College Football Pick'em: Week Seven

Can you believe it? We have already reached week 7 of the college football season! Seems like it was just yesterday that I was writing up a college football preview, and now we are in the middle of some hotly-contested conference battles. And that will be the theme of this weeks College Football Pick’em.

There is no doubt that the game of the week, and probably the game of the year (since USC vs. OSU was a dud) is the 2008 installment of the Red River Shootout. Oklahoma and Texas will lock horns once again. And at stake this year is a trip to the Big 12 Championship, as well as a trip to the BCS championship.

The Texas Longhorns have been a quiet but very dangerous team this season. Colt McCoy had developed into one hell of a quarterback. Right now, he is leading Texas in all the major offensive categories, with the given exception of receiving stats.

Now, part of that is due to the fact that Texas runs a three-back system. Nonetheless, McCoy has shown poise in the pocket that is very refreshing to see. While he is the team's leading rusher, he has done a good job of only relying on his legs when they are most needed, making his pass progressions first.

In my humble opinion, the Oklahoma Sooners are the best team in the country. Not just because the polls have them at No. 1, but because they are a very well-put-together team. Sam Bradford is the best quarterback in the country that no one talks about.

Part of that is due to the fact that there are potentially three other All-American quarterbacks in his conference. The Sooners proved they also have a balanced rushing attack with their performance against Baylor last weekend. Stoops has a horrible legacy for losing the big game, and that is difficult to argue with his recent performance in Bowl games.

This game is for all the marbles. The winner will most likely go on to win the Big 12 and probably play for the National Championship. Oklahoma is a seven-point favorite. Those who know realize that something like four out of the last six meetings between these two teams was decided by less than seven.

For that reason, I am saying Texas is the safe bet when looking at the spread. However, the Oklahoma Sooners are Walker-Sports pick to win a national title, and we won’t back away from that prediction this early in the game. The Oklahoma Sooners will win Saturday’s game.

Now, onto other big matchups for the upcoming weekend.

LSU vs. Florida: Les Miles is taking his crew on the road, and they are heading east to compete in the Swamp. The best part about it is Florida could hear the Tigers roaring all the way back in Louisiana with all the trash talk the LSU defense has drummed up.

The LSU defense issued a hit on Florida’s Tim Tebow, and then retracted it later in the week, when it seemed inappropriate. Nonetheless, the damage is done. Florida is not ready to contend for a national title, but LSU caught their eyes. Look for the Florida Gators to roll and cover the six-point spread.

Oklahoma State vs. Missouri: Missouri is desperate to prove that they belong in the top five. Saturday will be their first test of many in the upcoming Big 12 season. Oklahoma is led by my favorite coach in the country, Mike “I’m a man” Gundy, and his Cowboys are racking up points by the bushel.

Neither of these teams plays much defense. Take the over in this one. Missouri is a 14-point favorite. I think that is a bit much, so take Missouri to win but Oklahoma State to cover, just remember to bet the over and insure yourself.

North Carolina vs. Notre Dame: Notre Dame is taking advance of what has been a cupcake schedule and they are two wins away from a bowl game. Who am I kidding, they win two more games and they will be in the Sugar Bowl, just the way it works.

UNC is proof that Butch Davis is a winner. Now, can the Tar Heels hold on to him? North Carolina is a seven-point favorite, and I like the way this team has handled themselves to this point. Take UNC to win and to cover.

Michigan State vs. Northwestern: Northwestern has snuck up on the entire NCAA and they are undefeated. Michigan State is one-dimensional. Take away their running game and they can’t do much else. Northwestern is only a one-point underdog; I like it! Make a moderate play on Northwestern to win.

Tennessee vs. Georgia: Philip Fulmer is just waiting out the end of the season in Tennessee. There is no way he is retained after this disaster of a season. That being said, the Georgia Bulldogs have a mission to complete.

Despite their loss, they are not out of the national-title hunt just yet. What they do need to do is remained focused and finish strong in the SEC. Georgia is a 13-point favorite, which is a lot of points, but I believe everyone has given up on Philip Fulmer, so his team will quit early in the game if they go down.

USC vs. Arizona St: That’s right kids, this week you get an extra game, because I could not decide between this game and the Tennessee/Georgia game. Remember how promising this game looked at the beginning of the season?

A top-five matchup in the Pac-10, not something you see everyday. Then Georgia ruined Arizona State and they have not been right sense. Well, USC is on the war path to reach the Rose Bowl, and frankly, USC only loses to bad teams.

So don’t look for Arizona State to right the ship just yet. USC wins straight up. However, the spread is 28.5. That’s a lot of points, even if it is a bad ASU team. Plus that .5 scares me. Take ASU to cover the spread.