A 25-8 record of picking the fifth week games leaves me with a 125-31 record for the season. Now things are getting tougher though as we're really getting into the grind of conference play and we've got a few games where ranked teams are going up against one another. Let's see how I respond.
Wake Forest at #1 Florida State
2014 still sees the defending national champions undefeated, but they've been put to the test way more this year than they were at any point a year ago save for the title game against Auburn. They'll catch what would appear to be a little bit of a break this week against a bad Wake Forest team. Wake just can't put up points on the board, there's no chance they'll keep up with Jameis Winston and FSU. Defense rules the day for the Noles as they win convincingly.
My Call: Florida State 38, Wake Forest 6
Arizona at #2 Oregon
U of A made their entire 2013 campaign a worthwhile one when they routed the fifth ranked Ducks a year ago in Tucson in a surprising 42-16 final. Duck players didn't seem too excited about the chance to play in the Rose Bowl again. Arizona made sure they were relegated to the Alamo Bowl. Ka'Deem Carey ran for 4 TDs in that one. Carey is gone though and this Oregon team should have payback on their minds in a Thursday night tussle at Autzen Stadium. Both teams come into this one undefeated; and both were tested their last time out. Oregon escaped Pullman with a 38-31 win over Washington State while Arizona The Wildcats got a miracle home victory over Cal on a 47 yard hailmary pass from Anu Solomon to Austin Hill in a 49-45 victory. There will be no miracle for U of A this time. Oregon will be focused and ready to take out a year's worth of frustration. They win BIG.
My Call: Oregon 52, Arizona 23
#3 Alabama at #11 Ole Miss
Things were a little tense for the Rebels in the first half, but they eventually pulled away to beat Memphis 24-3 to set up this showdown with the Crimson Tide. I'm fully expecting a defensive struggle in this one. In a hope to be wrong prediction, I am taking Alabama. I just think the Tide have more outlets they can turn to on the offensive side of the ball to come up with that play or two they'll need to win this game. If pounding it on the ground with Yeldon and Henry doesn't work, Amari Cooper will probably make it happen in the air on a long hookup with QB Blake Sims.
My Call: Alabama 21, Ole Miss 13
#4 Oklahoma at #25 TCU
We know Oklahoma is for real. The question needs to be raised about TCU. Yes, they are 3-0 and look considerably improved from a bad 2013 season, but their three wins have come against the likes of Samford, Minnesota and SMU. Best of those wins is Minnesota, a team that at best will be a middle of the road Big 10 team. Fort Worth will be rocking and ready for the Sooners; and I bet the Horned Frogs will be early on as well, but it'll be Oklahoma that gradually takes control of this one in the second half. Sooners by a couple scores.
My Call: Oklahoma 34, TCU 21
#6 Texas A&M at #12 Mississippi State
Second of three huge SEC matchups will pit the maroon colored teams against one another; namely Kenny Hill vs. Dak Prescott in what could be a game that lights up the scoreboard in Starkville. The Bulldogs had this past Saturday off prepping for this one while the Aggies had to rally from 14 points behind to eventually beat Arkansas 35-28 in overtime. Gotta imagine Mississippi State won't want to go up tempo with Texas A&M, instead preferring to use their rushing game led by Prescott and running back Josh Robinson to control the tempo. Prescott is much improved as a passer this season, and that's why I like the Bulldogs to take this one. My expectations are this will be a game that's won by the team who possesses the ball last. MSU has a believer in me after beating LSU on the road.
My Call: Mississippi State 45, Texas A&M 42
#7 Baylor at Texas
Not long ago we would have looked at a game between these two programs as a huge mismatch in favor of the Longhorns. How times have changed! Still a major mismatch, except now it's in favor of the Bears. The Texas defense won't be able to do it all in this matchup. They'd have to force multiple turnovers and the special teams would need a big play or two for the Horns to pull it out. It won't happen. Baylor wins comfortably.
My Call: Baylor 45, Texas 20
Utah at #8 UCLA
Does UCLA seem like a team that rises up or plays down to the level of the competition? I guess it's possible after three not so impressive games against Virginia, Texas and Memphis before blowing out then 15th ranked Arizona State by 35 points on the road. QB Brett Hundley sure was impressive in that game. It wouldn't be too surprising to see the Bruins play down some to Utah's level, but they're still the more talented team here and are at home, so I am taking them to get the win.
My Call: UCLA 34, Utah 20
#14 Stanford at #9 Notre Dame
First real test for the Irish will come in the form of a physical, smart Stanford Cardinal team in South Bend. Sorry, but Michigan doesn't count this year. If you like a grind it out type of game where the defenses rule the day and there probably won't be a lot of points scored (barring a good deal of sloppiness on one or both sides), this could be the game for you. I am going to take Stanford. But I admit two things... that the Irish certainly have a chance since I expect this game to be close and I'm biased in hoping Stanford wins since I hate Notre Dame.
