Due to time constraints, we're going to jump right in to this week's picks. Let's go!
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
Kevin M’s Take: Throw out that ugly loss to Florida State and Clemson has been pretty dominant this season. There have been some slow starts but Seminoles aside the Tigers have been difficult for anyone to stop in ACC play. That should continue again Thursday night against a Georgia Tech lacking the versatility to keep up with Clemson’s offense. Georgia Tech should thrive in shortening the game with their running game, but they will need to pull a few other tricks out of Paul Johnson’s playbook to top Clemson.
Aaron: Clemson 37, Georgia Tech 21
Allen: Clemson 38, Georgia Tech 20
Andy: Clemson 33, Georgia Tech 17
David: Clemson 48, Georgia Tech 21
Jonathan: Clemson 28, Georgia Tech 21
Josh: Clemson 42, Georgia Tech 21
Kevin C: Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 31
Kevin M: Clemson 31, Georgia Tech 17
Tom: Clemson 30, Georgia Tech 20
UCLA vs. Washington
David’s Take: Last Saturday turned into the Myles Jack show, as the versatile freshman linebacker/running back played almost 115 plays in a victory for the Bruins over Arizona. Don't expect to see as much of Jack on offense, but he can make an impact on defense trying to stop Washington's tough ground game and senior Bishop Sankey. This will be a high scoring, close game, but the home field advantage at the Rose Bowl will be too tough for the Huskies to overcome.
Aaron: UCLA 34, Washington 27
Allen: UCLA 31, Washington 24
Andy: Washington 34, UCLA 31
David: UCLA 45, Washington 38
Jonathan: UCLA 42, Washington 35
Josh: Washington 32, UCLA 24
Kevin C: UCLA 31, Washington 27
Kevin M: UCLA 33, Washington 30
Tom: UCLA 38, Washington 24
Georgia vs. Auburn
Jonathan’s Take: In August this matchup would've been an afterthought, but with Georgia's injury problems and Auburn's meteoric rise this season, it should actually be a competitive game. The all-time record between the two teams is 54-54-8, so this game is obviously of incredible importance. If Auburn running back Tre Mason and quarterback Nick Marshall can continue their run of high quality, the Tigers can reach their bye week and focus their energy on beating Alabama and getting into the SEC Championship.
Aaron: Georgia 28, Auburn 21
Allen: Georgia 38, Auburn 35
Andy: Georgia 34, Auburn 27
David: Auburn 42, Georgia 38
Jonathan: Auburn 31, Georgia 29
Josh: Auburn 31, Georgia 24
Kevin C: Auburn 27, Georgia 24
Kevin M: Auburn 30, Georgia 23
Tom: Auburn 27, Georgia 24
South Carolina vs. Florida
Kevin C’s Take: This rivalry was once dominated by the Gators (they won every year from 1992 through 2004) but over the last few years the gap has closed. These teams are 2-2 over the last four years with Florida winning the last two. Last year, the Gamecocks got beat 44-11 because they repeatedly shot themselves in the foot. This year, I expect the Gamecocks to remember how that game went and play a much more intelligent game. The Gators are beat up and added Antonio Morrison to the list of season-ending injuries this week. The Gamecocks will just simply be too much for the beat up Gators.
Aaron: South Carolina 24, Florida 7
Allen: South Carolina 20, Florida 10
Andy: South Carolina 37, Florida 17
David: South Carolina 31, Florida 17
Jonathan: South Carolina 27, Florida 12
Josh: South Carolina 31, Florida 7
Kevin C: South Carolina 31, Florida 13
Kevin M: South Carolina 27, Florida 13
Tom: South Carolina 34, Florida 7
Northwestern vs. Michigan
Andy’s Take: Congrats to the prognosticators (myself included) for getting these two teams completely wrong at the start of the season. Fast-forward to this week and this is a battle between the two teams at the bottom of the Legends division. They got there in different ways, Northwestern by being a complete M.A.S.H. Unit on offense and Michigan by flat out stinking along the offensive line. So, who wins the battle as the most disappointing team? After two weeks of negative rushing yards by Michigan they at least gain some positive numbers, but they also turn the ball over too many times and the host Wildcats win this one.
Aaron: Northwestern 24, Michigan 17
Allen: Northwestern 23, Michigan 18
Andy: Northwestern 31, Michigan 21
David: Michigan 27, Northwestern 17
Jonathan: Northwestern 31, Michigan 28
Josh: Michigan 23, Northwestern 17
Kevin C: Michigan 15, Northwestern 12
Kevin M: Northwestern 24, Michigan 23
Tom: Michigan 25, Northwestern 19
Duke vs. Miami
Kevin C’s Take: After starting 7-0, the Hurricanes have now lost two straight. Duke is also 7-2 but they are working on a four game win streak with their best win coming at Virginia Tech. Sometimes, you catch teams at the right time and I think Duke gets this Canes squad at the right time. In 2012, Miami won a 52-45 shootout. I think we might see something like that again this season but with the Blue Devils winning in their stadium.
Aaron: Duke 28, Miami 21
Allen: Duke 27, Miami 21
Andy: Duke 27, Miami 24
David: Duke 30, Miami 19
Jonathan: Miami 24, Duke 21
Josh: Duke 17, Miami 14
Kevin C: Duke 42, Miami 38
Kevin M: Miami 23, Duke 20
Tom: Duke 27, Miami 24
Nebraska vs. Michigan State
Kevin M’s Take: Michigan State has the best defense in the Big Ten and it seems as though their offense has arrive don the scene in East Lansing. But this weekend they head to Lincoln to take on a Nebraska team that continues to live on the edge in the Big Ten Legends Division race the past couple of weeks. Look for the Spartans to shut down Nebraska’s offense and control the tempo on the ground.
