Saturday, Oct. 6
Rutgers 27, Cincy 14: This is payback for the Scarlet Knights, who really struggled in their first real challenge of the season last week. The Bearcats are physical on D, but I think the RU O-line will take the game over in the second half and its receivers will hit a few big plays.
Illinois 24, Wisconsin 17: Time to ride the Zook bandwagon. The Illini's ground attack has been one of the big revelations of the season. In a league loaded with strong running teams, Illinois is by far the Big Ten's top rushing offense (255.6 yards per game). I think Rashard Mendenhall will do enough to keep the pressure off the Illini's passing game against one of the league's lower-rated defenses.
Michigan State 31, NW 13: Mark Dantonio has done a terrific job and is a great fit for MSU. The Spartans bring the nation's second-best pass rush unit (23 sacks) against one of the Big Ten's worst O-lines. MSU's potent backfield combination also should have its way with the Wildcats' porous defense.
Miami 24, UNC 13: Former UM coach Butch Davis doesn't have the athletes his protégé Randy Shannon has, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Canes' D-line, led by DE Calais Campbell, can be dominant. Miami's explosive backfield combination of Graig Cooper and Javarris James figures to have a big day against one of the ACC's worst defenses.
Texas A&M 28, Okla. State 17: Both teams have plenty of talented skill guys and both programs have been plagued by inconsistency. I'm going with the team with the better guys in the trenches to take the game over in the fourth quarter.
K-State 20, ku 10: The Wildcats are playing really hard for Ron Prince. They have a fast defense and they make a lot of big plays in special teams. I also like their big-game confidence here, especially at home.
Clemson 21, VT 13: These are two of the more inconsistent teams in the country. Both have lots of speed on defense, but I'm going with the Tigers because I think they have the more dangerous skill players and that's the difference.
Oklahoma 30, Texas 14: The Sooners had a hiccup last week. The Longhorns seem to have had about four hiccups this season. Expect Bob Stoops' team to bounce back big as its running backs should have a huge game against a UT defense that has struggled against some physical teams.
Mizzou 45, Nebraska 31: Both teams have very suspect defenses, but the Tigers have the better QB in Chase Daniel and more dangerous receivers, which will exploit a defense that was shredded by Ball State and also allowed Iowa State to have its best offensive effort of the year.
Penn State 23, Iowa 7: The Hawkeyes have been one of the bigger disappointments of the season. Their inept offense doesn't figure to come to life at Penn State, which should make some plays on defense to give its own shaky O a much-needed boost. Iowa's O-line has been dreadful and that could lead to some big turnovers on the road.
Tennessee 20, UGA 13: The Bulldogs' running backs are outstanding and Georgia does a great job utilizing every screen imaginable to keep defenses off-balance. Defensively, though, the Dawgs aren't a very strong unit and I doubt they'll be tough enough to win on the road against a team with a veteran QB and a lot to prove.
OSU 23, Purdue 20: The Boilers have by far the top passing offense in the Big Ten (309.8 ypg). I think Jim Tressel's guys will do enough to slow that attack down. The Buckeyes are the league's runaway leaders in scoring defense (7 ppg). I like the matchup of Beanie Wells against the Boilers' D (eighth in the Big Ten against the rush).
LSU 34, Florida 21: The Tigers' MO at home is to dominate early. Their numbers in the first half of home games have been staggering. I'm expecting UF to handle the flurry early, but I don't see Urban Meyer's club hanging in there the whole way. The Gators' young secondary has been exposed the past two weeks and LSU has plenty of talent on the outside to do more damage. I'm not sold on the LSU O-line, especially against two very good Gators DEs, but I still can't see UF going into Tiger Stadium and making enough plays against that D to keep it very close.
