Zack Attack's Top 16 and Picks for the Weekend

What happened to the top 20, you ask? Or for that matter, what happened to the top 25?

Here's the deal: As I was trying to rank the teams, once I got past team 16, I couldn't really find any squad out there that got me excited enough to warrant extra slides.

So, I figured, let's just stop at 16 this week.

So, here they are, my top 16 teams, with picks for the weekend—look out for upsets!

16. Pittsburgh Panthers (6-1)

The last time Pitt won seven of their first eight games, Dan Marino was slinging the ball around for the Panthers.

A bunch of years later, here they are, one win away from equaling that record, going up against a tough South Florida squad, who in no way played up to their talent level against Cincinnati.

The real key to Pitt's success this season has been made out to be the amazing running ability of freshman Dion Lewis, who is averaging 131 yards per game.

I beg to differ.

I say that the key to their hot start, including a 3-0 record in the Big East, is the improved QB play of Bill Stull. The fact that he's completing 67 percent of his passes for 14 TDs and only three picks has made opposing defenses respect the passing game, opening bigger holes for Lewis.

Pitt will have their hands full with South Florida's run defense, but I see Stull passing the Panthers to a victory, even if the Bulls are able to control Lewis.

I'll take Pittsburgh, 38-27.

15. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-1)

Anyone else notice that Daryll Clark is 17-3 as a starter? That's a better winning percentage than Tim Tebow has in his career. He goes for win number 18 against Michigan this week.

After back to back impressive wins over Big 10 opponents, Penn State gets to show its dominance against a scrappy Michigan team that always seems to be in each game late.

I'll take the improved play of Clark, however, and the Nittany Lions in the first game of a stretch that includes the two teams who are ahead of them in the Big 10. Penn State 31, Michigan 10.

14. BYU Cougars (6-1)

Who knew that the game of this weekend would be taking place in the Mountain West Conference? That's what we have though, as the TCU Horned Frogs travel to Provo, Utah to take on the Cougars of BYU.

BYU has played very inspired ball since their loss to Florida State at home. Had they won that game, this game might be the best game of the season, with Texas-Oklahoma failing to live up to the hype due to injuries to Sam Bradford.

Max Hall looks to be playing as well as ever, with two straight no interception games, both of which he threw for over 320 yards. He also showed a different dimension last week against San Diego State, using his legs to gain the team 47 yards and a score.

I really like BYU in this one, but I'll hold off until TCU to make my pick...

13. Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-1)

Believe it or not, Oklahoma State still has the chance to upset Texas and win the Big 12, with or without Dez Bryant. While Bryant and the Cowboys are still holding out hope for the star wideout's return, Zac Robinson and the rest of the team are doing their best to show they can be an effective winner even without him.

With back to back big wins over Texas A&M and Missouri, the Cowboys get a tune-up game at Baylor before hosting No. 3 Texas on Halloween. I think the Cowboys will be looking past the Bears this week, but I think they'll get things back on track and catch back up and then finish Baylor off to set up a huge meeting with the Longhorns.

Oklahoma State 41, Baylor 30.

12. LSU Tigers (5-1)

With a win this weekend, LSU can put two games between them and Auburn, setting the stage for another huge matchup in two weeks with the Crimson Tide. Provided both teams win this weekend and next, the game will decide who gets to play Florida for the SEC title in December.

This week, however, is where the Tigers should be focused. Their defense will have their hands full with Gus Malzahn's stellar offensive attack, led by QB Chris Todd and RB Ben Tate. LSU has their own talented offense, though, that features super-weapons in Brandon LaFell and Charles Scott.

I'll take the Tigers (LSU) in this one, in a shootout though, meaning they could just as easily go down and make the Alabama game moot.

LSU 34, Auburn 32.

11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-1)

And just like that, Georgia Tech is back in the thick of the ACC race. After taking down Virginia Tech, the Yellow Jackets are now looking like the class of the Coastal Division, which is easily the better of the two divisions in the conference.

The Yellow Jackets are now 4-1 in conference and get a bigger than expected matchup with the Virginia Cavaliers, who actually lead the division and are the only team in the ACC with a spotless conference record. Don't count me as one who will be fooled by the same team that lost to TCU and William and Mary.

That said, I'll take the Yellow Jackets to run up and down the field over the Cavs. Georgia Tech 43, Virginia 14.

10. Oregon Ducks (5-1)

Don't look now, but Oregon leads the Pac-10 right now with an undefeated 3-0 record. Granted, the Ducks still have to face USC, Stanford, and No. 22 Arizona; not to mention this week's "upset alert" game against Washington. The Ducks have to travel to Husky Stadium one week after a very hard-fought game against UCLA.

Clearly, the Ducks are back and are playing how they were supposed to play before their season-opening loss to BSU. One thing I'm disappointed by is Jeremiah Masoli's numbers as a passer. He's only completed 60 percent of his passes and has only four TD passes, all of which came in his last two games.

I expect a big game in the air for Masoli, and of course, an Oregon win. Ducks 31, Huskies 22.

9. TCU Horned Frogs (6-0)

So here it is—TCU's season comes down to this game. Any hope they have at attaining a BCS game, something never accomplished by the Horned Frogs, rests in a solid defeat of BYU this weekend (and another later against Utah). But let's face it, BYU will be the Horned Frogs' biggest test so far.

TCU's defense is playing as well as any unit in college football, so Max Hall will have his hands full. Expect that two-game interception-less streak to end.

I also think that TCU will have their hands full with a tough BYU defense that has been at its best in big games.

