#7 Michigan State (7-0) vs. Northwestern (5-1)
Vs.
12:00 ET ESPN, Sat. Oct. 23, Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
Michigan State: The Spartans continue their path of destruction through their schedule this season after a near scare last week. Illinois visiting East Lansing last week were the first team to slow down the Spartans dominating rushing attack. Michigan State’s top rusher, Larry Caper, brought in just 37 yards. MSU will be looking to pound the ball on the Wildcats come Saturday, in order to reestablish what has carried them so far this year. PLAYER TO WATCH: Marcus Hyde, Sr. SS
Northwestern: The Wildcats very well could be undefeated at this point as well, if not for a slip up against Purdue in their last game. Quarterback Dan Persa has been phenomenal this season completing 78 percent of his passes, throwing 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions. What Northwestern does best is spread defenses out, forcing perfect coverage from their opponent because no wideout is left behind in the Wildcat passing attack. PLAYER TO WATCH: Jeremy Ebert, Jr. WR
The Pick: This one is a bit trickier than most think. Michigan State is coming off of their ugliest performance of the year, while Northwestern heads off of a bye week. Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald has surprised teams in the past and an extra week helps, but the Spartans may be too powerful of a team to drop their guard on the road. Even in their first trip out of the state of Michigan this season. Michigan State 29 – Northwestern 17
(Game of the week…)
#6 LSU (7-0) vs. #4 Auburn (7-0)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, CBS, Sat. Oct. 23, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
LSU: The Tigers have an amazing group of athletes on the offensive side of the ball. Wideout Terrance Toliver may be one of the most underrated players in the SEC while other wideout Russell Sheppard has the ability to score from any place on the field. Running back Steven Ridley has been a welcomed surprise this season, leading the team with 686 rush yards. The problem for LSU has been getting all of their playmakers the ball at the right times. PLAYER TO WATCH: Kelvin Sheppard, Sr. MLB
Auburn: The other Tigers have the ability to score on every play thanks in part to quarterback Cameron Newton. Enough can’t be said about how much Newton has changed the attitude and ability of the entire Auburn team. Newton’s presence on the field has given way for other players to step up like running back’s Onterio McCalebb and Michael Dyer. The offensive line is the key ingredient of the Tigers attack. Center Ryan Pugh and tackle Lee Ziemba have been outstanding. PLAYER TO WATCH: Nick Fairley, Jr. DT
The Pick: LSU has proven they are capable of scoring, evident of a dogfight with the Gators in which they placed 33 on the scoreboard. In four SEC games thus far LSU has averaged just over 26 points. That may only be enough to stay with Auburn until halftime, however. A lot of pressure will be placed on the LSU defense, one of the bets in the country, to slow down Newton. Something no competition has figured out how to do yet. I’m taking the Tigers here. Auburn 34 – LSU 24
(Give me a ticket to see…)
#16 Nebraska (5-1) vs. #14 Oklahoma State (6-0)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, ABC, Sat. Oct. 23, Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Nebraska: Now is the point of a season for the Cornhuskers when we find out what kind of team they are. Do they continue to sink after their loss to the Longhorns or do they get back on the horse and draw it out with the Cowboys on the road? Quarterback Taylor Martinez was benched last week, most in part due to the excellent scheming from Texas coaches. Oklahoma State’s defense is far less capable of containing the young speedster, though. PLAYER TO WATCH: Prince Amukamara, Sr. CB
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys have proven they are capable of scoring with anyone. That includes Texas Tech and Texas A&M, two of the Big 12 conference’s best offenses. What they haven’t been able to do, until last week really, is stop opposing offenses. Junior quarterback Brandon Weeden will need to put up as many points on the board as he can, because the OK State defense may not be able to contain Martinez. PLAYER TO WATCH: Justin Blackmon, So. WR
The Pick: This game should be one of the more exiting Big 12 game’s of the season. The Cowboys offense has been phenomenal this season with the three headed scoring attack of Weeden, Blackmon and running back Kendall Hunter. Nebraska’s defense, however, remains one of the better units in the entire country. One of the best player matchups of the season to watch will be Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara trying to contain the Cowboys Justin Blackmon. Nebraska 31 – Oklahoma State 27
(Upset pick…)
Washington (3-3) vs. #18 Arizona (5-1)
Vs.
