Week 8 Picks

1) Alabama at Tennessee, 7 p.m. ET
Nick-
Tough environment for the Tide to play in at Neyland Stadium. That being said I expect Alabama to handle this game pretty easly. The 'Bama defense should be able to shut down Tyler Bray and control this game.
Tide wins, 38-17.

Jeremy-
I agree.  Neyland isn't the intimidating environment it used to be and Nick Saben will have the 'Tide keyed in for, arguably, their toughest test of the season so far. 
Alabama- 35-17

2) Florida vs. (7)South Carolina, 3:30 p.m. ET
Nick-
With this game being played in Gainesville I expect Florida to be able to win this one. I also after I heard Marcus Lattimore was out this game I see that tough Gator defense to slow down this Gamecock attack.
Florida wins a close one, 24-21

Jeremy-
I'm inclined to take South Carolina here on a rebound from last weeks loss at LSU.  However, no Marcus Lattimore makes this a different game.  The Gators defense is one of the best in the nation and this team has already proven they can win in hostile environments.
Florida- 20-16

4) Kansas State at (13)West Virginia, 7 p.m. ET
Nick-
I will be the first to admit I am not a big fan of this West Virginia team. When they run into a physical defense like last week they struggle. Also when the offense they play is just a good a their's they really struggle. If K-State gets up early in this game I think they win, if it gets to be a shootout I think the 'Eers win. Collin Kline will take control of this game for the Wildcats.
K-State wins, 35-31.

Jeremy-
I'm going with the upset here.  West Virginia has played well at home and I expect them to bounce back from last weeks loss at Texas Tech.  K-State has had some close wins on the road and think they drop this one.
West Virginia- 41-37

5) Notre Dame vs. BYU, 3:30 p.m. ET
Nick-
I really like this Notre Dame team because they win by playing defense. They are still unsettled at quarterback, but I think the Notre Dame defense shuts down a bad BYU offense.
Irish roll in this matchup, 28-10.

Jeremy-
Quarterback questions haven't slowed this team down yet, and won't today against BYU.  Irish win at home and improve to 7-0.
Irish- 31-13

6) LSU at (18) Texas A&M, Noon ET
Nick-
This game had already started by the time I got these in so no real explination here. A&M I think pulls this one off at home. Sumlin is looking for a big win and I think he gets it.
Aggies win a close one, 24-21.

Jeremy- I'm really tempted to agree with Nick here.  LSU has struggled on the road this season and are coming off an emotional victory over S. Carolina last weekend.  However, I think Les Miles gets his boys up for this one and they pull out a tough one in College Station.
LSU- 24-21

8) Oregon State vs. Utah, 10:30 p.m. ET
Nick-
Oregon State's defense should handle this game pretty easly against a bad Utah team. Utah has some bad losses. Even with a backup quarterback for Oregon State they will win this pretty easly.
OSU- 34-14
Jeremy-
Too easy.  Oregon State is too well coached to let this one go.  Utah has really struggled this season and shouldn't be a problem for Mike Riley and the Beavers.
OSU- 34-17

9) Oklahoma vs. Kansas, 7 p.m. ET
Nick-
Look out for a rout in this one. Kansas is probably the worst team in the Big 12 and it will really show this weekend against Oklahoma.
Sooners roll, 48-10.

Jeremy-
Ditto.  Kansas is bad and the Sonners should be able to roll in and get an easy victory.
Oklahoma- 42-14

10) USC vs. Colorado, 6 p.m. ET
Nick-
Another bad matchup for a bad team on the road. USC has been unimpressive, but Colorado has the ability to make any stuggling offense look like the best in the country.
USC rolls, 52-17.

Jeremy-
Same.  Colorado has been epically bad this year.  USC is much too talented for this game to even be close.  Trojans in a blow-out.
USC- 48-24

11) Georgia at Kentucky, 7 p.m. ET
Nick-
I said for two straight weeks that Kentucky picks times to play well agianst SEC teams at home, but not this week. Georgia is looking to keep moving up the SEC standings and make a statment here.
Dawgs win but closer than you might expect.
UGA- 35-24.

Jeremy-
Georgia has had a week to get over the loss to S. Carolina and get right.  Kentucky is the perfect team to do that against.  Expect the Bulldogs to take some frustration out on Joker Phillips Wildcats.
UGA- 45-14

12) Mississippi State vs. Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. ET
Nick-
Someone still needs to explain to me why Miss State is No. 12 in the country. They still have played ablosutley no one and continue that this week against Middle Tennessee.
Bulldogs roll in this one, 42-17.

