5. #1 Auburn (8-0) vs. Ole Miss (3-4)
On the back of Cam Newton, the Auburn Tigers are ranked number one for the first time in BCS history. After playing South Carolina, Arkansas and LSU, the Tigers look prime for a run at both the SEC and National Championships. However, Auburn played all three of these teams at home. Although it is Ole Miss, Jeremiah Masoli rebounded against a poor Arkansas defense last week going 21/36 for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns. With the weaknesses in Auburn’s secondary, expect this game to possibly be a shootout especially on the road. Everyone knows what has happened to number one over the past three weeks, so do not count Ole Miss out.
My Pick: Auburn wins, but the score is within two touchdowns. Auburn-41 Ole Miss-30
4. Kentucky (4-4) vs. #21 Miss. State (6-2)
It is hard to believe what Dan Mullen has done with this Mississippi State program. From the depths of the SEC, he has brought them out and into contention talk in the SEC West. Living and dying off of their revamped defense, Miss. State faces their first true test as a ranked team this Saturday. Kentucky can have an explosive offensive attack, and expect this game to be an exciting contest of the Kentucky offense against the Miss. State defense.
My Pick: Kentucky’s offense overcomes a strong Miss. State defense to win. Kentucky-24 Miss. State-14
3. #14 Nebraska (6-1) vs. #6 Missouri (7-0)
The spread offense led by Junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert proved to be too much for a shaky Oklahoma defense last week. However, the defense was the big standout in the game forcing Landry Jones to throw two key interceptions. This week is a different story. Nebraska, on a run of vengeance after the loss to Texas, has its eyes set on the Big 12 championship. Expect a shootout, but it is hard to win a shootout when facing Taylor Martinez, Roy Helu Jr., and the fifth strongest running attack in the nation.
My Pick: It will be a shootout, but Nebraska’s talent and depth will overcome. Nebraska-54 Missouri-42
2. #5 Michigan State (8-0) vs. #18 Iowa (5-2)
The running back tandem of Baker and Bell for Michigan State have amassed over 1300 rushing yards on the year while quarterback, Kirk Cousins, has delivered an impressive 2000 yards in the air. The problem is that Iowa’s defense is 11th in the country in points allowed only giving up 15.7 points per game. When weighing the team’s weaknesses, Iowa’s offense is much stronger than Michigan State’s defense.
My Pick: Iowa overcomes last week’s lost to Wisconsin and poor clock management by driving down the field and kicking the game winning field goal against Michigan State. Iowa-17 Michigan State-14
1.#2 Oregon (8-0) vs. USC (5-2)
The Coliseum is a hard place for anyone to go and win. Well, the Oregon Ducks have not known hard the whole year. Besides the first half against Stanford, the Ducks have repeatedly and methodically scored and scored and scored. Averaging 55.1 points per game, expect the Ducks to put up numbers. However, the Trojans have only lost two games, and both were within five points to good teams. Matt Barkley has been tearing defenses apart as of late and expect the Trojans to score as well.
My Pick: The Ducks overcome a slow start in a hostile environment to beat the Trojans. Oregon-42 USC-35
No comments:
Post a Comment