#2 Alabama at Auburn
Ah, the Iron Bowl. All the publicity goes to Ohio State-Michigan, Notre Dame-USC, and the Red River Shootout and some of that is deservedly so but I don't think any other rivalry in college football can match the hate that these two teams have for each other. Consider this. Tommy Tubberville beat Alabama 7 straight years and had a fantastic coaching career at Auburn but last year, he had ONE down year and he lost to 'Bama and for the first time in 8 years and he got the boot. If Auburn is to have any chance at pulling what would be a major upset, they can't afford to fall behind early. If they fall behind, 'Bama will be able to shorten the game by being able to expose Auburn's 88th ranked rush defense with Heisman candidate Mark Ingram. I think War Eagle will be able to score early because their inventive offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will have had an extra week to come up with a gameplan to probe that stingy Crimson Tide defense. However, at the end of the day, I don't think that War Eagle will be able to stop Alabama's great running backs, the aforementioned Mark Ingram and the freshman sensation Trent Richardson, and the Crimson Tide roll 27-20.
#8 Pittsburgh at West Virginia
Two years ago, West Virginia was one win away from reaching the national championship game. They only needed to beat their rival Pitt who had no chance at a bowl game. Pitt upset the Mountaineers in Morgantown and ruined their chances at a title. This year, the script has been flipped. Pitt's traveling to play a West Virginia team that they're clearly better than in a game that they must win to make next week's home date versus Cincinnati a de facto Big East championship game. And I think this time, it will be Pittsburgh that falls victim to the big upset. I don't think that West Virginia will be able to stop Pitt's potent offense led by QB Bill Stull, WR Jonathan Baldwin, and freshman sensation RB Dion Lewis but I think that the Mountaineer's unique 3-3-5 scheme will be able to slow down Pitt enough to let West Virginia's potent offense outscore them. QB Jarrett Brown and RB Noel Devine will each make many big plays and West Virginia wins the Backyard Brawl 45-37.
#12 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
We're used to the script of the Bedlam game. One team needs to win to help solidify a BCS berth and the other team just wants to win for bragging rights and a better bowl game. However, we're used to having Oklahoma being the one in contention for a BCS game, not OK State. And despite the fact that OK State's the one that is ranked and OU just got blown out in Lubbock to Texas Tech, the Sooners are 9 point favorites. Someone knows something that we don't know. The Pokes aren't sure as to whether or not star QB Zac Robinson will play and if he doesn't, I can't see them winning in Norman. With Robinson, though, they have an excellent offense that has great balance between Robinson and the 2 headed running attack of RB's Keith Toston and Kendall Hunter. Unfortunately for Cowboys fans, I don't think that Oklahoma State will be able to penetrate the stout Sooner defense enough to beat the Sooners. QB Landry Jones is a different quarterback at home(18 TDs 4 INTs) than he is on the road(5 TDs 9 INTs) and he will direct the Oklahoma offense to score many points against a mediocre Oklahoma State defense. The Sooners win the Bedlam game, 38-24.
Quick Picks
Florida State 20 at #1 Florida 38-I'd like the 'Noles chances a hell of a lot more if QB Christian Ponder was healthy, but without him the Gators will take advantage of Florida State's porous defense and their freshman QB EJ Manuel.
#22 Utah 24 at #18 BYU 28-The Cougars win the Holy War behind QB Max Hall and RB Harvey Unga who will go out winners on Senior Day.
#19 Miami(Fl) 34 at South Florida 23-South Florida continues its annual late season slide and Miami QB Jacory Harris has a big day for the 'Canes.
#23 North Carolina 23 at NC State 12-The Heels defense clamps down on Wolfpack QB Russell Wilson and North Carolina completes the Triangle sweep.
#18 Clemson 31 at South Carolina 18-South Carolina is in the triple digits as far as ranking in terms of sacks allowed and Clemson is one of the best in the country at getting to the QB. Gamecock QB Stephen Garcia gets many dirt stains and Tiger RB CJ Spiller boosts his Heisman resume.
Georgia at #7 Georgia Tech-The Wreck rambles over the Dawgs for the 2nd straight year on the strength of their running game behind QB Josh Nesbitt and RB Jonathan Dwyer. Joe Cox will be abused by Yellow Jacket DE Derrick Morgan.
Upset Picks
Arkansas over #17 LSU
Arizona State over Arizona
Notre Dame over Stanford
Kentucky over Tennessee
UTEP over Marshall
Hawaii over Navy
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