My Call: Stanford 19, Notre Dame 17
#19 Nebraska at #10 Michigan State
Question facing both these teams is how far has each one of them come? Although Nebraska is 5-0, none of their wins really jump off the page at you. The only decent win of the bunch in my mind was at home against Miami, a program that isn't where it was 10 to 15 years ago. Michigan State has sandwiched three easy wins around a loss at Oregon where they were obliterated in the second half. All in all, I would trust the Spartans more. They're at home and have the more trustworthy QB in this matchup. Looking at their schedule, they should be favored in every one of their remaining games prior to bowl season. If they run the table, will that be enough to get them into the conversation for college football's first annual playoff? We'll find out, but first they have to take care of Big Red. And they will. Ameer Abdullah could keep Nebraska around, but that tough Spartan defense should be able to force Tommy Armstrong to make a couple bad decisions to sway this game their way.
My Call: Michigan State 30, Nebraska 17
Vanderbilt at #13 Georgia
Getting pushed to the limit by a young, talented Tennessee team, Georgia will look to be more convincing this week in conference play as they take on Vanderbilt. The Commodores have been a little bit better since the start of the season, but they just don't have anywhere near enough to contain Todd Gurley nor do they have the offense needed to win this game. In what should be a better performance on the defensive side of the ball in addition to the dominance of the offense, Georgia should cruise in this conference matchup.
My Call: Georgia 45, Vanderbilt 14
Arizona State at #15 USC
According to reports, usual Arizona State starting QB seems "very questionable" to play in this game. If he can't go, the Sun Devils will again turn to Mike Bercovici. He had himself an up and down performance against UCLA. The numbers on the stat sheet of 488 yards thrown for and 3 TD passes aren't bad at all, but the two interceptions (one returned for a score at the end of the first half which really turned the game around) and a fumble really put a damper on his starting debut. Hard to blame him entirely when the opposing team scores 62 points, but he'll need to be better about protecting the ball if he's the guy for ASU in this one. USC bounced back in a big way after the loss to Boston College, trouncing Oregon State 35-10 at the Coliseum. With a very questionable starting QB and a very questionable defense, I'll take the Trojans to up their record to 4-1 on the season. I expect a better effort and performance here though from ASU than they one they put up against UCLA.
My Call: USC 42, Arizona State 31
#17 Wisconsin at Northwestern
Surprisingly easy win for Northwestern over Penn State on the road hasn't made me a believer yet. Gotta take the Badgers and Melvin Gordon. Granted not by a ton since Wisconsin hasn't exactly looked that brilliant themselves this year.
My Call: Wisconsin 28, Northwestern 17
Utah State at #18 BYU
Led by Taysom Hill, the Cougars should prove to be just a bit too much for Utah State. Granted Chuckie Keeton will certainly try matching Hill point for point and he'll put forth a solid effort, but he and the Aggies will come up about 12 points or so short.
My Call: BYU 35, Utah State 23
#20 Ohio State at Maryland
Watch out, Ohio State! The Terps feature a high scoring offense and the Buckeye defense has a lot of issues, so I think that could lead to one of those games where the team that has the ball last will win.. Real chance for Maryland to make a statement to the Big 10. While this OSU team may not be one of their better ones, the Buckeyes are still a big name and one of the better teams in a bad conference. They've got a real shot, but I just don't have the guts to make the pick. Buckeyes by a touchdown.
My Call: Ohio State 48, Maryland 41
Iowa State at #21 Oklahoma State
Effort can unfortunately only get a team so far in some cases... and that will be the case for Iowa State in Stillwater. The Cowboy defense should be able to keep the Cyclones offense under control for the most part and their offense will put the game out of reach in the second half.
My Call: Oklahoma State 28, Iowa State 14
SMU at #22 East Carolina
Shane Carden and a high powered East Carolina offense against a SMU team so horrible that SMU legend Eric Dickerson would like to see the program be shut down if it continues to be such an embarrassment for the foreseeable future? It'll be over by halftime. Sad that I don't think 37 points is a wide enough spread for this joke of a game.
My Call: East Carolina 58, SMU 7
Texas Tech at #23 Kansas State
K-State was able to bounce back from the heartbreaker against Auburn, throttling UTEP by 30 points. The Red Raiders put forth a solid effort against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, but Daxx Garmon and three turnovers proved to be a little too much to overcome in a 10 point defeat. I'd expect the same story in this game for Texas Tech, maybe a little more low scoring than 45-35.
My Call: Kansas State 38, Texas Tech 28
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