Notre Dame: Personally, I think the Irish are going to win fairly easily. I think Brady Quinn is going to come out firing on all cylinders after last week's slow start.

Florida St.: Remember Alabama last year? Remember how the Crimson Tide kept pulling out one ugly win after another until all of a sudden they were 9-0, even though their offense was clearly horrendous? Have you looked at Florida State's schedule? FSU will be this year's Alabama.Florida State 20, Clemson 19

Florida: Vols DT Justin Harrell, who will have season-ending surgery next week to repair a ruptured biceps tendon, has received clearance to play one last game Saturday. Imagine if he sacks Gators QB Chris Leak to win the game. It would be so Willis Reed/Kirk Gibson storybook-like... Oh well.Florida 27, Tennessee 21

Auburn: Last year's LSU win was decided in part by five Auburn missed field goals. Auburn's 10-9 in 2004 was decided in part by a missed LSU extra point. How galling it must be to hardcore Southerners that such an important football game is basically being decided as if it were a soccer match.Auburn 24, LSU 21

Miami (FL): At one point this was a no-brainer Louisville pick. Then the Cardinals lost Michael Bush, who they would have ridden hard against the 'Canes' stingy D. And then Vegas installed UL as the favorite. The "U" may be down, but it always seems to rediscover its swagger at the first sign of disrespect.Upset Special:Miami 27, Louisville 24

Notre Dame: The Wolverines haven't won in South Bend since 1994. That would be an eye-opening stat regardless, but it's particularly noteworthy considering that in most of those seasons the Irish weren't good. Michigan is itself improved from the past -- but it doesn't have Brady Quinn. Notre Dame 31, Michigan 20

Southern Cal: According to Nebraska CB Andre Jones, "We're ready to go in [to USC] and show the world that Nebraska's back on top -- that order is restored." Sorry, Andre. The world has changed since you guys were last on top. Order will be restored when Dwayne Jarrett has a 120-yard, two-TD night.USC 41, Nebraska 20

Oregon: Such is our obsession with the national championship that this game, being played in the third week of the regular season, has far greater implications than when the two teams met in last year's Holiday Bowl. Of course, it's unclear at this point which team is the actual national-title contender.Oregon 28, Oklahoma 24

TCU: Lessons in How Drastically College Football Has Changed, Part II: There was a time when these two teams met for bragging rights in the SWC. Here's guessing many of the players have never heard those three letters. But they do know these: BCS, as in potential BCS bid if the Frogs win.TCU 35, Texas Tech 31

Arkansas: This game is such a toss-up that I?m going to have to resort to the famed Vanderbilt handicapping technique. The Crimson Tide beat the Commodores by three at home. The Razorbacks won by two at Vandy. Factor in a three-point swing on both ends for home-field advantage and you get ...Arkansas 19, Alabama 14

California: Methinks Marshawn Lynch is hungry. Last week against Portland State, the Bears tailback only got six carries. Granted, he still ran for 112 yards, but c'mon, The guy can't be happy he's had exactly half as many carries (45) as running-back rival Adrian Peterson (90). I smell an explosion. Cal 35, Arizona State 24

UCLA: Please don't make me pick any more Bruins games as long as Karl Dorrell is there. I'm serious. My record is something like 0-12. Just when you think they look vulnerable they go and whoop a Utah, and just when you?re feeling good about them they lose 52-14 to an Arizona. Fine, I?ll do it.UCLA 27, Washington 24

Minnesota: Purdue is quite possibly the worst 3-0 team in the country. The Boilers rank 103rd in scoring defense -- after playing Indiana State, Miami (Ohio) and Ball State. But are they bad enough to lose at home to a Minnesota team that got shelled 42-17 at Cal? Yes, yes they are. Minnesota 39, Purdue 33

Notre Dame: Hmm. Do I go with the team that has won seven of the past nine in the series (Michigan State) or the team whose formerly genius coach reportedly vowed never to lose to said team again after last year?s flag-planting indignity. This is hard. I'm in a pickle! No. Hold on -- it's clear now.Notre Dame 31, Michigan State 27

Ohio St.: Asked this week what can be done to stop Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., Joe Paterno replied, "You got a good prayer to St. Jude for hopeless causes or something?" Sorry, Joe. You already used it somewhere around the second quarter of the Notre Dame game.Ohio State 45, Penn State 20

Mississippi: Demon Deacons fans (both of them) are fired up about their team?s first 3-0 start since 1987, but unfortunately, it's a mirage. They beat Duke by a point. They gained 220 yards against UConn. Ole Miss has almost no defense, but fortunately for the Rebels, Wake has almost no offense. Upset Special:Ole Miss 21, Wake Forest 19

Michigan: Around the same time Mario Manningham was scoring his third touchdown of the first half against Notre Dame last week, Wisconsin was tied 0-0 with San Diego State at the half. What does this say about the Badger's chances against the Wolverines? It says they don't have any. Michigan 24, Wisconsin 7

Clemson: Clemson coach Tommy Bowden was purportedly giving Wake coach Jim Grobe a compliment when he said, "He's probably taken me closer to hell than I ever want to be." Personally, I think it was a mind trick. You'd ease up, too, if you felt responsible for nearly sending someone to hell. Clemson 24, Wake Forest 14

LSU: Is it possible for a defensive tackle to decide the outcome of a football game? We may be about to find out. In what should be an epic defensive struggle, I have visions of LSU's Glenn Dorsey blowing up the Gators' O-line. I also have visions of Florida missing a fourth-quarter field goal.LSU 17, Florida 14

Michigan: I'm having another vision. In this one, the Spartans rally from a 16-point deficit and kick a game-winning field goal to stun their rivals. Embattled coach John L. Smith runs to the Michigan State fan section, where he is showered with hugs and kisses. I know -- I should put away the pipe.Michigan 31, Michigan State 17

Texas: May the best team win, but for the sake of our sanity, we really need that team to be Texas. Why? Because if Oklahoma wins, and if the Sooners run the table, we're going to be hearing from now until the end of humanity how those "crooked Pac-10 refs" cost the Sooners a national title.Texas 27, Oklahoma 24

California: Commenting on his league's No. 1 Sagarin rating, Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen told the L.A. Times, "I feel confident [it] reflects admiration of the manner in which Cal held down Tennessee." Ouch. The torrid Bears could really use this one to help live that one down.Cal 35, Oregon 34

Kentucky: Considering my last two "upset specials," Ole Miss and Toledo, have not only lost but also lost by a combined score of 72-3, I figure I can throw just about anything out at this point, because you're never going to take it seriously. That said, I actually feel really good about this one.Seriously.Upset Special:Kentucky 21, South Carolina 17

Tennessee: A month ago, Bulldogs fans couldn't wait for heralded freshman Matthew Stafford to supplant senior Joe Tereshinski as Georgia's starting quarterback. Now, they're hoping Tereshinski will be the savior that rescues the nation's No. 89 offense. Sorry, it's going to take a lot more than that.Tennessee 16, Georgia 7

Southern Cal: If Tyrone Willingham was having any self-doubts following his ouster at Notre Dame, he's presumably buried them after resurrecting the Huskies. He may, however, get the shakes upon returning to L.A. Coliseum, where he was outscored 85-23 in two trips with the Irish.USC 30, Washington 17

Southern Cal: Bad omen No. 1: The Sun Devils are 2-18 against ranked opponents under Dirk Koetter. Bad omen No. 2: They are 0-11 in Pac-10 games played in California during that time. Bad omen No. 3: Dwayne Jarrett is back this week. I think USC may finally blow someone out.

USC 34, Arizona State 14

Oregon: If you're a sophomore quarterback in the Pac-10 making your first career start, as UCLA's Patrick Cowan is doing this week in place of the injured Ben Olson, you would not pick Autzen Stadium as the venue. Maybe it won't be so bad -- maybe he'll get a couple favorable breaks from the refs.

Oregon 35, UCLA 20

Florida: Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville was right about at least one thing during his rant about the BCS: The only way his team will reach the national-title game is if officials install a playoff sometime in the next two months. Florida, on the other hand, could still carry the SEC torch.

Florida 21, Auburn 20

Michigan: Penn State fans have been e-mailing me up in arms -- How can we not be ranked? Our only losses are to the Nos. 1 and 9 teams in the country? True, but your only wins are over Akron, Youngstown State, Northwestern and Minnesota. Here's another chance to prove yourselves.

Michigan 24, Penn State 13

Missouri: The only problem with the Tigers' surprise ascension is that there are a lot of Mizzou alums in my profession -- including one of my editors -- and they're starting to beat their chests a little. If they keep this up, I fear I might start seeing Chase Daniel screen savers in the press box.

Missouri 27, Texas A&M 24

Ohio St.: The Buckeyes are the overwhelming favorites, but it should be noted that the last two games at Spartan Stadium came down to a last-second interception (Notre Dame) and a last-second field goal (Illinois). Strange things happen at this place. I'm not picking it; just throwing it out there.

Ohio State 27, Michigan State 24

Rutgers: A win this weekend and Navy will become the first team to seal a bowl berth: The Meineke Car Care Bowl has already agreed to take the Midshipmen if eligible. This ought to really tick off the Scarlet Knights -- Navy would be stealing a spot that usually goes to the No. 3 Big East team.

Rutgers 34, Navy 27

Wyoming: Kentucky at least made it interesting last weekend, causing Steve Spurrier all kinds of postgame fits, but alas, the drought continues: 0-for-6 on upset specials. But don't worry, I'm absolutely positive about this week's. In fact I've never felt better about one of these. Ever.

Upset Special: Wyoming 24, Utah 23

Tennessee: You see, this is what Tommy Tuberville is talking about: The Vols, fresh off a grueling bye week, run into a torrid 'Bama squad coming off consecutive victories over Duke (led 16-14 midway through the fourth quarter) and Ole Miss (in overtime). You can't catch a break in this conference.Tennessee 27, Alabama 12

Florida St.: Three headlines I saw in the tabloids while waiting in the checkout line earlier this week: "Mother Gives Birth to 80-Pound Baby," "OJ Comes Clean: 'I Did It'" and "BC, FSU Play Football Game, BC The Ranked Team." If Eagles QB Matt Ryan is too gimpy to play, it won't stay that way long.Florida St. 20, Boston College 16

Notre Dame: You've heard of presidential approval ratings? Well, according to a survey by Bruins Nation, 81 percent of UCLA fans currently disapprove of coach Karl Dorrell. They've turned on him in a hurry, too. Following last year's 10-2 season, his approval rating was at a staggering 50 percent.Notre Dame 34, UCLA 14

Clemson: In 1903, coach John W. Heisman led Clemson to a 73-0 win over the Yellow Jackets. The next year, Heisman took over at Georgia Tech. Amazingly, neither school has ever produced a Heisman winner. Calvin Johnson and James Davis, would you like to throw your names in the hat?Clemson 21, Georgia Tech 18

Michigan: The general consensus is that Ohio State is "clearly" the best team in the country, with its 38-17 win at Iowa seen as one of its crowning moments. But wait a second: It turns out Iowa isn't that good. So what happens if Michigan beats the Hawkeyes just as badly? Uh oh -- ambiguity.michigan 31, Iowa 10

Rutgers: Somewhere right now, Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese has his feet kicked up, smoking a stogy. "Yep," he's saying to himself, "while those traitors at Miami are playing a meaningless game at Duke down 13 players, Rutgers and Pitt are playing one of the biggest games of the week. Ain't life grand?"Rutgers 27, Pittsburgh 24

Vanderbilt: The Detroit Tigers are in the World Series, the New Orleans Saints are in first place and last week, Stewart Mandel finally picked an Upset Special correctly. Just like me, Vandy is going to use the momentum it gained from a stunning victory last week to make it two in a row this Saturday.Upset Special:Vanderbilt 19, South Carolina 17

Texas: When the Huskers visited USC earlier this season, Bill Callahan's baffling game plan involved throwing just 17 passes against a suspect Trojans secondary. Some friendly advice for the coach: Even Adrian Peterson barely managed 100 yards against Texas. Throw the darn ball.Texas 24, Nebraska 17

Florida: Georgia has won this game only once since 1998, and it was the year Florida fired Ron Zook. Even in the years they won the SEC (2002 and '05), the Dawgs lost to the Gators. Wouldn't it be something if they finally broke the hex as two-touchdown underdogs? Hold on ... I just woke up.Florida 27, Georgia 10

Florida: Georgia has won this game only once since 1998, and it was the year Florida fired Ron Zook. Even in the years they won the SEC (2002 and '05), the Dawgs lost to the Gators. Wouldn't it be something if they finally broke the hex as two-touchdown underdogs? Hold on ... I just woke up.Florida 27, Georgia 10

Georgia Tech: On paper, this is for the championship of the ACC's Coastal Division (the teams are tied for first), but let's be realistic -- the only title Miami has a chance at this year is the WWE's. Which is why, when the Jackets unofficially eliminate the 'Canes, they will also likely eliminate Larry Coker's job.Georgia Tech 23, Miami 7

Georgia Tech: On paper, this is for the championship of the ACC's Coastal Division (the teams are tied for first), but let's be realistic -- the only title Miami has a chance at this year is the WWE's. Which is why, when the Jackets unofficially eliminate the 'Canes, they will also likely eliminate Larry Coker's job.Georgia Tech 23, Miami 7

Missouri: The Sooners haven't lost a regular-season game to a Big 12 North opponent since 2001, but there have been a couple of pertinent developments lately. The North, behind the Tigers and resurgent Nebraska, has gotten more competitive, while Oklahoma has gotten ordinary.Missouri 24, Oklahoma 20

Missouri: The Sooners haven't lost a regular-season game to a Big 12 North opponent since 2001, but there have been a couple of pertinent developments lately. The North, behind the Tigers and resurgent Nebraska, has gotten more competitive, while Oklahoma has gotten ordinary.Missouri 24, Oklahoma 20

Penn St.: Big Ten football fans can have themselves a viewing feast at noon on Saturday, as they'll be able to flip between this game, Northwestern-Michigan (ESPN) and Illinois-Wisconsin (ESPN2). Or they could spare their eyes -- and their stomachs -- and just hibernate until Michigan-Ohio State.Penn State 20, Purdue 17

Penn St.: Big Ten football fans can have themselves a viewing feast at noon on Saturday, as they'll be able to flip between this game, Northwestern-Michigan (ESPN) and Illinois-Wisconsin (ESPN2). Or they could spare their eyes -- and their stomachs -- and just hibernate until Michigan-Ohio State.Penn State 20, Purdue 17

Tennessee: Steve Spurrier is ambivalent about South Carolina students' planned "Black Out" for Saturday night's game. "I don't think it's going to help us beat [the Vols]," he said. However, if his players were to wear all black and they turned off the stadium lights -- now you're on to something.Tennessee 27, South Carolina 21

Tennessee: Steve Spurrier is ambivalent about South Carolina students' planned "Black Out" for Saturday night's game. "I don't think it's going to help us beat [the Vols]," he said. However, if his players were to wear all black and they turned off the stadium lights -- now you're on to something.Tennessee 27, South Carolina 21

Texas Tech: Behind QB Graham Harrell, Texas Tech is putting up its usual sick passing numbers and scored an impressive win at Texas A&M. It also stunk up the joint against TCU and Colorado. So what happens when you put such an unpredictable team against a vulnerable 'Horns pass defense?Upset Special:Texas Tech 34, Texas 31

Texas Tech: Behind QB Graham Harrell, Texas Tech is putting up its usual sick passing numbers and scored an impressive win at Texas A&M. It also stunk up the joint against TCU and Colorado. So what happens when you put such an unpredictable team against a vulnerable 'Horns pass defense?Upset Special:Texas Tech 34, Texas 31

UCLA: Say hello to Bruins DE Justin Hickman (10.5 sacks) and Cougars DE Mkristo Bruce (10), who rank second and third in the country, respectively, in sacks. Last week Wazzu knocked off Oregon and UCLA nearly upended Notre Dame. The Cougs are hot, but the Bruins are ticked off.UCLA 23, Washington State 16

UCLA: Say hello to Bruins DE Justin Hickman (10.5 sacks) and Cougars DE Mkristo Bruce (10), who rank second and third in the country, respectively, in sacks. Last week Wazzu knocked off Oregon and UCLA nearly upended Notre Dame. The Cougs are hot, but the Bruins are ticked off.UCLA 23, Washington State 16

West Virginia: I could pick another of this weekend's third-rate games, or I could pick one of the biggest games of the season a few days early. The Cards are tough to beat at Papa John's, where they've won 15 straight, and you know it's going to be rocking, but the Mountaineers are tough to beat, period.West Virginia 34, Louisville 28

West Virginia: I could pick another of this weekend's third-rate games, or I could pick one of the biggest games of the season a few days early. The Cards are tough to beat at Papa John's, where they've won 15 straight, and you know it's going to be rocking, but the Mountaineers are tough to beat, period.West Virginia 34, Louisville 28