Friday College Football Pickoff - Week 9

A Halloween Saturday means some spooky things are bound to happen in the football world. Watch out for Oregon and Oklahoma State...last year's Holiday Bowl representatives can shake up the BCS picture with wins over USC and Texas respectively.

Last week, I went 10-0 in my college picks while Rich went 8-2...mind you some of our picks weren't that tough...but regardless I hope to do as well again this week. Take a look below for this week’s picks:

Eric: Notre Dame 41, Washington St. 14
-Cougs barely cover the four touchdown spread but Irish QB Jimmy Clausen has a field day on the poor Cougs secondary.
Rich: ND 42, WSU 21
-Last time these teams met, a thriller on OT…..those were the days. Cougs get a little better each week with the rookie QB.

Eric: Oregon St. 34, UCLA 16
-Poor Rick Neuheisel…he’s a good coach with a very young team…in a few years this result will be different…but for now OSU wins in a rout.
Rich: OSU 45, UCLA 20
-Beavers will pour it on…

Eric: California 27, ASU 23
-If ASU loses here, their bowl aspirations will be in serious jeopardy. Which Cal team will show up? I like Cal with the much stronger running game to get it done on the road. Over/Under on ASU Freshman LB Vontaze Burfict's 15-yard penalties committed: 1.5 (he's had 5 in the last two weeks).
Rich: ASU 24, Cal 22
-Cal has looked good of late…maybe ready for let down. ASU needs this home win.

Eric: Oregon 30, USC 28
-Upset special #1…or is it? The home crowd gives Oregon the extra advantage they need to pull the upset. The Trojans’ D has looked vulnerable the past two weeks while allowing 63 combined points to Notre Dame and Oregon St.
Rich: Ore 35, USC 31
-I don’t think this will be an upset. Autzen will be the toughest stadium in the country Saturday for a road team to win.

Eric: Florida 34, Georgia 13
-Not quite as bad a beating as last year’s game…but Tim Tebow plays like the Tebow of old in this blowout.
Rich: I agree...the only question is which cocktail to order? [This game used to be known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party"]

Eric: Texas 34, Oklahoma St. 30

-I really want to pick the upset here…but I won’t for two reasons: 1. OSU is without their star WR Dez Bryant due to an NCAA-imposed suspension…2. Texas lost at Texas Tech on this weekend last year…Coach Mack Brown won’t let the same fate happen again. Texas QB Colt McCoy jumps to the top of the Heisman race after this one.
Rich: Yes……the Horns win against an OSU team that maybe a year away from greatness. But it wouldn’t be a shock if greatness arrives for the Cowboys on Saturday night.

Eric: Ole Miss 26, Auburn 20
-Ole Miss has disappointed me this year...I really thought they would win the SEC West...while Auburn has disappointed me of late with their current losing streak. Ole Miss wins a fairly close one.
Rich: Ole Miss 27-21

Eric's Upset Special: Central Michigan 27, Boston College 24
-The Chippewas are for real with their only loss coming at the hands of UofA…look for a BC hangover from last Saturday’s close Notre Dame loss. If CMU goes 11-1, is their QB Dan LeFevour an outside Heisman candidate.
-Rich: I like this pick!

Rich's Upset Special: Minnesota 17, Michigan State 14 -- (FYI I like MSU by 10+)

Have a good weekend everyone!

Eric