THURSDAY, 10/1

The word of the day is "payback". That's P-A-Y-B-A-C-K. Can you say "payback" children? I knew you could...

Pick: Syracuse

#1 OHIO STATE (-14) vs. #7 Penn State

Both teams had a bye week before this game. Penn State looked weak against UPitt, but that might have just been JoePa playing possum ... but they do have a team heavy on the underclassmen ... and they've been blown out on their last two trips to Columbus.. OSU, on the other hand, has been rolling over everything in their path. They have an experienced, senior-laden squad with it's eyes fixed firmly on the prize. At home, in the horseshoe, OSU continues the trend.

Pick: OSU

#2 Nebraska (-27) at OKLAHOMA STATE

After beating Washington 55-7, Nebraska has proven that when healthy, they can name the score against pretty much any team in the nation.

Pick: UNL

#4 UCLA (-23.5) vs. Washington State

Wazzou has quietly gone 3-1 in the post-Leaf era. UCLA has all kinds of pent up energy after Miami was canceled. I still think 23.5 is a bit excessive.

Pick: WSU

#5 Tennessee (-7) at AUBURN

Will be a long year on the plains. UT got over their major hurdle already, and unless they slip into cruise control, the rest should be gravy. (How's THAT for mixing metaphors?)

Pick: Tennessee

#6 LSU (-8.5) vs. #12 Georgia

Georgia has looked solid on defense, but the "O" has been sketchy early on. LSU has been the exact opposite. Tough one to call, but I like LSU at home.

Pick: LSU

#8 Florida (-16) at ALABAMA

Last week against Arkansas, the wheels fell off for Alabama. They better get fixed quick, because there's a blue and orange Mack truck headed straight for them.

Pick: Gators

#9 WAHOO STATE (-27) vs. San Jose State

With loss here, Cavaliers likely headed for 4-7 season

Pick: SJSU

#10 Florida State (-28.5) at MARYLAND

One ACC doormat has already beaten FSU this year. That's about where this will stop.

Pick: FSU

#13 Wisconsin (-9) at INDIANA

Some are saying that Wisconsin might be the 2nd best team in the B-10. I say "whoop-tee-do!" Indiana is commonly referred to as the "soft underbelly" of a Big Ten schedule.

Pick: Badgers

#14 Arizona (+2) at #20 WASHINGTON

UDub was bounced out of the MNC race last week, but they're still in it for the Pac Ten title. This game could be an early elimination match.

Pick: Zona

#15 Colorado (-3.5) at OKLAHOMA

Colorado is the single most overrated team in the top-25, and everyone knows it. That says a lot in a poll with KSU ranked 3rd, and Notre Dame ranked period. Let's put it this way: Oklahoma is a bad football team. The line opened with CU only 6 point favorites. In two days enough people have bet on Okie that the line is now at 3.5. I'll do them one better, I don't think CU's gonna win at all.

Pick: Oklahoma

#17(t) West Virginia (-15.5) at NAVY

WVU looking to win the AMC (All Maryland Conference) title with victories over both UMuD and Navy.

Pick: West Virginia

#19 Texas A&M (-14) at KANSAS

Just a few games into the season, and Kansas is already playing out the string.

Pick: Aggies

#21 MISSOURI (NL) vs. Eastern Podunk State University

Missouri attempting to pull a fast one on poll voters by scheduling Northwestern STATE. Nothing gets by "Eagle Eye" Beerman however...

Pick: Missouri

#22 SOUTHERN CAL (-3) vs. Arizona State

With one conference loss already, ASU's destiny is not theirs to control. This could be the Sun Devils' last chance to salvage their season. Good teams rise to such an occasion. I wrote something along these lines after ASU's last-second loss to Washington in their opener ... then they went and got mauled by a 2-2 BYU team.

Pick: USC

#23 NOTRE DAME (-18) vs. Stanford

Stanford is a bad team. So bad in fact, that their only victory has come against lowly North Carolina!

Pick: N(bc)D

#24 ARKANSAS (-4) vs. Kentucky

Houston Nutt is turning things around quickly in Fayetteville. So quickly, in fact, that if he's lucky his secondary can contain Tim Couch and Co.

Pick: Kentucky

#25 TULANE (-5.5) vs. Southern Miss

Miami (-28) at RUTGERS

Instituting their UCLA game plan, Miami rolls over and plays dead for the entire first half. As a result Rutgers is only down 21-6 at the break.

Pick: Miami

PITTSBURGH (-12.5) vs. Akron

After yielding 17 sacks in their last two games, UPitt needs an off-week to get their offensive front back in order. With an opponent like Akron, they've got one.

Pick: UPitt

TEMPLE (NL) vs. W&M

Game Of The Week To Watch: OSU/PSU...Georgia/LSU a close 2nd

Upset Special: Arizona over Washington (alt: OU over CU)

Last Week: 9 - 10

Year To Date: 43 - 36 - 1