That said, I think that Max Hall is just playing at a higher level right now, and I think that will be enough to take down TCU.

That's right—BYU will take down TCU.

BYU 28, TCU 17.

8. Miami Hurricanes (5-1)

Fireworks should be abound this weekend when the Hurricanes take on Clemson, who in their last game against each other, played to a triple overtime, 36-30 shootout won by the 'Canes.

This week, though, they get a resilient Clemson squad coming off a 38-3 shellacking of Wake Forest.

C.J. Spiller is a playmaker unlike any other in college football, and the improved 'Canes' defense will have its hands full.

Ultimately, the 'Canes should be able to press young QBs Willy Korn and Kyle Parker into some turnovers, and those should be what allows the 'Canes to walk away with a victory.

Miami 28, Clemson 20.

7. Cincinnati Bearcats (6-0)

Who said the Bearcats need Tony Pike to win games? Brian Kelly showed against South Florida that it doesn't really matter who is calling the plays, whether it's Pike or sophomore Zach Collaros. Cincy just keeps winning ball games, and are now the only undefeated team in the Big East.

They get a bit of an easier contest this weekend against a struggling Louisville squad and should use this game to get Pike some rest. If he plays, I expect the Bearcats to play big and fast early, trying to build a big lead so they can rest the big guy. Then, expect to see Collaros, and he could easily run up the score with this talented squad.

Cincinnati 37, Louisville 17.

6. Iowa Hawkeyes (7-0)

Much like Penn State last year, Iowa now controls their own fate in the Big 10. No doubt, their toughest game of the year is still four weeks away in a trip to the Shoe to take on the Buckeyes.

Their second-toughest game they get this week in a tough Michigan State team, who is currently tied for second in the Big 10 with the Buckeyes.

That's the one thing that stands out about Iowa this season. They win games like this one, but normally, they win them close.

I expect this one to go down to the wire, and it could very easily go the Spartans' way, but I think Iowa will escape with another W.

Iowa 16, Michigan State 10.

5. USC Trojans (5-1)

Matt Barkley was simply sensational against the Fighting Irish; much better than how a freshman should perform against top-level competition. Barkley utilized his weapons and made the Irish pay.

Now, the only thing standing between Barkley and the Trojans' pseudo conference title matchup with Oregon in a couple weeks is another hiccup like Washington.

Oregon State has given USC trouble in the past, twice ending their hopes at an undefeated season. Don't expect that to happen this year. Barkley is on fire, and USC is playing as well as anyone right now.

USC 29, Oregon State 10.

4. Boise State Broncos (6-0)

Yeah, their win over Tulsa wasn't the prettiest, but Boise State is still undefeated, and only six other teams can claim that. None can claim that they went undefeated in the regular season last year, though. Or that they have about a 99 percent chance of going undefeated next year.

Boise State hits the road this weekend to take on Hawaii late Saturday night. The Broncos have traditionally struggled on the road, but not usually at Hawaii, where they have laid some absolute shellackings on the Warriors.

QB Kellen Moore is playing better than anyone right now, seeing the field like Peyton Manning, and making me wonder if he could really have a chance in the NFL. He's still a sophomore, folks. And for all of you who say he's too short, I have two words: Drew Brees.

The Broncos will take down Hawaii, and hopefully Idaho keeps winning, setting up a BSU-Idaho ESPN Gameday for the WAC title in three weeks.

Boise State 54, Hawaii 14.

3. Texas Longhorns (6-0)

After a ho-hum victory over Oklahoma, Texas begins a two-game road stretch with a conference matchup against Missouri, who is fading fast in the Big 12.

The real game on their schedule that will make or break their season is next week against Oklahoma State, and hopefully, the Horns aren't caught looking forward to that one.

I highly doubt that.

Colt McCoy will have the Horns firing on all cylinders, and I expect them to finally jump on a team early for the first time in a long while.

Horns 35, Missouri 16.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)

I know it's the "in thing" to bump Alabama up over Florida in the rankings, but I just can't bring myself to do it—yet.

For the time being, though, I'll let the Crimson Tide share the No. 1 honors with the Gators. Both teams are a head above everyone else in the nation, and we might actually see a doubleheader between the two in the SEC title game and the national title game.

And for once, that might not actually be a bad thing.

The Tide get a tough Tennessee team this week. It should be a little more challenging than previous games, but the Tide will still roll.

Alabama 37, Tennessee 14.

1. Florida Gators (6-0)

The Gators snuck out with a big victory over Arkansas last week. And with the suspension of the umpiring crew, it looks a lot like the refs had a lot to do with the Gators staying undefeated.

Yeah, the Gators did benefit from some really questionable calls, but they still took care of business when the Razorbacks didn't. And they showed they could hit a field goal.

However, Tebow isn't really impressing me this season. I came into this season with hopes that Meyer would try to get Tebow some snaps under center to try and help him adjust to the pro game. That sure lasted long, right? I think I've seen Tebow under center three times, and all three were QB sneaks on the goal line.

I'm pretty sure Meyer found out what every NFL scout has known...Tebow is a super successful college QB, one whose game isn't right for the NFL, and when you try to make his game suited to the pro game, you risk ruining your team's chance to win.

A lot of blame has been put on UF's lack of receivers. Last time I checked, great QBs make receivers better. Tebow has made just about every player around him better during his time at UF. I think he just isn't that great of a passer.

UF gets a cupcake in Mississippi State this week. I expect quite the blowout, taking out some frustration on the Bulldogs.

UF 38, Mississippi State 10.