College Football Week Nine Picks

P.J. Walker

9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. 21 Temple Owls 7:00 pm (CT) on ABC
Entering the season, there wasn't much of a question that Notre Dame's schedule was no breeze. Meetings with Clemson, Georgia Tech, USC and Texas all appeared like they would be significant challenges for Brian Kelly's team to overcome. And yet, this road game against Temple was conveniently forgotten, though it is clear it will be no easy win. The Owls enter this game ranked 21st, undefeated and playing in front of a home crowd that will host College GameDay hours earlier. At 7-0, the Owls have used an effective offense, led by quarterback P.J. Walker and running back Jahad Thomas (822 yards), along with a suffocating defense to have major success. Plus, they haven't just been beating up on weak Group of Five schools, they dominated Penn State in their opener and stifled Cincinnati a week later. Meanwhile, ND has had an interesting road to this game. The early injury to QB Malik Zaire seemed that it would drown the Fighting Irish but they have played well under the leadership of backup DeShone Kizer, with their only loss in a close one to an excellent Clemson team on the road. Their running back situation has also surprised after presumed starter Tarean Folston went down for the year. Senior C.J. Prosise has been on fire lately, and has proven he has great patience mixed with wonderful vision. The Irish also have Will Fuller to work with on the outside, along with a healthy Corey Robinson, a big physical threat in the red zone. It will be interesting to see how the Irish offense plays against the Owls' defense. Temple has been wonderful against the run all season, so we know Kizer will have to make some big plays. But, Temple has not played an offensive line with the talent that Notre Dame possesses and it is sure to be an intriguing battle throughout the game. Defensively, Notre Dame continues to play well, led by linebacker Jaylon Smith and playmaking cornerback KeiVarae Russell. Walker isn't known for his huge arm but he has shown a methodical approach to moving the ball this season, and Thomas is always sure to break open runs, and big plays have killed the Irish all year. Temple recognizes the opportunity here: a win puts them at 8-0, with wins over Penn State and ND, and on the inside track to become the Group of Five team promised a New Year's Six (and maybe, just maybe, a Playoff berth?). They will play incredibly hard, but I actually have confidence in this Irish offense. Kizer and Prosise are playing great and this offense has proven it can move the ball against strong defenses.
Notre Dame, 30 Temple, 21

8 Stanford Cardinal vs. Washington State Cougars 9:30 pm (CT) on ESPN
Two weeks into the year, who could have predicted how big of a game this would turn out to be? Stanford was coming off a loss to Northwestern in which they managed just six points, while Washington State had just lost to lowly FCS school Portland State. Yet, here we are, in a matchup that could decide the Pac-12 North. The Cougars have been flaming hot since a slow start, now sitting at 5-2 with a pretty big win over Oregon to their credit. Quarterback Luke Falk has been on fire under Mike Leach's air raid system, already throwing for 2,885 yards and 26 touchdowns. He has a number of big-time threats to distribute the ball to, including Gabe Marks and sneaky River Cracraft. Stanford has long had the identity of a smashmouth, defensive-orientated football team. While their offense has been a revelation this season, that is still their strength. That defense, particularly the secondary, will have to step up in a big way to tame the Cougs. Even if it doesn't completely stop Washington State though, the Stanford offense should put them in a good position. Senior quarterback Kevin Hogan entered the year with questions about his job security and has responded with the best year of his career, by far. He has shown a lot of confidence in the pocket and has been throwing down the field more aggressively than ever. It also helps that he has a possible Heisman candidate helping him out in the backfield. Christian McCaffrey also had a slow start to the year before exploding on to the scene these past couple of games. McCaffrey isn't insanely fast, but he is shifty and he can always bust open up big plays, whether it be as a runner or a receiver out of the backfield. Washington State's defense has long been a problem under Leach and while it has shown fight this season, it could still be in store for a whipping. The Cougars just simply don't have the size up front to match Stanford's bulky offensive line and the Cardinal are better than anyone at punishing defenses with power. This is as big of an opportunity for WSU as it is for Temple against Notre Dame. The Cougars have taken steps under Leach, but have yet to really have a truly defining win. Beating the eighth-ranked Cardinal in front of the home folks would certainly qualify as one. This is a weird game; it could turn out to be a classic Pac-12 shootout, or Stanford could turn it into a slugfest. Either way, the way the Cardinal are playing they have to be my pick, even in a scary late road game on Halloween night.
Stanford, 35 Washington State, 31

23 Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels 6:00 pm (CT) on ESPN on Thursday
For so long, the ACC Atlantic has always had the big games. The past few years, it seems Clemson and Florida State have always dominated the conference's headlines, and once more they are heading towards a huge clash in just a few weeks. But, the conference's Coastal division is playing great football this season, particularly these two teams, who are a combined 12-2. First year head coach Pat Narduzzi has been a major reason for the Panthers huge turnaround. Even without stud running back James Conner, Pitt has found success behind Tennessee transfer Nate Peterman at QB, backup running back Qadree Ollison and a strong defense. Peterman, Ollison and wide receiver Tyler Boyd will have their work out for them in this one though; this isn't the pushover UNC defense of the past few years. Former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik has done a wonderful job with the defensive unit and has them playing incredibly hard and incredibly disciplined. Boyd presents an interesting challenge though; the huge receiver is a likely NFL first-rounder and he has incredibly soft hands. While that should put some major pressure on the Tar Heels' defense, they should find ways to force the ball away from Boyd. On offense, North Carolina has gotten a strong year from veteran QB Marquise Williams, but more importantly, a big year from young back Elijah Hood. A former big-time recruit, Hood is starting to come into his own in Chapel Hill, with 646 yards and eight touchdowns to this point. Narduzzi, who was the defensive coordinator at Michigan State before arriving at Pitt, has a strong, powerful front seven and a mind that knows how to stop great backs, he did it all too often at MSU. Though, he will also have to account for Quinshad Davis at receiver, along with an interesting dynamic, do-it-all Ryan Switzer. The junior receiver can make plays there, but his strength is as a returner. If Pittsburgh doesn't completely slow him down, he could be in store for some big plays. In a game that is sure to be tight, letting extra yards slip away on special teams, is a problem. This is another interesting game, and a treat on a Thursday night. The winner keeps their undefeated conference mark and puts their foot in the door of the ACC Championship game. Both teams should run the ball and play good defense. That makes quarterback play very important, and I'll go with the more experienced option in Williams. Even on the road, UNC should be able to come away with a win.
North Carolina, 28 Pittsburgh, 23

