Weekend Picks, Week 8

By Tim Cottrell
Sports Writer/Designer
Published: October 24, 2009

No Top 25 or SEC games until today, and still I barely make it in time.

Not a good week for the Huddle Blog last week. But I promise a big-time rebound this go-round. Although this strikes me as a week with the potential for several big upsets (I just don’t know which ones), so it might be an even worse week for me.

Last week: 14-8
Overall: 129-38

As always, AP Top 25 and SEC games.

Today
Tennessee at No. 1 Alabama
I fear for Jonathan Crompton’s sanity and safety in this one. Alabama 24, Tennessee 7

No. 2 Florida at Mississippi State
There are reasons to think upset here, and I wouldn’t be completely blown away to see it happen (I can’t believe I’m typing those words). But Florida is just way too good for that to happen, aren’t they? Florida 34, Mississippi State 24

No. 3 Texas at Missouri
Ugly homecoming for the Tigers. Texas 42, Missouri 20

Oregon State at No. 4 USC
With most USC teams you’d think this would be a nasty blowout, and it may. But this USC team is not most. USC 27, Oregon State 17

Louisville at No. 5 Cincinnati
The Steve Kragthorpe Farewell Tour stops in Cincy. Cincinnati 38, Louisville 17

No. 6 Boise State at Hawaii
This one doesn’t have quite the drama of Boise’s last trip to the Aloha State. Boise State 41, Hawaii 7

No. 7 Iowa at Michigan State
Sparty seems like the perfect candidate to end the Hawkeyes’ run. Michigan State 19, Iowa 16

Clemson at No. 8 Miami
It’s always scary to pick Clemson games. But I’m believing in the Canes right now. Miami 34, Clemson 21

Auburn at No. 9 LSU
If this were on the Plains, Auburn would have a chance. No way in Death Valley. LSU 28, Auburn 14

No. 10 TCU at No. 16 BYU
The Horned Frogs are just better. TCU 24, BYU 20

No. 11 Georgia Tech at Virginia
Groh-tober has to end here, doesn’t it? Georgia Tech 34, Virginia 13

No. 12 Oregon at Washington
Huskies are dangerous at home, but the Ducks seem to have figured things out. Oregon 28, Washington 20

No. 13 Penn State at Michigan
I’m not crazy about the Nittany Lions, but the talent gap is just way too big in this game for them to lose. At least you’d think so. Penn State 34, Michigan 27

No. 14 Oklahoma State at Baylor
Cowboys could be in trouble here. Maybe. But probably not. Oklahoma State 38, Baylor 31

SMU at No. 17 Houston
Old-school SWC rivalry. Houston 48, SMU 37

Minnesota at No. 18 Ohio State
The Buckeyes had better start getting things figured out if they want to not tank this season. Ohio State 20, Minnesota 9

Air Force at No. 19 Utah
I’m feeling upset here. Air Force 30, Utah 27

South Florida at No. 20 Pittsburgh
Never bet on Wannstache in even a semi-big game. South Florida 23, Pittsburgh 17

Texas A&M at No. 21 Texas Tech
Aggie fans get to be even more angry at Mike Sherman. Texas Tech 49, Texas A&M 14

Connecticut at No. 22 West Virginia
An inspiring win could be possible here for the Huskies, but West Virginia is a much better team. West Virginia 31, Connecticut 13

Vanderbilt at No. 23 South Carolina
No way Spurrier loses to Vandy three times in a row. South Carolina 21, Vanderbilt 3

No. 25 Oklahoma at No. 24 Kansas
Stoops and company will unleash mighty fury on the Jayhawks. Oklahoma 45, Kansas 24

Arkansas at Mississippi
This will be a fun game. I really don’t know how it’ll go, but I’m leaning the Hogs’ way. Arkansas 31, Mississippi 24

Louisiana-Monroe at Kentucky
I could not be less interested in this game. Kentucky 35, Louisiana-Monroe 10