Picks of the Week: Week Four's Big Games and Blowouts

Here are my picks for the week in most of the games being played.

Thursday

Colorado vs. No. 21 West Virginia

Bill Stewart has a new contract, and Dan Hawkins has what looks to be a decent team in Boulder. This game should be a good one for a mid-week game. I look to see WVU bounce back after getting owned by ECU. In the end, I think Colorado comes through. Buffs win a tight one, 28-24.

Friday

Baylor vs. Connecticut

Baylor had an impressive win against a weak Washington State team. After a "big" win for old Baylor, things fall back to the norm as they struggle mightily against the Huskies. But the Huskies aren't a very strong team, so I will call an overtime upset in the making. Baylor pulls this one out in two overtimes. Bears, 24-21.

Saturday

Troy vs. No. 13 Ohio State

Ohio State is coming off a humiliating loss against USC, so I look for the Bucks to try and make a statement in this game. But I think their pride will be hurt too badly to really make a hard run at the men from Troy (Alabama). This one will be a tight one to the finish. I am going to call an upset here. Troy pulls out a squeaker. Trojans, 21-14.

No. 15 E. Carolina vs. NC State

East Carolina had a bout with Tulane last week, but look for them to get back on track and continue their winning ways. East Carolina rolls, 35-21.

Temple vs. No. 16 Penn state

This is a joke, right? Does Temple even field a football team anymore? Not much to say on this one, except maybe Penn State hangs more than they did on Syracuse. Penn State wins easy, 62-3.

Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech

Both schools are coming off of a loss and both will want to win this one to right the ship. But I think the option wears down Mississippi State's D. Ga Tech rambles to victory, 21-7.

Ohio vs. Northwestern

Northwestern is still undefeated and really hasn't played anybody, but this is a classic trap game. They could get caught looking past Ohio and ahead to Iowa. Frank Solich will have his team ready to play and looking to knock off a Big Ten team, since it missed a prime opportunity against Ohio State. I'm picking Ohio in a stunner, 35-14.

Florida Atlantic vs. Minnesota

This is another example of a trap game. Minnesota is probably going to be overlooking the Owls and ahead to their next game against Ohio State. The Owls will be looking for their first win of the season and will be able to take advantage of the situation. This one will be tight until the end. But the Golden Gophers squeak one out, 28-24.

Iowa vs. Pitt

Pitt is overmatched, and it shows. Iowa wins easily, 35-14.

Central Michigan vs. Purdue

Boilermakers roll, 42-14.

No. 9 Alabama vs. Arkansas

The Hogs better wave the white flag from the start on this one. Bama will roll all over the Hogs. Alabama wins pretty easy, 21-3.

South Carolina State vs. No. 23 Clemson

Clemson wins in a laugher, 35-7.

UCF vs. Boston College

Boston College gives George O'Leary one more reason to hate the Boston area. A painful loss. BC wins big, 42-14.

E. Michigan vs. Maryland

Another win for the Terps, 28-14.

Akron vs. Army

Gonna give the nod to Army on this one, 17-14.

Buffalo vs. No. 5 Missouri

Somebody call a paramedic—this one will be ugly from the start. Buffalo will get mauled by Chase Daniel and the Mizzou offense. Tigers roll, 52-3.

Wyoming vs. No. 14 BYU

Another win for the mighty Mormons, 28-0.

Arizona vs. UCLA

Somebody has to win, right? Well, I'll say that UCLA gets the win here. But it will be a battle royal for the Pac-10 basement. UCLA, 21-14.

No. 4 Florida vs. Tennessee

I think this one will be one of the better games of the day. I am going to say that Tennessee will pull the shocker in Knoxville. They are due for a win against the hated gators. Vols win in a nice game, 35-28.

Boise State vs. No. 17 Oregon

The ugly Oregon uniforms won't help them pull out a victory, and the Blue Carpet boys prove that an ugly field trumps ugly uniforms. 21-14, Broncos.

Houston vs. Colorado State

Houston needs a win for the area after Ike. Houston plays inspired and inspires the Texas Gulf Coast. Cougs win, 21-7.

Notre Dame vs. Michigan State

The Golden Domers win the Michigan State championship in this one and knock Sparty off. Notre Dame wins with a classic win one for the "limper." Domers, 35-14.

Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina

I think N. Carolina comes out to prove they aren't a fluke and beat Beamer ball in Chapel Hill. Heels win, 21-10.

Miami vs. Texas A&M

**Hurricane warning in College Station** I think the Aggies are once again overmatched and outplayed. Miami leaves A&M in total devastation. Somebody needs to get Mike Sherman a new wardrobe... Hurricanes win big, 42-3.

No. 20 Utah vs. Air Force

The Utes roll to keep their undefeated season alive, 42-10.

No. 12 South Florida vs. Florida International

S. Florida wins this one in un-dramatic fashion. Bulls, 52-0.

Rice vs. No. 7 Texas

Rice is overmatched and fatigued from everything they have gone through. Texas takes this one over early and walks away with a big win. Horns, 52-7.

UMass vs. No. 11 Texas Tech

Texas Tech plays another I-AA opponent and gets another cheap win. Tech rolls, 62-0. Tech should be penalized for playing a powder puff schedule.

No. 18 Wake Forest vs. No. 24 Florida State

This is going to be a shootout. Wake Forest doesn't get respect, and Florida State is trying to rebuild its once great dynasty. But I think Wake will pull this one out and start to earn some much-deserved respect.

Sam Houston State vs. No. 19 Kansas

This is a joke, right? Kansas wins, 42-0.

Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi

The surprising Vandy Commodores look to keep their season rolling in Oxford. But I think Ole Miss will give them a good game. This one could come down to the last play of the game. I think Vandy wins, 21-14.

No. 6 LSU vs. No. 10 Auburn

The lights will be bright and the crowd will be ready for the annual shootout. Auburn is looking to keep going and establish itself as a favorite in the SEC. But LSU is looking to build on recent success and squash any and all quarterback controversy.

This is going to be a very hard-hitting game and will be brutal to watch. But recent history has shown the home team usually wins this one. I think it changes this year. LSU pulls out a last minute effort, 28-24.

No. 3 Georgia vs. Arizona State

The Dawgs invade the desert, and I think the desert dwellers will be confused by the sounds of Dixie. But the Dawgs prove tonight they can play away from the South and still win. Matt Stafford leads the Dawgs to victory, 42-35.

TCU vs. Southern Methodist

This game won't appeal to anyone outside of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, and even then it won't interest many people here. But I think this is the year SMU surprises the Froggies and takes home the Iron Skillet. SMU, 21-14.

There it is—what I feel about how this Saturday will turn out in college football. I can't wait to move from the bed to the couch and enjoy a day full of the action.