Connor Doyle
sports editor
Miami @ Virginia Tech
Frankly, I'm tired of looking like a fool picking against Miami. But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop. Not since the days of Luther Campbell's deep pockets have the Hurricanes won a championship, and I can't bear to think they might do it this season. So roll on, castrated turkeys, and beat those Canes into the ground.
Virginia Tech 24, Miami 7
Tennessee @ Florida
FSU's AD says he hopes someone "spanks" Steve Spurrier. Sounds like those two should get a room. Before that, however, the Gators have to take on a "hot" Vols team that hopes to "pound" Florida into submission. Perhaps a comeback win is in order for the "young bucks" from Knoxville. Saucy.
Tennessee 35, Florida 32
Texas @ Colorado
Ahhh· my favorite name in the NCAA has to be Bobby Purify. Well, Boulder's being invaded by some Longhorns this weekend, and if Colorado thought Nebraska fans were backwards· well, they're in for a surprise. It's a tough game to call, because the Buffs have been both fantastic (against Nebraska) and terrible (against Fresno State) this season. Should be a good one.
Colorado 54, Texas 53
Oregon State @ Oregon
At the beginning of the season, I would have said the best game in the Pac-10 this season would be the Civil War, and I still think it's going to be. Knowing how the Pac-10 has been this season, it's not out of the question that Oregon State might pull one out. There's a lot of emotion on the line for the Beavs, and I think they could pull this one off. Actually, they will.
Oregon State 21, Oregon 18
Arizona State @ UCLA
I've been picking upsets so far, but that's going to be tough, because I don't think there is an underdog in this game. Both are coming off embarrassing losses to their rivals, both teams have uncertain quarterback situations and both are equally detestable. One can only hope the city of Los Angeles finds an excuse for this game to be cancelled, because it only stands to make the conference look bad.
Arizona State 0, UCLA 0
Maxx Wolfson
assistant sports editor
Miami @ Virginia Tech
I doubted the Hurricanes' being a 26-point favorite against Washington last week. Luckily, I didn't put my wallet where my mouth was or it would've been Del Taco for dinner all week. Miami is hands down the best team in college football and even better than some teams that play on Sunday, such as the Cowboys and the Lions. The Canes will be smelling roses come January.
Miami 54, Virginia Tech 10
Tennessee @ Florida
If there is one rule in college football, it is don't get Steve Spurrier mad. If you think he liked to run up scores before he got ripped on by the FSU athletic director, just wait until Saturday. The only Rose Bowl matchup I would want to see is the high-powered Gators offense against the Canes' No. 1 defense.
Florida 45, Tennessee 21
Texas @ Colorado
What a great Thanksgiving it was - turkey, family and Nebraska getting crushed. Could I ask for anything more? Actually, how about Texas losing to the Buffs? How sweet it would be. The two Bobbys - Pesavento and Purify - will lead Colorado to the Big 12 championship, making it a long off-season for UT fans everywhere.
Colorado 40, Texas 35
Oregon State @ Oregon
This game was so big last year that Sports Illustrated pimped it on the front cover. This year it would be a miracle if SI even sent a reporter to be at the game. What is still a great battle - the Civil War - will be a one-sided affair. A disappointing season in Corvallis will only be worse after Saturday.
Oregon 42, Oregon State 24
Arizona State @ UCLA
This is how bad it has gotten at UCLA. One of my good friends, who is a Bruin player, said the team held a vote last week on whether or not they wanted to play in a bowl game. The team vote came back a "yes," and my friend was pissed - not because he didn't want to play anther game, but because if the Bruins make a bowl game, it will likely be in Boise, Idaho.
UCLA 14, Arizona State 10
Justin St.Germain
staff writer
Miami @ Virginia Tech
First the nay sayers foretold Miami falling to Syracuse. Result? 59-0, Canes. Last week, it was Washington's turn, as Miami detractors said Washington would end its title hopes for the second straight year. Result? The Canes won, 65-7. Now, the same morons are saying Miami can't handle the VT defense. Result? A Rose Bowl bid, as Miami tramples the No. 13 team for the second time in three weeks.
