NCAA Week 7 picks

This week has a Wednesday game, but it won't be all that interesting.  Let's look at more interesting games.

Thurs Oct 14
South Florida Bulls at West Virginia Mountaineers:  The Bulls defense isn't as strong as it has been in years past, and the Mountaineers are fighting for redemption in what has become more of a rebuilding year.  I like the Mountaineers chances, as the Bulls don't have much of an offense.  WEST VIRGINIA

Kansas State Wildcats at Kansas Jayhawks:  The Jayhawks have owned this state rivalry recently, but the Jayhawks have slid horribly this season.  K State may not be ready for the Top 25, but they're ready for this game.  KANSAS STATE

Fri Oct 15
Cincinnati Bearcats at Louisville Cardinals:  The Bearcats are having a tough year, but those youngsters could come along soon.  I'll give Louisville the edge, but watch for Cincy's awakening.  LOUISVILLE

Top Ten:
#1 Ohio State Buckeyes at #22 Wisconsin Badgers:  Wisconsin finds ways to win, but I think the swarming Buckeye defense will be too tough for them.  OHIO STATE

#3 Utah Utes at Wyoming Cowboys:  Utah shouldn't have much trouble against the Cowboys, even if Wyoming is improving this season.  UTAH

#4 Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Tech Red Raiders:  Texas Tech is down this year, but they're always capable of surprising opponents.  Being the top team in the competitive Big XII is a strange place for the Cowboys, so are they ripe for an upset?  Perhaps, but I'll still pick them to get past the Raiders.  OKLAHOMA STATE

#5 Boise State Broncos at San Jose State Spartans:  Boise State should get their sixth win.  Once again, the Broncos are looking to bust into a BCS bowl game.  BOISE STATE

BYU Cougars at #6 TCU Horned Frogs:  At the beginning of the season, we thought this might be an exciting game.  With BYU's collapse, this should be a breeze for TCU.  TCU

Iowa State Cyclones at #7 Oklahoma Sooners:  Iowa State has played some of their opponents tough, but Oklahoma will prove too difficult.  Their defense is solid.  If their offense isn't putting up as many points as expected, it's because they have boosted their ground game, giving them control of the ball for more of the game.  OKLAHOMA

Ole Miss Rebels at #8 Alabama Crimson Tide:  Alabama needs a strong victory to redeem themselve after their shocking loss to South Carolina.  With the struggles that Ole Miss has had this season, this seems to be the perfect game.  Ole Miss has already pulled off one upset, though, so the Tide can't get overconfident.  I don't think they will, but Ole Miss may score more than the Tide would like.  ALABAMA

#9 Nevada Wolfpack at Hawaii Warriors:  Hawaii is often tough at home, but they've been less so this season.  Nevada is the WAC team kicking butt and taking names, and they'll have the Warriors' butts at the end of this game.  NEVADA

Illinois Fighting Illini at #11 Michigan State Spartans:  Illinois is better than most people (including myself!) thought they'd be, but beating the high-powered Spartans offense is asking too much from this young team.  MICHIGAN STATE

Texas Longhorns at #12 Nebraska Cornhuskers:  The Longhorns are struggling this season.  They had an extra week to prepare for this game, and I'm sure most of the time was spent working with quarterback Garrett Gilbert.  I'm not sure that'll help.  The bigger problem is the porous defensive line that allowed Oklahoma to rush for more than 115 yards.  Nebraska should gain that much or more.  NEBRASKA

McNeese State at #13 LSU Tigers:  An FBS v FCS matchup this late in the season?  Strange, but with LSU's defense, the result isn't in doubt.  LSU

#23 Arkansas Razorbacks at #14 Auburn Tigers:  This should be an interesting matchup, especially Ryan Mallet against the Auburn pass rush.  I think Mallet will figure it out and move Arkansas; the question is how far behind will Arkansas be when that happens?  Mallet also has a habit of forcing things, which the Auburn defense will exploit.  I think Mallet will suffer two interceptions and a loss.  AUBURN

#15 Missouri Tigers at Texas A&M Aggies:  The Aggies are hoping to turn their season around.  Missouri has not won by huge margins, but they have founds way to win.  I think they'll do that against the Aggies, too.  MISSOURI

#18 Iowa Hawkeyes at #16 Michigan Wolverines:  The Big House can be a tough place to win, as Iowa well knows.  Iowa has had an extra week to prepare, and I'm sure they've watched how Michigan State beat them.  Iowa has a good offense, but not quite on par with Michigan State.  Moreover, the Wolverines will do whatever it takes to prevent losing two conference games in a row.  Iowa has a strong chance to win this game, but I'll give an edge to the Michigan defense.  MICHIGAN

#17 South Carolina Gamecocks at Kentucky Wildcats:  The Gamecocks are still on the emotional high from beating Alabama last week.  If they don't let that interfere with their on-field performance, they shouldn't have any problem against Kentucky.  Fortunately they have Coach Spurrier, who will keep their eye on the game.  SOUTH CAROLINA

Boston College Eagles at #19 Florida State Seminoles:  Boston College is having a down season, while the Seminoles are starting to resemble to ranked teams of the past.  FLORIDA STATE

#20 NC State Wolf Pack at East Carolina  Pirates:  East Carolina has good games and bad games.  If they play well, and find their defense, they can upset the Wolf Pack.  NC State seems to falter as soon as they enter the Top 25, so an upset wouldn't surprise me.  Still, since East Carolina is too unpredictable, I'll go with NC STATE.

#21 Arizona Wildcats at Washington State Cougars:  Washington State hasn't beaten an FBS opponent yet this season, and I don't see that happening now.  ARIZONA

Mississippi State Bulldogs at #24 Florida Gators:  The Bulldogs have already pulled off one conference upset.  That may be their quota for the season.  Florida certainly hopes so, as they try to salvage this season.  FLORIDA

Big Ten:
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Purdue Boilermakers:  Purdue upset Northwestern last week, which may be the start of a turnaround.  Regardless, it solidified Minnesota's position as the worst team in the conference.  PURDUE

Game of the Week:  California Golden Bears at #25 USC Trojans:  Both teams need a win to stay competitive in the Pac-10.  Either team is capable of winning this game, so I favor the home team.  USC

Other Games of Interest:
Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Virginia Tech Hokies:  Wake Forest is capable of surprising opponents, but the Hokies are too determined to salvage the poor start to the season.  VIRGINIA TECH

Air Force Falcons at San Diego State Aztecs:  Air Force is a good team this year, and they are trying to keep pace with Utah.  Rolling over San Diego State will help.  AIR FORCE