FAVORITE TEAMS

10) BOISE STATE AT AIR FORCE – 4PM PT/7PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]

Both Mountain division squads leads the conference in majority of offensive and defensive categories. Boise State, however, is 3-0 in the division after a slow start in general while Air Force is in desperation mode after their first conference win last week. The slight edge goes to Air Force that’s looking for their second straight win over Boise.

MY PICK: AIR FORCE

9) TROY AT SOUTH ALABAMA – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ESPNU ON THURSDAY]

This is worth watching if you fear another NFL Thursday Night bore. The Sun Belt is the Fun Belt this season with competitive fire, and crazy upsets and finishes. South Alabama lost by a field goal to a currently undefeated UCLA while Troy fought hard against a currently undefeated Ole Miss and lost on a hail mary to App State. Both are playing for the lead in the West division. Troy is a gritty team, but South Alabama’s playing with house money and should escape a home upset.

MY PICK: SOUTH ALABAMA

8) MEMPHIS AT #25 TULANE – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ESPN2]

Tulane is ranked for the first time since 1998. The upset over Kansas State was a major confidence booster, and the Wildcats current ranking helps the Green Wave’s cause. Tulane matches wits with Memphis, who’s offensively formidable this season with quarterback Seth Henigan. However, the Tigers defense won’t keep up with Tulane and that will be their downfall.

MY PICK: TULANE

7) UCF AT ECU – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ESPNU]

UCF is a stone’s throw away from the Top 25 rankings next week. They shrugged off the Louisville loss and are humming along with Ole Miss quarterback transfer John Rhys Plumlee. East Carolina is in the crossroads going back and forth in wins and losses these past five weeks. ECU’s difficult to play against at home and quarterback Holton Ahlers and company are fun to watch. However, UCF eeks out with a crucial victory.

MY PICK: UCF

6) #24 MISSISSIPPI STATE AT #6 ALABAMA – 4PM PT/7PM ET [ESPN]

It’s a bummer that this matchup features both teams that lost on the road to their rival SEC East counterparts. Sorry for the reminder, but that’s how rivalry games go. However, they both look to bounce back in a big way. Mike Leach and Mississippi State looks to assault Alabama’s coverage with their passing attack. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs are not as dynamic or third dimensional as the Tennessee. It’ll get to a point where Bama figures things out and avoids back-to-back losses for the first time since the 2013-’14 season.

MY PICK: ALABAMA

5) #20 TEXAS AT #11 OKLAHOMA STATE – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ABC]

Texas travels outside of their home state for the first time this season as they take on Oklahoma State in an all-orange Big 12 matchup. Texas shouldn’t worry about their state now that TCU ended Oklahoma State’s reign of terror in the Lone Star state last week. Quarterback Quinn Ewers return to the Longhorns was a blessing, especially since they took care of Oklahoma and Iowa State. Him, Bijan Robinson, and receivers, Worthy, Whittington, and Sanders, make one hell of an offensive juggernaut. Oklahoma State may have a say in that as they look for redemption after a hard-fought loss in overtime last week. Quarterback Spencer Sanders literally has the program on his back to take them as far as he can. He has weapons, but if he’s hurt at all, the team falls with him. A lot will be on his shoulders to take down the Longhorns and it has the makings of a 60-plus point game in total by both. The Longhorns should come away with this with a slightly better offense and their defense potentially forcing turnovers on Sanders.

MY PICK: TEXAS

4) #17 KANSAS STATE AT #8 TCU – 5PM PT/8PM ET [FOX]

Following up on the Texas/Oklahoma State matchup is another Big 12 matchup in the form of purple. Kansas State travels to Forth Worth to deal with the undefeated Horned Frogs. Despite the loss to Tulane, Kansas State is competing at a higher level than the first two seasons under Chris Klieman. The addition of Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez made this team much better and more dynamic. Him and Deuce Vaughn became a 1-2 punch in the backfield and no defense wants any part of it. TCU is 6-0 for the first time since 2017 and are hoping to continue their hot streak. Quarterback Max Duggan continues his redemption tour after getting his starting job back this season. He has help from running back Kendre Miller and big play receiver Quentin Johnston along with their defense that makes enough stops. This is a for sure high-scoring affair with one side that’ll be physical in the trenches while the other side creates big plays with plenty of finesse. TCU may have escaped Oklahoma State’s clutches in the fourth quarter/overtime, but I doubt they’ll escape again with how physical the Wildcats are for four plus quarters.

MY PICK: KANSAS STATE

3) #7 OLE MISS AT LSU – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [CBS]

Ole Miss quietly climbed the rankings and are on the cusp of the College Football Playoff realm. They figured out their roster filled with transfers on both sides, including quarterback Jaxson Dart (USC), running back Zach Evans (TCU), and safety Isheem Young (Iowa State). They ran into some easy but steady competition, including the upset win over ranked Kentucky a few weeks ago. They run into Death Valley for their second biggest test against LSU, who’s trying to stay on pace for a surprising season with Brian Kelly in the SEC. LSU is within striking distance for the SEC West after Alabama’s loss last week. They took care of ranked Mississippi State earlier and have Ole Miss and Alabama (after the bye) in back-to-back games. Quarterback Jaylen Daniels is getting comfortable running the offense and will be key against Ole Miss’s defense. Ole Miss defeated LSU twice in the past decade (both at home). They haven’t escaped Death Valley unharmed since 2008. Unfortunately, Ole Miss could succumb to Death Valley as LSU goes for the big upset to add to Brian Kelly’s résumé.

MY PICK: LSU

2) #14 SYRACUSE AT #5 CLEMSON – 9AM PT/12PM ET [ABC]

The Orange is off to a surprising 6-0 start since 1987 (finished 11-0-1). Coach Dino Babers rebuilt his roster with one of the best running backs in the country (Sean Tucker) coupled with Mississippi State transfer quarterback Garrett Shrader and a revamped defense. Clemson’s three games in the past four weeks have been a test of might, and they continue to overcome them. Depending on their schedule ahead of Syracuse, this could be their last and toughest test of the season. The Tigers have slowly but surely established their offense beyond running back Will Shipley. DJ Uiagalelei and the receivers are coming through and must be needed against the Orange’s dangerous pass coverage. Syracuse had one heck of a ride, but just like Ole Miss, their fun ends here in Death Valley as well. The Tiger defense eventually squeeze out the Orange’s best offensive players and the Tigers offense juices out the defense in the end.

MY PICK: CLEMSON

1) #9 UCLA AT #10 OREGON – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [FOX]

This Pac-12 game is a top worthy watch this season (next to USC vs Utah). UCLA is 6-0 for the first time since 2005 and bowling for the second straight season. At this point, they’re beyond that goal and are looking for more. Having Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback makes any player feel confident that they could win. Him, bruiser back Zach Charbonnet, and a slew of receiving targets made UCLA such a dangerous offense. Their defense, at times, made some strides as well. They complicated the run game and are picking people off in critical moments. Oregon’s back in the Top 12 after bottoming out against Georgia earlier this season. Since then, they haven’t scored under 40 points and have allowed over 30 points just once. Quarterback Bo Nix and sophomore backs Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington are the backbone of this offense. Also, former UCLA receiver Chase Cota reunites against his old team. UCLA is the last undefeated Pac-12 team heading to one of the most hostile and difficult environments in the conference. After last year’s matchup when D.T.R. went down before UCLA’s final drive, him and company are looking to equalize the situation. They are the second most physical opponent Oregon has faced this season, and D.T.R. and the backfield will make sure of it. UCLA manages to overcome the Ducks’ environment and walks away with the win.

MY PICK: UCLA