Games of the Week/ Big Ten Rundown

#3/5 Boise State vs #6/10 Virginia Tech in Landover, MD-
One of the big factors in this game is that while Boise State has to travel all the way from Idaho to the east coast, it is still a neutral site game. If this game were played in Blacksburg then I wouldn't hesitate in giving VT the nod. I expect for Heisman candidate Kellen Moore and the Bronco offense to move the ball consistently against a younger defense, however Bud Foster is one of the best defensive coordinators in the game and won't let his guys give up too many points. I like for the Hokies to keep the high powered Boise State attack below 24 points, while Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Williams and Darren Evans will be potent enough on the ground to sneak out of Landover, Maryland with an "upset" victory. This should be a fun one to watch.

Virginia Tech- 27
Boise State- 24

#16/21 LSU vs #18 North Carolina in Atlanta, GA-
In just another display of how dominant the SEC can be, the juggernaut conference hasn't lost in these kick-off games as of late vs. ACC competition (albeit Alabama was the featured team the past two seasons, which is quite a mismatch). North Carolina brings plenty of NFL talent to the Georgia Dome, however the some of the talent's eligibility is in doubt in the midst of separate NCAA investigations into the football program. Either the players play as if it could be their last game of the season, or they play distracted football. I am going for the latter. LSU wins a defensive slugfest and outlasts Butch Davis and the Tar Heels in Atlanta.

LSU- 18
UNC- 14

#22/24 Oregon State vs #6/7 TCU in Arlington, TX-
I happen to be in the minority that believes TCU will end up being the best non-BCS team by seasons end (not to copy Phil Steele). They are an excellent program that plays in a better conference that gives them more opportunity to make a splash on the national scene. Better competition = better opportunity. Better opportunity = bigger reward in college football. TCU has a chance to get off on the right foot early against a nice Pac 10 team in Oregon State. OSU is my pick to land in the Rose Bowl at seasons end, so I obviously like them. I like them enough to pick them to SHOCK TCU and beat them in Arlington this weekend. TCU will go on to win the rest of their games, though -- in my opinion.

Oregon State- 33
Texas Christian- 27

Big Ten Rundown-

Marshall @ Ohio State- TBA
Indiana over Towson (...why should I pick Towson?)
UConn over Michigan (Too much stability at UConn; Michigan is just the opposite)
Wisconsin over UNLV (Could be an interesting road game for the Badgers)
Notre Dame over Purdue (A shoot out should result in a win for Brian Kelly and ND)
Minnesota over MTSU (If Middle Tenn had Dwight Dasher, I would've picked the Raiders)
Michigan State over Western Michigan (Should be a routine victory for Dantonio)
Penn State over Youngstown State (Really?)
Iowa over Eastern Illinois (Really?)
Missouri over Illinois (I want to pick Illinois, but I know they'll just get beat again)
Northwestern over Vanderbilt (An upset? Not at all in my book)