#1 Ohio State at Rutgers
The Buckeyes finally looked like the Buckeyes of last season with J.T. Barrett getting the majority of the playing time against Penn State last week and has now taken over as the starting quarterback. Ohio State should continue trending upward with an easy win this week. Ohio State 45 Rutgers 10
#2 Baylor vs. Iowa State
The line on this game favors Baylor by 37 and with the way the Bears have scored this season going against Iowa State’s erractic defense, that may be the Cyclones’ halftime deficit. Baylor 61 Iowa State 17
#3 Utah at USC
The Trojans are actually favored in this game but it is hard to see them winning this one with the disappointing start to their season and mid season coaching change. Utah is also competing for a Pac 12 championship and College Football playoff appearance. Utah 31 USC 24
#5 LSU vs. Western Kentucky
This is a challenging sandwich game for LSU, who will play host to the Hilltoppers after defeating Florida last week and going to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama in two weeks. Western Kentucky can score but doesn’t play defense, especially against tougher competition. The Fournette show continues. LSU 44 Western Kentucky 24
#6 Clemson at Miami
The next three weeks with back to back road games against Miami and NC State and a winner take all ACC Atlantic division matchup with Florida State, should determine whether or not Clemson is a College Football playoff contender. The Hurricanes have talented players on offense but have struggled defensively this season, which may not be a good indicator for success in this game. Clemson 31 Miami 20
#7 Michigan State vs. Indiana
Michigan State will have to regroup after being involved in one of the more dramatic finishes in college football history against their in state rival. The good thing for them is that they were on the winning end of that finish and will take on a bad defensive Indiana team that is coming off a dramatic finish of their own but were on the losing end. Michigan State 41 Indiana 20
#8 Alabama vs. Tennessee
After an early season loss, Alabama has gone back to playing methodically sound Alabama football. Tennessee is a year away from being truly competitive and don’t yet have the talent to beat an elite program away from Neyland Stadium. Alabama 38 Tennessee 17
#9 Florida State at Georgia Tech
Everett Golson looked comfortable for the first time in the Florida State offense with 372 passing yards and 3 touchdowns against a good Louisville defense. The Yellow Jackets have now lost five straight games and will have to contend with an improved Golson and the best running back in college football not named Leonard Fournette. Florida State 33 Georgia Tech 24
#10 Stanford vs. Washington
Stanford has played like a top 5 team since the loss to Northwestern during week 1 of the season. They are Alabama West and have been bulldozing other Pac 12 teams into the ground with their defense, offensive line and star running back Christian McCaffrey. Washington plays like Stanford but don’t have the talent to match up against the Cardinal. Stanford 31 Washington 17
#14 Oklahoma State vs. Kansas
Oklahoma State is under the radar in a competitive Big 12 and are viewed as the fourth team in the league behind Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma. This should be an easy victory against perhaps the worst team in any Big 5 conference and we will know more about Oklahoma State next month. Oklahoma State 41 Kansas 10
Bonus Pick
#16 Texas A&M at#24 Mississippi
This is the only matchup of the week between top 25 teams. Both are coming off a loss last week and need to win to stay in the top 25 and SEC West race. Both teams are evenly matched but the Rebels will be at home and should get the edge. Mississippi 34 Texas A&M 31
