College Football Picks Week 6: Separating the Contenders and Pretenders

Michigan is 5-0, but has yet to face a true test. That will change this weekend as the Wolverines go up against Mark Dantonio's Michigan State Spartans. That game along with a few others in the coming weeks should go a long way in separating the pretenders from the true contenders in college football. 

Pretender: Michigan

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines pushes off a tackle attempt by Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the final minute at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan de

They’re undefeated, but it took a last minute touchdown last weekend to beat Indiana. The Wolverines will face their first true test in Michigan State this weekend, and it only gets tougher from there. 

Pretender: LSU

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 01: Jonathan Zenon #19 of the Louisiana State University Tigers celebrates after scoring a touchdown off an interception against the University of Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC Championship game on December 1, 2007 at the Georgia Dome

If Tennessee could count, the Tigers would be 4-1 right now. In the next four weeks, LSU will face Florida, Auburn and Alabama. They will be lucky to come out of those game 6-2. 

Pretender: Arizona

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Wide receiver David Douglas #85 of the Arizona Wildcats runs with the football during the college football game against the California Golden Bears at Arizona Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats def

The Wildcats have an impressive win over Iowa, but a close call against Cal last week has many questioning whether Arizona is for real. The ‘Cats are no pushover, but Oregon and Stanford will be too much to overcome in the PAC 10. 

Pretender: Oklahoma

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Running back Demarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Sooners are ranked sixth in the country and are 5-0, but last weekend’s win over Texas doesn’t look like much after the way the Longhorns were pounded by UCLA a couple weeks ago. Oklahoma has yet to face a true contender and when they do, it could mean trouble for the Sooners. 

Contender: TCU

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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 24, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

No one is talking about TCU. But the Horned Frogs are 5-0 and have a quality win over Oregon State. No. 10 Utah and No. 25 Air Force are also on the schedule for TCU. If the Frogs can run the table, they could end up as a National Championship contender.

Contender: Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - SEPTEMBER 25: Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Lavonte David #4, linebacker Eric Martin #46, safety Rickey Thenarse #3, defensive back DeJon Gomes #7 bring down South Dakota State Jackrabbits running back Kyle Minett #30 during first ha

Bo Pelini’s squad is undefeated and the new favorite in the Big XII. If they can stay unbeaten through the conference schedule, they would be a sure lock for the title game. 

Contender: Miami

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes drops back to pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Its only loss came on the road at Ohio State. With no other real contenders in the ACC, Miami should run the table and wind up in a BCS bowl.

Contender: Iowa

The Hawkeyes tripped up against a tough Arizona team on the road but bounced back last weekend by beating Penn State 24-3. If Iowa can beat Ohio State at home, it should win the Big Ten.