No. 6 Missouri 35-23 over No. 20 Illinois 8:30 p.m. ET
No. 9 Clemson 29-18 over Alabama 8 p.m. ET
No. 11 Texas 27-20 over FAU 7 p.m. ET
Washington 24-21 upsets No. 21 Oregon 10 p.m. ET
Michigan State 28-20 over California 8 p.m. ET
This year's Big Ten Bloggers weekly pick'em is brought to you by Gopher Nation. Most of the games are against cupcakes, but there are some really critical games for the Big Ten's supposed tarnished image around the nation. Michigan State traveling to California, Michigan hosting Utah and Missouri squaring off with Illinois could each help tip the balance of power back to the Big Ten. I didn't go with any real upsets, but there are a few picks that go against conventional wisdom... or do they? Find out now.
(FYI: Each team name links to its respective official football site. I also used the USA Today Coaches Poll for the team rankings. Any time you see a ranking before a team name at ZN, it's the Coaches Poll rank.)
Syracuse vs Northwestern - The ZN pick: N'Western
Western Kentucky vs. Indiana - The ZN pick: Indy
Youngstown St vs. No. 2 Ohio St. - The ZN pick: Ohio St
Coastal Carolina vs No. 22 Penn St - The ZN pick: Penn St
Akron vs. No. 12 Wisconsin - The ZN pick: Wisky
Maine vs. Iowa - The ZN pick: Iowa
Utah vs. No. 24 Michigan - The ZN pick: Mich (yes, I actually picked MICHIGAN)
Northern Illinois vs. Minnesota - The ZN pick: Minny
Mich St vs. California - The ZN pick: Mich St
No. 19 Illinois vs. No. 7 Missouri - The ZN pick: Mizzou
Tonight (it might be very late tonight), I'll pick the rest of the FBS games. And tomorrow, the first game preview for 2008, No. 22 Penn State vs. Coastal Carolina. Damn I'm excited!
1. LSU (LW: 1) - This is the only team that "looks" like a national champion so far.
2. Ohio State (3) - OK, so Purdue was overrated; who isn't this season?
3. California (4) - Right now, there's no reason for the Bears missing out on the Rose Bowl berth.
4. Oklahoma (10) - Colorado is a much improved team, so the OU loss there isn't quite as bad; the UT win doesn't carry much weight this season.
5. Boston College (8) - I'm a bit cautious ranking BC here; but they're the best team in the ACC right now.
6. USF (6) - The rest of the Bulls' schedule is winnable; but can they do it after a poor showing against FAU?
7. Arizona State (12) - Undeafeated is undefeated; showdown with the Bears could decide the Pac-10.
8. South Carolina (13) - This USC team wouldn't lose to Stanford; remember their only loss was to LSU.
9. Missouri (20) - Nebraska isn't very good; but then again, Missou is.
10. Cincinnati (16) - I have a bad feeling about this week for the Bearcats; but they should get by UL.
11. Illinois (NR) - I know, I'm jumping on the Ilini bandwagon way too soon; but who else is actually impressive in the Big Ten?
12. West Virgina (15) - The 'Neers should win out, even with dates against RU and Cincy.
13. Wisconsin (5) - This team needs a defense, fast; but this week could be tough on the offense, going up against PSU.
14. Florida (9) - Watch for the SEC East to come down to the Gators and the Gamecocks.
15. Virginia Tech (18) - The Hokies will hang around long enough to challenge for the ACC title; but eveyone will still point to the LSU loss.
16. Oregon (19) UO lost to the best team in the Pac-10; but now has to worry about a WSU team that almost knocked off ASU.
17. Hawai'i (17) - The Warriors will remain here until they do something worth a higher ranking.
18. Kansas (24) - A team that has barely made bowl games is now one win away from clinching a berth; is it just me, or is the Big XII North more exciting now than the B12 South?
19. Florida State (NR) - Would anyone else be that surprised if the 'Noles made a run to the BCS?
20. Virginia (NR) - The Wyoming loss isn't as bad as it used to be; but barely beating MTSU is just scary.
21. Kentucky (7) - If the 'Cats are a good team, they'll rebound this week.
22. USC (2) - I was tempted to drop the Trojans out of the rankings; but honestly, there have been plenty of top teams that have fallen to bad opponents.
23. Georgia (11) - I know, I know; how could I not rank Tennessee here? Well, frankly, that loss was an oddity.
24. Indiana (NR) - Could this be the year that the battle over the Old Oaken Bucket actually means something other than bragging rights?
25. Purdue (14) - See above; this will either be a typical PU slide, or a chance to get back on the horse.
Dropped Out:
Kansas St. (21) - The UT win can only carry the 'Cats so far; this team will be better next season, after they go bowling.
Rutgers (22) - New Jersey has declared a state of emergency; but for once, it's not involving toxic chemicals.
Texas (23) - Watch out 'Horns, it's getting hotter in Austin these days; this is why Vince Young should have won the Heisman.
Michigan State (25) - Thank you Spartans, I almost forgot to turn my calendar to October; do the changing leaves trigger your annual autumn collapse?
1. LSU (LW: 1)
2. Ohio State (3)
3. California (4)
4. Oklahoma (10)
5. Boston College (8)
6. USF (6)
7. Arizona State (12)
8. South Carolina (13)
9. Missouri (20)
10. Cincinnati (16)
11. Illinois (NR)
12. West Virgina (15)
13. Wisconsin (5)
14. Florida (9)
15. Virginia Tech (18)
16. Oregon (19)
17. Hawai'i (17)
18. Kansas (24)
19. Florida State (NR)
20. Virginia (NR)
21. Kentucky (7)
22. USC (2)
23. Georgia (11)
24. Indiana (NR)
25. Purdue (14)
Dropped Out:
Kansas St. (21)
Rutgers (22)
Texas (23
Michigan State (25)
© Templates by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008 / Edited for Zombie Nation
Back to TOP