Other Picks
19 Ole Miss, 34 Auburn, 24
3 Clemson, 38 NC State, 27
15 Michigan, 30 Minnesota, 21
10 Iowa, 33 Maryland, 14
11 Florida, 28 Georgia, 21
Current Picks Record: 45-19

College Basketball Preview 2015-2016: Previewing the ACC

Marcus Paige

Atlantic Coast Conference
Power Rankings

1. North Carolina Tar Heels- 26-12 in 2014-2015 Returning Starters: 4 X-Factor: C Kennedy Meeks
Roy Williams has all the pieces in place in Chapel Hill to bring the school their first national title since 2009. Four starters return to a Sweet 16 team a year ago, including the unquestioned leader of the team, senior Marcus Paige. Although not an elite scorer, Paige's unselfish play and knack for hitting big shots have been critical to the Tar Heels over the years. He will once more be looked at often in important situations. Sophomore Justin Jackson is in line for a breakout campaign, after a big NCAA Tournament last season. Always known as a slasher, Jackson showed he had an improved jump shot and grew in confidence last season. Jackson should get even more opportunities with wing player J.P. Tokoto taking his talents to the NBA early. Up front, North Carolina should have an imposing group of big men, highlighted by junior Kennedy Meeks. Overweight when he arrived at Chapel Hill a few seasons ago, Meeks has slimmed down significantly and become a much more mobile and efficient center. Now, Williams is hoping he can take the next step and transform into the truly dominant center he can be. Senior Brice Johnson will also play a key role, a veteran who has proven he can rebound and defend. Other than Tokoto, North Carolina loses no pieces to a team that was flaming hot towards the end of last season. With plenty of experience, depth and pure talent, this team should be a Final Four lock.
National Rank: 1

2. Virginia Cavaliers- 30-4 in 2014-2015 Returning Starters: 3 X-Factor: G/F Malcolm Brogdon
Tony Bennett's Virginia program continues to impress, earning a high seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year and winning 30 games. Even so, the team advanced to just the third round of the tournament and slumped towards the end of the year. They would have quite a claim to be the top team in the ACC this season if not for the loss of wing Justin Anderson. Anderson averaged 12.2 points per game last season and was the team's best scorer when healthy. That should push ACC Player of the Year Malcolm Brogdon to even increased usage. Brogdon is a deadeye shooter and offers good size, but isn't explosive and lacks the killer mentality. If he can prove worthy of being the clear top option on this team, he could have a special year. Junior guard London Perrantes is a special player. He doesn't fill the stat sheet very impressively, but he has a great feel for the game and he is an excellent passer. Depth and experience is no problem up front, where Anthony Gill, Evan Nolte and Mike Tobey all return. This Cavs team is no longer an underdog; they have proven they are a serious threat inside the ACC. Now, they just have to go out and prove they can make a deep run in March.
National Rank: 4

College Football Week Eight Picks

Kyle Allen

15 Texas A&M Aggies vs. 24 Ole Miss Rebels 6:00 pm (CT) on ESPN
With a very weak slate of games this week, this Top 25 battle in the SEC West qualifies as the marquee matchup on the schedule. Texas A&M is licking it's hounds from a poor performance at home against Alabama, while Ole Miss is coming off a disappointing loss to Memphis. Both teams will bring explosive offenses to the table, particularly the Aggies. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen had far from his best showing against the Crimson Tide, but he appears ready to recover this week. Tra Carson is an explosive back who will hope to add some punch to the A&M running game, while true freshman Christian Kirk has been a revelation at receiver, joining underrated Josh Reynolds. Plus, they will face an Ole Miss defense that could be without one of their best players, defensive linemen Robert Nkemdiche, who is still recovering from a concussion. Without him, Texas A&M should be able to have some major success against the Rebels on the ground. Meanwhile, the Rebels' offense is trying to get back on track after a poor week against Memphis. Chad Kelly continues to impress with his rocket of an arm, but he has made some terrible throws in key situations for Ole Miss and he continues to have his ups-and-downs. Laquon Treadwell, Quincy Adeboyejo and Cody Core give him plenty of weapons to work with, especially against an Aggies' secondary that is not known as a particular strong unit. Although the defense as a whole has not been exactly dominant for Texas A&M it still has been a major upgrade from previous years under first-year John Chavis, who arrived from LSU. Myles Garrett continues to dominate at defensive end, and the sophomore should be active in taking down Kelly. Overall, this should be a very intriguing game. Both teams are crazy talented, but have underachieved in some key areas. With the loser dropping two games in the conference, it essentially an elimination game for SEC West contention. While Ole Miss has all the talent to get the job done, they haven't performed very well in second halves all season. I think Texas A&M should be able to come out of the Alabama matchup and attack the Rebels and win, even on the road.
Texas A&M, 34 Ole Miss, 24

8 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers 2:30 pm (CT) on CBS
Entering the season, this could very well have been a preview of the SEC Championship and could have serious Playoff implications. Unfortunately, Tennessee has underachieved a lot this season and enter this game 3-3 against an Alabama team that has punished Georgia and Texas A&M. The Tide are getting impressive production on the offensive end, helped by the fact Florida State transfer Jake Coker seems to have figured out after being benched in favor of Cooper Bateman. It helps that Coker has found a lethal weapon in freshman Calvin Ridley, who has taken over Amari Cooper's spot. Ridley isn't huge, but he has incredible speed and explosiveness and the Tennessee defense will have to work very hard to stop him. The Tide will also bring two great backs, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drkae, to the equation. The Tennessee rush defense took a major hit when linebacker Curt Maggit was lost for the season. Unless someone steps up, Henry could very well run all over the Volunteers' defense. The Tide will also bring plenty of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, countering a Tennessee offense that has had their ups-and-downs. Josh Dobbs has played well for Tennessee at quarterback but he will have to be very smart against the Tide. Cornerback Eddie Jackson and a number of other future NFL defensive backs dominated Kyle Allen a week ago, and if Dobbs isn't smart they will do much the same. After a hot start, Jalen Hurd has somewhat slowed down, and he will not have an easier matchup this week. Led by massive A'Shawn Robinson and linebacker Reggie Ragland, Alabama has proven that their rush defense is stingy. That will force Dobbs and the Vols' plethora of playmakers at receiver to step up in a big way. Tennessee has had a very disappointing season, highlighted by tough losses to Florida and Oklahoma. But, Butch Jones took some major heat off his seat when Tennessee beat Georgia last week and he has an opportunity for his truly signature win for the Volunteers. Unfortunately, I have serious questions about their rush defense holding up against Henry and Drake, and their own rushing game having much success. Unless Tennessee can create some crazy magic on the road, the Tide should continue rolling on.
Alabama, 28 Tennessee, 17

3 Utah Utes vs. USC Trojans 6:30 pm (CT) on FOX
Even sitting at 3-3 and with an intern head coach, USC is actually favored to beat Utah. That should serve as extra motivation for the third-ranked Utes, who will hope to continue building their strong resume. Talent is no problem for the Trojans and they will bring a number of weapon on both sides of the ball to the table against the Utes. Cody Kessler has not been as good as expected, and struggled mightily against Washington. Though, there is no denying how great of a player Kessler is when he is on his game, and he has exciting JuJu Smith to work with on the outside. On defense, do-it-all linebacker/safety Su'a Cravens will lead a Trojans defense that has been solid all year. Though, that USC defense hasn't faced an offense likes Utah. Sure, the Utes aren't exactly very explosive and don't have a lot of big names but they are extremely methodical and they know how to move the ball effectively. Senior back Devontae Booker has put himself in the Heisman conversation with his play so far this season. Booker isn't going to break open games every time he touches the ball, at least not usually, but he is a workhorse with excellent vision. Paired with senior quarterback Travis Wilson, who is having a resurgent season, the Utes should be able to move the ball with success. The key for Utah in this one will be forcing turnovers and limiting big plays. Kessler has struggled with interceptions mightily all year, and it doesn't help that Utah defensive back Marcus Williams is one of the NCAA's leaders in picks. The Utes will also have to contain the number of USC playmakers. When the Trojans can't produce big plays, their explosive offense becomes a lot more average and one-dimensional, too lenient on the pass. If Utah can force turnovers and limit the big plays, while also getting enough contributions from Booker and Wilson offensively, they should roll past 'SC even playing on the road.
Utah, 35 USC, 23

Other Picks
1 Ohio State, 30 Rutgers, 17
Texas Tech, 44 17 Oklahoma, 42
9 Florida State, 27 Georgia Tech, 14
5 LSU, 38 Western Kentucky, 30
6 Clemson, 34 Miami, 20
Current Picks Record: 41-15

Post-Week Seven College Football Playoff Power Rankings

Corey Coleman, Baylor

Week Seven was easily the most important week of the 2015-2016 college football season to this point. It pitted a number of Top 25 schools and Playoff contenders against each other, saw a variety of upsets, and overall got us closer to a Final Four group of schools that will be squaring off in the second annual College Football Playoff. Here is what the Playoff picture looks like as the season rages on:

The Four

1 Ohio State Buckeyes
While absolute chaos has been going on behind them, Ohio State just keeps on winning. Sure, they aren't exactly blowing out every opponent like some thought they might have when the year began, but they played a very complete game this Saturday against Penn State. The Ohio State quarterback situation continues to be unclear; J.T. Barrett may have a shot at taking over the starting gig full time, but even so, the weapons around them are pretty incredible. After his shocking debut against Virginia Tech, Braxton Miller has found consistency, Zeke Elliott is on a tear and the defense looks stout. The Buckeyes look like they should roll through their next three opponents before meetings with Michigan and Michigan State.

2 Utah Utes
Things have been absolutely crazy on the West Coast this year but there has been one constant: Utah winning. The Utes didn't exactly dominate Arizona State yesterday but the Sun Devils aren't a bad football team and Utah did look impressive pulling away to a 34-18 win. Back Devontae Booker continues to put up big numbers on the ground, and there is no denying just how impressive Utah has been defensively all year. While Michigan's loss slightly hurt Utah's resume, it still might be the most complete resume in the nation, with wins against the Wolverines, Utah State, Cal and Oregon.

3 Baylor Bears
West Virginia was the first significant "test" for Baylor on the year and the Bears didn't have much troubles with Dana Holgorsen's team. Offense has always been the name of the game for Baylor, but this year they have taken it to another notch. They are putting up record-setting numbers, with an offense that includes Seth Russell, Shock Linwood and Corey Coleman. I'm not completely sold on Baylor being a complete contender yet (they still have a long ways to go defensively) but they have been good enough to get a spot in the Playoff.

4 TCU Horned Frogs
We know this: two Big 12 teams are not going to make the Playoff. TCU and Baylor are both undefeated at the moment but they will eventually meet and one will knock the other out of the race, it inevitable. But, for now both have done enough to get a spot in the field, particularly with the constant shake up near the top of the polls surrounding Ohio State. For the second straight week, TCU got off to a relatively slow start but dominated down the stretch against Iowa State. But, TCU has a decent resume at the moment, with solid wins over Texas, Texas Tech and albeit struggling, Minnesota.

Next Four Out

LSU Tigers
I'll be honest, entering the year, I would not expect LSU to be the last remaining undefeated in the SEC. Sure, the talent in Baton Rouge was undeniable but youth and quarterback questions were sure to rough up the Tigers this year, right? So far, it hasn't. Tasked with their toughest defense seen all year, LSU's inconsistent offense outdueled Florida, putting up 35 points, behind the typically powerful running of Leonard Fournette, but also the play of Brandon Harris, who had his most complete showing off the year at QB. More good news for LSU: beyond Alabama, who is left on their schedule that could really trip them up?

Clemson Tigers
The Tigers are in a weird, but almost envious position. They sit undefeated at the moment and while they aren't seen widely as a Playoff team, they can sit back for the most part and watch chaos unfold in front of them, because their remaining schedule is far from scary. Sure, Florida State is going to be a challenge but other than that, Clemson may breeze through their upcoming slate. The constant worry around the program is that they are going to go out and lose a game they shouldn't, something that is all to familiar for them, but this year's team is different. They have great leadership and impressive depth and talent on both sides of the ball.

Michigan State Spartans
It may well go down as one of the craziest finishes in the history of the sport, right up there with the Kick Six and so many other improbable finishes. Michigan punter Blake O'Neill fumbled a routine snap that would have sealed a win for the Wolverines, and it fell right into MSU's hands, who promptly returned it to win in a crazy, wild, fantastic rivalry game. While the win was exciting and it preserved Michigan State's undefeated mark, there are still questions about this team. The offense looked completely over matched for much of the game and if not for bizarre finishes the past couple of weeks, the Spartans might have multiple losses. Yet, they are still in the mix, and now own a pretty nice resume booster by beating Michigan.

Alabama Crimson Tide
Following their second consecutive loss to Ole Miss and heading into a tough matchup with Georgia, questions began to emerge about the state of the Alabama program. Was the Nick Saban dynasty, that had run all over the rest of the college football world, over? The Tide have answered that question quite simply? No, it is not. They went out and bullied Georgia and only further impressed by handling Texas A&M. A win against LSU down the stretch and Alabama becomes the favorite in the SEC once more, something that would certainly get quite a bit of recognition from the Playoff Committee.

Others in the Mix
Florida State Seminoles
Stanford Cardinal
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Iowa Hawkeyes
Michigan Wolverines
Florida Gators
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Memphis Tigers
Oklahoma Sooners
Texas A&M Aggies
Pittsburgh Panthers

College Football Week Seven Picks

Desmond Morgan, Michigan

6 LSU Tigers vs. 8 Florida Gators 6:00 pm (CT) on ESPN
Entering the season, who could've predicted the state of these two teams? Both teams entered the season with relatively modest expectations, especially Florida who was beginning the new Jim McElwain era with questions at quarterback and questions throughout their offense. Though, the winner of this pivotal matchup will position themselves as the clear cut favorite in the SEC and a serious Playoff contender. The Gators put themselves on the map a couple weeks ago, with their spanking of then-No. 3 Ole Miss, 38-10. They then proved they were legit by suffocating Missouri in a 21-3 victory. Much of that had to do with a defense that has been absolutely dominant this season, but also the play of redshirt freshman QB Will Grier. Despite being young, Grier's poise and arm strength were off the chains. Unfortunately, he was suspended just days ago for the rest of the season after testing positive for performance-enhancers. That leaves Florida looking to Treon Harris, a dual threat with potential and experience, but with problems with consistency and turnovers. The LSU defense has been terrific all year, headed by an aggressive front seven and secondary. Jamal Adams, a ball hawking defensive back, had a big game against Auburn earlier in the year and can do it all. He will attempt to make big plays off of Harris in this one. Linebacker Kendall Beckwith will be just one of the Tigers tasked with controlling the Florida run game which has been solid, led by junior Kelvin Taylor. Harris is a great player who has proven that he can make some big plays at quarterback. But, this LSU defense knows how to shutdown dual threats, and it certainly is no easy time being a backup QB heading into Death Valley. For LSU, their story on offense has been all about Leonard Fournette, who has emerged as the clear favorite for the Heisman trophy. Whether it is around or over people, Fournette has been running like crazy all season. Though, he hasn't exactly faced a dominant defense yet, and Florida's defense could certainly qualify as one. Led by hard-hitting middle linebacker Antonio Morrison, the Gators have proven they are legit time and time again. Their performance in that Ole Miss game proved just how strong they were, holding an offense that was averaging over 40 points to just ten. Vernon Hargreaves is a monster at cornerback and will give sophomore QB Brandon Harris even more problems, as he has a had an up-and-down year. Even so, the LSU offense will lean heavily on Harris. They know in this one, they can't just hand the ball off to Fournette 40 times a game and win. Harris has to make some big throws and it remains to be seen if he can. This game is a complete toss up to me. Florida has a more versatile offense, even with Harris at the helm, but I do obviously have questions about this team going on the road and winning with a backup quarterback. Meanwhile, LSU may have a tough time moving the ball, particularly if Harris struggles. Though, without it being in Baton Rouge and having Fournette, I have to go with LSU in this one in what should be a classic SEC slugfest.
LSU, 14 Florida, 10

7 Michigan State Spartans vs. 12 Michigan Wolverines 2:30 pm (CT) on Big Ten Network
When Jim Harbaugh was hired a few months ago, the task was clear. Restore Michigan to their glory days after a long span of fruitless years under Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez. Nobody thought it was going to be quick, and certainly nobody expected this. After a loss to Utah to begin the year, Michigan has been on absolute fire. They have won five straight games, and have scored 97 unanswered points in their last three games. Now, the Wolverines get a chance to rise into the Top 10 and put themselves in serious Playoff contention against their archrival Michigan State. The Spartans appeared poised for a big year following a win against Oregon. Since then, things have gone downhill. Sure, they sit undefeated but they have won a number of close games against unimpressive foes (Purdue, Rutgers) and Oregon's struggles have hurt their resume. Still, the Spartans have a proven quarterback in senior Connor Cook, who continues to play well and impress NFL scouts. Receiver Aaron Burbidge has given MSU a deep threat to work with, while the ground attack has been solid. Though, the Spartans just have not been able to separate from weaker teams and the defense has been inconsistent without defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi leading the way (now the head man at Pitt). That gives the Michigan offense quite a fighting chance, even going up against a number of future NFL players, including defensive end Shilique Calhoun. Iowa transfer Jake Rudock started the year slow but has been wonderful since. He isn't going to beat you with his big arm but he plays smart and he knows this Michigan State defense very well, having faced it on numerous occasions. Running back De'Veon Smith has been very good as well and should have some success against an inconsistent MSU rush defense. Though, obviously the big story for Michigan has been their defense. Headed by a number of veterans and upstarts (including exciting Jabrill Peppers who is sure to make some huge plays in this one) the Wolverines have been absolutely dominant on this side of the ball. If they can contain the Cook-Burbidge connection and force the veteran quarterback into some mistakes, they have a great shot. This defense is incredibly disciplined, and they shouldn't allow many big plays at all, meaning the Michigan State offense will have to be on top of their game, as they won't get anything easy. After the Oregon win, I would definitely have picked Michigan State in this one. But, the way the Wolverines are playing and the way the Spartans are trending in the opposite direction, I have to go with Michigan. If their defense continues to play the way it has been, they should take down a rival in front of Gameday and maybe just prove they are back.
Michigan, 30 Michigan State, 20

9 Texas A&M Aggies vs. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide 2:30 pm (CT) on CBS
Last season, the Aggies were coming off consecutive losses to both Mississippi schools and desperately needed some momentum, heading into a matchup with Alabama. Although just two years removed from Johnny Manziel's magical victory in Tuscaloosca, that one never really came for the Aggies. They were dominated, 59-0, in a game that indicated the Aggies still had a lot of work to do under Kevin Sumlin. Now, a year later Texas A&M is undefeated and ranked higher and out to prove just how far they have come. Quarterback Kyle Allen has led an explosive Aggies' offense that also includes exciting Speedy Noil, Josh Reynolds and a number of other playmakers. But, Texas A&M had an explosive offense a year ago, and that offense put up exactly zero points against the Tide. That should put more pressure on the Aggies' defense, which is much better than it was last year, led by new defensive coordinator John Chavis. Sophomore end Myles Garrett has been on absolute fire and he will have to play a big role in rushing Alabama's Jake Coker. Coker leads an Alabama offense that has been inconsistent, but certainly is not devoid of talent. Derrick Henry is still among the best backs in the nation and the Aggies are notorious for struggling to tackle bigger backs. Kenyan Drake is a nice change of pace to Henry in the backfield and the Tide have found a number of impact playmakers at receiver. These include true freshman Calvin Ridley, who is always ready for a big play, and Oregon State transfer Richard Mullaney. The Tide will also lean on their massive offensive line, particularly tackle Cam Robinson, to stop Garrett and the rest of the Texas A&M front seven. The entire Alabama defense will be tasked with shutting down Allen and the rest of the Aggies. It has had some big moments and overall the defense has looked terrific all year. A'Shawn Robinson wrecks havoc in the trenches, Reggie Ragland makes play after play at linebacker and the secondary is led by cornerback Eddie Jackson and a number of other future NFL contributors. Allen has been great so far this season for the Aggies, but he has also struggled with consistency throughout his career. Though, it will help that the young quarterback will have the entirety of the Texas A&M faitful supporting him in Kyle Field in this one. One thing should be clear: Texas A&M is not losing by nearly sixty in this one. In fact, they should give Alabama plenty of problems in this one, particularly if Garrett and the defense play well. I've stuck with Alabama consistently throughout my picks this year because Nick Saban manages close wins like few do. But, on the road with Coker not playing terrific and Texas A&M, I'm going to go with the Aggies, which almost seems like an upset pick.
Texas A&M, 35 Alabama, 27

Other Picks
17 Iowa, 21 20 Northwestern, 17
13 Ole Miss, 31 Memphis, 21
1 Ohio State, 28 Penn State, 24
4 Utah, 33 Arizona State, 28
3 TCU, 52 Iowa State, 10
Current Picks Record: 36-12

