College Football 2010: Week 6

The sixth week of College Football begins this week with a lot of big games. On Sunday, Oregon trumped Boise State to take hold of the # 3 spot in the Associated Press poll. This is because Boise State beat up New Mexico State really bad- 59 to 0 (1), and (2) Boise State is in a lesser conference that BCS voters are frowning down on, as opposed to Oregon (3), a member of the Pac-10, who outshot Stanford in a shootout, 52-31.


The # 2 team in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes narrowly escaped the upset bug by Illinois, winning 24-13, after trailing 10-7 in the first half. OSU running back Daniel "Boom" Herron put the game away with a rushing touchdown with less than two minutes left. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor got injured, and is still expected to play against the Hoosiers, but for how long is uncertain. However, the Buckeyes now have the longest-active streak in the AP and Coaches polls, with their 90th straight week in the polls, after Texas's 162-week poll streak came crashing down with their second straight loss, losing 28-20 to rival Oklahoma in the "Red River Shootout" last Saturday, knocking the Longhorns out of the Top 25.

Now, moving on to the week at head...

GAME OF THE WEEK:
# 17 Michigan State Spartans at # 18 Michigan Wolverines (both 5-0, 1-0)- 3:30PM in the Big House
Former UM running back Mike Hart said it best, Michigan playing Michigan State is like "playing with your little brother." Speaking of which, this Saturday, Michigan's "little brother" comes to the Big House to play. Both teams enter this race unbeaten for the first time in 11 years (1999), in which both teams finished 10-2 that year, both beat Ohio State (who finished 6-6 and didn't go to a bowl game), and both won very respectable bowl games (Michigan State- over Florida in the Citrus Bowl and Michigan- over Alabama in the Orange Bowl, a BCS bowl). Can Michigan put their little brothers back into place, or will the little green men from East Lansing keep a hold of the Paul Bunyan Trophy? Michigan State is on fire, and so is Michigan, but Michigan's defense hasn't been since RichRod came to town almost three years ago. And Rich Rodriguez is 0-2 against both MSU and "that team" he plays on Nov. 27 in Columbus. A Michigan win would steal some more possible Heisman votes for Denard Robinson.
Pick: Michigan...State 27-17

OTHER BIG GAMES ON SATURDAY:
Otterbein Cardinals (3-1, 2-1) at Baldwin-Wallace Yellow Jackets (4-0, 3-0)- 2:00PM at Tressel Field in Berea, OH
In August, Otterbein was picked to finish third in the OAC, and Baldwin-Wallace, seventh (by the coaches) and eighth (by the media). You can't really believe what the experts say, because Baldwin-Wallace is one of two unbeatens left in the OAC (after Mount Union's spanking of Ohio Northern last week). Can Otterbein spoil B Dub's homecoming in the house that Tressel (the elder) built?
Pick: Baldwin-Wallace 28-0

Capital Crusaders (2-2, 1-2) at Ohio Northern Polar Bears (3-1, 2-1)- 1:30PM at Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH
The Crusaders literally poured on the points last week in their homecoming dethroning of Heidelberg's Student Princes, in what would be considered a basketball score (60-50). Unfortunately for Bexley's Purple People Eaters, that's not going to happen tomorrow as their offense will be sent into hibernation by Ohio Northern, who is coming off a 27-0 loss to the Lords of OAC Football- Mount Union. Expect the Polar Bears to get back on track, and as for Capital, guess who's coming to Bexley next Saturday...
Pick: Ohio Northern 42-17

# 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0) at # 19 South Carolina Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1)- 3:30PM in Columbia, SC
After Arkansas and Florida, you would think there would be any quit in the # 1 team in the nation. There is no quit in 'Bama, and the Tide will roll past the Gamecocks.
Pick: Alabama 28-3

# 12 LSU Tigers (5-0, 3-0) at # 14 Florida Gators (4-1, 2-1)- 7:30PM in Gainesville
Last week, Florida came down to earth, as Alabama proved that Florida is anything but invincible. LSU will second that motion. On a side note, starting LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery has been lost for the season with a torn ligament in his knee, suffered during last week's win over Tennessee.
Pick: LSU 27-20

USC Trojans (4-1, 1-1) at # 16 Stanford Cardinal (4-1, 2-1)- 8PM at Stanford
Last week's surprising loss to Washington knocked USC out of the Top 25 poll. This week, the Trojans have to travel up the California coast to play Stanford. Not easy.
Pick: Stanford 41-31

