College Football Week 10 - Important Matchups

Vanderbilt @ 1 Florida
Favorite: Florida, -35
This game matters because of Brandon Spikes. By now its been everywhere: he tried to gouge out another Waushaun Ealey's eyes, he was suspended for the first half of this game, Ealey didn't want him suspended, Spikes decided to suspended himself for the full game. Well, the only thing talked about more than this in the past few days has been the Alabama-LSU game, and thats just barely. With Florida at 8-0 and Vandy at 2-7, we'll know how much being without Spikes matters by the end of the first quarter, and it probably won't matter much.
Pick: Florida 45 - Vanderbilt 17

9 LSU @ 3 Alabama
Favorite: Alabama, -7.5
As it stands right now, this game will probably have national title repurcussions. The winner will probably play Florida for the SEC title, and the winner of that game will probably play for the BCS National Championship. For both teams, their big games have been low scoring, including LSU's 13-3 loss to Florida. They've both had their moments on offense, but defense has been carrying both teams all season. With both teams fairly even on that side of the ball, the offensive edge goes to Alabama. 'Bama's offense puts up more points and yards per game, and is already 3-0 against ranked opponents to LSU's 1-1.
Pick: Alabama 20 - LSU 13

16 Ohio State @ 11 Penn State
Favorite: Penn State, -3.5
This is the only other ranked-ranked game of the weekend, and it also hold conference title ramifications. With both teams 4-1 in-conference, they trail only undefeated Iowa for the Big Ten title. With Penn State already having lost to Iowa this season, Ohio State clearly needs this game more, as they take on Iowa next week, and would take the conference by winning out. Ohio State has looked beatable this year, and with Terrelle Pryor possibly nursing a leg injury, this could be a close win for Penn State.
Pick: Penn State 28 - Ohio State 24

9 Oregon @ Stanford
Favorite: Oregon, -7
Poor Stanford. Poor, poor Stanford. They are one game away from bowl eligibility and three of their last four games are at home, where they are undefeated this year. Unfortunately, those three games are against 9 Oregon, 20 Cal, 22 Notre Dame, and the away game is next week is at 12 USC. Having already lost to Wake Forest, Oregon State, and Arizona, I'm not giving the Cardinal much hope of bcoming bowl eligible this week. Maybe in two weeks against Cal, but not this week.
Pick: Oregon 35 - Stanford 17

College Football Week 4 - Important Matchups

9 Miami(FL) @ 11 Virginia Tech
Favorite: Miami, -2.5
Miami opens this year with four straight ranked opponents. So far, they've beaten FSU and Georgia Tech to get a 2-0 start on the season. Virginia Tech already lost to a ranked Alabama in Week 1, and barely beat ranked Nebraska last week. Now they'll have to beat a ranked division rival to prove they belong in the Top 10. Miami has looked strong on defense, and Jacory Harris has proven he can lead this team to victory. Va Tech will simply be overmatched this week.
Pick: Miami 34 - Va Tech 17


22 UNC @ Georgia Tech
Favorite: Georgia Tech, -2.5
UNC may be ranked and undefeated, but they haven't beaten a real opponent yet, either. Formerly ranked, Georgia Tech wants back in the Top 25. But they really haven't beaten anyone yet, either. They lost last week to Miami, and Miami just made them look bad, swarming all over their triple-option every time they ran it. QB Josh Nesbitt has also proven he can't do much with the ball besides run and pitch it to his backs. UNC will come in with one of the best run defenses in the country, and they'll leave with a win.
Pick: UNC 35 - Georgia Tech 13

Texas Tech @ 17 Houston
Favorite: Houston, -1
In their last game, Houston beat then-No. 5 Oklahoma State. Now they've had an off week to come down from that high and prepare for a Texas Tech team prepared to put some points up. Between the two teams, they've put up at least 45 points in three of their four wins, and Tech managed 24 in their loss last week to Texas. The game is going to come down to Houston's D barely managing to hold off a Tech team that needs just a bit more experience.
Pick: Houston 48 - Texas Tech 38

Iowa @ 5 Penn State
Favorite: Penn State, -9.5
At first glance, the spread on this game seams a little high considering Iowa won this game last year, and hasn't lost since. But that doesn't mean Iowa is good. In fact, since they started the season ranked, Iowa hasn't played up to expectations in their three wins, and managed to lose their ranking in the process. This years game will be played in Happy Valley, where Penn State hasn't lost in almost 2 years. I'm sure white out conditions will be in effect, and Iowa won't know what hit them.
Pick: Penn State 38 - Iowa 10