Editors note: each week the CP sports staff chooses their favorites to win some of the biggest games in college football. Here are their picks for week 7.
Scott Lasher – Football Beat Writer – Last week: 4-5
Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 17- Three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and the Hokies being great on special teams.
Texas Tech 42, BUFFS 17- After solidifying themselves as the worst team in the Big 12 last week, the Buffs confidence has to be on par with A-Rod’s right now.
(1) Ohio State 38, Michigan State 24- The best team in college football versus Choke Artists R’ Us? Please.
(2) Florida 23, (11) Auburn 17- Florida proved how good they are against LSU, and who knows what happened to Auburn against Arkansas. Nevertheless, the Gators will win this one.
(3) USC 35, Arizona State 21- The fact Stanford gave the Trojans a go makes me think twice about this one, but USC won’t lose at home.
(19) Missouri 28, Texas A&M 24- The Aggies always have a shot playing at Kyle Field, but Mizzou is a lot better than a lot of folks (including yours truly) give them credit for. Tigers win it in a close one.
Oregon 31, UCLA 20- The Ducks were anything but “quacktastic” against Cal but they return to the friendly confines of Autzen Stadium against a Bruins team who hasn’t really played anybody yet. Ducks should take it.
(23) Oklahoma 21, Iowa State 10- The Sooners had a Red River hiccup. Not a big deal.
(10) California 30, Washington State 20- The Cougars have lost to both ranked teams they have played this season. The trend will continue here.
(4) Michigan 45, Penn State 14- Michigan would be wise to send ol’ JoePa some Depends at halftime. He’s going to need them after this debacle.
Dan Fatigato – Sports Editor – Last week: 6-3
Boston College 31, Va. Tech 21 – I got nothing here, so a short anecdote. Before 1999 National Championship, Peter Warrick was asked if he knew what a Hokie was. His answer: Isn’t it some sort of sandwich or something? So Hoagies lose.
Texas Tech 44, BUFFS 14 – Tech can pass all day, and CU’s secondary is allergic to wide receivers. This one could even be worse.
USC 27, ASU 24 – The Trojans aren’t looking too good, but they’re just good enough to get by Sun Devils.
Ohio State 45, Mich State 20 – Nation’s best team gets to play its backups early in the second half.
Auburn 23, Florida 21 – Florida’s ride comes to an end as an angry Auburn squad defends its home turf. Plus I hate Florida.
Texas A&M 24, Mizzou 17 – Chase Daniel will have trouble at Kyle Field in front of thousands of screaming rednecks.
Oregon 34, UCLA 17 – In a game of bright pastel uniforms, the Ducks emerge.
Oklahoma 28, Iowa State 10 – OU is back with a vengeance after being exposed by Texas in Red River Shootout.
Cal 38, Wash State 17 – Run-of-the-mill Pac-10 blowout.
Michigan 31, Penn State 7 – Mario Manningham won’t play, won’t be needed against Joe Pa’s bunch.
Stirling Wade – Sports Writer – Last Week: 4-5
Virginia Tech 28, Boston College 24 – Special teams make the difference for Frank Beamer’s club.
Texas Tech 31, BUFFS 17 – Graham Harrell bounces back and the Buffs can’t keep pace.
Ohio State 42, Michigan State – 18. The Buckeyes cruise the rest of the way until their big one against Michigan.
Florida 28, Auburn 14 – The egg continues to slide down Tommy Tubberville’s face for his playoff comments last week.
USC 24, ASU 14 – What happened to Rudy Carpenter?
Mizzou 31, Texas A&M 21 – I can’t pick against the Tigers again.
Oregon 27, UCLA 17 – No Ben Olson. No way for the Bruins.
OU 35, Iowa State 21 – Adrian Peterson will run all over a porous Iowa State defense.
Cal 41, Washington State 20 – Their momentum from a big win over Oregon will carry them through the Cougars.
Michigan 17, Penn State 13. Scary game for the Wolverines without Mario Manningham but Penn St. is just too young on offense.
Kyle McDaniel – Sports Writer – Last week: 6-3
Virginia Tech 33, Boston College 28- BC is good, but the Hokies will take this one in a close game.
Texas Tech 31, BUFFS 13- After last week’s disappointment, the Buffs just can’t do it.
Ohio State 35, Michigan State 10- Ohio State is an extremely well balanced football team.
Florida 20, Auburn 23- Auburn had a big let down last week, but look for an upset victory against Florida.
Arizona State 17, USC 30- Booty is going to pick apart the Sun Devils’ defense.
Mizzou 28, Texas A&M 17- Mizzou has a great defense, but the offense will be the difference maker in this one.
UCLA 17, Oregon 35- Oregon is too good to have a let down against UCLA.
Iowa State 10, Oklahoma 28- Iowa State doesn’t have the defense to stop Oklahoma.
Cal 40, Washington State 17- This one is going to get out of hand quickly.
Michigan 24, Penn State 13- Manningham is out, but the Wolverines are still a powerhouse this year
Brian Beer – Sports Writer – Last Week: 6-3
BUFFS 20, Texas Tech 17 – Buffs avert longest losing-streak in history with first win of 2006.
Ohio State 31, Michigan State 10 – MSU continues to fade against Ohio State’s lights-out defense.
Auburn 24, Florida 20 – Florida suffers letdown against motivated Tigers after huge win over LSU.
USC 31, ASU 27 – Dwayne Jarrett returns to help USC further ASU’s losing streak.
Mizzou 42, Texas A&M 35 – Missouri races to first 7-0 start in shootout in Lubbock.
Oregon 38, UCLA 9 – Backup quarterback Patrick Cowan in over his head against Ducks in Oregon.
Oklahoma 23, Iowa State 17 – Oklahoma eliminates turnovers, penalties, in must-win game against ISU.
California 34, Washington State 14 – Washington State can’t keep up with the high-powered California offense.
Michigan 28, PSU 20 – Wolverines overcome loss of Manningham to triumph against Nittany Lions.
Katie Hearsum – Sports Writer
Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 24 – Tech is looking for a nice rebound from their loss to Georgia Tech. And besides that, Tech has beaten BC nine of the last 12 times so why stop now?
Texas Tech 17, BUFFS 13 – I’m hoping for a close game (at least) in one of Colorado’s last good chances to win this season .
Ohio State 41, Michigan State 14 – OSU will remain undefeated as Troy Smith pursues his Heisman.
Florida 24, Auburn 23 – Expect an exciting game with a close score from beginning to end.
USC 31, ASU 24 – USC will remain undefeated but will leave the field shaken up by the Sun Devils.
Mizzou 28, Texas A&M 13 – The Tigers will come roaring into Texas to defend their winning streak and leave with a 7-0 record for the first time since 1960.
Oregon 41, UCLA 38 – The Bruins will struggle in Oregon with new QB.
OU 27, Iowa State 17 – Oklahoma needs a victory Sooner rather than later..Expect Adrian Peterson to run wild on ISU’s defense as he plays in front of his father for the first time.
California 21, Washington State 10 – Cal’s passing game will prove to be too much for Washington.
Michigan 34, Penn State 17 – The Wolverines will win their eighth consecutive meeting with the Nittany Lions.
