NCAA 2013 Week 7 picks

Very few upsets, but some surprising results.  As far as upsets, I'd say BYU overpowering Utah State qualifies, as does South Florida gaining their first win of the season over a good Cincinnati team.  The Big Ten, MAC, and SEC provided the surprising results of the week.  Nebraska's young QB could be creating a controversy when Martinez is healthy, as he scalded the Illini.  More impressive was the performance of Nebraska's young defense, as they slowed an offense that no other team could slow.  Indiana gained their first victory over Penn State since the Nittany Lions entered the conference, and blew them away.  Buffalo has pulled themselves out of the MAC cellar with an overwhelming victory over Eastern Michigan.  Florida dominated a good Arkansas team, and Kentucky nearly beat a defensively-challenged South Carolina team.

Thurs Oct 10
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #6 Louisville Cardinals : Rutgers is good, but Teddy Bridgewater is better.  It'll take a better defense than Rutgers has to slow Louisville, and the Scarlet Knights offense can't outscore Louisville without that help.  LOUISVILLE by 23

#23 Arizona Wildcats at USC Trojans : Both teams had bye weeks, so neither get an unfair advantage.  For USC, they had many more issues to address in their extra week, as well as getting used to a new head coach.  If the Trojans haven't stuffed themselves on the new desserts on their gameday table, they might be able to keep pace with Arizona, but I think the Wildcats will pull away in the fourth.  ARIZONA by eight

Fri Oct 11
Temple Owls at Cincinnati Bearcats : The Bearcats need a solid victory to erase the sting of the South Florida upset.  Fortunately, they get a chance.  That is assuming that they don't underestimate the Owls, who are not as terrible this year as they have been.  CINCY by 16

Top 25
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide at Kentucky Wildcats : Kentucky comes into this game feeling good, after nearly upsetting South Carolina.  They'll need more than good feelings to beat the Tide, though.  ALABAMA by 26

#2 Oregon Ducks at #15 Washington Huskies : My runner-up for Game of the Week should a high-scoring game as the two top offenses in the conference face off.  Washington is good, but not good enough to keep pace with the Ducks.  It won't be a blowout for Oregon, though.  OREGON by eleven

#5 Oklahoma Sooners v Texas Longhorns at Texas Stadium: It's an indication of how far Texas has fallen that the 2013 installment of the Red River Rivalry did not merit Game of the Week status.  Texas will likely get up for this game, but their enthusiasm will be worn down by the Sooners.  The second half will belong to Oklahoma, as will the game.  OKLAHOMA by 23

Florida Gators at #7 LSU Tigers : Florida finally had an impressive game last week, but LSU should wipe away those good feelings.  The Tigers will pulverize this team, and expose the fact that their bench is thin.  LSU by 26

#8 Stanford Cardinal at Utah Utes : Utah gave UCLA fits, but don't expect Stanford to be caught in the same trap.  It may not be a huge margin of victory, but the Cardinal defense will stop Utah.  STANFORD by 12

California Golden Bears at #9 UCLA Bruins : The Bruins get a chance to redeem their poor performance against Utah by beating on a pathetic Cal team.  UCLA by 28

#10 Texas A&M Aggies at Ole Miss Rebels : Ole Miss started the season well, but they've been getting beaten up by SEC opponents.  Few teams beat up opponents better than the Manziel-led Aggies.  TEXAS A&M by 30

Boston College Eagles at #11Clemson Tigers : BC has a decent defense, so Clemson may not score with the flurry they have been, but the Eagles aren't strong enough to hold them back forever.  CLEMSON by 18

#12 Michigan Wolverines at Penn State Nittany Lions : Penn State hates to lose two games in a row, but I think that'll happen.  Michigan woke up last week, and I don't see them going back to dreamland in this game.  MICHIGAN by 20

#24 Missouri Tigers at #14 Georgia Bulldogs : This game could go either way.  I think Georgia will wake up after a lackluster performance last week, but don't be surprised if Missouri studies the Georgia flaws and comes up with a winning game plan.  GEORGIA by three

#17 South Carolina Gamecocks at Arkansas Razorbacks : If the Gamecocks don't fix their defensive issues, the Razorbacks might pull off the win.  Steve Spurrier is good at making adjustments, though, so I think South Carolina will succeed.  SOUTH CAROLINA by nine

#18 Baylor Bears at Kansas State Wildcats : Kansas State is proving why they lost to North Dakota State, as they have not been able to succeed against a Big XII opponent.  Now they face the hottest offense in the conference.  This one is a no-brainer.  BAYLOR by 34

Iowa State Cyclones at #20 Texas Tech Red Raiders : The Raiders will roll over the Cyclones, placing them firmly among the top three Big XII teams (the others being Oklahoma and Baylor, of course).  TEXAS TECH by 32

Akron Zips at #25 Northern Illinois Huskies : Kent State gave Northern Illinois some problems, but Akron has too many problems of their own.  NORTHERN ILLINOIS by 23

Big Ten
Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan State Spartans : Indiana had a great win last week, but they won't be able to extend it.  Michigan State has the best defense in the conference, and they will give the Hoosiers fits.  MICHIGAN STATE by 17

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Purdue Boilermakers : Purdue had an extra week to prepare, but that won't help them.  The young Cornhuskers defense grew up against Illinois, and their freshman QB is hot.  The Cornhuskers may have one of the youngest teams in the conference, but they're a tough bunch of youngsters.  NEBRASKA by 24

Other Games of Interest
Pittsburgh Panthers at Virginia Tech Hokies : Virginia Tech has played mostly close games since their opening massacre against Alabama, but they are a capable team.  Pitt has been too inconsistent for me to believe they can succeed.  VIRGINIA TECH by 16

Memphis Tigers at Houston Cougars : Houston wants to maintain pace with Louisville in the American Athletic Conference, and this game will help much.  Memphis just doesn't have the power this season.  HOUSTON by 21

Western Carolina Catamounts at Auburn Tigers : It's a bit late in the season for an FBS v FCS match-up, but Auburn doesn't mind.  With SEC play ongoing, teams will be losing, and therefore losing ground in division races.  Auburn reaps the benefits from this game.  AUBURN by 27

Kent State Golden Flashes at Ball State Cardinals : Kent State played Northern Illinois tough, but Ball State now has the warning, so I'm sure they'll be ready for whatever the Golden Flashes dish out.  BALL STATE by 20

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at BYU Cougars : These two teams are fairly evenly matched.  Georgia Tech's defense can hold back opponents, while BYU has a balanced attack that can keep opposing defenses guessing.  The key to this game may be who outsmarts their opponent first.  I'll go with the Yellow Jackets to do that, but watch our for BYU.  GEORGIA TECH by four

GAME OF THE WEEK:  #16 Northwestern Wildcats at #19 Wisconsin Badgers :  Northwestern has NEVER been featured in two consecutive Games of the Week, but that shows how strong their program is this year.  Their offense overpowered the Buckeyes defense for three quarters, and their defense forced three turnovers.  Turnovers have been the bane of Wisconsin in the past, too, so the formula that had Northwestern lead Ohio State for over half a game should propel them past Wisconsin, too.  NORTHWESTERN by nine