College Football Week Six Picks

Jared Goff

5 Utah Utes vs. 23 California Golden Bears 9:00 pm (CT) on ESPN
I don't think anyone at the start of the year would predict that these two teams would be the last two undefeated teams in the Pac-12. But yet, here we are, the 4-0 and fifth-ranked Utes going up against the 5-0 Golden Bears. Cal features one of the nation's most explosive and pass-happy offenses, one led by NFL prospect Jared Goff at quarterback. The junior has thrown for 1,630 yards and 15 touchdowns in just five games, spreading the ball around to a number of big play threats that include leading receiver Kenny Lawler. While Cal has proven they can score points in bunches (nearly 360 pass yards a game, averaging 43 points per game) Utah has proven they can win in really the complete opposite way. Utah has been fantastic defensively all season long, and their offense is predicated around a power running attack that is far from flashy. The Utes' defense is led by a pair of impact linebackers, in Jared Norris and Gionni Paul, which have 32 tackles on the year. The pair will try to stop a sneaky effective Cal rushing attack but will also need to bring support in coverage. Goff will also have to be weary about defensive back Marcus Williams, who already has three interceptions on the year and will look to add to that total. Offensively, the Utes run a powerful and methodical offense. Back Devontae Booker won't break out many big runs but he is a workhorse who is a proven contributor for the Utes. The offense has also taken a big step from last year thanks to great play from Travis Wilson. Wilson doesn't have anything close to Goff's huge arm, but he has made the smart decisions, completing 68% of his passes with just one interception on the season. He also could give Cal's defense issues because of his running abilities (202 yards and three touchdowns with his legs so far this year). In whole, this game faces a game of completely contrasting styles that should be very intriguing. Utah is hoping to add to an impressive resume and establish themselves as the clear favorite in the Pac-12, while Cal is hoping to emerge from a crowded Pac-12 North and earn bowl eligibility for the first time since 2011, a Holiday Bowl loss to Texas. The Utes have already proven they can shut down explosive offenses (held Oregon to 20) and got a bye this past week, which should help with them preparation. Add in the fact they are the home team, and the Utes should end Saturday 5-0.
Utah, 34 California, 24

13 Northwestern Wildcats vs. 18 Michigan Wolverines 2:30 (CT) pm on Big Ten Network
While Utah and Cal certainly have been the surprises of the Pac-12, Northwestern and Michigan have been the surprises of the Midwest, entering this game with decent Playoff possibilities, particularly with Ohio State and Michigan State not playing very well. Both teams are built on defense, particularly Northwestern, who is coming off a 27-0 shutout of Minnesota. The Wildcats also held Stanford (who is putting up 40 points regularly now) to just six points, and stifled Duke. On the other side, Michigan has been on fire since a season-opening loss to Utah, evidenced by a 31-0 beatdown of BYU just a few weeks ago. The Wildcats defense will be facing a Michigan offense that isn't bad by any means, and has proven it can score in bunches. Iowa transfer Jake Rudock has looked great since the opener and the ground game has taken major strides, led by speedy De'Veon Smith. Northwestern, though, do a great job of switching up schemes and confusing opposing offenses and have one of the nation's premier linebackers in Anthony Walker, who does it all (44 tackles, seven tackles for loss). The Wildcats are also terrific at forcing turnovers, worrying for Michigan and Rudock, who had three picks in the opener. Offensively, the Wildcats are led by a superb running game led by Justin Jackson. An explosive athlete, Jackson has 636 yards on the year and has also proven to be a quality receiver out of the backfield. Young quarterback Clayton Thorson has also been very good so far this season and could present a dual threat weapon. The Wolverines defense, led by fantastic linebacker Desmond Morgan, exciting Jabrill Peppers and a strong rush defense, could certainly have their hands full. This game appears to be a very evenly-matched game. Both teams have had success in similar ways, and both are playing extremely well right now. Though, the Wolverines' offense has more consistent throughout the year and considering they are at home, they are going to be the pick. Though, if Northwestern can thwart Michigan's running game and force Rudock to throw, they may have a chance at a huge victory.
Michigan, 27 Northwestern, 21

12 Florida State Seminoles vs. Miami Hurricanes 7:00 pm (CT) on ABC
The primetime game of the week is sure to be an intriguing one, between two long ACC rivals who have not had a particular great start to the year. Florida State is still undefeated, but it is hard to get excited about who they have beaten so far (Texas State, South Florida, Boston College, Wake Forest) and the offense has faded as of late. On the other side, Miami sits at 3-1 but has significant pressure opening their conference schedule. Al Golden is widely seen as one of the nation's top hot seat coaches and another unsuccessful meeting against an archrival could only dig a greater hole for the head coach. The Seminoles are getting great production from their running attack, led by junior Dalvin Cook. Cook has 570 yards and six touchdowns on the year and has shown a knack for the big run. Unfortunately, he is listed as questionable in this game due to a hamstring injury. Plus, his backup, Mario Pender, isn't coming back any time soon with a collapsed lung. Florida State's passing game has lagged behind. Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson hasn't been bad, but hasn't been great either. He has made some poor reads and still doesn't look completely comfortable. Though, Miami's defense as a whole isn't exactly shutdown, so it could be a coming out party for Golson and the rest of the 'Noles' offense (which has managed 14 points and then 24 in their two recent wins over BC and Wake). For Miami, the Hurricanes will look to have a big day from sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya, who played well in the matchup last year. He will be joined by sophomore back Joseph Yearby in the backfield, who has also proven he can make the big play. Those two give the Hurricanes a fighting chance, but the Seminoles' defense is no joke. Defensive back Jalen Ramsey continues to dominate. The game-changing athlete can become a help in run support, a pass rusher or make plays by forcing turnovers. Either way, Miami will certainly attempt to get the ball away from him as much as possible. With Clemson's big win over Notre Dame this past weekend, the pressure is on for Florida State to keep up. A win here wouldn't be absolutely huge, but it would add a quality win to FSU's resume, which would certainly help.
Florida State, 30 Miami, 17

Other Picks
10 Oklahoma, 35 Texas, 20
6 Clemson, 27 Georgia Tech, 23
21 Oklahoma State, 35 West Virginia, 33
2 TCU, 45 Kansas State, 24
15 Notre Dame, 28 Navy, 21
Current Picks Record: 29-11

Post-Week Five College Football Playoff Power Rankings

Devontae Booker

It may be a crazy thought, but we are already reaching the halfway point of the 2015-2016 college football campaign. And, while the year has been exciting it has missed one crucial element: an elite team. Neither Ohio State nor Michigan State is playing well, and Ole Miss went on the road and was blown out by No. 25 Florida. Even so, there are still a number of teams that have a claim to the College Football Playoff. Here is what the Playoff picture looks like after Week 5:

The Four

1 Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes went on the road this past week and got yet another close scare from a team that is far from a contender. Sure, Indiana is 4-0 and they played very well, but the Buckeyes play so far this season has been incredibly worrying. Though, even without a very impressive resume, Ohio State is the top team in the nation right now, only because nobody else has proven they are any better. Ezekiel Elliott continues to lead a ground attack that has been terrific but the quarterback situation is worrying. Neither Cardale Jones nor J.T. Barrett have played extremely well and Ohio State's combined QBR is the lowest of any unbeaten. Is Ohio State this year's version of the 2014 Florida State team? Maybe, but winning out in a Power Five conference should still land you a spot somewhere in the four.

2 TCU Horned Frogs
The stock of TCU is rising quickly right now. The Horned Frogs blew out Texas, 50-7 and already own wins against quality opponents in Texas Tech and Minnesota. But, it is hard to really get a sense on just how good the Horned Frogs are. The offense is rolling, with quarterback Trevone Boykin and wide receiver Josh Doctson putting up insane numbers. But, the defense continues to be plagued by inconsistency and youth and the Big 12 is the type of conference that feeds on any defensive deficiencies. Even with some questions, TCU remains a strong Playoff team and a viable No. 1 candidate (for the team being) if Ohio State topples.

3 Michigan State Spartans
While TCU's stock is rising, Michigan State's stock is going in the complete opposite direction. Their claim to a Playoff spot, a win over Oregon, has looked increasingly less impressive throughout the past few weeks. And then the Spartans went out and looked very sluggish against a really bad Purdue team, winning just 24-21 and needing a last minute stop. Their play lately has been worrying, but MSU still appears to be a formidable force in the Big Ten. They've just plain beat who they have supposed to, and been able to survive and move up with losses in front of them. Though, unless the Spartans add some more to their resume they could easily be thrown out of the equation, especially with a loss to Ohio State down the road.

4 Utah Utes
UCLA's loss this past Saturday to Arizona State made one thing clear: Utah is the frontrunner in the Pac-12. The Utes victory over Michigan to open the year continues to look better and better (although that Michigan team was far from the one that is tearing things up right now) and they own a huge blowout victory over Oregon. They could only add to a strong resume by beating the only other remaining unbeaten in the conference: California. Behind a powerful rushing attack and a disciplined defense, Utah has what it takes to get it done.

Next Four Out

Baylor Bears
Even five weeks into the season it is tough to get a read on Baylor. They haven't had a close game and looked fantastic this past week against Texas Tech, but it is hard to really get excited about their schedule so far this season. Lamar, SMU, Rice and Texas Tech aren't exactly college football heavyweights, and beating them by five touchdowns doesn't prove much. Even so, Baylor's offense has been on fire this season and the defense has shown plenty of consistency. As long as the Bears keep winning, they should pose a decent case to the committee.

LSU Tigers
Not surprisingly, LSU came away with a victory over Eastern Michigan, behind the powerful running of back Leonard Fournette, who continues to pound opposing defenses. Even with the victory, there are some concerns surrounding the Tigers. Sophomore Brandon Harris has improved at quarterback but is still incredibly inconsistent and lacks the ability to stretch the field. That has made the offense completely one-dimensional (as it was last year), which is extremely worrying. Even so, LSU has a strong enough resume at this point in the season to warrant serious Playoff consideration, with wins over Mississippi State and Auburn.

Clemson Tigers
The constant criticism around the Clemson program has been that they choke games away and can never win the big ones. While, neither of those things happened this past Saturday, at home in muddy and rainy Death Valley against Notre Dame. Although Deshaun Watson was far from as great as we hoped (in what many saw as a Heisman statement possibility for the sophomore) the ground attack was great and the defense was wonderful. Brent Venables, despite severe losses on the defensive side of the ball, continues to lead a fearless unit that should keep the Tigers in every game they play. But, Clemson's closing act against Notre Dame, as they very nearly let the game slip away. This was a very big win for the team, but the Tigers haven't had a game where they've truly looked like a complete Playoff team yet, making this just out of the equation as of right now.

Alabama Crimson Tide
How did Alabama respond with the No. 13 ranking and being an underdog against undefeated Georgia? By dominating the Bulldogs on the road behind a dominant defensive performance and a big day from Derrick Henry. Even better for the Tide was quarterback Jake Coker had probably his best showing of the year, even with a depleted receiver corps to throw to. While Ole Miss' loss to Florida this past Saturday didn't help the Tide, Alabama has made it clear they are still a team to be reckoned with as we head on to the second half of the regular season.

Others in the Mix
Florida State Seminoles
Texas A&M Aggies
Florida Gators
Oklahoma Sooners
Northwestern Wildcats
UCLA Bruins
Michigan Wolverines
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Ole Miss Rebels
Georgia Bulldogs
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Stanford Cardinal
USC Trojans
California Golden Bears

