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November 27, 2010

College Football Report: Saturday Picks - Week 13

Michigan (7-4) vs. #8 Ohio State (10-1)

Vs.

12:00 ET, ABC, Sat. Nov. 27, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

The rivalry known as The Game, hasn’t been much of, well, A Game, as of late. The Bucks have taken the last six in the series, with the Wolverines last winning coming in the 2003 season. Ohio State got away with one last week at Iowa, pulling out with a late game score to steal the win from the Hawkeyes. Michigan, who once had one of the best offenses in the county, has struggled down the stretch. Not good news for a team that has struggled on the defensive side of the football all season long. Pick: Ohio State 37 – Michigan 21

(Game of the week…)

#13 Oklahoma (9-2) vs. #9 Oklahoma State (10-1)

Vs.

8:00 ET, ABC, Sat. Nov. 27, Boone-Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK

The Sooners have dominated the Bedlam series, not just as of late, but overall. Oklahoma has taken the last seven games, and eight of the last 10. The trio of quarterback Landry Jones, running back Demarco Murray and wideout Ryan Broyles may be second to only one trio in the country this season. The number one trio, the Sooners can be watched from the sidelines this game. Quarterback Brandon Weeden, running back Kendall Hunter and wideout Justin Blackmon have brought one of the nation’s most powerful offensive attacks to Stillwater this season. Until someone, apart from the Blackshirt Nebraska defense, slows down the Cowboys offense, it’s hard to pick against a guaranteed 50 points in your pocket. Pick: Oklahoma State 42 – Oklahoma 38

#10 Michigan State (10-1) vs. Penn State (7-4)

Vs.

12:00 ET, ESPN 2, Sat. Nov. 27, Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA

If the Spartans have done one thing well this season, apart from winning nearly all of their games, it’s bringing drama to nearly all of their contests. So much so head coach Mark Dantonio went through a mid-season heart attack. MSU nearly gave all of their fans heart attacks last week, coming from behind, down 15 against Purdue in the third. The Spartans won, 35-31, blocking a punt in the fourth, taking the lead a few plays later. They’re going to need to win this week’s game against a good Penn State team earlier than the waning seconds, if they want a share of the Big Ten crown. Pick: Michigan State 23 – Penn State 20

#5 LSU (10-1) vs. #12 Arkansas (9-2)

Vs.

3:30 ET, CBS, Sat. Nov. 27, War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR

This one’s one of the toughest SEC games of the year to pick. The Tigers have consistently had one of the nation’s best defenses. The only question from week-to-week is, how hard is their defense going to have to work, to keep their offense in the game? Surprisingly, however, the offense came to play last week against Ole Miss, bringing in 43 points while the defense gave up 36. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson threw just his fourth touchdown of the yea r last week, though. On the other sidelines, stand Ryan Mallett, the best pure passing quarterback in the country. The Razorbacks have proven themselves down the stretch in SEC play, showing resiliency last week in an overtime bout against Mississippi State. Led by Mallett, the Razorbacks have been difficult to slow down this season, no matter who’s playing defense against them. Pick: Arkansas 33 – LSU 27

Florida (7-4) vs. #22 Florida State (8-3)

Vs.

3:30 ET, ABC/ESPN, Sat. Nov. 27, Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL

The Sunshine Showdown has been one of the more lopsided rivalries in college football in the past decade. Florida has rolled over the Seminoles, winning the last six in the series. The tables have turned for the two this season, with the Seminoles hosting as the favorite against the Gators. The Florida offense has been inconsistent this season, and it feels the young Gators bring a new wrinkle and far different game plan to every matchup. The FSU defense has been inconsistent as well, but the Seminoles are tired of losing to their rival. Pick: Florida State 34 – Florida 28

#25 Mississippi State (7-4) vs. Mississippi (4-7)

Vs.

7:00 ET, ESPN U, Sat. Nov. 27, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has done his best to carry the Rebels this season. The problem, however, is a quarterback can only carry his team so far when his defense is giving up 35 points a game. Records don’t matter in the Egg bowl, though. Mississippi has taken six of the last 10, but the Bulldogs blew the Rebels away last season 41-27. State clearly has a better team than last season and I wouldn’t expect a different result this year. Pick: Mississippi State 30 – Mississippi 23

#18 South Carolina (8-3) vs. Clemson (6-5)

Vs.

7:00 ET, ESPN 2, Sat. Nov. 27, Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC

The Gamecocks have their ticket punched for the SEC title game, but need to get past their heated rival in the Battle of the Palmetto State to call it a successful season. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore has been running ridiculously hard, carrying the team late down the stretch. The Tigers possess a potent rushing game of their own in running backs Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper. Ellington is the more explosive player of the two, but is listed as questionable today. Pick: South Carolina 24 – Clemson 20

Georgia Tech (6-5) vs. Georgia (5-6)

Vs.

7:45 ET, ESPN/ESPN 2, Sat. Nov. 27, Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA

Like the Longhorns, the Bulldogs are fighting to stay alive on the year, and will need to do so against one of their biggest rivals. Tech has struggled down the stretch, most of which can be credited to the loss of quarterback Jonathan Nesbitt. The Bulldogs continue to be a dominating football team from an offensive standpoint, as the chemistry between quarterback Aaron Murray and wideout A.J. Green continues to grow. Unlike the Longhorns, however, I think the Bulldogs have enough mustard in the tank to continue their season. Pick: Georgia 36 – Georgia Tech 27

Notre Dame (6-5) vs. USC (7-4)

Vs.

8:00 ET, ABC, Sat. Nov. 27, Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

There isn’t much on the line in one of the nation’s biggest rivalries, which is surprising in this matchup. For USC, this is their bowl game. The Trojans will be held from a bowl due to NCAA violations. For Notre Dame, it’s another disappointing 7-5 or 6-6 season. The coaches may have more on the line here, however. New head men Brian Kelly of Notre Dame and Lane Kiffin of USC are looking to begin the heated rivalry game on a perfect 1-0 start. Pick: USC 31 – Notre Dame 27

Last Week: 8-4 – Overall: 99-45 – Upset Pick: 6-5

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