NCAA Week 4 picks

We've had some exciting games so far this season; let's see if this week adds to that total!

Thurs Sept 23
Miami Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Panthers:  Pitt looks to scratch back into the Top 25, but Miami will be a tough team to beat.  The Hurricanes might have beaten Ohio State if not for turnovers.  If they do that again, Pitt will capitalize.  I think Pitt can win, but Miami could pull this out.  PITT

Fri Sept 24
#10 TCU Horned Frogs at SMU Mustangs:  SMU has a decent team this year, but it won't be good enough to upset the Horned Frogs, who are chasing another unbeaten record.  TCU

Top Ten
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide at #24 Arkansas Razorbacks:  Can Razorback QB Ryan Mallet get past the stingy defense of Alabama?  The Tide crushed Penn State, but they had a freshman quarterback.  Mallet's been in this situation before, against Ohio State (when he was at Michigan) and various SEC teams.  Unfortunately, he has more frequently lost against tough defenses than he has won.  ALABAMA

East Michigan Eagles at #2 Ohio State Buckeyes:  Although the MAC has done well against the Big Ten, this is one game where they will come up empty.  OHIO STATE

#3 Oregon Ducks at Arizona State Sun Devils:  The Sun Devils have a difficult early schedule, but they've handled it well so far.  Can they continue that?  I think they'll play the offensive leader tighter than the Ducks would like, but clearly the Ducks have the upper hand in the Pac-10 this season.  OREGON

San Jose State Spartans at #5 Utah Utes:  The Utes should roll again as they look to win their last year in the Mountain West.  UTAH

Oregon State Beavers at #6 Boise State Broncos:  My runner-up for Game of the Week, the Beavers should give Boise State more problems than they'd like.  I think the Broncos will prevail on their legendary blue turf, but it'll be a closer game than any Bronco fan would like.  BOISE STATE

#7 Oklahoma Sooners at Cincinnati Bearcats:  Cincy didn't start the season well, and this game will only add to their woes.  OKLAHOMA

California Golden Bears at #9 Arizona Wildcats:  Cal is looking to re-enter the Top 25, but they'd need to upset the Wildcats to do that.  Arizona played Iowa very well last week, even though the Hawkeyes nearly came from behind to win, so I think they'll hold back the Golden Bears.  This game could also go to the final minute, though.  ARIZONA

Kentucky Wildcats at #11 Florida Gators:  The Gators don't have Tim Tebow, but they haven't skipped a beat yet.  Kentucky won't be a tough opponent.  FLORIDA

UCLA Bruins at #12 Texas Longhorns:  Wither UCLA.  They were picked by many to compete in the Pac-10, but a 1-2 start (including a loss to a FCS team) puts their season in jeopardy.  TEXAS

#13 Stanford Cardinal at #25 Notre Dame Fighting Irish:  The Irish are waiting for non-ranked team.  They might get it in Boston College, but if BC does well and other teams lose, it might take until Western Michigan on Oct 16th.  STANFORD

#14 Fresno State Bulldogs at Ole Miss Rebels:  It hasn't been a good beginning for Ole Miss; they were the first team to lose to a FCS team.  For Fresno State, this is just a warm-up.  FRESNO STATE

Bolwing Green Falcons at #15 Michigan Wolverines:  Rich Rod's system is finally taking hold in Michigan.  They should go into conference play unbeaten.  Of course, conference play is what killed them last year.  MICHIGAN

West Virginia Mountaineers at #16 LSU Tigers:  This will be a real test of LSU's revived defense, as the Mountaineers can move the ball.  They haven't quite been as efficient at it so far this year, which should give LSU its chance.  LSU

#17 Nevada Wolf Pack at BYU Cougars:  When the season began, I would have picked this game to finish differently.  However, BYU has looked sickly while Nevada has pounded their opponents.  The Wolf Pack has actually been the most impressive WAC team so far, but they haven't reached the toughest part of their schedule yet.  NEVADA

South Dakota State at #18 Nebraska Cornhuskers:  The Dakota schools have been impressive so far, but this one should be too much for South Dakota State.  NEBRASKA

Northern Colorado Bears at #20 Michigan State Spartans:  The Bears have been impressive, but beating Michigan State will be just out of their reach.  MICHIGAN STATE

Austin Peay Governors at #21 Wisconsin Badgers:  A second Big Ten v FCS match-up, a similar result.  WISCONSIN

Ball State Cardinals at #22 Iowa Hawkeyes:  Iowa wants to redeem themselves from the close loss at Arizona, so they'll be battling right out of the gate.  IOWA

Big Ten
Central Michigan Chippewas at Northwestern Wildcats:  Here's a MAC team capable of upsetting its Big Ten opponent, but I'll pick the Wildcats.  They can be sneaky.  Central Michigan might lead going into the fourth quarter, but Northwestern will find a way to win.  NORTHWESTERN

Toledo Rockets at Purdue Boilermakers:  Here's the MAC upset pick!  Toledo is deceptively good this season, while Purdue has looked mediocre.  Purdue could win this game, but the MAC succeeds enough times that I have to go with the upset here.  TOLEDO

Temple Owls at Penn State Nittany Lions:  Penn State shut out Kent State last week to help rease the sting of the Alabama game, but they still have a tart taste in their mouths from that loss.  Look for them to take it out on Temple.  PENN STATE

Akron Zips at Indiana Hoosiers:  Akron looks pathetic, so Indy should have this one wrapped up before the fourth quarter.  INDIANA

Northern Illinois Huskies at Minnesota Golden Gophers:  Minnesota has stuggled this season, but it hasn't been a picnic for the Huskies, either.  I'll pick the home team, but watch for another upset.  MINNESOTA

GAME OF THE WEEK:  #8 South Carolina Gamecocks at #23 Auburn Tigers:  HUGE match-up in the SEC, as South Carolina proves that they deserve their Top 10 rank.  Auburn's defense is strong, but South Carolina has a good defense, too.  The difference will be who moves the ball better, and who has fewer turnovers.  South Carolina is disciplined and offensively balanced, so I have to give them the edge to win this game.  SOUTH CAROLINA

Other Games of Interest
NC State Wolfpack at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets:  NC State has started with a surprising 3-0 record, but this is their first real challenge of the season.  Tech is strong, especially on defense, and I think the Wolfpack offense still needs time to gel.  GEORGIA TECH

Virginia Tech Hokies at Boston College Eagles:  Tech is having a terrible season so far.  Beating BC would be a great way to recover, but I think the Eagles are too strong for them.  BC might reach the Top 25 with a commanding victory.  BOSTON COLLEGE