Halloween will also be the other big one. But back to this game: USC will be playing inspired football with the thoughts of Senior RB Stafon Johnson on their minds. You do have to wonder if this might have affected their practice this week though. Even if it did, who could blame them? Even without Johnson, USC has quite the stable of running backs to choose from. But the best back on the field will be Jahvid Best of Cal. He had a rough game last week that really hurt his Heisman chances, but I think that was just an aberration, not a trend. QB Matt Barkley should be fully healed by now and ready to go and is definitely a better QB than Kevin Riley. USC is getting 4.5 from Vegas, they should cover that just fine with a 38-27 victory.
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