NCAA Week 8 picks

It's an interesting weekend, and I'll spend it on campus at the University of Illinois, for the 100th Anniversary of Homecoming.  The very first Homecoming ANYWHERE was celebrated on Illinois' campus in October 1910, and I'm proud to say that my great-uncle, W. Elmer Ekblaw, was one of the organizers.  This weekend will be a huge celebration, chock full of special events, many of them revolving around my famous and influential ancestor.

Thursday Oct 21
UCLA Bruins at #2 Oregon Ducks:  I'll be watching this game from my hotel room, as the Ducks hope to remain unbeaten and overtake Utah for the top spot.  The Bruins can be a tough team, but they're not playing up to par so far this season.  However, their youngsters could come alive, so the worst thing Oregon could do would be to take them granted.  With consecutive losses to Alabama and Ohio State, though, I don't think the Ducks will slack off.  OREGON

Friday Oct 22nd
South Florida Bulls at Cincinnati Bearcats:  I'll likely miss the first half for a banquet honoring my great-uncle, but I should catch the exciting finish of this close game, with Cincy edging out South Florida for the win.  CINCINNATI

Top 25:
Colorado State Rams at #1 Utah Utes:  The consecutive upsets to Number Ones should end here, as the Rams have been downright atrocious this season.  The question is whether Utah will win impressively enough to hold onto the top spot, since Oregon is active this week.  UTAH

#16 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #4 Oklahoma State Cowboys:  Nebraska knows that a second conference loss basically removes them from title contention.  They'll fight hard, but I think the Cowboys offense is just too strong and quick for the Cornhuskers.  OKLAHOMA STATE

#5 Oklahoma Sooners at #12 Missouri Tigers:  Mizzou has quietly become a contender this season, but now they hit the meat of their schedule.  Oklahoma just completed a huge blowout against Iowa State.  As much as it would be nice to see Missouri win, since Illinois played them so closely and thus it would improve their image, I think Oklahoma will rout another opponent.  OKLAHOMA

Air Force Falcons at #6 TCU Horned Frogs:  Air Force has a good running game, but the TCU defense will smother them.  TCU wants a shot at another BCS game, perhaps even the Championship Game, and they won't let anyone stand in their way.  TCU

Purdue Boilermakers at #7 Ohio State Buckeyes:  The Buckeyes get back on track with a huge defeat of weak (albeit suddenly interesting) Purdue.  OHIO STATE

#8 Alabama Crimson Tide at Tennessee Volunteers:  In the past this has been a great rivalry game, but Tennessee's decline has made it much less interesting.  ALABAMA

#9 Michigan State Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats:  The Spartans are on a great roll, but the Wildcats have a good team this year.  Watch out for Northwestern, they could pull off the upset, but I'll pick Sparty to keep the party rolling in East Lansing.  MICHIGAN STATE

Washington State Cougars at #10 Stanford Cardinal:  The Cardinal needed an extra week for prepare for THESE guys?  I hope Coach Harbaugh was already planning for their next opponent.  STANFORD

#17 Wisconsin Badgers at #14 Iowa Hawkeyes:  Oh, this should be a great game!  Wisconsin's ground attack against Iowa's line, and Iowa's aerial assault against the Badgers secondary.  I think both offenses have the respective edges, but Iowa's ability to score quickly will end up helping them.  Besides, I think Wisconsin will still be hung over after their defeat of Ohio State.  IOWA

Syracuse Orangemen at #18 West Virginia Mountaineers:  The Mountaineers fought hard to get back to the Top 25, and you can bet they won't let a resurgent Syracuse team roll over them!  The Orange should make it interesting, and closer than the Mountaineers fans will like, but I think the home team prevails in the end.  WEST VIRGINIA

Washington Huskies at #20 Arizona Wildcats:  Jake Locker is finally looking like the quarterback everyone hailed in the preseason, but Arizona's defense is still tough as nails.  This should be a close battle, but the Wildcats will score another victory.  ARIZONA

Duke Blue Devils at #21 Virginia Tech Hokies:  This ain't basketball, folks!  VIRGINIA TECH

#24 South Carolina Gamecocks at Vanderbilt Commodores:  Vandy is capable of surprises, but so are the Gamecocks.  South Carolina's surprises tend to lead to scores.  SOUTH CAROLINA

Iowa State Cyclones at #25 Texas Longhorns:  The good news for Iowa State?  They'll score some points this week.  The bad news?  They won't score enough of them.  TEXAS

Big Ten:
Penn State Nittany Lions at Minnesota Golden Gophers:  The Nittany Lions get back to their winning ways as they pulverize the pathetic Gophers.  PENN STATE

Indiana Hoosiers at Illinois Fighting Illini:  Think I'd forget about this game?  Not a chance!  I'll be there, folks, to watch the Illini climb back above 50% and get closer to that precious bowl eligibility.  ILLINOIS

Game of the Week:  #13 LSU Tigers at #11 Auburn Tigers:  These tiger matches are always intense, but this year should be even more so, as these two teams are ranked so closely.  The rankings may be deceiving, though, as Auburn has been the much more consistent team.  That stability should help them in a game where turnovers have often meant the difference between a win and a loss.  AUBURN

Other Games of Interest:
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Clemson Tigers:  Clemson started the year well, but now they face tougher opponents.  Like Tech, for instance.  GEORGIA TECH

Kansas State Wildcats at Baylor Bears:  This has been a great year for the Baylor Bears.  What could make it better?  How about another victory, as the Wildcats might not take the Bears seriously enough.  BAYLOR

Hawaii Warriors at Utah State Aggies:  The Warriors often struggle at home, but this should be a fairly easy road victory.  HAWAII

UAB Blazers at Mississippi State Bulldogs:  Normally the doormat of the SEC, the Bulldogs are coming on strong this season.  UAB is not doing so well.  MISSISSIPPI STATE