18 Other Notable Games

Without an Auburn game and just a few top 25 picks with a lot of top 25 teams playing one another, I gave myself a few extra games between non-ranked teams than I normally would being how much I enjoy picking games and all. If anyone has a problem with that, too bad! My blog, my rules!

Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
We're setting up for a defensive struggle in this one. I could see the first one to 20 winning. I am going to lean towards Virginia Tech even though Hokie QB Michael Brewer will do his all to give this game to the Panthers.
My Call: Virginia Tech 20, Pittsburgh 17

Temple at Houston
Quietest 4-1 team in the nation may be Bill Cosby's Temple Owls.  Do I think they make it to 5-1? Probably not. Houston played UCF close a couple weeks back and just beat Memphis on the road, a team I'd been singing the praises of the last two weeks. The Cougars are the pick.
My Call: Houston 31, Temple 24

Fresno State at Boise State
Even though the Broncos may not be as strong as they've been in the past under now Washington head coach Chris Peterson, they're still a solid club and tough to beat on their smurf turf. Without Derek Carr and Co. around, Fresno State won't beat them.
My Call: Boise State 37, Fresno State 17

Tulane at Central Florida
Another national television appearance for UCF this weekend after last week's overtime win over BYU. And it'll be another win to satisfy the Knights and their fans.
My Call: Central Florida 24, Tulane 14

Syracuse at Wake Forest
A couple of offensively challenged teams go at it in this pillow fight. Since I really don't know who I think will win, I will go to the throw of the dart. Those don't work out too often for me, so the predicted loser should be happy. In this case, the predicted loser is the Demon Deacons.
My Call: Syracuse 20, Wake Forest 13

Iowa at Maryland
To win games, Iowa relies on controlling the clock and a strong defense. As opposed to Maryland, who relies on scoring points to make up for a less than stellar defense. The winner of this game will come down to who can control the tempo and whether it's more finesse or physical. My guess is we are gonna get a physical game; and that favors the Hawkeyes.
My Call: Iowa 24, Maryland 21

Purdue at Minnesota
Okay, Golden Gophers. I'll congratulate you guys on proving me wrong last week and beating Northwestern. I did call the 24-17 score right, so I should give myself an imaginary half win even though it counts as a loss on the official real life record book. Speaking of the real life record book, we're gonna go with Minnesota this week. The Purdue offense just won't be able to muster much against a strong looking Gophers defense. And the Minnesota offense should be able to put up a healthy number of points on a bad Boilermaker defense.
My Call: Minnesota 34, Purdue 14

Virginia at Duke
Like games where it seems like very few points will be scored? This could be your game. I'm gonna go with the Blue Devils since it's in Durham.
My Call: Duke 17, Virginia 16

UCLA at California
Can't afford to lose your third straight game if you're UCLA. Even though Cal is improved, they're still not very good. The Bruins will get it done by plenty.
My Call: UCLA 38, California 24

NC State at Louisville
Unfortunately I think Louisville will win. I say unfortunately since I can't stand their scumbag of a head coach in Bobby Petrino. They'll rely on strong defense to make up for a stagnant offense, which is not usually the M.O. for Petrino coached teams.
My Call: Louisville 27, NC State 16

Cincinnati at SMU
This may not be a wonderful Cincinnati team, but Gunner Kiel will have a grand old time of it lighting up a God awful Mustangs squad.
My Call: Cincinnati 41, SMU 13

Kansas at Texas Tech
Effort for the Jayhawks seems considerably better since Charlie Weis was given the heave hoe, but the problem is they're still lacking considerably behind the rest of the Big 12 in terms of talent disparity. That even includes the bad to mediocre Big 12 teams; of which I'd consider Texas Tech. Red Raiders bounce back from a tough loss to West Virginia and light up the Jayhawks.
My Call: Texas Tech 41, Kansas 24

Missouri at Florida
Florida is a mess, but Mizzou might be a bigger mess with Matty Mauk playing terribly. There won't be many points scored in this one. What we have to see is how smart Will Muschamp is. Well, winning this game won't suddenly make him a genius, but with freshman QB Treon Harris eligible for this one after sitting out last week against LSU due to accusations of sexual assaults (accusations have been dropped ATM), he'd be smart to give Harris more of the time under center than the crappy Jeff Driskel. Harris led the Gators to that come-from-behind win in Knoxville against Tennessee. To me, it's a no brainer. I think Muschamp will be smart and play Harris more (he's saying both guys will play), and that will be enough to earn the Gators a win.
My Call: Florida 20, Missouri 13

Utah State at Colorado State
No Chuckie Keeton and this one is in Colorado Springs. Double check for Colorado State.
My Call: Colorado State 34, Utah State 20

Georgia Tech at North Carolina
So much for the undefeated season for Georgia Tech, falling to Duke by a mere six points. I think they'll bounce back against a UNC team that can't defend anybody and won't score quite enough to make up for their defensive issues. They'll make it close because I don't think the Yellow Jackets have a great defense either, but I trust just about anyone's defense over UNC's.
My Call: Georgia Tech 38, North Carolina 34

Kentucky at LSU
Much improving Kentucky team gets to hit the road to take on LSU. In past years, this wouldn't have been much of a contest. However, these Tigers are much more vulnerable than they've been in quite some time. As a matter of fact, if this game were in Lexington, my guess is the Wildcats would get the win. In Baton Rouge though where the hostile crowd will be behind this young team rather than against them, they'll rally behind that just enough to come out on top.
My Call: LSU 27, Kentucky 20

Iowa State at Texas
Texas is a team that's lacking talent by their standards, but also a team that's persistent and doesn't give up. That should serve them well as long as the fans are patient with the rebuilding new coach Charlie Strong will need to do. They hung tough with UCLA, didn't give up after falling behind big against Oklahoma in the fourth quarter a week ago and their defense played very well against a high powered Baylor offense. This team may not have the talent level of Texas standards, but they're still plenty more talented than Iowa State. It won't always be a work of art offensively, but the defense will control things and the run game will break off a few big plays to make it work for a win.
My Call: Texas 27, Iowa State 10

Nevada at BYU
Now that's the Cougars have had a couple weeks to get over the loss of star QB Taysom Hill for the season, I think this is the game where they get back to business and also get back in the win column. They did a nice job of getting back to business but couldn't quite accomplish finishing off the win in Orlando against UCF in a game they led late. I'll trust them back in their home stadium to get the job done, though not by a whole lot.
My Call: BYU 28, Nevada 24