Jeremy-
This will be the Bulldogs last win for the next three weeks.  I don't expect them to slip up against Middle Tennessee, but with Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU in the next three weeks, enjoy it while it lasts Bulldos.
MSU- 28-17

14) Florida State at Miami, 8 p.m. ET
Nick-
Tough road game for the 'Noles who have not performed well on the road this season, but I think they are looking to make a statement and show they are a great team still. Going on a limb here but I think FSU rolls in this game.
FSU, 38-17.

Jeremy-
This will be a tough test for Florida State.  Like Nick said, they've struggled away from Doak Campbell Stadium this season and while they're deeper and more talented than the 'Canes, they won't be able to overcome a slow start, or sloppy play.  I think the Seminoles will win but, it will be a close game.
FSU- 34-20

15) Rutgers at Temple, Noon ET
Nick-
Interesting matchup for Rutgers at Temple but this Rutgers team looks like it is for real. I think Rutgers should be able to pull this one out on the road.
Rutgers wins a close one and low scoring 21-17.

Jeremy-
Rutgers wins a Rutgers type game.  Both teams run the ball well and play good defense so who ever can control the line of scrimmage will take this on. 
Rutger- 17-14

16) Louisville vs. South Florida, 3:30 p.m. ET
Nick-
This South Florida team is tough and they played a tough game against Florida State a couple weeks ago, but on the road in Louisville I don't think they can pull it off.
Louisville wins a close one, 31-28.

Jeremy-
I like Louisville in this one.  USF has lost four straight and Louisville is the best team they've played other than Florida State this season.  The Cardinals win at home.
Louisville- 38-31

17) Texas Tech at (23) TCU, 3:30 p.m. ET
Nick-
This is a tough game for me to call. I like TCU but without Pachall I don't think they can take down a surging Texas Tech team. Tech has a rare combination of excellent offense and defense and I think it will be too much for TCU. This game will be close with both teams having great defenses.
Tech pulls a shocker in Amon G. Carter, 28-24.

Jeremy-
I'm going the other way here.  I think TCU will be over the loss of Pachall and they played well against Baylor last week.  TCU still plays solid defense and will need them in what shold be a close, defensive battle. 
TCU- 24-20

19) Clemson vs. Virginia Tech, Noon ET
Nick-
This is not the Virginia Tech team of old and looks bad this season. A fast and athletic Clemson team should be able to roll in this game.
Clemson wins 38-17.

Jeremy-
While I can totally see this as a let down game for Clemson, I just don't have any confidence that VaTech can get on track this season.  The Hokies have been a mess all season and I think Clemson is just too explosive for this VaTcch team.
Clemson- 44-24

20) Stanford at California, 3 p.m. ET
Nick-
Stanford should roll in this game, California seems to be a team that everyone in Pac-12 lands wants to call good but it is not. Stanford's front seven it tough and will shut Cal down.
Stanford wins easy, 24-10.

Jeremy-
Stanford has lost two of their last three, while Cal has won back to back games for the first time this season.  I think that ends today, as Stanford recovers from their heartbreaker at South Bend last week.  The Cardinal are too well coached and will man-handle the Golden Bears.
Stanford- 27-17

21) Cincinatti at Toledo, 7 p.m. ET
Nick-
This Toledo team can play they have a quick quarterback and running back combination and could spell a little trouble for Cincinatti on the road. Cincy's schedule still is very unimperssive, but their offense looks pretty solid.
The Bearcats win a close one here, 38-35.

Jeremy-
Toledo can score but most of their big wins have come against lower level competition.  Cincinnati has the number eight scoring defense in the country and should be able to contain the Rockets offense. 
Cinn.- 39-14

22) Boise State vs. UNLV, 3:30 ET
Nick-
UNLV is an improved team but Boise State is beginning to look like a Chirs Peterson team of old and should be able to roll in this game at home.
Boise rolls late, 42-21.

Jeremy-
Boise State has been pretty unremarkable this season, but they are playing good defense.  Boise's offense has struggled but UNLV has the 109th ranked scoring defense and the Broncos have taken advantage of bad defenses this season.
Boise- 37-13

24) Iowa State at Oklahoma State, Noon ET
Nick-
This game had already started by the time I got my picks in. For the record I was going to pick Iowa State anyway. I like what Rhoads has done with this team and made them competitive.
Cyclones in a close one 31-24.

Jeremy-
I'm going upset here.  Oklahoma St. has an explosive offense and are really tough to beat at home.
OK St.- 35-17

25) Texas vs. Baylor, 8 p.m. ET
Nick-
I think the Texas freefall stops here. Baylor's defense is about as bad as any in the country and the Texas offense should be able to run all over this team.
Texas wins going away, 45-28

Jeremy-
I'm going the other way here.  I think the Longhorns are in trouble.  Their defense has been exposed the past two games and their going up against one of the most explosive offenses in the country.  Baylor runs the run and shoot as well as anybody and Texas hasn't shown that they can stop it. 
Baylor- 43-41