CFB Preview Volume 8

Hola... Big weekend in college football... let's hit the big matchups...

• LSU @ Auburn - 3:30 CBS - Game of the week here... two undefeated SEC powers in the top-6 of the rankings... but hilariously, I don't think anyone takes either team (esp. LSU) seriously as a national title contender... LSU's offense is hysterically bad, and they are clearly poorly coached (see Miles, Les), but they have a serious defense that keeps them in games... Auburn is the exact opposite... explosive offense led by Cam Newton (who Florida fans REALLY wish they still had) that dropped 65 on Arkansas last week, but a dearth of talent in the defensive secondary... Fortunately for Auburn, LSU is one of the worst pass offenses I've seen this year, and they won't be able to take advantage... I like Auburn...
• Oklahoma @ Missouri - 8:00 ABC - Another battle of undefeated conference foes... this one is more one-sided.... Missouri has played no one and as a result, has beaten no one of consequence... while Oklahoma ran all over Florida State and has been mostly impressive in walking through their slate... It's an interesting test for the Sooners because Blaine Gabbert and company can wing it for Missou, and it's on the road... but I don't think Missouri can play with them...
• UCLA @ Oregon - Thursday 9:00 ESPN - Thursday night Pac-10 game! I'm looking at you @imryan... Oregon gets an opportunity to showcase themselves in their own timeslot, and UCLA is a respectable opponent... could be big for them in staying #1 in both human polls (which they'll need to do all season because of their computer rankings)... Oregon by 3 touchdowns...
• Wisconsin @ Iowa - 3:30 ABC/ESPN - This is an interesting game... I've been all-in on Wisconsin since Day 1 and they showed flashes of why last week in beating up on OSU... John Clay is an animal and is the best player on the field here... I still don't wholly believe in Iowa... but playing at home, Ricky Stanzi is dangerous... I like Wisconsin in a close one...
• Nebraska @ Oklahoma State - 3:30 ABC/ESPN - OK State is like Missou in that they are a paper tiger at this point... unbeaten but untested... Nebraska got blemished last week, and they'll be an angry team... as usual, OSU can't stop anybody, and I think Nebraska puts up 35+ here and wins comfortably...
• Michigan State @ Northwestern - Noon ESPN - This gets the preview nod because it's the best of an atrocious early slate... but this could be a stumbling block for MSU... Northwestern can throw it on anyone, and MSU can be thrown on with an accurate QB... I think Sparty stays unbeaten... but this will be a one score game...

THE PICKS! 15-17 entering the week thanks a brutal last outing...

• Wisconsin +6 over Iowa - Reasons above... and getting points? automatic...
• Oklahoma -3 over Missouri - Reasons above...
• Indiana +14 over Illinois - Indiana can score... flat-out... and Illinois is getting to be overvalued...
  

That'll do it for me...