Miami 56, Virginia Tech 14
Tennessee @Florida
Florida State athletic director Dave Hart will be glued to the TV on Saturday, hoping the Vols can "spank (Steve Spurrier) and put him to bed." Spurrier might cry like a little boy when his tailback gets injured, but he also runs the best offense in the NCAA, as evidenced by Rex Grossman's improbable Heisman candidacy. In Knoxville, the Vols would pull off the upset, but not in the Swamp.
Florida 35, Tennessee 26
Texas @ Colorado
So maybe Colorado lost six weeks ago in Austin by 34 points. But this time, they prepared by blasting the best program in college football despite Eric Crouch's 360 all-purpose yards. Colorado's D shouldn't have nearly as much trouble with Chris "Daddy's Little Girl" Simms. Simms can't compare to Crouch - or back up Major Applewhite - and the Buffaloes run right over Texas to claim the Big 12 title.
Colorado 24, Texas 17
Oregon State @ Oregon
Oregon State was supposed to be the team sniffing a BCS invite come this postseason. But a 3-4 conference record won't get any invites to the Rose Bowl, and now it's Oregon's turn to lead the Pac coming into the Civil War. Still, the Beavers have nothing to lose, and they'd like nothing better than to send Joey Billboard's Heisman hopes into the toilet along with their dismal season. Call me crazy, but I smell an upset.
Oregon State 31, Oregon 30
Arizona State @ UCLA
To tell the truth, there's not a single college football game I care about less than this matchup. I'll be busy watching my boy David Carr crack 4,000 yards and 40 TDs against Utah State. Considering my cumulative 3-7 record in staff picks this season and how much I loathe both of these schools, I'll go with the spread and take my chances. Carr for Heisman!
UCLA 25, Arizona State14 1/2
Dylan McKinley
managing editor
Miami @ Virginia Tech
No one can stop the Hurricanes. They have perfect balance on both sides of the ball. Balance plus talent equals wins. In Miami's case, that equation spells a national title. The Canes will dominate the line of scrimmage, as they have all year, and walk all over Virginia Tech. Mark this one down: When it is all said and done, Miami's only scare will have been Boston College.
Miami 42, Virginia Tech 0
Tennessee @ Florida
Florida QB Rex Grossman has posted absurd numbers this season, averaging more than 300 yards and three touchdowns per game. But it isn't all Rex. If you have weapons like WRs Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell, Nintendo stats aren't hard to achieve. The Vols are No. 5, but I can't figure out why. Georgia beat them and their only wins of note came against Syracuse and LSU. The Gators roll.
Florida 51, Tennessee 14
Texas @ Colorado
The Colorado offensive line jelled at some point in the past five weeks, and it told the world against Nebraska. Left guard Andre Gurode is a monster, especially when he's pulling for any one of the Buffs' four solid running backs. He'll play on Sunday soon. Texas QB Chris Simms and a solid defense will keep it close, but CU's beef may be second only to Miami's; it will be the difference.
Colorado 35, Texas 31
Oregon State @ Oregon
The Civil War doesn't have the same meaning it could have, since OSU laid eggs early in the season, but the Beavers could dampen the Ducks' title hopes if RB Ken Simonton can control the clock. Oregon State will lose - big - if he doesn't. If Duck QB Joey Harrington and his speedy backfield henchmen, RBs Onterrio Smith and Maurice Morris, spend a lot of time on the field - and they should - the Ducks will spank the Beavers.
Oregon 49, Oregon State 14
Arizona State @ UCLA
Ick. Who cares? UCLA was, but is no more, and Arizona State can't take a joke. Cats peed in the Valley of the Sun last weekend, a trend that will obviously continue throughout the hoops season. I hide nothing: This is the biased pick of the week. I thought about it for about one second, with no research to back it - mainly because I like watching Sun Devils roast.
UCLA as much as it wants, the other team 0
