Each week this season, I will be posting a column previewing the upcoming weekend's Big East and Top-25 match-ups. All rankings are from the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. Picks are against the spread (that means I'm not picking winners, just the line), and are for entertainment purposes only.

Last Week: Well it had to happen sooner or later. We're not exactly the '65 Sooners.

This Week: It's a big week in the Big Twelve, as four of the big guns square off. Also, the SEC East will be decided in the Swamp, and the annual Catholics vs. umm … Catholics … match-up in South Bend.

Not in Action: #15 Clemson

#1 Oklahoma (-10.5) @ #24 TEXAS A&M

Everyone's just assuming that Oklahoma is going to walk right on into the B-12 title game. Texas A&M is no pushover, especially at home … just ask Kansas State. They've got a nasty defense and a capable, if not spectacular, offense. If they can keep this one close, the Aggies have a real shot.

Pick: Oklahoma

#2 MIAMI(FL) (-21) vs. Pittsburgh

OK, now that was humbling. Miami will look to pour it on, in order to avoid a BcS screw job, but UPitt might not be the best team to do it against. Last week's puzzling loss to UNC notwithstanding, the Panthers should be able to put up some points against the Canes.

Pick: UPitt

#3 Florida State (-47) @ Weak Forest

Well, a 47 point spread is a pretty hard one to pick. I mean really, one or two late oh-by-the-way TDs is all it would take to screw this one up. And that could be from either side! Yuck! Good ole boy Bobby's never been shy about RUTS-ing, so I'll go with the Noles.

Pick: FSU

#4 FLORIDA (-14) vs. #25 South Carolina

With a week off to rest up and devise a game plan, I think Mr. Holtz might be able to make this one a little more interesting than Vegas is guessing.

Pick: Gamecocks

#5 Nebraska (-4) @ #11 KANSAS STATE

Last time they went to Manhattan, the Huskers lost. Now Kansas State is not as strong this year as they were in '98, but Nebraska has some rather pronounced flaws of their own. KSU has may struggle with the spread offenses of the likes of Oklahoma and Texas Tech, but this program was built with the singular goal of beating Nebraska. Should be an interesting game.

Pick: Nebraska

#6 WASHINGTON (-7) vs. UCLA

Amazingly, no single Pac-Ten game was decided by more than six points last weekend. Now that’s parity!

Pick: UCLA

#7 OREGON (-13) vs. California

Almost there…Oregon passed UDub in the AP poll, with any luck they could do it this week in this one also. Cal's a pretty lousy team, except for RoboPunter, but it will take more than field position to beat the Ducks at home.

Pick: Oregon

#8 Virginia Tech (off) @ CENTRAL FLORIDA

I know it's not really fair, but UCF will pay for the transgressions of their brothers to the South.

Pick: VT

#9 Purdue (-8.5) @ MICHIGAN STATE

Well, in a game reminiscent of the classic BYU-SDSU clashes or yore, Northwestern knocked Michigan out of contention for the top-10. If Michigan State can get their act together (doubtful!) and take down Purdue, then my bit about no Big Ten teams in the top-10 may come true yet. Some say this shows how strong the league is, that no team can make it through unscathed. I say it points to how every team in the conference has serious flaws.

Pick: MSU

#10 Oregon State (+1) @ ARIZONA

Talk about no respect. A top-10 team an underdog to an unranked opponent. Sure, playing at Arizona isn't a whole lot of fun, but pul-eese!

Pick: OSU-NW

#12 NOTRE DAME (-9.0) vs. Boston College

Let me count the reasons why I'm pulling for BC in this one:

1. A 3-loss Notre Dame team doesn't go to a BcS bowl.
2. Always root against Notre Dame
3. Always root for Big East teams out of conference.
4. Always root against Notre Dame
5. The more Big East teams that go bowling, the better.
6. Always root against Notre Dame

There are probably more, but I don't want to sound toooooo petty. On the down side, BC's quarterback is out. Bummer. Good thing they've got a good running back!

Pick: Boston College

#13 Georgia (+1.5) @ #23 AUBURN

And the first Peach Bowl champion of the new millennium is!………

Pick: Gawgia

#14 Ohio State (-7) @ ILLINOIS

Boy, two bad calls by the officials and the wheels really fell off at Illinois didn't they? tOSU is puttering along nicely, thank you very much, and might squeek out a BcS bid if things fall just ever so rightly.

Pick: OSU-mW

#16 MISSISSIPPI STATE (-7) vs. Alabama

Anyone out there watch the LSU-Bama game last week? Yup, Bama actually had a call turned over after an official watched a replay on a jumbotron. Scary…

Pick:

#17 TCU (-13) vs. Fresno State

Well, I hope it was a fun ride! SJSU came up big and managed to play defense for the very first time all season. Hey, at least this answered a couple of questions. TCU is out. USM is out, and so Notre Dame loses their means of automatic entry. Oh, and the Heisman's going to a QB this year for sure.

Pick: TCU

#18 Northwestern (-12.5) @ IOWA

Northwestern = Minnesota Vikings? All offense, no defense, and when the offense is slowed they lose. Iowa = Arizona Cardinals. No, wait, not the Cardinals. More like the Bungles, or maybe the Falcons. Yeah! The Falcons! Either way, they sure ain't Scottish. (If it's not Scottish, it's ____)

Pick: Vikes!

#19 Texas (-13) @ KANSAS

Uh-oh, Chris Simms gets to start again, haven't we been through this before? I remember something about a directional-Louisiana school taking a 10-0 lead on the Horns.

Pick: Kansas

#20 Colorado State (-3.5) @ AIR FORCE

CSU in a walk. There are few weaker, winning teams in I-A than Air Force.

Pick: Colorado State

#21 MICHICKEN (-16) vs. Penn State

This was one hell of a game … yesterday.

Pick: Wolverines

#22 Southern Mississippi (-10) @ UAB

I guess the pollsters must not think that much of Louiseville either. I mean 7-2 isn't bad, but losing to them cost USM 9 spots.

Pick: USM

Syracuse (-9.5) @ TEMPLE

At 4-5, Temple needs to win their last two games (UPitt is their last) to become bowl eligible. Too bad, I thought they perhaps might have been able to do it. Coaching genius Paul Pasqualoni finally realized that Troy Nunes wasn't getting the job done, and benched him. Lo and behold, the Orange actually won a road game! Will miracles never cease?

Pick: Cuse

West Virginia (-15) @ RUTGERS

Goodbye Mr. Nehlan, it was nice knowing you.

Pick: WVU

Game of the Week to Watch: Okie-aTm is my choice…

Upset Special: Boston College over Notre Dame

Last Week: 9-9-2

Season to Date: 111-109-2

Upset Special: 3-8