My Ten Pack of College Football Picks for Week Five

All game times are Central Standard Time

#16 South Florida (4-0) vs. Pittsburgh (2-2)

Thursday, September 29 7:00 pm ESPN

South Florida is really playing good football. They are in the top twenty in both running the ball and scoring. Pittsburgh had a heartbreaking loss last weekend against Notre Dame. Their offense is terrible. It is hard for them to get a first down, let alone score points to win a game. South Florida will roll in this one.

Prediction: #16 South Florida 45 Pittsburgh 17

Minnesota (1-3) vs. #19 Michigan (4-0)

Saturday, October 1 11:00 am Big Ten Network

The Battle for the Little Brown Jug will be fought at Ann Arbor on Saturday for the first time since 2008. Minnesota is really hard to figure out. They lost tough to USC but then got manhandled against North Dakota St. Michigan is playing well and will look to start Big Ten play off strong and they will succeed. Prediction: #19 Michigan 38 Minnesota 20

#3 Alabama (4-0) vs. #12 Florida (4-0)

Saturday, October 1 7:00 pm CBS

This will be a heavyweight fight down in Gainesville and will come down to the better defense. I pick Alabama to man up and make the plays late to preserve a Tide victory.

Prediction: #3 Alabama 23 #12 Florida 12

Nevada (1-2) vs. #4 Boise St. (3-0)

Saturday, October 1 1:30 pm Versus

Boise St. remembers what Nevada did to them last season. They dashed their BCS Championship shot with an upset win last November. The Wolf Pack have not gotten to a good start and that will continue against the Broncos. Boise St. wins in a romp!

Prediction: #4 Boise St. 55 Nevada 21

#17 Texas (3-0) vs. Iowa St. (3-0)

Saturday, October 1 6:00 pm FX

This is my upset special of the week. Texas has not impressed me and Iowa St. is at home and will ride that home crowd to a huge win against the Longhorns.

Prediction: Iowa St. 28 #17 Texas 17

#8 Nebraska (4-0) vs. #7 Wisconsin (4-0)

Saturday, October 1 7:00 pm ABC

This is the game of the week. Nebraska is making their Big Ten debut in Madison where the Badgers never lose. The Badgers are a different team than in years back because this is a passing offense with the arrival of Russell Wilson. Wilson will be the key, if he can protect the ball then the Badgers win but if he turns it over, this is Nebraska’s night. I am betting Wilson protects that football and the Badgers get a huge win.

Prediction: #7 Wisconsin 30 #8 Nebraska 20

#13 Clemson (4-0) vs. #11 Virginia Tech (4-0)

Saturday, October 1 5:00 pm ESPN2

Clemson is playing their third straight game against a ranked opponent and they keep getting better and better. Virginia Tech is going to hit a buzz saw in Clemson and the Tigers will take control of the Atlantic Division of the ACC.

Prediction: #13 Clemson 31 #11 Virginia Tech 24

#14 Texas A&M (2-1) vs. #18 Arkansas (3-1)

Saturday, October 1 11:00 am ESPN

The Aiggies lost a heartbreaker against Oklahoma St. last week and will look for revenge against a worn down Arkansas team. Arkansas played a really physical game against Alabama last week and will not be ready for this one. The Aiggies take it early and win it going away.

Prediction: #14 Texas A&M 32 #18 Arkansas 14

Michigan St (3-1). vs. Ohio St. (3-1)

Saturday, October 1 2:30 pm ABC or ESPN

This is a huge game for both teams because they both have one loss already. I see Ohio St. struggling in the first half but getting back on track. Michigan St. quarterback Kirk Cousin will make a late mistake and the Buckeyes will win it.

Prediction: Ohio St. 27 Michigan St. 21

Notre Dame (2-2) vs. Purdue (2-1)

Saturday, October 1 7:00 pm ESPN

Notre Dame is playing with some confidence now and Purdue is a mess. Look for Notre Dame to run it up and leave no doubt that they are back to winning football.

Prediction: Notre Dame 48 Purdue 14
 
Matt
 
Editor's Note: Review Matt's Week Four Picks Here!

My Ten Pack of College Football Picks for Week Four Rewind

Season Record: 6-4

Review my picks here!

North Carolina St. vs. Cincinnati                

Thursday, September 22   7:00

I really overestimated NC State in this game.  Cincinnati came to play and NC State was just there for the ride.

Prediction: Cincinnati 38    NC State 28                                    

Actual Score: Cincinnati 44 NC State 14

#15 Florida vs. Kentucky                    

Saturday, September 24     7:00

Florida rolled just as I predicted and Kentucky had no shot!                       

Prediction: #15 Florida 44    Kentucky 14                                

Actual Score: #15 Florida 48 Kentucky 10

#23 USC vs. Arizona St.                        

Saturday, September 24      9:15

Close game until the 4th quarter and then Arizona St. stepped it up and USC let it slip.

Prediction: #23 USC 27        Arizona St. 21                              

Actual Score: Arizona St. 43 #23 USC 22

Colorado vs. Ohio St.                        

Saturday, September 24       2:30

It wasn’t close and Ohio St. rolled by the Buffalos.