10:15 PM ET, ESPN, Sat. Oct. 23, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
Washington: The Huskies have been resilient this season. Each loss has followed a win, yet each win has been followed with a loss, which would mean they’re due to drop a game in the desert. Quarterback Jake Locker has played like a number one pick at times and a second rounder at other times. His five touchdown passes last week were a season best and he’ll need to be just as good against the Wildcats in order to pull off an upset here. PLAYER TO WATCH: Alameda Ta’Amu, Jr. DT
Arizona: Losing quarterback Nick Foles for a few weeks will undoubting hurt this Wildcats offense. Backup quarterback Matt Scott replaced Foles last week against Washington State and will get the start against Washington this week. A lot of pressure may be placed on the legs of running back Nic Grigsby to carry the offense while Foles is sidelined. Grigsby is capable of a heavy load, but it may not be enough. PLAYER TO WATCH: Brooks Reed, Sr. DE
The Pick: I like this Arizona team a lot this season. I like them a lot more with their starting quarterback and leader. The defense in the desert is good. But as we saw against Oregon State a few weeks prior, they are capable of breaking at home. Washington may be in line for a loss continuing their usual trend, but to quote Lee Corso, I’m pulling a “not so fast my friend.” Washington 28 – Arizona 26
#1 Oklahoma (6-0) vs. #11 Missouri (6-0)
Vs.
8:00 PM ET, ABC, Sat. Oct. 23, Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
Oklahoma: The ESPN Gameday crew could make it a weekly thing. Following the No. 1 team’s fall from the top spot. For two weeks in a row the No 1 team has fallen to a ranked opponent on the road. If last week was any indication of what the Sooners offense is capable of, though, that trend may be broken this week. Quarterback Landry Jones is having a better season than he’s given credit for and along with wideout Ryan Broyles, the offense may be too explosive to stop. PLAYER TO WATCH: Jeremy Beal, Sr. DE
Missouri: The Tiger’s have been an under the radar undefeated team to this point. They’re resume of wins may not be as impressive as most, but their defense has been quite impressive. In their last two Big 12 games, the Tigers have given up just nine points. They carry the nation’s No. 2 scoring defense, having given up just seven touchdowns in six games. Junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been the leader of the offense with a 137.29 QB rating. PLAYER TO WATCH: Brad Madison, So. DE
The Pick: Missouri is more than capable of being the third team in a row to knock off the top team in the polls. Having the crowd of Faurot Field and the Gameday crew behind them doesn’t hurt. Oklahoma has been a two faced team this season. They’ve made games close at times, while also blown teams out. Both ways, however, coming out victorious. Unlike the other No. 1 teams to fall though, I can’t find the weakness in the Sooners. If it’s their defense. They should have just enough to contain the one sided attack of the Tigers. Oklahoma 33 – Missouri 31
#13 Wisconsin (6-1) vs. #15 Iowa (5-1)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN, Sat. Oct. 23, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Wisconsin: How’s this for a reward of beating the No. 1 ranked team in the country. The next week you have to play a team that may be even more dangerous than the No. 1 team, on the road none the less. The key to the victory last week, as good as the offense was, I felt was the pass rush of the Badgers defensive font, led by end J.J. Watt. That rush will need to be just as good this week to pull off a win in Kinnick Stadium. PLAYER TO WATCH: James White, Fr. RB
Iowa: The Hawkeyes have almost been playing uncharacteristic Iowa football this season. The offense is averaging 34 points an outing, while quarterback Ricky Stanzi has multiple, three touchdown games this season. Wideout Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has been a big play threat for the Hawkeyes, scoring seven touchdowns the last four weeks. PLAYER TO WATCH: Tyler Sash, Jr. S
The Pick: I like the way both of these teams are playing right now, which is what makes this game so hard to pick. Wisconsin is coming off of one of their better games of the last two years, while the Hawkeyes have been playing consistently good the entire season, even in their loss to Arizona. There has been a lot of talk about how similar the two of these programs are, which is true, but defensively I believe Iowa brings more to the table. It’s a shame one of the teams has to lose. Iowa 23 – Wisconsin 21
North Carolina (4-2) vs. Miami (FL) (4-2)
Vs.
7:30 PM ET, ESPN 2, Sat. Oct. 23, Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL
North Carolina: Since the Tar Heels first two weeks of the season, both losses, UNC has managed to stay under the radar, which may not be such a bad thing for this program right now. The Heels have put together four wins in a row, surprisingly on the arm of quarterback T.J. Yates. Yates has thrown 11 touchdowns to just one interception. The Tar Heel defense has continued to play up to standards as well, even with a number of starters still vacant. PLAYER TO WATCH: Quinton Coples, Jr. DE
Miami (FL): The Hurricanes program was sent into a state of panic following the loss at home to FSU, but there is really no reason to at this point. The Hurricanes can still go undefeated in the ACC Atlantic division but it will have to start Saturday. The ‘Canes defense has been dominating at times this season, shown last week forcing seven turnovers against Duke. Defense will once again be the key to victory Saturday. PLAYER TO WATCH: Vaughn Telemaque, So. SS
The Pick: Both of these teams thrive off of turnovers. The Canes have brought in 18 takeaways on the season, while UNC has taken the ball away 15 times. The Heels have won the battle against Randy Shannon’s Hurricanes as of late, but with so many usual starters that helped the Heels win those games in the past, I don’t know if they can make win four in a row. The ‘Canes No. 4 ranked pass defense will be the difference against a pass happy Heels team. Miami 30 – North Carolina 27
Georgia (3-4) vs. Kentucky (4-3)
Vs.
