PTF: Prediction Time Friday - Week 5

BENched is back to its winning ways after an 11-2 week. There's another exciting weekend on tap with three top 10 games and a new feature on PTF - the GAME OF THE WEEK will be highlighted in this weekly post. This week it involves Clemson, so yours truly hasn't slept a wink. On to the picks!

2016 BENched PTF Record

Last Week: 11-2

Overall: 37-14 (.725 win %)

*Rankings below reflect the AP Top 25

Friday

No. 7 Stanford at No. 10 Washington (Line: Washington -3.5)
Stanford pulled out a win at UCLA by the skin of its teeth. This may be Chris Peterson's best chance to bring Washington back to prominence. The Huskies gotta go through the reigning conference champs and All-World All-Purpose King Christian McCaffrey. Huskies 26-23

Saturday

No. 14 Miami at Georgia Tech (Line: Miami -7)
BENched wonders if anyone in Atlanta cares to tell Paul Johnson that it is 2016 and only the service academies still run the triple-option offense. No? Suits me - and Brent Venables - just fine. Former Georgia coach and current head Cane Mark Richt is something like 78-2 against Georgia Tech. Canes 41-17

No. 22 Texas at Oklahoma State (Line: Oklahoma State -2.5)
The road team has won seven straight in this series. Yet somehow Oklahoma State, the home team, is favored to win. C'mon, Vegas. You're better than that! Horns 34-30

North Carolina at No. 12 Florida State (Line: Florida State -11)
Wonder if UNC's receivers will show up wearing robes again - and nothing underneath! No one would want to sleep on them anymore ... HA! Sometimes I make myself laugh. You know who doesn't? Future LSU head coach Jimbo Fisher. Noles 49-34

No. 11 Tennessee at No. 25 Georgia (Line: Tennessee -3)
How is Georgia still ranked? I mean, are the voters even watching the Dawgs? If not for a 35-point second half last week, we'd be talking about Tennessee being the most overrated team ... again. Also, how did UT give up 28 points to Florida? Mind-boggling. Vols 27-13

No. 8 Wisconsin at No. 4 Michigan (Line: Michigan -11)
Big one at the Big House. Wisconsin has already beaten LSU on a not-so-neutral field and manhandled Sparty in East Lansing. A second straight trip to the mitten state might not be so kind. The Speight kid's alright. Jabrill Peppers - better than alright. Big Blue 35-24

Wake Forest at NC State (Line: NC State -11)
Undefeated Wake Forest. I'll let that sink in because it probably won't last long. Although, NC State did lose to East Carolina who got beat by offensively-challenged South Carolina and had its pirate ship blown apart at Virginia Tech. Devil Pastors 24-17

Kansas State at West Virginia (Line: West Virginia -3)
"Country roads take me home to the place I belong..." Any excuse to sing that song is a good one. Also, there's this: How do you know the toothbrush was invented in West Virginia? Because if it had been invented anywhere else it'd be called the TEETHbrush! I'll be here all week. I really wanna pick the SnyderCats in this one, but... One-toothers 31-27

Oklahoma at No. 21 TCU (Line: Oklahoma -3.5)
September was rough for the Sooners, but hey, they've had the best week of practice ever, according to sources. TCU led SMU 6-3 at halftime last week and for much of the year hasn't looked like a contender. Of course, neither has OU. Ponies and Wagons 52-44

Memphis at Ole Miss (Line: Ole Miss -14.5)
Revenge of the ner ... umm, Mississippians are not nerds. I'll need to come up with a different angle for that. Memphis laid it on the Rebels last year. No chance that happens again. Not nerds 47-20

Missouri at LSU (Line: LSU -13)
The turf at Tiger Stadium gets to live its life without fear! No more grass-eating Les Miles on the sidelines. Ed Orgeron takes over and has vowed to change up the offense. There's talent on the LSU sidelines including that Leonard Fournette guy. Bayou Bengals 35-17

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 Louisville at No. 5 Clemson (Line: Louisville -2)
I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. Am I really gonna do this? Cards 37-33 **BENCHED ENTERS WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM**

Clemson needs to figure out how to stop this guy from attending the volleyball match Friday night.
Oh, and how to stop the guy in the football uniform on the field Saturday night.
(Photo courtesy Charleston Gazette-Mail)

Arizona State at USC (Line: USC -10)
Before I go off the grid, one more pick. Arizona State is 4-0. USC is 1-3. Vegas has USC by 10. DID THEY TURN OFF THE OXYGEN IN THOSE CASINOS? Pitchforks 41-30

PTF: Prediction Time Friday - Week 1

Welcome back, College Football. It's so good to see you again!

Cal knocked off Hawai'i 51-31 in Australia to get the season started a week ago. There were more teams in action last night as Tennessee thwarted an Appalachian State upset with a come-from-behind overtime win, South Carolina stunned Vanderbilt, and Minnesota topped Oregon State in a Big Ten/Pac-12 battle, among other games Thursday.

For those new to the blog, every Friday will be my #PTF, or Prediction Time Friday. On occasion, I'll make picks a day early with some intriguing Thursday night games (i.e. - Sept. 22 when Clemson visits Georgia Tech), but the opening weekend to 2016 is all about Friday through Monday.

I had a decent record picking games in 2015, but I'm looking to build on that this season. With very little to go off of, and plenty of exciting matchups, it will be tough to get off to a good start. But I'll give it my best! Here's the run down on what's being hailed as the best opening weekend in college football ever.

2015 BENched PTF Record (includes bowl picks): 87-38 (.696 win %)

*Rankings below are the AP Top 25

Friday

Kansas State at No. 8 Stanford (Line: Stanford -14.5)
Bill Snyder's Wildcats head to NoCal to open the season. The trip sounds great minus the whole having to deal with Christian McCaffrey thing. Although the Cardinal will be breaking in a new quarterback, the all-purpose king of college football McCaffrey will lead Stanford to a big win.
Stanford 41, Kansas State 13

Colorado State vs. Colorado (Line: Colorado -8.5) - at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo.
Rocky Mountain Showdown
Nothing like an in-state rivalry to get the season started. The upstart Buffaloes may be a surprise team in college football this year. The two have alternated wins for five years, with Colorado winning a 27-24 overtime thriller in 2015. CSU may be in the running for a Big 12 expansion spot, but don't think they are quite ready for Power 5 football.
Colorado 27, Colorado State 14

Saturday

Georgia Tech vs. Boston College (Line: Georgia Tech -3) - at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland
Set your alarm clocks and grab a pint of Guinness! It'll be top o' the morning stateside when the Yellow Jackets and Eagles kickoff from Ireland (7:30 am EDT). This is one of the only conference tilts on the schedule in Week 1. Georgia Tech is looking to rebound from a dismal 3-9 season and should do so as it returns dynamic quarterback Justin Thomas. BC is simply searching for an ACC win after going 0-8 in 2015. We know BC's defense will be stout, but can Kentucky transfer Patrick Towles provide a spark to the Eagles' offense?
Georgia Tech 30, Boston College 17

No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 15 Houston (Line: Oklahoma -11.5) - at NRG Stadium in Houston
Coming off a New Year's Six bowl victory in the Peach Bowl against Florida State to cap a 13-win season, the Houston Cougars are looking to solidify themselves among college football's top programs in 2016. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. returns as one of the premier playmakers to lead UH's offense. On the flip side, the Sooners return a loaded backfield with Baker Mayfield, Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. There might not be a better offensive backfield trio in the country. Oklahoma got a taste of the CFB Playoff last season and is hungry to get back.
Oklahoma 44, Houston 34

No. 5 LSU vs. Wisconsin (Line: LSU -11) - at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc.
Will Leonard Fournette do the Lambeau Leap? Not if Les Miles has anything to do with it. The Hat laid down the law on the touchdown celebration, which is sad really. LSU is going to score a lot of touchdowns.
LSU 35, Wisconsin 17

No. 16 UCLA at Texas A&M (Line: Texas A&M -3)
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen made waves earlier this week when asked about the crowd noise at Kyle Field. Rosen was asked about playing in front of 100,000 people and he simply said after 50,000 the noise is all the same. Don't expect the farmers to greet the "Rosen One" with their usual "Howdy!" This game was already interesting as UCLA is a Pac-12 South favorite and the Aggies will get their first glimpse of OU transfer Trevor Knight behind center. It will be hot, humid and extremely loud in College Station.
Texas A&M 31, UCLA 27

Mitch Trubisky leads North Carolina into the Bulldogs' backyard
for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against Georgia.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

No. 18 Georgia vs. No 22 North Carolina (Line: Georgia -2.5) - at Georgia Dome in Atlanta
Heralded junior QB Mitch Trubisky gets his first start in a Tar Heel uniform. All he did in a secondary role last season was complete 40-of-47 passes (85.1%) for 555 yards and six touchdowns with no picks. All the playmakers are back for the Heels, but it won't be the offense that is the problem. Remember the last time out for the UNC defense - Baylor rushed for 645 yards in the bowl game. Nick Chubb should be licking his chops. The Georgia Dome will be rocking as the Bulldogs make the hour trip from Athens, along with their faithful who filled up Sanford Stadium to the tune of 93,000 for the Red and Black Spring Game. New top Dawg Kirby Smart named Greyson Lambert his starting signal-caller. Buckle up for this one. It has potential to be the best game of the weekend.
Georgia 38, North Carolina 37

No. 20 USC vs. No. 1 Alabama (Line: Alabama -11.5) - at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
The history of - and between - these two schools should not be overlooked. USC thumped Alabama 42-21 in Tuscaloosa in 1970. Then-head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant had not recruited black athletes, whereas the Trojans were integrated and running back Sam Cunningham tore up the Tide defense. Bryant changed his ways the next season. A brief history lesson there, but Saturday night in Arlington won't be very historical. Nick Saban and the reigning champion Crimson Tide start an entirely new offensive backfield, but may have the best defense in football once again. This will be the fifth season Saban begins the year with a first-year starting quarterback. The previous four resulted in a combined 52-4 record with three national titles. I can't see this one being close.
Alabama 42, USC 14

No. 2 Clemson at Auburn (Line: Clemson -7.5)
Probably the nation's most talked about team this offseason was the Clemson Tigers. Offensively, it's been discussed ad nauseam that the ACC Tigers return virtually everyone including Heisman front-runner Deshaun Watson. There are some question marks on defense, but most think this team will develop quickly and make another run at the Playoff. Auburn, however, is soul searching after back-to-back sub-par seasons by SEC standards. Gus Malzahn enters on the hot seat. A big home loss to open the season could turn up the flames quickly.
Clemson 44, Auburn 24

BYU vs. Arizona (Line: BYU -1) - at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Heartbreak hit Tucson this summer when Arizona lost a senior offensive lineman who was found dead one morning. Certainly his teammates will be playing with heavy hearts, and BENched would like to send its condolences to the Wildcat Family. On the field, we know Rich Rod's offense will be fast and BYU will see what it can get out of Taysom Hill. The oft-injured, sixth-year quarterback has been brilliant in his career when he's remained healthy. Should be a nice night-cap to the full day of games, if you can stay up late for it.
BYU 34, Arizona 31

Sunday

No. 10 Notre Dame at Texas (Line: Notre Dame -3.5)
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly seemingly will implement a two-quarterback system with DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire splitting duties. The Irish hope someone steps up to provide some consistency. At Texas, Charlie Strong joins Malzahn as a coach on the hot seat to start the year. Another sub-.500 record and Strong will be searching for a new job. Will his job security lie in the hands of a true freshman quarterback in Shane Buechele? More than likely, yes. He's sort of Colt McCoy 2.0. But how much of Colt and not Case McCoy he is remains to be seen. Don't be surprised if the Horns pull off the upset.
Notre Dame 27, Texas 21

Monday

No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 4 Florida State (Line: Florida State -4.5) - at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
Labor Day Night closes out the weekend with a bang. Ole Miss is in all kinds of hot water with the NCAA, something Florida State knows a little bit about. Chad Kelly proclaimed himself as the best quarterback in college football at SEC Media Days. The Rebels will need someone to step up on offense because his trusty go-to receiver Laquon Treadwell is in the NFL and Ole Miss lost the majority of its offensive line. Kelly could be running for his life against a talented FSU front. The Noles have a redshirt freshman quarterback - not unlike 2013 - as Deandre Francois has been named the starter. Luckily for Francois, he has one of the nation's best backs to hand the ball of to in Dalvin Cook. Could be wrong here, but the belief is the Rebels' time has passed.
Florida State 28, Ole Miss 24

-BtW

PTF: Prediction Time Friday - Championship Week

Are we really at the final weekend of the season? Man, where did this fall go? Four of the Power 5 conferences host their championship games this weekend, while the other (Big 12) has already had its title decided. There's a lot on the line this weekend for multiple teams. How will it shake out and who after the weekend is headed to the College Football Playoff?

Last week's record: 12-7

Overall: 69-29 (.704 win %)
*Rankings below are CFB Playoff Committee rankings

Friday
MAC - Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois - At Detroit (Line: Bowling Green -12)
One last round of #MACtion. Northern Illinois backed its way into the title game after losing at Ohio to close the season then saw Toledo fall. Bowling Green is tied for fourth in the country at 44 points per game. There will probably be a lot of points scored ... it is #MACtion after all. The Falcons will score more. Bowling Green 47, Northern Illinois 30

Saturday
AAC - No. 22 Temple at No. 19 Houston (Line: Houston -6)
Tom Herman agreed to remain Houston's head coach and that alone is enough reason to believe the Cougars will roll in this one. Temple hasn't been the same since its loss to Notre Dame. The Owls are still a very good team, but they must travel for this one. Houston steamrolled past Navy last week and will carry that momentum into this one on its way to a New Year's Six Bowl. Houston 37, Temple 27

Conference USA - Southern Miss at Western Kentucky (Line: Western Kentucky -7.5)
Jeff Brohm has been another candidate for several head coach openings, but the Hilltoppers' coach said he's committed to WKU. Both teams missed out on chances to pull the upset against Power 5 teams earlier in the year. Aside from Southern Miss' flop at Marshall, both teams have dominated conference play. It could be another shootout. Western Kentucky 52, Southern Miss 49

SEC - No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 18 Florida - At Atlanta (Line: Alabama -18)
When Alabama and Florida get together for the SEC Championship Game, it just feels right. The Tide and Gators have met eight times with the conference crown on the line. The only real intrigue in this one is whether Florida's defense can slow down Derrick Henry for four quarters. No one has been able to do so, yet. But none of the defenses Alabama has faced compare to the Gators. Florida's inept offense won't be able to do much against Bama's D. This one should be over early. Alabama 35, Florida 7

Mountain West - Air Force at San Diego State (Line: San Diego State -6.5)
It's great to see one of the Service Academies with a chance to shine on a big stage. Troy Calhoun and the Falcons head west where the upstart Aztecs. SDSU reeled off eight straight wins to close out the regular season. Air Force won five in a row before losing at New Mexico last Saturday. Air Force's option offense will cause problems for San Diego State, which hasn't seen anything like it all season. Should be a good game that many will miss due to the final three games of the day. Air Force 34, San Diego State 31

Pac-12 - No. 7 Stanford vs. No. 20 USC - At Santa Clara (Line: Stanford -4.5)
Stanford defeated USC way back in September, 41-31, and the two teams went in opposite directions for a while. The Cardinal won their next six and have an outside shot at a Playoff berth. The Trojans lost two of their next three and found themselves with an interim coach (Clay Helton), who has now had the interim tag removed. Southern Cal clawed back to win the Pac-12 South over rival UCLA last week and not many are giving them a chance in Stanford's back yard. Christian McCaffrey is the best player on the field and that will be the difference. Stanford 28, USC 24

Big Ten - No. 4 Iowa vs. No. 5 Michigan State - At Indianapolis (Line: Michigan State -3.5)
A de facto play-in game for the College Football Playoff, the Big Ten Championship Game has plenty of intrigue. Can Iowa stay undefeated, or will Michigan State punch its ticket to the Playoff? Will the winner look impressive enough to move into the No. 3 spot. Spartan QB Connor Cook is the reason MSU is here and the senior leader looks to claim his second Big Ten Championship. Although the Hawkeyes are undefeated, they haven't been tested like the Spartans have. Michigan State 31, Iowa 17

Dabo Swinney can lead Clemson to an ACC title
and a Playoff berth with a win against North Carolina.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

ACC - No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 10 North Carolina - At Charlotte (Line: Clemson -5)
Perhaps the game of the weekend goes to the ACC. All the questions and build-up to this one have the Playoff Committee on edge. A Clemson win and they can rest easy. A Tar Heel win and the Playoff unveiling set for noon Sunday may have to be pushed back several hours - or days - to allow the Committee enough time to decipher the Top 4. The two quarterbacks in this game have received all the spotlight, and rightfully so. Clemson's Deshaun Watson is up for Heisman consideration and Marquise Williams has been nothing short of spectacular for 11 straight games for the Heels. But the defenses will be the key and that's where the Tigers have the advantage. UNC hasn't seen a defense like Clemson's all season. The Tigers have a few bumps and bruises, but they'll be ready to slow down the Tar Heel attack. Should be a dandy and might turn into a shootout. Clemson 41, North Carolina 34

-BtW

PTF: Prediction Time Friday - Week 13

We've arrived at Rivalry Week. After going 22-8 the past two weeks, I'm feeling some confidence as we enter the home stretch before bowl season. This week should be fun. Tons of great games, ranked matchups, and sure-to-be upsets with rivalries taking the stage. The slate is filled with both in-state and cross-border rivalry games (rivalry nicknames in italics below), so many more to choose from than normal. I'll give it my best!

Last week's record: 12-3

Overall: 57-22 (.722 win %)
*Rankings below are CFB Playoff Committee rankings

Friday
No. 15 Navy at Houston (Line: Navy -4)
No rivalry to speak of here, but an important game nonetheless. The first of several winner-take-all battles this weekend takes place in Houston. Navy, whose only loss is to Notre Dame, will earn its first trip to the AAC Championship Game with a win. Houston suffered a major setback with its loss at UConn last week, but can also clinch the AAC West title with a win. Keenan Reynolds has perfected the art of the triple-option offense and has the Midshipmen eyeing a unprecedented New Year's Six Bowl appearance. Navy 38, Houston 27

No. 4 Iowa at Nebraska (Line: Iowa -2)
Battle for the Heroes Trophy (Series: Nebraska leads 29-13-3)
Nebraska has won three of the four matchups since the Huskers joined the Big Ten, including an overtime thriller at Iowa a year ago. Iowa hopes to keep its perfect season alive and remain in contention for a Playoff berth. A loss in Lincoln would be tough to overcome (or would it Michigan State?). The Huskers could be the only team to knock off both the Hawkeyes and Spartans. Meh, maybe not. Iowa 35, Nebraska 20

No. 20 Washington State at Washington (Line: Washington -7)
The Apple Cup (Series: Washington leads 69-32-6)
This one has surprise written all over it, as the Cougars are 8-3 and poised for a 10-win season if they can beat Washington and win a bowl game. The game, however, is in Seattle and the Huskies are looking to becoming bowl eligible. WSU QB Luke Falk is questionable after suffering a concussion a week ago. Still, Mike Leach's teams love to sling it and UW has been flaky this season (flaky enough to give head coach Chris Petersen a two-year extension Thursday). Washington State 38, Washington 34

