Weekend Picks, Week 10

By Tim Cottrell
Sports Writer/Designer
Published: October 30, 2008

There are numerous games this week in which I have virtually no idea. Should be fun. As always, AP Top 25 and SEC games

Last week: 17-7
Overall: 153-47

Today
No. 24 South Florida at Cincinnati
I was beginning to get a bit high on the Bearcats before they got pantsed at Connecticut last week. South Florida 28, Cincinnati 14

Saturday
No. 1 Texas at No. 6 Texas Tech
I don’t really want to pick them here, but when you think of the variables: Texas playing the last of a daunting stretch of games, Texas Tech playing its biggest game ever at home, Mike Leach being pretty good at night ambushes, and the fact that the Red Raiders come in pretty fresh, I’m reluctantly calling for the upset. Texas Tech 65, Texas 59 (couple of OTs)

Arkansas State at No. 2 Alabama
If the Tide wants to be sure it holds off Penn State they can’t even appear to struggle here. And Saban will know that and make sure of it. Alabama 42, Arkansas State 16

Nebraska at No. 4 Oklahoma
This rivalry just isn’t what it was (and not just because they don’t play every year). Oklahoma 45, Nebraska 21

No. 5 Florida vs. No. 8 Georgia (at Jacksonville, Fla.)
There are a lot of reasons to like Florida and not like Georgia here, but I think when it comes down to it this game will be won in the trenches, and I don’t know if Florida can win a game physically. Georgia 28, Florida 24

No. 7 USC at Washington
Willingham’s finally gone. USC 55, Washington 14

Iowa State at No. 9 Oklahoma State
THE FIGHTIN’ CHIZIKS ARE IN TROUBLE. OKLAHOMA STATE 44, IOWA STATE 14

No. 10 Utah at New Mexico
This could be a bit tricky for the Utes, especially with their showdown with TCU looming next Thursday. Utah 31, New Mexico 23

No. 11 Boise State at New Mexico State
New Mexico State will pass for lots of yards and lose handily. Boise State 38, New Mexico State 21

No. 12 TCU at UNLV
See: Utah at New Mexico; TCU 27, UNLV 7

No. 14 Missouri at Baylor
Baylor’s frisky. Missouri 49, Baylor 28

Tulane at No. 15 LSU
I maintain that LSU should’ve committed to about five games in a row in this series in the Superdome. LSU 37, Tulane 3

No. 16 Florida State at Georgia Tech
FSU appears to be moving back. But, given their track record, I don’t like them against a team like this on the road. Georgia Tech 24, Florida State 17

No. 17 BYU at Colorado State
The Rams aren’t very good. BYU 34, Colorado State 10

No. 19 Tulsa at Arkansas
The Hogs get Houston Nutt one week and Gus Malzahn the next! (This is one of several games I’m picking one way because I’m horrified of not doing it) Tulsa 35, Arkansas 28

Northwestern at No. 20 Minnesota
Mr. Gopher’s Wild Ride ends here. Northwestern 30, Minnesota 24

Wisconsin at No. 22 Michigan State
The Badgers may or may not be on the way back, and the Spartans will definitely have some letdown potential after finally dispatching Michigan. Michigan State 17, Wisconsin 16

No. 23 Oregon at California
I don’t like either of these teams, but Cal is only on its second quarterback, and not its 13th. California 37, Oregon 31

Auburn at Ole Miss
I hate this game. Ole Miss isn’t a particularly good team, but is playing well. Auburn should be a pretty good team, but is terrible. While the record is at 5-5, you could say that Houston Nutt owns Tommy Tuberville (Tubs should probably lead 7-3 or 8-2). Ole Miss can set itself up nicely to get to a bowl, but Auburn needs this just to get to one. And there’s always the chance that the Auburn team that should’ve been here all along will show up. I’m going with the Rebels just because I’ll kick myself less than if I picked Auburn. Ole Miss 21, Auburn 20

Kentucky at Mississippi State
Another game I hate. The Wildcats are banged up though, and the Bulldogs will take it to them. Mississippi State 13, Kentucky 10

Tennessee at South Carolina
Hate hate hate. Tennessee is terrible, but South Carolina really is, too. But I’ll take the Ball Coach here, I guess. South Carolina 21, Tennessee 14