Vs.
8:00 ET ABC, Sat. Nov. 18, Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, TX
Expect an offensive shootout with two of the better passers in the country in Landry Jones and Robert Griffin III at the helm for the Sooners and Bears respectively. Jones will miss receiver Ryan Broyles, who was lost for the season last week, but the Sooners still have a stock pile of talent at the position. Apart from the Horned Frogs in the first week of the season, the Bears have yet to beat a ranked opponent on the year, and there’s really no reason to expect anything different against one of the better teams in the country. The No. 89 rated pass defense of the Bears was torched against A&M and Oklahoma State, so I would expect Jones and the Sooners to have a field day in Waco. Pick: Oklahoma 51 – Baylor 32
(Give me a ticket to see…)
#16 Nebraska (8-2) @ #18 Michigan (8-2)
Vs.
12:00 PM ET, ESPN, Sat. Nov. 18, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Two of the most storied programs in the history of college football meeting is a big enough reason to watch this weekend’s matchup between the Wolverines and the Cornhuskers. The other reason to watch is the fact both need a win to stay alive for a shot at a Big Ten title. Like they did last season, the Cornhuskers have struggled to put points on the board down the stretch. The Wolverines have had their offensive struggles of their own lately, most coming from the two quarterback system and Denard Robinson. The defense of Big Blue, however, has made the difference. With Taylor Martinez and the Huskers struggling, the Michigan ground game, led by Fitz Toussaint, pulls one out at home. Pick: Michigan 27 – Nebraska 23
(Game of the week…)
USC (7-2) @ #4 Oregon (9-1)
Vs.
8:00 PM ET, ABC, Sat. Nov. 18, Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
With the majority of the PAC-12 South division in shambles and the ban against USC’s postseason play, this matchup between the Trojans and Ducks pretty much works out as the De facto PAC-12 title game. Apart from the LSU Tigers defense, Oregon’s ground game has torched everyone and everything within tackling distance. Proof comes in the 232 yards rushing the Ducks placed on a physical Stanford defense last week. USC quarterback Matt Barkley has played as good as anyone in the country this season, but should be without his top target Robert Woods. Either way, Oregon is more than just a speedy offense; they’ve got playmakers on the offensive side of the ball who rake in turnovers all game long. Pick: Oregon 48 – USC 28
Virginia (7-3) @ #25 Florida State (7-3)
Vs.
7:30 PM ET, ESPN2, Sat. Nov. 18, Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
In just his second season, Virginia head coach Mike London has a chance to pull in an ACC Coastal division win and shot at the title game with wins in their final two games. Getting past the Seminoles won’t be an easy task. The ‘Noles bring one of the better defenses in the country, ranking fourth against the run. Virginia’s offensive line should be one of the more physical lines they’ve faced, however. All of FSU’s victories this season have come against lesser opponents as well. Out coaching at physical play the Seminoles haven’t seen since their Oklahoma loss early in the season, will drop Florida State at home. Pick: Virginia 23 – Florida State 19
#13 Kansas State (8-2) @ #23 Texas (6-3)
Vs.
8:00 PM ET, FX, Sat. Nov. 18, Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
The new Texas story is the same as the old Texas story – circa 2010: What Longhorn team is going to show up? The Longhorns rolled over Texas Tech, 52-20, the same team that beat then No. 2 Oklahoma. Then, last week, lost to a 5-5 Missouri team 17-5. The offense accounted for just 247 total yards. This week, in comes one of the best coached teams and offenses in the country in Kansas State. The Horns have lost twice already at home this season, and will be playing at Texas Memorial for the last time this season. Kansas State quarterback Colin Klein continues to be one of the best players in the country and least recognized. The junior accounted for six touchdowns last week. Unfortunately for the Longhorns seniors, they’ll drop their third game of the year at home. Pick: Kansas State 36 – Texas 28
#21 Penn State (8-2) @ Ohio State (6-4)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ABC, Sat. Nov. 18, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Hats really have to go off to the performance the Nittany Lions put on last week in a loss to Nebraska. With all the controversy facing the PSU program, the Lions were able to focus long enough on football to give one of the better Big Ten teams more than just a headache. The Lions have yet to find an offense on the season, much like the Buckeyes. Freshman OSU quarterback Braxton Miller has gotten better as the season’s gone on, but he’s yet to face a defense as good as the Lions bring. The Bucks will also welcome back wideout DeVier Posey, back from suspension. Getting away from Happy Valley will be a good thing for the Nittany Lions, the results of it may not show however, as the Bucks should continue to roll behind a defense that has been one of the top amongst the Big Ten. Pick: Ohio State 20 – Penn State 16
Last Week: 4-3 – Overall: 48-27– Upset Pick: 5-3
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