College Football Week 9: USC Trojans Beat Oregon Ducks Plus the Other Big Games

My college football Week 9 picks come in a week where BCS Bowl contenders are bound to fall.

Auburn, Oregon, Michigan State, and Missouri all face tough matchups. It's hard to believe that all of them will escape with wins.

With that in mind, here are my predictions for this week's big games in NCAA Football.

No. 5 Michigan State at No. 18 Iowa

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes warms up before action against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kinnick Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Wisconsin won 31-30 over Iowa. (Photo by David Purd

If Michigan State wins this one, they'll simply have to take care of business against inferior opponents in order to go undefeated.

If that happens, they'll have a great shot at playing for a national title.

But not so fast.

Iowa is the home team here, and this is a must-win game for them.

The Hawkeyes' 11th ranked defense combined with Ricky Stanzi's willingness to stretch the field will be the difference in this one.

Iowa pulls the upset, 21-17.

No. 6 Missouri at No. 14 Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers tries to slip the grasp of defensive end Alex Okafor #80 and linebacker Emmanuel Acho #18 of the Texas Longhorns during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadiu

This is gonna be a good one.

Both teams bring top defenses to the table (Missouri is fourth in points allowed, Nebraska is 17th), and are also offensive juggernauts despite what fans may think (Missouri is 23rd in points scored, Nebraska is 10th).

Most analysts are expecting a defensive struggle, but I'm not so sure.

The game should come down to the quarterback battle between steady Blaine Gabbert and the explosive, but mercurial Taylor Martinez.

If Martinez is on, the Huskers could cruise, but oddly he's struggled in home games this year.

That trend seems like a mere coincidence, and I think he'll have a big game.

Gabbert is a great passer, but the Tigers' offense is one-dimensional, and that won't work against the Blackshirts.

Martinez's versatility will be the difference.  Missouri will have a hard time figuring him out.

Nebraska wins, 31-20.

Florida-Georgia (in Jacksonville, FL)

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ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 03: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Florida is coming off three straight losses, while Georgia is coming off three straight wins.

It's hard to imagine an Urban Meyer coached team losing four games in a row, but it looks like that will happen.

The Gators still control their own destiny in the SEC East, but they just aren't that good this year, and Georgia is finally playing like they're supposed to.

Georgia wins, 20-16.

No. 1 Auburn at Mississippi

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers stiff arms Karnell Hatcher #37 of the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

I'm tempted to pick the upset here, but Ole Miss just doesn't seem like they're up to the challenge.

Jeremiah Masoli is capable of going toe-to-toe with Cam Newton, but the Rebels give up a staggering 32 points per game.

The Tigers will lose, but not this week.

Auburn wins, 45-30.

No. 25 Baylor at Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 8: Quarterback Robert Griffin #10 of the Baylor Bears passes the bal downfield during the game against the Texas Longhorns on November 8, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 45-21. (Photo by B

Baylor has a great offense led by Robert Griffin III, but the Bears gave up 42 points last week in a win against Kansas State.

Fortunately for them, Texas hasn't scored more than 24 points in Big 12 play.

The Longhorns might have name recognition, but this isn't their year.

Baylor might not beat Texas for another century, but this year they will.

Baylor wins, 34-27.

No. 2 Oregon at USC

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans scrambles to make a pass in front of Mychal Kendricks #30 and Cameron Jordan #97 of the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010

USC can almost match Oregon on the offensive side of the ball, but their defense is mediocre at best.

And many people fail to realize that the Ducks only allow 15.9 points per game.

But don't underestimate Matt Barkley.

He's quietly thrown for 1869 yards and 20 TDs, with only 4 interceptions, and it's easy to forget that he was one of the most highly-touted recruits in recent memory.

It's time for Barkley to show why he's a future NFL star.

USC stuns Oregon, 44-40.

Michigan at Penn State

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Michigan State Spartans on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the

My picks wouldn't be complete without some recognition for my Wolverines, so here it goes.

All biases aside, it looks like Michigan should cruise in this one.

Penn State is banged up, and will start former third-stringer Matt McGloin at quarterback.

The Wolverines can't stop anyone in the passing game, but you'd think that they can at least contain a former walk-on making his first career start.

On offense, Denard Robinson should be able to put up his usual numbers against a mediocre Nittany Lions defense.

There's just no way that Penn State can score enough to keep up with Michigan.

Michigan wins, 45-17.

Comments

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RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 28: Terrell Manning #35 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates after a 28-24 victory over the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 28, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Str

Do you think I'm right or wrong?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud