Pick me! Pick me!...
...so, yep, it's about college football time again!

After the carnage of the past two weeks, the polls look very, very different. This week, six teams dropped out of the trio of polls: Michigan State, Nebraska, Kansas State, UCLA, Clemson, and Rutgers. Five teams replaced them: Auburn, Tennessee, Florida State, Illinois, and Kansas. Kansas? Yes, Kansas. Meaning 26 teams are in the three polls this week. Two are idle: West Virginia and Florida. And there are two games pitting T25 teams against each other. So there are 22 games to pick. And two Big Ten games outside the T25 gives me a roster of 24 games to pick for you to bet against. So let's get crackin'!

LSU v. Kentucky--Well, now they are the number 1 team in all the land almost unanimously. But they still have a pretty tough road. Kentucky's first. I think they'll at least survive them. LSU by 7

California v. Oregon State--What a difference a good win and an idle week makes. From 6 to title contention in two weeks. They do still have to play Arizona State, USC, Washington, and the giant-killers at Stanford...but I think they can get through at least this week. Cal by 9

Ohio State v. Kent State--This week the Buckeyes get a Big Ten break and finish off their Ohio-centric non-conference schedule. And it should be pretty easy, since the O is cranked up and the D is always on. Ohio State by 14

Boston College v. Notre Dame--So the Eye-Rash have their first win. It could be their only win. But they'll try their darnedest to upset BC...and come up way short. BC by 12

South Florida v. Central Florida--Some call this the "War on I-4". And in older seasons, they were closer in skill level. But, all of a sudden, South is a juggernaut, and should overpower Central. South Florida by 10

Oklahama v. Missouri--So, Red River is over, and it's time for Oklahoma to buckle down. But I think the Tigers are gonna surprise people. Especially here, when they hit on the upset! Mizzou by 2

South Carolina v. North Carolina--Butch Davis got his big win over his old school last week. This week he gets another old friend: His old Florida nemesis Steve Spurrier. This time the tables have turned, however, and the Ol' Ball Coach has himself a team. It may be close, but it won't be in doubt. South Carolina by 6

Oregon v. Washington State--The Ducks are probably wondering what happened...since they're now ranked higher than they were before their last game, which they lost. Granted, it was against Cal, the number 2 team in the land, but still, it's weird. They should stay in the top 10 this week against the dregs of the Pac-10. Oregon by 9

USC v. Arizona--Time for the redemption run. The Trojans got shocked by the Cardinal. I don't think that's gonna happen again. USC by 8

Virginia Tech v. Duke--Duke isn't gonna role over for the Hokies, but the Hokies are just too good. Some sorta Fark cliche goes here. Va. Tech by 10

Arizona State v. Washington--The tragic schedule of the Washington Huskies continues. They just went through the super-brutal part of their sked, and it doesn't get much easier now. However, they are better than their current record. And I think they're gonna prove that by upsetting the Devils. Washington by 2

Cincinnati v. Louisville--A tables have turned game. Louisville was the big boy in the Big East for the first part of the season. The Bearcats are the catbirds there now. And since the Cards can't stop anyone, this should not change. Cincy by 16

Hawaii v. San Jose State--This is a mainland game, but again, that shouldn't matter for whoever slings the nuculars for the Warriors. The D, of course, is another matter. Hawaii by 7

Illinois v. Iowa--Well, the Illini are in the top 25. Yet another bump in the road for the Buckeyes later. But now? They have a weak Iowa team that they should definitely handle. Illinois by 6

Wisconsin v. Penn State--Way back before the carnage, this would've been a huge game. It's not as big now, but it's still one big showdown. It'll be close, but I think the Badgers hold on. Wisconsin by 3

Kansas v. Baylor--Huh. The B-ball school makes it into the Top 25 of football. They may be a sleeper team, and they do play Mizzou to round out the season. But for now, an easy tussle with Daburs (of Baylor, not Chi-town) should hold 'em over. Kansas by 6

Florida State v. Wake Forest--Welcome Back, Mr. Bowden. Thanks to the carnage, the old guys get back in. Can the Noles hold it? At least for this week, yes. Florida State by 7

Auburn v. Arkansas--Both teams were ranked pre-season. Neither was ranked for the last two weeks. But since Auburn pinned Florida with the loss, they get the carnage upgrade. However, Arkansas is still not that bad, so this should be a game. Auburn by 3

Texas v. Iowa State--Well, the Horns need to regroup after Red River. Luckily, they get yet another Big 12 North Cupcake to play with. Texas by 8

Georgia v. Vanderbilt--Will the Dogs be able to bounce back and actually get something going in this swamped SEC? Well, a game against lowly Vandy should help. Georgia by 9

Tennessee v. Mississippi State--And Frank Beamer has his team back into the polls. Can he keep 'em there this time? At least he gets a pretty easy go of it. Tennessee by 5

Purdue v. Michigan--Well...I guess you can't move the Immovable Object. But, even going to the Big House, Purdue remains a vaunted offense. Which one wonders if the Wolvies can stop. Purdue by 6

And the other two in the Big Ten:

Minnesota v. Northwestern--A merely bad team versus probably the worst team in the Big Ten. This should be simple. Northwestern by 7

Indiana v. Michigan State--Now this ought to be a game. Two teams on the cusp. I think there might be a nice little upset up in East Lansing. Indiana by 3

So, there's your picks. See y'all tomorrowz!