Week Four Picks....

The Biggest Games(ranked by significance)
1. Tennessee at LSU- The Volunteers season is on the line. UT is still a serious national title contender, but must win at Baton Rouge to remain one. If the Vols lose, they face the possibility of losing maybe one or two more the rest of the season.

LSU showed its poise in the come from behind victory at Tempe over Arizona State. Tennessee's defense is tougher, but the offense is no where near the level of ASU. LSU should be able handle what ever UT throws their way.

Eric Ainge will get the start over Rick Clausen. It seems UT might want to air it out against LSU since ASU had such great success with pass. Gerald Riggs is UT's best weapon, and unless he get the ball in is hands 25-30 times, the Vols are going to lose. LSU wins 24-10.

2. Southern California at Oregon- The Ducks are suppose to be SC's first challenge. The game is at Autzen Stadium, one of the toughest places to play in America. Oregon had to pull out all the stops just to beat Fresno State by three poinst last week at home. What is going to happen against USC?

Fresno State jumped out to 17-0 lead on the Ducks, but UO swichted to the no-huddle offense and had success. Fresno State was not ready for it, and could not stop it, falling behind 20-17. USC will be ready for the no-huddle. Oregon's best shot is to outscore USC in a shootout, and win the battle of turnovers.

Oregon will feed off the energy of the home crowd, but USC is just too powerful. If Fresno State can put up 530 yards in a loss, what will the Trojans do? How bout close to 600 yards and a 56-27 win, that is about as close as the margin of victory will be.

3. Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech- This game is not getting the national hype it deserves. GT wins and they will be a legitimate national title contender. If VT comes away with a decisive win, it will only show how strong the Hokies are.

The uncertain condition of Reggie Ball looms over the Yellow Jackets. With him in GT has a good shot at the upset. Without him VT might run away with an easy win.

With or without him Virginia Tech is just too good. At this time it does not look like Ball will play, so VT should have a little easier time, 34-20 Hokies.

4. Purdue at Minnesota- This is the type of game Minnesota usually falls flat on its face in its attempt to become one of the Big Ten's elite. Purdue has not looked spectacular in its first two games. With no Michigan or Ohio State on the schedule, and what looks like a down year for Iowa, the game with the Gophers has even more importance.

Laurence Maroney has been running over defense in his first three games. The Boilermakers defense will be his first true test and a chance to impress Heisman voters.

Both teams have lot to prove. Purdue is near the top ten and need to prove they are a national championship caliber team. While, Minnesota needs to take the next step for the program to have a shot at a conference title. The Gophers are actually four point favorites, and in past years would lose this game at Metrodome, but Minnesota finally wins the big game, 34-27.

5. Iowa at Ohio State- What looked liked the biggest game of the year in the Big Ten, is somewhat of an afterthought. Ohio State could not beat Texas in the 'Shoe, but OSU is still in the national title hunt. Meanwhile, Iowa has fallen completely out of the national spotlight after their humiliating 23-3 loss at Iowa State.

Ohio State should win this game, but the Hawkeyes need to pull the upset to salvage their season, and faint national title hopes.

Drew Tate is healthy and Iowa will be ready, but the Buckeyes are tough at 'Shoe, 24-16 OSU.

6. Michigan at Wisconsin- The Badgers look a little overrated since the win over Bowling Green does not seem as big, after BG was pasted 48-20 by Boise State. Michigan's loss to Notre Dame seems more like a fluke after the offense moved the ball with ease last week against E. Michigan.

Will Camp Randall and Wisconsin's ground game be too much for the Wolverines? Will Michigan open the pass game against the Badger secondary? Michigan needs this win badly, a loss will kill all national title hopes, and make it harder to capture the Big Ten title.

Wisconsin should be able to move the ball, but Michigan will open it up and win 31-17.

7. Colorado at Miami, Fla- If Colorado wants to prove to the nation that it is a player, they must beat Miami in the Orange Bowl. It is not an easy task, but the 'Canes hardly look like the juggernaunt of the past. Ever since the 01 national championship, Miami has been steadily falling, and nearly faced an 0-2 start after barley escaping Clemson with a triple overtime win.

Colorado is capable of pulling the upset. Joe Klatt is a good passer, but Miami's defense is too good to let the Buffs air it out. Miami's offense needs to step it up, and Colorado could be in for a long day, if the 'Canes get going.

Miami needs to make a statement, and too bad for Colorado it will be them, 38-13 'Canes.

8. Boston College at Clemson- What could have been? BC and Clemson were both close in knocking Florida State and Miami at home, respectively. Whoever rebounds from the loss better, will win this game.

Clemson is tough at home, and given their difficult schedule already and close wins, I give the Tigers the nod. Clemson 27, BC 21.

3 Potential Upsets........

What will happen-New Mexico beats UTEP, the Lobos are the lone cry for the little guys to crash the BCS. If New Mexico can blowout UTEP, and not just beat them, the Lobos would deserve serious top 25 consideration. They beat Missouri on the road two weeks ago, and the MWC is the toughest non-BCS conference, so the Lobos might have a case if they run the table.

What might happen-Oregon State over Arizona State, the Sun Devils are on fire, but the trip to Corvallis is their first true road game. Oregon State was manhandled at Louisville last week, and ASU is better, not good for the Beavers. OSU should fair better at home, and if Sam Keller has an off night......who knows?

What is unlikely to happen-Washington upsets Notre Dame, at the beginning of the season I said UW would win six games, and this was one of them. Notre Dame is heads and shoulders above UW in more ways than I could have ever imagined. ND should plow over UW, but emotion could play a huge role. I would not be surprised if ND has a post Sparty hang over, and UW wins a close one.

Betting Man? Surefire Picks!
note: I actually faired better last week, but I am still sucking....take with caution.

Georgia(-15.5) at Mississippi State- Battle of the Bulldogs, but the boys in Starksville, suck. UGA should cover, even if the scrubs play the second half.

Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan(-5)-Neither one of these programs is spectacular right now, but C. Michigan showed some life in their upset of Miami of Ohio a couple weeks ago. I would put my money on the Chippewas at home.

Southern Cal(-21.5) at Oregon-The SC offense is just too much for the overmatched Duck defense. See above.


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