USC (-7) @ Ohio State: Toughest pick of the week. I think USC will win the game but the 7 point number scares me. How will Matt Barkley perform in front of 100,000 in his first road game? Who knows? 31-23 USC.
Western Michigan (+1.5) @ Indiana: Western will prove to play more like their 2nd half performance at the Big House than what they showed in the 1st half (31-0) last week. Indiana is dreadful and I see a bounce-back performance for WMU. Forget the points, take the Broncos outright. WMU 31 IU 28.
Tulane (+18) vs BYU: Classic letdown/sandwich game for BYU after their big win over Bradford-less OU last week and with FSU on the horizon next week. Add to that Tulane has an extra day off of rest (played last Friday) and I'm fairly confident with this pick. Take the points. BYU 38 Tulane 28.
UTEP (+13) vs Kansas: This has all the making of a close game that goes multiple overtimes. In my mind, Kansas is overrated (#24) and is not used to playing non-conference road games. No question the game will be closer than 13 points. KU squeaks it out 45-42 in OT.
Notre Dame (-3) @ Michigan: If recent history is any indication, this game will not be close. 2006: 47-21 Michigan, 2007: 38-0 Michigan, 2008: 35-17 Notre Dame. My main concern for Michigan is in the secondary. While Cissoko and Warren played well vs. Western Michigan, I still have serious questions about the safety position. With the way Jimmy Clausen has looked in his last two games (granted it was against Hawaii & Nevada), defensive stops may be at a premium. The Irish have more talent on both sides of the ball and win going away. ND 34 Michigan 14.
UPSET SPECIAL
San Jose State (+13.5) vs Utah: Sure, San Jose St lost 56-3 to USC last week. Let's hope they bottomed out. Utah has a new QB who will struggle in his first road game. A tough week for the Mountain West continues, SJST 20 Utah 17.
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