Week 11: Quick Picks

My apologies for the late post this week - it's been a crazy busy week for we campus ministry folk in Pittsburgh and I've not had the opportunity to write until now. It just means I won't be able to pick the now-over USF-Rutgers snoozer (I'd have picked Rutgers, honest). What I will do, due to the ongoing craziness of my schedule and the lateness of my initiation of this post, is make this a week of quick picks. It could turn out to be the pivotal week of the season, as each of the top 3 face sneaky-tough upset alert games, and #4 TCU and #5 Cincy face their toughest tests of the season to date, both at home. I promise a more meaty offering Saturday night.

1. Florida at South Carolina

Steve Spurrier continues to regret his decision to leave Florida and test NFL waters.

Florida 31, South Carolina 14

2. Alabama at Mississippi State

They were close against LSU, close against Florida, and this time Mississippi State gets their upset against an Alabama team coming off a tough, emotional win. Letdown game written all over this one.

Mississippi State 16, Alabama 13

3. Texas at Baylor

Texas loads up on points early against Robert Griffin-less Baylor.

Texas 42, Baylor 17

4. Utah at TCU

TCU rolls on by pasting overrated Utah.

TCU 28, Utah 7

5. West Virginia at Cincinnati

Ditto for Cincy against mediocre West Virginia.

Cincinnati 34, West Virginia 20

6. Iowa at Ohio State

Buckeyes might earn their 4th shutout of the season against Iowa offense that's sans Stanzi.

Ohio State 20, Iowa 6

7. Arizona at California

Arizona is good, but has peaked at #17 with Cal, Oregon, and USC remaining on the schedule.

California 27, Arizona 21

8. Notre Dame at Pittsburgh

Thermostat gets cranked up for Charlie Weis with another loss and the prospect of yet another disappointing year (6-6, anyone?).

Pittsburgh 30, Notre Dame 24

9. Miami (FL) at North Carolina

Hurricanes end winless streak in Chapel Hill. Barely.

Miami (FL) 31, North Carolina 27

10. Stanford at USC

Stanford is much, much better this time around than the last time they visited the Coliseum, and that game ended with perhaps the most shocking upset of all-time. USC will be ready this year.

USC 24, Stanford 21

11. Auburn at Georgia

Georgia gets bowl eligibility in the oldest rivalry in the South.

Georgia 38, Auburn 31

12. Texas Tech at Oklahoma State

Okie State's home troubles continue.

Texas Tech 44, Oklahoma State 31

13. Georgia Tech at Duke

Yellow Jackets live to play another week in the top 10 with close win vs. plucky Duke.

Georgia Tech 31, Duke 24

14. Tennessee at Mississippi

Vols have turned the corner in the past 4 weeks and can get Lane Kiffin's first ever road win here.

Tennessee 26, Mississippi 20

15. Missouri at Kansas State

K-State's run at the top of the Big 12 North ends on the arm of Blaine Gabbert.

Missouri 34, Kansas State 21

Next: A hearty recap after what could be the best weekend of college football all season.