Last week's record: 10-2
Overall: 21-5
No. 19 Ole Miss at Auburn (Line: Ole Miss -7)
We know the "landsharks" defense play well at home, but Ole Miss has struggled with opposing offenses on the road. The Rebels have given up 38 points per game in three contests away from home. Auburn, which is supposed to have a high-octane offense, is starting to find some rhythm behind QB Sean White. The sharks may smell blood in the water, but I smell an upset brewing on the Plains. Auburn 31, Ole Miss 27
USC at Cal (Line: USC -5.5)
The Golden Bears have lost two straight after starting the year 5-0. Jared Goff still remains one of the better quarterbacks in the game, but he'll have to step it up against this USC defense. Southern Cal heads north after knocking Utah from the ranks of the unbeatens last Saturday. There is a fire and passion in the Trojans that just wasn't there with Steve Sarkisian leading the way. Expect the momentum from last week's upset to carry over in a big way. USC 41, Cal 27
No. 12 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (Line: Oklahoma State -2.5)
This is such a tricky game for Oklahoma State. Texas Tech is still gasping for air after being run over by the Sooners to the tune of 400-plus yards on the ground and 63 points. Aside from blowout wins against mediocre-at-best teams, the Pokes have been lackluster in games against mid-tier competition. It's part of the reason they are unbeaten in a power conference and ranked outside the Top 10. OSU can't run the football (96th rushing offense) and Tech can't stop the run (125th rushing defense). Lubbock on Halloween might play a factor early, but the Cowboys have more talent and are better coached. Oklahoma State 44, Texas Tech 24
No. 3 Clemson at NC State (Line: Clemson -10.5)
NC State has the uncanny ability to play one spectacular game a year, typically against a top-ranked opponent. This is that game. Well, sort of. The Wolfpack are 5-2, but 1-2 against Power 5 teams with the one win coming against Wake Forest last week. Clemson, on the other hand, is picking up steam. The Tigers' offense is nothing like the 'Pack has seen this season. The last time Clemson lost as to an unranked opponent? That was November 19, 2011 when the Tigers were No. 7 in the country and lost ...at NC State. Since then, Clemson has reeled off 35 straight wins over unranked opponents, a streak that ranks second only to Alabama (58). NC State may play its best game of the year and give the Tigers an early scare on Halloween, but this one won't be close. Clemson 48, NC State 17
Maryland at No. 10 Iowa (Line: Iowa -17)
The schedule from here on out is as easy as it gets for the Hawkeyes. Iowa just needs to manage its way through without any slip-ups. The Terrapins come in after dropping a heartbreaker against Penn State last week, 31-30. Iowa's defense shouldn't have much trouble in this one. Iowa 27, Maryland 14
Georgia vs. No. 11 Florida (Line: Florida -2)
Both teams had bye weeks in preparation for the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. The atmosphere in this one rivals any bigtime college game, with the teams splitting tickets down the middle - Orange and Blue on one side, Red and Black on the other. Mark Richt could be coaching for his job, fair or not. Georgia started the year in the Top 10 and has fallen out of the rankings. The Dawgs have lost two of their last three - a 9-6 win over Missouri being the bright spot - and another loss to Florida would drop Richt's record to 5-10 against the Gators. In this game, whatever's supposed to happen doesn't happen, so Georgia may pull it off. I just can't pick it. Florida 27, Georgia 21
Miami at No. 22 Duke (Line: Duke -13)
A new era begins in Miami after the Hurricanes fired Al Golden following last week's blowout loss to Clemson, the worst in school history. Awaiting them is Coastal Division favorite Duke. That's right, the Blue Devils are the popular pick right now to win the division, which would be their second crown in three years. We'll discuss that more next week when Duke takes the eight-mile trek up Tobacco Road to take on the Tar Heels. For now, they just need to weather the storm, pun intended. Duke 29, Miami 16
Vanderbilt at No. 18 Houston (Line: Houston -12)
Many experts agree that Houston is the best team of the remaining unbeaten Group of 5 teams. A win over an SEC opponent is always a good thing. But this is Vanderbilt and won't carry much weight for the Playoff Committee. Still, the Cougs get it done rather easily. Houston 42, Vanderbilt 14
No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 21 Temple (Line: Notre Dame -10.5)
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| Temple hosts its biggest game when Notre Dame - and College GameDay - visits Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy Getty Images) |
The game of the week resides in Philadelphia and the Eagles are not involved. Notre Dame heads to the City of Brotherly Love for a game nobody saw coming. ESPN's College GameDay will be on hand, as the undefeated Owls go for a signature win. Temple might be a good story, but the Irish are a legitimate Playoff threat. The crowd will be emotionally charged and that will carry the Owls through the first part of the game. After that, talent and skill takes over. Notre Dame 33, Temple 21
No. 8 Stanford at Washington State (Line: Stanford -10.5)
Surprise, surprise. Mike Leach has his band of Cougs playing some good football. Winners of five of six, Washington State hosts Stanford with the fate of the Pac-12 North on the line. Much has been made of the defensive depth issues at Stanford. We know Leach likes to sling the ball around the yard and he's finally found a quarterback who can do that. Stanford, though, has been playing lights out and seems on a mission. This one will be closer than the experts think. Stanford 45, Washington State 38.
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