NCAA 2011 Week 5 picks

Many conferences enter conference play, yet there are also some FBS v FCS matchups.  We have a couple of battles between Top 25 teams, and some rivalries already kicking in. 

Thursday, Sept 29
#14 South Florida Bulls at Pittsburgh Panthers:  The Panthers fought Notre Dame mightily last week, but they still lost.  The Bulls have a tough defense, and an offense strong enough to beat Pitt.  SOUTH FLORIDA

#21 Houston Cougars at UTEP Miners:  Houston shouldn't have much difficulty against a struggling Miners team.  HOUSTON

Friday, Sept 30
Utah State Aggies at BYU Cougars:  Utah State has played teams close, but still sit with a 1-3 record.  BYU hasn't been dominant, but they have found ways to win.  BYU

Top 25
UCLA Bruins at #1 Stanford Cardinal:  The Bruins are improving, but they aren't good enough to knock off the last unbeaten team in the Pac-12.  Andrew Luck returned to Stanford to play for a National Championship, and he may get that chance.  STANFORD

#15 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #3 Wisconsin Badgers:  Nebraska plays their first Big Ten conference game in history, and they have to face the most powerful offense in the conference.  Mix in Wisconsin's defense, and things don't look good for Nebraska's Big Ten opener.  WISCONSIN

Ball State Cardinals at #6 Oklahoma Sooners:  The Cardinals have been playing some great football, including an offensive showcase against Army last week, but they face a tougher challenge against Oklahoma.  The Sooners defense isn't as strong as it has been, so Ball State will score some points, but Oklahoma will score more.  OKLAHOMA

#7 Texas A&M Aggies at ##22 Arkansas Razorbacks:  Arkansas faces the possibility of losing two consecutive games to Top Ten teams.  The Aggies lost last week, but they played a close game and scared the Cowboys.  They won't be scared of Arkansas.  TEXAS A&M

#8 Texas Longhorns at Iowa State Cyclones:  The Cyclones are unbeaten, and can give Texas a hard time.  However, the Longhorns have come together faster than expected, and they are definitely a challenger for the Big XII title.  TEXAS

Kentucky Wildcats at #9 LSU Tigers:  Kentucky faces their second consecutive Top Ten SEC team, and the result won't be much different.  The LSU offense finally came alive last week, which just makes them more difficult.  LSU

Minnesota Golden Gophers at #10 Michigan Wolverines:  This game won't be as close as I suspected a couple of weeks ago.  Minnesota is losing power, while the Wolverines continue to improve under new coach Brady Hoke's tutelage.  MICHIGAN

Auburn Tigers at #11 South Carolina Gamecocks:  You can never count out the Auburn Tigers, but they just aren't as sharp as they were last year.  I like what the Gamecocks are doing this year, and that makes them the favorite in this battle.  SOUTH CAROLINA

Nevada Wolf Pack at #12 Boise State Broncos:  Last year this game was a real barnburner.  This year the Wolf Pack aren't nearly so competitive.  BOISE STATE

#13 Clemson Tigers at #16 Virginia Tech Hokies:  This battle of unbeaten ACC teams should be exciting.  The Hokies can always be tough at home, but they haven't looked as sharp as previous years.  Clemson has quietly been a successful team this season, and may surprise the Hokies.  CLEMSON

#18 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at NC State Wolfpack:  NC State is just not gelling this season.  This should be an easy victory for Georgia Tech.  GEORGIA TECH

#19 Baylor Bears at #20 Kansas State Wildcats:  This will really prove how good Kansas State is.  They had a good game last week, but their previous games featured patsy opponents that are really not a good warmup for the competitive Big XII this season.  Baylor has played closer games but overcome tougher opposition, including their opener against TCU.  I think Baylor will be competitive this game.  BAYLOR

Michigan State Spartans at #23 Ohio State Buckeyes:  The Buckeyes gain some players back from suspension, but there are rumors of additional ones coming.  If the Buckeyes lose players, Michigan State could pull off the upset.  As it is, I'll pick the Buckeyes, but watch out for Sparty!  OHIO STATE

Bethune-Cookman at #24 Miami Hurricanes:  Easy win for Miami.  MIAMI

Big Ten
Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting Illini:  What do you call an Illini team with an unexpected 4-0 record?  A Top 25 contender!  The Wildcats had an extra week to prepare for this game, so their new quarterback got more practice time.  The Illini offense acts like it needs more practice time, and this state rivalry can get very heated.  If the Illini can get past their rival, they deserve a Top 25 rank.  ILLINOIS

Penn State Nittany Lions at Indiana Hoosiers:  Penn State won't get surprised by the Hoosiers; since their loss they have tightened things up.  PENN STATE

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purdue Boilermakers:  This game frequently becomes a battle.  The Boilermakers got an extra week to prepare, so you know they will playing hard.  The Irish are starting to get back on track, which makes them dangerous.  I like Purdue's chances, but the Irish has been so unpredictable this season that I have to expect the unexpected with them.  NOTRE DAME

GAME OF THE WEEK:  #2 Alabama Crimson Tide at #5 Florida Gators:  Florida has scrambled their way into the Top 5 with a tremendous SEC win last week, but now they face the Crimson Tide.  The offense is explosive again and the defense, may perhaps not as stingy as their National Championship year, is tough.  Florida will find this a difficult game, even playing in the friendly confines of the Swamp.  ALABAMA

And the rest...
Toledo Rockets at Temple Owls:  Toledo was expected to lead their division in the MAC, but they are collapsing.  Temple is a Top 25 contender.  TEMPLE

Texas Tech Red Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks:  Tech's offense isn't as powerful as previous years, but it'll be enough to overpower the struggling Jayhawks.  TEXAS TECH

Air Force Falcons at Navy Midshipmen:  These battle of the service academies can get bloody.  Air Force has been struggling, but that won't mean much in this contest.  Still, nobody grinds it out better than Navy.  NAVY

Buffalo Bulls at Tennessee Volunteers:  Tennessee needs an ego boost.  This game should qualify.  TENNESSEE

Bowling Green Falcons at West Virginia Mountaineers:  Bowling Green is looking good, and could pull out the upset, but the Mountaineers are hungry for a good victory after last week's woes, so they'll take it out on the Falcons.  WEST VIRGINIA

SMU Mustangs at TCU Horned Frogs:  TCU's been battling for respect since their loss to Baylor.  This game may not completely qualify, but a strong victory will boost their standing.  TCU

Arizona Wildcats at USC Trojans:  Arizona can surprise, but the Trojans want to wash out the sting of a blowout loss.  They will battle hard, and they will take out their frustrations on the Wildcats.  USC

Washington Huskies at Utah Utes:  Welcome to the Pac-12, Utah.  They haven't been having the type of season they are used to, and need a signature win to establish themselves in their new conference.  Washington is actually proving to be a good team this season.  A win here will boost Utah's position.  Washington won't make it easy for them.  UTAH