It’s been about a month since I put out my last batch of college football picks on here, but it’s not for a lack of trying or because I was hiding in shame about an average record. Because of the amount of moving around I did through October, and having a week where I was without regular internet access, I ended up having a few picks posts find themselves stuck uncompleted.

But I’m back now, and this week, I’m splitting the picks into two posts, one with this week’s Top 25 games, and one with the best of the rest of the bunch.

This week’s headliners are the Nick Saban Bowl in Tuscaloosa between Alabama and LSU, and a pivotal Big Ten matchup between Penn State and Ohio State, but there a lot of other goodies out there this weekend, and not all of them involve ranked teams. And you know that you that college football always offers up the chance for big upsets, and that’s no different this week.

This week’s picks are below, and as always, the lines for our college football and NFL picks are brought to you by our partner SBG Global.

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College Football Picks Record

Last Time (Oct. 8-10): 15-14 ATS, 20-9 SU
Season-to-date: 27-29 ATS, 39-17 SU

Friday

Louisiana Tech vs. Boise State (-21)

Louisiana Tech has made Boise State work for their wins in their last couple of trips to Ruston, and that could well be the case tonight.

However, the Broncos have withstood every challenge to this point, shutting down Oregon (doesn’t that one look great now?), withstanding a monster night by Ryan Mathews at Fresno State, and surviving Tulsa’s upset bid. So, I don’t see them wavering tonight, even if La. Tech makes things interesting for a while.

Prediction: Boise State 31, LOUISIANA TECH 13

Saturday

Florida (-35) vs. Vanderbilt

Vandy matched Georgia Tech blow for blow and then some for almost three quarters before the Jackets blew them away with four touchdowns in a little over six minutes late in the third and early in the fourth.

Florida won’t afford them an opportunity to stick around as long. The Gators will be without Brandon Spikes, but that won’t make a lot of difference. Gators roll and celebrate their SEC East title with a rout.

Prediction: FLORIDA 49, Vanderbilt 10

Texas (-34 ½) vs. Central Florida

UCF gave Texas quite the scare when they met in a 35-32 loss in 2007, but that was in Orlando, and the Golden Knights were on their way to a 10-win season behind current Detroit Lions starting RB Kevin Smith.

This time, it’s in Austin, and the Knights aren’t nearly as good, though they did hang with Miami for more than a half. Colt McCoy and several other starters will be able to rest very early.

Prediction: TEXAS 52, Central Florida 10

Alabama (-7 ½) vs. LSU

If both coaches are smart, they’ll just run the ball all day, because given how Greg McElroy has struggled against defenses with a pulse and Jordan Jefferson had a night to forget when Florida’s defense dominated in Baton Rouge, it’d be a good idea to not put the quarterbacks in position to make game-changing mistakes against two good pass defenses.

Alabama’s been winning ugly recently, and I see that being the case once again. It won’t do anything for their style points, but it’ll accomplish something if Mark Ingram can put in a performance that establishes him as the man to beat for the Heisman.

Prediction: Alabama 17, LSU 10

Iowa (-16) vs. Northwestern

Northwestern led Penn State at halftime last week, and it was 13-13 in the fourth quarter before Penn State scored three touchdowns in a span of three minutes and 40 seconds to blow the game open. So, the last thing that Iowa needs to do is look ahead to next weekend’s trip to Ohio State, especially after the mighty scare they got last weekend from Indiana.

If Northwestern QB Mike Kafka plays, Northwestern has a good chance to really make a game out of it, but even if he doesn’t, backup Dan Persa did show he could move the ball on a few drives despite not having much to show for it.

Hawkeyes win, but I’m not expecting a rout.

Prediction: Iowa 27, Northwestern 17

Cincinnati (-17 ½) vs. Connecticut

It looks like Tony Pike is going to miss a third straight game, but Zach Collaros has filled in more than admirably (37-45, 548 yards, 7 TD, 0 INT).

