Friday Night Picks

Just for fun, I will select 10 college football games and predict the score for each. I got the idea after checking out SpeedyDave24's blog. I highly recommend you check out his blog at http://www.xanga.com/speedydave24. Here are my picks:

#4 LSU-10 @ #2 Auburn-13
Again, this will obviously be the game of the week. Since 2002, the home team has been the winner of this game each year. I expect Auburn to continue that tradition in a battle of defense and field position.

#17 Michigan-20 @ #3 Notre Dame-34
Michigan, for some reason or another, seems to have trouble against Notre Dame under head coach Lloyd Carr. Notre Dame is a better team anyway; Irish improve to 3-0.

#10 Miami-30 @ #12 Louisville-31
This is a rematch of the 2004 thriller at Miami. In that game, Louisville went up 24-7 at halftime, only to lose 41-38. This time around the game will be played in Louisville and the Cardinals will be seeking redemption. I like Louisville, barely, in another thriller.

#23 Oklahoma-24 @ #14 Oregon-31
This will be the third year in a row they have faced each other, first time at Oregon. The Sooners won both of the previous two matchups but I don't see that happening again. Quite frankly I can not fathom why the major polls have Oklahoma ranked so much higher than Oregon when I have it the other way around. The Ducks are a solid team and tough to beat at home. In the end, Oregon overcomes Heisman hopeful Adrian Peterson to show they are a BCS contender.

#29 Clemson-16 @ #9 Florida State-22
Yet another Bowden Bowl...will the home team win again? That has been the trend since 2002. Interestingly, the teams have split the past four games, with neither game being all that close. That being said, Clemson has outscored Florida State 114-113 since '02. This year, both teams look unimpressive and underachieving. I expect Florida State to win ugly...once again.

#15 Nebraska-24 @ #5 USC-49
The running joke is whether or not USC will run up 50 points on the Cornhuskers. I say close, but no cigar. I find it hard to believe that this game will be anywhere close to what the rankings suggest. Nebraska is not ready for the national spotlight again. USC wins big at home.

#7 Florida-23 @ #18 Tennessee-26
I told an old college buddy of mine from Salisbury U., who is now seeking his Masters at Tennessee, that I would root for his Vols this year. Besides, I really don't care for any other team in the SEC, especially Florida for whom I hate. So I am going with the mild upset in this game. Most of the experts seem to think that Tennessee is not ready for type of game, but I heard that before the Cal game. Next thing I know, Tennessee is up 35-0 in a hurry. Look for Tennessee's defense to outshine Florida's for the win.

NR Michigan State-30 @ #37 Pitt-27
I suppose this will constitute as an upset since Michigan State is not ranked. Both teams have been impressive through two weeks, but I think the Spartans have more talent than the Panthers. Besides, Michigan State is always impressive during their first five games of a season before their yearly collapse.

#41 Iowa State-20 @ #16 Iowa-14
Year after year, Iowa is the favorite in this bitter rivalry. However the Cyclones have won 6 of the last 8 meetings against the Iowa Hawkeyes. I like the upset special once again, as my "favorite college football team named for a weather term" pulls off another stunner.

#11 Virginia Tech-52 @ NR Duke-3
Just for fun I decided to pick the score for what I believe will be the blowout of the week. I also take comfort in thinking about Duke, a team I loathe, getting crushed. If the Hokies score early and often before the starters come out, they may put up 60.