I was 1-2 last week in my upset specials. Let's see if I can do better this week:
(home team in CAPS)
ARIZONA vs Oregon State--The Beavers need this one to stay on track for the Rose Bowl. But hmmm...on the road; young team; pressure...I have a feeling they may stumble vs a capable Arizona club. UPSET SPECIAL PICK: WILDCATS.
CINCINNATI vs Pittsburgh--both teams can score. Both have had decent seasons. Did you even know Cincy is in the top 25? They are. I think they'll keep it going at home. PICK: BEARCATS.
Illinois vs NORTHWESTERN--A win here would cap off what really has been a pretty special season for Northwestern and Coach Pat Fitzgerald (did anyone before the season expect them to have a chance to win 9 games?). I have a hunch NU will find a way to win against a demoralized Illini team, although the oddsmakers favor Illinois. UPSET SPECIAL PICK: WILDCATS.
LSU vs Ole Miss--the Tigers barely escaped a big upset last week; I suspect Les Miles will make sure they don't have two letdowns in a row. PICK: TIGERS.
NOTRE DAME vs Syracuse--the Orangemen just aren't very good. The Greg Robinson Farewell Tour has only one more stop after this, mercifully. PICK: FIGHTING IRISH.
OHIO STATE vs Michigan--the Maize and Blue will show some fight in this game; they'll play hard (remember, earlier this season they led Penn State 17-7 at one point on the road). But they have no consistency and no QB, and Ohio State still has a lot to play for. PICK: BUCKEYES.
OKLAHOMA vs Texas Tech--the oddsmakers favor the Sooners by 7. Wow--that's a lot, given what Tech has accomplished. OU is very, very good. But I think Tech is up to something real special, and they have a QB, a wide receiver, and an offense on the whole playing at a very high level. I gotta stay with Tech. UPSET SPECIAL PICK: RED RAIDERS.
PENN STATE vs Michigan State--this game is for all the marbles--a trip to the Rose Bowl. Michigan State has pluck; they'll fight. But I think Penn State, at home, just has too much, especially at the QB position, where MSU's Brian Hoyer has just been too inconsistent. PICK: NITTANY LIONS.
TCU vs Air Force--the Horned Frogs defense will get it done at home. This is a good TCU, which will miss being a BCS-buster just by an eyelash. PICK: HORNED FROGS.
UTAH vs BYU--Utah has escaped, narrowly, more than once this season. Meanwhile they'll face a BYU team which has an experienced quarterback who can move the chains, get first downs, and get touchdowns. I smell an upset. UPSET SPECIAL PICK: COUGARS.
