NCAA Week 7 picks

We'll see how this week stacks up against last week.  Oklahoma has another challenge, and we have some chances for more upsets.  Wednesday and Thursday feature Sun Belt teams, so let's jet ahead to...

Friday Oct 13
I think the home teams for both of these matches are hoping for some Friday the 13th thrillers, although they may not be able to count on that.
#2 Clemson Tigers at Syracuse Orange:  I would take Freddy Krueger to throw off the Tigers defense (and I'm not even sure THAT would work!).  Syracuse has much of a chance as Freddy getting a manicure.  CLEMSON

#15 Washington State Cougars at California Golden Bears:  Cal might need some movie magic to get past the Cougars, one of only two remaining unbeaten teams in the conference (and both from Washington state).  They may keep it close in the first half, but watch the Cougars run away in the second.  WASHINGTON STATE

Saturday Oct 14
Arkansas Razorbacks at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide:  Brett Bielema left Wisconsin for this?  Maybe it's not too late to go back.  ALABAMA

#4 Washington Huskies at Arizona State Sun Devils: Things haven't been too sunny for the Sun Devils, and don't expect the forecast to improve in this game.  Washington's offense can overpower any defense, and Arizona State doesn't have a great one.  WASHINGTON

Missouri Tigers at #5 Georgia Bulldogs:  Let's hope Missouri's newfound offense keeps at it, as their defense won't be able to stop the surging Bulldogs.  The Tigers can't win, but maybe their offense can keep the gap respectable.  GEORGIA

Purdue Boilermakers at #6 Wisconsin Badgers:  Purdue will have to do even better than last week to get a second consecutive win, as the Badgers offense showed up last week.  Their defense was already a force, especially at home.  WISCONSIN

#7 Ohio State Buckeyes at Nebraska Cornhuskers:  The Cornhuskers got skunked last week, and now they host their second consecutive Top 10 opponent.  Unfortunately for them, the Buckeyes are even stronger both offensively and defensively.  While the Buckeyes may not win by as much as they did last week, I fully expect to see the second string in there before the third quarter is half over (the second string started the second half against Maryland, and the third string was on the field by the fourth quarter).  OHIO STATE

#8 Auburn Tigers at LSU Tigers:  Usually the battle of the Tigers is close, and a defensive battle, but the woes of LSU this season makes me think this one will be pretty one-sided.  It is a rivalry game, though, so LSU might get it up for this game.  That would only make it close, though.  AUBURN

#9 TCU Horned Frogs at Kanas State Wildcats:  TCU is the lone remaining unbeaten in the Big XII, and they start an what should be an easy stretch this week. However, nothing would make Kansas State happier than the upset.  While TCU should win this one, they have played too many close matches for me not to consider an upset.  TCU

 East Carolina Pirates at #11 UCF Golden Knights:  Watch the Knights charge the Pirates, whose normally stout defense is a bit anemic this year.  UCF

#12 Oklahoma Sooners v #19 Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl:  Welcome to the 2017 Red River Rivalry!  We have the Oklahoma Sooners coming off an upset at home facing the resurgent Texas Longhorns.  Even in the lean years of Texas football, they could get it up to win the Red River Rivalry.  Now that Iowa State has exposed some weaknesses on the Sooners, could they go 0-2 in consecutive weeks?  That's rare for Oklahoma, so I will pick them to win, but watch out for the Longhorns here.  This isn't just for conference position, this is for pride!  OKLAHOMA

Baylor Bears at #13 Oklahoma State Cowboys:  The Cowboys have an easy time, pulverizing the winless Baylor Bears.  OKLAHOMA STATE

Cincinnati Bearcats at #14 South Florida Bulls:  South Florida had an extra week to prepare for this game, but I don't think they needed it.  Cincy has been struggling as much as their NFL team has, while the Bulls have dominated every opponent they have faced.  SOUTH FLORIDA

#24 Utah Utes at #17 USC Trojans:  Given the Utes, I might think to watch for an upset.  However, this spunky Trojans team finds ways to win, even if they have to come from behind.  This one will be close, but will be a win for the home team.  USC

#18 Michigan Wolverines at Indiana Hoosiers:  Believe it or not, here's a potential upset.  The Hoosiers have a powerful offense.  Their defense isn't so good, but you don't need much defense to confuse the Wolverines offense this season.  This game will come down to how well the Wolverines defense can defend Indiana.  I think the Hoosiers will be ahead at halftime.  Just how good will the halftime adjustments be?  MICHIGAN in a two-point squeaker

Boise State Broncos at #20 San Diego State Aztecs:  Boise State is usually a threat, but they seem to be a bit slower this season than usual.  The Aztecs are strong, and their slow and steady offense keeps the ball in their hands for a long time, allowing them to control the pace of the game.  That should help slow the normally fast-paced Broncos offense.  SAN DIEGO STATE

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at #21 Miami Hurricanes:  Georgia Tech hasn't played for a couple of weeks, so they're itching to tear it up against the Hurricanes.  If Miami starts as slow as they did last week, they'll have a tough deficit to overcome, especially against a strong Tech defense.  I have to like Tech's chances for an upset here.  GEORGIA TECH

#22 Navy Midshipmen at Memphis Tigers:  Another upset possibility.  Memphis showed their early season strength last week, but they also flopped two games ago.  Navy has been consistent; not dominant, but steady.  I have to favor them, but I know Memphis will be pushing for the win.  NAVY

Oregon Ducks at #23 Stanford Cardinal:  The Cardinal have bounced back from two consecutive losses early in the season.  Their defeat of Utah last week showed they had the spunk and talent to beat a decent team.  The Ducks offense evaporated last week.  If it doesn't reconstitute, this game will be an easy win for the Cardinal.  STANFORD

Big Ten
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Illinois Fighting Illini:  Now here's a team the Illini should be able to beat. In a season when the Big Ten has shown up big most of the time, Rutgers is the lone team to be dependently behind.  Illinois' defense is bad, but Rutgers offense isn't too good.  This might be the chance for Illinois to boost their young quarterback's confidence, and prepare for the tougher battles to come.  It's also Homecoming Weekend for the Illini, and as the site of the first Homecoming, they always get it up a bit more for Homecoming.  ILLINOIS

Northwestern Wildcats at Maryland Terrapins:  How do the Terrapins redeem themselves from an embarrassing loss to the second and third string squads of Ohio State?  By beating up on the Wildcats, of course.  MARYLAND

Michigan State Spartans at Minnesota Golden Gophers:  Minnesota wants to come back from their tough loss to Purdue, and they especially want to prevent going 0-3 in conference play.  I don't think they'll get either one.  While the Spartans offense didn't really shine against Michigan last week, their defense was impressive.  That defense will give Minnesota problems.  MICHIGAN STATE

Other games of Interest
Texas Tech Red Raiders at West Virginia Mountaineers:  The two Oklahoma teams and unbeaten TCU have received most of the attention in the Big XII, with some coverage to Texas.  Meanwhile, Texas Tech has quietly accumulated a 4-1 record and a shot at the conference title.  Getting past West Virginia, who played Oklahoma State to within a touchdown, will be imperative.  TEXAS TECH

Houston Cougars at Tulsa Golden Hurricane:  Houston continues to chase Navy for the American West division title.  They'll keep pace here.  HOUSTON