College Football: Week 10

Well, we're heading into November and it's great to see that there is plenty still to figure out. 4 BCS teams undefeated. 6 of the top 20 in the BCS rankings are non-BCS schools. And the best part, Ohio State is out of the title hunt so I can truly enjoy every game now (trying to see the glass half-full here).

The slate of games this week is kind of weak overall but the top games are big and should be fun to watch. Thankfully, they are on at different times and will be nationally seen, unlike last week's OKST-Texas game. Speaking of last week, I went 8-7 in my picks. Considering I picked a lot of upsets, it makes sense. But it's a new week....here we go!

(And reminder, I am using the AP Poll rankings, NOT the BCS standings. I hate it when ESPN changes halfway through the season)

TOP 15 GAMES (Last Week: 8-7, Season 88-50)

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #1 Texas @ #6 Texas Tech - No doubt this is the biggest game of the week. Battle of unbeatens in the best conference in the nation. The Longhorns struggled late in the OKST game while Tech started and ended very strong against Kansas on the road. Both teams have amazing quarterbacks and offenses in general. This one will come down to defense. Texas hasn't exactly played great defense while Tech proved just how great theirs can be when they held KU to 14 points last week. In the end, I am gonna base my pick on the fact that Texas has played 3 tough games leading to this one and Tech playing at home. I am going with TEXAS TECH to knock off #1.

REST OF THE BEST
2. #8 Georgia vs. #5 Florida (Jacksonville) - A huge SEC East Showdown. Winner pretty much punches their ticket to the SEC Championship vs. Bama. Georgia is coming into this game smoking on offense, scoring 52 points on LSU's defense. Florida comes in pretty hot too, putting 63 points on Kentucky. Gators also come in with a grudge from last year's loss to the Dawgs and the infamous endzone celebration. This game is a true toss-up in my book but after watching both teams the past few weeks, I think the Dawgs have a slight edge. So I'll take GEORGIA to come away with a close victory. Bulldogs 38-31

3. Wisconsin @ #22 Michigan State - Big game for not only MSU but for Penn State. So far, PSU has beaten just one ranked team in OSU. When they face MSU in 4 weeks, they need them to be ranked and fairly high. Wisconsin bounced back from their 4 game losing streak last week but they still shouldn't win this game. My pick is MICHIGAN STATE and hopefully for Penn State, a healthy move up the polls.

4. #16 Florida State @ Georgia Tech - Well, it was a short stay in the top 25 for Georgia Tech. They lost to Virginia (who should be in it now) late to fall to 6-2. But the ACC Coastal division title is still in reach. They have to beat an improving FSU team though. The 'Noles are 6-1 and have won their last 4. But they have not really been tested yet. I think this is the week. In my APPY pick, I'm taking GEORGIA TECH to come away with win number 7.

5. #24 South Florida @ Cincinnati (THU) - Right when I think USF has it figured out and will make the Big East look easy, they lose again, this time to Louisville. Now with two Big East losses, they need help to make the BCS. They are clearly the most talented team in the conference so it would be a shame if they did not. As for Cincy, it's just been a rough go this season. Injuries have killed them from the start. I know it's a road test but I'm picking SOUTH FLORIDA.

6. Pittsburgh @ Notre Dame - Just like USF, Pitt lost a Big East game they should have won. Their loss was much worse though, coming against Rutgers. Doesn't get easier for Pitt as they travel to South Bend to take on an Irish team with their sights set on cracking the Top 25. A win over Pitt may finally do it but no guarantees. As much as I think Notre Dame is going to win, every time I pick against Pitt, they end up winning. So I'll go against my gut and go with PITTSBURGH.

7. #23 Oregon @ California - I know, any Pac-10 game not involving USC doesn't mean anything. But look at it this way. A win over Oregon gives Cal some much-needed confidence going into their game next week versus the Trojans. And Cal may represent the biggest test for the Trojans. But they have to get by Oregon first. I don't see that happening. OREGON wins.

8. #12 TCU @ UNLV - If you look at the 3-5 record of UNLV, then you probably think this won't be close. But UNLV has played pretty good the past two weeks. Losing to a 6-2 Air Force team 29-28 and last week, fought with #17 BYU until the end before falling 42-35. So don't expect the Runnin' Rebels to just roll over. Add onto that the fact that TCU has a huge game at #10 Utah on Thursday. Still gonna go with TCU though.

9. West Virginia @ UConn - This game is big for the Big East standings. Right now, WVU leads with a perfect 2-0 record. UConn stands at 2-1. So you see why this deserves to be in the top 15. Neither team is really that good in the whole scheme of things though. I like Pat White so I'll pick WEST VIRGINIA to get the W.

10. Washington @ #7 USC - I love the fact that USC keeps winning but doesn't move in the Top 25. In fact, they've fallen. And the reason is that they are stuck playing teams like Washington. Big news coming from Seattle this week was Ty Willingham's decision to step down at the end of the year. The big thing to look for in this game is if the Huskies score a point, unlike Washington State did. USC wins big.

11. Nebraska @ #4 Oklahoma - With every game, Oklahoma needs to win impressively as they continue to hope for two Texas losses. If they end with one win and Texas loses in the reg. season and conference championship, they may sneak in. But again, they need to keep winning by good numbers. Even a slim win over the Huskers runs the risk of seeing the winner of UGA-FLA jump them. I like Bo Pelini to keep his Huskers in this game early but OKLAHOMA will pull away late and win easily.

12. #10 Utah @ New Mexico - Only makes the list because it is a possible trap game. With TCU looming on next Thursday, the Utes probably have been planning for TCU and New Mexico. The Lobos shouldn't pose much of a threat but with the quick turnaround for the Horned Frogs, you just never know if the Utes will be fully ready for the Lobos. UTAH is still my choice because they are just too talented to lose to this team.

13. Northwestern @ #20 Minnesota - Nice to see the Gophers in the Top 25. With a 7-1 record, they sure deserve it. But Northwestern won't be an easy win. The Wildcats are a scrappy bunch and it's not like the Metrodome is a huge home field advantage for Minnesota. If the Gopher D plays like they did last week against Purdue, this game won't be a problem. I'll go with MINNESOTA.

14. #14 Missouri@ Baylor - Good to see Chase Daniel and the Tigers scoring points again. They are a fun offense to watch but against Texas and OKST, they were almost non-existent. Baylor provides another chance to pile on the points but something tells me the Bears are gonna be tough to blowout in this one. It's at home and they are dying for a marquee upset win. And they have some young talent to play with the Tigers. I still think MISSOURI will win but I'll say this will be within 10 points

15. Miami (FL) @ Virginia - Like I said earlier, I think UVA deserves a Top 25 spot. yeah, they are 5-3 but no doubt in my mind, they are one of the best 25 teams in the nation right now. They have taken on some good ACC teams and beat 3 of them. In fact, they have beaten #25 Maryland, #22 UNC, Georgia Tech and East Carolina. Those are some quality wins in my book. I don't see them slowing down for the U. VIRGINIA wins and cracks the Top 25 afterwards.