Tony Pike may be ready to play again, but Zach Collaros has more than made his case to remain Cincinnati's starting QB.

may be ready to play again, but has more than made his case to remain 's starting QB.

Breakout freshman Bernard Pierce is a key reason why Temple has won seven straight games.

Breakout freshman is a key reason why has won seven straight games.

It wasn’t nearly the week that it could’ve or should’ve been for me with last week’s college football picks, but I’m starting anew, and I’m confident about getting things turned around this week.

Below, I have picks for all of this week’s weekday games, and as usual, I’ll have a glut of Saturday games, from Florida’s tricky road trip to South Carolina to a couple of should-be shootouts in the WAC later on in the week.

As always, our college football lines are brought to you by SBG Global.

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Tuesday

(-1) vs.

The defending champion Bulls are out of the title hunt, but they could deal ’s East title hopes a big blow with a win tonight. 4-1 (6-3 overall) is a game back of with three games (including a regular-season finale vs. ) left.

has lost back-to-back heartbreakers, falling in OT at Western Michigan and in the final seconds against , and this one could also go down to the wire.

The Bulls will be starting redshirt freshman Jerry Davis at QB while Zach Maynard sits for the first quarter due to suspension. If Davis can make it through the first without putting the ball in the hands of an defense that leads the nation in takeaways with 27, I like their chances to play a little spoiler tonight. The key, along with taking care of the ball, will be controlling the clock with the run, which has piled up 476 yards in the last two games and faces an defense that’s 71st against the run.

Prediction: 23, 17

Wednesday

(-17) vs. : ’s offense can put up some points, but they’re dealing with some serious injury issues at QB, and though whoever takes the snaps against the Chippewas could get their share of yards, the Rockets’ defense will do them in.

Migraines were a problem for CMU QB at Boston College, but he’ll be giving ’s defense headaches all night long. is 97th in the nation against the run and 96th against the pass, and LeFevour can do them both very, very well, and that will translate into a lot of scoring against a defense that‘s 114th in scoring defense.

Prediction: 38, 19

Thursday

Miami (OH) vs. (-3 ½)

All three of ’s wins have come on the road, as they’re 3-0 on the road and 0-2 at home.

However, I’m going with the ‘upset’ here. The dynamic duo of Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes will get their yards, and ’s nation-worst rushing offense could do well against a Miami defense that’s poor against the run.

But, Miami’s offense is playing much, much better with every game that freshman gets under his belt (1,118 yards, 7 TD, INT in his last three games), and I think he’ll lead the RedHawks to a win in a game that should see plenty of fireworks.

Prediction: MIAMI (OH) 38, 35

(-17) vs.

Remember that team that was really, really good last season? This one is really, really bad.

’ run defense can slow down ’s rushing offense, and the Cardinals’ pass offense, well, let’s just say they miss Nate Davis just a little. On the other side, (almost 230 yards per game) should have a field day against a run defense that comes into the week 79th in the country.

The Huskies are still in the hunt for the West title, and that pursuit will stay on track with a comfortable win.

Prediction: 31, 13

vs. (-1)

Both teams have defenses that force a lot of turnovers, so this could come down to which freshman quarterback makes the least mistakes.

USF QB B.J. Daniels went for 336 total yards vs. last week (232 yards, 3 TD passing, 104 yards rushing), but he struggled against and Pittsburgh, and has the run defense to neutralize his running threat and a pass defense that could pressure him and force him into mistakes like the Bearcats and Panthers did.

’ has eight touchdown passes and only one interception, and he’ll have to continue to be efficient against a very good pass defense, along with getting some help from a ground game that has found the going tough in play.

I do think though, that ’ defense will make the difference at home in a tight game.

Prediction: 20, 17

Friday

vs. (-4)

The Zips scored a mini-upset over Kent State last week to record their first win over an FBS (I’m trying to make myself say it more) opponent, but two wins in a row is asking a little too much.

Going back to the stats machine, comes into the week 89th against the run, allowing 166 yards per game. ’s is averaging 163 per game in his last seven games, and in his last three alone, has run for 657 yards and eight scores, as mentioned in this week’s Heisman Watch. will know what’s coming, but will they be able to stop it? Methinks not.

Prediction: 27, 17

(-9) vs.

couldn’t slow down a dual-threat QB in Daniels, and I don’t see them having an easier time of it against , who’s going to make his fourth straight start (though will see some action).

All Collaros has done since taking over for Pike is completely nearly 79% of his passes for 1,100 yards, and eight touchdowns, and run for 286 yards and four touchdowns. And in case you hadn’t heard by now, he accounted for 555 yards all by his lonesome against Connecticut on Saturday (29-37, 480 yards, TD passing, 13 carries, 75 yards, 2 TD rushing).

That doesn’t mean I’m discounting the Mountaineers’ chances, but they’re not going to be preventing the Bearcats from being 10-0. took off the gas against an inspired Connecticut team last week and nearly got burned mightily for it, but they won’t make that same mistake this week if they get a sizable lead.

Prediction: 38, 27

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