Oregon State at No. 17 Oregon (Line: Oregon -36)
The Civil War (Series: Oregon leads 62-46-10)
The Ducks have looked much improved since the return of Vernon Adams Jr., winning five in a row to climb back into the rankings. Oregon knocked off Stanford two weeks ago and blew out USC last week. The line on this one is all you need to know. Oregon 62, Oregon State 17

No. 7 Baylor at No. 19 TCU (Line: TCU -1.5)
The Revivalry (Series: Baylor leads 52-51-7)
This one was circled on Big 12 calendars throughout Texas. And then Seth Russell went down. So did Trevone Boykin. And Josh Doctson. And both teams have lost (TCU twice). Baylor needs this more than the Frogs to keep its conference hopes alive. The Bears have won each of the past two meetings by three points, including last year's 61-58 barn-burner. Both teams have gone to their third-string quarterbacks, but Chris Johnson looks more like Cardale Jones. We'll see how good Boykin is in his return. Baylor 41, TCU 27

Saturday
No. 1 Clemson at South Carolina (Line: Clemson -17)
The Palmetto Bowl (Series: Clemson leads 66-42-4)
On paper, this shouldn't be close. Clemson is one of the most balanced, dominant teams in the game. Meanwhile, South Carolina's only win since Steve Spurrier left is over Vanderbilt. However, the Gamecocks' four losses sans Spurrier have all been by 10 points or less. They're a feisty bunch, but facing a Heisman hopeful QB and a team determined to not let anyone get in its way is a monumental task. It's a rivalry game. It's at South Carolina. This will be Shawn Elliott's last game as SC's head coach. Throw out the record books. Yada yada. Closer than the experts think. Clemson 40, South Carolina 24

Georgia at Georgia Tech (Line: Georgia -4)
Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate (Series; Georgia leads 64-40-5)
Another in-state rivalry game that on paper looks like a mismatch. But Georgia Tech's triple option offense evens the scales a bit. Mark Richt could very well be coaching for his job in this one. After the season the Dawgs have had, losing a second straight game to the Yellow Jackets might be the end of a pretty good run at UGA for Richt. Georgia 34, Georgia Tech 28

Louisville at Kentucky (Line: Louisville -4.5)
The Governor's Cup (Series: Kentucky leads 14-13)
These two Bluegrass State schools are more known for their battle on the hardwood, but the fierce rivalry extends to the gridiron. Louisville is currently riding a four-game winning streak in the series. The Cats won four in a row prior to that, and the Cards won four in a row before that. Which Louisville team will show up Saturday? And can Kentucky get to bowl eligibility under Mark Stoops? Louisville 24, Kentucky 14

No. 8 Ohio State at No. 10 Michigan (Line: Ohio State -1)
The Game (Series: Michigan leads 58-46-6)
Ohio State had its 23-game winning streak snapped last week - and then all hell broke loose in the Buckeyes locker room. Now, they head to the Big House. Yikes. Michigan has won four in a row to keep its Big Ten East Division hopes alive. The Wolverines are perhaps the most complete team Ohio State will face this season. And we saw what Michigan State did to them last week. I'll take the coach who's smashing Buckeye nuts on Bo Schembechler's grave. Michigan 20, Ohio State 17

Virginia Tech at Virginia (Line: Virginia Tech -3.5)
The Commonwealth Cup (Series: VT leads 54-37-5)
Virginia Tech has won 11 in a row in this series and looks to send Frank Beamer out with one more win over the Cavaliers. Beamer is 19-9 against UVA. The Hokies are favored, but Virginia played its best game a week ago in a win over Duke. Sometimes you just have to go with history and history tells us this game belongs to Beamer. Virginia Tech 21, Virginia 10

Penn State at No. 5 Michigan State (Line: Michigan State -11)
Battle for the Land Grant Trophy (Series: Tied 14-14-1)
My how the Big Ten world turned with one kick. Ohio State was the defending champs and headed toward another College Football Playoff. Then, Sparty happened. Michigan State has defeated Michigan and Ohio State on the road and led for exactly 0:00 of game time. Don't expect the Spartans to get tripped up. MSU is on its way to Indianapolis and Mark Dantonio can proclaim he has the best program in the Big Ten. Michigan State 31, Penn State 13

No. 14 North Carolina at NC State (Line: North Carolina -5.5)
Carolina-State Game (Series: North Carolina leads 65-33-6)
North Carolina isn't getting a lot of respect for myriad reasons. But the Heels have looked as good as anyone in the country and Gene Chizik has done a 180 with the defense. Look out. NC State is much better than its 7-4 record. Remember, too, the Wolfpack dropkicked UNC last year, 35-7. This one's in Raleigh and the Pack can spoil a great season for the baby blues. NC State 38, North Carolina 35

No. 2 Alabama at Auburn (Line: Alabama -14.5)
The Iron Bowl (Series: Alabama leads 43-35-1)
Two years ago was the "Kick 6." Auburn went on to play for a national title and it appeared the tide (pun intended) had turned in the SEC West. Then, Alabama dropped 55 points on the Tigers last year and now Auburn limps in with a 6-5 record. Derrick Henry is a beast and Alabama's defense has been great against some mediocre offenses. But the Tide, in my eyes, aren't as other-worldly as everyone proclaims. Alabama 33, Auburn 26

No. 22 UCLA at USC (Line: USC -3)
The Crosstown Rivalry (Series: USC leads 44-31-7)
Figure these two teams out. UCLA starts the year 4-0 and looks like it could be a factor. Then, the Bruins went 4-3 with losses to Arizona State at home and at Stanford and Washington State. USC, on the other hand, lost early to Stanford, then Washington, then Notre Dame before reeling off four straight wins including a stunner against Utah. The Trojans, though, were blown out by Oregon last week, so who knows with these two teams. It's at USC, but the Bruins have won three in a row and none have been close. UCLA 41, USC 28

No. 18 Ole Miss at No. 21 Mississippi State (Line: Ole Miss -1)
The Egg Bowl (Series: Ole Miss leads 62-43-6)
Aside from running into a brick wall against Alabama, Mississippi State has been on a roll on offense and Dak Prescott is at the center of it all. He's playing his final game in Starkville and is looking to atone for the upset that took place a season ago. Chad Kelly and Ole Miss picked up momentum with their win over LSU last week. The cowbells will be ringing loud in what could be another classic Egg Bowl. Mississippi State 43, Ole Miss 42

No. 13 Florida State at No. 12 Florida (Line: Florida State -2.5)
The Florida Cup (Florida leads 34-23-2)
FSU has won four of the last five in this series and goes up against an offensively-challenged Gator team in The Swamp. In two of its past three games, Florida needed a last-minute field goal to beat Vanderbilt, 9-7, and was taken to overtime by Florida Atlantic before prevailing 20-14. Dalvin Cook can up his Heisman candidacy with a solid game against the Gators' vaunted defense. Jim McElwain tried to light a fire under his team by calling them out for a lack of emotion. There will be plenty of that flowing in this one. Florida State 24, Florida 13

Texas A&M at LSU (Line: LSU -5.5)
(Series: LSU leads 30-20-3)
Could this be Les Miles' last game at Tiger Stadium? Who would've thought that before this season? Well, Miles has a way of getting the best out of his players when their backs are against the wall and questions are abound. Add in that the Aggies only wins since Oct. 17 are against South Carolina, Western Carolina and Vanderbilt, and it's easy to see Texas A&M is a fraud despite its 8-3 record. Leonard Fournette should have a big game. LSU 38, Texas A&M 20

No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 9 Stanford (Line: Stanford -4)
The Legends Trophy (Series: Notre Dame leads 19-10)
The game everyone has waited for to finally see whether Notre Dame is worth a darn or not. We know they barely lost to Clemson, but that's been about all the Irish can proclaim to this point. Stanford has been led by Heisman contender Christian McCaffrey, who looks the part of the best all-around football player. A win here and next week in the Pac-12 title game over UCLA or USC at the very least puts the Cardinal back in the conversation for a Playoff. They just need chaos to ensue ahead of them. Stanford 35, Notre Dame 28

When it comes to OU-OSU, expect, well, bedlam.
(Photo courtesy tvnooz.com)

No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Oklahoma State (Line: Oklahoma -7)
Bedlam (Series: Oklahoma leads 84-18-7)
Four of the past five Bedlam games have produced some of the wackiest results. I guess that's why they call it Bedlam. The Sooners jumped into the Playoff Top 4 in this week's rankings and can solidify their spot with a third straight win over a ranked opponent (second on the road). OSU was exposed by Baylor last week and simply does not have a running game. The weather is expected to be cold and wet, possibly freezing rain/sleet/who knows what else. That bodes well for the Crimson and Cream machine of Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. Oklahoma 27, Oklahoma State 21

PTF: Prediction Time Friday - Week 12

I got back on the plus side with a double-digit win week. Four of the Top 10 teams fell last week, so upsets we aplenty. This week will provide a few more Top 10 teams falling with two Top 10 battles. Along the way, there very well could be more upsets and shakeups in the polls. As is customary, I'll pick each of the Top 10 teams' games along with the other top games of the weekend. On to the picks!

Last week's record: 10-5

Overall: 45-19 (.703 win %)
*Rankings below are CFB Playoff Committee rankings

No. 21 Memphis at Temple (Line: Memphis -1.5)
Despite two straight losses, the Memphis Tigers remain in the Playoff Committee Top 25. Temple, which lost to South Florida can take a step closer to locking up a spot in the AAC title game. The Owls' loss is puzzling, given how well they played against Notre Dame. Now, they return home to host Paxton Lynch and a pretty good Tigers team. Could be another down-to-the-wire game for the AAC. Temple 34, Memphis 31

Florida Atlantic at No. 8 Florida (Line: Florida -31)
The first of many SEC cupcake games in November. FAU is bad and the Gators will use this week to prepare for a date with hated-rival Florida State. Florida 44, Florida Atlantic 6

No. 12 Michigan at Penn State (Line: Michigan -3.5)
White-out games at Penn State are a spectacle in the sport. But Michigan lucked out, as this game will be at noon and not at night. Happy Valley will still be hoppin'. It's a trap game for the Wolverines in the sense that they could have an opportunity to knock off Ohio State for a division title next week. To get there, though, they have to get past the Nittany Lions. Christian Hackenberg has never transformed into the QB we thought he'd be. PSU will rely on its defense to keep it within striking distance. Michigan 27, Penn State 17

No. 17 North Carolina at Virginia Tech (Line: North Carolina -5.5)
Hokie fans get to say goodbye to Frank Beamer. When Enter Sandman plays and Virginia Tech makes its way through the tunnel, Lane Stadium will jolt into a frenzy like never before. The emotions in this one, though, will only carry VT so far. North Carolina is playing at a different level and Marquise Williams isn't showing signs of slowing down. The Heels clinch a spot in the ACC title game with a win. North Carolina 45, Virginia Tech 21

Purdue at No. 5 Iowa (Line: Iowa -23)
Iowa is better than people are giving it credit for, but Purdue is no measuring stick. The Hawkeyes shouldn't have any trouble in this one. If they do, it's only because they get caught looking ahead to a showdown at Nebraska next week. Iowa 28, Purdue 10

No. 9 Michigan State at No. 3 Ohio State (Line: Ohio State -13.5)
This one has been circled on the calendar for a long time. It's finally here, but it's lost some luster due to the Spartans loss and an injury to quarterback Connor Cook. Even if Cook plays, it's going to be up to the defense to slow down Ohio State. Something tells me Urban Meyer has been holding back and is ready to unleash what we saw in the Buckeyes' final games a season ago. It also sets up a huge clash next week in the Big House. Ohio State 40, Michigan State 17

Things could get chippy between the Buckeyes and Spartans.

No. 15 LSU at No. 22 Ole Miss (Line: Ole Miss -6.5)
What happened to Leonard Fournette? Well, it's not all on him. He has been the victim of terrible offensive line play the past two games and it's a reason LSU has fallen from No. 2 to No. 15. This week doesn't get any easier with a trip to Ole Miss. In the last two weeks, the Rebels have lost in heart-breaking fashion and been idle, yet somehow fell out of the rankings, then climbed back to No. 22. I guess whatever's best for Alabama, right? Another topic, another day. For now, Les Miles has his back against the proverbial wall. How will he and his bunch respond? Ole Miss 27, LSU 21

No. 20 Northwestern at No. 25 Wisconsin (Line: Wisconsin -10)
Northwestern hasn't fallen off the map after the first half of the season, so there's some progress for Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats. A trip to Camp Randall Stadium to take on a Badger team whose only losses are to No. 2 Alabama and No. 5 Iowa is a tough task. The Wildcats have won their last three games by a combined 11 points after being destroyed by Michigan and Iowa by a combined 78-10. Bowl positioning is at stake and Wisconsin is looking for another 10-win season. Wisconsin 34, Northwestern 24