Aaron: Michigan State 16, Nebraska 10
Allen: Michigan State 20, Nebraska 14
Andy: Michigan State 24, Nebraska 17
David: Michigan State 24, Nebraska 21
Jonathan: Michigan State 25, Nebraska 14
Josh: Michigan State 28, Nebraska 10
Kevin C: Michigan State 26, Nebraska 20
Kevin M: Michigan State 24, Nebraska 17
Tom: Michigan State 20, Nebraska 3
Texas vs. Oklahoma State
Allen’s Take: Mack Brown was down to his last chip a few weeks ago, but he has built up a decent stack since then. Texas escaped Morgantown last week with a thrilling win, but it feels as though the Longhorns are tempting fate. The win came at a steep price as UT lost Chris Whaley and Jonathan Gray from an already depleted roster. Brown's undefeated Big 12 record is in serious danger this week. OSU is starting to round into form, and the Pokes have some extra motivation in this game after last year's controversial loss, too. Look for the Cowboys to stuff Texas' running game in the second half and put the game on Case McCoy's arm. A couple late offensive mistakes do in the shorthanded 'Horns.
Aaron: Oklahoma State 41, Texas 35
Allen: Oklahoma State 28, Texas 23
Andy: Texas 31, Oklahoma State 27
David: Texas 35, Oklahoma State 31
Jonathan: Oklahoma State 45, Texas 35
Josh: Oklahoma State 34, Texas 24
Kevin C: Oklahoma State 34, Texas 27
Kevin M: Texas 30, Oklahoma State 27
Tom: Oklahoma State 42, Texas 30
Louisville vs. Houston
Tom’s Take: The Cardinals were pulling for Houston last week against UCF, but the Cougars couldn't deliver. Louisville's shot at a second straight BCS Bowl are pretty much nil now, but Charlie Strong's team still has a lot to play for and they can't let this one slip by. Teddy Bridgewater is the difference in this game and he will make sure Louisville gets to 9-1. Houston's best shot at winning is controlling the ball behind a measured passing game. Freshman QB John O'Korn has been solid all season.
Aaron: Louisville 34, Houston 17
Allen: Louisville 34, Houston 20
Andy: Louisville 31, Houston 27
David: Louisville 28, Houston 21
Jonathan: Louisville 42, Houston 32
Josh: Louisville 38, Houston 28
Kevin C: Louisville 35, Houston 21
Kevin M: Louisville 33, Houston 30
Tom: Louisville 38, Houston 21
Baylor vs. Texas Tech
Aaron’s Take: It was just three weeks ago that Kliff Kingsbury seemingly had the world in the palm of his hand. He was young. He was good looking. His team was 7-0. Only fast forward to the here and now, and… well, you know what, life still ain’t too bad for the King. He’s still young and he’s still good looking, although his team has lost three straight, which to some (although certainly not all), might be the only thing that matters.
Those three losses are a nasty losing streak in the always tough Big XII, and a streak that’s not likely to end against Baylor this week. Not against a team averaging a college football best 61 points a game, especially when the Red Raiders have given up an average of 46 in each of their three losses. Baylor may get tripped up at some point down the stretch. Just don’t expect it to happen in Lubbock.
Aaron: Baylor 48, Texas Tech 38
Allen: Baylor 52, Texas Tech 28
Andy: Baylor 37, Texas Tech 30
David: Baylor 52, Texas Tech 20
Jonathan: Baylor 42, Texas 35
Josh: Baylor 62, Texas Tech 35
Kevin C: Baylor 49, Texas Tech 35
Kevin M: Baylor 42, Texas Tech38
Tom: Baylor 58, Texas Tech 42
USC vs. Stanford
Josh’s Take: The Trojans have a made a complete transformation under Ed Orgeron, but Stanford is a step up in class from the other opponents USC has faced since firing Lane Kiffin. This is a textbook letdown spot for the Cardinal following up one of the biggest wins in school history last Thursday against Oregon, but David Shaw should have this team focused from the jump with a Rose Bowl bid entirely in their control. The Trojans’ lack of depth will be a huge factor in this game as Stanford should control the clock with its powerful running game.
Aaron: USC 24, Stanford 17
Allen: Stanford 24, USC 20
Andy: Stanford 30, USC 21
David: USC 31, Stanford 30
Jonathan: USC 34, Stanford 32
Josh: Stanford 24, USC 14
Kevin C: Stanford 21, USC 17
Kevin M: USC 24, Stanford 23
Tom: Stanford 29, USC 17
Arizona State vs. Oregon State
David’s Take: Oregon State's highflying passing attack has been grounded in recent weeks. The Beavers play better away from home but they haven't faced an opponent like the Sun Devils. However, can Arizona State avoid peeking ahead to their divisional matchup against UCLA next week? In the past, the answer might have been no. But this is a different Arizona State team this year. The Sun Devils will give up some yards and points, but ultimately pull out another victory.
Aaron: Arizona State 38, Oregon State 28
Allen: Arizona State 42, Oregon State 27
Andy: Arizona State 41, Oregon State 31
David: Arizona State 41, Oregon State 35
Jonathan: Arizona State 30, Oregon State 25
Josh: Arizona State 38, Oregon State 28
Kevin C: Arizona State 35, Oregon State 32Kevin M: Arizona State 43, Oregon State 36
Tom: Arizona State 41, Oregon State 38
