College Football Saturday

College Football Picks

Greg:               24 – 9

Andrew:          23 – 10

If you pay attention to this blog you know what the lead story of last week was… Notre Dame proved they are for real by taking out Oklahoma on the road. The defense continues to lead them but the offense is beginning to click as well. They moved to third in the BCS behind still unbeaten Alabama and Kansas State, but ahead of Oregon. Speaking of, Alabama plays in their biggest game of the year this week: at LSU. Kansas State also takes on a ranked opponent, but at home. The Pac-12 showdown of Oregon and USC will be another all-important game too. We’re making picks on five marquee games, plus predicting a Top 25 upset. Here’s what we have to say:

1 Alabama at 5 LSU

My heart tells me LSU, but my head tells me Alabama. It is one of my goals on this blog to try and pick with my head. So I will give Alabama the edge, even on the road. I do think this will be a tight game however. LSU will be animals on defense and that will keep it somewhat close. But in the end, Alabama will have more consistency on offense and will stay unbeaten. – Andrew

Nick Saban will complement LSU's program and their success publicly so many times this week it will make me sick. Then, his football team will go in and manhandle the Bayou Bengals in such a way that it might set back LSU's program five years. Offensively LSU is so inept that its amazing that they are averaging 31 points per game (thank you 1-AA opponents). Alabama has more talent, and they are better on offense, defense, and special teams, plus they have a better coach. This should be a game to watch, but unfortunately it will be a game to miss. – Greg

Andrew:         Alabama 20, LSU 13

Greg:              Alabama 24, LSU 3

24 Oklahoma State at 2 Kansas State

I have jumped on the Wildcat bandwagon in full force over the last couple of weeks and I’m not getting off now. I love what Klein is doing with the offense and the defense has been getting it done recently too. Oklahoma State isn’t nearly as dangerous as they have been in recent years, and there is no chance Kansas State loses on their home field. – Andrew

How will K-State handle success? This is the worst team they have played in the last 4 weeks, and they'll need to play their best to avoid an emotional letdown. Playing at home should help them do that. – Greg

Andrew:         Kansas State 45, Oklahoma State 28

Greg:              Kansas State 48, Oklahoma State 24

4 Oregon at 17 USC

Oregon hasn’t been challenged really all season. USC on the other hand has underachieved and have lost two games, including last week. Despite all of that, I’m taking USC here. They will be amped up for this game as their season now likely depends on it. Matt Barkley will put up big numbers against a weak defense and Oregon won’t keep up in this high scoring affair. – Andrew

USC is coming off of a record setting day by Marquise Lee and Matt Barkley, but it is their defense that will be the story of this game. Call me crazy but I think they get it done, because they have to in order to stay relevant. – Greg

Andrew:         USC 49, Oregon 38

Greg:              USC 55, Oregon 48

16 Texas A&M at 15 Mississippi State

Mississippi State is coming off a big loss to Alabama, their first of the season. The Aggies are coming off a huge win at Auburn. The Bulldogs are 5-0 at home while Texas A&M is 4-0 on the road. So something has to give in this game right? Texas A&M boasts one of the best offenses in the country, led by freshman QB Johnny Manziel. Tyler Russell has been good for Mississippi State also, throwing 15 TD’s to only 2 INT’s. I think this turns out to be a high scoring game, but I like the Bulldogs to bounce back from a loss and get the W. – Andrew

Both teams are coming off of losses and should be motivated so I expect this will be a very close. Johnny Manziel (a.k.a. Johnny Football) will have a huge game and the Aggies will beat the Bulldogs in probably the best game of the week. – Greg

Andrew:         Mississippi State 48, Texas A&M 45

Greg:              Texas A&M 34, Mississippi State 28

23 Texas at 18 Texas Tech

These teams are very similar: Both are 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC. Each team is actually 3-1 on the road and at home. Texas averages 41.5 points per while Texas Tech scores 40.5 per game. The biggest difference though is in the defenses, where the Longhorns are allowing nearly 33 a game while the Red Raiders are allowing about 26. So that’s what the deciding factor is for me. – Andrew

Texas has looked awful since their beating at the hands of Oklahoma, and I don't expect that to change this week. They take another beating and Mack Brown starts to hear his exit song playing him right out of Austin. – Greg

Andrew:         Texas Tech 42, Texas 34

Greg:              Texas Tech 45, Texas 31

Andrew’s Upset: Michigan State over 20 Nebraska

The Big Ten hasn’t been that good but it has been balanced. Last week, I correctly picked Nebraska to beat Michigan. This week they get knocked off on the road though. The Spartans do boast a pretty good defense and playing at home will help. I’m guessing either way it will be a close game. – Andrew

Andrew:         Michigan State 24, Nebraska 21

Greg’s Upset: Michigan State over 20 Nebraska

Seems like there’s an easy upset pick in the Big Ten every week, and though this is far from easy, it’s easily the most logical upset pick of the top 25. Michigan State looks like they are playing a little bit better as the year goes on, and I think their defense (and their crowd) will make Taylor Martinez very uncomfortable. – Greg

Greg:               Michigan State 24, Nebraska 23

Enjoy your Saturday!

By: The Sports Guys