Hey, the unranked teams count too!
Air Force at Army
Some of our future troops will take part in this one. Having already beaten Navy, Air Force will look to make it two for two and guarantee themselves the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. The Black Knights need this one and then need to beat Navy to beat the Midshipmen for the first time since 2001 and win the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for what would be the first time since 1996. Problem for Army is their defense is terrible and the offense doesn't do enough to make up for that. The Falcons will score plenty and although their defense could have some issues with Army's triple option, they should come through with the victory in West Point.
My Call: Air Force 38, Army 28
Northwestern at Iowa
Pat Fitzgerald's club befuddles me so much, it's amazing. That probably means whatever pick I make here, the exact opposite will happen. Sorry, Hawkeye fans. You guys can feel free to blame me if Iowa loses this one. I just have a hunch homefield advantage makes the difference here.
My Call: Iowa 28, Northwestern 20
Maryland at Penn State
How do you recover from that double overtime loss to Ohio State where you gave it your all if you're Penn State? To be quite frank, I'm not sure you do recover from that just a week later. However, I can't say this Maryland team inspires a ton of confidence in me, either. With a gun to my head, I'll go with the Nittany Lions just because it's in State College.
My Call: Penn State 26, Maryland 23
Wisconsin at Rutgers
Simple... the Badgers have Melvin Gordon, Rutgers doesn't have a player anywhere near that caliber. Although it won't always be pretty, Wisky rides Gordon to a somewhat comfortable victory.
My Call: Wisconsin 30, Rutgers 17
Central Florida at Connecticut
UConn put together a great effort on the road against East Carolina, but I think that was as much a result of ECU being bored playing against such crappy competition as it was anything else. We'll test that theory in this game since I'm taking the Knights. Their offense may not score a ton, but their defense should be able to shut down what has been simply an anemic Huskies offense.
My Call: Central Florida 27, Connecticut 10
Boston College at Virginia Tech
Although I don't think Boston College has that good a team, I'm just not going to pick Virginia Tech anymore. They seem to let me down every single time I pick them to win. No more! I am no longer a glutton for punishment. I don't have a ton of faith in the Eagles, so I think it'll be close, but they're playing better than the Hokies and till I see Virginia Tech actually win a game, I refuse to put my good predicting name behind them. Especially when Michael Brewer makes Carson Palmer look like Peyton Manning as a decision maker.
My Call: Boston College 24, Virginia Tech 17
North Carolina at Miami (FL)
Yes, UNC did go on the road and beat Virginia last week. However, I just don't see the Hurricane offense led by star running back Duke Johnson as well as true freshman QB Brad Kaaya making the same mistakes the Hoos did. Fun day for the Miami offense; not so much for the defense, but the 'D' won't necessarily need to be wonderful to win.
My Call: Miami (FL) 44, North Carolina 30
Washington at Colorado
If I had any faith at all in the defense of the Buffaloes, I'd call for the upset to be sprung here. Alas, I don't. It's why I'll go with Washington in a nailbiter.
My Call: Washington 31, Colorado 28
NC State at Syracuse
Terrible offensive clubs go at it in the Carrier Dome. In a good old fashioned pillow fight, I'll take the Orange to get their fourth win of the season.
My Call: Syracuse 17, NC State 13
Virginia at Georgia Tech
Although common knowledge usually says to go with the better defensive team, it can also say to go with the better offensive team, especially when the team with the better defense is not good offensively and it's a home game for the better offensive club. The Yellow Jackets are the selection.
My Call: Georgia Tech 30, Virginia 27
Indiana at Michigan
A battle of the incompetents. I know I've been burned by Michigan before and may well get burned by them again, but I'll take em by 4.
My Call: Michigan 35, Indiana 31
Kentucky at Missouri
Just don't have much of a feel for this one at all other than I think it'll be closer than the 6.5 points Missouri is favored by. Kentucky is middle of the road both offensively and defensively. Mizzou is a solid defensive team but because Matty Mauk has struggled this season, the Tigers offense has also struggled. The smart money is probably in Missouri, but I'm gonna gamble some and take the Wildcats. I have a feeling no matter who I pick, I'll regret it.
My Call: Kentucky 24, Missouri 23
USC at Washington State
What you saw against Utah in Salt Lake City pretty much sums up USC this year. They have A LOT of trouble closing out close games. My guess is they'll put up more points than they usually do against a bad Cougars defense, but because Wazzu has a very good passing game, the Trojans will let them back in it and give their fans another scare that they may blow another game late, but this time, they'll hold on and escape Pullman victorious.
My Call: USC 48, Washington State 41
Colorado State at San Jose State
Gotta go with the Rams. Jim McElwain has Colorado State back to a solid level of play, something I was used to seeing from them growing up before they had a few down years prior to his arrival.
My Call: Colorado State 34, San Jose State 28
Texas at Texas Tech
Remember six years ago back in 2008 when this game had national championship implications and Texas Tech won at the last second on a great catch by Michael Crabtree on a pass from Graham Harrell? So do I. This game features no such storyline. What it does feature is two 3-5 teams just looking to gain a confidence booster. Although you would think the two running backs (Malcolm Brown and Jonathan Gray) as well as QB Tyrone Swoopes should be able to have success against a God awful Tech run defense, the Longhorn run offense hasn't exactly lit the world on fire this year. I'll take Texas since they have shown me they can play halfway decently against solid opponents such as UCLA, Oklahoma and Baylor. Not much faith here though.
My Call: Texas 31, Texas Tech 24
Tennessee at South Carolina
Other than the Georgia game and perhaps the East Carolina game, South Carolina may have put forth their best effort of the season in a hard fought 42-35 loss on the road to Auburn. The defense being unable to stop the Tiger offense and a couple red zone interceptions thrown by QB Dylan Thompson did them in. I think they should be able to get back on track against the Vols. The defense may give up a few more points than they should, but I think their offense makes up for that.
My Call: South Carolina 38, Tennessee 27
California at Oregon State
Sean Mannion and Jared Goff should light up the scoreboard in a battle of two solid QBs. Difference between the two teams is at least the Beavers defense is capable of stopping an opposing offense here and there. Cal's defense just isn't there yet. Gotta go with Oregon State.
My Call: Oregon State 48, California 34
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