There's a Tues evening game involving Sun Belt teams, but I'll ignore it. I will admit that I don't pay enough attention to the Sun Belt to make an educated pick.
Wed Oct 6
UAB Blazers at Central Florida Golden Knights: UAB has the ability to surprise, but Central Florida isn't as down as people thought they might be. CENTRAL FLORIDA
Thurs Oct 7
#17 Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kansas State Wildcats: Kansas State has been playing tougher non-conference opponents to better prepare themselves, but I don't think they can be prepared enough for the Cornhuskers. NEBRASKA
Fri Oct 8
UConn Huskies at Rutgers Scarlet Knights: UConn may be down this season, but still think they have some life in their tank. It also appears that they may have been saving themselves for conference play. If that's the case, they'll roll over Rutgers. As it is, I think it'll be a close game, but I still like the Huskies to prevail. UCONN
#5 Oklahoma State Cowboys at Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns: With all due respect to the Cajuns, this game will be a blowout. OKLAHOMA STATE
Top 25
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide at #25 South Carolina Gamecocks: The Tide defense will be too tough for the Gamecocks, and the Gamecocks' D isn't strong enough to hold back Alabama. The only real question will be whether South Carolina will lose badly enough to fall from the rankings. ALABAMA
Indiana Hoosiers at #2 Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes had their hands full against Illinois last week, but the Illini have always played Jim Tressel's Buckeyes tough. This game won't be as close. OHIO STATE
#3 Oregon Ducks at Washington State Cougars: The top team in the Pac-10 plays the bottom team in the Pac-10. This outcome shouldn't be tough to predict. OREGON
#4 Utah Utes at Iowa State Cyclones: The Cyclones shocked Texas Tech last week, but Utah doesn't surprise so easily. Being the underdog for so many years means that Utah prepares for EVERY game. UTAH
Toledo Rockets at #6 Boise State Broncos: The blue field doesn't confuse teams so much anymore, but the Broncos no longer need that advantage. The Broncos are scoring at will, accumulating the third most points in four games among all FBS teams. Toledo's defense won't last. BOISE STATE
Wyoming Cowboys at #7 TCU Horned Frogs: Most of the Top Ten have easy games this week, compared to two tough contests last week. This is one of those easy games. TCU
#15 Michigan State Spartans at #9 Michigan Wolverines: This is one of those tough contests. The Spartans have a good team this year. Throw in the in-state rivalry, and this game will be a tough one for the Wolverines. I have to favor Michigan in the Big House, but don't be surprised if Mark Dantonio's team pulls off the upset. MICHIGAN
San Jose State Spartans at #10 Nevada Wolfpack: Another easy game for a Top Ten opponent. Nevada has one of the best offenses in FBS; the Spartans don't stand a chance! NEVADA
Oregon State Beavers at #11 Arizona Wildcats: Arizona has a tough opponent! The Beavers have played tough in a couple of games. If they can avoid making mistakes, they can make it difficult for Arizona. Unfortunately, mistakes have plagued the Beavers this year, so I think Arizona will close this one out. ARIZONA
#20 USC Trojans at #12 Stanford Cardinal: This is a crucial game for both teams. Both are coming off disappointing losses last week. Two conference losses in a row will spell doom for the loser. The Trojans are a decent team, but I don't think Lane Kiffin is quite ready to coach at this level, while Jim Harbaugh has been troubling Pac-10 teams before he had Andrew Luck. STANFORD
#14 Auburn Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats: Kentucky can be tough, but the Auburn defense is pretty tough. AUBURN
Colorado Buffaloes at #19 Missouri Tigers: Colorado actually has a decent team this year. If Missouri hadn't had their bye last week, giving them extra time to prepare, I'd give the Buffs a chance for an upset. At this point, though, I have to pick Missouri. MISSOURI
#21 Florida State Seminoles at Miami Hurricanes: Expect another defensive battle, as many of these contests have been recently. Both teams are improved, but I think Florida State has come further in their rebuilding. These teams always play each other tough, though, so previous performances don't matter much. Miami is the home team, which gives them a slight edge, but I think the Seminoles offense is just a bit better than Miami's. FLORIDA STATE
Minnesota Golden Gophers at #22 Wisconsin Badgers: The Badgers lost last week, so they have something to prove. Minnesota has been a disappointment. An upset can help restore their season, but I don't see it happening here. WISCONSIN
#23 Arkansas Razorbacks at Texas A&M Aggies: The Aggies can be a tough opponent. This is definitely their toughest non-conference challenge. Ryan Mallet will be challenged in this game, but I don't think the Aggies can keep up with the speed of Arkansas. ARKANSAS
#24 Baylor Bears at Texas Tech Red Raiders: Tech wants redemption for the collapse last week, but two conference losses makes them vulnerable. Baylor faces their first real challenge of the season, and I think they'll be up to the challenge, although Tech should keep it close. BAYLOR
Big Ten
Illinois Fighting Illini at Penn State Nittany Lions: The Lions offense is off their game. These past weeks they've seemed confused and out of sync. Illinois is playing much better than I expected, and both of their losses (to Missouri and Ohio State) have been close games. I'm going for the upset here, and picking the Illini. ILLINOIS
Purdue Boilermakers at Northwestern Wildcats: The Wildcats are 5-0 and off to their best start in years. A win here will boost their conference stock, and potential Top 25 stock, sky high. NORTHWESTERN
Game of the Week: #13 LSU Tigers at #16 Florida Gators: LSU has a tough defense, and that should give Brantley and the Gators fits, but their offense is inconsistent. The Gators have not lost two consecutive conference games under Urban Meyer, and I don't expect that to happen now. FLORIDA
Other Games of Interest:
Central Michigan Chippewas at Virginia Tech Hokies: The Hokies are hoping to climb back into the Top 25, but the Chippewas aren't as strong as they have been the past couple of years, so a victory here won't impress enough people. VIRGINIA TECH
Colorado State Rams at Air Force Falcons: The Falcons are soaring, and should have an easy time bombarding the Rams. AIR FORCE
UNLV Running Rebels at West Virginia Mountaineers: Another team hoping to return to the Top 25, they need an outstanding win here to boost their ranking. Somehow, I'm not sure this year's Mountaineers team is capable, although they'll still get the win. WEST VIRGINIA
UCLA Bruins at Cal Golden Bears: This should be a close game, as both teams have talent and something to prove in the conference. UCLA has played opponents tough, but Cal had a week to prepare for them. I think that'll make a difference. CAL
Mississippi State Bulldogs at Houston Cougars: Houston shouldn't have much trouble in this contest. HOUSTON
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