Connecticut took Pittsburgh and West Virginia down to the end on the road, so Cincinnati certainly won’t be underestimating them. But the Huskies haven’t had much luck in close games, and giving up big plays both on offense and special teams has proved costly in back-to-back close losses to West Virginia and Rutgers.

That looks to spell serious trouble against Cincinnati, who not only has a big-play offense no matter who’s taking the snaps at quarterback, but also has one of the nation’s most dangerous return men in receiver Mardy Gilyard. Cincinnati is also third in the country in turnover margin (UConn has eight turnovers in the last two games), and their run defense can slow down the Huskies’ two-pronged rushing attack of Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman.

Prediction: CINCINNATI 38, Connecticut 20

San Diego State vs. TCU (-24 ½)

As I said in a post a couple of days ago, this could be a really tricky game for TCU, as could also be the case with Boise State at Louisiana Tech. San Diego State is playing well right now and has a chance at the postseason, and a big win against a top-10 team would look real, real pretty on their resume.

Not going to happen though. I hope that TCU doesn’t go out and disappoint me, but this TCU team seems to have that extra something that all of Gary Patterson’s other double-digit win TCU teams didn’t. It’s taken them to big road victories over multiple upset-minded foes this season, and it‘ll take them into their showdown against Utah at 9-0.

Prediction: TCU 34, SAN DIEGO STATE 16

Stanford vs. Oregon (-7)

Oregon is in a commanding position in the Pac-10 after their rout of USC, but that doesn’t mean that they can get complacent on the road against a Stanford team that has a winning season and a bowl berth within reach.

This is the start of a four-game final stretch in which Stanford will take on four ranked teams, and I don’t see all three ranked visitors leaving Stanford Stadium with wins. The Ducks had slow starts at both UCLA and Washington, and a slow start could see them get into some real trouble against the Cardinal.

The Ducks won’t have a letdown, but they will have a real scare.

Prediction: Oregon 34, STANFORD 30

Georgia Tech (-14) vs. Wake Forest

Wake Forest QB Riley Skinner hasn’t practiced much this week after sustaining a concussion in the fourth quarter of Wake’s heartbreaking loss to Miami, but it looks like he will start in Atlanta. If he’s able to go without any issues, Wake could make a game out of it. Skinner has four 300-yard games this season after having none in his first three seasons, and he could be in line for another one against a Georgia Tech pass defense that came into the week 67th in the country, 18 spots above Maryland (24-33, 360, 4 TD), a spot above N.C. State (31-45, 361, 3 TD), three spots below Miami (28-42, 341, 2 TD), and nine below Boston College (25-35, 354, 2 TD).

However, if Wake’s defense couldn’t stop this same offense two weeks ago at Navy, it doesn’t exactly bode well for them tomorrow, especially considering that Georgia Tech has about 27 different guys who can run the ball. Skinner could well eclipse those above efforts tomorrow, but it won’t alter the final outcome.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 38, WAKE FOREST 27,

Penn State (-4) vs. Ohio State

Penn State needs this one to stay in the running for the Big Ten title and a BCS bowl. Ohio State needs this one for next week’s game against Iowa to have any real meaning.

However, they won’t get it.

It’ll be close and low-scoring like these meetings usually are, but it’s also going to be a win for the home team that condemns OSU to the land of BCS bowl-lessness. How’s the Capital One Bowl sound, Buckeyes?

Prediction: Penn State 17, Ohio State 13

Arizona State vs. USC (-10)

Oregon State exposed holes in USC’s defense, and Oregon ran through them, over and over to lay a once-in-a-blue-moon defeat on the Trojans last week.

Now if USC’s defense lets Arizona State’s offense have a big day, then something is really, really wrong. Don’t get any ideas though, Sun Devils.

USC hasn’t lost back-to-back games since a four-game losing streak early in Pete Carroll’s first season in 2001. That stat will remain the same after Saturday.

Prediction: USC 27, Arizona State 13

Pittsburgh (-21 ½) vs. Syracuse

Pittsburgh isn’t getting the same kind of attention as undefeated Cincinnati, but the Panthers are playing really well right now on both sides of the ball.

