College Game Picks 10/30-10/31

#21 West Virginia at South Florida
This is the underrated great game of the weekend. A win for the Mountaineers puts them squarely in the mix for the Big East crown while a win while a loss for the Bulls could relegate USF to the St Petersburg Bowl for a 2nd straight year. South Florida's defense has mostly shut down West Virginia's offense the past few years(0 rushing TD's for WVU in the past two meetings)and now the Mountaineers don't have Pat White. The Bulls still have DE George Selvie who's a flat out monster and will help shut down the West Virginia offense in a 17-13 South Florida win.

Georgia vs #1 Florida in Jacksonville
By all accounts, Florida should wipe Georgia off the field much like they did last year(won 49-10). They are better at every single position except wide receiver and kicker and are better coached for the most part. However, Georgia has too much talent to be as bad as they've been and they've had 2 weeks to prepare against a Florida team that has been lackluster as of late in games against Arkansas and Mississippi State. This is UGA's Super Bowl(they have a picture of Urban Meyer calling a timeout in the waning seconds of last year's game to rub it in) and their chance to get back into contention for a New Year's Day bowl game. I am going to call for the Dawgs to win in a game that no one is picking them 23-20. However, I still give Florida a great chance to get to Pasadena for the BCS Title game even if they drop this one.

#3 Texas at #14 Oklahoma State
This has been such an odd series since Mack Brown arrived in Austin. In most of their meetings, Oklahoma State has accumulated huge double digit leads only to squander them and lose by double digits(Mack Brown is 11-0 against the Pokes). This is the biggest home game in Oklahoma State history. A win for the Cowboys puts them in the drivers seat for a spot in the Big 12 Championship game and a good shot at reaching the national championship game. I think the Pokes will come out firing and take a lead into halftime behind underrated QB Zac Robinson and All-American RB Kendall Hunter. However, I think they will feel the loss of WR Dez Bryant(damn you NCAA!) and struggle to make plays in the 2nd half against an elite Texas' defense led by All-American candidates safety Earl Thomas and defensive end/linebacker Sergio Kindle. Colt McCoy will have a huge game and get into the pole position for the Heisman as the Longhorns win 38-23.

#5 USC at #10 Oregon
This is the biggest game of the weekend and the host for College Gameday. Whoever wins this game will be squarely in the mix for a spot in the BCS Title Game and have pole position for the Pac-10 crown. The Ducks have been the best team in the Pac-10 since getting dominated in their first game at Boise State. Their defense has been particularly impressive in wins against Cal, UCLA, and Washington despite the loss of some of their best defensive players(such as CB Walter Thurmond). Matching the impressiveness of their defense has been their offense behind QB Jeremiah Masoli who has been on fire lately. USC's defense has been lit up in consecutive games at Notre Dame and against Oregon State(49 points allowed in the past 5 quarters) but the Trojans have won both games because their offense has gotten it going behind freshman QB Matt Barkley and the thunder and lightning combo of RB's Allen Bradford and Joe Mcknight. I think the crowd in Autzen Stadium(have been recorded as the loudest in all of sports)will play a factor and that the overachieving Ducks' defense is just a little better than USC's is right now and that will be the difference in a high scoring affair. Oregon, on Halloween Night, beats USC 38-34.

Upset Picks of the Week
South Florida over #21 West Virginia
Georgia over #1 Florida
#10 Oregon over #5 USC
Mississippi State over Kentucky
Arizona State over California
Arkansas State over Louisville