UCLA at No. 13 Utah (Line: Utah -1.5)
Utah received bad news this week when it was announced that running back Devontae Booker will undergo knee surgery and miss the rest of the season. The Utes still have plenty of weapons and haven't lost at home this season. UCLA, on the other hand, can swipe control of the Pac-12 South and have won 11 of 12 on the road. Because of Utah's loss at Arizona last week, the Bruins - and technically USC - can win the division by winning out. It all rests in freshman sensation Josh Rosen's hands, er, on his right arm. UCLA 35, Utah 23

No. 24 USC at No. 23 Oregon (Line: Oregon -4)
The Ducks shocked Stanford last week and are now a Cardinal loss to Cal away from causing Pac-12 North chaos. Of course, that requires Oregon getting past USC in what was billed in the preseason as a Pac-12 title game preview. Most likely not anymore, but still a good one nonetheless. The Trojans had a couple extra days to prepare coming off their Thursday night win at Colorado, but another long trip to a raucous environment gives Oregon the edge. The two quarterbacks, Cody Kessler for USC and Vernon Adams for Oregon, will be intriguing to watch. Oregon 41, USC 31

Wake Forest at No. 1 Clemson (Line: Clemson -29)
Clemson's defense has taken a beating the past few weeks, perhaps a sign of the lack of depth the Tigers have. Offensively, not many teams are better. Clemson, led by Deshaun Watson, has posted over 500 yards in six straight games and won all six by double-digits since back-to-back wins by three and two over Louisville and Notre Dame, respectively. With Wake Forest coming to Tiger Town for Senior Day, it's a chance for Dabo Swinney's club to work out the kinks before the showdown with Palmetto State rival South Carolina. Although, every time this season I've thought Clemson would win big, it was closer than expected. Clemson 45, Wake Forest 17

Charleston Southern at No. 2 Alabama (Line: Alabama -20.5)
Why? Seriously, why is this game being played in the second to last week of the regular season? Alabama 52, Charleston Southern 14

No. 10 Baylor at No. 6 Oklahoma State (Line: Oklahoma State -1)
Baylor's quarterback situation is one to watch. With Seth Russell out, all the focus is on freshman Jarrett Stidham. It's been reported that Stidham is still banged up from taking a beating by the Sooners last week. That means Shock Linwood is likely to play a bigger role. Baylor's mettle will be tested because the Bears' hopes and dreams of a perfect season were dashed. Can they do the same to the Cowboys, who remain as the Big 12's lone unbeaten? JW Walsh and Mason Rudolph have responded to Mike Gundy's two-quarterback system brilliantly. The Pokes could use a big win to set up an epic Bedlam game next week. Oklahoma State 49, Baylor 35

No. 18 TCU at No. 7 Oklahoma (Line: None due to injuries)
OU celebrated beating Baylor as if it had won much more than just another game. I don't think that's a problem, but there's still two big ones to play. Baker Mayfield has been nothing short of spectacular. With TCU falling off a cliff, and the Horned Frogs' two stars injured - QB Trevone Boykin and WR Josh Doctson - this is right there for the taking for OU. Oklahoma 51, TCU 27

Boston College vs. No. 4 Notre Dame (Line: Notre Dame -15.5)
The coolness factor of this one being played at Boston's iconic Fenway Park is reason enough to check out some of this game. That and the rivalry between the only two Catholic schools in major college football. Notre Dame can't get caught looking toward the season finale at Stanford. Boston College lacks an offensive identity. The Eagles will do their best to protect their backyard, even as the "visiting" team. But the Irish are just too talented. Notre Dame 34, Boston College 20

-BtW

PTF: Prediction Time Friday - Week 10

Welcome to the beginning of the best month in college football. All the hoopla, all the showdowns, all the guts, glory, and everything else. November will certainly be remembered in 2015. The College Football Playoff Committee released its first rankings Tuesday. Of course there was controversy abound. The teams, however, will settle it on the field as we move closer and closer to the second College Football Playoff. Lots to decipher between now and then. Let's get to it, shall we?

Last week's record: 8-2

Overall: 29-7
*Rankings below are CFB Playoff Committee rankings

No. 5 Notre Dame at Pittsburgh (Line: Notre Dame -8.5)
DeShone Kizer, CJ Prosise and Will Fuller have led the Irish to strong wins since falling short at Clemson. Notre Dame since has defeated Navy, USC and Temple, the latter a comeback bid on the road against a gritty Owl team. Now, ND travels to the western side of Pennsylvania against another gritty opponent, the Pitt Panthers. Pitt's two losses are to teams with a combined 15-1 record (Iowa and UNC). The talent on the Irish sideline will be too much for Pitt to handle, although Pat Narduzzi's squad keeps it close. Notre Dame 31, Pitt 20

Duke at North Carolina (Line: North Carolina -7.5)
Duke is coming off a wild, stunning, inexplicable loss to Miami that's received enough attention already. Now, the Blue Devils must go into the house of their hated rival. The Victory Bell - and much more - is on the line in this one. The Tar Heels has been rolling since their opening weekend loss. Marquise Williams is proving to be a strong leader for Larry Fedora's offense. The Tar Heels have their sights on their first ACC Coastal Division title, but must go through Duke to get it. North Carolina 45, Duke 42

No. 11 Stanford at Colorado (Line: Stanford -16)
A tricky trip to the Rocky Mountains for Stanford here. Colorado is much better than its 4-5 record. The Buffaloes nearly knocked off UCLA last week and are playing inspired football. Stanford was sluggish int he first half at Washington State last week, but used a second half surge to upend the Cougs. Kevin Hogan needs Christian McCaffrey to be more involved this week. The early start (10 AM PST) could also affect the Cardinal, as it did in their only loss earlier this year at Northwestern. Stanford 35, Colorado 17

Vanderbilt at No. 10 Florida (Line: Florida -21)
Florida needs a win to clinch its first berth in the SEC Championship since 2009 - you know, the Tim Tebow years. The Gators' only blemish to date is a tough seven-point loss on the road at current No. 2 LSU. Treon Harris hasn't been spectacular, but with the Gators defense playing the way it is, he just has to be effective enough to put the offense in the end zone once or twice. That shouldn't be a problem in The Swamp against Vandy. Florida 32, Vanderbilt 9

