College FB Preview: Gators Brave the Bayou

Last week I went 4-6 with my picks—my worst record of the season. 

That said, five top-10 teams did lose, so I'm not going to get too down on myself. Hopefully I can rebound in another weekend of games with potential upset written all over them.

Florida at LSU

Florida is coming off an emotional loss, and LSU is riding the wave of its first No. 1 ranking since 1959.

The Gators are 8-3 in their last 11 trips to Baton Rouge, and LSU is without Early Doucet.

Something has to give.

I expect Florida to learn from the loss to Auburn. If they attack the field vertically from the opening possession, they have a chance to beat LSU. If the Tigers can build an early lead, the home crowd will help them fend off the Gators for the rest of the game.

I believe Urban Meyer will have a much better game plan than last week—which will lead to a Gators victory and a future job for Les Miles at Michigan.

My Pick: Florida

Texas vs Oklahoma

This game lost a lot of luster when both teams got upset last weekend.

Texas was blown out at home, while Oklahoma lost a squeaker at Colorado. The Sooners lost because their freshman QB wasn't as efficient as he had been all season. Texas lost because they're not that good of a team—and if there's one thing Mack Brown has proven, it's that he can't beat Oklahoma without Vince Young.

And, unfortunately, Young already has a game scheduled for Sunday. 

My Pick: Oklahoma

Ohio State at Purdue

What does Purdue have in common with all of the teams they've beaten this season?

Both the Boilermakers and their combined opposition have five wins apiece.

Ohio State will be Purdue's first true test—and the Boilermakers are going to fail. The Buckeyes will continue to roll through a laughable schedule as they chase another unbeaten regular season.

My Pick: Ohio State

Wisconsin at Illinois

How is the No. 5 team in the country an underdog against an unranked team?

Doesn't Vegas know anything about Ron Zook?

The Illinois coach loves to gets his fans' hopes up before breaking their hearts. He built the expectations last week with an upset over Penn State—and this is the week to bring the Illini faithful crashing back to earth. 

Wisconsin has looked poor all season, but I expect Zook to lose this game more than I expect the Badgers to win.

My Pick: Wisconsin

Georgia at Tennessee

Georgia is a solid football team coming off a loss to another good team in South Carolina. Tennessee has lost to two top-10 teams, but they haven't proven themselves against quality opposition.

Phil Fulmer has a lot of people watching his every move in Knoxville. Without LSU on the schedule, the Vols have a decent chance of controlling their own destiny in the SEC East...but the pressure will be too much for UT to handle in a close game.

My Pick: Georgia

Virginia Tech at Clemson: Clemson
Nebraska at Missouri: Missouri
Cincinnati at Rutgers: Rutgers
Notre Dame at UCLA: UCLA
Kansas at Kansas State: Kansas State