Prediction: PITTSBURGH 34, Syracuse 10

Utah (-27 ½) vs. New Mexico

Well, at least the losses are getting closer for New Mexico? Perhaps the Lobos could gain some encouragement by the amount of close calls the Utes have had in Mountain West play, but this one certainly won’t be close though. Utah’s offense hasn’t been firing on all cylinders, but they’ll be able to move the ball against New Mexico’s struggling defense, and the Utes also have a pretty darn good defense, too.

Prediction: UTAH 38, New Mexico 10

Tulsa vs. Houston (-1 ½)

Could Houston be in for an upset? They got a good scare from Southern Miss last week, and Tulsa could have revenge in their sights after the 70-30 walloping Case Keenum and the Cougars laid on them last season.

Tulsa’s offense has struggled in their losing streak, and their defense just allowed a freshman QB to go 20 for 30 with 354 yards and two scores (with no picks) in his first career start (Kyle Padron is SMU’s 27-13 win).

Perhaps Tulsa could prove me wrong, but I’ve got the Cougars penciled in for the road win.

Prediction: HOUSTON 41, Tulsa 31

Miami (-13 ½) vs. Virginia

The last time Miami hosted Virginia, the Cavaliers romped 48-0. That Miami team was a disaster, and that Virginia team was a nine-win team. Shoe’s on the other foot, now.

Prediction: MIAMI 33, Virginia 13

Arizona (-32 ½) vs. Washington State

One of the nation’s best offenses against one of the nation’s worst defenses? This one should be fun. Well, for Arizona, at least.

Prediction: ARIZONA 45, Washington State 12

Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State (-7)

Iowa State QB Austen Arnaud returns after missing the last two games with a hand injury, and his abilities to make plays with both his arm and legs could cause some problems for Oklahoma State.

The Cyclones have won each of the last two home games against the Cowboys, so OSU definitely needs to be on upset alert against a team looking to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2005.

Iowa State won at Nebraska and took Kansas down to the end in Lawrence, so they can win this game, especially with Arnaud back. And you know what? I’m putting them down for the upset.

Prediction: IOWA STATE 31, Oklahoma State 28

California (-7) vs. Oregon State

Oregon State’s run defense has allowed only 108 yards per game this season, and Jahvid Best has struggled against good run defenses this season, including last week against Arizona State (18 carries, 63 yards). Cal’s pass defense has allowed a lot of yards this season, so even if Jacquizz Rodgers can’t get it going on the ground against a decent run defense, he’ll get the ball in his hands one way or another.

I’ll take the Bears to win, but they might need some more late heroics like last week at Arizona State to do it.

Prediction: Cal 28, OREGON STATE 24

Nebraska vs. Oklahoma (-5 ½)

Instead of being a preview of the Big 12 title game, Nebraska is the only one of these two with a real chance of winning a division title, thanks to the parity (read: overwhelming mediocrity + whatever Colorado is) residing in the Big 12 North.

Mr. Suh and the Nebraska defense could do a real number on Landry Jones, but can the Huskers muster enough offense to pull off the win? I say not quite.

Prediction: Oklahoma 20, NEBRASKA 16

Indiana vs. Wisconsin (-10 ½)

Indiana has taken it on the chin the last few times against Wisconsin, but this one should be much closer, and if the Hoosiers can play like they did at Michigan and through the first three quarters against Iowa, then this one could really be up for grabs.

However, I think Wisconsin’s defense and a big dose of John Clay will make the difference in this one.

Prediction: Wisconsin 24, INDIANA 14

Notre Dame (-11) vs. Navy

Navy’s chances lie with being able to run the ball and shut Notre Dame’s passing attack down like they did last year, as Jimmy Clausen was picked off twice and held to just 110 yards, and Golden Tate was held without a catch (Michael Floyd also went down with a season-ending knee injury early on).

I don’t doubt that they’ll get their yards on the ground, but Clausen has made huge strides from then to now, and I think he‘ll add another big day to a season filled with them in another Notre Dame victory over Navy.

Prediction: NOTRE DAME 34, Navy 21