No. 16 Florida State at No. 1 Clemson (Line: Clemson -11)
This one should be fun to watch. Clemson, ranked No. 1 for the first time since following the 1981 season, is playing its first game in Death Valley as the No. 1 team in the land. Deshaun Watson has the offense humming. The Tigers have scored 58 and 56 points in their last two games and gained over 500 yards in four straight games. Here comes big, bad FSU. The Noles and their talented defense have knocked off the Tigers three straight years and are the only thing standing in the way of a special season in Upstate South Carolina. Will Everett Golson or Sean Maguire start at QB? How will Dalvin Cook do against Clemson's vaunted defense? Surprise, surprise: Rain, and lots of it, is in the forecast. Clemson 30, Florida State 24

No. 9 Iowa at Indiana (Line: Iowa -7)
There are 10 unbeatens remaining in college football and Iowa has a legitimate shot at showing up to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship with a zero in the loss column. The Hawkeyes just keep doing their thing under Kirk Ferentz. They win with an ugly offense and a stout defense. Indiana, however, can play spoiler. They nearly upset Ohio State in Bloomington and trailed Michigan State by just two in the fourth quarter before the Spartans went on a 24-0 run to close the game. That was Indiana's last game and the Hoosiers had a bye week to prepare for Iowa. The upset alert siren is sounding loud. Indiana 41, Iowa 37

Arkansas at No. 18 Ole Miss (Line: Ole Miss -10.5)
LSU might be undefeated, but Ole Miss controls its destiny in the SEC West. The Rebels need to get by Arkansas, then have a bye week to prepare for LSU to visit Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Chad Kelly hasn't been as in control for the Rebs as he was to start the year. However, Ole Miss' defense has turned it around since giving up 37 points to Memphis. Arkansas will ground and pound it to try to play keep-away. Running back Alex Collins had five touchdowns a week ago against UT-Martin and quarterback Brandon Allen is slowly showing he has grasped Bret Bielema's offense. The Hogs will challenge Ole Miss, but that won't be enough to walk away with a win. Ole Miss 31, Arkansas 20

No. 8 TCU at No. 14 Oklahoma State (Line: TCU -5)
Defense optional anyone? These two offense can light up the scoreboard and the operator at Boone Pickens Stadium will have to try to keep up. This is the first of six huge games in the wild month for the Big 12. Trevone Boykin is on a mission to get to New York for the Heisman ceremony - and hopes to come back to Fort Worth with the trophy. Boykin and the Frogs looked rusty in a 23-17 season-opening win at Minnesota. Since then, TCU has averaged 52.5 points a game. Oklahoma State? Well, the Cowboys have scored 58 and 70 in their two games since a midseason bye week. Don't blink in this one. TCU 59, Oklahoma State 49 

No. 7 Michigan State at Nebraska (Line: Michigan State -6)
Is the Nebraska football program headed for some dark years? The Huskers could be on their way to a three-win season. Ouch. Michigan State is out to prove its undefeated record should be taken seriously. Quarterback Connor Cook is 31-3 as a starter for the Spartans, so walking into historic Memorial Stadium in Lincoln shouldn't faze him. Many wonder if first-year Nebraska head coach Mike Riley made a mistake changing scenery from Oregon State. After Saturday night, he might here it louder from the sea of red than he has all season. Michigan State 41, Nebraska 21

Auburn at No. 19 Texas A&M (Line: Texas A&M -7)
It's hard to figure out either of these teams, really. The Tigers were preseason darlings to win the SEC with a Heisman candidate at quarterback. That QB has been benched and Auburn is 4-4 with its only SEC win a three-point victory over Kentucky. The Aggies once again started 5-0, but lost by a combined 38 points to Alabama and Ole Miss in back-to-back weeks. They defeated South Carolina last week, but only by seven. A win by A&M could send it toward a four-game winning streak to set up a clash with LSU. An Auburn loss could mean the Tigers are hanging by a thread for bowl eligibility. Texas A&M 34, Auburn 27

No. 12 Utah at Washington (Line: Washington -1)
For the second time this season, Utah hits the road as an underdog against an unranked opponent. In the previous outing, the Utes lost to USC. Utah running back Devontae Booker should eclipse 1,000 yards rushing in this game (needs 34 to do so), which would be his second straight season going over that mark. Washington is fresh off a beatdown of Arizona, 49-3. The Huskies are playing with confidence after losing two straight to Oregon and Stanford. In fact, UW's only conference wins are against Pac-12 South foes (USC and Arizona). Vegas gets it right again. Washington 34, Utah 31

Minnesota at No. 3 Ohio State (Line: Ohio State -24)
Perhaps the only storyline in this one will be the play of Cardale Jones. The former third-stringer turned starter for the National Champion turned benched QB is now back in charge of the Buckeyes offense, thanks to an alcohol-related citation for JT Barrett. Ohio State seemed to have figured it out on offense with Barrett behind center. Can Jones keep the train rolling? Meanwhile, Minnesota started the year as a dark horse Big Ten candidate, but has since fallen back to mediocrity and lost head coach Jerry Kill due to health concerns. A heartbreaker last week against Michigan plus the road trip will be too much for the Gophers to handle. Ohio State 38, Minnesota 10

When it comes to LSU-Alabama, expect pain.
(Photo courtesy US Presswire)

No. 2 LSU at No. 4 Alabama (Line: Alabama -6.5)
It seems like every year this game gets billed as the "Game of the Century." Partly due to the two teams are just that good, and party due to the media love affair with the SEC. Les Miles always has his team up for this game. Leonard Fournette has a chance to prove he's NFL ready now against Bama's defense. On the other side, Derrick Henry is a bruiser that can likewise put on a show against a salty defense of the Tigers. This one could come down to quarterback play between Bama's Jake Coker and LSU's Brandon Harris. Let's be honest, though. This will be 3-3.5 hours of bone-crunching, trash-talking goodness. LSU 24, Alabama 20

PTF: Prediction Time Friday - Week 9

Just as last week showed, it doesn't take premier matchups to provide us with entertaining games. For the second week in a row, there will be only one game between ranked teams. Half the Top 10 teams are safe with bye weeks, and No. 5 TCU already won Thursday. However, the rest of the college football world should be on alert. Upset alert.

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)

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. 

PTF: Prediction Time Friday - Week 8

A fluke play and a couple upsets were all that stood between me and a perfect week of picks. I whiffed on Ole Miss being more talented than Memphis. Utah's 20-point fourth quarter derailed my upset special. And then there was the Blunder at the Big House.

That's OK. I'll take an 11-3 week and move right along. This week presents a challenge as only two Top 25 teams play each other. There will likely be upsets. But who will fall?

