Big weekend that some are calling "Separation Saturday" across college football. Let's get to the picks!
No. 17 Iowa at No. 20 Northwestern
Sneaky good game early in the Big Ten. Northwestern looking to bounce back at home after being exposed by Michigan last week. Iowa tries to remain unbeaten for a miraculous season. Expect the Hawkeyes to pull it off here. Iowa 24, Northwestern 17
West Virginia at No. 2 Baylor
West Virginia gave Baylor its only regular season loss last year. This is a revenge game for the Bears at home. Baylor big. Baylor 59, West Virginia 27
No. 13 Ole Miss at Memphis
Tricky game for the Rebels, although much of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium will be full of red. Big game for undefeated Memphis with a chance to add a gold star to the résumé. Just a tad too much talent from the visitors. Ole Miss 42, Memphis 34
Louisville at No. 11 Florida State
Hangover game for FSU, coming off a win over its rival and having a noon kickoff here. Louisville, still trying to get back on track, is searching for a signature win. This could be it in Tallahassee, but only if Everett Golson turns the ball over. Close, but no cigar. Florida State 27, Louisville 17
No. 10 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M
Texas A&M finally has a chance to prove who they are. Their win over Arizona State in the opener is losing value and the rest of their schedule is brutal. Are the Aggies for real? Meanwhile, Alabama is playing Jekyll & Hyde. At Georgia, they looked determined. Against Arkansas, they looked frazzled until late in the game. Expect the Tide to play their best game. But so will the Aggies. Alabama 38, Texas A&M 35
No. 7 Michigan State at No. 12 Michigan
Game of the weekend? Perhaps. Michigan looks like it is back. The job Jim Harbaugh has done with a complete 180 turnaround is spectacular. But this game won't be easy. The Spartans own the recent history - winners of 6 out of 7 - and aren't afraid of "Big Brother" anymore. Slight edge to the Wolverines, though, because it's in the Big House. Michigan 27, Michigan State 24
No. 19 Oklahoma at Kansas State
This game feels like it has the potential to catapult or derail OU's season. After losing to Texas, the Sooners face an uphill battle with the best of the Big 12 yet to come. The SnyderCats are reeling after back-to-back blown leads to Oklahoma State and TCU. Oklahoma hasn't lost in Manhattan under Bob Stoops (5-0). He makes it 6-0. Oklahoma 34, Kansas State 24
No. 8 Florida at No. 6 LSU
The build-up to this game lost its luster when the NCAA suspended Gator QB Will Grier for a year after a failed drug test. Backup Treon Harris has proven he's a liability. Plenty of "DBU" trash-talk in this one, but the night game in Deaf Valley (yes, that's its original name) will prove too much for Florida. Oh yeah, and there's that Leonard Fournette guy. LSU 28, Florida 17
No. 3 TCU at Iowa State
Trap game for TCU, coming off the emotional comeback win at K-State. Iowa State always plays up to its competition and the Cyclones will be fired up for this one. Too much Trevone Boykin, who continues to his Heisman campaign. TCU 55, Iowa State 10.
Boston College at No. 5 Clemson
BC boasts the nation's best defense, statistically. Offensively, though, the Eagles are worse off than Paul Johnson's Yellow Jackets. BC has scored one touchdown in three conference games this season and will be starting a first-year QB in a night game in Death Valley. It's a tricky game for Clemson because of BC's physicality, but this one won't be close. Clemson 41, BC 9
Missouri at Georgia
The loser of this one is effectively eliminated from the SEC East race. Both teams have two conference losses - Georgia still has to play Florida; Missouri has several trip-up games left. If this game were in Columbia, Mo., the Tigers might have a chance. But, the Dawgs are an angry bunch following two-straight losses. Georgia 31, Missouri 17
USC at No. 14 Notre Dame
Credit Brian Kelly and the Irish for sticking to their game plan despite all the injuries suffered. One wild finish at Clemson is the difference between ND being in the Top 3. USC on the other hand is a mess. I don't see this one being that close and it will be the cherry on top of the Trojans' week. Notre Dame 35, USC 17
Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State
Just over here waiting on Ohio State to show me why they are the supposed No. 1 team in the land. The Buckeyes need a statement win. Not that beating Penn State is a huge accomplishment these days, but winning big over the Nittany Lions will validate the rankings. Penn State took OSU to double OT last year and has steadily improved this season after the opening week loss to Temple. Closer than the experts think. Ohio State 33, Penn State 24
Arizona State at No 4 Utah
The Utes are out to prove this season is no fluke. Arizona State is out to prove they deserved their No. 15 preseason ranking. Even with five interceptions against Cal, Utah barely hung on to remain unbeaten last week. The Sun Devils already have one upset road win at UCLA. We'll call this the upset special of the week. Arizona State 37, Utah 30
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