Prediction: Ohio St. 30  Colorado 24                                          

Actual Score: Ohio St. 37 Colorado 17

#7 Oklahoma St. vs. #8 Texas A&M                

Saturday, September 24       2:30

Was really close but my prediction of an Aggies win looked good at half time but was dominated in the second half.                  

Prediction: #8 Texas A&M 45  #7 Oklahoma St. 42   

Actual Score: #7 Oklahoma St. 30 #8 Texas A&M 29

Western Michigan vs. #24 Illinois                

Saturday, September 24        2:30

Was so close with the upset pick but close doesn’t get it done.  Illinois played a tough game and got a good win against a good Western Michigan team.               

Prediction: Western Michigan 28 #24 Illinois 24          

Actual Score: #24 Illinois 23 Western Michigan 20

#2 LSU vs. #16 West Virgina                    

Saturday, September 24        7:00

LSU dominated and West Virgina looked like they didn’t deserve to walk on the same field as the Bayou Tigers.

Prediction: #2 LSU 38 #16 West Virginia 14                         

Actual Score: #2 LSU 47 #16 West Virginia 21

#11 Florida St. vs. #21 Clemson                    

Saturday, September 24       2:30

Again close but no cigar on this one.  I am very impressed with Clemson and I like their chances to win the ACC Atlantic Conference.                           

Prediction: #11 Florida St. 35 #21 Clemson 25           

Actual Score: #21 Clemson 35 #11 Florida St. 30

#14 Arkansas vs. #3 Alabama                    

Saturday, September 24    2:30

Tide won this one easy, just like I said they would!                 

Prediction: #3 Alabama 28 #14 Arkansas 10                  

Actual Score: #3 Alabama 38 #14 Arkansas 14

San Diego St. vs. #22 Michigan                    

Saturday, September 24     11:00

Michigan got an easy win and the defense came to play.

Prediction: #22 Michigan 38 San Diego St. 31

 Actual Score: #22 Michigan 28 San Diego St. 7

Matt

My Ten Pack of College Football Picks for Week Four

North Carolina St. vs. Cincinnati Thursday, September 22 7:00

In a battle of 2-1 teams I think that Cincinnati’s running game is going to be the key. The Bear Cats can also score points and are averaging 51.3 points per game. The game is in Cincinnati and I expect them to make one or two more plays then the Wolfpack. Cincinnati 38 NC State 28

#15 Florida vs. Kentucky Saturday, September 24 7:00

Florida is on a roll, coming off a huge win against rival Tennessee. Going on the road in the SEC is tough and Florida will be challenged early against Kentucky but will prove to strong after half time. Expect a romp in Lexington. #15 Florida 44 Kentucky 14

#23 USC vs. Arizona St. Saturday, September 24 9:15

Arizona St. will come out with something to prove after letting one slip away against Illinois the week before but expect USC to weather the storm and make a big play late to seal the victory. Watch for both quarterbacks to have big days as well. #23 USC 27 Arizona St. 21

Colorado vs. Ohio St. Saturday, September 24 2:30

Ohio St got embarrassed last week at Miami and will look to take out their frustration on a Colorado team that got back on track last week against Colorado St. Because this game is at the Horseshoe in Columbus I am going with the Buckeyes but look for it to be closer than most think. Ohio St. 30 Colorado 24

#7 Oklahoma St. vs. #8 Texas A&M Saturday, September 24 2:30

This is the only game of the weekend to feature two top ten teams and it will be a dandy in College Station. Back and forth the two will go in an afternoon full of high scoring. The Aggies will pull it out in the end and defeat the Cowboys. #8 Texas A&M 45 Oklahoma St. 42

Western Michigan vs. #24 Illinois Saturday, September 24 2:30

Western Michigan is a good football team and Illinois is walking into a trap. Coming off an emotional win against Arizona St. and a week before the Big Ten schedule opens against Northwestern, the Illini will lost a tough one to the Broncos. Western Michigan 28 Illinois 24

#2 LSU vs. #16 West Virgina Saturday, September 24 7:00

On paper this game looks like it could be good but I expect a blowout. LSU is a great team and playing in Morgantown won’t faze them. Look for LSU to dominate from the start. #2 LSU 38 #16 West Virgina 14

#11 Florida St. vs. #21 Clemson Saturday, September 24 2:30

Florida St. feels they let one slip away against Oklahoma and will look to takes its vengeance out on the Tigers. Clemson got a huge win against Auburn last week and it due for a letdown against the Seminoles. #11 Florida St. 35 #21 Clemson 25

#14 Arkansas vs. #3 Alabama Saturday, September 24 2:30

Last year’s matchup between the Razorbacks and the Tide was great, with Alabama escaping with a 3 point win. This year will not be as close. The Tide will ride the home crowd and some unexpected Arkansas turnovers to an easy victory. #3 Alabama 28 #14 Arkansas 10

San Diego St. vs. #22 Michigan Saturday, September 24 11:00

Name this one the Brady Hoke Bowl. Hoke is going up against his former team and they know exactly how to play him. It will be back and forth at the Big House but Denard Robinson makes too many plays with his feet and Michigan survives a big scare from the Aztecs. #22 Michigan 38 San Diego St. 31

Matt