7:30 PM ET, ESPN 3, Sat. Oct. 23, Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, KY
Georgia: It’s amazing what one player can bring to an offense. Without including the obvious lopsided Louisiana-Lafayette game, before Georgia welcomed back wideout A.J. Green the Bulldogs were 0-3, averaging just 14 points a game. In their last three games since Green has been playing, Georgia is 2-1, averaging 37 points a game. Green’s presence has opened up both the passing game and the rushing game for the Bulldogs. PLAYER TO WATCH: Kris Durham, Sr. WR
Kentucky: Following Kentucky’s win over South Carolina last week, wideout Randall Cobb ripped the Kentucky fans calling out their loyalty. Let’s hope they don’t take it to heart this week, because the Wildcats will surely need the crowd behind them. Quarterback Mike Hartline has been played mistake free football the last two weeks, something that has been huge for the Wildcats. While running back Derrick Locke has been sidelined, Cobb has stepped up becoming the teams go to playmaker. PLAYER TO WATCH: Chris Matthews, Sr. WR
The Pick: Both teams right now are playing hot. Kentucky nearly pulled off an upset against Auburn, while beating South Carolina last week. Georgia has been waiting to play a decent team since beating Tennessee and Vanderbilt in consecutive weeks. The ‘Dogs have a brutal 0-3 record on the road so far this season, but that ends Saturday. Georgia 37 – Kentucky 31
Georgia Tech (5-2) vs. Clemson (3-3)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, Sat. Oct. 23, Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets have been an up and down team this season but have won three straight. Running back Anthony Allen has begun to catch on for the offense, becoming the team’s primary go-to running back. Allen rushed for 195 yards and three scores against Virginia. The Jackets picked the right time to figure out their offensive problems, just as conference play begins. PLAYER TO WATCH: Sean Bedford, Sr. C
Clemson: Clemson finally found an offensive attack last week. Tigers quarterback Kyle Parker has had a terrible time staying healthy this season, but has struggled even more to complete passes to his wideouts, partially the receivers fault. The defense has been impressive in almost all of Clemson’s games; however, with defensive end Da’Quan Bowers having an All-American season. PLAYER TO WATCH: Xavier Dye, Sr. WR
The Pick: The two of these teams have given one another problems in the past. Clemson’s speed has worked against the option attack of Georgia Tech in the past, yet it has hurt them staying in lanes as well. The rambling wreck has pulled off three straight wins against the Tigers. Clemson’s defense is better equipped this season at playing the pass, something they will not need to worry about against Tech. Georgia Tech 23 – Clemson 16
Air Force (5-2) vs. TCU (7-0)
Vs.
8:00 PM ET, Sat. Oct. 23, Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Air Force: The Falcons have surprised a lot of teams this season. Unfortunately they weren’t surprising anyone last week against Mountain West foe, San Diego State. Led by quarterback Tim Jefferson, the option attack of the Falcons has been tough to slow down this season. Last week, however, the Flacons lost fullback Jared Tew for the remainder of the season. PLAYER TO WATCH: Asher Clark, Jr. RB
TCU: TCU has managed to stay on a steady stream towards the top of the polls since their opening game against Oregon State. The Horned Frogs are 3-0 in Mountain West play so far this season and only allowed three points in three games, but have yet to play challenging conference teams. As long as the Frogs have Andy Dalton leading the show, however, it may not matter how challenging the opponent is. PLAYER TO WATCH: Jeremy Kerley, Sr. WR
The Pick: Both these teams play tough football. The Horned Frogs bring in the nation’s No. 1 ranked defense in the country, but will be without three defensive starters today due to injury. The loss of Tew for Air Force, however, is a bigger blow. I do think the Falcons will challenge TCU for the first time in a while but taking it all the way in handing the Frogs a loss might be too far. TCU 31 – Air Force 23
Last Week: 6-6 – Overall Season: 66-22 – Upset Pick: 5-1
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