Is Miami Over Virginia Tech an Upset?

It isn't October yet, which is traditionally when conference play begins, but the Top 25 has at least a dozen conference clashes on this week's schedule.

• #1 Florida at Kentucky, 5 p.m. (Central) on ESPN2 — Florida didn't particularly impress me against Tennessee last week, but, at the moment, I have no reason to pick against the top–ranked team in the country.


• UTEP at #2 Texas, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on FSN — I was a little more impressed with Texas' performance against Texas Tech last week, but Tech isn't what it was last year. Still, as is the case with Florida, I have no reason to pick against Texas. Certainly not at home against UTEP.


• Arkansas at #3 Alabama, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on CBS — As an Arkansas alum, I would love to see the Razorbacks beat Alabama. And there have been times since the Razorbacks joined the SEC when I have seen Arkansas beat Alabama. Sometimes I have seen Arkansas win at Alabama. And I believe the Razorbacks will make it a competitive game. But, I'm afraid, I won't see them beat Alabama this year.


• Iowa at #4 Penn State, 7 p.m. (Central) on ABC — Last November, Penn State took a 9–0 record to Iowa and left Iowa City with its first loss of the year, 24–23. I don't expect the Nittany Lions to lose the Big Ten rematch at home.


• #5 Ole Miss at South Carolina, tonight at 6:45 p.m. (Central) on ESPN — South Carolina probably won't win this SEC game, but I expect the Gamecocks to give the Rebels their first real test of the season.


• #6 California at Oregon, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC — Oregon lost to Big Ten rival Cal on the road last season. But the Ducks are at home this time. Will there be an upset? I don't think so. I'll take Cal.


• #7 LSU at Mississippi State, 11:21 a.m. (Central) on SEC — I don't think Mississippi State can stay with LSU in this SEC tilt. I'll take the Tigers.


• #8 Boise State at Bowling Green — I can't say I follow either of these schools too closely, but my gut tells me Boise State will win.


• Washington State at #10 USC — I've heard the mutterings that USC is no longer a factor in the national title picture. That may be so. But I think the Trojans are still the best in their conference until someone displaces them. I don't think it will be Washington State.


• Illinois at #11 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC — This game is sort of deceptive. It looks like a mismatch, but it's been just about evenly split for a quarter of a century. I'll go with the Buckeyes, but the score might be closer than you think.


• #13 Miami (Florida) at #12 Virginia Tech, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC — As far as rankings are concerned, this is probably the game of the week. It's certainly the game of the week in the ACC. In the last five years, Tech has a 3–2 record against Miami, but they've split the last two games in Blacksburg. Tech is coming off a last–minute win over Nebraska in which many weaknesses were exposed. I'm picking the visiting Hurricanes to win what may — or may not — be an upset.


• #14 TCU at Clemson — Clemson has the reputation. Clemson has a boisterous home crowd. But TCU has a better team. Give me TCU.


• Fresno State at #15 Cincinnati — I'm sorry this game isn't being televised around here. Cincinnati's quarterback is being mentioned as a dark–horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy. And this should be a good opportunity to see him shine.


• Grambling State at #16 Oklahoma State — Should be an easy win for Oklahoma State.


• Arizona State at #17 Georgia, 6 p.m. (Central) on ESPNU — I have become convinced that Georgia's offense is productive and its defense is not. I think the Bulldogs can win by 10.


• #18 North Carolina at Georgia Tech — I don't follow the ACC too closely. I think this will probably be a close game — a narrow win for North Carolina.


• Southern Miss at #19 Kansas, 11 a.m. (Central) on FSN — Southern Miss has played pretty well against teams from the upper tier conferences so Kansas would be making a mistake to assume this will be an easy win. I do think Kansas will win the game, but it might be closer than you expect.


• Colorado State at #20 Brigham Young, 5 p.m. on The MTN — I expect BYU to prevail.


• #21 Missouri at Nevada, Friday at 8 p.m. (Central) on ESPN — I'll take Missouri.


• Indiana at #22 Michigan, 11 a.m. on ESPN2 — Michigan should roll over Indiana. Seems like old times.


• Texas Tech at #23 Houston, 8:15 p.m. (Central) on ESPN2 — This could be wild, a throwback to the run–and–shoot days of the Southwest Conference. I think Tech will win.


• Louisiana–Lafayette at #24 Nebraska — Hardly seems worth saying that I think Nebraska will win this one convincingly.


• South Florida at #25 Florida State, 11 a.m. (Central) on EPNU — Florida State should have no problems.

Last week, I went 19–3 in games involving Top 25 teams. So far, my record is 40–4.