NCAA Week #4 Picks and Predictions

We had some interesting upsets last week.  Let's see if that continues...

Thursday, Sept 24
#4 Old Miss Rebels at South Carolina Gamecocks:  This will be the first real challenge faced by the Rebs.  I think they're ready, but never underestimate what Steve Spurrier has under his sleeves.  OLE MISS

Friday, Sept 25
#17 Missouri Tigers at Nevada Wolfpack:  It doesn't look like Nevada is as tough as we thought they'd be.  Maybe they'll get better as the season goes on, but the Tigers will overwhelm them now.  MISSOURI

Top 25
Arkansas Razorbacks at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide:  The Razorbacks challenged Georgia, but they'll struggle against the tough Tide defense.  Alabama rolls!  ALABAMA

#2 Florida Gators at #9 Kentucky Wildcats:  I almost picked this for the Game of the Week.  Tennessee proved that it's possible to slow the powerful Gator offense, but does Kentucky have that level of defense?  I don't think so, but Kentucky has a good offense of their own, so this should be a score-fest.  The Gators tend to emerge victorious in those.  FLORIDA

#3 California Golden Bears at Oregon Ducks:  Is Oregon ready for this team?  They bring one of the most accurate QBs in the country and the best runner in the nation.  I think that'll be too much for the resurging Ducks.  CAL

#21 Iowa Hawkeyes at #5 Penn State Nittany Lions:  Iowa's ranking will last only one week, as Penn State will just roll over them.  PENN STATE

UTEP Miners at #6 Texas Longhorns:  Texas won't get as much of a challenge from THIS in-state rival.  TEXAS

Indiana Hoosiers at #7 Michigan Wolverines:  Believe it or not, the Hoosiers are unbeaten!  Oh well, that won't last.  Rich Rodriquez has the tools he wants for his spread offense, and it's working.  MICHIGAN

#8 Boise State Broncos at Bowling Green Falcons:  The Falcons started well, but it's been a different team recently.  If the other Falcons team doesn't show up soon, they'll find themselves in a big hole.  BOISE STATE

#10 LSU Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs:  No surprises here. LSU might prevent a single point scored against them.  LSU

Ball State Cardinals at #11 Auburn Tigers:  Ball State will have real trouble against the stingy Tigers defense.  AUBURN

Fresno State Bulldogs at #12 Cincinnati Bearcats:  The Bulldogs gave Boise State fits, but those two have a bitter rivalry.  Without that emotional boost, I don't think Fresno will push Cincy much.  CINCINNATI

UAB Blazers at #13 Texas A&M Aggies:  UAB can be competitive, but they're overmatched in this contest.  TEXAS A&M

Illinois Fighting Illini at #14 Ohio State Buckeyes:  The Illini have surprised the Buckeyes sometimes in the past, but I don't think the Illini offense is showing enough consistency to be a consistent threat.  OHIO STATE

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at #15 Kansas Jayhawks:  Jayhawks offense isn't quite as potent as the past two years, but it's good enough to overwhelm the Eagles defense.  KANSAS

Washington State Cougars at #16 USC Trojans:  The Trojans get to rebound against the Cougars.  USC

Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at #18 Nebraska Cornhuskers:  Great chance for the Cornhuskers to rebound after a bad week.  NEBRASKA

#20 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purdue Boilermakers:  Purdue can give the Irish fits, but the Boilermakers don't quite seem to have it in them this year.  They are capable of flashes of brilliance, as they showed against Oregon, but they can't maintain those flashes.  NOTRE DAME

#22 Pittsburgh Panthers at NC State Wolf Pack:  The Wolf Pack has been tamed this year, while the Panthers have sharpened their claws.  Okay, enough cute animal references.  This is a nonconference game that Pitt needs to validate their ranking, and they'll win it.  PITT

TCU Horned Frogs at #24 Clemson Tigers:  Watch out for TCU!  This is one of my most likely upsets.  I'll favor the home team, but the Horned Frogs could easily push it the other way.  CLEMSON

Big Ten
Michigan State Spartans at Wisconsin Badgers:  The Spartans couldn't beat Notre Dame, but they had some excellent plays.  Wisconsin has been some lucky breaks.  If their luck runs dry, the Spartans will soar.  MICHIGAN STATE

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Northwestern Wildcats:  Both are 2-1, but Minnesota had tougher opposition.  I think that'll prepare them better for conference play.  MINNESOTA

Other Games of Interest
North Carolina Tar Heels at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets:  The Jackets will want to bounce back from their upset last week, but North Carolina will make that tough.  This game could go either way, but I like the intensity of the Heels.  NORTH CAROLINA

South Florida Bulls at Florida State Seminoles:  This one will be a bitter battle.  South Florida has not looked as sharp this year, but they are capable.  The Seminoles have gotten tired in their earlier games, especially in the fourth quarter.  If they tire here, the Bulls will charge.  SOUTH FLORIDA

Washington Huskies at Stanford Cardinal:  This is an interesting game.  Washington has shown strength, and Stanford can always surprise.  Stanford tends to play tough opponents tougher, and let weak opponents run over them.  Will they consider Washington weak or strong?  After upsetting USC, I think Stanford has placed a target on their backs.  STANFORD

Game of the Week:  #23 Miami Hurricanes at #25 Virginia Tech Hokies:  The Hokies have tormented Miami in recent years.  With Miami looking stronger this year, and the Hokies lacking some power, this seems the perfect year for revenge.  It'll be an exciting and hard-fought battle, but I think the special teams of Virginia Tech might make the difference.  VIRGINIA TECH