College Football Week Five Picks

Kenyan Drake

8 Georgia Bulldogs vs. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide 2:30 pm (CT) on CBS

Struggles by Auburn, Tennessee, Missouri and more have left the SEC pretty wide open, and the winner of this classic midday brawl will put themselves in prime conference championship position. Alabama enters the game in a weird position for the program: as the underdog, following a loss two weeks ago to Ole Miss. Meanwhile, Georgia enters the game on fire, but without any very impressive victories to their name. The Bulldogs have been all about running the ball this season, led by sophomore Nick Chubb. Chubb has been absolutely dominant so far in 2015, with 599 yards and six scores through four games, making him one of the Heisman frontrunners as we kick into October. Though, Alabama's strength this year has been their rush defense, which shut down Corey Clement and Wisconsin in Week One and has a number of future NFL contributors. It includes massive linemen A'Shawn Robinson, a 300-pound athlete who is a proven run stuffer. Another plus for the Tide's defense is that they won't have to deal with the tall and lengthy receivers that Ole Miss threw at them, because Georgia doesn't have that type of size on the perimeter. The Tide will be eager to prove themselves against Greyson Lambert, the Bulldogs' quarterback. A Virginia transfer, Lambert has been on fire as of late, giving Georgia's offense plenty of versatility. Though, he hasn't played a defense with the talent of Alabama's defense, and Tide DC Kirby Smart will switch things up with a number of different blitzes against the young quarterback. The question for Alabama is their quarterback play. Jacob Coker has struggled mightily and Cooper Bateman was not overly better in his short play against Ole Miss. Add in the loss of Robert Foster at receiver, and Alabama's passing attack is pretty limited. Though, the combination of Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake is scary and Georgia's rush defense isn't completely dominant. If they aren't disciplined and don't make key tackles in open space, the Bulldogs are going to have a tough time stopping the Tide's backs. Even so, Georgia has to have the upper hand in this matchup. Their offense looks terrific and their defense will work hard to force Alabama to move the ball through the air. Plus, they get Alabama on their home turf, "Between the Hedges". But, it isn't any secret that Mark Richt has had a rough time against top teams. It seems no program has been unable to get big wins when they need it most more than Georgia, in some of the most unlikely ways. While Alabama hasn't been playing great lately and my pick of them to beat Ole Miss looked foolish I still believe they can play off the "upset", particularly if Henry and Drake can find some holes. I just don't know if I believe in the Bulldogs enough, with Richt on the sideline and a still inexperienced quarterback leading the way.
Alabama, 31 Georgia, 28

6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. 12 Clemson Tigers 7:00 pm (CT) on ABC
Notre Dame has not had the luck of the Irish so far this season. They have already lost quarterback Malik Zaire, running back Tarean Folston and a number of defensive contributors to serious injury. Though, even with that adversity, ND is 4-0 with a couple of very impressive wins. New QB DeShone Kizer has been playing terrific, joined in the backfield by another player who is playing wonderful, C.J. Prosise. The explosive Prosise has proven that he can run the ball or catch the ball extremely effectively. The Irish have also gotten a huge year from receiver Will Fuller, who has made a number of huge catches already for the Irish. Though, the Irish will get all they can handle from Clemson, who enters this game undefeated and trying to prove they are the best and most complete team in the ACC. Their own quarterback, Deshaun Watson, has played well enough to get some Heisman consideration. Although still extremely young, the true sophomore has proven that he can change games with the blink of an eye, and seems to play his best in the biggest moments. He will be joined by powerful Wayne Gallman in the backfield and a number of big play threats on the perimeter, including Mike Williams and Artavis Scott. The Irish defense is headed by a number of impact linebackers, Jaylon Smith and Joe Schmidt to name a few, but the defense as a whole has had their ups-and-downs. They have had success for the most part but haven't faced a defense with the versatility and speed throughout like Clemson's offense. That will certainly give the team a challenge but even so, the Irish do have the talent to respond with their own offense. Either way, this is sure to be a huge one. Notre Dame has had some big wins to open the year but their victories over Texas and Georgia Tech look a lot less impressive now that both teams have lost elsewhere. Meanwhile, Clemson hasn't beat much of note and they are desperately trying to add to their resume. This one is sure to be an extremely exciting and close matchup. Although I think Kizer and Prosise can still get the job done, I think Clemson is the safer bet. Picking a team with a backup QB is risky no matter how good they are playing, and it remains to be seen if Kizer could handle a place like Death Valley, South Carolina.
Clemson, 28 Notre Dame, 20

15 Oklahoma Sooners vs. 23 West Virginia Mountaineers 11:00 am (CT) on FS1
Two undefeated Big 12 schools square off in an early morning duel. The explosive Oklahoma Sooners have been on fire to begin this year. New offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and his first-year offensive scheme has worked to perfection for the Sooners. Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield has been on absolute fire this season and running back Samaje Perine has proven he can have monster games, including a four-touchdown effort in this game a year ago. Though, the Mountaineers may just have the defense that can counteract Oklahoma. The West Virginia has been absolutely dominant so far this season, but that is against inferior competition. The Mountaineers are stacked in the defensive backfield with studs like Kaleb Joseph and K.J. Dillon making plays. With those two ball hawking safeties in the back, Oklahoma may have a tough job throwing the ball, even with explosive senior Sterling Shepard. On the offensive side of the ball, WVU QB Skyler Howard has been playing extremely well so far this season. He has 916 yards and nine touchdowns and has proven to be a gunslinger in the pocket. Dangerous Wendell Smallwood and more give the Mountaineers plenty to work with on the offensive side of the ball as well. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma defense should be pretty well prepared with aggressive outside linebacker Eric Striker, and a capable secondary. An explosive pass rusher, Striker can take over games and West Virginia will need to contain him. Overall though, Oklahoma's defense has been much improved this season, proven by their effort against Tennessee. That defense should be good enough to at least contain Dana Holgorsen's air raid attack. If the Sooners do't turn the ball over and find other ways to get the ball downfield than simple deep passes, they should have success. West Virginia's defense is good but it may struggle against the versatility and explosiveness of Oklahoma's offense. Particularly with it being at home, Oklahoma is the safer pick.
Oklahoma, 38 West Virginia, 24

Other Picks
3 Ole Miss, 35 Florida, 21
14 Texas A&M, 30 21 Mississippi State, 27
2 Michigan State, 37 Purdue, 14
1 Ohio State, 42 Indiana, 31
22 Michigan, 28 Maryland, 13
Current Picks Record: 22-10