NCAA Week 9 picks

Do you want proof that the Mountain West Conference is strong?  They have more Top 25 teams (three) than the ACC, and as many as the Big Ten, Big East, and Big XII.  Maybe we should rename them the Big Mountain Conference.

Tuesday, Oct 27
East Carolina Pirates at Memphis Tigers:  It hasn't been a good season for the Pirates, but the Tigers' woes will help them turn things around.  EAST CAROLINA

Thurs Oct 29
North Carolina Tar Heels at #23 Virginia Tech Hokies:  If the Hokies just play classic Beamer Ball, they should have no problem throwing the Tar Heels off their heels.  VIRGINIA TECH

Fri Oct 30
#17 West Virginia Mountaineers at South Florida Bulls:  The Bulls defense can still scare opponents, but I think the Mountaineers are just too strong for them.  WEST VIRGINIA

Top 25
Georgia Bulldogs at #3 Florida Gators:  The Gators should prevail, but the question remains, "When will Florida look like a National Champion contender?"  FLORIDA

San Jose State Spartans at #4 Boise State Broncos:  The Broncos will dominate in this game, too.  They seem poised to run the table in the WAC.  BOISE STATE

#5 Cincinnati Bearcats at Syracuse Orangemen:  After last week, even their former detractors are believing in Cincy.  Until they face Pitt, they have the clear edge in the Big East.  CINCY

Indiana Hoosiers at #6 Iowa Hawkeyes:  Indy won't push Iowa the way Michigan State did.  With no Ohio State on their schedule and Penn State behind them, Iowa could run the Big Ten table.  IOWA

#7 USC Trojans at #10 Oregon Ducks:  The Trojans have struggled in the state of Oregon the past few years, and USC does not have the offensive firepower this year like they've had previously.  The Ducks can put points on the scoreboard, and I'm not sure how well the Trojan defense will slow them.  I have to pick the upset on this one.  OREGON

#8 Penn State Nittany Lions at Northwestern Wildcats:  Penn State should have no problem declawing the Wildcats.  PENN STATE

UNLV Running Rebels at #9 TCU Horned Frogs:  The Frogs have become the power in the stronger Mountain West.  They humbled BYU, so the Rebels shouldn't be a challenge.  TCU

Tulane Green Wave at #12 LSU Tigers:  LSU goes out of conference after trouncing their SEC rival last week.  Nice break for them.  LSU

Wyoming Cowboys at #14 Utah Utes:  The Utes want to return to the top of the Mountain West, but they have an uphill battle.  They should have the talent to overcome Wyoming, but Utah is lacking the quick strike power they've had in the past.  UTAH

New Mexico State Aggies at #15 Ohio State Buckeyes:  The Buckeyes face a winless team to give their offense time to regroup.  OHIO STATE

#16 Central Michigan Chippewas at Boston College Eagles:  Is it possible for a MAC team to beat a team from a BCS conference other than the Big Ten?  I'd say, "Yes."  The Chippewas have perhaps the most accurate quarterback in the FBS, and he's just as swift with his legs as with his arms.  I have to acknowledge what this team has done, and go with... CENTRAL MICHIGAN

#18 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Vanderbilt Commodores:  Georgia Tech gets a non-conference breather as a reward for their victory on Saturday.  GEORGIA TECH

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles at Houston Cougars:  Houston took a little while to get going, but now they are living up to their preseason hype.  Watch out for this team!  HOUSTON

#21 Kansas Jayhawks at Texas Tech Red Raiders:  This game could really go either way.  The variable could be the Jayhawks' defense - can they slow the Red Raiders offense?  If they can, they can win.  If not, the Red Raiders score the upset.  I think the Jayhawks will be extra motivated to win this game, but watch out for Tech!  KANSAS

#22 Ole Miss Rebels at Auburn Tigers:  Auburn's defense isn't as strong as we're used to seeing, and their offense is in chaos.  That makes them ripe for a loss.  However, if the defense happens to get themselves in shape, Ole Miss may have an uphill battle.   OLE MISS

Washington State Cougars at #24 Notre Dame Fighting Irish:  Perhaps the easiest game the Irish will play all season.  NOTRE DAME

Kansas State Wildcats at #25 Oklahoma Sooners:  Kansas State can surprise, but I think Oklahoma is still angry at the embarrassment handed them by Texas in the Red River Rivalry game.  That type of anger converts to a very physical team, and that plays to Oklahoma's hand.  OKLAHOMA

Big Ten
Purdue Boilermakers at Wisconsin Badgers:  Purdue has won two in a row, but Wisconsin had an extra week to prepare for this game.  WISCONSIN

Michigan Wolverines at Illinois Fighting Illini:  The Illini defense started showing up during the Purdue game, and the offense had some flashes of their potential, but I still fear the Wolverines are too much for them.  MICHIGAN

Michigan State Spartans at Minnesota Golden Gophers:  Michigan State played Iowa tough to the last second.  Although they lost that game, they'll use that as an energizing experience, boosting them for this game.  MICHIGAN STATE

Game of the Week:  #2 Texas Longhorns at #11 Oklahoma State Cowboys:  The top two offenses in the Big XII square off, and the scoreboard lights will file for overtime!  Texas has seemed a bit lethargic at times this season, but they've poured it on when they needed to.  I think they'll do it again, but I wouldn't be surprised by a Cowboys upset.  TEXAS

Other Games of Interest:
California Golden Bears at Arizona State Sun Devils:  Cal isn't the offensive powerhouse we expected, and Jahvid Best is definitely below expectations, but the team is still dangerous.  CAL

Temple Owls at Navy Midshipmen:  No real contest here.  NAVY

South Carolina Gamecocks at Tennessee Volunteers:  Tennessee played Florida tough, but Steve Spurrier will find ways to contain Jonathan Crompton.  SOUTH CAROLINA