Iowa State at No. 2 Baylor
Poor Iowa State. Paul Rhodes' teams typically play up to one opponent each season. Could that have been last weekend when they were tied at 21 with TCU? Perhaps. But don't expect the Cyclones to waltz into McLane Stadium and slow down this group of Bears. Baylor QB Seth Russell and WR Corey Coleman have connected on 16 TD passes already this season. Guess here is they get a few more Saturday. Baylor continues to roll over weak opponents, setting up that brutal November stretch. Baylor 65, Iowa State 14

No. 6 Clemson at Miami
This is the game that has to worry Clemson fans more than any remaining game on the schedule. Sure, FSU is a much more talented and tougher team. But if the Tigers want to keep the "C" word away, it can ill-afford a let down here. These two have met four times since Miami joined the ACC and the road team has won each game. Three of the four were won in overtime. The noon start means it will be a weak crowd - well, the fact that it's in Miami means the crowd will be lacking. Dabo Swinney brought a new acronym to the fold - BYOE for Bring Your Own Energy. The Canes are in search of a signature win. Al Golden could use this to keep his job for at least another week. Miami's backs are against the wall here. I just think Clemson and its progressing offense led by Deshaun Watson, is focused on redefining "Clemsoning." Clemson 37, Miami 27

No. 23 Duke at Virginia Tech
Duke, one of just four ranked ACC teams, can stick a dagger in the Hokies' season. The job David Cutcliffe has done in Durham is spectacular. He's had the Blue Devils in ACC Coastal contention the last two years, winning the division in 2013, and now we find out how good Duke will be this season. The meat of their schedule is still ahead of them. It starts in Blacksburg against a Hokie team with a few black eyes. Virginia Tech has lost three of four, including gaining just 100 yards against Pitt and struggling to get anything going at Miami. Duke boasts the nation's No. 4 defense, a category Virginia Tech used to roam in the Top 10 year after year, but not so much anymore. The Devils win in a slugfest. Duke 17, Virginia Tech 10

Indiana at No. 7 Michigan State
Indiana gave a scare to Ohio State a few weeks ago. Michigan State needed a miracle to stay unbeaten. Sparty went from 10 seconds from being beaten by their in-state rival to epically etching their name in college football lore. They'll have to refocus this week to ensure they avoid a letdown against the Hoosiers. I'd give Indiana a fighting chance if this was in Bloomington. Michigan State 34, Indiana 20

Tennessee at No. 8 Alabama
What used to be known at the "Third Saturday in October" rivalry is being played on the fourth Saturday in October. The Vols have had two weeks to prepare for their trip to Tuscaloosa. Tennessee had a chance to enjoy its thrilling win over Georgia two weeks ago. The Tide have been up and down this season - losing at home to Ole Miss, dominating Georgia, struggling with Arkansas, and laying the hammer on Texas A&M. This would be the week they take a step back, if the trend continues. It won't. Alabama 28, Tennessee 16

Texas Tech at No. 17 Oklahoma
Baker Mayfield against his former squad. Which Oklahoma team will show up - the one who flopped against Texas or the one who walloped Kansas State? It's air raid vs. air raid. Two teams and a scoreboard operator are about to get a workout. The difference here is OU's defense. The Sooners had their mettle tested following the loss to the Longhorns. They answered the bell in a big way in the Little Apple. In the end, this back and forth affair should fall the Sooners' way. Oklahoma 48, Texas Tech 41

Western Kentucky at No. 5 LSU
What a weird game for Oct. 24. First, why is LSU playing Western Kentucky in the middle of the season? Secondly, the 6-1 Hilltoppers shouldn't be taken lightly. WKU already has one win over an SEC team (albeit, Vanderbilt). They may give LSU fits into the second half, but let's be honest, Leonard Fournette will have the final say. If he can get 180 yards on Florida's defense, I don't see any way Western Kentucky can find a way to stop him. LSU 45, Western Kentucky 31

No. 9 Florida State at Georgia Tech
The trap game of all trap games. Florida State looked to put it together last week in the second half against Louisville. The light bulb turned on for Everett Golson and Dalvin Cook did Dalvin Cook things. Now comes a night game in Atlanta against five-straight-loss Georgia Tech and the triple-option attack that has given the Noles fits in recent years. In the past, this game is one Georgia Tech bowed up and pulled off the stunning upset. I just think FSU isn't the type of team to let that happen. A win gives the Noles their 29th straight ACC win, a feat only accomplished by ... Florida State from 1992-95. Florida State 24, Georgia Tech 17

No. 15 Texas A&M at No. 24 Ole Miss
The only matchup of the week between ranked teams is a head-scratcher. How is Ole Miss still ranked after the beatdown in Memphis? Since knocking off Alabama and rising to No. 3, the Rebels have wins over Vanderbilt and New Mexico State and were embarrassed at Florida and stunned by the AAC Tigers. The Aggies, on the other hand, just threw another pick-6 to Alabama's defense. I'm not sold on Texas A&M and even a win here wouldn't prove much. But I do think they get it done in Oxford. Texas A&M 41, Ole Miss 35

No. 3 Utah at USC
Many have this pegged as the upset of the week despite the oddsmakers believing in USC and pitting them as a three-point favorite. USC is back home after playing an inspired game in South Bend against rival Notre Dame. Despite the loss, the Trojans proved they will fight for their interim coach the rest of this season. Utah is the surprise team in college football. The Utes are the only unbeaten team in the Pac-12. They have five wins over teams with winning records. Is this where the clock strikes midnight for Cinderella? USC 35, Utah 31

No. 1 Ohio State at Rutgers
JT Barrett finally gets the start for the top-ranked Buckeyes. His leadership and abilities outweigh Cardale Jones'. I fully expect this offense to light it up this week. If they do, Ohio State should get a firm grip on the No. 1 ranking because this is the team we all expected the Buckeyes to be. The Scarlet Knights have been in disarray all year with injuries, scandals, and who knows what else is going on. Just don't see them hanging around long in this one. Ohio State 60, Rutgers 20

Washington at No. 10 Stanford
Stanford looks like a team on a mission. That mission: To prove their opening game loss to Northwestern was a complete and utter fluke. Washington, coming off the loss to Oregon, can't be feeling good about itself. The Huskies are running into a machine. Christian McCaffrey should have another Heisman-esque game and the Cardinal have scored 40-plus points in all four Pac-12 games. Chalk up another one. Stanford 49, Washington 17

Stanford's Chris Owusu made the catch of the year last Thursday against UCLA.
(Photo courtesy Pac-12.com)

-BtW