# 23 Florida State Seminoles (4-1) at # 13 Miami Hurricanes (3-1)- 8PM in Miami
Things are going to heat up in South Beach as Florida State comes to visit the Hurricanes. This will be an interesting matchup, between a surprising Florida State team and a resurging Miami team.
Pick: Miami 26-21

# 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0, 0-0) at Kansas State Wildcats (4-0, 1-0)- Thursday @ 7:30PM On Thursday night, these two unbeatens square off in Kansas, as the Cornhuskers open their final Big 12 season on the road. To be perfectly frank, this matchup could be misleading, because of Nebraska's ability to shut down opponents.
Pick: Nebraska 31-6

OTHER BIG DIVISION I-FBS GAMES:

Indiana Hoosiers (3-1, 0-1) at # 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0, 1-0)- Noon at Ohio Stadium, Columbus
As mentioned earlier, the Buckeyes are starting to get banged up, in spite of their success, and last week, Illinois gave the Buckeyes almost 60 minutes. The key word in the last sentence was almost. Ben Chappell is not going to have a career day against the Buckeyes, just the polar opposite.
Pick: Ohio State 37-0

Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-4, 0-1) at # 20 Wisconsin Badgers (4-1, 0-1)- Noon at Camp Randall, Madison, WI
Last week, Wisconsin got outplayed in East Lansing, and this week, the Badgers get an easier test, as they host the not-so Golden Gophers from Minnesota.
Pick: Wisconsin 47-0

Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2, 0-1) at Penn State Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-1)- Noon at Happy Valley, College Park, PA
Last week, Penn State QB Rob Bolden's youth showed against Iowa. Last week, Illinois gave a scare to Ohio State. This week, the Illini have to travel to central Pennsylvania to a place called "Happy Valley". Can the Illini scare Penn State like they did to the Buckeyes?
Pick: Illinois 27-20 (UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK)

Boston College Eagles (2-2, 0-1) at North Carolina State Wolf Pack (4-1, 0-1)- Noon
Last week, the once-mighty Wolf Pack was hunted down by Georgia Tech, who gave the Pack their first loss of the year, while BC is coming off an embarrassing loss to Notre Dame.
Pick: NC State 35-14

Wyoming Cowboys (2-3, 0-1) at # 5 TCU Horned Frogs (5-0, 2-0)- 3:30PM at TCU
TCU is going to go ribbit, ribbit, ribbit over Wyoming so much, that these Cowboys won't be able to lasso TCU.
Pick: TCU 28-0

UCLA Bruins (3-2, 1-1) at California Golden Bears (2-2, 0-1)- 3:30PM in Berkeley
UCLA was once 0-2, and considered dead. Now, UCLA has reeled off three straight wins, and the Bruins (like their cross-town rivals) traverse up the California coast, as the Bruins spend the afternoon in the Bay Area to play Cal, attempting to win their fourth in a row.
Pick: UCLA 24-20

Pitt Panthers (2-2) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-3)- 3:30PM in South Bend, IN
Notre Dame snapped a three-game losing streak by pounding BC last Saturday night. The Irish would love to win in front of the home crowd again, but Pitt has other plans.
Pick: Notre Dame 30-25

Oregon Ducks (5-0, 2-0) at Washington State Cougars (1-4, 0-2)- 5PM in Pullman, WA
This game is so easy, even a caveman can predict the outcome....Quack, Quack...watch Washington State's defense completely implode against Oregon's tenacious O.
Pick: Oregon 76-0 (BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK)

# 10 Utah Utes (4-0) at Iowa State Cyclones (3-2)- 7PM at Iowa State
Pick: Utah 41-17

# 8 Auburn Tigers (5-0, 2-0) at Kentucky Wildcats (3-2, 0-2)- 7:30PM in Lexington, KY
Kentucky has been on a slide since "Red Lobster", and the slide will continue as Auburn roars into Lexington.
Pick: Auburn 33-16

Purdue Boilermakers (2-2, 0-0) at Northwestern Wildcats (5-0, 1-0)- 7:30PM in Evanston, IL
Northwestern has been playing its opponents really close. One day (or night), it will eventually catch up with them. It is possible that the Boilermakers will steamroll their way through Northwestern, and at the rate Northwestern is letting the opposition hang around, it's possible.
Pick: Purdue 35-25 (UPSET OF THE WEEK PICK)

Toledo Rockets (3-2) at # 4 Boise State Broncos (4-0)- 8PM in Boise
Two years ago, this weekend, the Toledo Rockets shocked the world as they blasted into Ann Arbor and beat Michigan in the Big House 13-10. 728 days later, Toledo visits Boise State in their own house of blue. The chances for Toledo to shock the world and blast back to northwest Ohio on their rocket with an upset: ZILCH.
Pick: Boise State 55-0

