Three teams are battling it out for those vaunted two spots, and the two in action this weekend are up against a legitimate conference test. Top ranked Florida is going up against the rival Georgia Bulldogs in their annual neutral site contest in Jacksonville, FL. Meanwhile Texas travels to Stillwater to take on the red hot Oklahoma State Cowboys. Who wins this week?

Against the Spread
Last Week: 13-9
Year to Date: 77-58-2

#1 Florida (-15) vs. Georgia

- The Gators have struggled in their last two games against some of the weaker members of the SEC, but in the World’s Largest Cocktail Party, Florida is always pumped up just a bit more. Georgia didn’t have a game last weekend, so they’ve been focusing on the Gators for two weeks now. But here’s the problem for the Bulldogs, their defense isn’t all that good. I like Florida to cover for the first time in a while.

Pick: Florida 34, Georgia 16

#3 Texas (-9) @ #14 Oklahoma State

- Oklahoma State is coming in to this one amidst a great stretch of games, but I think their defense will struggle mightily against Texas. In their only loss, the Cowboys let Case Keenum and the Houston spread offense tear them up on a consistent basis. Texas plays a similar style, and has world class athletes. This will be a race that I don’t think Oklahoma State, especially without WR Dez Bryant, will be able to keep up with.

Pick: Texas 44, Oklahoma State 27

#4 Iowa (-17.5) vs. Indiana

- Until I’m proven wrong, I’ll pick against Iowa to cover a big spread regardless of the competition. They play to their opponent, and then squeak out a win. Iowa wins, but Indiana beats the points.

Pick: Iowa 20, Indiana 10

#5 USC (-3) @ #10 Oregon

- The Oregon Ducks can certainly put up a large amount of points, but it’s been the play of their defense that separates this Oregon squad from years past. USC quarterback Matt Barkley has shown some progress of late, but I don’t know that he can keep up score for score with the Ducks offense. Especially since the USC defense has allowed a fair share of points the past two weeks to Notre Dame and Oregon State. I like Oregon here.

Pick: Oregon 38, USC 31

#6 TCU (-35) vs. UNLV

- I expect TCU to control this game throughout, but UNLV’s offense is just good enough to pull a few scores out of the hat. I think the Runnin’ Rebels beat the points, but still get utterly dominated by TCU.

Pick: TCU 45, UNLV 14

#7 Boise State (-35) vs. San Jose State

- Let the TCU versus Boise State talk rage on. Notice that I’m not going to comment on San Jose State, because I expect Boise State to go out and make a statement to the pollsters with this game. Especially after TCU just passed them in the BCS.

Pick: Boise State 62, San Jose State 13

#8 Cincinnati (-15.5) @ Syracuse

- No word yet if Tony Pike will be in the lineup, but I’m not sure that it matters. The only player Cincinnati has to worry about is Syracuse defensive tackle Arthur Jones. If they neutralize him, yet another smooth sailing win is on the horizon for the Bearcats.

Pick: Cincinnati 41, Syracuse 20

#9 LSU (-35.5) vs. Tulane

- This Tulane squad isn’t good, and they’ve been blown out for three straight weeks now by Southern Miss, Houston and Marshall. With all that said, LSU is going to eat them alive. Look for true freshman Russell Shepard to get a lot of touches whether it be throwing or running the ball. Shepard is super talented, and should be in there sooner rather than later.

Pick: LSU 49, Tulane 6

#11 Georgia Tech (-12) @ Vanderbilt

It seems like right around this time the same question arises: Does anyone want to win the ACC? Both Miami FL and Virginia Tech suffered crippling losses leaving Georgia Tech as the highest ranked of the ACC as well as the new favorites to take home the conference title. I wouldn’t be worried about this one for Yellow Jacket fans. Paul Johnson’s offense is something Vanderbilt has never seen before. Big results.

Pick: Georgia Tech 44, Vanderbilt 14

#12 Penn State (-15) @ Northwestern

- I’ve been down on the Big Ten as a whole, but I’m slowly starting to develop respect for the teams at the top. That includes Penn State, even if their out of conference schedule might be worse than some Division I-AA schools (Yes, I know, it’s FCS. I refuse to use it though. Except right then). Darryl Clark is starting to turn the corner for Penn State. The only concern is dealing with the pesky running Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka. If they shut him down when he tucks the ball to run, the Nittany Lions shouldn’t have a problem in this one.

Pick: Penn State 32, Northwestern 14

#16 Utah (-17) vs. Wyoming

- Utah has certainly come back strong after that loss to Oregon. I expect Utah to roll here.

Pick: Utah 45, Wyoming 20

#17 Ohio State (-43.5) vs. New Mexico State

- The New Mexico State Aggies have been outscored in their last two games by a score of 79-10 against the likes of Louisiana Tech (3-4) and Fresno State (4-3). Now they take on an inspired Buckeyes team in Columbus. Yeah, I’ll take Ohio State to cover.

Pick: Ohio State 57, New Mexico State 6

#18 Houston (-6.5) vs. Southern Mississippi

- Southern Mississippi is a good little ball club, and this is going to be one of the biggest conference tests for Houston this season. But with that said, I still think the Cougars can compensate for all the playmakers that Southern Mississippi has on offense. I’ll take Houston to cover.

Pick: Houston 39, Southern Mississippi 30

#19 Miami FL (-7.5) @ Wake Forest

- The Demon Deacons have struggled mightily this season with the loss of all their defensive studs to this past year’s draft. Add that to the fact that Miami is coming off of a loss. I don’t expect this to be close.

Pick: Miami 42, Wake Forest 18

#22 South Carolina (+6) @ Tennessee

- Tennessee played a great road game against Alabama last week, and look to continue that momentum against an overrated South Carolina team. Lane Kiffin’s Volunteers are bred to win ugly, and I think that will be the case in this one.

Pick: Tennessee 16, South Carolina 13

#23 Notre Dame (-28) vs. Washington State

- The Fighting Irish have one of the best offenses in the country in my opinion. Jimmy Clausen is really taking the next step and providing clutch throws when the team needs it most. This game is being played in San Antonio for some ridiculous reason. I like Notre Dame to cover.

Pick: Notre Dame 47, Washington State 17

#24 California (-6.5) @ Arizona State

- The Golden Bears find themselves back in to the BCS rankings after a lengthy lapse from their last time being ranked. This will be a tough road game, but Arizona State is still in a rebuilding mode in my opinion. I reluctantly take Cal to cover, only because they tend to struggle on the road.

Pick: California 36, Arizona State 23

#25 Mississippi (-4) @ Auburn

- Auburn has dropped three in a row since starting off the season with five wins. And with those three losses, the Auburn fans are starting to grow restless with first year head coach Gene Chizik. I expect the losing to continue for the Tigers.

Pick: Mississippi 27, Auburn 13

E-mail: JoeB@wgr550.com