San Jose State Spartans (1-4, 0-0) at # 21 Nevada Wolf Pack (5-0, 1-0)- 10:30PM in Reno
The last time that Nevada was ranked, television was in its infancy, Harry Truman was President, baby boomers were popping out everywhere, and times were simpler (1948). Nevada will continue to be ranked, as the Wolf Pack mauls the Spartans.
Pick: Nevada 48-0

OHIO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE:
(Otterbein @ Baldwin-Wallace and Capital @ Ohio Northern are with the Big Games of the Week)
Wilmington Quakers (0-4, 0-3) at John Carroll Blue Streaks (1-3, 1-2)- 1:30PM at Don Shula Stadium, University Heights, OH
Last week, Wilmington allowed only three points and still lost (final score: Muskingum 3, Wilmington 0), while John Carroll was out of their contest by halftime at Otterbein (Otterbein led 31-0, then 38-7 at halftime), losing 56-28. John Carroll's QB got knocked out in Westerville, however, their backup quarterback hooked up for two scores with receiver Frank Ross. Look for Ross to have a big day.
Pick: John Carroll 41-0

Mount Union Purple Raiders (4-0, 3-0) at Marietta Pioneers (1-3, 0-3)- 1:30PM in Marietta, OH
Last week, Mount Union froze the mighty Polar Bear, and now the defending D-III runners-up will attempt to set college football back 1,000 years as they attempt to sink Marietta.
Pick: Mount Union 88-0

Muskingum Muskies (3-1, 2-1) at Heidelberg Student Princes (1-3, 0-3)- 1:30PM in Tiffin, OH
Muskingum, like Baldwin-Wallace, is another surprise in the OAC. However, they've really haven't beaten anyone of interest, and their one loss- a 36-0 blanking by Ohio Northern. The Muskies could use another win here, because they have John Carroll next week, and Muskingum may get snowballed downhill as they close out with Otterbein, Baldwin-Wallace, Capital, and Mount Union, respectively, whom are all a combined 13-3 going into this weekend. The Muskies will send the Princes to the Tower this week.
Pick: Muskingum 13-10

OTHER CENTRAL OHIO COLLEGES:
Hillsdale (MI) Chargers (4-1, 3-1) at Ohio Dominican Panthers (0-4, 0-4)- Panther Field, 7:00PM in Columbus, OH
The Panthers return just in time for Homecoming, after a 45-6 trouncing by Michigan Tech last week in the Upper Peninsula. The Chargers are ranked nationally in Division II at # 9, and have won three straight. The Head Coach for the Chargers, interestingly enough is Keith Otterbein. This is the first meeting between these schools, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out, but I think that the Chargers will put a shock to the Panthers and crash the Homecoming festivities.
Pick: Hillsdale 38-0

Carnegie-Mellon Tartans (3-2) at Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops (0-5, 0-2)- Selby Field, 1:00PM in Delaware, OH
The Battling Bishops of OWU are a mess right now, coming off a 30-6 loss to former Big Ten school, Chicago, scoring a meaningless touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Tartans will make the most of their long drive from Pittsburgh. Last week, Carnegie-Mellon rushed for a record 585 yards in their 62-31 win over Hiram.
Pick: Carnegie-Mellon 41-0

Denison Big Red (3-2) at Chicago Maroons (3-2)- 2:00PM ET at Stagg Field in Chicago, IL
The Big Red, after a 3-0 start lost back-to-back contests against Case Western and Wooster. It will be three in a row as the Big Red visits the Windy City. The Maroons will not disappoint their alumni, because it's homecoming at Chicago.
Pick: Chicago 36-16

Hiram Terriers (1-4, 1-2) at Wittenberg Tigers (5-0, 3-0)- 1:30PM at Edwards-Maurer Field in Springfield, OH
It is Homecoming time for colleges across the country at this time, and at Wittenberg (ranked # 6 in Division III), it's no different. The Tigers are coming off close ones against Allegheny and Oberlin, and look for the Tigers to put more distance on the Terriers, especially after Hiram yielded almost 600 rushing yards to Carnegie-Mellon last week.
Pick: Wittenberg 42-6

Findlay Oilers (1-4, 1-3) at Ferris State Bulldogs (4-1, 4-0)- 2:00PM at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, MI
The Oilers are leaking right now offensively, coming off a 20-3 Homecoming loss to the University of Indianapolis at Donnell Stadium. Ferris State will be oiled up on both sides of the ball.
Pick: Ferris State 40-0